Scientific Calculator
A scientific calculator handles functions beyond arithmetic: sine, cosine and tangent, base-10 and natural logarithms, powers, square roots, factorials and π. Choose degrees or radians, type an expression such as sin(30) + 2^3, and the answer (8.5) appears as you type, using standard order of operations.
How to use the Scientific Calculator
- Choose DEG or RAD for angles before using sin, cos or tan.
- Type or tap the expression, for example log(1000) or √(16) + 2^3; functions open a bracket for you.
- Read the live result under the expression.
- Press = to keep the answer, ⌫ to delete the last entry, or AC to clear.
Formula
Brackets and functions, then powers (right to left), then × and ÷, then + and -Expressions follow standard precedence. Powers are right-associative, so 2^3^2 = 2^9 = 512, and a leading minus applies after the power, so -2^2 = -4. Writing a number next to a bracket, π or a function multiplies them, so 2π = 6.283185.
Supported functions
- sin, cos, tan: trigonometry in degrees or radians.
- log: base-10 logarithm. ln: natural logarithm (base e).
- xʸ: any power, for example 2^10 = 1024. Use x^(1/n) for an nth root.
- √: square root. n!: factorial up to 170!.
- π: pi to full double precision. %: divides by 100.
Degrees or radians
In degree mode a full circle is 360, so sin(30) = 0.5. In radian mode a full circle is 2π, so sin(π/6) = 0.5. Calculus and most physics formulas assume radians; everyday geometry and surveying use degrees.
Worked examples
- sin(30) in DEG = 0.5
- log(1000) = 3
- ln(1) = 0
- √(16) + 2^3 = 12
- 5! = 120
Scientific Calculator questions
Which trigonometric functions are available?
The calculator has sin, cos and tan, and you can switch between degrees and radians with the DEG and RAD buttons. For example, sin(30) = 0.5 in degree mode and sin(π/6) = 0.5 in radian mode. Results are rounded to 12 decimal places, so cos(90) shows exactly 0.
What is the difference between degrees and radians?
They are two units for angles: a full circle is 360 degrees or 2π radians, so 180 degrees equals π radians. Use degrees for everyday geometry and navigation, and radians for calculus, physics and most programming libraries, which expect angles in radians.
How do I calculate logarithms?
Use log for base-10 logarithms and ln for natural logarithms (base e). For example, log(100) = 2 and ln(1) = 0. To get a logarithm in another base, divide two logs: log base 2 of 8 is log(8) ÷ log(2) = 3.
How do I calculate powers and roots?
Use xʸ for powers and √ for square roots. For example, 2^3 = 8 and √(16) = 4. For any other root, raise to a fractional power: the cube root of 27 is 27^(1/3) = 3, and the fourth root of 81 is 81^(1/4) = 3.
Does the calculator follow the order of operations?
Yes. It evaluates brackets and functions first, then powers, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction (PEMDAS/BODMAS). For example, 2 + 3 × 4 = 14, but (2 + 3) × 4 = 20. Add brackets whenever you want a different order.
How do I calculate a factorial?
Type a whole number and press n!. For example, 5! = 120 and 10! = 3,628,800. Factorials are used in probability, combinations and permutations. The calculator supports whole numbers up to 170!, the largest factorial that fits in standard floating-point numbers.
Why does a calculation show nothing or an error?
The expression is either incomplete or outside a function's domain. Common causes are dividing by zero, taking the square root of a negative number, or the log of zero or a negative number. Finish the expression or change the input, and the result appears again.
What constants can I use?
The π key inserts pi (about 3.14159) at full precision, and you can multiply it directly, as in 2π. For Euler's number e (about 2.71828), type 2.718281828 or use ln to work with natural logarithms, since ln(x) is the logarithm to base e.