How Hot is 10 Degrees Celsius Compared to 5 Degrees Celsius?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the question of how much hotter 10 degrees Celsius is compared to 5 degrees Celsius, with a focus on the flawed concept of multiplying temperatures in Celsius. Participants highlight that temperatures should be converted to Kelvin for accurate calculations, as Celsius does not have a true zero point. The consensus is that the original question is poorly constructed, leading to confusion regarding the multiplication of negative temperatures. The intended answer is speculated to be 12 degrees Celsius, but this is based on an incorrect premise.

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Monoxdifly said:
What is 4 times hotter than -4 degrees celsius?
A. -16 degrees celsius
B. -1 degrees celsius
C. 12 degrees celsius
D. 16 degrees celsius

What are your thoughts on the question? :)

In general if something is hotter than another, which direction must it move towards?
 
Jameson said:
What are your thoughts on the question? :)

In general if something is hotter than another, which direction must it move towards?

Up. But -4 x 4 is -16, and even if I answer 16, a fourth of it is 4, not -4.
 
I think this question is badly constructed,

If you convert -4 degrees celsius to kelvin units, you'll get ~269.2. Multiplying by 4 then converting back to celsius gives an answer not on the list. However, 4 times a temperature in kelvin is different than 4 times a temperature in a different unit. Each unit has a different scale, so the 4x calculation could drastically differ.

My guess for the intended answer to this bad question would be C, but I'm very curious what the officially response is.
 
Jameson said:
I think this question is badly constructed,

I agree completely. (Nod)

Jameson said:
If you convert -4 degrees celsius to kelvin units, you'll get ~269.2. Multiplying by 4 then converting back to celsius gives an answer not on the list. However, 4 times a temperature in kelvin is different than 4 times a temperature in a different unit. Each unit has a different scale, so the 4x calculation could drastically differ.

My guess for the intended answer to this bad question would be C, but I'm very curious what the officially response is.

I was also inclined to used an absolute scale such as Kelvins (that avoids negative values), but of course that doesn't lead to any of the choices. :D
 
Jameson said:
My guess for the intended answer to this bad question would be C, but I'm very curious what the officially response is.

There's not any official response since it's a question I myself made up. In other words, I've been tricked by my own question.
 

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