Final answer:
The magnitude of the acceleration, if the car skids to a stop at a rate of 16.0 ft/s², is 16.0 ft/s². This value represents the deceleration rate and, by definition, is the magnitude of the negative acceleration.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the magnitude of the acceleration of a car that skids to a stop, we need to use the kinematic equations for uniformly accelerated motion. However, the information provided in the question seems contradictory. The question states that the car skids 271 ft to a stop at a rate of 16.0 ft/s². If the number 16.0 ft/s² is indeed the deceleration rate, then that is the magnitude of the acceleration we're seeking, as acceleration can be positive or negative (where negative indicates deceleration).
If the question is seeking an additional calculation or a reinterpretation of the data, please provide correct and consistent information, so I can offer the correct step-by-step guidance to solve the problem.