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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of how to interpret temperature scales, particularly in the context of comparing temperatures in Celsius and Kelvin. Participants explore the implications of multiplying temperatures by a factor and the resulting values across different temperature scales.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the validity of the original question, suggesting it is poorly constructed due to the complexities of temperature scales.
  • One participant notes that converting -4 degrees Celsius to Kelvin (~269.2) and then multiplying by 4 leads to a result that does not match any of the provided answer choices.
  • Another participant agrees with the critique of the question's construction and emphasizes the differences in temperature scales, indicating that multiplying temperatures in Kelvin is not directly comparable to multiplying temperatures in Celsius.
  • There is a suggestion that using an absolute scale like Kelvin avoids negative values, but this approach also does not align with the answer choices given.
  • A participant humorously acknowledges that the question was self-created and reflects on being misled by their own formulation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the question is poorly constructed and that there are significant issues with interpreting temperature multiplication across different scales. However, there is no consensus on a definitive answer to the original question.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the original question regarding assumptions about temperature scales and the implications of multiplying temperatures. The lack of clear definitions and the presence of negative values in Celsius complicate the reasoning.

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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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