What is 98.4 °F to °C?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To convert a temperature of 98.4°F to Celsius (°C), we use the formula:
[
C = \frac{5}{9} \times (F – 32)
]
Where:
- (C) is the temperature in Celsius.
- (F) is the temperature in Fahrenheit.
Step-by-step Conversion:
- Start with the given temperature: 98.4°F.
- Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value:
[
98.4 – 32 = 66.4
] - Multiply the result by 5/9:
[
\frac{5}{9} \times 66.4 = 36.89
]
So, 98.4°F is equivalent to approximately 36.89°C.
Explanation of the Formula:
The formula for converting Fahrenheit to Celsius comes from the linear relationship between the two temperature scales. The Fahrenheit scale sets the freezing point of water at 32°F and the boiling point at 212°F. The Celsius scale, on the other hand, sets the freezing point at 0°C and the boiling point at 100°C. The difference in temperature units between these two scales is such that each degree Fahrenheit is equivalent to a smaller increase in temperature than each degree Celsius.
The formula for conversion accounts for both the offset (32°F for freezing point) and the difference in the size of the temperature units (5/9 ratio). The multiplication by ( \frac{5}{9} ) is used to adjust for the fact that the Celsius degree is larger than the Fahrenheit degree. By subtracting 32 first, we adjust the Fahrenheit reading to align with the Celsius scale’s zero point, and then multiply by ( \frac{5}{9} ) to convert the difference into Celsius degrees.
Real-World Application:
A body temperature of 98.4°F is typical for a healthy adult. Converting it to Celsius can be useful in scientific contexts, as the Celsius scale is commonly used in many parts of the world for measuring temperature, particularly in medical and scientific fields. In countries that use the metric system, Celsius is the standard temperature scale.