Suppose you decide to define your own temperature scale using the freezing point (13 degrees C) and boiling point (360 degrees C) of oleic acid, the main component of olive oil. If you set the freezing point of oleic acid as 0 degrees O and the boiling point as 100 degrees O, what is the freezing point of water on this new scale?

Question

aaronq · Answer

difference between 360 and 13 = 347

you spread this difference between 100 degrees 

so 1 degree in your scale is 3.47 degrees celsius.

from 13 celsius to 0, there is (obviously) a 13 degree difference

divide 13 by 3.47 = 3.746 degrees in your scale is how far your 0 degrees is from 0 degrees celsius

so 0 degrees - 3.746 degrees = -3.746  degrees in your scale is 0 degrees celsius