Convert 108 degrees Fahrenheit to Celsius. (Enter numerical values only. If rounding is necessary, round to the nearest whole number.)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: 42
To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, you can use the formula:
[
C = \frac{(F – 32) \times 5}{9}
]
where ( C ) is the temperature in degrees Celsius and ( F ) is the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
Step-by-step Calculation
- Start with the temperature in Fahrenheit: ( F = 108 ).
- Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature:
[
108 – 32 = 76
] - Multiply the result by 5:
[
76 \times 5 = 380
] - Divide the result by 9:
[
\frac{380}{9} \approx 42.22
] - Round to the nearest whole number: ( 42.22 ) rounds to ( 42 ).
Final Answer
Celsius Temperature: 42
Explanation of the Conversion Process
The conversion between Fahrenheit and Celsius is crucial, particularly in scientific fields, meteorology, and when traveling between countries that use different temperature scales. The Fahrenheit scale, primarily used in the United States, is based on the freezing and boiling points of water, defined as 32 degrees and 212 degrees, respectively. In contrast, the Celsius scale, utilized by most countries, defines the freezing point of water at 0 degrees and the boiling point at 100 degrees.
The formula for conversion accounts for the different sizes of the degree units on both scales. A degree Fahrenheit is smaller than a degree Celsius; specifically, there are 1.8 Fahrenheit degrees for each Celsius degree. This is why we multiply the difference by ( \frac{5}{9} ) to accurately represent the change in temperature when switching from Fahrenheit to Celsius.
Understanding how to convert between these two temperature scales allows for better communication of temperature data in various contexts, such as cooking, weather reporting, and scientific research. Moreover, it helps ensure safety and consistency, especially in fields like healthcare, where temperature readings are critical.