arctangent

noun

arc·​tan·​gent (ˌ)ärk-ˈtan-jənt How to pronounce arctangent (audio)
variants or less commonly arc tangent
plural arctangents also arc tangents
: the inverse function of the tangent
if y is the tangent of θ, then θ is the arctangent of y
abbreviation arctan

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arctangent was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near arctangent

Cite this Entry

“Arctangent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arctangent. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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