Answer :
Final answer:
The given Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion formula is C = 5/9(F - 32). To convert 88°F to Celsius, you subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature and multiply by 5/9, resulting in approximately 31.1°C. The term 'centigrade' for Celsius comes from its division into 100 degrees between the freezing and boiling points of water.
Explanation:
The formula to convert Fahrenheit temperatures to Celsius temperatures begins by subtracting 32 from the Fahrenheit value and then multiplying by ⅙ (or dividing by 1.8). The resultant formula is C = ⅙(F - 32). Our starting point is the given Fahrenheit to Celsius formula: F = ⅔C + 32.
To find the Celsius temperature for a warm day of 88°F, we follow these steps:
- Start with the Fahrenheit temperature: 88°F.
- Subtract 32 from this temperature: 88 - 32 = 56.
- Divide the result by 1.8 (or multiply by ⅙): 56 ÷ 1.8 = 31.11, which we can round to 31.1°C.
The Celsius scale is sometimes referred to as "centigrade" because it divides the temperature scale into 100 degrees between the freezing point and boiling point of water. Centigrade comes from the Latin words 'centum' meaning 100, and 'gradus' meaning steps. Therefore, one degree Celsius is equivalent to one "step" or one hundredth of the range between the two reference points.