converting minutes to decimal

[+citrix_99301]

Here's a newbie question:

 

Sometimes GPS coordinates are listed in minutes and seconds and other times it's just a decimal point. If I need to calculate one to the other what formula should I use, or are there utilities out there that do this for me?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Andre

[+rathkopf]

So, to convert minutes to decimal, divide by 60.

To convert decimal to minutes, multiply the decimal portion by 60.

[+TresOkies]

Decimal degrees (D.d) from Degrees, minutes, seconds (DMS)

D.d = (((S/60) + M)/60) + D

 

Degrees, minutes, seconds (DMS) from decimal degrees (D.d).

D = D

M = d * 60 and throw away the fractional part

S' = d * 60 and throw away the whole part and then

S = S' * 60

 

-E

 

--

N35°32.981 W98°34.631

[+Markwell]

My FAQ

 

Markwell

My Geocaching Page

[Kerry.]

Why bother with the conversion stuff The utility already exists in the GPS. Change the position format to "deg min sec" input the DMS values and change back to your "deg min.m" and you have DM.m

 

Cheers, Kerry.

 

I never get lost everybody keeps telling me where to go

[Kerry.]

Why bother with the conversion stuff The utility already exists in the GPS. Change the position format to "deg min sec" input the DMS values and change back to your "deg min.m" and you have DM.m

 

Cheers, Kerry.

 

I never get lost everybody keeps telling me where to go

[+Markwell]

For the same reason our 6th grade math teacher wouldn't let us subtract on calculators. Understanding of how the system works. Also, I rarely want to waste GPS batteries on converting.

 

OK - need something more tangible? The EasyGPS that I downloaded (maybe it's an old one) only uses decimal coordinates. If someone puts their parking coordinates for the cache, rather than manually entering them in to the GPS, I'd rather type them on the computer and verify them that way. If they gave me the coordinates in D M.m, I'd need to convert.

 

Markwell

My Geocaching Page