What is the formula to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius?

What is the formula to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius?

• A. C = (5/9)(F-32)
• B. C = (9/5)(F-32)
• C. C = F - 32
• D. C = (5/9)F+32

Answer: (A)

Converting Fahrenheit to Celsius relies on two facts: the freezing point is 0 C equals 32 F, and a Celsius degree is larger than a Fahrenheit degree by a factor of 9/5 (1 C = 1.8 F). To get Celsius from Fahrenheit, you first remove the offset of 32 (F − 32) so the zero point aligns with Celsius, then multiply by 5/9 to convert the degree size from Fahrenheit to Celsius. This gives the formula C = (5/9)(F − 32). Why the others don’t fit: using the reciprocal 9/5 would exaggerate the difference instead of converting to Celsius correctly; subtracting 32 without the scaling ignores the change in unit size; and adding 32 after scaling places the offset on the wrong side, not matching how the two scales relate.

Converting Fahrenheit to Celsius relies on two facts: the freezing point is 0 C equals 32 F, and a Celsius degree is larger than a Fahrenheit degree by a factor of 9/5 (1 C = 1.8 F). To get Celsius from Fahrenheit, you first remove the offset of 32 (F − 32) so the zero point aligns with Celsius, then multiply by 5/9 to convert the degree size from Fahrenheit to Celsius. This gives the formula C = (5/9)(F − 32).

Why the others don’t fit: using the reciprocal 9/5 would exaggerate the difference instead of converting to Celsius correctly; subtracting 32 without the scaling ignores the change in unit size; and adding 32 after scaling places the offset on the wrong side, not matching how the two scales relate.