Systems of Measuring Angles

The following three different systems of units are used in

the measurement of trigonometrical angles :

(a) Sexagesimal System ( or English System)

(b) Centesimal System ( or French System)

(c) Circular System

If a straight line stands on another line and if the two

adjacent angles thus formed are equal to one another
then by geometry, each of these angles is called a right
angle. This right angle forms the basis in defining the
different systems for the measurement of angles.

Definition of systems of measuring angles:

(a) Sexagesimal System: In Sexagesimal System, an

angle is measured in degrees, minutes and seconds.

A complete rotation describes 360°. In this system, a right

angle is divided into 90 equal parts and each such part is
called a Degree (1°); a degree is divided into 60 equal
parts and each such part is called a Sexagesimal Minute
(1’) and a minute is further sub-divided into 60 equal
parts, each of which is called a Sexagesimal Second (1’’).
In short,

1 right angle = 90 degrees (or 90°)

1 degree (or 1°) = 60 minutes ( or 60’)

and 1 minute ( or 1’ ) = 60 seconds ( or 60’’).

(b) Centesimal System: In Centesimal System, an angle
is measured in grades, minutes and seconds. In this
system, a right angle is divided into 100 equal parts and
each such part is called a Grade (1g); again, a grade is
divided into 100 equal parts and each such part is called
a Centesimal Minute (1‵) ; and a minute is further sub-
divided into 100 equal parts, each of which is called
a Centesimal Second (1‶). In short,

1 right angle = 100 grades (or, 100g)

1 grade ( or 1g) = 100 minutes (or, 100‵)
and 1 minute (or 1‵) = 100 seconds ( or, 100‶).

Note:

(i) Clearly, minute and second in sexagesimal and

centesimal systems are different.

For example,

1 right angle = 90 × 60 = 5400 sexagesimal minutes =

(5400)’

and 1 right angle = 100 × 100 = 10000 centesimàl

minutes = (10000)‶

(ii) Since, 1 right angle = 90° = 100g

Therefore, 90° = 100g
or, 1° = (10/9) g and 1g = (9/10)°

The first relation is used to reduce an angle of

sexagesimal system to centesimal system and the second
is used to reduce an angle of centesimal system to
sexagesimal system.
(c) Circular System: In this System, an angle is
measured in radians. In higher mathematics angles are
usually measured in circular system. In this system a
radian is considered as the unit for the measurement of
angles.

Definition of Radian: A radian is an angle subtended at

the center of a circle by an arc whose length is equal to
the radius.

Let OX = r be the radius of a circle having center at O.

Now, take an arc XY of the circle such that arc XY = r and

join OY. By definition, ∠XOY = one radian. One radian is
written as 1c, 2 radians as 2c and in general, k radians as
kc.

Circular (radian) measure of an angle:

The circular measure of an angle is the number of radians

it contains.

Thus the circular (radian) measure of a right angle is 𝜋/2.

If an angle is given without mentioning units, it is
assumed to be in radians. The relation between degree
measures and circular (radian) measures of some
standard angles are given below:

Degrees Radians

0° 0

30° π/6

45° π/4

60° π/3

90° π/2

120° 2π/3

135° 3π/4

150° 5π/6

180° π

270° 3π/2

360° 2π
Special Topic:

MOA and MIL (used in military science)

MOA, or minute of angle, is one degree divided into 60 equal parts.

MOA adjustments at various yards.

MIL is short for milliradians and represents 1/1,000th of a radian.

One MIL at various yards.

 1. Find the measure of the complement
and the supplement of the following
angles.
a) 65°
b) 25°25’
c) 30°24’15”

QUIZ ASSIGNMENT
Complete the angle conversions in the
table below.

Degree Radian Gradient Mil

𝜋
𝑟𝑎𝑑
15
250 grad
2000 mil
Sources:

https://www.math-only-math.com/systems-of-measuring-
angles.html

MIL vs MOA: Understanding the difference in scope measurements

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