To calculate volume in litres, you first determine the volume of the object or space in a standard unit like cubic centimeters (cm³) or cubic meters (m³), and then convert that measurement into litres using the appropriate conversion factor.
Understanding Volume
Volume is the amount of three-dimensional space occupied by an object or substance. For simple shapes, volume can be calculated using specific formulas. For instance:
- Cube: Volume = length × width × height
- Rectangular Prism: Volume = length × width × height
- Cylinder: Volume = π × radius² × height
The result of these calculations will be in cubic units, such as cubic centimeters (cm³), cubic meters (m³), or cubic inches (in³), depending on the units used for the measurements.
Converting Volume to Litres
Litres are a metric unit of volume. Converting from cubic units to litres involves knowing the relationship between these units.
According to resources like wikiHow, 1 litre is equal to 1000 cubic centimeters (cm³). Conversely, 1 cubic meter (m³) is equal to 1000 litres.
Therefore, to convert a volume measurement into litres:
- Calculate the volume of the object or space in a cubic unit (e.g., cm³, m³).
- Convert the cubic unit to litres using the correct factor:
- If your volume is in cubic centimeters (cm³), divide the number by 1,000.
- If your volume is in cubic meters (m³), multiply the number by 1,000.
Example Calculation (from Reference)
Let's calculate the volume of a cube and convert it to litres, following the method described in the reference:
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Shape: Cube
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Measurements: Let's assume the cube has sides of 10 cm each.
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Step 1: Calculate Volume in cm³
- Volume = length × width × height
- Volume = 10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm
- Volume = 1000 cm³
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Step 2: Convert Volume from cm³ to Litres
- As the reference states, "Convert the answer to litres by dividing the number by 1,000 because there are 1000 cubic centimeters in 1 liter."
- Volume in Litres = Volume in cm³ / 1000
- Volume in Litres = 1000 cm³ / 1000
- Volume in Litres = 1 litre
Here's a simple table summarizing this example:
| Measurement | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 10 | cm |
| Width | 10 | cm |
| Height | 10 | cm |
| Volume | 1000 | cm³ |
| Conversion Factor (cm³ to L) | ÷ 1000 | |
| Volume | 1 | Litre |
This method applies to any object or space for which you can determine the volume in cubic units.
