Lesson 3.4: Measurement – Volume & Capacity (Litres, Millilitres, Cubic Units) | SEA Mathematics | My Carib Academy
SEA 2025-2028 Framework Aligned

🧊 Lesson 3.4: Measurement – Volume & Capacity

Master litres, millilitres & cubic units conversions and volume of cubes & cuboids. This lesson covers SEA Mathematics Objectives 156-162 from the Measurement Strand.

70 Minutes
Module 3: Measurement
Objectives 156-162
3 Videos
Lesson Progress 0%

Previous Lesson

Did you complete Lesson 3.3? Review Area of Compound Shapes →

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Convert between litres and millilitres (Objectives 156-157)
  • Understand cubic units (cm³, m³) and their relationship to capacity (Objective 158)
  • Calculate volume of cubes using formula (Objectives 159-160)
  • Calculate volume of cuboids using formula (Objectives 161-162)
  • Solve word problems involving volume and capacity

SEA Tip

Volume and capacity questions appear in Section I, II, and III of the SEA Math paper. Know your conversions and formulas! (SEA Framework Page 25-26)

Watch: Litres, Millilitres & Cubic Units Conversions

Start by watching this video to learn about capacity conversions. Take notes as you watch! 📝

Litres, Millilitres & Cubic Units Conversions – Mathematics Video Lesson

Quick Check

Did you understand the video? Review the notes below before continuing! ✅

Litres, Millilitres & Cubic Units Conversions

Capacity is how much a container can hold. We measure capacity in litres (L) and millilitres (mL). Volume is measured in cubic units (cm³, m³)!

Capacity & Volume Conversions

  • 1 litre (L) = 1000 millilitres (mL)
  • 1 millilitre (mL) = 0.001 litre (L)
  • 1 cm³ = 1 mL
  • 1000 cm³ = 1 L
  • 1 m³ = 1,000,000 cm³ = 1000 L

📊 Conversion Table:

From To Multiply/Divide Example
L → mL Multiply by 1000 × 1000 2 L = 2000 mL
mL → L Divide by 1000 ÷ 1000 500 mL = 0.5 L
cm³ → mL Same value 1:1 100 cm³ = 100 mL
L → cm³ Multiply by 1000 × 1000 3 L = 3000 cm³

📊 Example 1: Converting Capacity

Convert 2.5 L to mL

Solution:

  1. Identify: L → mL (multiply by 1000)
  2. Calculate: 2.5 × 1000 = 2500
  3. Answer: 2500 mL

Answer: 2500 mL

📊 Example 2: Converting Volume

Convert 500 cm³ to mL

Solution:

  1. Remember: 1 cm³ = 1 mL
  2. Answer: 500 cm³ = 500 mL

Answer: 500 mL

Memory Trick

Litre to mL: Multiply by 1000 (add 3 zeros)
mL to Litre: Divide by 1000 (move decimal 3 places left)
cm³ = mL: They’re the same!

Watch: Volume of Cubes & Cuboids

Now watch this video to learn how to calculate volume. Pay attention to the formulas! 🎯

Volume of Cubes & Cuboids – Mathematics Video Lesson

Watch: Volume Calculations (Additional Practice)

Watch this additional video for more volume practice. 🎯

Volume Calculations – Additional Practice Video Lesson

Volume of Cubes & Cuboids

Volume is the amount of space inside a 3D shape. We measure volume in cubic units (cm³, m³)!

Volume Formulas

  • Cube: Volume = side × side × side (V = s³)
  • Cuboid: Volume = length × width × height (V = l × w × h)

📊 Volume Examples:

4 cm 4 cm V = 64 cm³

Cube

Side = 4 cm
V = 4 × 4 × 4 = 64 cm³

6 cm 4 cm 3 cm V = 72 cm³

Cuboid

L = 6 cm, W = 4 cm, H = 3 cm
V = 6 × 4 × 3 = 72 cm³

📊 Example 3: Volume of a Cube

Find the volume of a cube with side 5 cm

Solution:

  1. Formula: V = s × s × s
  2. Substitute: V = 5 × 5 × 5
  3. Calculate: V = 125 cm³

Answer: 125 cm³

📊 Example 4: Volume of a Cuboid

Find the volume of a cuboid with length 8 cm, width 5 cm, height 3 cm

Solution:

  1. Formula: V = l × w × h
  2. Substitute: V = 8 × 5 × 3
  3. Calculate: V = 120 cm³

Answer: 120 cm³

📊 Example 5: Volume Word Problem

Finding Capacity of a Tank

Question: A rectangular tank is 50 cm long, 30 cm wide, and 40 cm high. How many litres of water can it hold?

Solution:

  1. Find volume: V = 50 × 30 × 40 = 60,000 cm³
  2. Convert to mL: 60,000 cm³ = 60,000 mL
  3. Convert to L: 60,000 ÷ 1000 = 60 L

Answer: 60 litres

Common Mistake

Don’t forget to include cubic units (cm³, m³) in your answer! Also, remember to convert cm³ to L when the question asks for capacity in litres (divide by 1000).

Quick Quiz

Test your understanding! Select an answer for each question. 🧊

6 Questions
12 Minutes
70% to Pass

1. How many mL are in 3 litres?

2. A cube has side 4 cm. What is the volume?

3. A cuboid is 5 cm × 3 cm × 2 cm. What is the volume?

4. How many litres is 2500 mL?

5. 1 cm³ is equal to:

6. A tank holds 50,000 cm³ of water. How many litres is this?

0/6

Lesson Complete!

Great job finishing Lesson 3.4! You’re mastering volume and capacity for the SEA exam! 🎉

Back to SEA Maths

More SEA, PEP, and NGSA Mathematics