Temperatures are usually measured in degrees Fahrenheit in the United States and degrees Celsius elsewhere. The Fahrenheit reading F and the Celsius reading C are linear functions of each other, based on two reference points:
a. 0 degrees Celsius is the freezing point of water, which is 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
b. 100 degrees Celsius is the boiling point of water, which is 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
(a) Use the freezing and boiling points of water to write F as a linear function of C.
(b) Express C as a linear function of F. 58 3. Close is Good Enough
(c) Which represents a larger change in temperature, a degree Celsius or a degree Fahrenheit?
(d) Suppose that an item heats up or cools down. Express ΔF (the change in the Fahrenheit reading) as a linear function of ΔC, and vice-versa.
(e) Find a temperature that has the same reading on both scales.