- Define and explain Weight and Capacity in your own words
- Use key terms such as Capacity accurately
- Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
- Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic
This lesson focuses on Weight and Capacity: compare how heavy things are and how much containers hold.
Compare how heavy things are and how much containers hold.
Key ideas
Comparing measures
Words like longer, heavier and holds more only make sense when you compare two things directly — always name both sides of the comparison.
Measuring length
Longer things cover more distance, and we measure length with centimetres and metres using a ruler. Always line up the 0 mark with one end.
Key term — Capacity: How much a container can hold, measured in millilitres or litres.
A toy box holds 12 triangles, 8 squares and 5 circles. How many more triangles than squares are there, and what is the total of all three shapes?
More triangles than squares: 12 − 8 = 4. Total shapes: 12 + 8 + 5 = 25.
Answer: 4 more triangles; 25 shapes altogether.
- Calling every four-sided shape a square A square needs four equal sides and four right angles; a rectangle has opposite sides equal instead.
- Reading the wrong end of the ruler Always start measuring from the 0 mark, not from the end of the ruler.
Practice
250 ml — 500 − 250 = 250.
Grape, apple, bag of flour — from lightest to heaviest.
6 — a hexagon has six sides and six vertices.
1 metre — it equals 100 cm, which is more than 90 cm.
Quick check
Which of these best defines "Capacity"?
A ribbon is 45 cm long. 15 cm is cut off. How long is left?
- Weight and Capacity: compare how heavy things are and how much containers hold.
- Comparing measures: Words like longer, heavier and holds more only make sense when you compare two things directly — always name both sides of the comparison.
- Side: A straight edge of a flat shape.
- Watch out for: calling every four-sided shape a square