Measurement: Fahrenheit and Celsius

Hello,


Today, we are going to move on from measuring time, and we are going to look at Fahrenheit and Celsius.  Fahrenheit and Celsius are temperature scales.  Gabriel Daniel was the inventor of Fahrenheit, and he discovered the mercury thermometer.  Did you know that water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit and it boils at  212 degrees Fahrenheit?  We label Fahrenheit with an F and a degree symbol.  Celsius represents the temperature scale where 0 degrees is the freezing point and 100 degrees is the boiling point.  Anders Celsius invented the Celsius scale.  


We are going to practice converting Fahrenheit to Celsius and Celsius to Fahrenheit.  


In order to convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, we must first note that there is a 180 degree difference between the Fahrenheit scale and Celsius scale.  Every degree on the Fahrenheit scale is 100/180, and if we reduce this, dividing each by 20, we get 5/9 on the Celsius scale.  To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, we first subtract 32 degrees from our temperature.  Second, we must multiply our answer by our 5/9 that we came up with before.     


In order to convert a temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit, we must first note that every degree on the Celsius scale is opposite the Fahrenheit scale: 180/100 or 9/5.  So, basically, we are performing the opposite operation depending on which temperature scale we start with.  To convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit, we first multiply the Celsius temperature by our 9/5 from earlier.  Second, you must add 32 degrees.  


Let's try some examples of converting from Fahrenheit to Celsius:


1.) 67.3 degrees F = how many degrees C?
2.) 45.0 degrees F = how many degrees C?
3.) 89.1 degrees F = how many degrees C?


Solutions:


1.) Subtract 67.3-32.0 = 35.3.  Now, multiply this by 5/9.  35.3 x 5 = 176.5 / 9 = 19.61 degrees C, rounded to the nearest hundredth.  


2.) Subtract 45.0-32.0 = 13.  Now, multiply this by 5/9.  13 x 5 = 65 / 9 = 7.22 degrees C, to the nearest hundredth.


3.) Subtract 89.1-32.0 = 57.1.  Now, multiply this by 5/9. 57.1 x 5 = 285.5 / 9 = 31.72 degrees C, to the nearest hundredth.


Let's try some examples of converting from C to F now:


1.) 80.7 degrees C = how many degrees F?
2.) 12.7 degrees C = how many degrees F?
3.) 56.4 degrees C = how many degrees F?


Solutions: 


1.) Multiply 80.7 x 9/5 = 145.26.  Now, add 32 degrees.  145.26 + 32 = 177.26 degrees F.


2.) Multiply 12.7 x 9/5 = 22.86.  Now, add 32 degrees. 22.86 + 32 = 54.86 degrees F.


3.) Multiply 56.4 x 9/5 = 101.52.  Now, add 32 degrees.  101.52 + 32 = 133.52 degrees F.


The following links are useful for further explanation and self-converter of the temperature scales and conversions:


1.) Temperature Scale Converter: Should only be used to check your answers
2.) 3 Different Temperature Scales Used Today