sexagesimalt

Sexagesimalt refers to a numeral system with a base of 60. It is a radix system that originated in ancient Mesopotamia. The sexagesimal system is still in use today for measuring time, angles, and geographical coordinates. For example, an hour is divided into 60 minutes, and a minute into 60 seconds. Similarly, a circle is divided into 360 degrees, where each degree is further subdivided into 60 minutes of arc, and each minute of arc into 60 seconds of arc.

The choice of 60 as a base likely stems from its numerous divisors. The number 60 is divisible by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, and 60. This high degree of divisibility makes calculations and fractions much simpler compared to base-10 systems. While ancient Babylonians used cuneiform symbols to represent numbers in their sexagesimal system, modern usage typically employs our standard Hindu-Arabic numerals within the sexagesimal framework. The legacy of the sexagesimal system is evident in how we quantify crucial aspects of our world.