High School

Which is greater, an increase of 10 degrees Fahrenheit or an increase of 10 degrees Celsius?

1) Increase of 10 degrees Fahrenheit
2) Increase of 10 degrees Celsius

Answer :

An increase of 10 degrees Celsius is greater than an increase of 10 degrees Fahrenheit because each degree Celsius represents 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, making 10 degrees Celsius equivalent to 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, the correct answer is option 2).

One degree on the Celsius scale is 1.8 times larger than one degree on the Fahrenheit scale, since only 100 Celsius degrees span the same range as 180 Fahrenheit degrees (180/100 = 9/5).

An increase of 10 degrees Celsius is therefore equivalent to an increase of 10 x 1.8 = 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Comparing the two, an increase of 10 degrees Celsius is greater than an increase of 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

An increase of 10 degrees Celsius is greater than an increase of 10 degrees Fahrenheit because each degree Celsius represents a larger temperature change than a degree Fahrenheit.