What is the difference between radians and degrees

These relations allow conversion from degrees to radians and vice versa. Compared to other units, radian is preferred because of its natural nature.

When applied, radian allows more interpretation in mathematics than other units. Except in practical geometry, in calculus, analysis, and other sub disciplines of mathematics radian is used. Coming from Engineering cum Human Resource Development background, has over 10 years experience in content developmet and management. Your email address will not be published.

The answer is not straightforward. It takes 3 radians to form almost half of a circle. However, even after 3 radians, there is a little bit of the circumference left over. Hence, the official measurement is that a half of the circle equals to 3. This can be used to convert between radians and degrees.

However, this table can help with some of the more common conversions. Difference between Radian and Degree. Key Difference: Radians and degrees are two different units for measuring an angle. Image Courtesy: mathsisfun.

Comments Very clear explanation. Great explanation. It is often defined as the ratio and is therefore considered dimensionless. It is represented by rad and mathematically is given by dividing the length of the arc by the length of the radius.

In simple terms, it is the angle made by a radius on the circle with an arc of the same length. A degree is the most common unit used to express the measurement of angles and is based on the rotation of the Sun.

It is generally used in daily life for reporting the angles and also at places where the calculation can have some round-ups. Originally it was used because it was comparable to the number of days in the year and many scientists also at that point reported that the Sun moves a degree each day on the elliptical orbit. Due to this many of the calendars like Persian calendars had only days. Another theory for choosing the number was that it had 24 divisors and was divisible by all numbers in except 7 and the number of divisors helped in dividing the world into 24 time zones which developed the 24 hour time system and also helped in situating the time zones almost 15 0 to the longitudes.