Scientific Calculator
Full scientific calculator — trigonometry, log, ln, powers, roots, constants, and memory. Works entirely in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
BODMAS/PEMDAS: Brackets, Orders (powers/roots), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction. Always evaluate left to right within the same precedence level. Use parentheses to control the order explicitly.
First, make sure your calculator is in the correct mode (DEG for degrees, RAD for radians). Enter the angle, then press sin/cos/tan. For inverse trig (finding the angle from a ratio), use sin⁻¹, cos⁻¹, or tan⁻¹.
log (log base 10) is the common logarithm — log(100) = 2. ln is the natural logarithm (base e) — ln(e) = 1. In science and engineering, ln is more commonly used. In everyday calculations, log base 10 is standard.
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