Trigonometric Functions Returning Incorrect Values (41064)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 5.0
This article was previously published under Q41064

SUMMARY

Trigonometric functions in Microsoft Excel calculate the result based on radians, not degrees.

An angle in radians equals angle/(180/PI()) in degrees. The following formula converts degrees into radians, where angle is the number of degrees in the angle that is being converted to radians:

=angle/(180/pi())

For example, to find the sine of a 43-degree angle, use the following formula:

=SIN(43/(180/pi()))

Beginning with Excel 4.0, Excel also includes the RADIANS() function, which is used as follows:

=RADIANS(angle)
=SIN(RADIANS(43))

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/15/2005
Keywords:KB41064
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