2007-05-09 21:43:15 · 5 answers · asked by ddesitta 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I think the 60 is good, because this number is divided by 2x2x3x5 - you can make a lot of cake piecesw with this number
2007-05-09 22:15:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Babylonians had a sexagesimal counting system (base-60) in which they defined a circle as having 360 degrees and a year as having 360 days (they added 5 or 6 extra days as required to keep in synch with the seasons).
There were then 60 minutes in a degree and sixty seconds (second subdivision of a degree) in a minute. The system was then applied to time, with the same vocabulary as angles.
The ancient world liked the system. It spread to the Greeks and the Egyptians and rapidly became an international standard long before there was an international decimal system of weights and measures developed.
It is too firmly engrained in our consciousness now for anyone to change it.
2007-05-10 06:20:38 · answer #2 · answered by brucebirchall 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A minute is a unit of time equal to 1/60th of an hour and to 60 seconds. (Some rare minutes have 59 or 61 seconds; see leap second.)
The minute is not a SI unit, however it is accepted for use with SI units.
In geometry, a minute is a unit of angle, 1/60th of a degree. It is then also known as a minute of angle or minute of arc, and can further be divided into 60 seconds of arc.
In astronomy, the minute is a unit of angle and time, 1/60th of an hour of right ascension. It is then known as the minute of right ascension, and can be further divided into 60 seconds of right ascension.
The symbol for a minute of time (or of right ascension) is min.
The symbol for a minute of arc is a prime (′). For example, fifteen minutes could be written 15′. However, more commonly an apostrophe, or single quote (U+0027), is used.
The Earth turns on its polar axis through fifteen minutes of arc in every minute of time. A minute of arc at the Earth's equator is approximately a nautical mile.
An hour likely contains 60 minutes due to influences from the Babylonians, who used a base-60 counting system.
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2007-05-10 05:10:05 · answer #3 · answered by Kim 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It came from the Babylonians. They used base 60 and 12 fit in nicely. We just carried it through.
2007-05-10 05:32:22 · answer #4 · answered by Gene 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
and why is one hour consists of 60 minutes? just wonder why you asked this question. lol
2007-05-10 04:57:07 · answer #5 · answered by ~o0o~ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋