How to convert degrees, minutes and seconds

How to convert degrees, minutes and seconds

In daily life and scientific research, we often encounter the problem of converting angle units, especially the conversion between degrees, minutes, and seconds. This article will introduce in detail the conversion method of degrees, minutes and seconds, and provide structured data tables to help readers quickly master this skill.

1. Basic concepts of degrees, minutes and seconds

Degrees (°), minutes (′), and seconds (″) are common units of angle. The relationship between them is as follows:

2. Conversion method of degrees, minutes and seconds

1.Convert degrees to minutes and seconds: Multiply the integer part of the degree by 60 to get the minute; then multiply the decimal part of the minute by 60 to get the second.

2.Convert minutes and seconds to degrees: Divide seconds by 60, add minutes, then divide by 60 to get degrees.

3.Example: Taking the angle 45.75° as an example, the conversion process is as follows:

3. Common angle conversion table

Here are the conversion results for degrees, minutes and seconds for some common angles:

4. Practical Application of Conversion of Degrees, Minutes and Seconds

1.geographical coordinates: In geographic information systems, latitude and longitude are usually expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds. For example, the coordinates of Tiananmen Square in Beijing are 39°54′26″N, 116°23′29″E.

2.astronomical observation: Astronomers use degrees, minutes and seconds to describe the position and movement of celestial bodies.

3.Engineering Surveying: In construction and civil engineering, angle measurement is an essential step.

5. Things to note

1. During the conversion process, be careful to retain enough decimal places to avoid cumulative errors.

2. When using a calculator or professional software to perform complex conversions, ensure that the input format is correct.

3. The symbols for degrees, minutes and seconds (°, ′, ″) cannot be omitted, otherwise it may easily cause misunderstanding.

Through the introduction and tabular data of this article, I believe that readers have mastered the conversion method of degrees, minutes and seconds. In practical applications, more practice can further improve the accuracy and efficiency of conversion.