A Trigonometrical Ratio to Replace the Dimensionless Angle in Radians

Abstract

Equations for use with SI radian units have the option of showing the radian unit or not. When the radian is not shown, identical purely numerical values for angles (θ) are produced in each equation. This is the common procedure. When the radian is shown, not all the θ values can show a radian unit: some must remain as pure numbers. This procedure is used whenever convenient, usually for extra clarity. The article proposes that the constantly numerical values of θ be treated as trigonometrical ratios, currently recognised as the ‘radian measure’ or the ‘circular measure’ (abbreviated: circ) of angles, and replaced by ‘circ θ’. This measure equals the length ratio (subtended arc/radius) for an angle θ at the circle centre. By this means the need for the dimensionless version of ‘angle in radians’ vanishes. In fact even dimensional angles in radians need not be used, because ‘circ θ’ allows any angle units to be used for θ.