Home >  Lessons / Activities >  Lessons >  Baby, It's Cold Outside

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Materials

Exploring Temperature Conversion Formulas

The formula F = C(9/5) + 32 is used to convert a given Celsius(C) temperature to its Fahrenheit(F) equivalent.

1. The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius. What is
the Fahrenheit boiling point of water?

2. The function keys of the FX-65 scientific/fraction calculator allow you to assign an operation and a value to either the F1 or F2 keys. (If you do not have the FX-65, skip to part c using your own calculator)

a. What 2 operations are used in the formula F = C(9/5) + 32? b. Using the above formula, assign the first operation followed by the corresponding value then shift F1. This will store your operation and value in F1. Now press AC to clear your screen.

Assign the second operation and value to F2. c. Complete the table below using the F1 and F2 keys.

Celsius  Fahrenheit
-------  ----------
 -30     -22
 -20 
 -10
 0       32
 10
 20      68
 30 
 40
 50

3. The table below list the high temperatures for the first week of December in Orlando, Florida.

Celsius Fahrenheit
------- ----------
 25 
 28
 30 
 29
 27
 26
 25

a. Complete the table.
b. What was the average high temperature for the one week
period? c. What temperature would you predict for December 20th?
Explain your answer.

Thinking Cap

Transform the above formula to solve for Celsius given the Fahrenheit temperature.† Check your table with your values in the above tables.

For The Teacher

Answers

1. 212 degrees F
2. a. multiplication and addition

c.

Celsius Fahrenheit
------- ----------
 -30    -22
 -20    -4
 -10    14
 0      32
 10     50
 20     68
 30     86
 40     104
 50     122

3.

a.

 Celsius Fahrenheit
 ------- ----------
 25      77
 28      82.4
 30      86
 29      84.2
 27      80.6
 26      78.8
 25      77

b. 81 degrees F

c. Answers may vary.

Thinking Cap C = (5/9)*(F - 32)

Submitted by: Marian Elliott, Albemarle County Public Schools, Charlottesvill, VA