JavaScript Math atan()

The atan() method calculates the arctangent (inverse of tangent) of the specified angle and returns it.

Example

let num = Math.atan(1);
console.log(num);  
//Output: 0.7853981633974483

atan() Syntax

The syntax of the atan() method is:

Math.atan(angle)

Here, atan() is a static method. Hence, we are accessing the method using the class name, Math.


atan() Parameter

The atan() method takes a single parameter:

  • angle - in radians whose arctangent value is calculated

atan() Return Value

The atan() method returns:

  • arctangent value of the angle argument
  • NaN (Not a Number) if x is a non-numeric value

Note: The returned angle will always be in the range -π/2 to π/2 for numeric arguments.


Example 1: JavaScript Math.atan()

// compute arctangent of 0 let number1 = Math.atan(0);
console.log(number1);
// compute arctangent of -5 let number2 = Math.atan(-5);
console.log(number2); // Output: // 0 // -1.373400766945016

In the above example,

  • Math.atan(0) - calculates the arctangent of 0
  • Math.atan(-5) - calculates the arctangent of -5

Example 2: Math.atan() with Infinity

// atan() with positive infinity let number1 = Math.atan(Infinity);
console.log(number1);
// atan() with negative infinity let number2 = Math.atan(-Infinity)
; console.log(number2); // Output: // 1.5707963267948966 (π/2) // -1.5707963267948966 (-π/2)

Here the math.atan() method calculates the arctangent of infinity. As you can see, the output value is still between -π/2 and π/2.


Example 3: Math.atan() with a Non-Numeric Argument

// string variables
let string = "Dwayne"

// atan() with string arguments let result = Math.atan(string);
console.log(result); // Output: NaN

In the program above, we have used a string argument, Dwayne with atan(). In this case, we get NaN as output.


Also Read:

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