Tangent
What It Does
The Tan node calculates the tangent of an angle value (in radians). Unlike sine and cosine which range from -1 to 1, tangent can produce values from negative infinity to positive infinity, creating more extreme oscillations.
Inputs
| Name | Description | Type | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value | The angle in radians | Number | No |
Outputs
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Value | The tangent of the input angle | Number |
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How to Use It
- Drag the Tan node into your graph.
- Connect a number to the "Value" input or use the default (0).
- The output will be the tangent of the input angle.
- Be aware that at certain values (like π/2, 3π/2, etc.), the output approaches infinity.
Tips
- The tangent function has vertical asymptotes at odd multiples of π/2 (±π/2, ±3π/2, etc.).
- For stable results, avoid angles too close to these asymptotes.
- The tangent is mathematically equivalent to sine/cosine.
See Also
- Sine: For a bounded oscillating value between -1 and 1.
- Cosine: For another bounded oscillating value with a 90° phase shift from sine.
Use Cases
- Sharp Transitions: Create dramatic, rapid changes in values.
- Non-linear Mapping: Transform linear inputs into non-linear outputs with steep changes.
- Mathematical Modeling: Implement specialized mathematical functions that require tangent calculations.