Question 7407: explain what is wrong with the reasoning in the statement: since 20 is the opposite of -20, then 20 degrees ferhinent must be very hot, because -20 degrees celiuis is very cold.
Answer by prince_abubu(198)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! First of all when comparing temperatures, it's best to have them in one system. Both have to be either in Fahrenheit or both in Celsius. Another thing is that the Fahrenheit and Celsius scales are very different in the fact that what's considered "normal/medium/just right" temperature isn't centered/set at to 0° on either scale. They are also different in the way that their scales, regardless of how the temperature feels, don't match at 0. In other words, 0°C is not equal to 0°F.
Let's look at the Celsius scale alone, -20 Celsius is very cold since 0°C is considered freezing point for water. Anything below that has to be cold. BUT! 20°C isn't that painfully hot as -20°C is painfully cold. Actually, 20°C is somewhere in the lower 60s Fahrenheit.
20°F is actually a winter temperature, below the freezing point 32°F.
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