X-Message-Number: 17058
From: 
Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2001 12:18:36 EDT
Subject: temperature conversions

It's trivial, but as a former teacher I'll disclose the secret of the 
simplest way to convert between Centigrade (Celsius) and Fahrenheit. 

Don't try to remember the formulas. Just remember three things: the melting 
point of water (at normal atmospheric pressure) is 0 C or 32 F, and 5 spaces 
(degrees of difference) on the C scale equals 9 spaces on the F scale. 
(Centigrade spaces are bigger, the notches on the thermometer farther apart.)

You start out by noting that the temperature in question is X spaces above or 
below freezing (melting point of water). If it is X spaces F, then it is 5/9 
times X spaces C. If it is X spaces C, then it is 9/5 times X spaces F. 

If you need examples, try the - 40 that a couple of people mentioned. - 40 F 
means 40 below zero or 40 + 32 below freezing = 72 below freezing F. 72 
spaces F is 5/9 of 72 spaces C = 5 x 8 spaces C = 40 spaces C, and 40 below 
freezing C is - 40 C.

The other way, -40 C means 40 C spaces below freezing or 9/5 x 40 F spaces 
below freezing or 72 spaces below freezing F or 72 spaces below 32 or - 40 F.

Almost impossible to make a mistake that way.

Incidentally, the "normal" human body temperature is not exactly 98.6 F. That 
number is used because it is equal to 37 C, and 37 C was the round-off 
average body temperature measured long ago. And there is considerable 
variance between individuals, as well as in an individual from time to time.

Robert Ettinger
Cryonics Institute
Immortalist Society
http://www.cryonics.org

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