Weigh It, Pour It | Maths Grade 4 CBSE

Play with it

Six measuring ideas

Weight and capacity tell us how heavy and how much. Tap each term to see what it means.

Explore · Weight & Capacitytap a term

Learn

The three big ideas

We measure weight in grams (g) for light things and kilograms (kg) for heavy things.
1 kilogram = 1000 grams.
A pencil weighs a few grams; a watermelon weighs a few kilograms.

Worked example. Would you weigh a single apple in grams or kilograms?

One apple is light — about 150 g — so grams is the better unit.

Capacity is how much a container can hold. We measure it in millilitres (ml) and litres (l).
1 litre = 1000 millilitres.
A teaspoon holds about 5 ml; a big bottle holds 1 or 2 litres.

Worked example. A jug holds 2 litres. How many millilitres is that?

2 litres = 2 × 1000 = 2000 ml.

A balance tips down on the heavier side; equal weights keep it level.
To compare, change both to the same unit first, then compare the numbers.
1 kg is heavier than 900 g, because 1 kg = 1000 g.

Worked example. Which is heavier, 1 kg of cotton or 750 g of iron?

1 kg = 1000 g, which is more than 750 g, so the 1 kg of cotton is heavier.

Common mix-up: A big box can be lighter than a small one. Size is not the same as weight — a balloon is big but light, a stone is small but heavy.

Where you’ll meet it

Weighing and pouring around us

Shopping for food

Vegetables and rice are weighed in kg; spices are weighed in grams. The shopkeeper sets the balance.

Cooking and recipes

A recipe needs 250 ml of milk or 500 g of flour. Measuring cups and scales make it just right.

Filling water

A water tanker is measured in litres, a medicine dropper in millilitres. Capacity is everywhere.

Check yourself

Quick quiz

Ten friendly questions — mostly multiple-choice with one assertion–reason — to check you can weigh and measure.

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