Convert 40 ounces to pounds Step by Step

Step by step

The question

Question: change 40 ounces into pounds.

40 oz = ? lb

1 Find the link

1 pound is 16 ounces.

1 lb = 16 oz

2 Make the unit fraction

We want pounds, so pounds go on top.

We have ounces, so ounces go at the bottom.

Top and bottom are the same amount.

So the fraction is 1, and times 1 keeps the size.

1 lb16 oz = 1

Careful!

Not upside down.

Then the ounces would not cross out.

Careful: not 40 oz × 16 oz1 lb ✗

3 Multiply

We multiply 40 ounces by the fraction.

40 oz = 40 oz × 1 lb16 oz

Ounces on top and at the bottom cancel, like numbers.

Cross them out.

Pounds are left.

What is left: 40, divided by 16.

= 4016 lb

40 divided by 16 is 2.5.

So 40 ounces is 2.5 pounds.

= 2.5 lb

4 Check

Does it make sense?

Pounds are bigger than ounces.

So we need fewer of them.

2.5 is less than 40.

Yes.

lb bigger than oz → fewer: 2.5 < 40

And back the other way: 2.5 times 16 = 40.

We get 40 ounces again.

So the answer is right!

back: 2.5 × 16 = 40

Let's look back.

First: find the link.

Then: make the unit fraction.

Then: multiply.

Last: check.

Answer