How to use the scientific calculator
This scientific calculator works like a handheld but keeps the whole expression visible, so you can see and edit what you typed before pressing =. Click the keys or type: digits, + - * / ^, parentheses, and function names such as sqrt(, sin(, or ln(. A grey preview of the answer appears as you type; press = or Enter to commit it, store it in Ans, and add it to the history on the right. Click any history entry to bring it back into the display.
Order of operations
The calculator follows the standard precedence rules (PEMDAS or BODMAS), which is why 2 + 3 × 4 is 14 and not 20:
- Parentheses and function arguments, innermost first.
- Exponents (
^, x², √). Powers group from the right, so2^3^2is 2^(3^2) = 512, and a leading minus applies after the power, so-3^2is -9. Type(-3)^2for 9. - Multiplication and division, left to right. Writing
2(3+4)or2πwithout a × sign is fine. - Addition and subtraction, left to right.
A function applied without parentheses takes only the next term: sin 30 + 1 means sin(30) + 1. When in doubt, add parentheses; extra ones never hurt.
Examples
| Input | Result | Why |
|---|---|---|
2 + 3 × 4 | 14 | Multiplication before addition |
(2 + 3) × 4 | 20 | Parentheses first |
2 ^ 3 ^ 2 | 512 | Powers group from the right: 2^(3^2) |
-3 ^ 2 | -9 | The power applies before the minus |
sin(30) | 0.5 | Degrees mode |
sin(π/6) | 0.5 | Radians mode |
√(3² + 4²) | 5 | Hypotenuse of a 3-4-5 triangle |
ln(e^2) | 2 | Natural log undoes e^x |
log(1000) | 3 | log is base 10 |
200 × 15 % | 30 | Percent of a number |
5! | not supported | Type 5×4×3×2×1 or use the algebra pages |
Trigonometry: degrees and radians
The DEG key toggles the angle unit and the current mode is always shown above the display. In degrees, sin(30) = 0.5 and cos(180) = -1. In radians, the same values are sin(π/6) and cos(π). Inverse functions return angles in the current unit: with 2nd then sin, sin⁻¹(0.5) is 30 in degrees and 0.5236 (π/6) in radians. A wrong mode is the most common cause of a trig answer that looks off by a large factor, so check the flag before a test question.
Logarithms, powers, and roots
ln is the natural logarithm (base e ≈ 2.71828) and log is base 10. Their inverses sit under 2nd as eˣ and 10ˣ. For any other base use the change-of-base rule: log base 2 of 8 is ln(8)/ln(2) = 3, or type log2(8) directly. x^y raises to any power, including fractions, so a fifth root is 32^(1/5) = 2. Square roots of negative numbers and logs of zero or negatives are undefined for real numbers and show as "Not a number".
Memory and Ans
MS stores the current value, MR pastes it back into the expression, and MC clears it; an M flag shows while something is stored. Ans is the last result and is inserted automatically when you press an operator straight after =. Pressing a digit after = starts a fresh calculation instead.
Keyboard shortcuts
Enter or = evaluates. Backspace deletes one character (or clears the display after a result). Escape clears everything. * and / work as × and ÷, ^ is the power key, and % applies the percent key. Typing anywhere on the page sends the keystrokes to the calculator, so you can start calculating without clicking first.