C math.h Header
Mathematical functions and constants
🧮 What is math.h?
The math.h header provides mathematical functions for calculations including trigonometry, logarithms, exponentials, and power operations. Essential for scientific and engineering computations in C programs.
#include <math.h>
int main() {
double result = sqrt(16.0);
printf("Square root of 16: %.2f\n", result);
printf("Power 2^3: %.2f\n", pow(2, 3));
return 0;
}
Output:
Square root of 16: 4.00 Power 2^3: 8.00
Key math.h Functions
sqrt()
Calculate square root
double result = sqrt(25.0);pow()
Calculate power (x^y)
double result = pow(2, 3);sin(), cos()
Trigonometric functions
double s = sin(M_PI/2);log(), exp()
Logarithmic and exponential
double l = log(10.0);🔹 Basic Mathematical Operations
Common mathematical calculations using math.h functions enable scientific computing, engineering simulations, and complex algorithm implementations. The library provides functions for power, square root, logarithms, and absolute value calculations. Use pow() for exponentiation, sqrt() for square roots, and fabs() for floating-point absolute values. Link with -lm flag when compiling. Mathematical operations are fundamental for physics simulations, financial modeling, and graphics programming applications.
#include <stdio.h>
#include <math.h>
int main() {
double x = 16.0, y = 3.0;
// Basic operations
printf("Square root of %.1f: %.2f\n", x, sqrt(x));
printf("%.1f raised to power %.1f: %.2f\n", x, y, pow(x, y));
printf("Absolute value of -5.7: %.2f\n", fabs(-5.7));
// Rounding functions
printf("Ceiling of 4.3: %.0f\n", ceil(4.3));
printf("Floor of 4.7: %.0f\n", floor(4.7));
printf("Round 4.6: %.0f\n", round(4.6));
return 0;
}Output:
Square root of 16.0: 4.00 16.0 raised to power 3.0: 4096.00 Absolute value of -5.7: 5.70 Ceiling of 4.3: 5 Floor of 4.7: 4 Round 4.6: 5
🔹 Trigonometric Functions
Working with trigonometric functions including sine, cosine, tangent enables angle calculations, rotation operations, and wave simulations in applications. Functions sin(), cos(), and tan() work with radians rather than degrees. Use conversion formula radians = degrees * M_PI / 180 when needed. Inverse functions asin(), acos(), and atan() recover angles from ratios. Trigonometric calculations are essential for graphics, game development, physics simulations, and signal processing applications.
#include <stdio.h>
#include <math.h>
int main() {
double angle_deg = 45.0;
double angle_rad = angle_deg * M_PI / 180.0; // Convert to radians
printf("Angle: %.1f degrees (%.4f radians)\n", angle_deg, angle_rad);
printf("sin(%.1f°) = %.4f\n", angle_deg, sin(angle_rad));
printf("cos(%.1f°) = %.4f\n", angle_deg, cos(angle_rad));
printf("tan(%.1f°) = %.4f\n", angle_deg, tan(angle_rad));
// Inverse functions
double value = 0.5;
printf("arcsin(%.1f) = %.2f degrees\n", value, asin(value) * 180.0 / M_PI);
return 0;
}Output:
Angle: 45.0 degrees (0.7854 radians) sin(45.0°) = 0.7071 cos(45.0°) = 0.7071 tan(45.0°) = 1.0000 arcsin(0.5) = 30.00 degrees