10 ounces is what fraction of a pound?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To determine what fraction 10 ounces is of a pound, we first need to understand the relationship between ounces and pounds.
- Understanding the units:
- 1 pound (lb) is equal to 16 ounces (oz). This is a standard conversion that defines the weight of one pound in terms of ounces.
- Setting up the equation:
We are asked to find what fraction of a pound 10 ounces represents. To do this, we express the 10 ounces as a fraction of 16 ounces (since 16 ounces equals 1 pound). [
\frac{\text{10 ounces}}{\text{16 ounces}} = \frac{10}{16}
] - Simplifying the fraction:
Now, we simplify the fraction ( \frac{10}{16} ) by dividing both the numerator (10) and the denominator (16) by their greatest common divisor (GCD). The GCD of 10 and 16 is 2. [
\frac{10 \div 2}{16 \div 2} = \frac{5}{8}
] Therefore, ( \frac{10}{16} ) simplifies to ( \frac{5}{8} ). - Conclusion:
10 ounces is ( \frac{5}{8} ) of a pound.
Explanation:
This problem is an application of basic fraction conversion. Since 1 pound equals 16 ounces, dividing 10 ounces by 16 gives us the fraction of a pound that 10 ounces represents. Simplifying this fraction by finding the greatest common divisor ensures that we express the answer in its simplest form.
The process of converting ounces to pounds is common in cooking, weight measurement, and other areas where precise weight calculations are needed. Understanding unit conversions like this is vital in many fields, especially when measurements need to be converted from one system (such as ounces) to another (such as pounds). Thus, ( \frac{5}{8} ) of a pound is the simplified fraction representing 10 ounces.