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# arctangent

The inverse of the tangent function, usually abbreviated arctan. It is defined such that for all real numbers, $$\arctan(x)=a$$ if and only if $$\tan(a)=x$$. The principal arctangent takes its values in the interval $$\left[-\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{\pi}{2}\right]$$.

Arctangent may also be abbreviated by atan or tan-1.

Citation Info

• [MLA] “arctangent.” Platonic Realms Interactive Mathematics Encyclopedia. Platonic Realms, 21 Feb 2013. Web. 21 Feb 2013. <http://platonicrealms.com/>
• [APA] arctangent (21 Feb 2013). Retrieved 21 Feb 2013 from the Platonic Realms Interactive Mathematics Encyclopedia: http://platonicrealms.com/encyclopedia/arctangent/

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