Filling and Lifting — Class 3 Mathematics (CBSE)

From the current NCERT Maths Mela Grade 3 book, Chapter 11. Pouring water and lifting objects teaches us about how much a container holds and how heavy a thing is.

1. Why this chapter matters

We fill bottles, jugs, and buckets, and we lift bags and boxes. Knowing about capacity (how much a container holds) and weight (how heavy something is) helps us cook, shop, and pack. This chapter builds these ideas with hands-on pouring and balancing.

2. Core ideas

Idea 1 — Capacity is how much a container holds

A big jug holds more than a small cup. We measure liquids in litres (L).

Method 2 — Compare by filling

Fill containers with the same cup. The one that needs more cups has the bigger capacity.

Skill 3 — Weight is how heavy a thing is

Use a pan balance: the heavier object goes down, the lighter goes up.

3. Worked examples

Example 1: A bucket or a glass — which has more capacity?

A bucket holds more than a glass, so the bucket has the bigger capacity.

Example 2: A bottle fills 4 cups; a jug fills 7 cups. Which holds more?

The jug holds more (7 cups > 4 cups).

Example 3: On a pan balance, the apple side goes down and the eraser side goes up. Which is heavier?

The apple is heavier (its pan went down).

4. Activity corner

Use one cup to fill a bottle and a mug with water, counting cups for each. Then use a simple balance to compare two objects. Write:

• What I filled and how many cups each took
• Which object was heavier or lighter
• The maths idea (comparing capacity and weight)

5. Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking a taller container always holds more. Fix: A tall thin glass can hold less than a short wide one — fill to compare.
• Mistake: Confusing capacity with weight. Fix: Capacity is how much it holds; weight is how heavy it is.
• Mistake: Reading the balance the wrong way. Fix: The pan that goes down holds the heavier object.

6. How to write better answers

1. Say whether the question is about capacity or weight.
2. Compare using more/less or heavier/lighter.
3. Give the reason (more cups, or the pan that went down).
4. Use the correct unit (litre for liquids).

7. Practice set

1. In which unit do we measure liquids?
2. Which holds more: a spoon or a glass?
3. A jug fills 6 cups; a bottle fills 3 cups. Which has the bigger capacity?
4. On a balance, the stone side goes down. Is the stone heavier or lighter?
5. Name something that holds about one litre.
6. Why can a short, wide container hold more than a tall, thin one?

8. Answer key

1. We measure liquids in litres (L).
2. A glass holds more than a spoon.
3. The jug has the bigger capacity (6 cups > 3 cups).
4. The stone is heavier (its pan went down).
5. Examples: a large water bottle or a small milk packet (about 1 L).
6. Because capacity depends on the whole space inside, not only the height — so fill it to compare.

9. Quick revision

• Capacity is how much a container holds; measure liquids in litres (L).
• Compare capacity by filling with the same cup — more cups means bigger capacity.
• Weight is how heavy a thing is.
• On a pan balance, the heavier object goes down, the lighter goes up.
• A taller container does not always hold more — fill to check.