radian or degree calculator setting quesiton?

Question

when I solve a problem like sin(tan^(-1) -3/7) , my calculator should be set in radian mode, not degrees, right?

Answer 1

For this problem it does not matter. Neither the input nor the output of the expression is an angle. How the calculator handles angles part way through the calculation doesn't matter. In fact, the calculator probably just uses radians for all internal calculations anyway.

For other problems, it depends on what form the numbers are that you entering into the calculator and what output that you want. If the expression that you enter into the calculator contains an angle in radians then you need to put the calculator into radian mode or convert all the angles to degrees before entering them. If you want the output in radians then you want radian mode. If you have input in radians and want output in degress then you have to either convert the input or convert the output to the other format because you can't have both at once.

Answer 2

Depends if you want the answer in degree mode or radian mode.
The trig. ratios are still the same.
Generally, for higher level trig.. calculations radian mode is the most commonly used form.
NB Sin 60 degrees = sqrt3/2 = (0.8660)
Sin (pi/3 radians) = sqrt3/2 = (0.8660)

NNB 60 degrees = pi/3 radians ; it is the same sized angle, just a different measuring system.