Understanding the concept
Cooking recipes measure liquids by volume and ingredients such as flour by mass. Cups and tablespoons vary internationally; Australian metric measures should be checked against the recipe.
Before calculating, decide what the measurement describes, identify the starting units and choose a sensible level of precision.
Step-by-step method
In Australian metric recipes, a standard cup is 250 mL, tablespoon 20 mL and teaspoon 5 mL. For precision, use a scale when the recipe specifies grams.
- Write down the original measurement and its unit.
- Choose the formula or conversion factor appropriate to the task.
- Calculate carefully, keeping the units visible at each step.
- Check the answer against an estimate and the real-world situation.
Quick-reference table
Keep these facts handy when solving measurement questions.
| Measurement | Equivalent or interpretation |
|---|---|
| Australian metric cup | 250 mL |
| Australian tablespoon | 20 mL |
| Metric teaspoon | 5 mL |
| 1 litre | 4 Australian metric cups |
Four worked examples
Each example shows the calculation and the units used.
Example 1: Milk
Example 2: Oil
Example 3: Vanilla
Example 4: Half a recipe
Common mistakes
Check for these problems before finalising your answer.
- Assuming an overseas tablespoon always equals the Australian 20 mL measure.
- Treating 1 cup of flour as weighing the same as 1 cup of water.
- Confusing teaspoons and tablespoons.
Practice questions
Try these without looking at the answers first.
Question 1. How many mL in 3 Australian cups?
Show answer and explanation
750 mL.
Question 2. How many mL in 2 tbsp?
Show answer and explanation
40 mL.
Question 3. How many tsp in 15 mL?
Show answer and explanation
3 teaspoons.
Question 4. Half of 600 g?
Show answer and explanation
300 g.
Question 5. How many 250 mL cups in 1.5 L?
Show answer and explanation
6 cups.
Review checklist
- Can you name the unit and explain what is being measured?
- Can you choose the correct formula or conversion factor?
- Can you show your calculation and units clearly?
- Can you check whether the answer is realistic?