To change latitude and
longitude from decimal notation to minutes and
seconds, follow the following algorithm:
1) Enter the decimal
number into your calculator
2) Subtract the whole portion of the number.
Example: If the
decimal number is 86.1235, you subtract 86
3) There are 60min/1°; so multiply the remaining
decimal number by 60.
The whole
portion of the result is your minutes.
4) Now, subtract off the whole portion of this last
result. (Subtract off the minutes.)
5) There are 60sec/1min; so multiply the remaining
decimal number by 60.
This number is
the seconds.
To change latitude
and longitude from minutes/seconds notation to
decimal notation, do the following:
1) Enter the seconds
into your calculator.
2) There is 1min/60sec; so divide by 60.
3) Add the minutes to this result.
4) There is 1°/60min; so divide by 60 again.
5) Add the degrees to this result.
The resulting number is the decimal representation.
For more info on
latitude and longitude,
see the
Geology Club links page
or, for real depth,
try this.