Estimating capacity

In your book, Maths Mela (Chapter 8), we sort bottles and containers into three groups: those that hold less than 1 litre, those that hold 1 litre, and those that hold more than 1 litre. Remember the 1 litre bottle from Class 3 and compare with it.

A teaspoon holds only a tiny amount, far less than 1 litre. A glass also holds less than 1 litre. A bucket holds much more than 1 litre: you would need many 1 litre bottles to fill it.

Some liquids are used in very small amounts, so we measure them in millilitres (ml). The book says eye drops are used less than 1 ml at a time: just a drop or two. A spoon of cough syrup is also measured in ml.

The book shows measuring cans used for milk. They hold 50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml and 1000 ml. The 1000 ml can holds exactly 1 litre, because 1000 ml = 1 l. The 500 ml can holds half a litre.