JavaScript Math tan()

In this tutorial, you will learn about the JavaScript Math.tan() method with the help of examples.

The tan() method computes the trigonometric tangent of the specified angle and returns it.

Example

// 1 represents angle in radian
let value = Math.tan(1);
console.log(value); 

// Output: 1.5574077246549023

tan() Syntax

The syntax of the Math.tan() method is:

Math.tan(angle)

Here, tan() is a static method. Hence, we are accessing the method using the class name, Math.


tan() Parameter

The tan() method takes a single parameter:

  • angle - in radians whose tangent value is to be calculated

tan() Return Value

The tan() method returns:

  • tangent of a given angle (in radians)
  • NaN (Not a Number) for a non-numeric argument

Example 1: JavaScript Math.tan()

// tangent of 5 radian let value1 = Math.tan(5);
console.log(value1);
// negative radians are allowed let value2 = Math.tan(-2);
console.log(value2); // Output: // -3.380515006246586 // 2.185039863261519

In the above example,

  • Math.tan(5) - calculates the tangent of 5
  • Math.tan(-2) - calculates the tangent of -2

Example 2: Math.tan() with Math Constants

// math constants can be used let value = Math.tan(Math.PI);
console.log(value); // Output: -1.2246467991473532e-16

In the above example, we have used the tan() method to compute the tangent of the math constant PI.

Here, the output -1.2246467991473532e-16 represents -1.2246467991473532 * 10-16.


Example 3: Math.tan() with Non-Numeric argument

let string = "Luke";

// tan() with a string argument let value = Math.tan(string);
console.log(value); // Output: NaN

In the above example, we have used the tan() method with a string argument.

When using a string argument, the method gives us NaN as output.


Example 4: Math.tan() with Infinity argument

// tan() with infinity let value1 = Math.tan(Infinity);
console.log(value1);
// tan() with negative infinity let value2 = Math.tan(-Infinity);
console.log(value2); // Output: // NaN // NaN

The tan() method doesn't treat -Infinity and Infinity as numbers and produces NaN as output.

This is because the tangent of an angle can never be infinite.


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