this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2025
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This is an example I use when I teach data types. It happens because the scale (F or C) is an "interval" scale. Its zero is not based on the absence of the property it is measuring, so you can't apply a multiplicative transform to it like, "double".
It is like lining up by height, calling the shortest person the standard and measure height of everyone else from that. So, the next tallest might be 2 cm, the next 4cm. But clearly the person we are calling 4cm is not twice the height of the person we called 2 cm.
Even if the scale was aligned with absolute zero - like Kelvin - it would not be able to describe temperature changes in the multiples primarily because our FEEL of temperature is what matters here. And since humans live in the approx. temperature ranges of -40 to 80 (using an extended range to cover cases like the Arctic/Antarctic stations, or saunas), the best scale to use would be a Celsius scale shifted somewhat to make 0deg the most optimal neutral temperature - which is, in my opinion, 16 degrees Celsius.