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Why is time
Is there a scientific reason why there are 60 seconds in a minute,60 minutes in 1 hour.Who decided that we would divide one revolution of the earth into hours, minutes , seconds? Why did we need to divide time.Does time mean anything to any other species besides us ?
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Nope it's a hangover from a Babylonian system as is the 360 degrees in a circle.
It's a handy system because there are so many numbers that divide exacly into 60 and 360 and 24.
Of course it looks strange to us because we now have a system of mathematics with a 0 that makes decimal systems the obvious choice.
Check out metric (or decimal) time http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metric_time
Don't think it'll catch on though
It's a handy system because there are so many numbers that divide exacly into 60 and 360 and 24.
Of course it looks strange to us because we now have a system of mathematics with a 0 that makes decimal systems the obvious choice.
Check out metric (or decimal) time http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metric_time
Don't think it'll catch on though
We have the Babalonians (and possibly Egyptians partially) to thank for this.
Instead of using base 10 as a numbering system like we do, Babalonians used base 60. This made some sense to them, perhaps simply because it is easy to divide it by many numbers to produce another integer. I.e., 60 can be divided into by 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30... so it makes it easy to split up, if you're working out nice ways to split farm land or other things.
They also had an interest in the heavens, so naturally used these same units. Splitting 60 minutes into 60 seconds, that type of thing.
It's also the same reason why there are 360 degrees in a circle. They liked the number 6 too (given their numbering system), so perhaps used 6 lengths of arc in their circles, each of 60 degrees, to make 360 degrees in total.
Google for bablonian 60 degrees to find out much more.
Instead of using base 10 as a numbering system like we do, Babalonians used base 60. This made some sense to them, perhaps simply because it is easy to divide it by many numbers to produce another integer. I.e., 60 can be divided into by 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30... so it makes it easy to split up, if you're working out nice ways to split farm land or other things.
They also had an interest in the heavens, so naturally used these same units. Splitting 60 minutes into 60 seconds, that type of thing.
It's also the same reason why there are 360 degrees in a circle. They liked the number 6 too (given their numbering system), so perhaps used 6 lengths of arc in their circles, each of 60 degrees, to make 360 degrees in total.
Google for bablonian 60 degrees to find out much more.
-- answer removed --
Matheous, please don't be backwards in coming forwards with your questions and answers.
I have learned a lot in this science section and occasionally stick my oar in. There are a few bad mannered oafs everywhere you go but the Ones who's opinion really matter respect your views and usually use tact and diplomacy if/when you are wrong.
I have learned a lot in this science section and occasionally stick my oar in. There are a few bad mannered oafs everywhere you go but the Ones who's opinion really matter respect your views and usually use tact and diplomacy if/when you are wrong.
1 to 9 of 9
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