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Degrees of a circle?

Degrees of a circle?

Posers and Puzzles

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A degree is defined as one three hundred and sixtieth of a circle. So that doesn't say much about the origin of degrees. Why are there three hundred and sixty of them?

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Wikipedia is your friend.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degree_(angle)

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Originally posted by GregM
Wikipedia is your friend.
Not my friend, sorry.

I was asking because I found the question to be intellectually stimulating.

The garbage dispensing network of obtuse obscurities that is wikipedia didn't seem worth while.

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Originally posted by nihilismor
Not my friend, sorry.

I was asking because I found the question to be intellectually stimulating.

The garbage dispensing network of obtuse obscurities that is wikipedia didn't seem worth while.
Actually, the wikipedia speculation about the historical derivation seemed to be on point. Your response to a helpful suggestion was inappropriate.

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I believe there are 360 degrees in a circle because the ancient people tried to relate it to the number of days it took the sun to go around the earth. Later they found that they where off by a bit and adjsuted their calenders appropriately.

hklee

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Originally posted by hklee
I believe there are 360 degrees in a circle because the ancient people tried to relate it to the number of days it took the sun to go around the earth. Later they found that they where off by a bit and adjsuted their calenders appropriately.

hklee
yeah, what he said.

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Isn't 360 an adoption from the babylonian Base-12 system. Not to mention that so many numbers go into 360.

The history on the babylonian base-12 is related to counting with the segments on each finger (4*3) So you could count to 156 on your two hands instead of our minuscule 10.

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that sounds clever lets go with that.

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i don't under stand. be much much lesss specific if you can
also the theroy abut the year round long make sense

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Originally posted by tamuzi
Isn't 360 an adoption from the babylonian Base-12 system. Not to mention that so many numbers go into 360.

The history on the babylonian base-12 is related to counting with the segments on each finger (4*3) So you could count to 156 on your two hands instead of our minuscule 10.
This is coincides with what I've turned up. However, I have read that they worked with a base 30 system (not 12) which contradicts the website cited earlier in this thread.

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Originally posted by nihilismor
This is coincides with what I've turned up. However, I have read that they worked with a base 30 system (not 12) which contradicts the website cited earlier in this thread.
I believe they used base 12. Your reluctance to use wikipedia is based on rumours and probably opinions of others.

I find it a useful source of knowledge. Moderated regularly so that the information presented is correct. I have contributed my share of information and corrections on that site as well.

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they used both 12 and 30, 12x30=360, so a circle has 360 degrees

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Originally posted by tamuzi
Isn't 360 an adoption from the babylonian Base-12 system. Not to mention that so many numbers go into 360.

The history on the babylonian base-12 is related to counting with the segments on each finger (4*3) So you could count to 156 on your two hands instead of our minuscule 10.
3x4 + 2x2 (thumbs) is 16, not 156.

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Originally posted by TheMaster37
...Your reluctance to use wikipedia is based on rumours and probably opinions of others...
You are correct. I also do not go on "myspace" or get chemicals from starbucks or wear clothing with brand names visible for the same reasons I do not use wikipedia without reluctance. I do use it and respect it though in most cases . . . Just not for this forum.

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Originally posted by AThousandYoung
3x4 + 2x2 (thumbs) is 16, not 156.
3x4 on EACH hand using fingers,
use one hand for units
use other hand for '12's
that gives a possible 12x12 = 144.

I guess 156 includes using the thumb on the '12's hand??

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