Math.acos()

The Math.acos() function returns the arccosine (in radians) of a number, that is

x[-1;1],Math.acos(x)=arccos(x)= the unique y[0;π]such thatcos(y)=x\forall x \in [{-1};1],\;\mathtt{\operatorname{Math.acos}(x)} = \arccos(x) = \text{ the unique } \; y \in [0; \pi] \, \text{such that} \; \cos(y) = x

Syntax

JavaScript
Math.acos(<var>x</var>)

Parameters

x
A number.

Return value

The arccosine (in radians) of the given number if it's between -1 and 1; otherwise, NaN.

Description

The Math.acos() method returns a numeric value between 0 and π radians for x between -1 and 1. If the value of x is outside this range, it returns NaN.

Because acos() is a static method of Math, you always use it as Math.acos(), rather than as a method of a Math object you created (Math is not a constructor).

Examples

Using Math.acos()

JavaScript
Math.acos(-2);  // NaN
Math.acos(-1);  // 3.141592653589793
Math.acos(0);   // 1.5707963267948966
Math.acos(0.5); // 1.0471975511965979
Math.acos(1);   // 0
Math.acos(2);   // NaN

For values less than -1 or greater than 1, Math.acos() returns NaN.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
ECMAScript 1st Edition (ECMA-262) Standard Initial definition. Implemented in JavaScript 1.0.
ECMAScript 5.1 (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Math.acos' in that specification.
Standard  
ECMAScript 2015 (6th Edition, ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Math.acos' in that specification.
Standard  
ECMAScript 2017 Draft (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Math.acos' in that specification.
Draft  

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)
Feature Android Chrome for Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)

See also

License

© 2016 Mozilla Contributors
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-us/docs/web/javascript/reference/global_objects/math/acos

JavaScript Math Method Reference