A reference hand-book for nurses

by Amanda K. Beck

TO CONVERT THERMOMETER READINGS.

A correspondent of the “Lancet” (London) offers a new alternative method of converting degrees Centigrade into degrees Fahrenheit, which may be found easier to perform mentally than the usual method, because the factors can be more easily retained in the memory. This method consists of multiplying the centigrade figures by 2, deducting one-tenth of the product, and adding 32.

Example (a), 30° C.= 86° F.
Method: 30 × 2 = 60. 60 - 6 = 54. 54 + 32 = 86.

Example (b), 37° C. = 98.6° F.
Method: 37 × 2 = 74. 74 - 7.4 = 66.6. 66.6 + 32 = 98.6.

Example (c), 40° C. = 104° F.
Method: 40 × 2 = 80. 80 - 8 = 72. 72 + 32 = 104.