Section II. TEMPERATURE CONVERSIONS
1-21. INTRODUCTION
a. There are two different scales used for measuring temperature. The
Fahrenheit scale, which is the most common, has the boiling point of water as 212F
and the freezing point of water as 32F. The Centigrade (Celsius) scale, which is used
in the sciences, has the boiling point of water as 100C and the freezing point of water
as 0C.
b. The storage temperature of drugs that require refrigeration is normally
expressed in degrees Centigrade. Many of the temperature gauges used in
refrigerators are graduated in degrees Fahrenheit. At times, it is necessary to calculate
a change from one scale to the other.
1-22. FORMULA
The following formula works for converting both ways; that is, conversions can be
made from Fahrenheit to Centigrade or from Centigrade to Fahrenheit using this
formula:
5F = 9C + 160
1-23. ALGEBRAIC PRINCIPLES INVOLVED
To work the above formula, the following algebraic principles must be understood:
a. When bringing a number from one side of an equation to the other
(transposition), the sign must be changed. For example: To place the +l60 on the left
of the formula, simply change it to a -160 and transpose:
5F = 9C + 160
5F - 160 = 9C (Both formulas have equal value)
b.
When adding like signs, simply add and keep the same sign. For example:
(+160)
+
(+100) = +260
(-160)
+
(-100) = -260
MD0802
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