ACOT Function (LibreOffice Calc)
The ACOT function returns the inverse cotangent (arccotangent) of a number. The result is expressed in radians and is used in trigonometry, geometry, and engineering calculations.
Compatibility
▾| Excel | ✔ |
| Gnumeric | ✔ |
| Google_sheets | ✔ |
| Libreoffice | ✔ |
| Numbers | ✔ |
| Onlyoffice | ✔ |
| Openoffice | ✖ |
| Wps | ✔ |
| Zoho | ✔ |
What the ACOT Function Does ▾
- Computes the inverse cotangent of a value
- Returns an angle in radians
- Accepts any real number
- Useful in geometry, signal processing, and advanced trigonometric modeling
Syntax ▾
ACOT(number)
Arguments
- number:
A numeric value representing the cotangent of an angle.
Basic Examples ▾
Inverse cotangent of a value
=ACOT(1)
→ 0.785398163 (π/4 radians)
=ACOT(0.5)
→ 1.107148718
Convert result to degrees
=DEGREES(ACOT(1))
→ 45
Using a cell reference
=ACOT(A1)
Advanced Examples ▾
Compute ACOT using ATAN identity
=ATAN(1 / A1)
Avoid division-by-zero errors
=ACOT(IF(A1=0; 1E-12; A1))
Angle between two vectors using cotangent form
=ACOT( (A1*B1 + A2*B2) / (A1*B2 - A2*B1) )
Engineering formula example
=ACOT((R / X))
Combine with DEGREES for readable output
=DEGREES(ACOT(A1))
Edge Cases and Behavior Details ▾
ACOT returns a numeric value (radians)
Accepts:
- Any real number
- Expressions that evaluate to numbers
Invalid input → Err:502
Behavior details
- Domain is (–∞, ∞)
- Output is in radians
- ACOT(0) returns π/2
- ACOT preserves sign symmetry: ACOT(–x) = π – ACOT(x)
ACOT of an error → error propagates
Common Errors and Fixes ▾
Err:502 — Invalid argument
Cause:
- Input is text
- Input cannot be coerced to a number
Fix:
- Convert text to number with VALUE
- Validate numeric input
Unexpected angle
Cause:
- Forgetting ACOT returns radians
- Using ATAN(1/x) without handling x=0
Fix:
- Wrap with DEGREES
- Use safe division patterns
Best Practices ▾
- Convert to degrees when presenting angles to users
- Use ACOT with ATAN, ACOS, and ASIN for complete inverse‑trig workflows
- Normalize inputs to avoid division‑by‑zero errors
- Use ACOTH for hyperbolic inverse cotangent
ACOT is your inverse‑cotangent workhorse — essential for geometry, engineering, and any model involving cotangent‑based angle relationships.
Related Patterns and Alternatives ▾
- Use ATAN for inverse tangent
- Use ACOTH for inverse hyperbolic cotangent
- Use DEGREES and RADIANS for angle conversion
- Use PI() for circle and rotation calculations
By mastering ACOT and its companion functions, you can build precise, reliable trigonometric and geometric models in LibreOffice Calc.