A temperature rises from -5°C to 12°C. What is the change in temperature?

A temperature rises from -5°C to 12°C. What is the change in temperature?

• A. 7
• B. 12
• C. 17
• D. 5

Answer: (C)

The change in temperature is found by looking at how far you move on the temperature scale from the start to the end. Since it rises from -5°C to 12°C, you calculate the difference: 12 – (-5) = 17°C. Think of a number line: going from -5 up to 0 is 5 degrees, and from 0 up to 12 is 12 more degrees, totaling 17 degrees. So the temperature increased by 17 degrees Celsius. If the change were 7, you'd end at 2°C; if it were 12, you'd end at 7°C; if it were 5, you'd end at 0°C.

The change in temperature is found by looking at how far you move on the temperature scale from the start to the end. Since it rises from -5°C to 12°C, you calculate the difference: 12 – (-5) = 17°C. Think of a number line: going from -5 up to 0 is 5 degrees, and from 0 up to 12 is 12 more degrees, totaling 17 degrees. So the temperature increased by 17 degrees Celsius. If the change were 7, you'd end at 2°C; if it were 12, you'd end at 7°C; if it were 5, you'd end at 0°C.