Capacity
Capacity measures how much liquid a container can hold, expressed in units such as liters, milliliters, gallons, and ounces. In Grade 6 Saxon Math Course 1 (Chapter 8: Advanced Topics in Geometry and Number Operations), students compare metric capacity units (1 liter = 1,000 milliliters) and understand that capacity describes the interior volume of a container. Larger containers (gallon jugs, swimming pools) use larger units; smaller containers (medicine droppers, yogurt cups) use smaller units. Choosing the appropriate unit for a given container is a key application skill.
Key Concepts
New Concept Containers are named by their capacity, that is, by the amount of liquid they can contain.
What’s next Next, you’ll use standard units like gallons and liters to compare container sizes and solve conversion problems.
Common Questions
What is capacity in mathematics?
Capacity is the measure of how much liquid or material a container can hold. It is measured in units such as liters, milliliters, gallons, or fluid ounces.
How many milliliters are in 1 liter?
1 liter = 1,000 milliliters.
Which is a more appropriate unit for a swimming pool: liters or milliliters?
Liters (or kiloliters). Swimming pools hold thousands of liters. Milliliters are too small and would require enormous numbers.
A carton holds 1 liter and a yogurt drink holds 200 mL. Which holds more?
The carton holds 1,000 mL and the yogurt drink holds 200 mL. The carton holds 5 times more.
How is capacity related to volume?
Capacity and volume both measure three-dimensional space. Capacity typically refers to containers and liquids; volume refers to the space a solid or liquid occupies.