Breaking Down Degrees: Converting to Minutes and Seconds

Algebra 2 Grades High School 2:40 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to convert angles from decimal degrees into degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS) format. This lesson reinforces unit conversion and proportional reasoning.

Video Resource

Convert from Degrees to Degrees, Minutes, Seconds

Mario's Math Tutoring

Duration: 2:40
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds (DMS) as a unit of angular measurement.
  • Unit conversion factors.
  • Proportional reasoning.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to convert an angle given in decimal degrees to degrees, minutes, and seconds.
  • Students will be able to apply unit conversion factors to solve problems involving angular measurement.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by reviewing the concept of degrees as a unit for measuring angles. Briefly discuss the need for more precise measurements, leading into the introduction of minutes and seconds. Show a visual representation of a degree being divided into minutes and a minute being divided into seconds.
  • Video Presentation (7 mins)
    Play the YouTube video 'Convert from Degrees to Degrees, Minutes, Seconds' by Mario's Math Tutoring. Instruct students to take notes on the conversion process, paying close attention to the unit conversion factors used.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    Work through an example problem similar to the one in the video, demonstrating each step of the conversion process. Emphasize the importance of correctly setting up the unit conversion factors. Ask students to actively participate by answering questions and suggesting the next steps.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with a set of practice problems to solve individually. Circulate the classroom to provide assistance and answer questions. Encourage students to check their answers with a partner.
  • Wrap-up and Discussion (3 mins)
    Summarize the key concepts covered in the lesson. Address any remaining questions or confusion. Preview the next lesson, which could involve converting from DMS back to decimal degrees.

Interactive Exercises

  • Online Converter Tool
    Use an online degrees, minutes, seconds converter to check the answers for the independent practice, using this as a way to further improve skills and understanding.

Discussion Questions

  • Why is it necessary to use minutes and seconds in addition to degrees?
  • How are the unit conversion factors for degrees, minutes, and seconds derived?
  • Can you think of real-world applications where converting between decimal degrees and DMS would be useful?

Skills Developed

  • Unit conversion
  • Problem-solving
  • Attention to detail

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

How many minutes are in one degree?

Correct Answer: 60

Question 2:

How many seconds are in one minute?

Correct Answer: 60

Question 3:

What is the conversion factor used to convert degrees to minutes?

Correct Answer: 60 minutes / 1 degree

Question 4:

Convert 0.75 degrees into minutes.

Correct Answer: 45 minutes

Question 5:

What symbol represents minutes in the DMS format?

Correct Answer: ′

Question 6:

What symbol represents seconds in the DMS format?

Correct Answer: ″

Question 7:

How many seconds are in one degree?

Correct Answer: 3600

Question 8:

When converting from decimal degrees to DMS, what do you do with the whole number part of the decimal degree?

Correct Answer: Leave it as degrees

Question 9:

You have 15.5 degrees. After converting the 0.5 to minutes, what do you do with any remaining decimal part?

Correct Answer: Convert it to seconds

Question 10:

Which of the following is equivalent to 25.25 degrees?

Correct Answer: 25° 15′ 0″

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The DMS format stands for _____, _____, and _____.

Correct Answer: Degrees, Minutes, Seconds

Question 2:

To convert a decimal degree to minutes, you multiply the decimal part by _____.

Correct Answer: 60

Question 3:

There are _____ seconds in one degree.

Correct Answer: 3600

Question 4:

The symbol for minutes is _____.

Correct Answer: ′

Question 5:

The symbol for seconds is _____.

Correct Answer: ″

Question 6:

0.6 degrees is equal to _____ minutes.

Correct Answer: 36

Question 7:

0.15 minutes is equal to _____ seconds.

Correct Answer: 9

Question 8:

A _____ _____ is a ratio used to convert one unit of measurement to another.

Correct Answer: conversion, factor

Question 9:

To find the number of minutes represented by the decimal part of a degree, you must ______ by 60.

Correct Answer: multiply

Question 10:

12.75 degrees can be written in DMS form as 12 degrees and ______ minutes.

Correct Answer: 45

Educational Standards

A2.A.2.5:Rewrite algebraic expressions involving radicals and rational exponents using the properties of exponents.

Teaching Materials

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