Important Formulas: Weight & Capacity | Mathematics (Maths Mela) Class 5 - New NCERT PDF Download

Weight 

Weight = How heavy something is.

Units:

• Milligram (mg): Very tiny weights (medicine, gold).

• Gram (g): Small objects (pen, chocolate bar).

• Kilogram (kg): Larger objects (school bag, sack of rice).

• Tonne (t): Very heavy things (trucks, elephants).

Capacity 

Capacity = How much liquid a container can hold.

Units:

• Millilitre (mL): Small amounts (spoon of medicine, juice packet).

• Litre (l): Bigger amounts (milk bottles, buckets, cans).

Unit Conversions

Weight

• 1 g = 1,000 mg

• 1 kg = 1,000 g

• 1 tonne = 1,000 kg

Capacity

• 1 L = 1,000 mL

Rules for Conversion

Big → Small unit: Multiply

• Example: 3 kg = 3 × 1000 = 3000 g

• Example: 2 L = 2 × 1000 = 2000 mL

Small → Big unit: Divide

• Example: 2500 g ÷ 1000 = 2.5 kg

• Example: 1500 mL ÷ 1000 = 1.5 l

Comparing Weights & Capacities

• Convert both quantities into the same unit first.

• Use <, >, = to compare.

• Examples:

  • 2 kg vs 2500 g → 2 kg = 2000 g, so 2000 g < 2500 g

  • 1 L vs 750 mL → 1 l = 1000 mL, so 1000 mL > 750 mL

Addition & Subtraction

Weight

• Add or subtract kilograms and grams separately.

• If grams ≥ 1000, regroup into kilograms.

Example:

• 2 kg 500 g + 1 kg 750 g

• = 3 kg + 1250 g = 4 kg 250 g

Capacity

• Add or subtract litres and millilitres separately.

• If millilitres ≥ 1000, regroup into litres.

Example:

• 3 L 750 mL - 2 L 500 mL 

• = 1 L + 250 mL 

Multiplication & Division

Multiplication

• Multiply when we have many items of the same weight or capacity.

• Example: If 1 packet = 2 kg then find how much 5 packets will be? 
   → 2 × 5 = 10 kg

Division

• Divide when we want to share total weight/capacity equally.

• Example: If 12 kg rice in 4 bags then find out how much 1 bag carries? →
   12 ÷ 4 = 3 kg per bag

Measuring Tools

• Weight: Weighing scale, balance, electronic scale.

• Capacity: Measuring jars, bottles, marked containers.

• Always check if the scale is at zero before use.

Everyday Applications

• Weight: Buying vegetables, packing, farming, medicines.

• Capacity: Cooking, petrol pumps, milk delivery, water storage.

Special Tips & Tricks

• Always write kg–g or l–mL neatly in columns when adding/subtracting.

• Use grams or millilitres only if units are mixed (easier for calculation).

• Remember:

  • 1000 g = 1 kg

  • 1000 mL = 1 L

• Estimate first → then calculate → check answer.