what is the 360 degrees in a circle based on?

Answer 1

We use 360 degrees because the first steps in circle geometry were made by the ancient Babylonians, whose number systems was sexagesimal, or base-60. In a system like that, 360 is as round as, say, 500 in our number system. In addition, it was useful because it closely approximates the number of days in a year, which of course is related to the Earth's nearly circular orbit.

Answer 2

It's based on the approximate number of days in a year. However, degree-measure is not true circular measure like radian-measure. You can have any number of degrees you like in a circle. For example, it would be fairly simple to have circles with 240 degrees. It would be more challenging with some weird number like 365.25 degree circles. There are exactly 2*pi radians in one angle of revolution but the number of degrees depends on your choice. Get the idea?

Answer 3

Draw two chords perpendicular to each other and passing through the center of the circle. These are the diameters of the circle.

Each intersection gives you 90 degrees (being at right angles)

Since there are four such right angles, adding them together gives 360degrees.

Answer 4

i dont think its based on the number of days... i think it has something to do with 360 having many divisors... (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ...) it was the number large accurate number anyone can easily work with. just my opinion!!^^