There are 285 mL in a cup of tea. What is the volume in liters?
The correct answer and explanation is :
To convert 285 milliliters (mL) to liters (L), we use the following conversion factor:
1 liter = 1,000 milliliters
Step-by-step conversion:
[
285 \, \text{mL} \div 1000 = 0.285 \, \text{L}
]
✅ Final Answer: 0.285 liters
💡 300-Word Explanation:
Understanding how to convert between milliliters and liters is an essential part of working with the metric system, especially in fields like nursing, science, and cooking. The metric system is based on powers of ten, which makes conversions between units straightforward.
In this problem, we’re asked to convert 285 milliliters (mL) into liters (L). Both mL and L are units used to measure volume in the metric system, but they represent different scales. A milliliter is a much smaller unit than a liter. In fact, 1 liter is equal to 1,000 milliliters.
To go from milliliters to liters, you divide the number of milliliters by 1,000. This is because you’re moving from a smaller unit (mL) to a larger unit (L), and you want to find out how many liters the given volume represents.
So, when you divide 285 by 1,000, you get:
[
285 \div 1000 = 0.285
]
This means that 285 mL is 0.285 liters. It’s important to include the unit when giving your final answer so it’s clear what the number represents.
This kind of conversion is often used in real-life scenarios. For example, nurses convert medication volumes between mL and L when setting IV fluids. Similarly, nutritionists may work with recipes and need to convert fluid measurements for accurate dietary planning.
Also, this reinforces why knowing base-10 conversions is helpful in understanding and using the metric system more effectively—it saves time, avoids errors, and improves clarity in communication.
So, 285 mL of tea is simply 0.285 L.