How do you convert degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius?

To convert degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius, the correct method involves starting with the Fahrenheit temperature, subtracting 32, and then multiplying the result by 5/9. This is rooted in the formula for converting Fahrenheit (F) to Celsius (C), which can be expressed as:

C = (F - 32) × 5/9

This conversion process works because the scales of Fahrenheit and Celsius are based on different reference points; thus, a simple subtraction followed by a proportional adjustment is necessary to align them.

When you subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit value, you are adjusting the temperature to correspond with the zero point in Celsius, which is the freezing point of water. By multiplying by 5/9, you account for the difference in the size of the degrees on the two scales. Celsius degrees are larger than Fahrenheit degrees, so you need to multiply by a fraction to get the correct Celsius reading.

Using this method ensures you accurately convert temperatures from one scale to the other. The other approaches listed in the choices do not correctly follow the established formula for Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion, which is why they are not considered valid options.