How to Convert Between Degrees, Minutes, Seconds and Decimal Degrees

The Organic Chemistry Tutor

This educational video provides a clear, step-by-step tutorial on converting angle measurements between two common formats: Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds (DMS) and Decimal Degrees. The instructor uses a black screen with handwritten text to demonstrate the mathematical procedures for conversion in both directions. The video begins by establishing a helpful analogy between degrees and time, equating degrees to hours to help students intuitively understand the base-60 system used in DMS notation. The content covers the specific formulas required for conversion: dividing minutes by 60 and seconds by 3600 to convert to decimal form, and conversely, multiplying decimal remainders by 60 to convert back to minutes and seconds. The instructor works through multiple practice problems for each type of conversion, addressing nuances such as rounding errors and how to handle repeating decimals. The final segment of the video briefly showcases a comprehensive trigonometry curriculum, outlining topics from unit circles to inverse trigonometric functions. This resource is highly valuable for high school Geometry, Trigonometry, and Pre-Calculus classrooms. It breaks down a procedural skill that often confuses students into manageable steps. Teachers can use this video to introduce the concept of sexagesimal (base-60) systems, reinforce calculator literacy, or provide targeted remediation for students struggling with angle precision in navigation or surveying contexts.