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Boston has a temperature of -20 degrees. It is colder in New York than in Boston. Select the value that could represent the temperature of New York:

A) -10 degrees

B) 0 degrees

C) -25 degrees

D) -15 degrees

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The temperature in New York that represents a colder condition than -20 degrees in Boston is -25 degrees, as lower numerical values on temperature scales indicate colder temperatures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject in question involves understanding temperatures and comparing values in a numerical context, which is a concept rooted in mathematics. If Boston's temperature is -20 degrees and it is stated that New York is colder than Boston, then the only option given that represents a colder temperature than -20 degrees would be Option C) -25 degrees. This conclusion is reached by understanding that on both the Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales, a lower numerical value indicates a colder temperature. Therefore, -25 is colder than -20. It is important to note that in terms of absolute value, the negative sign indicates a condition below a zero point, which is considered to be a neutral or starting point on both temperature scales.

To demonstrate this further, a drop of 40.0 Fahrenheit degrees equates to a drop in Celsius by following the conversion that shows any change in Fahrenheit is nine-fifths of the change in Celsius. Hence, a decrease in Fahrenheit degrees shows a proportional and larger numeric decrease in Celsius degrees, reinforcing that -25 degrees is indeed colder than -20 degrees.

User Peter Dietz
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