1. **State the problem:** We want to find the cost of 16 pears if 6 pears cost 3. 2. **Identify the proportional relationship:** The price is proportional to the number of pears. This means the ratio of price to pears is constant. 3. **Write the ratio:** $$\frac{\text{Price}}{\text{Number of Pears}} = \frac{3}{6}$$ 4. **Set up the equation for 16 pears:** Let the price for 16 pears be $x$. Then: $$\frac{x}{16} = \frac{3}{6}$$ 5. **Solve for $x$ by cross-multiplying:** $$6x = 3 \times 16$$ 6. **Calculate the right side:** $$6x = 48$$ 7. **Divide both sides by 6 to isolate $x$:** $$\cancel{6}x = \frac{48}{\cancel{6}}$$ $$x = 8$$ 8. **Interpretation:** The cost of 16 pears is 8. 9. **Using the scale factor:** The scale factor from 6 pears to 16 pears is $$\frac{16}{6}$$. Multiply the original price by this factor: $$\frac{16}{6} \times 3 = 8$$ **Final answer:** The cost of 16 pears is **8**.