How to use the scientific calculator
- Enter an expression with the keys or your keyboard, for example
3×(4+5). The result appears under it as you type. - Use the function keys for sin, cos, tan, logarithms, roots and powers; an open parenthesis is added for you and closed automatically when you press =.
- Press = (or Enter) to finish. Keep typing an operator to continue from the answer, or use Ans to reuse it later.
- Switch between degrees and radians with the Deg/Rad key before using trigonometric functions.
Examples
| Calculation | Type | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Order of operations | 8+2×3^2÷(4−1) | 14 |
| Percent of a number | 240×15% | 36 |
| Add a percentage | 80+25% | 100 |
| Power | 2^10 | 1024 |
| Square root | √(144) | 12 |
| Cube root | cbrt(125) | 5 |
| Sine (degrees) | sin(30) | 0.5 |
| Cosine (radians) | cos(π) | −1 |
| Inverse tangent (degrees) | tan⁻¹(1) | 45 |
| Logarithm (base 10) | log(1000) | 3 |
| Natural logarithm | ln(e^2) | 2 |
| Factorial | 10! | 3628800 |
| Scientific notation | 6.02E23×2 | 1.204E24 |
| Implied multiplication | 2π(3) | 18.8495559215 |
Order of operations (PEMDAS)
Without parentheses, the calculator works out an expression in this order: Parentheses, Exponents (and roots), Multiplication and Division from left to right, then Addition and Subtraction from left to right. In 8+2×3^2÷(4−1), the power comes first (3² = 9), then 2 × 9 = 18, then 18 ÷ 3 = 6, and finally 8 + 6 = 14.
Multiplication written without a sign — like 2π or 3(4 + 5) — is treated the same as an explicit ×. When in doubt, add parentheses: they never hurt and make the intent clear.
Trigonometry: degrees vs. radians
Angles can be measured in degrees (a full turn is 360°) or radians (a full turn is 2π). To convert, multiply degrees by π/180. Most school geometry uses degrees; calculus and physics formulas usually expect radians. Common values:
| Degrees | Radians | sin | cos | tan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0° | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 30° | 0.523598775598 | 0.5 | 0.866025403784 | 0.57735026919 |
| 45° | 0.785398163397 | 0.707106781187 | 0.707106781187 | 1 |
| 60° | 1.0471975512 | 0.866025403784 | 0.5 | 1.73205080757 |
| 90° | 1.57079632679 | 1 | 0 | undefined |
| 180° | 3.14159265359 | 0 | −1 | 0 |
| 270° | 4.71238898038 | −1 | 0 | undefined |
| 360° | 6.28318530718 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Logarithms, powers and roots
log is the base-10 logarithm (log 1000 = 3) and ln is the natural logarithm with base e ≈ 2.71828182846 (ln e² = 2). They undo 10ˣ and eˣ. For a logarithm in any other base b, divide: logb(x) = ln(x) ÷ ln(b), so log2(1024) = ln(1024) ÷ ln(2) = 10. Roots are fractional powers: √x = x^(1/2) and ∛x = x^(1/3).
Keyboard shortcuts
| Key | Does |
|---|---|
| 0–9 and . | Numbers |
| + − * / | Add, subtract, multiply, divide |
| ^ | Power (xʸ) |
| % | Percent |
| ( ) | Parentheses |
| ! | Factorial |
| s, c, t | sin, cos, tan |
| l, n | log, ln |
| r | Square root |
| p | π |
| Enter or = | Calculate |
| Backspace | Delete the last entry |
| Esc | Clear everything |
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Frequently asked questions
How do I switch between degrees and radians?
Press the Deg key to switch to radians; it then reads Rad. The current mode is also shown under the keypad. In degree mode sin(90) = 1; in radian mode sin(π/2) = 1.
What order of operations does the calculator use?
It follows the standard order (often remembered as PEMDAS): parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division from left to right, then addition and subtraction from left to right. So 8+2×3^2÷(4−1) = 14. Exponents are evaluated right to left, so 2^3^2 = 512, and −2^2 = −4.
How does the percent key work?
On its own, x% means x ÷ 100, so 240 × 15% = 36. After a plus or minus sign it works like a desk calculator: 80 + 25% adds 25% of 80, giving 100, and 80 − 25% gives 60. For percentage changes and differences, use the percentage calculator.
What does EXP or E mean?
E enters a number in scientific notation: 6.02E23 means 6.02 × 1023. Very large or very small answers are shown the same way, for example 1E20 for 1020.
Can I use my keyboard?
Yes. Type numbers and operators directly, press Enter to calculate, Backspace to delete and Esc to clear. Letter shortcuts insert functions: s, c and t for sin, cos and tan, l for log, n for ln, r for square root and p for π.
How accurate is the calculator?
It calculates with standard double-precision numbers (about 15–16 significant digits) and displays up to 12 significant digits, rounding away tiny floating-point errors so that 0.1 + 0.2 shows 0.3. Trigonometric functions return exact values at multiples of 90°, and tan(90°) is reported as undefined.