Everyday temperatures
A weather report gives a number. So do a fridge and a freezer. How far apart are two numbers?
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Step 1 of 4
- A freezer reads −8 °C. A room reads 24 °C.
- Count up from −8 °C to 0 °C: 8.
- Count up from 0 °C to 24 °C: 24.
- Add both counts: 8 + 24 = 32 °C.
The rule
If both are above zero, subtract the smaller from the bigger. The answer is the difference: how far apart they are.
A weather report gives a maximum (highest) and a minimum (lowest). Their difference tells how much the day changes.
Both below zero? Count up from the colder to the warmer. If one is below zero, count up to zero first. Then count on to the other number. Add the two counts.
Watch out!
Do not subtract as if both numbers were above zero. From −8 to 24 is 32 °C, not 16 °C.