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 same question was answered about hours in a day. The same answer applies here.
60 is better choice, because if you divide it than it go's in even.
whatever that means. 60 has many factors, making it possible to divide it into equal parts in many ways.
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The choice to divide an hour into 60 minutes was not purely arbitrary. The adoption of this choice, known as the sexagesimal system, has a historical basis and practical advantages.
The use of base 60 has its roots in ancient civilization, particularly in Mesopotamia, where the number system used base 60 for calculations. The main reason for this choice is believed to be due to the convenient divisibility of 60. Unlike numbers such as 59 or 61, 60 has numerous factors, making it easier to divide and work with.
Let's take a closer look at the factors of 60:
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, and 60 are all factors of 60.
Having many factors makes it easier to divide time into smaller increments. For example, an hour can be evenly divided into halves (30 minutes), quarters (15 minutes), thirds (20 minutes), sixths (10 minutes), and more. This versatility allows for greater precision and convenience when measuring time.
Another advantage of using base 60 is that it facilitates the conversion between different units of time. Dividing an hour into 60 minutes and each minute into 60 seconds creates a consistent and easily convertible system. It's worth noting that this sexagesimal system is still used today, making it a traditional and widely recognized way of measuring time.
In summary, while the choice to divide an hour into 60 minutes might initially seem arbitrary, it is rooted in historical tradition and offers practical advantages due to the numerous factors of 60 and the ease of conversion between units of time.