How to convert a Fahrenheit temperature change to Celsius?

To convert a temperature difference from Fahrenheit degrees to Celsius degrees, multiply the Fahrenheit difference by five ninths.

Think of Fahrenheit and Celsius like two different measuring sticks. When you compare a change in temperature, you do not shift the starting point, you only scale the size of the change. Multiply the Fahrenheit change by five ninths because one degree Celsius is larger than one degree Fahrenheit by that ratio. You do not add or subtract thirty two when converting differences, because the thirty two is the offset used for absolute temperatures, not for changes. So for any temperature difference, just take the number of Fahrenheit degrees and multiply it by five ninths to get the Celsius degrees.

A common mistake is adding or subtracting thirty two when converting a change in temperature, which is unnecessary and gives a wrong result; remember there is no offset for differences. Another error is using a wrong fraction or decimal like dividing by one point eight instead of multiplying by five ninths; using five ninths exactly keeps the conversion precise. Finally, students sometimes forget to keep track of signs when the change is negative, so if the Fahrenheit change is negative the Celsius change will be negative too.

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Convert Fahrenheit Temperature Change to Celsius

1. Do not shift the starting point
2. Scale the size of the change
3. Multiply Fahrenheit change by 5/9
4. Do not add or subtract 32
5. Use the ratio for temperature differences
6. Negative Fahrenheit change gives negative Celsius

Common Temperature Conversion Mistakes

1. Adding or subtracting 32
2. Using wrong fraction or decimal
3. Forgetting negative sign on change

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