Watch: What is capacity?
Capacity is the amount something can hold.
We can use capacity to describe when something is full, half full and empty.
Narrator: Brain, meet Lenni and Martha the dustbins!
Brain: BRAAAAAAAAIN!
Lenni: Hey, how you doing?
Narrator: They're going to demonstrate capacity.
Lenni: Yippee.
Narrator: Capacity is the amount something can hold. So for example…
…Martha is half full. Lenni is less full than Martha, he’s empty.
Lenni: Sorry, sorry, it's not funny.
Narrator: This is the symbol we use to show that Lenni is less full than Martha.
The object or number on the pointed side of the arrow is always smallerthan the object on the open end of the arrow.
Lenni: I'm sorry, I shouldn't laugh - ahhh!
Narrator: This is the symbol we use to show that Lenni and Martha are equal to each other.
Martha: Ha!
Lenni: I don't know what you're laughing at we're in the same - ERCK!
Martha: Ha!
Lenni: Oh shush.
Narrator: And this is the symbol we use to show that Lenni is more full than Martha.
The open end of the arrow is always facing the bigger object or number.
Lenni is now full.
Lenni: Eww what is that stuff?!
Narrator: Whereas Martha is only half full.
Lenni: Get it off me.
Narrator: Lenni is now empty again.
Lenni: That's great, thanks!
Brain: BRAAAAAAAAIN!
Activity
Have a go at the activities below.
Activity 2
Activity 3
BBC Bitesize newsletter. External Link
Sign up to our BBC Bitesize newsletter to receive monthly news, stories and updates on latest Bitesize content.
More on Measures
Find out more by working through a topic
- count7 of 9
- count8 of 9
- count9 of 9
- count1 of 9
