1. What is Arctan?

The arctangent (arctan) is the inverse of the tangent function. It returns the angle whose tangent is a given number. This calculator provides the result in decimal degrees.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the arctangent function:

Where:

• \( x \) — Input value (unitless ratio)
• \( \theta_{decimal} \) — Result in decimal degrees

Explanation: The function calculates the angle in radians first, then converts it to degrees.

3. Importance of Arctan Calculation

Details: Arctan is essential in trigonometry, physics, engineering, and navigation for determining angles from ratios.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter any real number as input. The result will be between -90° and +90° (-π/2 to +π/2 radians).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between arctan and tan?
A: Tan gives the ratio of opposite/adjacent sides given an angle, while arctan gives the angle given the ratio.

Q2: What's the range of arctan?
A: The principal value range is -90° to +90° (-π/2 to +π/2 radians).

Q3: How is this different from atan2?
A: atan2 takes two arguments (y,x) and can determine the correct quadrant, returning values between -180° and +180°.

Q4: Can I calculate arctan for complex numbers?
A: This calculator handles real numbers only. Complex arctan requires more advanced mathematics.

Q5: What are common applications of arctan?
A: Used in calculating angles of elevation/depression, phase angles in electronics, and in computer graphics.