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oemBiology oemBiology
wrote...
Posts: 1245
4 years ago
I would like to know on why circle contains 360 degree, why not define 400 degree instead? where does the number 360 come from?

Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions
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wrote...
Valued Member
Educator
4 years ago
I think it's based on the base-60 numbering system, which isn't used anymore today. It doesn't need to be 0 to 360 degrees, as mathematicians use radians in most cases. Every degree is broken down into 60 minutes, and every minute is broken down into 60 seconds - technically, therefore, there are 3600 seconds in a single degree.

Going back in history, it was the ancient Babylonians that decided to divide a circle into 360 parts. And, it stood the test of time because it worked out great for several reasons. The Egyptians loved perfect triangles, and exactly six of them fit into a circle. Therefore, six triangular slices of 60 degrees each made for a sensible 360-degree dissection of a circle. The Egyptians also came up with the first calendar based on a 360-day year, which is only off by 5.25 days. Also, when time was first recorded on the face of a circle, it was an easy leap to divide hours into 60 minutes and minutes into 60 seconds.
oemBiology Author
wrote...
4 years ago
so 360 degrees is man-made definition ...
Thank you very much for suggestions (^v^)
wrote...
Valued Member
Educator
4 years ago
so 360 degrees is man-made definition ...

All numbering systems are. Numbers are a tool invented by humans to make sense of the natural world. Without them we'd be lost.
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