Understanding Sexagesimal: The Numeral System Using Base 60

Sexagesimal (or base 60) is a numeral system that uses the number 60 as its base, instead of the usual decimal (base 10) or binary (base 2) systems. This means that the numbers from 1 to 60 are used to represent quantities, and each digit in a sexagesimal number represents a power of 60.

For example, the number 45 in decimal is written as 45, but in sexagesimal it would be written as 45 × 60^1 = 2700. Similarly, the number 3 in decimal is written as 3, but in sexagesimal it would be written as 3 × 60^0 = 18.

Sexagesimal is used in some specialized applications, such as navigation and timekeeping, where it is more convenient to use a base other than 10 or 2. For example, the nautical mile is defined as 1,852 meters (60 × 1000), and the angle of 360 degrees is divided into 60 minutes, with each minute further divided into 60 seconds.

Overall, sexagesimal is a less common but useful numeral system that can be helpful in certain contexts where base 10 or base 2 are not convenient.