How to use Scientific Calculator
The scientific calculator in the calculator category is a full-featured expression evaluator supporting arithmetic, trigonometry, logarithms, factorials, constants (π, e), exponents, memory functions and parentheses. Switch between degree and radian modes for trigonometric functions. Results can be copied for use in spreadsheets or other tools.
- Click buttons or type expressions on the keypad.
- Toggle DEG/RAD mode before entering trigonometric functions.
- Use M+/MR/MC to store, recall and clear memory.
- Press = to evaluate; C/AC to clear entry or all.
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Expression evaluation and order of operations
Expressions are evaluated left-to-right with standard operator precedence: parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication/division, then addition/subtraction (PEMDAS/BODMAS). Parentheses override precedence; use them to ensure complex expressions compute correctly. Note that this calculator evaluates left-to-right for simple chains — use parentheses whenever operator precedence matters.
Scientific notation and large numbers
Scientific notation expresses very large or very small numbers as a coefficient multiplied by a power of ten: 1.5 × 10⁶ = 1,500,000. Use the EXP button to enter the exponent. Results exceeding the display precision are shown in scientific notation automatically. This is essential for physics calculations (Avogadro's number: 6.022 × 10²³), chemistry (molar mass) and engineering (electromagnetic frequencies).
| Constant | Symbol | Approx. value | Used in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pi | π | 3.14159265… | Circles, trigonometry |
| Euler's number | e | 2.71828182… | Exponential growth, logarithms |
| Golden ratio | φ | 1.61803398… | Design, geometry |
| Square root of 2 | √2 | 1.41421356… | Pythagorean theorem, diagonals |
| Euler's constant | γ | 0.57721566… | Number theory, integrals |
Worked examples
Operator precedence
Inputs: 2 + 3 × 4
Result: 14 (multiplication before addition)
Trigonometry in degree mode
Inputs: sin(30)
Result: 0.5
Powers
Inputs: 2^10
Result: 1024
Glossary
- PEMDAS
- Order of operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction.
- Trigonometry
- The branch of mathematics studying relationships between angles and side lengths in triangles.
- Scientific notation
- A way of expressing numbers as a coefficient × 10^exponent, used for very large or small values.
- Radian
- The SI unit of angle; 2π radians = 360 degrees.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use Scientific Calculator?
- Evaluates full mathematical expressions with correct PEMDAS/BODMAS operator precedence
- Switches between degree and radian mode for accurate trigonometric function results
- Includes memory storage (M+/MR/MC) to hold intermediate values across calculation steps
- Displays very large and very small results automatically in scientific notation
Common use cases
- Evaluate a multi-step physics formula containing nested parentheses and exponents
- Compute sin, cos, or tan of an angle in degrees for a geometry homework problem
- Calculate chemistry values at Avogadro's scale by entering exponents with the EXP key
- Store a running subtotal in memory while working through a long multi-stage calculation
- Verify a square root or natural logarithm result for an engineering worksheet
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