# 10.04 Convert units of capacity

Lesson

## Ideas

If we can multiply and divide by  powers  of 10, that will help us in this lesson. Let's try a problem to practice.

### Examples

#### Example 1

Find the value of 6.41 \times 1000.

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

When we multiply by 1000, each digit moves three places to the left in the place value table.

Apply the idea

Write 6.41 in a place value table:

When we multiply by 1000, the digits move 3 place values to the left in the table. We can use zeros as place holders. The decimal point should stay where it is.

6.41 \times 1000 = 6410

Idea summary

The powers of 10 to remember are: 10, \, 100, \, 1000 and 10\,000.

When we multiply or divide by a power of 10, each digit of our number moves up or down by as many place value positions as there are zeros.

## Convert capacity

This video shows some strategies for converting between units of capacity.

### Examples

#### Example 2

Convert 4920 millilitres to litres.

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Remember that 1 litre = 1000 millilitres.

To convert millilitres to litres, divide by 1000.

Apply the idea

Here is 4920 in a place value table.

To divide by 1000 we move each digit to the right three places.

4920 \div 1000 = 4.92

4920 millilitres = 4.92 litres.

Idea summary

When you convert from a larger unit to a smaller unit (e.g. \text{L} to \text{mL}), you multiply.

When you convert from a smaller unit to a larger unit (e.g.\text{ mL} to \text{L}), you divide.

### Outcomes

#### VCMMG222

Connect decimal representations to the metric system

#### VCMMG223

Convert between common metric units of length, mass and capacity