Temperature Conversion

From Luke Jackson

Celsius to Fahrenheit

The metric system uses the Celsius scale to measure temperature. However, temperatures are still measured on the Fahrenheit scale in the U.S.

• Water freezes at 0° Celsius and boils at 100° Celsius which is a difference of 100°.
• Water freezes at 32° Fahrenheit and boils at 212° Fahrenheit which is a difference of 180°.

Therefore each degree on the Celsius scale is equal to 180/100 or 9/5 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale.

How to convert Celsius temperatures to Fahrenheit:

1. Multiply the Celsius temperature by 9/5.
2. Add 32° to adjust for the offset in the Fahrenheit scale.

Example: Convert 37° Celsius to Fahrenheit:

37 * 9/5 = 333/5 = 66.6
66.6 + 32 = 98.6° Fahrenheit 

There is a mental math method to convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit. The ratio of 9/5 is equal to 1.8 and 1.8 is equivalent to 2 - 0.2

• How to convert Celsius temperatures to Fahrenheit with mental math. Double the Celsius temperature (multiply by 2).
• Take 1/10 of this number (2 * 1/10 = 0.2) and subtract it from the number above.
• Add 32° to adjust for the offset in the Fahrenheit scale.

Example: Convert 37° Celsius to Fahrenheit:

37 * 2 = 74
74 * 1/10 = 7.4
74 - 7.4 = 66.6
66.6 + 32 = 98.6° Fahrenheit