Capacity Word Problems (Grade 3)
Capacity word problems use litres and millilitres in real-life situations. You may need to find out how much liquid is left in a container, how many glasses can be filled, or the total amount of liquid when two quantities are combined.
These problems involve water, milk, juice, and other liquids that students encounter daily.
What is Capacity Word Problems - Class 3 Maths (Measurement)?
A capacity word problem describes a situation where you need to measure, add, subtract, compare, or divide liquid amounts using litres (L) and millilitres (mL).
Remember: 1 L = 1000 mL. Always convert to the same unit before solving.
Solved Examples
Example 1: Addition — Same Unit
Question: Ria has 3 L of water and adds 2 L more. How much water does she have now?
Think:
- 3 + 2 = 5 L
Answer: Ria has 5 L of water.
Example 2: Addition — Mixed Units
Question: Aman mixes 1 L 300 mL of milk with 700 mL of water. What is the total?
Think:
- 1 L 300 mL = 1300 mL
- 1300 + 700 = 2000 mL = 2 L
Answer: Total = 2 L.
Example 3: Subtraction
Question: A tank has 10 L of water. 3 L 500 mL is used for cooking. How much is left?
Think:
- 10 L = 10000 mL
- 3 L 500 mL = 3500 mL
- 10000 − 3500 = 6500 mL = 6 L 500 mL
Answer: 6 L 500 mL is left.
Example 4: Comparison
Question: Bottle A holds 750 mL. Bottle B holds 1 L. Which holds more?
Think:
- 1 L = 1000 mL
- 1000 > 750
Answer: Bottle B holds more (by 250 mL).
Example 5: Division — Filling Glasses
Question: Priya has 2 L of juice. Each glass holds 250 mL. How many glasses can she fill?
Think:
- 2 L = 2000 mL
- 2000 ÷ 250 = 8
Answer: 8 glasses.
Example 6: Multiplication
Question: Meera drinks 200 mL of milk each morning. How much does she drink in 7 days?
Think:
- 7 × 200 = 1400 mL = 1 L 400 mL
Answer: She drinks 1 L 400 mL in a week.
Example 7: Multi-step Problem
Question: A jug has 3 L of lemonade. Dev pours 500 mL into one glass and 750 mL into another. How much lemonade is left in the jug?
Think:
- Used = 500 + 750 = 1250 mL
- 3 L = 3000 mL
- Left = 3000 − 1250 = 1750 mL = 1 L 750 mL
Answer: 1 L 750 mL is left.
Example 8: How Many Bottles?
Question: A water can holds 5 L. Aditi fills 500 mL bottles from it. How many bottles can she fill?
Think:
- 5 L = 5000 mL
- 5000 ÷ 500 = 10
Answer: 10 bottles.
Example 9: Daily Consumption
Question: Neha's family uses 4 L 500 mL of water per day for drinking. How much do they use in 2 days?
Think:
- 4 L 500 mL = 4500 mL
- 4500 × 2 = 9000 mL = 9 L
Answer: They use 9 L in 2 days.
Key Points to Remember
- Always check units — convert L to mL or mL to L before adding, subtracting, or comparing.
- 1 L = 1000 mL.
- "How many glasses/bottles can be filled?" → divide.
- "How much in total?" → add.
- "How much is left?" → subtract.
- "How much in several days?" → multiply.
- Write the answer with the correct unit.
Practice Problems
- A bucket has 8 L of water. 2 L 750 mL is used for washing. How much is left?
- Kavi drinks 3 glasses of water per day. Each glass has 250 mL. How much water does he drink daily?
- Which is more: 1 L 200 mL or 1500 mL?
- A tank holds 20 L. How many 500 mL bottles can be filled from it?
- Priya mixes 2 L 400 mL of orange juice with 1 L 600 mL of mango juice. Total?
- A medicine bottle holds 100 mL. Each dose is 5 mL. How many doses are in the bottle?
- Aman uses 1 L 500 mL of water to wash vegetables and 2 L 500 mL for cooking. Total water used?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I solve capacity word problems?
Read the problem, note the amounts in L and mL, convert to the same unit, decide the operation (add, subtract, multiply, divide), and solve.
Q2. When do I convert mL to L?
When you need to compare or combine amounts, convert everything to the same unit. Also convert when mL exceeds 1000 (e.g., 1500 mL = 1 L 500 mL).
Q3. How do I find how many glasses can be filled?
Divide the total amount by the capacity of one glass. For example, 2000 mL ÷ 250 mL = 8 glasses.
Q4. What if there is liquid left over?
If the division is not exact, the remainder is the leftover. For example, 2500 mL ÷ 300 mL = 8 glasses with 100 mL left.
Q5. Can I add L and mL directly?
No. Convert to the same unit first. Either convert everything to mL or everything to L before adding.
Q6. What tools measure capacity?
A measuring jug, measuring cup, graduated cylinder, or measuring spoon measures the capacity of liquids.
Q7. What is the difference between capacity and volume?
Capacity is how much a container can hold. Volume is how much space something takes up. In Class 3, they are used interchangeably for liquids.
Q8. Is this topic in NCERT Class 3?
Yes. NCERT Class 3 Maths includes word problems involving litres and millilitres in everyday contexts like cooking, drinking water, and filling containers.
