"Chelstad, Erik" <chelste@data-io.com> wrote:
> That sounds very plausible, but who had a 360 day calendar?
I don't know. Having researched calenders now, I'm fairly sure that they
could not have been the source of the 360 degree system. I wonder where I
heard it from?
Now you've made me curious as to the real cause of the 360 degree system.
(does research)
OK -- I've found the answer in _Journey Throught Genius: the Great Theorems
of Mathematics_, William Dunham, pg 5. It states that the source of the
360 degree system is the Babylonians base 60 number system (360 = 60*6).
Interestingly, 60 minutes in an hour is also an historical artifact from
that system. Estimated date is 1900-1600 BCE.
Of course, it doesn't explain why the Babylonans HAD a base 60 number
system... we could chase this question back farther if you want to!
ERiC
btw, I highly recommend that book as an introduction to the history of
mathematics. Not only does it cover the history, but it DOES THE MATH as
well.