Platinum Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic (EMTP) 3.3 Practice Test

Converting Fahrenheit to Celsius involves removing the offset of the freezing point and then adjusting for the different degree sizes. The Fahrenheit scale sets freezing at 32°F and boiling at 212°F, while Celsius has freezing at 0°C and boiling at 100°C, so one degree on Fahrenheit is larger than one degree on Celsius by a factor of 9/5 (which is 1.8). To convert, subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value to align with the Celsius zero point, then divide by 1.8 (or multiply by 5/9) to convert the degree size. So the correct formula is Celsius equals (Fahrenheit minus 32) divided by 1.8, which is the same as Celsius equals (Fahrenheit minus 32) times 5/9. For example, 212°F yields (212 − 32) ÷ 1.8 = 100°C, and 32°F yields (32 − 32) ÷ 1.8 = 0°C.