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Step-by-step practice: Maths · Level 5Chapter 8 · Metric length, mass and capacity
Step-by-step Maths Level 5 · Metric length, mass and capacity · Lesson 8.2

Step-by-step Maths Level 5: Converting mass and capacity: kg, g, litres and ml

Part of the Step-by-step Maths Level 5 metric length, mass and capacity chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

8.2

Converting mass and capacity: kg, g, litres and ml

Level 5
Convert between kg and g, and between litres and millilitres

1 kg = 1,000 g and 1 litre = 1,000 ml. To change grams into kilograms and grams, divide by 1,000: 2,350 g = 2 kg 350 g.

Write the answer with both units, so that the reader sees the kilograms and the grams.

Key ideas

  • 1 kg = 1,000 g; 1 litre = 1,000 ml.
  • Smaller unit: multiply by 1,000.
  • Bigger unit: divide by 1,000; the remainder is the smaller unit.
Worked example 8.2.1
Change 3 kg to g.

Method. Multiply by 1,000 to change kg into g.

  1. Use the rule. 1 kg is 1,000 g.
    1 kg = 1,000 g
  2. Multiply the kg by 1,000. Each kg has 1,000 g.
    3 × 1,000 = 3,000
  3. Write the answer with the unit. The unit is g.
    3,000 g

Check. Check: 3,000 ÷ 1,000 = 3.

Watch out. A smaller unit gives a bigger number. Multiply by 1,000.

Worked example 8.2.2
Change 2,350 g to kg and g.

Method. Divide by 1,000 to find the whole kg; the remainder is the g.

  1. Use the rule. 1 kg is 1,000 g.
    1 kg = 1,000 g
  2. Share 2,350 g into groups of 1,000. Each group is one kg.
    2,350 ÷ 1,000 = 2 r 350
  3. Write the answer. 2 whole kg and the g left over.
    2 kg 350 g

Check. Check: 2 × 1,000 + 350 = 2,350.

Watch out. Use a space between the two parts, and the unit after each: 2 kg 350 g.

Worked example 8.2.3
Change 1,250 ml to l and ml.

Method. Divide by 1,000 to find the whole l; the remainder is the ml.

  1. Use the rule. 1 l is 1,000 ml.
    1 l = 1,000 ml
  2. Share 1,250 ml into groups of 1,000. Each group is one l.
    1,250 ÷ 1,000 = 1 r 250
  3. Write the answer. 1 whole l and the ml left over.
    1 l 250 ml

Check. Check: 1 × 1,000 + 250 = 1,250.

Watch out. Use a space between the two parts, and the unit after each: 1 l 250 ml.

Watch out

Watch out. 2,350 g is 2 kg 350 g, not 23 kg 50 g. Count the thousands first.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Use a kitchen scale and a measuring jug. Ask the child to read the scale and say the answer with both units.

Exercise 8B  Practice: converting mass and capacity

Non-calculator
1
FChange 11,122 ml to l and ml.
2
FChange 12,065 g to kg and g.
3
FChange 14 l to ml.
4
FChange 10 kg to g.
5
FChange 5,730 ml to l and ml.
6
FChange 19,242 g to kg and g.
7
FChange 11 kg to g.
8
FChange 12,128 g to kg and g.
9
FChange 19 l to ml.
10
FChange 18 l to ml.
11
FChange 6,395 ml to l and ml.
12
FChange 5 kg to g.
13
FChange 12 kg to g.
14
FChange 3,611 g to kg and g.
15
FChange 16,512 g to kg and g.
16
FChange 15 kg to g.

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