Converting C to F

Problem: It is not uncommon to find degrees Centigrade used in technical literature and articles. However, you really want to know what that Centigrade number is in degrees Fahrenheit. Is there an easy way to make this conversion without having to deal with that 5/9 or 9/5 formula?

Solution: The calculation can be made quickly and easily, probably without using paper and pencil. Multiply degrees C by 2 and then move the decimal point of the result one place to the left. Subtract this number from the original calculated figure and add 32 to get F.

For example, assume you want to convert 50.5 C to F. Multiplying by 2 yields 101. Moving the decimal point left converts this number to 10.1. Subtracting 10.1 from 101 equals 90.9. Adding the 32 makes 50.5 C equal to 122.9 F.

Contributor: Jack Rutherford, Engineering Technician, Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport, TN

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