Convert 98.7 °F to Celsius
Formula for Fahrenheit to Celsius
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: ( 37.1 \, °C )
To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, you can use the formula:
[
C = \frac{(F – 32) \times 5}{9}
]
Where:
- ( C ) is the temperature in Celsius,
- ( F ) is the temperature in Fahrenheit.
Conversion Steps
- Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature:
[
98.7 – 32 = 66.7
] - Multiply the result by 5:
[
66.7 \times 5 = 333.5
] - Divide by 9 to get the Celsius temperature:
[
\frac{333.5}{9} \approx 37.1
]
Thus, ( 98.7 \, °F ) is approximately ( 37.1 \, °C ).
Explanation
The Fahrenheit and Celsius scales are two of the most commonly used temperature scales. The Fahrenheit scale, primarily used in the United States, sets the freezing point of water at 32 °F and the boiling point at 212 °F, while the Celsius scale, used by most other countries, defines these points at 0 °C and 100 °C, respectively.
The conversion between the two scales involves a linear transformation. The formula derives from the relationship between the two temperature points. For example, the difference between the freezing and boiling points of water is 180 °F (212 °F – 32 °F) and 100 °C (100 °C – 0 °C). This means there are 1.8 Fahrenheit degrees for every Celsius degree (180/100 = 1.8 or 9/5).
When converting, it’s crucial to subtract 32 first because the scales have different starting points. After adjusting for this offset, multiplying by 5/9 correctly scales the temperature difference between the two systems.
Understanding this conversion is particularly important in fields like healthcare, cooking, and science, where precise temperature readings are essential. For instance, normal human body temperature is typically around 98.6 °F (37 °C), which is relevant in clinical settings.