MCQ Detailed View

The pound (lb) and the ounce (oz) are both units of mass in the imperial system of measurement. While most of the world uses the metric system (grams and kilograms), the imperial system is still common in the United States and, to some extent, in the United Kingdom.

In the avoirdupois system, which is the most widely used system of weights today:
1 pound = 16 ounces (oz).

This standard has been used for centuries and is legally defined in most countries that recognize imperial units. To be precise, 1 pound is equal to exactly 16 avoirdupois ounces, where:

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  1 ounce ≈ 28.35 grams

  
  


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  1 pound ≈ 453.59 grams

  
  

This makes the pound a larger unit of weight, while the ounce is useful for measuring smaller quantities.

The relationship between pounds and ounces is very important in physics, commerce, cooking, and everyday life:

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  In cooking, recipes in the US often list ingredients in ounces or pounds.

  
  


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  In trade and packaging, products may be sold by the pound, but nutritional details may use ounces.

  
  


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  In science and engineering, precise conversions between imperial and metric units are necessary for accurate results.

  
  

It is also important to note that there are different types of “ounce” used historically, such as the troy ounce (used for precious metals like gold and silver). However, in everyday use and in exams, the standard ounce refers to the avoirdupois ounce, where the rule of 16 ounces in 1 pound applies.

Thus, the correct answer is 16 ounces (Option D). This fixed relationship is one of the most fundamental conversions in the imperial system of weights and is essential knowledge for both science and practical applications.