To convert $72^\circ 22' 30''$ to decimal degrees, you follow these steps:

1. Start with the degrees: $72^\circ$ remains as $72$.

2. Convert minutes to degrees: $22'$ is converted by dividing by 60, since there are 60 minutes in a degree. $22' = \frac{22}{60} = 0.3667^\circ$

3. Convert seconds to degrees: $30''$ is converted by dividing by 3600, since there are 3600 seconds in a degree. $30'' = \frac{30}{3600} = 0.0083^\circ$

4. Add them together: $72^\circ + 0.3667^\circ + 0.0083^\circ = 72.375^\circ$

So, $72^\circ 22' 30''$ is equal to 72.375°.

Would you like more details, or do you have any questions?

Here are five related questions:

1. How do you convert decimal degrees back to degrees, minutes, and seconds?
2. What is the significance of using decimal degrees in navigation?
3. How do you convert angles in radians to degrees?
4. How can you calculate the angle between two points using their coordinates?
5. How is the concept of degrees used in trigonometry?

Tip: When converting angles, always remember to break down minutes and seconds separately before adding them to the degrees.