It sounds like you're describing a measurement of angle. However, the notation is a bit unusual. Here's how to break it down and understand what it might represent:

* 23 degrees: This is the standard way to express an angle, likely in degrees.

* 20 48: This is where it gets tricky. There are a couple of possibilities:

* Minutes and Seconds: The notation could represent minutes and seconds of arc, a common way to express fractions of a degree. Here's how it works:

* 1 degree = 60 minutes (')

* 1 minute = 60 seconds (")

* So, 23 degrees 20' 48" would mean 23 degrees plus 20/60 of a degree plus 48/3600 of a degree.

* Decimal Degrees: It's also possible that you're using a decimal representation, where the 20 and 48 represent the decimal part of the degree measurement. This would mean the angle is 23.2048 degrees.

To be sure, tell me what kind of measurement it is (e.g., latitude, longitude, angle in a diagram, etc.) or if you're using minutes and seconds. Then I can give you the precise equivalent!