Answer :

To solve how [tex]\( \frac{5}{32} \)[/tex] can be expressed in decimal format and rounded to the nearest hundredth, follow these steps:

1. Convert the fraction to a decimal:
Divide 5 by 32 to get a decimal value.
[tex]\[ \frac{5}{32} = 0.15625 \][/tex]

2. Round the decimal to the nearest hundredth:
To round 0.15625 to the nearest hundredth, look at the thousandth place (the third digit to the right of the decimal point), which is 6 in this case. Since this digit is 5 or greater, round the hundredth place (the second digit to the right of the decimal point) up by one.
[tex]\[ \text{0.15625 rounded to the nearest hundredth is 0.16} \][/tex]

Thus, [tex]\( \frac{5}{32} \)[/tex] expressed in decimal format to the nearest hundredth is [tex]\(0.16\)[/tex].

Therefore, the correct option is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{0.16} \][/tex]