CSC Function (LibreOffice Calc)
The CSC function returns the cosecant of an angle given in radians. It is the reciprocal of the sine function and is used in trigonometry, geometry, engineering, and waveform analysis.
Compatibility
▾| Excel | ✔ |
| Gnumeric | ✔ |
| Google_sheets | ✔ |
| Libreoffice | ✔ |
| Numbers | ✔ |
| Onlyoffice | ✔ |
| Openoffice | ✔ |
| Wps | ✔ |
| Zoho | ✔ |
What the CSC Function Does â–¾
- Computes the cosecant of an angle
- Angle must be in radians
- Returns a real number or an error if undefined
- Useful in trigonometry, geometry, physics, and engineering
Syntax â–¾
CSC(number)
Arguments
- number:
Angle in radians for which to compute the cosecant.
Basic Examples â–¾
Cosecant of 30° (converted to radians)
=CSC(RADIANS(30))
→ 2
Cosecant of π/2
=CSC(PI()/2)
→ 1
Cosecant of 45°
=CSC(RADIANS(45))
→ 1.414213562
Advanced Examples â–¾
Reciprocal identity
=1 / SIN(A1)
Use with DEGREES and RADIANS
=CSC(RADIANS(A1))
Engineering waveform example
=CSC(2 * PI() * frequency * time)
Avoid undefined values
=IF(SIN(A1)=0; "Undefined"; CSC(A1))
Parametric geometry
=CSC(theta) * radius
Edge Cases and Behavior Details â–¾
CSC returns a real number unless undefined
Undefined when:
SIN(number) = 0
(e.g., 0, π, 2π, …)
Result → Err:532 (Division by zero)
Behavior details
- Input must be in radians
- Use RADIANS() for degree input
- Very small sine values produce large magnitude results
- Errors propagate
Common Errors and Fixes â–¾
Err:532 — Division by zero
Cause:
- Angle corresponds to a sine of zero
Fix:
- Check with
IF(SIN(x)=0; ...) - Convert degrees properly
Unexpected output
Cause:
- Input given in degrees instead of radians
Fix:
- Wrap with
RADIANS()
Best Practices â–¾
- Always convert degrees to radians
- Validate angles to avoid undefined values
- Use CSC for reciprocal trigonometric modeling
- Combine with SIN, COS, TAN for full trig workflows
- Use in engineering formulas involving waveforms and oscillations
CSC is simply 1 ÷ SIN(x) — but using the dedicated function keeps formulas cleaner, more readable, and easier to audit.
Related Patterns and Alternatives â–¾
- SIN — sine
- COS — cosine
- TAN — tangent
- SEC / COT / CSC — reciprocal trig functions
- CSCH — hyperbolic cosecant
- RADIANS / DEGREES — angle conversion
By mastering CSC, you can build clean, accurate trigonometric and engineering models in LibreOffice Calc.