Scientific Calculator
Full scientific calculator — trigonometry, log, ln, powers, roots, constants, and memory. Works entirely in your browser.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use DEG (degrees) for everyday geometry and when angles are given in degrees (90°, 180°, 360°). Use RAD (radians) for calculus and physics. Always check your mode before trig calculations — sin(90) in RAD gives approximately 0.894, not 1.
BODMAS/PEMDAS: Brackets first, then Orders (powers/roots), then Division and Multiplication left to right, then Addition and Subtraction left to right. Use parentheses to control the order explicitly.
log is logarithm base 10 — log(100) = 2. ln is the natural logarithm base e — ln(e) = 1. In calculus and physics, ln is more commonly used. In everyday calculations, log base 10 is standard.
PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (left to right), Addition/Subtraction (left to right). Example: 2 + 3 × 4² = 2 + 3 × 16 = 2 + 48 = 50 (not 80 or 200). The common mistake is doing addition before multiplication. BODMAS (UK) and BEDMAS (Canada) are equivalent systems with different acronyms.
In a right triangle: sin(θ) = opposite ÷ hypotenuse; cos(θ) = adjacent ÷ hypotenuse; tan(θ) = opposite ÷ adjacent (or sin ÷ cos). Memory aid: SOH-CAH-TOA. Use DEG mode for angles in degrees, RAD mode for radians (used in calculus). sin(90°) = 1, cos(0°) = 1, tan(45°) = 1.
How to Use a Scientific Calculator
A scientific calculator extends basic arithmetic with functions used in mathematics, science, and engineering. The key functions and their uses:
| Function | What it Does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| sin / cos / tan | Trigonometric ratios of an angle | sin(30°) = 0.5 |
| sin⁻¹ / cos⁻¹ / tan⁻¹ | Inverse trig — find the angle from a ratio | sin⁻¹(0.5) = 30° |
| log | Logarithm base 10 | log(1000) = 3 |
| ln | Natural logarithm (base e) | ln(e) = 1 |
| x² | Square a number | 5² = 25 |
| xʸ | Raise x to the power of y | 2^10 = 1024 |
| √ | Square root | √144 = 12 |
| π | Pi constant (3.14159…) | Area = π × r² |
DEG vs RAD — Which Mode Should I Use?
Degrees (DEG): Use for everyday angle calculations, geometry, and when angles are given in degrees (90°, 180°, 360°). Most people use DEG mode by default.
Radians (RAD): Use for calculus, physics, and higher mathematics. One radian = 180°/π ≈ 57.3°. A full circle is 2π radians. Always check your mode before trig calculations — sin(90) in RAD gives sin(90 radians) ≈ 0.894, not 1.
Order of Operations (BODMAS/PEMDAS)
Scientific calculators follow standard mathematical order of operations:
- Brackets / Parentheses first: (2+3)×4 = 20, not 14
- Orders / Exponents: powers and roots
- Division and Multiplication (left to right)
- Addition and Subtraction (left to right)
Common Scientific Calculator Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong mode (DEG vs RAD) for trig functions
- Forgetting to close brackets — every ( needs a matching )
- Misreading the display: 1.5E3 means 1,500 (scientific notation)
- Division before completing numerator: for 5/(2+3), use 5÷(2+3), not 5÷2+3
- Squaring a negative: (−3)² = 9, but −3² = −9 on most calculators