Temperature for 5th Grade: Celsius and Fahrenheit

Temperature is measured in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or Celsius (°C). In Grade 5, students convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius using the formulas. Water freezes at 32°F (0°C) and boils at 212°F (100°C). Understanding temperature helps students interpret weather, science experiments, and cooking.

To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius: \(C = \frac{5}{9}(F – 32)\). To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit: \(F = \frac{9}{5}C + 32\). These formulas come from the two fixed points (freezing and boiling) and the fact that the Celsius scale has 100 degrees between them while Fahrenheit has 180 degrees.

DETAILED EXPLANATION

Conversion formulas:

• Fahrenheit to Celsius: \(C = \frac{5}{9}(F – 32)\).

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• Celsius to Fahrenheit: \(F = \frac{9}{5}C + 32\).

Key points: 32°F = 0°C (freezing), 212°F = 100°C (boiling). At 0°F, C = −17.8. At 100°F, C ≈ 37.8.

WORKED EXAMPLES WITH STEP BY STEP SOLUTIONS

Example 1

Water freezes at 32°F. What is this in Celsius?

Solutions:

Step 1: Use the formula \(C = \frac{5}{9}(F – 32)\).

Step 2: Substitute F = 32: \(C = \frac{5}{9}(32 – 32) = \frac{5}{9}(0) = 0\).

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Step 3: 32°F = 0°C. Water freezes at 0°C.

Answer: 0°C

Example 2

Water boils at 100°C. What is this in Fahrenheit?

Solutions:

Step 1: Use the formula \(F = \frac{9}{5}C + 32\).

Step 2: Substitute C = 100: \(F = \frac{9}{5}(100) + 32 = 180 + 32 = 212\).

Step 3: 100°C = 212°F. Water boils at 212°F.

Answer: 212°F

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Example 3

It is 68°F outside. What is this in Celsius?

Solutions:

Step 1: \(C = \frac{5}{9}(F – 32) = \frac{5}{9}(68 – 32) = \frac{5}{9}(36)\).

Step 2: \(\frac{5}{9} \times 36 = \frac{180}{9} = 20\).

Step 3: 68°F = 20°C.

Answer: 20°C

Example 4

Convert 25°C to Fahrenheit.

Solutions:

Step 1: \(F = \frac{9}{5}(25) + 32 = 45 + 32 = 77\).

Answer: 77°F