We have all worked with circles at some point of our lives to some degree. These unique shapes are everywhere: from clocks to pizzas, circles are the fundamental shape for many objects. In math class, we have been introduced to the rule that a circle has 360 degrees, but why specifically 360 degrees. What mathematical law has led to the declaration that a circle has 360 degrees? There is none! This rule is completely arbitrary, and instead there are multiple theories as to why the circle has 360 degrees.
Reason 1: Divisors
The number 360 is simply easy to work with mathematically. 360 has the highest number of divisors for a positive number up to 360, making many numbers divisible by it.
Reason 2: Lunar Calendar and Solar Calendar
The lunar calendar informs that a year has a total of 355 days, whereas the solar calendar has 365 days. The number that lies right in between these two numbers is 360.
Reason 3: Babylonians and the Sexagismal System
The Babylonian used the Sexagismal System which meant their bases were bases of 60. Using the base of 60, the Babylonians would get to 360 as a number with many different factors.
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