High School

For one month, Siera calculated her hometown’s average high temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. She wants to convert that temperature from degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius using the function [tex]C(F) = \frac{5}{9}(F - 32)[/tex].

What does [tex]C(F)[/tex] represent?

Answer :

In the context of the question, [tex]C(F)[/tex] represents the temperature in degrees Celsius when given the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, [tex]F[/tex]. This function allows us to convert temperatures from the Fahrenheit scale, which is commonly used in the United States, to the Celsius scale, which is used in most other parts of the world.

The formula for this conversion is:

[tex]C(F) = \frac{5}{9} (F - 32)[/tex]

Here's a step-by-step explanation of how this conversion works:


  1. Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit Temperature ([tex]F[/tex]).


    • This step adjusts the Fahrenheit temperature to account for the different starting points of the two temperature scales.



  2. Multiply the Result by [tex]\frac{5}{9}[/tex].


    • This step scales the adjusted Fahrenheit temperature to match the intervals of the Celsius scale. The ratio [tex]\frac{5}{9}[/tex] is used because there are 9 degrees between the freezing and boiling points of water in Fahrenheit (32 to 212) for every 5 degrees in Celsius (0 to 100).




By applying this function, Siera can convert any average high temperature recorded in Fahrenheit to its equivalent in Celsius, making it easier to understand or compare to locations using the Celsius scale.