How many eighths are in a pound?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
There are 8 eighths in a pound.
Explanation
To understand how many eighths are in a pound, we first need to understand what the term “eighth” means in this context.
In many contexts, especially in weight measurements (such as cooking, science, and even in cannabis culture), the term “eighth” typically refers to one-eighth of an ounce. So:
- 1 eighth = 1/8 ounce
There are 16 ounces in a pound. This is a standard unit conversion in the U.S. customary system:
- 1 pound = 16 ounces
Now, to find out how many “eighths” are in a pound, we need to divide the total number of ounces in a pound (16) by the fraction that an eighth represents (1/8): Number of eighths=16÷(18)\text{Number of eighths} = 16 \div \left(\frac{1}{8}\right)
Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal: 16÷(18)=16×8=12816 \div \left(\frac{1}{8}\right) = 16 \times 8 = 128
So, there are 128 eighths in a pound, when using the definition of “eighth” as 1/8 of an ounce.
However, sometimes people ask, “How many eighths make up a pound?” meaning how many 1/8-pounds are in a pound. In this case: 1 pound=8×(18 pound)1 \text{ pound} = 8 \times \left(\frac{1}{8} \text{ pound}\right)
So, if you’re dividing a pound into eighths of a pound, the answer is 8.
Final Clarification:
- 8 eighths of a pound = 1 pound
- 128 eighths of an ounce = 1 pound
Make sure to clarify what the “eighth” refers to—of a pound or of an ounce—to avoid confusion. In most casual settings, “an eighth” often means 1/8 of an ounce, especially when discussing weights of small items.
