Arccosine Function:
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The arccosine function (cos⁻¹ or acos) is the inverse of the cosine function. It returns the angle whose cosine is the given number. The output range is [0, π] radians or [0°, 180°].
The calculator uses the mathematical function:
Where:
Explanation: The arccosine function finds the angle whose cosine equals the input value x. The result is always between 0 and π radians (0° and 180°).
Details: Arccosine is essential in trigonometry, physics, engineering, and computer graphics for converting between cosine values and angles. It's used in vector calculations, signal processing, and solving trigonometric equations.
Tips: Enter a value between -1 and 1, select your preferred angle unit (degrees or radians). The calculator will return the corresponding angle.
Q1: What is the domain and range of arccosine?
A: Domain: [-1, 1], Range: [0, π] radians or [0°, 180°].
Q2: Why is the output range limited to 0-180 degrees?
A: This ensures the function is one-to-one and has a unique output for each input, making it mathematically well-defined.
Q3: How is arccosine different from arcsin and arctan?
A: Arccosine finds angles from cosine values, arcsin from sine values, and arctan from tangent values. Each has different domains and ranges.
Q4: Can I calculate arccosine for values outside [-1,1]?
A: No, since cosine values are always between -1 and 1, arccosine is only defined for inputs in this range.
Q5: When should I use radians vs degrees?
A: Use radians for mathematical calculations and programming, degrees for everyday applications and geometry problems.