DEG in N-Queen benchmark code for HP-42s

[butforwales]

I am running/understanding the popular N-queen benchmark. https://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap...i?read=700
The codes worked as expected on 32s, 32sii, and 42s. I am however puzzled by the DEG function in the 42s code. I can't think of any reason why the calculator needs to be repeatedly put into degrees mode. Maybe it is a filler instruction to ensure a fair comparison of same numbers of instructions?
Thank you for giving it a look!
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LBL A CLRG
8 STO 11
LBL 00 RCL 00 RCL 11
X=Y? GTO 04
ISG 00 DEG
STO IND 00
LBL 01 ISG 10 DEG
RCL 00 STO 09
LBL 02 DSE 09 DEG
RCL 09 X=0? GTO 00
RCL IND 00 RCL IND 09 -
X=0? GTO 03
ABS RCL 00 RCL 09 -
X<>Y? GTO 02
LBL 03 DSE IND 00 GTO 01
DSE 00 GTO 03
LBL 04 RCL 10
RTN
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