An Accurate but simple explanation to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius?
Answers
If you want to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, do the opposite: subtract 30 from the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, and then divide by 2 to get the temperature in degrees Celsius. = 27 °C (In reality, 84 °F is equivalent to 28.89 °C—again, that's a pretty close estimate!).
Answer:
First, you need the formula for converting Fahrenheit (F) to Celsius (C):
C = 5/9 x (F-32)
The notation C represents the temperature in Celsius, and F is the temperature in Fahrenheit. After you know the formula, it is easy to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius with these three steps.
Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature.
Multiply this number by five.
Divide the result by nine.
For example, suppose the temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit and you want to know what the figure would be in Celsius. Use the above three steps:
80 F – 32 = 48
5 x 48 = 240
240 / 9 = 26.7 C
So the temperature in Celsius is 26.7 C.
Fahrenheit to Celsius Example
If you want to convert a normal human body temperature (98.6 F) to Celsius, plug the Fahrenheit temperature into the formula:
C = 5/9 x (F - 32)
As noted, your starting temperature is 98.6 F. So you would have:
C = 5/9 x (F - 32)
C = 5/9 x (98.6 - 32)
C = 5/9 x (66.6)
C = 37 C
Check your answer to ensure it makes sense. At ordinary temperatures, a Celsius value is always lower than the corresponding Fahrenheit value. Also, it's helpful to keep in mind that the Celsius scale is based on the freezing and boiling points of water, where 0 C is the freezing point and 100 C is the boiling point. On the Fahrenheit scale, water freezes at 32 F and boils at 212 F.
Conversion Shortcut
You often don't need an exact conversion. If you're traveling to Europe, for example, and you know the temperature is 74 F, you might want to know the approximate temperature in Celsius. The website Lifehacker offers this tip on making an approximate conversion:
Fahrenheit to Celsius: Subtract 30 from the Fahrenheit temperature and then divide by two. So, using the approximation formula:
74 F – 30 = 44
44 / 2 = 22 C
(If you go through the previous formula's calculations for the exact temperature, you arrive at 23.3.)
Celsius to Fahrenheit: To reverse the approximation and convert from 22 C to Fahrenheit, multiply by two and add 30. So:
22 C x 2 = 44
44 + 30 = 74 C
Quick Conversion Table
You can save even more time by using predetermined conversions. The Old Farmer's Almanac offers this table for making quick conversions from Fahrenheit to Celsius.
Fahrenheit
Celsius
-40 F -40 C
-30 F -34 C
-20 F -29 C
-10 F -23 C
0 F -18 C
10 F -12 C
20 F -7 C
32 F 0 C
40 F 4 C
50 F 10 C
60 F 16 C
70 F 21 C
80 F 27 C
90 F 32 C
100 F 38 C
Note how the Fahrenheit and Celsius scales read the same temperature at -40.
Explanation: