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Math function
SIN
Returns the sine of an angle in radians.
Rarely usedDifficulty 1100 · ProficientUsage rank #250 of 520
When to use it
Sine of an angle given in radians. Wave shapes, seasonal curves, and vertical components of a direction.
The shape of it
- Syntax
=SIN(number)
Worked examples
Peak
=SIN(PI()/2) → 1
The peak.
From degrees
=SIN(RADIANS(30)) → 0.5
Degrees converted first.
Origin
=SIN(0) → 0
Zero at the origin.
Worth knowing
- A seasonal factor: =1+0.2*SIN(2*PI()*(month-1)/12) peaks in April with amplitude 20%.
- Vertical component of a force or velocity: magnitude*SIN(angle).
- ASIN inverts it.
Where it goes wrong
- Degrees in, garbage out. Convert with RADIANS.
- SIN(PI()) is 1.22E-16 rather than exactly 0 because pi is stored to finite precision.
Related
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