Measurement — Advanced Conversions

Mathematics

Class 5 | CBSE, NCERT & ICSE

Learning Objectives

Convert between units of length: km, m, cm, mm
Convert between units of weight (mass): kg, g, mg
Convert between units of capacity (volume): kL, L, mL
Express measurements in decimal form
Add and subtract measurements with different units
Solve real-life word problems involving measurement conversions
Choose the appropriate unit for measuring different objects

Introduction — Measurement in Our Daily Life

Measurement is all around us! When your mother buys 2 kg of rice from the ration shop, when your father checks the distance from Delhi to Jaipur on a map (281 km), when the doctor prescribes 5 mL of cough syrup, or when you fill a 500 mL water bottle — you are using measurement every day.

In Class 4, you learned basic units of length, weight, and capacity. In Class 5, we go deeper — learning to convert between units, express measurements in decimal form, and add and subtract measurements. These skills are essential for science, cooking, shopping, travelling, and almost every part of daily life!

Think About It: Arjun's school is 1 km 350 m from his home. His friend Meena's school is 1800 m away. Whose school is farther? To compare, we need to express both distances in the same unit. That is what this chapter is all about!

Units of Length

Length is the measurement of how long, wide, or tall something is. We use different units depending on what we are measuring:

Unit	Symbol	Used For	Examples
Kilometre	km	Very long distances	Distance between cities, highway lengths
Metre	m	Medium distances and heights	Height of a building, length of a cricket pitch (22 m)
Centimetre	cm	Small lengths	Length of a pencil, height of a child
Millimetre	mm	Very small lengths	Thickness of a coin, width of an ant

Length Conversion Table

1 kilometre (km) = 1000 metres (m)
1 metre (m) = 100 centimetres (cm)
1 centimetre (cm) = 10 millimetres (mm)
1 metre (m) = 1000 millimetres (mm)
1 kilometre (km) = 1,00,000 centimetres (cm)
1 kilometre (km) = 10,00,000 millimetres (mm)

Image needed: A visual showing length comparisons — 1 km with a road between two villages, 1 m with a child's height, 1 cm with a fingernail width, 1 mm with a coin thickness. Also show: cricket pitch = 22 m, school ground = 100 m. Arrows showing the multiplication/division relationships between units.
Style: Colourful flat illustration, labelled clearly, child-friendly
Size: 800×450px

Converting Larger Units to Smaller Units (Multiply)

When converting from a larger unit to a smaller unit, we multiply because we need more of the smaller unit to make up the same length.

Example 1: Convert 3 km to metres.
1 km = 1000 m
So, 3 km = 3 × 1000 = 3000 m

Example 2: Convert 5 m 45 cm to centimetres.
1 m = 100 cm
So, 5 m = 5 × 100 = 500 cm
5 m 45 cm = 500 + 45 = 545 cm

Example 3: Convert 7 km 250 m to metres.
1 km = 1000 m
So, 7 km = 7 × 1000 = 7000 m
7 km 250 m = 7000 + 250 = 7250 m

Example 4: Convert 4 cm 8 mm to millimetres.
1 cm = 10 mm
So, 4 cm = 4 × 10 = 40 mm
4 cm 8 mm = 40 + 8 = 48 mm

Converting Smaller Units to Larger Units (Divide)

When converting from a smaller unit to a larger unit, we divide because fewer of the larger unit are needed.

Example 5: Convert 4500 m to km and m.
1 km = 1000 m
4500 ÷ 1000 = 4 remainder 500
So, 4500 m = 4 km 500 m

Example 6: Convert 365 cm to m and cm.
1 m = 100 cm
365 ÷ 100 = 3 remainder 65
So, 365 cm = 3 m 65 cm

Example 7: Convert 2750 mm to m, cm, and mm.
1 m = 1000 mm, so 2750 ÷ 1000 = 2 remainder 750
750 mm: 1 cm = 10 mm, so 750 ÷ 10 = 75 remainder 0
So, 2750 mm = 2 m 75 cm 0 mm = 2 m 75 cm

Units of Weight (Mass)

Weight (or mass) tells us how heavy an object is. We use different units depending on how heavy the object is:

Unit	Symbol	Used For	Examples
Kilogram	kg	Heavy objects	Body weight (35 kg), rice bag (5 kg), watermelon (3 kg)
Gram	g	Light objects	A banana (120 g), a chapati (30 g), a ₹5 coin (9 g)
Milligram	mg	Very light objects / medicines	A Crocin tablet (500 mg), a grain of rice (25 mg)

Weight Conversion Table

1 kilogram (kg) = 1000 grams (g)
1 gram (g) = 1000 milligrams (mg)
1 kilogram (kg) = 10,00,000 milligrams (mg)
½ kg = 500 g
¼ kg = 250 g
¾ kg = 750 g

Image needed: A visual showing weight comparisons — a 1 kg bag of sugar, a 100 g pack of biscuits, everyday items with their weights labelled (watermelon 3 kg, apple 200 g, ₹5 coin 9 g, Crocin tablet 500 mg). A weighing scale showing conversion: 1 kg = 1000 g.
Style: Colourful flat illustration, grocery/kitchen theme, Indian context
Size: 800×450px

Converting Weight Units

Example 1: Convert 5 kg 350 g to grams.
1 kg = 1000 g
5 kg = 5 × 1000 = 5000 g
5 kg 350 g = 5000 + 350 = 5350 g

Example 2: Convert 2 kg 75 g to grams.
2 kg = 2 × 1000 = 2000 g
2 kg 75 g = 2000 + 75 = 2075 g

Example 3: Convert 8450 g to kg and g.
8450 ÷ 1000 = 8 remainder 450
So, 8450 g = 8 kg 450 g

Example 4: Convert 3 g 250 mg to milligrams.
1 g = 1000 mg
3 g = 3 × 1000 = 3000 mg
3 g 250 mg = 3000 + 250 = 3250 mg

Example 5: Convert 6500 mg to g and mg.
6500 ÷ 1000 = 6 remainder 500
So, 6500 mg = 6 g 500 mg

Units of Capacity (Volume)

Capacity tells us how much liquid a container can hold. We use different units depending on the size of the container:

Unit	Symbol	Used For	Examples
Kilolitre	kL	Very large quantities	Water tank (5 kL), swimming pool (50 kL)
Litre	L	Medium quantities	Milk packet (1 L), water bottle (1 L), petrol (40 L)
Millilitre	mL	Small quantities	Cough syrup (100 mL), eye drops (10 mL), a teaspoon (5 mL)

Capacity Conversion Table

1 kilolitre (kL) = 1000 litres (L)
1 litre (L) = 1000 millilitres (mL)
1 kilolitre (kL) = 10,00,000 millilitres (mL)
½ L = 500 mL
¼ L = 250 mL
¾ L = 750 mL

Image needed: A visual showing capacity comparisons — a large water tank (1 kL = 1000 L), a 1 L milk packet, a 500 mL water bottle, a 200 mL juice box, a 5 mL medicine spoon. Arrows showing 1 L = 1000 mL relationship. Indian brands/items for context.
Style: Colourful flat illustration, kitchen/home theme, labelled clearly
Size: 800×450px

Converting Capacity Units

Example 1: Convert 3 L 750 mL to millilitres.
1 L = 1000 mL
3 L = 3 × 1000 = 3000 mL
3 L 750 mL = 3000 + 750 = 3750 mL

Example 2: Convert 8 kL 200 L to litres.
1 kL = 1000 L
8 kL = 8 × 1000 = 8000 L
8 kL 200 L = 8000 + 200 = 8200 L

Example 3: Convert 4250 mL to L and mL.
4250 ÷ 1000 = 4 remainder 250
So, 4250 mL = 4 L 250 mL

Example 4: Convert 6500 L to kL and L.
6500 ÷ 1000 = 6 remainder 500
So, 6500 L = 6 kL 500 L

Complete Conversion Reference Table

Here is a summary of all conversions you need to remember:

Type	Conversion	Multiply/Divide
Length	1 km = 1000 m	km → m: × 1000
	1 m = 100 cm	m → cm: × 100
	1 cm = 10 mm	cm → mm: × 10
	1 m = 1000 mm	m → mm: × 1000
Weight	1 kg = 1000 g	kg → g: × 1000
Weight	1 g = 1000 mg	g → mg: × 1000
Capacity	1 kL = 1000 L	kL → L: × 1000
Capacity	1 L = 1000 mL	L → mL: × 1000

The Golden Rule of Conversion

Larger unit → Smaller unit = MULTIPLY (you get a bigger number)
Smaller unit → Larger unit = DIVIDE (you get a smaller number)

Remember: "Going down? Multiply. Going up? Divide." Think of it like steps — going down the steps (to smaller units), you multiply. Going up (to larger units), you divide.

Image needed: A visual staircase/ladder diagram showing the conversion method. Top of stairs = larger units (km, kg, kL). Bottom = smaller units (mm, mg, mL). Arrow going DOWN labelled "MULTIPLY (×)" and arrow going UP labelled "DIVIDE (÷)". Show all three measurement types side by side.
Style: Clean infographic with stairs/steps visual, bright colours, clear arrows
Size: 750×400px

Expressing Measurements in Decimal Form

We can express a composite measurement (like 3 km 450 m) as a single number using decimals. This is very useful when we need to compare or calculate measurements.

Length in Decimal Form

Example 1: Express 3 km 450 m in km.
450 m = 450 ÷ 1000 km = 0.450 km
So, 3 km 450 m = 3.450 km (or simply 3.45 km)

Example 2: Express 3 km 450 m in m.
3 km = 3 × 1000 = 3000 m
So, 3 km 450 m = 3000 + 450 = 3450 m

Example 3: Express 7 m 35 cm in m.
35 cm = 35 ÷ 100 m = 0.35 m
So, 7 m 35 cm = 7.35 m

Example 4: Express 2 m 5 cm in m.
5 cm = 5 ÷ 100 m = 0.05 m
So, 2 m 5 cm = 2.05 m (Note the zero — 5 cm is only 5 hundredths of a metre)

Example 5: Express 12 cm 4 mm in cm.
4 mm = 4 ÷ 10 cm = 0.4 cm
So, 12 cm 4 mm = 12.4 cm

Weight in Decimal Form

Example 6: Express 4 kg 500 g in kg.
500 g = 500 ÷ 1000 kg = 0.5 kg
So, 4 kg 500 g = 4.5 kg (also written as 4 kg 500 g = 4½ kg)

Example 7: Express 2 kg 75 g in kg.
75 g = 75 ÷ 1000 kg = 0.075 kg
So, 2 kg 75 g = 2.075 kg

Capacity in Decimal Form

Example 8: Express 6 L 250 mL in L.
250 mL = 250 ÷ 1000 L = 0.25 L
So, 6 L 250 mL = 6.25 L (also written as 6¼ L)

Example 9: Express 1 L 50 mL in L.
50 mL = 50 ÷ 1000 L = 0.050 L
So, 1 L 50 mL = 1.050 L (or 1.05 L)

Think About It: Why is 2 kg 75 g written as 2.075 kg and not 2.75 kg? Because 75 g is only 75 out of 1000 parts of a kg. If we wrote 2.75, that would mean 2 kg 750 g — a very different weight! Always divide by the correct conversion factor.

Addition of Measurements

To add measurements, first convert them to the same unit, then add. You can also add them column-wise, keeping the units aligned.

Method 1: Convert to the Same Unit First

Example 1: Add 3 km 750 m and 2 km 480 m.

Step 1: Convert both to metres:
3 km 750 m = 3000 + 750 = 3750 m
2 km 480 m = 2000 + 480 = 2480 m

Step 2: Add:
3750 + 2480 = 6230 m

Step 3: Convert back: 6230 m = 6 km 230 m

Method 2: Add Column-Wise

Example 2: Add 5 kg 650 g and 3 kg 800 g.

	kg	g
	5	650
+	3	800
	9	450

650 g + 800 g = 1450 g = 1 kg 450 g
Carry 1 kg to the kg column: 5 + 3 + 1 = 9 kg
Answer: 9 kg 450 g

Example 3: Add 4 L 750 mL and 6 L 500 mL.

	L	mL
	4	750
+	6	500
	11	250

750 mL + 500 mL = 1250 mL = 1 L 250 mL
Carry 1 L: 4 + 6 + 1 = 11 L
Answer: 11 L 250 mL

Example 4: Add 2 m 45 cm, 3 m 70 cm, and 1 m 85 cm.

Convert to cm: 245 + 370 + 185 = 800 cm = 8 m 0 cm = 8 m

Subtraction of Measurements

To subtract measurements, convert to the same unit first, or use column-wise subtraction with borrowing when needed.

Example 1: Subtract 2 km 750 m from 5 km 300 m.

Method: We cannot subtract 750 m from 300 m directly. Borrow 1 km from 5 km:
5 km 300 m = 4 km 1300 m (because 1 km = 1000 m, so 300 + 1000 = 1300)

	km	m
	4	1300
−	2	750
	2	550

Answer: 2 km 550 m

Example 2: Subtract 3 kg 450 g from 7 kg 200 g.

Cannot subtract 450 from 200. Borrow 1 kg:
7 kg 200 g = 6 kg 1200 g

	kg	g
	6	1200
−	3	450
	3	750

Answer: 3 kg 750 g

Example 3: Subtract 2 L 800 mL from 5 L 350 mL.

Cannot subtract 800 from 350. Borrow 1 L:
5 L 350 mL = 4 L 1350 mL

	L	mL
	4	1350
−	2	800
	2	550

Answer: 2 L 550 mL

Example 4 (No Borrowing): Subtract 1 m 25 cm from 4 m 80 cm.

	m	cm
	4	80
−	1	25
	3	55

Answer: 3 m 55 cm

Word Problems (Indian Context)

Problem 1: Akriti's mother bought 2 kg 500 g of wheat flour and 1 kg 750 g of rice from the ration shop. What is the total weight of the grains she bought?

Solution:
Wheat flour = 2 kg 500 g
Rice = 1 kg 750 g
Total = 2 kg 500 g + 1 kg 750 g
500 g + 750 g = 1250 g = 1 kg 250 g
2 + 1 + 1 = 4 kg
Total weight = 4 kg 250 g

Problem 2: The distance from Arjun's home to school is 2 km 350 m. He walks 1 km 500 m and then takes an auto. How far does he ride in the auto?

Solution:
Total distance = 2 km 350 m
Distance walked = 1 km 500 m
Auto ride = 2 km 350 m − 1 km 500 m
Cannot subtract 500 from 350. Borrow: 2 km 350 m = 1 km 1350 m
1350 − 500 = 850 m, 1 − 1 = 0 km
Auto ride = 0 km 850 m = 850 m

Problem 3: A water tank holds 5 kL of water. If 2 kL 750 L has been used, how much water is left?

Solution:
Total = 5 kL = 5 kL 000 L
Used = 2 kL 750 L
Borrow: 5 kL 000 L = 4 kL 1000 L
1000 − 750 = 250 L, 4 − 2 = 2 kL
Water left = 2 kL 250 L

Problem 4: Meena needs 3 m 50 cm of cloth for a salwar kameez and 2 m 75 cm for a dupatta. How much cloth does she need to buy from the shop?

Solution:
Salwar kameez = 3 m 50 cm
Dupatta = 2 m 75 cm
Total = 3 m 50 cm + 2 m 75 cm
50 + 75 = 125 cm = 1 m 25 cm
3 + 2 + 1 = 6 m
Total cloth needed = 6 m 25 cm (or 6.25 m)

Problem 5: A recipe for making 20 gulab jamuns needs 750 mL of milk. Dhruv wants to make 60 gulab jamuns for Diwali. How many litres of milk does he need?

Solution:
For 20 gulab jamuns → 750 mL
For 60 gulab jamuns → 750 × 3 = 2250 mL
2250 mL = 2 L 250 mL
Dhruv needs 2 L 250 mL (or 2.25 L) of milk.

Problem 6: The distance from Delhi to Agra is 233 km. The distance from Delhi to Jaipur is 281 km. How much farther is Jaipur from Delhi compared to Agra?

Solution:
Difference = 281 km − 233 km = 48 km
Jaipur is 48 km farther from Delhi than Agra.

Key Words

Term	Meaning
Length	The measurement of how long, tall, or wide something is
Weight (Mass)	The measurement of how heavy an object is
Capacity (Volume)	The amount of liquid a container can hold
Convert	To change from one unit to another without changing the actual measurement
Kilometre (km)	1000 metres — used for long distances
Metre (m)	The standard unit of length
Centimetre (cm)	One-hundredth of a metre (1/100 m)
Millimetre (mm)	One-thousandth of a metre (1/1000 m)
Kilogram (kg)	The standard unit of weight — 1000 grams
Gram (g)	One-thousandth of a kilogram
Milligram (mg)	One-thousandth of a gram — used for medicines
Litre (L)	The standard unit of capacity — 1000 millilitres
Millilitre (mL)	One-thousandth of a litre
Kilolitre (kL)	1000 litres — used for large water tanks
Decimal form	Expressing a measurement as a single number using a decimal point

Key Points to Remember

Length: 1 km = 1000 m | 1 m = 100 cm | 1 cm = 10 mm | 1 m = 1000 mm
Weight: 1 kg = 1000 g | 1 g = 1000 mg
Capacity: 1 kL = 1000 L | 1 L = 1000 mL
Larger unit to smaller unit → Multiply
Smaller unit to larger unit → Divide
To add or subtract measurements, first convert them to the same unit.
When subtracting, if the smaller unit part is less than what you need to subtract, borrow from the larger unit.
To express in decimal form: divide the smaller unit by the conversion factor (e.g., 450 m ÷ 1000 = 0.450 km).
Always check: Does my answer make sense? A pencil cannot be 15 km long!
Use the correct unit for the object: km for cities, m for rooms, cm for pencils, mm for ants.

Finished learning? Now test what you know!

🎯 Quick Quiz — Test Yourself!

Answer these questions right here. You get instant feedback — no paper needed!

Score: 0 / 8

1. How many centimetres are there in 1 metre?

1 m = 100 cm.

2. How many grams are there in 1 kilogram?

1 kg = 1000 g.

3. How many millilitres are there in 1 litre?

1 L = 1000 mL.

4. To change kilometres to metres, you:

1 km = 1000 m, so multiply km by 1000 to get metres.

5. 2.5 kg = ? grams (digits only)

2.5 × 1000 = 2500 g.

6. 3 km = ? metres (digits only)

3 × 1000 = 3000 m.

7. 1500 mL = ? litres

1500 ÷ 1000 = 1.5 L.

8. A jug holds 2 litres. How many mL are left after pouring out 1750 mL? (digits only)

2 L = 2000 mL. 2000 − 1750 = 250 mL left.

Practice Questions

A. Convert the following units of length:

1. 6 km = m

2. 3 km 275 m = m

3. 8 m 40 cm = cm

4. 5200 m = km m

5. 475 cm = m cm

6. 9 cm 3 mm = mm

7. 12500 m = km m

8. 4 m 8 cm = cm

B. Convert the following units of weight:

1. 4 kg 250 g = g

2. 7 kg 50 g = g

3. 9200 g = kg g

4. 3 g 750 mg = mg

5. 5600 mg = g mg

6. 12 kg 5 g = g

C. Convert the following units of capacity:

1. 3 L 500 mL = mL

2. 6 kL 200 L = L

3. 8750 mL = L mL

4. 4 L 75 mL = mL

5. 15200 L = kL L

6. 9 kL = L

D. Express in decimal form:

1. 5 km 250 m = km

2. 3 m 45 cm = m

3. 8 kg 500 g = kg

4. 2 L 750 mL = L

5. 6 kg 25 g = kg

E. Add the following measurements:

1. 4 km 650 m + 3 km 800 m =

2. 6 kg 750 g + 2 kg 500 g =

3. 5 L 400 mL + 3 L 750 mL =

4. 2 m 85 cm + 4 m 60 cm + 1 m 55 cm =

5. 7 kg 300 g + 4 kg 900 g =

F. Subtract the following measurements:

1. 8 km 200 m − 3 km 750 m =

2. 6 kg 100 g − 2 kg 650 g =

3. 10 L − 4 L 350 mL =

4. 5 m 30 cm − 2 m 75 cm =

5. 9 kg − 3 kg 250 g =

G. Fill in the blanks:

1. 1 km = m = cm

2. 3.5 kg = g

3. 2.750 L = L mL

4. 4500 m = km m = km (decimal)

5. To convert m to cm, we by

H. Choose the correct answer (MCQ):

1. 5 km 60 m = _______ m

a) 560 b) 5060 c) 5600 d) 50060

2. 3250 g = _______ kg _______ g

a) 3 kg 25 g b) 32 kg 50 g c) 3 kg 250 g d) 325 kg 0 g

3. Which is the largest?

a) 3 km b) 3500 m c) 30000 cm d) 300000 mm

4. 2 L 75 mL expressed in litres is:

a) 2.75 L b) 2.075 L c) 2.750 L d) 20.75 L

I. Word Problems:

1. Ravi bought 3 kg 250 g of potatoes, 1 kg 500 g of onions, and 750 g of tomatoes from the market. What is the total weight of vegetables he bought?

2. A tailor needs 2 m 60 cm of cloth for a kurta and 1 m 40 cm for pyjamas. If he has 5 m of cloth, how much will be left after making one set?

3. A water bottle holds 750 mL. Sita drinks 3 full bottles of water every day. How many litres does she drink in a day?

4. The distance from Priya's home to school is 1 km 200 m. She walks to school and back every day. How far does she walk in 5 days (Monday to Friday)?

5. A medicine bottle contains 200 mL of cough syrup. If the dosage is 5 mL three times a day, how many days will the bottle last?

6. Arjun weighs 32 kg 500 g and his younger sister weighs 24 kg 750 g. How much heavier is Arjun than his sister?

Activity — Kitchen Measurement Challenge!

Go to your kitchen with a measuring cup (or an empty 1-litre bottle and a teaspoon). Try this fun activity:

Find 5 items in your kitchen and estimate their weight. Then check the label to see the actual weight. Fill in the table below:

Item	My Estimate	Actual Weight (from label)	Difference
Example: Sugar packet	2 kg	1 kg	1 kg more (I overestimated!)

Recipe challenge: A recipe for mango lassi needs: 200 mL curd, 150 mL milk, 100 mL mango pulp, and 50 mL water. Calculate: (a) How much total liquid is needed for 1 serving? (b) How much for 4 servings? Express in litres and mL.
Measure your height in centimetres using a measuring tape. Convert to: (a) metres and cm, (b) only millimetres.

Bonus: Measure the length and width of your kitchen in metres and centimetres. Convert both to only centimetres.

Want to review the lesson again?

Mathematics

Measurement — Advanced Conversions

Class 5 | CBSE / NCERT / ICSE

Name: Class: Date:

Learning Objectives

Convert between units of length: km, m, cm, mm
Convert between units of weight: kg, g, mg
Convert between units of capacity: kL, L, mL
Express measurements in decimal form
Add and subtract measurements with different units
Solve real-life word problems involving measurement

Introduction

Measurement is everywhere — buying rice (kg), travelling (km), taking medicine (mL), filling water bottles (L). In Class 5, we learn to convert between units, express measurements in decimal form, and add/subtract measurements. The Golden Rule: Larger → Smaller = Multiply. Smaller → Larger = Divide.

Units of Length

Unit	Symbol	Used For	Example
Kilometre	km	Long distances	Delhi to Agra: 233 km
Metre	m	Heights, rooms	Cricket pitch: 22 m
Centimetre	cm	Small objects	Pencil: 15 cm
Millimetre	mm	Tiny objects	Coin thickness: 2 mm

Length Conversions: 1 km = 1000 m | 1 m = 100 cm | 1 cm = 10 mm | 1 m = 1000 mm

[Image: Length comparison — 1 km (road), 1 m (child height), 1 cm (fingernail), 1 mm (coin edge) with conversion arrows]

Examples (Larger → Smaller = Multiply):
• 3 km = 3 × 1000 = 3000 m
• 5 m 45 cm = 500 + 45 = 545 cm
• 7 km 250 m = 7000 + 250 = 7250 m
• 4 cm 8 mm = 40 + 8 = 48 mm

Examples (Smaller → Larger = Divide):
• 4500 m = 4500 ÷ 1000 = 4 km 500 m
• 365 cm = 365 ÷ 100 = 3 m 65 cm
• 2750 mm = 2 m 75 cm

Units of Weight (Mass)

Unit	Symbol	Used For	Example
Kilogram	kg	Heavy items	Rice bag: 5 kg
Gram	g	Light items	Apple: 200 g
Milligram	mg	Medicines	Crocin tablet: 500 mg

Weight Conversions: 1 kg = 1000 g | 1 g = 1000 mg | ½ kg = 500 g | ¼ kg = 250 g

[Image: Weight comparisons — sugar bag 1 kg, apple 200 g, coin 9 g, tablet 500 mg with conversion scale]

Examples:
• 5 kg 350 g = 5000 + 350 = 5350 g
• 2 kg 75 g = 2000 + 75 = 2075 g
• 8450 g = 8 kg 450 g
• 3 g 250 mg = 3000 + 250 = 3250 mg

Units of Capacity (Volume)

Unit	Symbol	Used For	Example
Kilolitre	kL	Large tanks	Water tank: 5 kL
Litre	L	Bottles, packets	Milk: 1 L
Millilitre	mL	Medicine, drops	Spoon: 5 mL

Capacity Conversions: 1 kL = 1000 L | 1 L = 1000 mL | ½ L = 500 mL | ¼ L = 250 mL

[Image: Capacity comparisons — tank 1 kL, milk packet 1 L, bottle 500 mL, spoon 5 mL with arrows]

Examples:
• 3 L 750 mL = 3000 + 750 = 3750 mL
• 8 kL 200 L = 8000 + 200 = 8200 L
• 4250 mL = 4 L 250 mL
• 6500 L = 6 kL 500 L

Complete Conversion Reference Table

Type	Conversion	Direction
Length	1 km = 1000 m	km → m: × 1000
	1 m = 100 cm	m → cm: × 100
	1 cm = 10 mm	cm → mm: × 10
	1 m = 1000 mm	m → mm: × 1000
Weight	1 kg = 1000 g	kg → g: × 1000
Weight	1 g = 1000 mg	g → mg: × 1000
Capacity	1 kL = 1000 L	kL → L: × 1000
Capacity	1 L = 1000 mL	L → mL: × 1000

[Image: Staircase/ladder showing conversion method — going DOWN = Multiply, going UP = Divide, for all three types]

Expressing Measurements in Decimal Form

Divide the smaller unit by the conversion factor to get a decimal:

Length:
• 3 km 450 m = 3 + (450÷1000) = 3.450 km = 3450 m
• 7 m 35 cm = 7 + (35÷100) = 7.35 m
• 2 m 5 cm = 2 + (5÷100) = 2.05 m (not 2.5!)

Weight:
• 4 kg 500 g = 4 + (500÷1000) = 4.5 kg
• 2 kg 75 g = 2 + (75÷1000) = 2.075 kg

Capacity:
• 6 L 250 mL = 6 + (250÷1000) = 6.25 L
• 1 L 50 mL = 1 + (50÷1000) = 1.05 L

Careful! 2 kg 75 g = 2.075 kg (NOT 2.75 kg). 75 g is 75/1000 of a kg = 0.075.

Addition of Measurements

Convert to same unit → Add → Convert back if needed. If the smaller unit adds up to more than the conversion factor, carry over.

Ex 1: 3 km 750 m + 2 km 480 m = 3750 + 2480 = 6230 m = 6 km 230 m
Ex 2: 5 kg 650 g + 3 kg 800 g → 650+800=1450 g=1 kg 450 g → carry 1 → 9 kg 450 g
Ex 3: 4 L 750 mL + 6 L 500 mL → 750+500=1250 mL=1 L 250 mL → carry 1 → 11 L 250 mL

Subtraction of Measurements

If the smaller unit of the first number is less than the second, borrow from the larger unit.

Ex 1: 5 km 300 m − 2 km 750 m → Borrow: 4 km 1300 m − 2 km 750 m = 2 km 550 m
Ex 2: 7 kg 200 g − 3 kg 450 g → Borrow: 6 kg 1200 g − 3 kg 450 g = 3 kg 750 g
Ex 3: 5 L 350 mL − 2 L 800 mL → Borrow: 4 L 1350 mL − 2 L 800 mL = 2 L 550 mL

Word Problems (Indian Context)

1. Akriti's mother bought 2 kg 500 g wheat + 1 kg 750 g rice. Total = 500+750=1250 g=1 kg 250 g. Carry: 2+1+1 = 4 kg 250 g

2. Distance home→school: 2 km 350 m. Walks 1 km 500 m. Auto = 2 km 350 m − 1 km 500 m. Borrow: 1 km 1350 m − 1 km 500 m = 850 m

3. Tank holds 5 kL. Used 2 kL 750 L. Left = 5 kL − 2 kL 750 L. Borrow: 4 kL 1000 L − 2 kL 750 L = 2 kL 250 L

4. Cloth for salwar: 3 m 50 cm + dupatta: 2 m 75 cm = 50+75=125 cm=1 m 25 cm. Carry: 6 m 25 cm

Key Words

Term	Meaning
Convert	Change from one unit to another
km / m / cm / mm	Units of length (largest to smallest)
kg / g / mg	Units of weight (largest to smallest)
kL / L / mL	Units of capacity (largest to smallest)
Decimal form	Single number with decimal point (e.g., 3.45 km)
Borrow	Take 1 from larger unit when subtracting

Key Points to Remember:
• Length: 1 km = 1000 m | 1 m = 100 cm | 1 cm = 10 mm
• Weight: 1 kg = 1000 g | 1 g = 1000 mg
• Capacity: 1 kL = 1000 L | 1 L = 1000 mL
• Larger → Smaller = Multiply | Smaller → Larger = Divide
• Add/Subtract: Convert to same unit first. Borrow if needed.
• Decimal: Divide smaller unit by conversion factor (e.g., 450 m ÷ 1000 = 0.45 km)

Practice Questions

A. Convert the following units of length:

1. 6 km = m

2. 3 km 275 m = m

3. 8 m 40 cm = cm

4. 5200 m = km m

5. 475 cm = m cm

6. 9 cm 3 mm = mm

7. 12500 m = km m

8. 4 m 8 cm = cm

B. Convert the following units of weight:

1. 4 kg 250 g = g

2. 7 kg 50 g = g

3. 9200 g = kg g

4. 3 g 750 mg = mg

5. 5600 mg = g mg

6. 12 kg 5 g = g

C. Convert the following units of capacity:

1. 3 L 500 mL = mL

2. 6 kL 200 L = L

3. 8750 mL = L mL

4. 4 L 75 mL = mL

5. 15200 L = kL L

6. 9 kL = L

D. Express in decimal form:

1. 5 km 250 m = km

2. 3 m 45 cm = m

3. 8 kg 500 g = kg

4. 2 L 750 mL = L

5. 6 kg 25 g = kg

E. Add the following measurements:

1. 4 km 650 m + 3 km 800 m =

2. 6 kg 750 g + 2 kg 500 g =

3. 5 L 400 mL + 3 L 750 mL =

4. 2 m 85 cm + 4 m 60 cm + 1 m 55 cm =

5. 7 kg 300 g + 4 kg 900 g =

F. Subtract the following measurements:

1. 8 km 200 m − 3 km 750 m =

2. 6 kg 100 g − 2 kg 650 g =

3. 10 L − 4 L 350 mL =

4. 5 m 30 cm − 2 m 75 cm =

5. 9 kg − 3 kg 250 g =

G. Fill in the blanks:

1. 1 km = m = cm

2. 3.5 kg = g

3. 2.750 L = L mL

4. 4500 m = km m = km (decimal)

5. To convert m to cm, we by

H. Choose the correct answer (MCQ):

1. 5 km 60 m = _______ m

a) 560 b) 5060 c) 5600 d) 50060

2. 3250 g = _______ kg _______ g

a) 3 kg 25 g b) 32 kg 50 g c) 3 kg 250 g d) 325 kg 0 g

3. Which is the largest?

a) 3 km b) 3500 m c) 30000 cm d) 300000 mm

4. 2 L 75 mL expressed in litres is:

a) 2.75 L b) 2.075 L c) 2.750 L d) 20.75 L

I. Word Problems:

1. Ravi bought 3 kg 250 g potatoes, 1 kg 500 g onions, and 750 g tomatoes. Find total weight.

2. A tailor needs 2 m 60 cm (kurta) + 1 m 40 cm (pyjama). From 5 m cloth, how much is left?

3. A bottle holds 750 mL. Sita drinks 3 bottles daily. How many litres per day?

4. Home to school: 1 km 200 m. Walks both ways daily. How far in 5 days?

5. Medicine bottle: 200 mL. Dosage: 5 mL × 3 times/day. How many days will it last?

6. Arjun: 32 kg 500 g. Sister: 24 kg 750 g. How much heavier is Arjun?

Activity — Kitchen Measurement Challenge!

Find 5 items in your kitchen. Estimate their weight, then check the label. Fill in:

Item	My Estimate	Actual Weight	Difference

Bonus: Mango lassi recipe: 200 mL curd + 150 mL milk + 100 mL mango pulp + 50 mL water. (a) Total for 1 serving? (b) Total for 4 servings in L and mL?

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