Measuring

How heavy, and how much it holds

Compare how heavy things are, and work out how much a container holds.

Big things are not always heavy. A balloon is much bigger than a stone and much lighter.

How much a jug or a bucket holds is a different question again. A tall thin jug can hold less than a short wide one.

Have a play

Two parcels sit on one side of this balance and one on the other, with spare weights below. Try to bring the beam level.

Worked example

Three bags each weigh 5 kg. What do they weigh together?

  1. Three lots of 5: 5 + 5 + 5.

    Every bag is the same weight.

Try it together

Now some parcels, together.

    1.One parcel weighs 3 kg. What do two of them weigh?

    Remember

    Heavy and light tell you about weight. Holds a lot and holds a little tell you about a container.

    Have a go

    Have a go. A jug holds 3 l and you fill it twice. How much water is that?

    Ready to practise?

    Eight questions on what you have just read. Nothing is timed, and you can play as many times as you like.

    Print a worksheet