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cinteger-division

C: converting Farenheit to Celsius


int main (void)
{
    int fahrenheit; // fahrenheit stands for fahrenheit
    double c; // c stands for celsius

    printf("Enter your fahrenheit, we'll covnvert it into celsius! ");
    scanf("%f", &fahrenheit);

    c = 5/9 * (fahrenheit - 32);
    printf("Here is your %f in celsius!.\n");

    return (0);
}

I've followed the code through break points and when it takes in my input the calculations are off, but the formula is correct. Some sort of logic error I can't put my finger on. Please help!


Solution

  • The scanf call uses the wrong format string. You are reading an int so you need it to be:

    scanf("%d", &fahrenheit);
    

    The expression 5/9 is evaluated using integer division. In fact the compiler can work it out at compile time. That expression evaluates to 0.

    You need to perform floating point division. For instance:

    5.0/9
    

    Or:

    5/9.0
    

    Or

    5.0/9.0
    

    You just need at least one operand to be a floating point value.

    Putting this into your expression, you can write:

    c = 5.0/9.0 * (fahrenheit - 32);
    

    and obtain the answer that you expect.


    Your printf statement is wrong too. You should enable warnings and let the compiler tell you that. You meant to write:

    printf("Here is your %f in celsius!.\n", c);