Question

How do you convert 15 degrees 30' into radians?

Answer 1

First, let's just state some considerations on degrees and radians.

Degrees are given by integer numbers and decimal numbers, and when they are decimal, the decimal part is base-60 (just like minutes and seconds, for example), which means that `15º30'` is the same as saying "15 degrees and a half degree".

Radians are given in function of `pi`. Let's just remember that `2pi = 360º`.

Ok, now, let's just formulate our problem.

`2pi = 360º`
`x = 15º30'`

Cross-multiplying these terms (in order to find the radians equivalent to `15º30'`):

`2pi*15º30' = x*360º`
`x=2pi*((15º30')/360º)`

Let's just deal with degrees as normal numbers.

`x=2pi*(15.5/360)`
`x=2pi*(0.043)`

So, your answer is `x=0.086pi`

:)