Calculating the difference between two temperatures, including rises and falls across zero (e.g., from -3°C to 5°C).
Where your child meets this in real life: Calculating how much the temperature changed overnight, or how much warmer it will get by afternoon
SEAGReady breaks calculate temperature changes into 3 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Calculate temperature rise or fall when both temperatures are positive
Calculate temperature rise or fall when both temperatures are negative
Calculate temperature changes that cross the zero boundary (e.g., from -3°C to 5°C)
Three free sample questions from our calculate temperature changes course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
At 7am the temperature in Lisburn was 9°C. By lunchtime it had risen to 16°C. How many degrees did the temperature rise?
Answer: A. 7 degrees
Start temperature: 9°C End temperature: 16°C To find the rise, subtract: 16 − 9 = 7 The temperature rose by 7 degrees.
Stuck? Start here: What was the starting temperature and what was the ending temperature?
The freezer in Niamh's kitchen was at −12°C. After defrosting, it warmed to −5°C. By how many degrees did the temperature rise?
Answer: A. 7 degrees
Start: −12°C End: −5°C −5 is closer to zero, so it warmed up. Gap between them: 12 − 5 = 7 The temperature rose by 7 degrees.
Stuck? Start here: Both temperatures are below zero. Which one is closer to zero (warmer)?
At midnight in Armagh, the temperature was −4°C. By midday it had risen to 7°C. What was the total temperature rise?
Answer: A. 11 degrees
Start: −4°C, End: 7°C From −4 to 0 = 4 degrees From 0 to 7 = 7 degrees Total rise = 4 + 7 = 11 degrees
Stuck? Start here: The temperature went from below zero to above zero. Split the journey at zero.
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
At 7am the temperature in Belfast was 8°C. By noon it had risen to 15°C.
How many degrees did the temperature rise?
15 − 8
Step 1 of 4
At 7am the temperature in Belfast was 8°C. By noon it had risen to 15°C.
How many degrees did the temperature rise?
The temperature rose by 7 degrees.
The key insight: For a rise, subtract start from end: end minus start equals the change!
Watch out: Adding 15 + 8 = 23 degrees. We need the difference between temperatures, not their sum. Subtract to find how much it changed.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in calculate temperature changes, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with calculate temperature changes? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.