The exact coordinates of the white house in Washington D.C., are 77.0365 degree W and 38.897 degree N. What are these exact coordinates in sexagesimal notation? Show your calculation in the box below. (You can use the Google Map tool to check your answer.) Open the globe explorer. You are encouraged to use the Terrestrial Coordinate Explorers link which opens both simulators at the same time for the following two questions. Familiarize yourself with the features noting that they are very similar to those in the flat map explorer.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To convert the coordinates of the White House from decimal degrees to sexagesimal notation (degrees, minutes, and seconds – DMS), we follow this method for each coordinate:
Decimal Coordinates:
- Latitude: 38.897° N
- Longitude: 77.0365° W
Conversion Formula (Decimal to DMS):
- Degrees remain the same.
- Minutes = (Decimal Part of Degree) × 60
- Seconds = (Decimal Part of Minutes) × 60
Latitude: 38.897° N
- Degrees = 38
- Decimal part = 0.897
- Minutes = 0.897 × 60 = 53.82
- Minutes = 53
- Seconds = 0.82 × 60 = 49.2
✅ Converted Latitude = 38° 53′ 49.2″ N
Longitude: 77.0365° W
- Degrees = 77
- Decimal part = 0.0365
- Minutes = 0.0365 × 60 = 2.19
- Minutes = 2
- Seconds = 0.19 × 60 = 11.4
✅ Converted Longitude = 77° 2′ 11.4″ W
✅ Final Answer in Sexagesimal Notation:
📍 38° 53′ 49.2″ N, 77° 2′ 11.4″ W
📘 300-Word Explanation:
Sexagesimal notation is a system that breaks down degrees into smaller parts—minutes (′) and seconds (″)—to express locations more precisely. This method is especially useful in navigation, cartography, and astronomy, where precision is critical. The Earth’s surface is divided into 360 degrees of latitude and longitude. Each degree is subdivided into 60 minutes, and each minute into 60 seconds.
To convert decimal degrees (like 38.897°) into DMS format, we isolate the whole number for degrees. Then, we take the decimal part and multiply it by 60 to get minutes. The decimal part of the minutes is then multiplied by 60 to get seconds. This allows us to express a precise location using a standard, easily understandable format.
Using this method, we found that the White House is located at:
- 38° 53′ 49.2″ N latitude
- 77° 2′ 11.4″ W longitude
These coordinates tell us that the White House is approximately 38 degrees north of the equator and 77 degrees west of the Prime Meridian.
This precision can be verified using tools like Google Maps or a globe explorer simulator. Such tools accept both decimal and DMS coordinates, allowing users to explore global locations with accuracy.
Understanding both decimal and sexagesimal formats is essential for students, navigators, and researchers dealing with geographic data and global positioning systems (GPS).