Temperature Conversion: Converting between Fahrenheit and Celsius Temperature

The Celsius temperature scale (also known as centigrade scale) is a scale on which the freezing point of water is 0 degrees Celsius and the boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius (at one atmosphere of pressure). Centigrade means "consisting of or divided into 100 degrees" whereby the interval between the freezing and boiling points of water are divided into 100 equal parts. This scale was introduced in 1742 by Celsius (1701-44), a Swedish astronomer and physicist.

Fahrenheit is a temperature scale that was named after the German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686-1736), who introduced it in 1724. The Fahrenheit scale is one in which the freezing point of water is 32°F and the boiling point of water 212°F.

The formulas and explanation below will help you to quickly make conversions between the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales.

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Fahrenheit and Celsius Temperature Scales Conversion

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To convert a Celsius temperature into degrees Fahrenheit:

First multiply the Celsius temperature reading by nine-fifths then add this number to 32 to get the answer in °F.

In symbol form we have;

F = ((9/5)* °C)+32

Example:
Convert 100 °C into °F

Using the equation, F = ((9/5)* °C)+32
we have;

F = ((9/5)* 100 )+32
F = (180)+32
F = 212

This means that 100 °C (the boiling point of water) is equivalent to 212 °F (the boiling point of water) on the Fahrenheit scale.

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To convert a Fahrenheit temperature into Celsius:

First subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature then multiply this number by five-ninths to the answer in °C.

In symbol form we have;

°C = (5/9)*(F-32)

Example:

Convert 32 °F into °C

Using the equation, °C = (5/9)*(F-32)
we have;
°C = (5/9)*(32 -32)
°C = (5/9)*(0)
°C = 0

This means that 32 °F (freezing point of water) is equivalent to 0 °C (freezing point of water) on the Celsius scale.

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