College

For one month, Slera 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 :

To understand the conversion of temperature from degrees Fahrenheit (°F) to degrees Celsius (°C), we need to use the formula provided, which is:

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

Here’s a breakdown of what this equation represents:

1. Understanding Variables:
- F: This is the initial temperature in degrees Fahrenheit that you want to convert.
- C(F): This is the temperature in degrees Celsius after the conversion.

2. Conversion Formula Explanation:
- The formula [tex]\(\frac{5}{9} \times (F - 32)\)[/tex] adjusts the temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius.
- The subtraction of 32 ([tex]\(F - 32\)[/tex]) adjusts for the different starting points of the Fahrenheit and Celsius scales. The Fahrenheit scale has 32°F as the freezing point of water, while the Celsius scale has 0°C.
- Multiplying by [tex]\(\frac{5}{9}\)[/tex] scales the size of the degree increment difference between Fahrenheit and Celsius. A single degree of Fahrenheit represents a smaller temperature increment than a single degree of Celsius, and this factor adjusts for that difference.

3. Purpose of C(F):
- [tex]\(C(F)\)[/tex] provides the temperature in degrees Celsius once the input temperature in Fahrenheit (F) has been adjusted by the conversion factors mentioned above.

This process effectively transforms the Fahrenheit temperature to its equivalent in Celsius, allowing for a direct understanding of temperature over both scales.