16 (number) facts for kids

Sixteen is a number that comes right after fifteen and before seventeen. It's an even number, which means you can divide it by two without any remainder. Sixteen is also special because it's the 4th square number. This means you get 16 when you multiply a number by itself (4 x 4 = 16). The square numbers before it are 1 (1x1), 4 (2x2), and 9 (3x3).

In Roman numerals, which were used by ancient Romans, the number 16 is written as XVI.

The Number Sixteen in Daily Life

Sixteen pops up in many places around us! It's a number you might see often without even realizing it.

Sixteen in Time and Measurement

• There are 16 ounces in one pound, which is a common unit for measuring weight.
• In some countries, like the United States, 16 is an important age. It's often when teens can get a driver's permit or license.
• A standard computer keyboard often has 16 function keys (F1 to F16).
• When you talk about computer memory or data storage, you often hear numbers like 16 GB or 16 bits. This is because computers often work with powers of 2 (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and so on).

Sixteen in Games and Sports

• In basketball, a game is sometimes divided into 16-minute halves in college play.
• Many board games or card games use the number 16 in their rules or scoring.
• In chess, each player starts with 16 pieces on the board.

Sixteen in Science and Nature

• Oxygen has an atomic mass of about 16.
• Some insects, like certain types of spiders, have 16 legs (though most spiders have 8).
• The pH scale, which measures how acidic or basic something is, goes from 0 to 14, but sometimes it's thought of in terms of powers of 10, where 16 can be a factor.

Images for kids

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  Sixteen frames of images showing a horse running.

See also

In Spanish: Dieciséis para niños