16. Alex needs a bowl to mix her punch. She has a 1-cup bowl, a 2-cup bowl, and a 4-cup bowl. What is the smallest bowl she can use to make her punch? Explain. Select the correct choice below and fill in the answer box within your choice. (Type a whole number, fraction, or mixed number.) A. The 2-cup bowl is the smallest she can use because the recipe makes \( 1 \frac{5}{6} \) cup(s) of punch. B. The 4-cup bowl is the smallest she can use because the recipe makes C. The 1-cup bowl is the smallest she can use because the recipe makes cup(s) of punch.

To determine the smallest bowl Alex can use to mix her punch, we need to analyze the amount of punch she needs to make, which is given as \( 1 \frac{5}{6} \) cups. 1. **Convert the mixed number to an improper fraction:** \[ 1 \frac{5}{6} = \frac{6}{6} + \frac{5}{6} = \frac{11}{6} \] 2. **Compare the amount of punch needed with the sizes of the bowls:** - 1-cup bowl: can hold \( 1 \) cup - 2-cup bowl: can hold \( 2 \) cups - 4-cup bowl: can hold \( 4 \) cups 3. **Determine which bowl can hold at least \( \frac{11}{6} \) cups:** - The 1-cup bowl cannot hold \( \frac{11}{6} \) cups since \( \frac{11}{6} \approx 1.83 \) cups. - The 2-cup bowl can hold \( 2 \) cups, which is more than \( \frac{11}{6} \) cups. - The 4-cup bowl can also hold \( 4 \) cups, which is more than \( \frac{11}{6} \) cups. 4. **Conclusion:** The smallest bowl that can hold at least \( \frac{11}{6} \) cups is the 2-cup bowl. Thus, the correct choice is: **A. The 2-cup bowl is the smallest she can use because the recipe makes \( 1 \frac{5}{6} \) cup(s) of punch.**