Definition:Angle/Unit/Degree

Degrees are a measurement of plane angles symbolized by $$^\circ$$. By definition, $$1^\circ$$ is equal to $$\frac{1}{360}$$ of a full rotation.

The use of degrees comes from the Babylonians, who used a sexagesimal (base 60) number system.

Degrees are usually the first way of measuring angles taught to math students, largely because the most commonly used angles in geometry (i.e. $$30^\circ, 45^\circ,60^\circ$$) are all whole numbers when measured in degrees.