Defining Capacity
Capacity is the measure of the maximum quantity of liquid, or any pourable substance, which can be filled in a particular container. The term “volume” is also used to express capacity. The units of capacity used in the metric system are liter and milliliter.
We can convert milliliters into liters by multiplying them by \(\frac{1}{1000}\).
We can convert liters into milliliters by multiplying them by 1000. The conversion of units helps us express a quantity in different units.
Units of capacity conversion formula
The formulas used to convert units of capacity are:
- 1 liter = 1000 milliliters (ml)
- 1 milliliter = \(\frac{1}{1000}\) liters
How can we use the units of capacity conversion formula?
Let us understand the concept visually. If you take a liter of water and fill it equally into 1000 containers, the quantity of water in each container will be 1 milliliter.
1 liter (l) = 1000 milliliters (ml) |
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1 milliliter (ml) = \(\frac{1}{1000}\) liters (l) |
To convert from a larger unit to a smaller unit, we need to multiply.
If we have “a” liters of liquid, this quantity in milliliters will be:
(a x 1000)ml, that is, we multiply by 1000.
Conversely, to convert from a smaller unit to a larger unit, we need to divide.
If we have “b” milliliters of liquid, this quantity in liters will be:
\(\frac{b}{1000}\) liters, that is, we divide by 1000.
Rapid Recall:
1 liter = 1000 milliliters (ml)
1 milliliter = \(\frac{1}{1000}\) liters
To explore more about units of capacity, click here.
Solved Examples
Example 1: Convert 11 liters into milliliters.
Solution:
We know that there are 1000 milliliters in 1 liter.
11 liters = (11 x 1000) milliliters [Unit conversion formula]
= 11000 [Multiply]
So, there are 11000 milliliters in 11 liters.
Example 2: Convert 460 milliliters into liters.
Solution:
We know that there are \(\frac{1}{1000}\) liters in 1 milliliter.
460 milliliters = ( 460 x \(\frac{1}{1000}\) ) liters [Unit conversion formula]
= 0.46 [Simplify]
So, 460 milliliters is 0.46 liters.
Example 3: How many milliliters are there in 623 liters?
Solution :
We know that there are 1000 milliliters in 1 liter.
\(6\frac{2}{3}\) liters
= ( 6 +\(\frac{2}{3}\) ) liters
= ( 6 + \(\frac{2}{3}\) )1000 milliliters [Unit conversion formula]
= 6 x 1000+\(\frac{2}{3}\) x 1000 milliliters [Distributive property]
= 6000+ \(\frac{2000}{3}\) milliliters [Multiply]
= \(\frac{18000+2000}{3}\) milliliters [Simplify]
= \(\frac{20000}{3}\) milliliters [Add]
= \(6666\frac{2}{3}\) milliliters
So, there are \(6666\frac{2}{3}\) milliliters in \(6\frac{2}{3}\) liters.
Example 4: How many liters are there in \(8502\frac{6}{7}\) milliliters?
Solution:
We know that there are \(\frac{1}{1000}\) liters in 1 milliliter.
How many liters are present in \(8502\frac{6}{7}\) milliliters?
= ( 8502 + \(\frac{6}{7}\) )milliliters
= (8502+\(\frac{6}{7}\) ) x \(\frac{1}{1000}\) liters [Unit conversion formula]
= 8502 x \(\frac{1}{1000}\)+\(\frac{6}{7}\) x \(\frac{1}{1000}\) liters [Distributive Property]
= \(\frac{8502}{1000}\) + \(\frac{6}{7000}\) liters [Multiply]
= \(\frac{59514+6}{7000}\) liters [Simplify]
= \(\frac{59520}{7000}\) liters [Add]
\(\approx\) 8.50 liters
So, there are about 8.50 liters in \(8502\frac{6}{7}\) milliliters.
Example 5: John orders 5 cans of milk from a supermarket. The capacity of each can is 2.5 liters. What is the total quantity of milk John ordered from the supermarket in milliliters?
Solution :
John orders 5 cans of milk, each with a capacity of 2.5 liters.
So, he orders a total of 5 x 2.5 = 12.5 liters.
Now we have to convert 12.5 liters into milliliters
We know that there are 1000 milliliters in 1 liter.
12.5 liters
= 12.5 x 1000 milliliters [Unit conversion formula]
= 12500 milliliters [Multiply]
So, John orders 12500 milliliters of milk from the supermarket.
The customary units of capacity are gallons, quarts, pints, and cups.
The metric units of capacity include liters(L) and milliliters (ml). 1 liter is equal to 1000 milliliters.
The metric units of weight are kilogram, gram, milligram, decigram, and so on.
The metric units of length are kilometer, meter, centimeter, millimeter, and so on.
The unit of measurement in the metric system is known as the metric unit of measurement. It is also known as the International System of Units (SI units). This unit includes meter, liter, gram, and so on.