17. Other temperature conversion examples

Some examples from the temperature conversion derivation:

• Excellent context for developing proportional thinking - e.g.
  - 180^oF for every 100^oC means that there are 18 for every 10, 1.8 for every 1, etc.

• Opportunity for discussing reading scales in general
  - here we have two different scales measuring the same thing, so the units (and hence the gradations on the measuring tools) have different meanings

• Opportunities for exploring strategies for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division – e.g.
  - How did you work out the difference between 70 and 32?
  - Can we work out 1.8 x 25 without a calculator?
  - What should the answer be close to?
  - If you’re dividing 38 by 1.8 what two numbers must your answer be between?

• Opportunities for increasing logical thinking for problem-solving.
  - nearly all learners will recognise that you need to add 32 to the Fahrenheit calculation because the starting point for the temperature differential calculated doesn’t start at 0.

• Modelling using a visual tool to solve problems. The parallel scale visual is very easy to replicate and will stick with learners much longer than a memorised (usually just long enough for the assessment!) formula.