Conversions for Lat/Long Question: How does one Convert a Degrees and Minutes Location to a Degree and Decimal (Decimal Degree) location? First, remember that we are NOT talking about changing or converting the WHOLE degree part of a location. So in a reading of 43 51'(min), we are not going to do anything to the 43 part of this location. It is a whole degree so there is nothing to convert. What we are talking about is the part of, or fraction of the location reading because that can be expressed in two ways:
Background on converting from minutes to decimal percentage. 1) Each whole degree is comprised of 60 minutes. 2) To convert a minute into decimal percentage just divide the MINUTE number by 60: For instance: HERE'S AN EXAMPLE:
Guidelines Here are some guidelines for conversions to use as cross checks as you do conversions of minutes to decimal degrees:
B) Converting Degree and Decimal (Decimal Degrees) to Degrees and Minutes: Question: How does one Convert a Degree and Decimal (Decimal Degree) location to a Degrees and Minutes Location? Basically, the calculation is the reverse of converting minutes to decimals. In short, rather than dividing the minutes by 60, you multiply the decimal degree by 60, and that gives you the conversion to MINUTES.
Guidelines Again the basic rule is, multiply the decimal degree by 60. Here
are a few more guidelines for conversions to use as cross checks: or .50 of a degree multiplied by 60 = 30 minutes Copyright 2003 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.
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