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Degrees Minutes and Seconds

In past years we wrote degrees as decimals such as 78.456°

However in mathematics it is suggested that you convert this over into a math process called Degrees Minutes and Seconds or DMS for short.

To convert to Degrees Minutes Seconds

1. Simply take the number before the decimal as your degrees.

So we have 78°

2. Now subtract that from the problem and multiply the answer by 60

So we have 78° 27'

3. Now subtract 27 from the answer and multiply by 60 again.

The final answer is 78° 27' 21.6" (78 degrees 27 minutes and 21.6 seconds)

For a program to assist you with your conversion click here to download it.

Feedback Team C004647: Mike, Ankur, and Justin