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KWSC Newsletter

December 2003

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Temperature conversion

Brought up on Fahrenheit and cannot relate to Celsius?  Brought up on Celsius but the 'thermometer' is reading Fahrenheit?  Like to see some interesting 'facts' about conversions? Then this article's for you! 

To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit: Multiply by 1.8 and then add 32. Or more simply, Multiply by 10, take away the value you are converting, divide by 10 (move the decimal point) and then multiply by 2, then add 32.  For example: Convert 23°C to Fahrenheit.

        First multiply by 10 giving 230

        Take away 23 giving 207

        Divide by 10 giving 20.7

        Multiply by 2 giving 41.4 and finally

        Add 32 giving 73.3°F

To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius: Subtract 32 and divide by 1.8. Or more simply, Subtract 32, multiply by 10, divide by 2  and then divide by 9.  For example: Convert 74°C to Celsius.

        First subtract 32 giving 42

        Multiply by 10 giving 420

        Divide by 2 giving 210 and finally

        Divide by 9 giving 23.3°C

 

Every additional 1°C adds 1.8°F to a given value, or every 5°C adds 9°F.  You can also subtract these values of course.  This is useful if you know some values.  Try these:

 

        0°C is 32°F so 5°C must be (32+9)=41°F  (check it with the rule above)

 

or try these approximate rule of thumb reversible temperatures:

 

        16°C is 61°F

        28°C is 82°F

 

and then add or subtract as above.

Steve Gibbon

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