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10
Special
Topic
Mass, Weight, and Capacity
GOAL Determine mass, weight, and capacity by reading scales.
Metric Measuring Metric units of mass include grams (g), milligrams
Word Watch
Review Words
mass, p. 187
capacity, p. 188
metric units,
pp. 187, 188
customary units,
pp. 344, 355
(mg), and kilograms (kg). Metric units of capacity include liters (L),
milliliters (mL), and kiloliters (kL).
EXAMPLE
1
Measuring Mass in Metric Units
Use the spring balance to find the mass
of the meteorite.
0 kg
Recall that 1 kg equals 1000 g. Each 1000 g
on the scale is divided into 10 equal parts,
1000
10
so each mark represents , or 100 g.
4 kg
1 kg
3 kg
2 kg
0 kg
The pointer on the scale is at the
sixth mark.
Mass 6(100)
600
1 kg
ANSWER The mass of the meteorite
is 600 g.
EXAMPLE
2
Measuring Capacity in Metric Units
Find the amount of liquid in the measuring cup.
Each 100 mL on the measuring cup is
divided into 4 intervals, so each interval
100
4
represents , or 25 mL. The liquid is
3 intervals past 200 mL.
Capacity 200 3(25)
275
500 mL
400 mL
300 mL
200 mL
100 mL
ANSWER There are 275 mL of liquid in the measuring cup.
Customary Measuring Customary units of weight include ounces
(oz), pounds (lb), and tons (T). Customary units of capacity include
fluid ounces (fl oz), cups (c), pints (pt), quarts (qt), and gallons (gal).
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CHAPTER 10
SPECIAL TOPIC
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3
EXAMPLE
Measuring Weight in Customary Units
Use the spring balance to find
the weight of the watermelon.
Each pound on the scale is divided
into 16 equal parts, so each mark
1
16
represents lb. The pointer on
9 lb
0 lb
the scale is 8 marks past 7 lb.
9 lb
1 lb
8 lb
ANSWER The weight of the
3 lb
7 lb
8
1
watermelon is 7 lb, or 7 lb.
16
2
8 lb
2 lb
6 lb
7 lb
4 lb
5 lb
6 lb
4
EXAMPLE
Measuring Customary Capacity
Find the amount of liquid in the measuring cup.
Each cup on the measuring cup is
divided into 4 intervals, so each interval
1
4
represents c. The liquid is 2 intervals
4 cups
3 cups
past 1 c.
2 cups
2
4
ANSWER The amount of liquid is 1 c,
1
2
1 cup
or 1 c.
Exercises
1. Find the mass of the oranges.
2. Find the amount of liquid in the
measuring cup.
0 kg
4 cups
4 kg
1 kg
3 kg
2 kg
3 cups
2 kg
2 cups
1 cup
3. Estimate the total weight in pounds of the books you carried home
from school today. Then use a bathroom scale to find the actual weight.
Compare your estimate to the actual weight.
MASS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITY
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