Want to Know the Temperature?

Listen to the Crickets

It is a scientific fact that crickets chirp faster as the temperature

rises, as illustrated in the graph. Thus, you can calculate the

temperature by counting the number of times a cricket chirps per

minute and applying the following formula

T = 0.3n + 40

where T is the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit and n is the

number of cricket chirps per minute.

For example, if you are sitting on your porch and count 50

chirps per minute, the temperature is T = 0.3 × 50 + 40 = 55°F.

Note: The formula seems to indicate that crickets don’t chirp at

temperatures below 40°F, so it is best to save this method for

warmer weather.

From : Go Figure! Using Math to answer everyday imponderables

By : Clint Brookhart, P.E.