Calculate angles between two intersecting lines using the slopes

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Hi,
I have two slopes M1 and M2 that I wish to check the angle between them.
I was told that I can use the inverse tangent of (m1 - m2)/(1 + m1*m2)
atand((m1-m2)/(1-m1*m2))
Is it true, why? What is the difference if I use the (m1 - m2)/(1 - m1*m2) instead?
Thanks

Risposta accettata

Roger Stafford
Roger Stafford il 14 Ago 2014
That formula comes from the trigonometric identity
tan(A-B) = (tan(A)-tan(B))/(1+tan(A)*tan(B))
Note: You have the sign wrong in atand((m1-m2)/(1-m1*m2))
It should be understood that taking the arctangent (atand) of your expression corresponds to rotating the line with slope m2 in both a counterclockwise and a clockwise direction around the intersection point until first encountering the line with slope m1. Going counterclockwise counts as a positive angle and clockwise is considered negative. Therefore your answer will lie between +90 and -90.
  3 Commenti
Roger Stafford
Roger Stafford il 14 Ago 2014
Modificato: Roger Stafford il 14 Ago 2014
Correction: If you take the absolute value of (m1-m2)/(1-m1*m2) it can still give a negative angle. If you take the absolute value of value from atand, it will give you the positive angle between the lines which does not exceed 90 degrees. Is the latter what you were asking?

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Più risposte (2)

Rick Rosson
Rick Rosson il 14 Ago 2014
phi = atan(m1) - atan(m2);

Amir
Amir il 14 Ago 2014
This image is from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bGt5wQf818
Hope this can clarify this for you.

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