Which notation represents the prefix bits for the subnet mask 255.255.0.0?

The notation that represents the prefix bits for the subnet mask 255.255.0.0 is /16. This is because the subnet mask indicates how many bits are used for the network portion of an IP address. In the case of 255.255.0.0, the first two octets (255.255) represent the network part, which consists of 16 bits. Each octet is 8 bits, and since the first two octets are fully utilized (255 is 11111111 in binary), it totals 16 bits.

This notation is essential for understanding subnetting in IP networking, as it helps to identify the size of the network and the number of available addresses within that network. By knowing the prefix length, network engineers can efficiently plan address allocations and manage IP assignments.