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why a circle is 360 degrees ?

Why Do We Have 60 Minutes in an Hour?

### **Unraveling the Mystery of Time: A Journey Through Ancient Math and Astronomy**

Have you ever wondered why there are 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour? This seemingly arbitrary choice has been the cornerstone of modern timekeeping for centuries. But where did this unusual number come from? Dive with us into the fascinating world of ancient astronomy, mathematics, and Babylonian ingenuity to uncover the surprising answer.

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### **The Celestial Inspiration of the Babylonians**

In ancient Mesopotamia, the Babylonians were obsessed with the stars and celestial bodies. They divided the circle into 360 degrees, which, as we explored in our previous article, was inspired by their rough estimate of a 360-day year. But what about time itself? The Babylonians used a sexagesimal (base-60) numeral system, which is still reflected in our modern clock faces. This choice wasn’t accidental; it was rooted in their mathematical prowess and astronomical observations.

The Babylonians recognized that 60 has an extraordinary number of factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, making it an ideal base for their numerical system. This facilitated calculations, especially when dealing with fractions. In astronomy, 60 was also closely tied to the Earth’s rotation, as it’s roughly the number of seconds in a minute and minutes in an hour needed to approximate a 24-hour day.

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### **A Convenient Coincidence: 60 and the Harmony of the Spheres**

The Babylonians didn’t stop at timekeeping. They discovered that 60 was an integral part of their astronomical observations, particularly when tracking celestial movements. The Earth takes approximately 24 hours to complete one rotation, which, when divided into 60-minute hours, yields 1440 minutes. This, in turn, can be divided into 60 seconds per minute, and so on. The Babylonians leveraged this harmonic relationship between the Earth’s rotation, timekeeping, and their base-60 system to create a unified and practical way of measuring time.

Fast-forward to modern times, and we see that 60 remains an integral part of our daily lives, from clock faces to navigation and geometry. The Babylonians’ innovative approach to mathematics and astronomy has left an enduring legacy, shaping the very fabric of our understanding of time and space.

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### **Why Not 10, 20, or Something “Simpler”?**

One might argue that a decimal (base-10) system would be more intuitive for timekeeping. However, the Babylonians’ base-60 system offered unique advantages, such as easier calculations with fractions and a more precise alignment with celestial movements. Additionally, the sexagesimal system has facilitated countless scientific and mathematical discoveries throughout history, making it an indispensable part of our collective heritage.

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### **Timekeeping: A Symphony of Mathematics and Astronomy**

The Babylonians’ ingenuity has left us with a timekeeping system that is both practical and harmonious. Their fusion of mathematics, astronomy, and ingenuity has created a lasting legacy, shaping the way we perceive and interact with time. Next time you glance at your watch or phone, remember the ancient Mesopotamians who paved the way for our modern understanding of time and the universe.

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**TL;DR**: The Babylonians created a sexagesimal (base-60) numeral system, which is reflected in our 60-second minutes and 60-minute hours. This choice was driven by their mathematical prowess, astronomical observations, and the need for a practical system that aligned with the Earth’s rotation.

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**The Legacy of 60:**

– Facilitates calculations with fractions
– Aligns with the Earth’s rotation and celestial movements
– Underpins modern timekeeping, navigation, and geometry
– Demonstrates the ancient Babylonians’ innovative approach to mathematics and astronomy

*Sources and further reading links:* [Science ABC][Science ABC], [History Today][History Today], [Mathnasium][Mathnasium]

[Science ABC]: https://www.scienceabc.com
[History Today]: https://historytoday.com
[Mathnasium]: https://mathnasium.com

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*Stay curious—the universe has secrets, and every tick of the clock holds a story.* ⏰️ Degrees of Discovery ⏰️