You may have learned about estimating and measuring capacity. Capacity is a word to describe how much something holds. We often use this when we think about liquids.

Now we will look at ordering objects by the capacity they hold. To order objects, we look at how much they can hold and then compare them, listing them from largest to smallest or smallest to largest. Watch this video to learn about ordering objects by capacity.

Now try these questions for yourself.

Worked examples

Question 1

We want to order these three cups from $largest$ capacity to $smallest$ capacity.

Cup $1$1	Cup $2$2	Cup $3$3

Capacity $=$= $337$337 mL	Capacity $=$= $630$630 mL	Capacity $=$= $136$136 mL

Which of these cups has the $largest$ capacity?
Cup $1$1
A
Cup $2$2
B
Cup $3$3
C
Which of these cups has the second $largest$ capacity?
Cup $3$3
A
Cup $1$1
B
Cup $2$2
C
Which of these cups has the $smallest$ capacity?
Cup $3$3
A
Cup $1$1
B
Cup $2$2
C

Question 2

Order $A$A, $B$B, and $C$C from largest total capacity to smallest.


$A$`A`	$B$`B`	$C$`C`

$\editable{}$, $\editable{}$, $\editable{}$

Question 3

$Jug B$ has a capacity of $2$2 $litres$ .


$Jug B$ = $2$2 L

Estimate the capacity of $jug A$ .
$10$10 L
A
$1$1 L
B
$250$250 mL
C
$1$1 mL
D

Remember!

The capacity of an object is how much it can hold.

To put objects into order you must compare them first.

Outcomes

3.M2.05

Compare and order a collection of objects, using standard units of mass (i.e., kilogram) and/or capacity (i.e., litre)

Order objects by capacity