A basic calculator handles addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, but the moment you need a sine value, a logarithm, a factorial, or an exponent, you need a scientific calculator.
This scientific calculator brings the full power of a physical scientific calculator to your browser, with all the functions you would find on a TI-84 or Casio fx series.
The tool supports trigonometric functions (sin, cos, tan and their inverses), logarithms (natural log and log base 10), exponentials, powers, roots, factorials, permutations, combinations, absolute values, and constants like pi and e. It operates in both degree and radian mode, handles parenthetical expressions with proper order of operations, and maintains a calculation history so you can review and reuse previous results.
Whether you are a student working through algebra, trigonometry, or calculus homework, an engineer running quick calculations, a scientist processing data, or anyone who needs math beyond the four basic operations, this calculator is a free, always-available alternative to a physical device. No batteries required.
Core Functions and Operations
This scientific calculator supports the full range of mathematical operations expected from a professional-grade device.
Basic arithmetic: Addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (x), division (/), and modulo (remainder). These follow standard order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS): Parentheses first, then Exponents, then Multiplication and Division (left to right), then Addition and Subtraction (left to right).
Powers and roots: x^y raises x to the power of y. x^2 squares a number. The square root function finds the principal root. The cube root and nth root functions handle higher-order roots. For example, the cube root of 27 is 3, and the fourth root of 81 is 3.
Reciprocal and sign: The 1/x function calculates the reciprocal (multiplicative inverse). The +/- button toggles the sign of the current value between positive and negative.
Memory functions: M+ adds the current value to memory. M- subtracts from memory. MR recalls the stored memory value. MC clears memory. These work just like the memory buttons on a physical calculator.
Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric functions are among the most used features of any scientific calculator. They are fundamental in physics, engineering, architecture, navigation, and many areas of applied mathematics.
Primary trig functions:
- sin(x) returns the sine of angle x
- cos(x) returns the cosine of angle x
- tan(x) returns the tangent of angle x
Inverse trig functions:
- sin^-1(x) or arcsin(x) returns the angle whose sine is x
- cos^-1(x) or arccos(x) returns the angle whose cosine is x
- tan^-1(x) or arctan(x) returns the angle whose tangent is x
Degrees vs Radians. This calculator supports both degree mode and radian mode. In degree mode, sin(90) = 1. In radian mode, sin(pi/2) = 1. Make sure you are in the correct mode for your problem. Degrees are used in everyday measurements and most geometry problems. Radians are used in calculus, physics, and engineering.
Conversion between degrees and radians:
- Degrees to radians: multiply by pi/180
- Radians to degrees: multiply by 180/pi
- 90 degrees = pi/2 radians (approximately 1.5708)
- 180 degrees = pi radians (approximately 3.1416)
- 360 degrees = 2*pi radians (approximately 6.2832)
Common trig values to know:
- sin(0) = 0, sin(30) = 0.5, sin(45) = 0.7071, sin(60) = 0.8660, sin(90) = 1
- cos(0) = 1, cos(30) = 0.8660, cos(45) = 0.7071, cos(60) = 0.5, cos(90) = 0
- tan(0) = 0, tan(30) = 0.5774, tan(45) = 1, tan(60) = 1.7321, tan(90) = undefined
Logarithmic and Exponential Functions
Logarithms and exponentials appear throughout science, engineering, finance, and data analysis.
Logarithmic functions:
- log(x) calculates the base-10 (common) logarithm. log(100) = 2 because 10^2 = 100. log(1000) = 3. log(1) = 0.
- ln(x) calculates the natural logarithm (base e, where e is approximately 2.71828). ln(e) = 1. ln(1) = 0. ln(e^2) = 2.
Exponential functions:
- e^x raises the mathematical constant e to the power of x. e^0 = 1. e^1 = 2.71828. e^2 = 7.38906.
- 10^x raises 10 to the power of x. 10^0 = 1. 10^1 = 10. 10^3 = 1,000.
Practical applications of logarithms:
- Measuring earthquake magnitude (Richter scale is logarithmic)
- Measuring sound intensity (decibels use base-10 log)
- Calculating pH in chemistry (pH = -log[H+])
- Modeling compound interest and exponential growth
- Analyzing data that spans several orders of magnitude
Factorials, Permutations, and Combinations
These functions are essential for probability and statistics problems.
Factorial (n!) is the product of all positive integers from 1 to n.
- 0! = 1 (by definition)
- 1! = 1
- 5! = 120 (5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1)
- 10! = 3,628,800
- 20! = 2,432,902,008,176,640,000
Factorials grow extremely fast, which is why they are central to counting problems and probability calculations.
Permutations P(n, r) count the number of ways to arrange r items from a set of n items where order matters. P(n, r) = n! / (n-r)!. For example, the number of ways to arrange 3 books from a shelf of 10 is P(10, 3) = 10! / 7! = 720.
Combinations C(n, r) count the number of ways to choose r items from a set of n items where order does not matter. C(n, r) = n! / (r!(n-r)!). The number of ways to choose 3 books from 10 without caring about order is C(10, 3) = 120.
Constants and Special Values
This calculator includes built-in mathematical constants for convenience and accuracy.
- pi = 3.14159265358979… The ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.
- e = 2.71828182845905… The base of the natural logarithm, fundamental to calculus and exponential growth.
- phi = 1.61803398874989… The golden ratio, found in art, architecture, and nature.
Using built-in constants is more accurate than typing in decimal approximations, because the calculator stores and uses many more digits internally than are displayed.
Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS)
The calculator follows standard mathematical order of operations, which prevents ambiguity in complex expressions.
The hierarchy (from first to last):
- Parentheses (or Brackets)
- Exponents (or Orders)
- Multiplication and Division (left to right)
- Addition and Subtraction (left to right)
Example: 2 + 3 x 4 = 14 (not 20). Multiplication is performed before addition. If you want the addition first, use parentheses: (2 + 3) x 4 = 20.
Example: 2^3^2. Exponents are evaluated right to left, so this is 2^(3^2) = 2^9 = 512, not (2^3)^2 = 64.
This calculator correctly handles nested parentheses and mixed operations, giving you the same result as a Texas Instruments or Casio scientific calculator.
Tips for Using a Scientific Calculator Effectively
Check your angle mode. The single most common mistake with trig functions is being in the wrong mode. If sin(90) gives you 0.894 instead of 1, you are in radian mode instead of degree mode. Always verify your mode before starting trig calculations.
Use parentheses liberally. When in doubt, add parentheses to clarify your intent. The expression 1/2x could be interpreted as (1/2)x or 1/(2x). Parentheses remove the ambiguity.
Use the answer key for chain calculations. After computing a result, you can use it as the input for your next calculation. This avoids rounding errors that accumulate when you manually re-enter intermediate results.
Know your function domains. Some functions have restricted inputs. You cannot take the square root of a negative number (in real numbers), the logarithm of zero or a negative number, or divide by zero. The calculator will display an error for invalid inputs.
For basic unit conversions that complement scientific work, see the Unit Converter. For statistical analysis, see the Random Number Generator for probability applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I switch between degrees and radians?
Look for the DEG/RAD toggle on the calculator. In degree mode, angles are measured in degrees (360 degrees in a full circle). In radian mode, angles are measured in radians (2*pi radians in a full circle). Most everyday problems use degrees, while calculus and physics typically use radians.
What is the difference between log and ln?
log (or log10) is the base-10 logarithm: log(100) = 2 because 10^2 = 100. ln is the natural logarithm (base e): ln(e) = 1 because e^1 = e. Base-10 logs are common in chemistry (pH) and engineering. Natural logs are standard in calculus and continuous growth calculations.
What does the factorial button (n!) do?
n! (n factorial) multiplies all positive integers from 1 to n. For example, 5! = 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 120. Factorials are used in permutations, combinations, and probability calculations. By convention, 0! = 1.
What is the order of operations?
PEMDAS (or BODMAS): Parentheses first, then Exponents, then Multiplication and Division (left to right), then Addition and Subtraction (left to right). For example, 2 + 3 x 4 = 14 because multiplication happens before addition.
Can I use this for calculus problems?
This calculator handles the numerical computations needed in calculus, such as evaluating functions, computing trig values, using logarithms and exponentials, and working with constants like e and pi. It does not perform symbolic operations like differentiation or integration, but it can compute numerical results for specific values.
What are the common trig values I should know?
Key values: sin(0)=0, sin(30)=0.5, sin(45)=0.707, sin(60)=0.866, sin(90)=1. For cosine, the values reverse: cos(0)=1, cos(30)=0.866, cos(45)=0.707, cos(60)=0.5, cos(90)=0. Tan(45)=1 and tan(0)=0.
How do I calculate permutations and combinations?
Permutations (order matters): P(n,r) = n!/(n-r)!. Combinations (order does not matter): C(n,r) = n!/(r!(n-r)!). For example, choosing 3 items from 10: P(10,3) = 720 arrangements, C(10,3) = 120 combinations.
Mathematical functions based on IEEE 754 floating-point standards. Data accurate as of: March 2026
Typing expressions
The calculator follows standard order of operations. A minus sign in front applies after powers, so -2^2 = -4, and powers group from the right, so 2^3^2 = 2^9 = 512. You can leave out the multiplication sign: 2π, 3(4+1) and 2sin(30) all work.
| Key | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| n! | Factorial of a whole number | 5! = 120 |
| nPr | Permutations, nPr(n, r) | nPr(5, 2) = 20 |
| nCr | Combinations, nCr(n, r) | nCr(52, 5) = 2,598,960 |
| mod | Remainder after division | 10 mod 3 = 1 |
| ⁿ√x | nth root, root(x, n) | root(81, 4) = 3 |
| 1/x | Reciprocal of the current entry | 4, then 1/x, gives 0.25 |
| abs | Absolute value | abs(-7) = 7 |
In degree mode, sin(180), cos(90) and similar exact angles return exactly 0, and tan(90) is reported as undefined instead of a huge number caused by rounding.