The number 360 has 24 divisors, making it a fairly easy number to work with. Though the degree is not an SI unit, it is accepted for use as a measure of angle.Ī degree is a measure of angle equal to 1/360th of a revolution, or circle. The appeal comes from the fact that the number 360 has 24 divisors.ĭegrees are a very widely used unit of angular measure, and are used in managed fields. Regardless of the origin, the number 360 is an easy number to use mathematically, which makes it appealing to use. 360 is also very close to the 365 actual days in a year and 354 average number of days in the luni-solar year. They also divided the ecliptic, or circle representing the path of the sun, into 360 parts.Īnother common theory is that degrees originated out of the Persian calendar, which is made up of 360 days in the year. Babylonian, and later Greek, astronomers observed that stars advance about 1/360th of their circular path in the sky every night. ![]() Learn more about how to use a protractor or download a printable protractor.Īlthough the true origin of the degree is not certain, it likely originated in Babylonian astronomy. They are semi-circle or full-circle devices with degree markings allowing a user to measure an angle in degrees. Protractors are commonly used to measure angles in degrees. One arcminute is equal to 1/60th of a degree, and one arcsecond is equal to 1/60th of an arcminute. For example, 1 degree can be written as 1° or 1 deg.ĭegrees can also be expressed using arcminutes and arcseconds as an alternative to using the decimal form.Īrcminutes and arcseconds are expressed using the prime (′) and double-prime (″) characters, respectively, although a single-quote and double-quote are often used for convenience. Degrees can be abbreviated as °, and are also sometimes abbreviated as deg. A degree is sometimes also referred to as a degree of arc, arc degree, or arcdegree. The degree is an SI accepted unit for angle for use with the metric system. He holds several degrees and certifications.Ī degree is a unit used to measure angle. ![]() Joe is the creator of Inch Calculator and has over 20 years of experience in engineering and construction.
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