Gradian
Unit of measurement of an angle, equal to 1/400th of a circle / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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In trigonometry, the gradian – also known as the gon (from Ancient Greek γωνία (gōnía) 'angle'), grad, or grade[1] – is a unit of measurement of an angle, defined as one-hundredth of the right angle; in other words, 100 gradians is equal to 90 degrees.[2][3][4] It is equivalent to 1/400 of a turn,[5] 9/10 of a degree, or π/200 of a radian. Measuring angles in gradians is said to employ the centesimal system of angular measurement, initiated as part of metrication and decimalisation efforts.[6][7][8][Note 1]
gon | |
---|---|
General information | |
Unit of | Angle |
Symbol | gon, ᵍ, grad |
Conversions | |
1 gon in ... | ... is equal to ... |
turns | 1/400 turn |
radians | π/200 rad ≈ 0.0157... rad |
milliradians | 5π mrad ≈ 15.71... mrad |
degrees | 9/10° |
minutes of arc | 54′ |
In continental Europe, the French word centigrade, also known as centesimal minute of arc, was in use for one hundredth of a grade; similarly, the centesimal second of arc was defined as one hundredth of a centesimal arc-minute, analogous to decimal time and the sexagesimal minutes and seconds of arc.[12] The chance of confusion was one reason for the adoption of the term Celsius to replace centigrade as the name of the temperature scale.[13][14]
Gradians are principally used in surveying (especially in Europe),[15][7][16] and to a lesser extent in mining[17] and geology.[18][19]
The gon is officially a legal unit of measurement in the European Union[20]: 9 and in Switzerland.[21] However, the gradian is not part of the International System of Units (SI).[22][20]: 9–10