In the ways of developing the ways of calculating time, astronomers divided an hour into 60 minutes. Why is 60 a better choice 59 or 61?
The choice of dividing an hour into 60 minutes has historical and practical reasons, which make it a better choice compared to using 59 or 61.
The use of a base-60 system (also known as sexagesimal system) dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians and Babylonians. These civilizations used a base-60 system for various mathematical and astronomical calculations. The choice of 60 likely originated from the fact that 60 is divisible by many numbers, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, and 30. Having many divisors makes calculations and conversions easier.
Here are a few reasons why using 60 is beneficial:
1. Ancient astronomical observations: In the early days, astronomers relied heavily on observations of celestial bodies such as the Sun, Moon, and stars. They noticed that the Earth took roughly 24 hours to complete one rotation, and they divided this period into 60 equal parts, which we now call minutes.
2. Convenient subdivisions: Dividing an hour into 60 minutes allows for practical subdivisions. Each minute can be divided into 60 seconds, which provides more precision for time measurements.
3. Ease of fractions: The base-60 system makes it easier to work with fractions. For instance, dividing an hour into 30 minutes means each minute is equivalent to 2 units, while dividing it into 60 minutes means each minute is equivalent to 1 unit. This simplifies operations like measuring angles in degrees, which are divided into minutes and seconds.
4. Historical continuity: The division of hours into 60 minutes has been used for centuries, and it is deeply ingrained in our systems and culture. Changing it now would require significant adjustments in various aspects of our lives, such as timekeeping devices, calendars, and schedules.
While using 59 or 61 for dividing an hour is theoretically possible, they do not have the same advantages as 60. They have fewer divisors, making calculations less convenient. Additionally, they lack the historical and practical significance that the choice of 60 carries. Therefore, for the sake of consistency and practicality, dividing an hour into 60 minutes remains the standard in our timekeeping systems.