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Degree (geometry)

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The degree of an angle is a measurement of the angle, representing \frac1{360} of a full rotation.

Degrees are indicated by the degree symbol; one degree would be written 1^{\circ}.

Degrees are the only units written right after a number, without a space (e.g. 90^{\circ}, not 90\,^{\circ})

History

The number 360 as the amount of degrees in a circle was probably adopted because it approximates the number of days in a year.

Another reason could be that ancient astronomers noticed that the stars in the sky seem to advance by approximately \frac1{360} of a circle.

See Also

Want to learn how to tackle those tough AMC/AIME/Olympiad counting and probability problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Intermediate Counting & Probability by David Patrick.
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