Why did ancient cultures (e.g. the Mesopotamians) use sexagesimal?

Why did Mesopotamia use 60?

The theory is that the Sumerian and Babylonians were keen on the number 60 because 60 has many factors, including the first six numbers, one to six, but also 12, 15, 20, 30. This meant dividing by 60 often gives easy fractions. Much easier than say, the numbers 13 or 17.

Why is the sexagesimal system important?

Modern uses for the sexagesimal system include measuring angles, geographic coordinates, electronic navigation, and time. One hour of time is divided into 60 minutes, and one minute is divided into 60 seconds.

Why was sexagesimal invented?

Sumerians used sexagesimal numerals not only because the number 60 has many divisors or it is countable on the fingers of both hands but because 60 is the least common multiple of the number of fingers of both hands and the number of months in a year.

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