About Minutes
A degree is divided into 60 minutes, with each minute further divided into 60 seconds. Minutes of angular degrees are denoted by the symbol ' (prime). This unit is commonly used in fields such as astronomy and navigation, where precise measurements of angles are crucial. For example, when determining the position of celestial objects, astronomers often use minutes of angular degrees to specify the object's coordinates.
About Gradians
Gradians, also known as gons or grads, divide a circle into 400 equal parts. This means that a right angle is equal to 100 gradians, a full circle is 400 gradians, and so on. Gradians were introduced as an alternative to degrees and radians, aiming to provide a more convenient and decimal-based system for measuring angles.
While gradians are not as commonly used as degrees or radians, they do have their applications. For example, they are often used in surveying and navigation, where angles need to be measured and calculated with high precision. Additionally, gradians can be easily converted to degrees or radians, making them a versatile unit of measurement.
While radians are the standard unit for measuring angles in mathematics and physics, gradians offer an alternative system that can be useful in specific fields. Whether it's for precise measurements in surveying or for converting between different angle units, gradians provide a decimal-based approach to quantifying angles.