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

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To input tan-1(-5/2) on a calculator, use the specific key for the negative number, typically marked as "(-)" rather than the standard minus sign. For the inverse tangent function, look for a key labeled tan-1, atan, or arctan, often accessed by pressing a secondary function key. It's important to understand that tan-1 is a single function and not to be confused with exponentiation. Many users find this distinction confusing, leading to frustration when trying to perform calculations. Properly using these keys can simplify the process significantly.
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 alot! it was(+/-)

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

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