A patient's temperature rises from 99.4°F to 102.2°F. By how many degrees does it rise?

A patient's temperature rises from 99.4°F to 102.2°F. By how many degrees does it rise?

• A. 2.5
• B. 2.8
• C. 3.0
• D. 2.2

Answer: (B)

Subtracting the starting value from the ending value shows how much something has increased. Here, the change in temperature is 102.2 minus 99.4. Subtract the whole part first: 102.2 − 99 = 3.2, then subtract the tenths part: 3.2 − 0.4 = 2.8. So the temperature rises by 2.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

Subtracting the starting value from the ending value shows how much something has increased. Here, the change in temperature is 102.2 minus 99.4. Subtract the whole part first: 102.2 − 99 = 3.2, then subtract the tenths part: 3.2 − 0.4 = 2.8. So the temperature rises by 2.8 degrees Fahrenheit.