The atan2 function returns the angle between the positive x-axis and the point (x,y) in a plane, taking into account the signs of x and y to determine the correct quadrant. It is useful in applications involving vectors and rotations. Unlike the single-argument arctangent function, atan2 can distinguish between diametrically opposite angles and handles cases where x is zero.

1. Atan2 1
Atan2
In a variety of computer languages, the function atan2 is the arctangent function with two arguments. The purpose
of using two arguments instead of one, is to gather information of the signs of the inputs in order to return the
appropriate quadrant of the computed angle, which is not possible for the single-argument arctangent function.
For any real number (e.g., floating point) arguments x and y not both equal to zero, atan2(y, x) is the angle in radians
between the positive x-axis of a plane and the point given by the coordinates (x, y) on it. The angle is positive for
counter-clockwise angles (upper half-plane, y > 0), and negative for clockwise angles (lower half-plane, y < 0).
The atan2 function was first introduced in computer programming languages, but now it is also common in other
fields of science and engineering. It dates back at least as far as the FORTRAN programming language
[1]
and is
currently found in C's math.h standard library, the Java Math library, .NET's System.Math (usable from C#,
VB.NET, etc.), the Python math module, the Ruby Math module, and elsewhere. Many scripting languages, such as
Perl, include the C-style atan2 function.
[2]
In mathematical terms, atan2 computes the principal value of the argument function applied to the complex number
x+iy. That is, atan2(y, x) = Pr arg(x+iy) = Arg(x+iy). The argument can be changed by 2π (corresponding to a
complete turn around the origin) without making any difference to the angle, but to define atan2 uniquely one uses
the principal value in the range (−π, π]. That is, −π < atan2(y, x) ≤ π.
The atan2 function is useful in many applications involving vectors in Euclidean space, such as finding the direction
from one point to another. A principal use is in computer graphics rotations, for converting rotation matrix
representations into Euler angles.
In some computer programming languages, the order of the parameters is reversed (for example, in some
spreadsheets) or a different name is used for the function (for example, Mathematica uses ArcTan[x,y]). On
scientific calculators the function can often be calculated as the angle given when (x, y) is converted from rectangular
coordinates to polar coordinates.
Motivation
The one-argument arctangent function can not distinguish between diametrically opposite directions. For example,
the anticlockwise angle from the x-axis to the vector (1, 1), calculated in the usual way as arctan(1/1), is π/4
(radians), or 45°. However, the angle between the x-axis and the vector (−1, −1) appears, by the same method, to be
arctan(−1/−1), again π/4, even though the answer clearly should be −3π/4, or −135°.
The atan2 function takes into account the signs of both vector components, and places the angle in the correct
quadrant. Thus, atan2(1, 1) = π/4 and atan2(−1, −1) = −3π/4.
Additionally, the ordinary arctangent method breaks down when required to produce an angle of ±π/2 (or ±90°). For
example, an attempt to find the angle between the x-axis and the vector (0, 1) requires evaluation of arctan(1/0),
which fails on division by zero. In contrast, atan2(1, 0) gives the correct answer of π/2.
When calculations are performed manually, the necessary quadrant corrections and exception handling can be done
by inspection, but in computer programs it is extremely useful to have a single function that always gives an
unambiguous correct result.

2. Atan2 2
Definition and computation
In terms of the standard arctan function, whose range is (−π/2, π/2), it can be expressed as follows:
Notes:
• This produces results in the range (−π, π], which can be mapped to [0, 2π) by adding 2π to negative results.
•• Traditionally, atan2(0, 0) is undefined.
• The C function atan2, and most other computer implementations, are designed to reduce the effort of
transforming cartesian to polar coordinates and so always define atan2(0, 0). On implementations without
signed zero, or when given positive zero arguments, it is normally defined as 0. It will always return a value in
the range [−π, π] rather than raising an error or returning a NaN (Not a Number).
• Systems supporting symbolic mathematics normally return an undefined value for atan2(0,0) or
otherwise signal that an abnormal condition has arisen.
• For systems implementing signed zero, infinities, or Not a Number (for example, IEEE floating point), it is
common to implement reasonable extensions which may extend the range of values produced to include −π and
−0. These also may return NaN or raise an exception when given a NaN argument.
• For systems implementing signed zero (for example, IEEE floating point), atan2(-0, x), x < 0 returns the value
−π. atan2(+0, x), x < 0 still returns +π.
The free math library FDLIBM (Freely Distributable LIBM) available from netlib has source code showing how it
implements atan2 including handling the various IEEE exceptional values.
For systems without a hardware multiplier the function atan2 can be implemented in a numerically reliable
manner by the CORDIC method. Thus implementations of atan(y) will probably choose to compute
atan2(y,1).
The following expression derived from the tangent half-angle formula can also be used to define atan2.
This expression may be more suited for symbolic use than the definition above. However it is unsuitable for floating
point computational use as it is undefined for y = 0, x < 0 and may overflow near these regions. The formula gives an
NaN or raises an error for atan2(0, 0), but this is not an issue since atan2(0, 0) is not defined.
A variant of the last formula is sometimes used in high precision computation. This avoids overflow but is always
undefined when y = 0:

3. Atan2 3
Variations and notation
• In Common Lisp, where optional arguments exist, the atan function allows one to optionally supply the x
coordinate: (atan y x).
[3]
• In Mathematica, the form ArcTan[x, y] is used where the one parameter form supplies the normal
arctangent. Mathematica classifies ArcTan[0, 0] as an indeterminate expression.
• In Microsoft Excel, the atan2 function has the two arguments reversed.
[4]
OpenOffice.org Calc also reverses
the arguments, as does the Google Spreadsheets <atan2 function.
[5]
• In the Intel Architecture assembler code, atan2 is known as the FPATAN (floating-point partial arctangent)
instruction.
[6]
It can deal with infinities and results lie in the closed interval [−π, π], e.g. atan2(∞, x) = +π.
Particularly, FPATAN is defined when both arguments are zero:
atan2(+0, +0) = +0
atan2(+0, −0) = +π
atan2(−0, +0) = −0
atan2(−0, −0) = −π
This definition is related to the concept of signed zero, i.e.
• On most TI graphing calculators (excluding the TI-85 and TI-86), the equivalent function is called R►Pθ and has
the arguments reversed.
• In mathematical writings other than source code, such as in books and articles, the notations Arctan
[7]
and
Tan
-1[8]
have been utilized; these are uppercase variants of the regular arctan and tan
-1
. This usage is consistent
with the complex argument notation, such that Atan(y, x) = Arg(x+iy).

4. Atan2 4
Illustrations
atan2 round a circle
The diagram alongside shows values of
atan2 at selected points on the unit
circle. The values, in radians, are
shown inside the circle. The diagram
uses the standard mathematical
convention that angles increase
anticlockwise (counterclockwise), and
zero is to the right. Note that the order
of arguments is reversed; the function
atan2(y, x) computes the angle
corresponding to the point (x, y).
The diagram below shows values of
atan2 for points on the unit circle. On
the x-axis is the complex angle of the
points, starting from 0 ( point (1,0) )
and going anticlockwise
(counterclockwise), through points:
•• (0, 1) with complex angle π/2 (in
radians),
• (−1, 0) with complex angle π,
• (0, −1) with complex angle 3π/2,
to (1, 0) with complex angle 0 = (2nπ
mod 2π).
On this diagram one can clearly see the discontinuity of the atan2 function.
[9]
The diagrams below show 3D view of respectively atan2(y, x) and arctan(y/x) over a region of the plane.
Note that for atan2, rays emanating from the origin have constant values, but for atan lines passing through the origin
have constant values. For x > 0, the two diagrams give identical values.

5. Atan2 5
Derivative
As the function atan2 is a function of two variables, it has two partial derivatives. At points where these derivatives
exist, atan2 is, except for a constant, equal to arctan(y/x). hence:
for
Informally representing the function atan2 as the angle function (which is only defined up
to a constant) yields the following formula for the total derivative:
While the function atan2 is discontinuous along the negative y-axis, reflecting the fact that angle cannot be
continuously defined, this derivative is continuously defined except at the origin, reflecting the fact that infinitesimal
(and indeed local) changes in angle can be defined everywhere except the origin. Integrating this derivative along a
path gives the total change in angle over the path, and integrating over a closed loop gives the winding number.
In the language of differential geometry, this derivative is a one-form, and it is closed (its derivative is zero) but not
exact (it is not the derivative of a 0-form, i.e., a function), and in fact it generates the first de Rham cohomology of
the punctured plane. This is the most basic example of such a form, and it is fundamental in differential geometry.
The partial derivatives of atan2 do not contain trigonometric functions, making it particularly useful in many
applications (e.g. embedded systems) where trigonometric functions can be expensive to evaluate.Wikipedia:Please
clarify

6. Atan2 6
References
[2] The Linux Programmer's Manual (http://linux.die.net/man/3/atan2) says:
"The atan2() function calculates the arc tangent of the two variables y and x. It is similar to calculating the arc
tangent of y / x, except that the signs of both arguments are used to determine the quadrant of the result."
[6] IA-32 Intel Architecture Software Developer’s Manual. Volume 2A: Instruction Set Reference, A-M, 2004.
[7] http://books.google.com/books?id=2LIMMD9FVXkC&pg=PA234&dq=four+quadrant+inverse+tangent+mathematical+notation&
hl=en&sa=X&ei=Q2Y4UaGTAcmzyAHsooCoBw&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&
q=four%20quadrant%20inverse%20tangent%20mathematical%20notation&f=false
[8] http://books.google.com/books?id=7nNjaH9B0_0C&pg=PA345&dq=four+quadrant+inverse+tangent+mathematical+notation&
hl=en&sa=X&ei=Q2Y4UaGTAcmzyAHsooCoBw&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&
q=four%20quadrant%20inverse%20tangent%20mathematical%20notation&f=false
[9] Computation of the external argument by Wolf Jung (http://www.mndynamics.com/indexp.html)
External links
• Java 1.6 SE JavaDoc (http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/lang/Math.html#atan2(double, double))
• atan2 (http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1008481) at Everything2
• PicBasic Pro solution (http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=70269#post70269) atan2 for a
PIC18F
Other implementations/code for atan2
• Bearing Between Two Points (http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/55417.html)
• Arctan and Polar Coordinates (http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/54114.html)
• What's 'Arccos'? (http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/54172.html)

7. Article Sources and Contributors 7
Article Sources and Contributors
Atan2 Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=568349161 Contributors: 1exec1, 2620:0:1000:1502:6E3B:E5FF:FE1A:AFFC, Adam majewski, Anthony Appleyard, Apatterno,
Arichnad, Armando, Army1987, ArnoldReinhold, Avraham, Balabiot, Basawala, Ben pcc, Betacommand, Bob K, CALR, CBM, Cheesefondue, Chowbok, CompuChip, Cooperised, Csc14us,
DVdm, Daimanta, Davidhorman, Dcoetzee, Dhollm, Diegoaac, Dmcq, Drilnoth, Fgnievinski, Gandalf61, Gerbrant, GregorB, Hgilbert, Ian Vaughan, InverseHypercube, James Skinsale, Jfmantis,
John Vandenberg, JohnOwens, Jvohn, KSmrq, Keenan Pepper, Kenyon, KlappCK, Kpengboy, Kri, Kuashio, Lukas Mach, MarkSweep, Maulattu, Mdd4696, Michael Hardy, Michel BUZE,
Monsterman222, Mwarren us, Nbarth, Netheril96, NevemTeve, Nijdam, PAR, PreviousDeclaration, Quelt42, Quietbritishjim, Qwfp, R27182818, RahulWaghamare, Raise exception, Rgfibe,
Rjamisolajr, Rjgodoy, Rumping, Simetrical, SimonP, Slawekb, Slithymatt, Stevenj, Superm401, Thonord, Tobias Bergemann, Unbitwise, Utopianheaven, V1adis1av, Vadmium, Yuzisee, 谢弘,
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Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
File:Atan2 60.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Atan2_60.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Dmcq
File:Atan2-discontinuity.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Atan2-discontinuity.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Atan2.PNG:
Adam majewski derivative work: Kpengboy (talk)
Image:Atan2Diagram.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Atan2Diagram.png License: Public Domain Contributors: Self.
Image:AtanDiagram.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:AtanDiagram.png License: Public Domain Contributors: Self.
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