Relative position of 2 points on a circle 2

ziggyS · Mar 14, 2015

hi
this question was addressed in thread770-356581 but the resulting formula is only valid for points within 90 degrees of each other

stevenal (Electrical) 21 Jan 14 20:12
'=DEGREES(ASIN(SIN(RADIANS(A1-A2))))'
Excel

recap if point A1 is at position 358 degrees
point A2 is at position 01 degrees
above formula returns -3 (position of A1 relative to A2)

but if point A1 is at position 180 degrees
point A2 is at position 01 degree
above formula returns +1 (required return is +179)

can anyone expand on above formula to be valid over complete circle (+- 180)

thanks
ziggyS

ziggyS · Mar 14, 2015

i have changed formula to
'=DEGREES(ACOS(COS(RADIANS(A1-A2))))'
which returns the correct whole number but i lose the polarity

IDS · Mar 14, 2015

This should work (it works for your examples):

=DEGREES(ATAN2(COS(RADIANS(A1-A2)),SIN(RADIANS(A1-A2))))

There may be a simpler way, but I doubt it can be done with just sin or just cos.

Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services

http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/

ziggyS · Mar 14, 2015

thanks IDS absolutely perfect!

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Relative position of 2 points on a circle 2

ziggyS

Computer

ziggyS

Computer

IDS

Civil/Environmental

ziggyS

Computer

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