24 inches x 16 inches equals how many square feet?

First you convert the inches to feet by dividing by 12 inches per foot. This gives

(24/12) x (16/12) = 2 x 4/3

Then you multiply out

2 x 4/3 = 8/3 = 2 and 2/3 square feet.

Or, conversely, multiply 24 x 16 = 384, and divide by 144 (sq. inches in a square foot),

with the same answer : 2 and 2/3 or 2.66 square feet.