Difference between revisions of "Degree (geometry)"
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The '''degree''' of an [[angle]] is a [[measure]]ment of the angle, representing <math>\frac1{360}</math> of a full [[rotation]]. | The '''degree''' of an [[angle]] is a [[measure]]ment of the angle, representing <math>\frac1{360}</math> of a full [[rotation]]. | ||
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The [[number]] 360 as the amount of degrees in a [[circle]] was probably adopted because it approximates the number of days in a year. | The [[number]] 360 as the amount of degrees in a [[circle]] was probably adopted because it approximates the number of days in a year. | ||
| − | Another reason could be that ancient astronomers noticed that the stars in the sky seem to advance by approximately <math>\frac1{360}</math> of a circle | + | Another reason could be that ancient astronomers noticed that the stars in the sky seem to advance by approximately <math>\frac1{360}</math> of a circle. |
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
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* [[Gradian]] | * [[Gradian]] | ||
* [[Steradian]] | * [[Steradian]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Geometry]] | ||
Latest revision as of 09:37, 6 November 2007
This article is a stub. Help us out by expanding it.
The degree of an angle is a measurement of the angle, representing 
of a full rotation.
Degrees are indicated by the degree symbol; one degree would be written 
.
Degrees are the only units written right after a number, without a space (e.g. 
, not 
)
History
The number 360 as the amount of degrees in a circle was probably adopted because it approximates the number of days in a year.
Another reason could be that ancient astronomers noticed that the stars in the sky seem to advance by approximately of a circle.
