High School

The formula for converting a temperature in degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit is [tex]F(C) = \frac{9}{5} C + 32[/tex]. The inverse function will convert a temperature in degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius.

What is the formula for converting from degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius?

[tex]C(F) = \square F - \square[/tex]

Answer :

To find the inverse formula for converting temperatures from degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius, we start with the given Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion formula:

[tex]\[ F(C) = \frac{9}{5}C + 32. \][/tex]

Our goal is to solve for [tex]\( C \)[/tex] in terms of [tex]\( F \)[/tex], effectively finding the inverse function [tex]\( C(F) \)[/tex].

Here are the steps:

1. Start with the original formula:

[tex]\[ F = \frac{9}{5}C + 32. \][/tex]

2. Isolate the term involving [tex]\( C \)[/tex]:

To do this, subtract 32 from both sides of the equation:

[tex]\[ F - 32 = \frac{9}{5}C. \][/tex]

3. Solve for [tex]\( C \)[/tex]:

To isolate [tex]\( C \)[/tex], multiply both sides by the reciprocal of [tex]\(\frac{9}{5}\)[/tex], which is [tex]\(\frac{5}{9}\)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ C = \frac{5}{9}(F - 32). \][/tex]

Now, we have the formula to convert a temperature from degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius:

[tex]\[ C(F) = \frac{5}{9}F - \frac{5}{9} \times 32. \][/tex]

Calculating [tex]\( \frac{5}{9} \times 32 \)[/tex] gives us approximately 17.7778.

Therefore, the formula simplifies to:

[tex]\[ C(F) = 0.55555F - 17.7778. \][/tex]

This gives you the temperature in degrees Celsius when you start with a temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.