Which is the correct formula to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius?

Which is the correct formula to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius?

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

Answer: (A)

To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, you must remove the offset between the scales and then scale the units. The freezing point of water is 32°F, which corresponds to 0°C, so you first subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value and then multiply by 5/9 to adjust the size of the degree. The correct formula is C = (F − 32) × 5/9. Example: at boiling point, F is 212. (212 − 32) × 5/9 = 180 × 5/9 = 100, so 212°F equals 100°C. Why this works: subtracting 32 accounts for the offset between the two scales, and multiplying by 5/9 converts the Fahrenheit degree size to Celsius. Using the other forms would either skip the offset, apply the wrong scale factor, or both, leading to incorrect results.

To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, you must remove the offset between the scales and then scale the units. The freezing point of water is 32°F, which corresponds to 0°C, so you first subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value and then multiply by 5/9 to adjust the size of the degree. The correct formula is C = (F − 32) × 5/9.

Example: at boiling point, F is 212. (212 − 32) × 5/9 = 180 × 5/9 = 100, so 212°F equals 100°C.

Why this works: subtracting 32 accounts for the offset between the two scales, and multiplying by 5/9 converts the Fahrenheit degree size to Celsius. Using the other forms would either skip the offset, apply the wrong scale factor, or both, leading to incorrect results.