SQL Server ATAN() Function

Summary: in this tutorial, you will learn how to use the SQL Server ATAN() function to return the arctangent of a number.

Introduction to the SQL Server ATAN() function

In math, the arctangent function is the inverse function of the tangent function. The arctangent is the angle in radians whose tangent is a specified number.

In SQL Server, you can use the ATAN() function to calculate the arctangent of a number.

The syntax of the ATAN() function is as follows:

ATAN(n)Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

In this syntax:

n is a value you want to calculate the arctangent.

The ATAN() function returns an angle (in radians) of the n. If n is NULL, the ATAN() function will return NULL.

SQL Server ATAN() function examples

Let’s explore some examples of using the ATAN() function.

1) Basic SQL Server ATAN() function example

The following example uses the ATAN() function to return the arctangent of zero radian:

SELECT ATAN(0) angle;Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

Output:

angle
-----
0Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

2) Using the ATAN() function with variables

The following example shows how to use the ATAN() function with variables:

DECLARE @value FLOAT;
SET @value = PI()/2;

SELECT ATAN(@value) AS arctangent_value;Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

Output:

arctangent_value
----------------
1.00388482185389Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

In this example, we set the @value to PI/2 and then use the ATAN() function to calculate its arctangent, which is approximately 1.00388482185389.

Summary

Use the ATAN() function to return the arctangent of a number.

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