Inputting tan-1(-5/2) on a Calculator

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter dankelly08
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SUMMARY

To input tan-1(-5/2) on a calculator, users must utilize the correct keys for both the negative sign and the inverse tangent function. Most calculators, including TI models, feature a specific key for the negative sign, often labeled as "(-)", and a secondary function for inverse tangent, typically accessed via the "Second" key followed by "Tan". It is crucial to understand that tan-1 is a single function and not a mathematical operation involving subtraction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of inverse trigonometric functions
  • Familiarity with calculator functions, specifically TI calculators
  • Knowledge of how to differentiate between negative signs and subtraction
  • Basic trigonometry concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the functions of different calculator models, focusing on inverse trigonometric functions
  • Learn about the properties of inverse tangent functions in trigonometry
  • Explore how to input complex expressions in scientific calculators
  • Study the differences between negative signs and subtraction in mathematical notation
USEFUL FOR

Students, educators, and anyone using scientific calculators for trigonometric calculations will benefit from this discussion.

dankelly08
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how do you type in,

tan-1(-5/2) (or any negative number)

on the calculator?? or just work it out?
 
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Are you talking about the (-5/2)? Most calculators have a separate key for that, which usually has something like "(-)" printed on it (a short dash in parentheses), rather than the normal (longer) minus sign "{}-{}".

If you are referring to the -1: there should again be a separate key. On my TI calculator it is Second + Tan, just find where is says tan-1, atan, arctan, or something like that. Note that you should consider "tan-1" as a single function, it's not something like x-1 = 1/x, for which you can write in general x-n = 1/xn. Instead, it is defined by tan-1(tan(x)) = x.
 
Yeah I got it, thanks a lot! it was(+/-)

I spent a full hour trying to figure that out lol..:redface:
 

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