To determine how many laps Thomas can swim in 8 minutes, we start by analyzing the information given:
1. Thomas swam 5 laps in [tex]\(2 \frac{1}{2}\)[/tex] minutes.
First, convert the mixed number into an improper fraction or decimal:
[tex]\[
2 \frac{1}{2} = 2 + \frac{1}{2} = 2.5 \text{ minutes}
\][/tex]
2. Calculate the rate at which Thomas swims, which is the number of laps per minute:
[tex]\[
\text{Rate} = \frac{\text{Number of laps}}{\text{Time in minutes}} = \frac{5 \text{ laps}}{2.5 \text{ minutes}}
\][/tex]
3. Simplify the rate calculation:
[tex]\[
\text{Rate} = \frac{5}{2.5} = 2 \text{ laps per minute}
\][/tex]
4. Now, determine the number of laps Thomas can swim in 8 minutes by multiplying the rate by the time available:
[tex]\[
\text{Laps in 8 minutes} = \text{Rate} \times \text{Time available}
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
\text{Laps in 8 minutes} = 2 \text{ laps per minute} \times 8 \text{ minutes} = 16 \text{ laps}
\][/tex]
Thus, Thomas would swim 16 laps in 8 minutes. Therefore, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[
\boxed{16 \text{ laps}}
\][/tex]
