How to Use the ASIN Function in Excel

Today, we’re going to delve into the ASIN function available in both Excel and Google Sheets. ASIN stands for arc sine, which is the inverse of the sine trigonometric function. It is primarily used to determine the angle from a given sine value. This makes it extremely useful in scenarios like calculating angles, determining distances, or working with right-angled triangles.

Syntax

The ASIN function is consistently structured in both Excel and Google Sheets as follows:

ASIN(number)

number: This is the sine of the angle you need to compute. It must be a numeric value between -1 and 1, inclusive.

Examples

Example 1: Finding the Angle

Suppose you know the sine of an angle and need to find the angle itself in radians.

Sine Value	Angle (radians)
0.5	=ASIN(0.5)

In this example, with a sine value of 0.5, you can use the ASIN function to calculate the angle in radians.

Example 2: Calculating Distance

The ASIN function can also be pivotal in distance calculations. Consider a scenario where you need to find the height of a flagpole, given its angle of elevation and your distance from the pole:

Distance to the Pole	Angle of Elevation	Height of the Pole
10 meters	30 degrees	=10 * TAN(RADIANS(90) – ASIN(10 * SIN(RADIANS(30))))

Here, we employ the ASIN function along with the TAN and SIN functions to calculate the height of the flagpole, demonstrating ASIN’s utility in complex trigonometric formulas.

Conclusion

The ASIN function in Excel and Google Sheets serves as an indispensable tool for various trigonometric computations. Whether your task involves angles, distances, or the dynamics of right-angled triangles, the ASIN function provides an efficient solution for your mathematical needs.

More information: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/asin-function-81fb95e5-6d6f-48c4-bc45-58f955c6d347

Other functions

ABS

Returns the absolute value of a number

ACOS

Returns the arccosine of a number

ACOSH

Returns the inverse hyperbolic cosine of a number

ACOT

Returns the arccotangent of a number

ACOTH

Returns the hyperbolic arccotangent of a number

AGGREGATE

Returns an aggregate in a list or database

ARABIC

Converts a Roman number to Arabic, as a number

ASINH

Returns the inverse hyperbolic sine of a number

ATAN

Returns the arctangent of a number

ATAN2

Returns the arctangent from x- and y-coordinates

ATANH

Returns the inverse hyperbolic tangent of a number

BASE

Converts a number into a text representation with the given radix (base)

CEILING

Rounds a number to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance

CEILING.MATH

Rounds a number up, to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance

CEILING.PRECISE

Rounds a number the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance Regardless of the sign of the number, the number is rounded up

COMBIN

Returns the number of combinations for a given number of objects

COMBINA

Returns the number of combinations (with repetitions) for a given number of items

COS

Returns the cosine of a number

COSH

Returns the hyperbolic cosine of a number

COT

Returns the hyperbolic cosine of a number

COTH

Returns the cotangent of an angle

CSC

Returns the cosecant of an angle

CSCH

Returns the hyperbolic cosecant of an angle

DECIMAL

Converts a text representation of a number in a given base into a decimal number

DEGREES

Converts radians to degrees

EVEN

Rounds a number up to the nearest even integer

EXP

Returns

FACT

Returns the factorial of a number

FACTDOUBLE

Returns the double factorial of a number

FLOOR.MATH

Rounds a number down, to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance

FLOOR.PRECISE

Rounds a number the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance Regardless of the sign of the number, the number is rounded up

GCD

Returns the greatest common divisor

INT

Rounds a number down to the nearest integer

ISO.CEILING

Returns a number that is rounded up to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance

LCM

Returns the least common multiple

LET

Assigns names to calculation results to allow storing intermediate calculations, values, or defining names inside a formula

Returns the natural logarithm of a number

LOG

Returns the logarithm of a number to a specified base

LOG10

Returns the base-10 logarithm of a number

MDETERM

Returns the matrix determinant of an array

MINVERSE

Returns the matrix inverse of an array

MMULT

Returns the matrix product of two arrays

MOD

Returns the remainder from division

MROUND

Returns a number rounded to the desired multiple

MULTINOMIAL

Returns the multinomial of a set of numbers

MUNIT

Returns the unit matrix or the specified dimension

ODD

Rounds a number up to the nearest odd integer

Returns the value of pi

POWER

Returns the result of a number raised to a power

PRODUCT

Multiplies its arguments

QUOTIENT

Returns the integer portion of a division

RADIANS

Converts degrees to radians

RAND

Returns a random number between 0 and 1

RANDARRAY

Returns an array of random numbers between 0 and 1 However, you can specify the number of rows and columns to fill, minimum and maximum values, and whether to return whole numbers or decimal values

RANDBETWEEN

Returns a random number between the numbers you specify

ROMAN

Converts an arabic numeral to roman, as text

ROUND

Rounds a number to a specified number of digits

ROUNDDOWN

Rounds a number down, toward zero

ROUNDUP

Rounds a number up, away from zero

SEC

Returns the secant of an angle