Excel TAN Function
The TAN function in Microsoft Excel calculates the tangent of an angle specified in radians. It is used in trigonometric calculations for engineering, physics, or geometric applications, such as slope or angle analysis.
Key Topics
Overview of TAN Function
The TAN function returns the tangent of an angle, which is the ratio of sine to cosine. It is useful for calculating slopes or analyzing angular relationships, requiring angles in radians.
TAN Function Syntax
The syntax for the TAN function is as follows:
Syntax: =TAN(number)
Parameters:
- number: The angle in radians to calculate the tangent for (required).
Implementation Examples
Below are examples of how to use the TAN function in different scenarios.
Example 1: =TAN(B2) — Returns the tangent of the angle in radians in B2.
Example 2: =TAN(RADIANS(B2)) — Converts degrees in B2 to radians and calculates the tangent.
Example 3: =TAN(PI()/4) — Returns the tangent of π/4 radians (45 degrees), which is 1.
Sample Dataset (Excel-style View)
Below is a demo dataset styled like Excel, showing how the TAN function can be used to calculate tangent values for angles.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angle Name | Angle (degrees) | Tangent Value |
| 2 | Angle A | 30 | =TAN(RADIANS(B2)) |
| 3 | Angle B | 45 | =TAN(RADIANS(B3)) |
| 4 | Angle C | 60 | =TAN(RADIANS(B4)) |
| 5 | Angle D | 0 | =TAN(RADIANS(B5)) |
| 6 | Angle E | 15 | =TAN(RADIANS(B6)) |
Note: In the dataset, column C uses =TAN(RADIANS(B2)) to calculate the tangent of angles in degrees from column B, converting to radians first. For example, cell C2 computes the tangent for Angle A (30 degrees).
Key Takeaways
- The TAN function calculates the tangent of an angle in radians.
- Use RADIANS to convert degrees to radians for degree-based inputs.
- It is often used in trigonometric calculations, e.g.,
=TAN(RADIANS(B2)). - Common applications include slope calculations, engineering, and geometric analysis.
- The sample dataset demonstrates TAN applied to calculate tangent values for angles.