1. What is Inverse Tangent?

The inverse tangent (arctangent) function calculates the angle whose tangent is a given number. This calculator returns the angle in degrees, which is commonly used in many practical applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the inverse tangent formula:

Where:

• \( x \) — Input value (dimensionless)
• \( \theta \) — Resulting angle in degrees

Explanation: The function first calculates the arctangent in radians and then converts the result to degrees.

3. Importance of Inverse Tangent Calculation

Details: Inverse tangent calculations are essential in trigonometry, physics, engineering, and computer graphics for determining angles from ratios.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter any real number value. 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 atan and atan2?
A: atan takes a single argument (y/x) while atan2 takes separate y and x arguments, allowing determination of the correct quadrant.

Q2: What is the range of inverse tangent?
A: The principal value range is -90° to 90° (-π/2 to π/2 radians).

Q3: Can I calculate inverse tangent of infinity?
A: Yes, atan(∞) = 90° and atan(-∞) = -90°.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation uses PHP's built-in atan() function which provides high precision.

Q5: What are common applications of inverse tangent?
A: Used in calculating angles in right triangles, computer graphics, robotics, and navigation systems.