Google Calculator in Degrees

Google's built-in calculator offers a degrees mode for precise angle calculations. This guide explains how to use it effectively, including the formula, practical examples, and common questions.

How to Use Google Calculator in Degrees Mode

Google's calculator supports degrees mode for trigonometric functions. Here's how to use it:

Open Google Search and type your calculation (e.g., "sin(30°)")
Press Enter to see the result in degrees
For more complex calculations, use parentheses and standard operators

Note: Google's calculator automatically detects degrees when you include the degree symbol (°). For radians, use the "rad" function.

Formula Used

The calculator uses standard trigonometric functions with degree inputs:

sin(θ) = opposite/hypotenuse

cos(θ) = adjacent/hypotenuse

tan(θ) = opposite/adjacent

Where θ is the angle in degrees

For inverse functions:

arcsin(x) = θ (in degrees)

arccos(x) = θ (in degrees)

arctan(x) = θ (in degrees)

Worked Examples

Example 1: Basic Sine Calculation

Calculate sin(30°):

Type "sin(30°)" in Google Search
Press Enter to see the result: 0.5

This matches the known value of sin(30°) = 0.5.

Example 2: Complex Angle Calculation

Calculate cos(45° + 30°):

Type "cos(45° + 30°)" in Google Search
Press Enter to see the result: 0.35355339059327373

This demonstrates how Google's calculator handles angle addition in degrees.

FAQ

How do I switch between degrees and radians in Google Calculator?

Google's calculator automatically detects degrees when you use the ° symbol. For radians, use the "rad" function (e.g., "sin(rad(1.5708))" for sin(π/2)).

Can I use degrees with inverse trigonometric functions?

Yes. Type "arcsin(0.5)" to get 30° or "arccos(0.5)" to get 60°.

What's the difference between "deg" and "°" in Google Calculator?

Both represent degrees, but ° is the standard symbol. "deg" is an alternative function name (e.g., "sin(deg(30))" is equivalent to "sin(30°)").