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CSC Function (OpenOffice Calc)

Math Intermediate OpenOffice Calc

Calculate cosecant with OpenOffice CSC, using native real-input examples, odd-function checks and precise zero and numerical-boundary behavior.

Verification status: Eight reference formulas and 6 diagnostic cases were recalculated in Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16 on Linux x86-64, Build 9816, using generated native ODF and GUI hard recalculation. Saved formula identities and typed results were checked; the load warning is described below. How formula examples are checked

Quick answer: =CSC(2) returned 1.099750170295 in the tested Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16 build.

Availability and version history

  • Introduced: First release not established; presence is verified in Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16. Earlier support has not been established here.
  • Supported in: Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16; this identifies a verified release, not a final supported version.
  • Scope: Desktop Calc, English function names and semicolon-separated formulas.
  • Checked: October 14, 2026. Eight reference formulas and the listed diagnostics were recalculated from generated native ODF in 4.1.16 on Linux x86-64, Build 9816. Source and independent reference calculations were also checked.

What CSC returns

CSC calculates cosecant, mathematically 1/sin(x). It returns a real numeric value for a valid finite input where the defining denominator is nonzero. The implementation evaluates the reciprocal directly, so denominator zeros and floating-point behavior matter. Release entry.

Syntax and arguments

=CSC(Number)

Supply one numeric argument. The argument is an angle in radians; degrees require an explicit RADIANS conversion. The observed TRUE argument becomes 1, and a referenced empty cell becomes 0. Non-numeric text and an extra argument produce errors in the tested cases.

Reproducible examples

The native column records the saved 4.1.16 results. The independent values use high-precision mathematics; displayed decimals are rounded to twelve places. Integer results remain exact in these small cases.

Formula Native 4.1.16 result Independent reference
=CSC(0.25) 4.041972501221 4.041972501221
=CSC(0.5) 2.085829642933 2.085829642933
=CSC(1) 1.188395105778 1.188395105778
=CSC(2) 1.099750170295 1.099750170295
=CSC(-0.25) -4.041972501221 -4.041972501221
=CSC(-0.5) -2.085829642933 -2.085829642933
=CSC(-1) -1.188395105778 -1.188395105778
=CSC(-2) -1.099750170295 -1.099750170295

Practical worksheet

CSC takes an angle in radians and returns the reciprocal of sine. In a right triangle this is hypotenuse divided by opposite length. At 0.5 radians the value is about 2.085829642933. If A2 stores degrees, use =CSC(RADIANS(A2)) so the input units are explicit.

Advanced interpretation and checks

CSC(x)×SIN(x)=1 wherever sine is nonzero. Its sign follows sine, and CSC(−x)=−CSC(x). For real defined inputs, its magnitude is at least 1. These properties distinguish cosecant from ASIN, which is an inverse trigonometric function returning an angle.

Boundaries and troubleshooting

Cosecant has poles at integer multiples of π. The saved CSC(PI()) result is huge but finite because PI() is represented approximately. That does not assign a finite value to cosecant at exact π. Near-pole results are highly sensitive to the input angle.

These additional formulas were recalculated from the same generated ODF input. H5 is a deliberately empty cell where referenced. Error displays are retained as errors, even when an ODS numeric attribute stores zero.

Formula Observed result or error
=CSC(0) #NUM!
=CSC(PI()) 8165619676597690
=CSC("abc") #VALUE!
=CSC(H5) #NUM!
=CSC(1;2) Err:508
=CSC(TRUE()) 1.188395105778

sin, cos, tan.

Official evidence and checking scope

The generated ODF input produced the informational load warning “Not all attributes could be read.” After it was acknowledged, the sheet was hard-recalculated and saved separately. Every formula identity, input label and tested result was reconciled, including repeated spaces represented with ODF text elements. This does not certify every style attribute. The separately prepared XLSX input was not executed. A deliberately stale SUM cache changed from 999999 to 3, and an uncached SUM returned 7 after hard recalculation. Native evidence covers the eight reference formulas and listed diagnostics only. Other explanatory compositions are independent mathematical checks; other releases, locales and extreme-value behavior were not established by this run.