NICET - Highway Construction Inspection Practice Exam

How would you convert from Decimal to DMS (Degrees Minutes Seconds)?

1. D = whole number, M = decimal part x 60, S = decimal part of M x 60

2. D = decimal x 60, M = whole number, S = M x 60

3. D = whole number, M = whole number x 60, S = whole number x 60

4. D = decimal x 3600, M = whole number, S = M x 60

The correct answer is: D = whole number, M = decimal part x 60, S = decimal part of M x 60

To convert from decimal degrees to Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS), the correct approach involves breaking down the decimal into its whole number and fractional parts. The whole number represents the degrees, and to determine the minutes and seconds from the decimal portion, a systematic multiplication process is used. The correct method shows that the degrees (D) are derived from the whole number part of the decimal value. The minutes (M) are calculated by taking the decimal part of the original number and multiplying it by 60, which converts it into minutes. Finally, the seconds (S) are obtained by taking the decimal part of the minutes and multiplying it by another 60, thus converting it into seconds. This process accurately converts the total decimal degree measurement into a format that is easy to interpret in terms of whole degrees, minutes, and seconds. In this way, the conversion accurately reflects both the total degree measurement and its subdivisions. Therefore, the method described is essential for correctly translating decimal degrees into the DMS format.