Works: Trigonometric Functions Return Unexpected Results (65202)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works for the Macintosh 2.0
  • Microsoft Works for the Macintosh 3.0
  • Microsoft Works for the Macintosh 4.0
  • Microsoft Works 2.0
  • Microsoft Works 3.0
  • Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh 3.0
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh 4.0
This article was previously published under Q65202

SUMMARY

When you use the trigonometric functions in a Microsoft Works or Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, the argument will default to radians based on the operating system.

For example, the formula

=cos(60)

will return the result

-.952413

rather than .5.

To return the correct answer to a trigonometric function, multiply

cos<n>

by

pi()/180

where <n> equals the number of degrees.

For example, the formula =cos(60*pi()/180) returns the value .5.

Other trigonometric functions that require this same procedure are:

ACOS
ASIN
ATAN
ATAN2
SIN
TAN

MORE INFORMATION

To convert degrees to radians, use the following formula

<x>=<n>*(pi()/180)

where <n> is degrees and <x> is radians.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/15/2004
Keywords:kbinfo KB65202
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