In Exercises 19 to 24, use a calculator to convert each decimal degree measure to its equivalent

In Exercises 19 to 24, use a calculator to convert each...

Key Concepts

Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds (DMS)

DMS is an alternative format for expressing angles or geographic coordinates, where each degree is subdivided into 60 minutes and each minute is further subdivided into 60 seconds. This format is commonly used in navigation and surveying, offering a more precise traditional representation of angles.

Conversion Process

Converting from decimal degrees to DMS involves separating the whole number part as the degrees, multiplying the fractional part by 60 to obtain the minutes, and then multiplying the new fractional part of the minutes by 60 to determine the seconds. This method ensures that the angle is accurately translated into the traditional DMS format.

Decimal Degrees

Decimal degrees represent a way of expressing angles or geographic coordinates using a base-10 system. Instead of dividing a degree into minutes and seconds, the entire angle is given as a single number with a fractional part, which makes calculations simpler, especially when using digital tools or calculators.

Transcript

00:03 All right, here what we want to do is convert this angle 18 .96 degrees into degrees minutes and seconds.

00:11 Now, of course, it says use your calculator.

00:15 We're going to use the calculator to confirm our answer, but i don't want to just throw it in there and push a couple buttons because there's really no instruction to that.

00:25 So rather, let's go through this real quick by hand, and then we'll just go through this real quick by hand, we'll confirm our answer.

00:33 You just need to remember, of course, that one degree can be broken into 60 minutes, and then each of those minutes can be broken into 60 seconds.

00:41 And we already know the first part of our answer because 18 .96 degrees means 18 degrees and then some number of minutes and then some number of seconds potentially.

00:54 And that's where the computation lies.

01:01 In the calculator, when we can confirm it.

01:03 You see we just put in 18 .96, push a couple buttons, and we get our answer.

01:07 Okay.

01:08 So all we have to do is convert that.

01:11 .96 degrees.

01:14 We do that by multiplying it by 60, because that will give us the equivalent number of minutes.

01:21 And now if that's a whole number, then you're done.

01:23 That means there are no seconds or zero seconds.

01:26 But it's not.

01:27 If you do this, you'll get 57 .6.

01:30 So 96 -100ths of a degree, is 57 .6 minutes.