Solve for Equal & Opposite Fahrenheit & Celsius Temperatures

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the temperatures at which Fahrenheit and Celsius scales are equal and where they are equal but opposite in sign. The subject area includes temperature conversion and algebraic manipulation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore methods to isolate variables in the temperature conversion equations. Questions arise regarding the correctness of initial attempts and the proper setup for solving the equations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on isolating variables and substituting values to solve the equations. There is an ongoing exploration of different approaches, with no explicit consensus on the final answers yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about their initial setups and calculations, indicating a need for clarification on signs and algebraic manipulation. There is mention of a potential error in one participant's calculation.

Imparcticle
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#1) At what temperature are the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperatures exactly equal?


In order to answer this question, I set the following equal:
(the asterisk represents the degree sign)
*F = 1.8 (*C) + 32
*C = ((*F) - 32)/1.8

1.8 (*C) + 32 = ((*F) - 32)/1.8
1.8 (*C) = *F

And I know this is incorrect. Please tell me how to do this.

#2) At what temperature are the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperatures the same value but opposite in sign?

I have no idea how to do this one let alone the previous one. please help.
 
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For question 1: Isolate either C or F in one of the equations, then you can equate your other equation which will represent one of the temperatures to the formula you just derived, and they will both be in terms of the same single variable so it can be solved.

For question 2: same deal, just multiply one of the sides by -1 before you solve.
 
Let's start by writing the function for converting between F and C as:
f = 1.8c+32

f and c are just numbers; we are looking for when f = c in the first question, so substitute in

c=1.8c+32

and solve.

For the second one, do it the same way except this time you substitute f=-c
 
So would I do this:
for #1:
c=1.8c+32
c-1.8c=32
.8c=32
c=40

#2) -c=1.8(c)+32
-c-1.8c=32
-2.8c=32
c=-11
 
You lost a minus sign on 1 - try it again.

The other looks fine.
 

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