How 1 degree is equal to 60 mins?

  • B
  • Thread starter niharika1908
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Degree
In summary, 1 degree is equal to 60 minutes and this is a common measurement used in various systems, including the Babylonian base 60 number system and the maritime nautical mile. This value was also influenced by the ancient belief of a circle having 360 degrees and the year having 360 days. However, it was later discovered that the length of a nautical mile varies depending on the latitude.
  • #1
niharika1908
1
0
how 1 degree is equal to 60 mins?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
  • #2
They defined it that way.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #3
A more detailed explanation on the mysteries of degrees and minutes is related in the wikipedia article:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degree_(angle)

Where they mention a circle having 360 degrees and the year having 360 days in some ancient calendar systems. Also 360 is a number with a lot of factors making it a useful choice for measurement systems. The 60 minutes to a degree may be the result of the base 60 number system in use by the Babylonians.

An interesting maritime feature of the minute is that it was used to define the nautical mile until they realized the variation of length if measured in the low latitudes vs the high latitudes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nautical_mile
 

1. How is 1 degree equal to 60 minutes?

1 degree is equal to 60 minutes because it is a unit of measurement used in geometry and geography to measure angles. It is based on the concept of a full circle, which is divided into 360 degrees. Each degree is further divided into 60 minutes, with each minute representing 1/60th of a degree.

2. Why is 1 degree divided into 60 minutes?

The division of 1 degree into 60 minutes is a historical convention that dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Babylonians and Egyptians. They used a sexagesimal system, which is based on the number 60, to count and measure. This system was later adopted by the Greeks and is still used in modern times.

3. How does the concept of 1 degree equaling 60 minutes apply to longitude and latitude?

In geography, longitude and latitude are used to identify specific locations on the Earth's surface. Longitude measures the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, which is 0 degrees. Latitude measures the distance north or south of the Equator, which is also 0 degrees. Each degree of longitude or latitude is further divided into 60 minutes, allowing for more precise location measurements.

4. Is 1 degree equal to 60 minutes a universal measurement?

Yes, 1 degree equaling 60 minutes is a universal measurement used in mathematics, geography, and astronomy. However, there are other units of measurement for angles, such as radians, which are used in physics and engineering. But for everyday use, the division of 1 degree into 60 minutes is the most common and widely accepted.

5. How can I convert between degrees and minutes?

To convert degrees to minutes, simply multiply the number of degrees by 60. For example, 30 degrees is equal to 30 x 60 = 1800 minutes. To convert minutes to degrees, divide the number of minutes by 60. For example, 120 minutes is equal to 120 ÷ 60 = 2 degrees.

Similar threads

  • General Math
Replies
34
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
356
  • General Math
Replies
22
Views
2K
  • General Math
Replies
2
Views
712
  • General Math
Replies
14
Views
613
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
951
Back
Top