1. What is the Angle Between Two Points?

The angle between two points represents the direction from point 1 (x1,y1) to point 2 (x2,y2) relative to the positive x-axis. It's commonly used in computer graphics, navigation, and physics.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the atan2 function:

Where:

• \( x_1, y_1 \) — Coordinates of the first point
• \( x_2, y_2 \) — Coordinates of the second point
• atan2 — Special arctangent function that preserves quadrant information

Explanation: The function calculates the counter-clockwise angle in radians between the positive x-axis and the line connecting the two points.

3. Applications of Angle Calculation

Details: This calculation is essential in computer graphics for object rotation, in robotics for movement direction, and in game development for character facing direction.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the coordinates of two points in any unit (they must be consistent). The calculator will output the angle in both radians and degrees.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between atan and atan2?
A: atan2 takes two arguments (y,x) and returns angles in all four quadrants (-π to π), while atan(y/x) only returns values between -π/2 to π/2.

Q2: What's the range of the output angle?
A: The angle in radians ranges from -π to π (-180° to 180°). Positive angles are counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

Q3: How do I get an angle between 0 and 2π?
A: Add 2π to negative results to convert them to positive angles (0 to 2π range).

Q4: Does the unit of measurement affect the result?
A: No, as long as both points use the same units, the angle calculation is unit-independent.

Q5: Can I calculate 3D angles with this?
A: No, this calculates the angle in 2D space only. For 3D angles, you would need additional calculations.