4 ms·
A physical quantity is given by numerical value and unit of measurement. Giving angles as fractions of τ changes the unit of measurement from radians to turn.
by cygx 14y ago
A physical quantity is given by numerical value and unit of measurement. Giving angles as fractions of τ changes the unit of measurement from radians to turn.
There are applications for which neither radians nor turn are a good fit. Similarly, oftentimes the 'messy' SI units are a far better fit than any 'more fundamental' system of natural units.
- oelewapperke 14y agoThat's true to a degree. But when you think about it, there does not exist any physical quantity that can be specified as an irrational number (because every measurement is quantized, so you could argue even a whole number. Rational numbers and whole numbers are models of eachother however, so there is arguably no "fundamental" difference). As to why people can calculate better/easier with relatively low numbers compared to irrational fractions ... does that really need explaining ? How much is 1+1 vs how much is 1/7 tau + 1/3 tau. Degrees are very useful and quick indeed.