Converting between decimal degrees and degrees, minutes, seconds (DMS) is essential for accurate geographic coordinate representation. Decimal degrees express latitude and longitude as decimal fractions, while DMS notation divides each degree into 60 minutes and each minute into 60 seconds. To convert DMS to decimal degrees, use the formula: decimal degrees = degrees + (minutes/60) + (seconds/3600). Conversely, to convert decimal degrees to DMS, separate the decimal degrees into the whole number (degrees), multiply the fractional part by 60 to get minutes, and then multiply the remaining fractional part by 60 to obtain seconds. Accurate conversions are vital for applications in cartography, navigation, and geographic information systems (GIS).