Units of Angle | Degrees, Minutes, Seconds

Angles have their own set of units. They are sub-division of the basic unit of angle and give it the precision accorded to specific applications and measurements.

The units of angle are the basic degree ( ⁰ ), minutes ( ') and seconds (" ).

What do they mean?

1 degree = 60 minutes ==> 1⁰ = 60'

1 minute = 60 seconds ==> 1' = 60 "

NOTE:

• The minutes and seconds in this angle measurement units are NOT the same as the time measurement units!


• They are totally different in nature although they are meant for measurement and have the same spelling.

Examples of angle units:

45.7⁰ = 45⁰ (0.7 x 60)' = 45⁰ 42'

45.78⁰ = 45⁰ 46.8 ' = 45⁰ 46' (0.8 x 60) " = 45⁰ 46 ' 48 "

This form of angle unit presentation is nothing complicated or complex. It just serves to provide another avenue to illustrate unit expression.

It is similar to length measurement, for example 1.05 metre, which converts to 1 metre and 5 centimetres. Nothing more and nothing less.

:)