Degree Format Conversions


Selecting { DMS } from the CONVERSIONS menu converts the degree format of the angle in the display to decimal degrees. When angles are measured in degrees/minutes/seconds, you must convert the angles to decimal degrees before you can add them or use them in trigonometric calculations. (This also applies to hours/minutes/seconds versus decimal hours.)


DMS Format

In the degrees/minutes/seconds (DMS) format, an angle is expressed as D.MMSSsssss, where:
D - Integer degrees ( ° )
MM - Minutes ( ′ )
SS - Seconds ( ″ )
sssss - Fractional part of a second

When you enter minutes and seconds, remember to include zeros where needed to place the digits in the proper positions. You do not need to enter trailing zeros. For example, the angle 9° 7′ 5″ is entered as 9.0705.

Decimal Degrees Format

In the decimal degrees format, an angle is expressed as D.ddddddddd, where:
D - Integer degrees
ddddddddd - Fractional part of a degree

You do not need to enter trailing zeros.

Converting Between the Formats

To perform degree format conversions, follow these steps. (Although these angles are expressed in degrees, the calculator does not have to be in degree mode when you perform the conversions.)
  1. Press [ CONV ] to display the CONVERSIONS menu
  2. Enter the angle you want to convert.
  3. Press { DMS } to convert DMS to decimal degrees. The converted value appears in the display.
  4. Press [ INV ] { DMS } to convert decimal degrees to DMS. The converted value appears in the display.

Example 1

Calculate the sum of the angles 42° 6′ 59.5″ and 101° 54′ 0.8″. Before adding the angles, convert them to decimal degrees. Convert the result back to DMS format.

Procedure

Press

Display

Clear display[ CLEAR ]D_McSSNB
Select Conversions Menu[ CONV ]D_nDrINJ
Enter angle and convert to decimal42.06595
{ DMS }
D_ADoKJH
Add other angle after converting to decimal[ + ]
101.54008
{ DMS }
D_ZlDkIh
Calculate result[ = ]D_g9kD6F
Display result in DMS[ INV ] {DMS }D_hMGO33
The result is 144° 1′ 0.3″.


Example 2

Calculate cos 27° 50′ 16.2″. Because you are using a trigonometric function, the calculator must be in degree mode.

Procedure

Press

Display

Clear display[ CLEAR ]D_McSSNB
Select Conversions Menu[ CONV ]D_nDrINJ
Select degree mode[ INV ]
[ 2nd ] [ DRG ]
D_blkNfA
Enter angle and convert to decimal27.50162
{ DMS }
D_sWaFAc
Calculate cosine[ COS ]D_GrObGH


Back