About Scientific Calculator
Perform advanced math with trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions. Supports degree and radian modes, memory storage, and calculation history.
How to use
- Enter mathematical expressions using the on-screen buttons or your keyboard. The calculator supports standard arithmetic (+, -, x, /), parentheses for grouping, and order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS).
- Use trigonometric functions (sin, cos, tan) and their inverses (arcsin, arccos, arctan) for angle calculations. Toggle between degree and radian mode using the DEG/RAD button to match your problem's angle unit.
- Apply logarithmic and exponential functions: log (base-10), ln (natural log), e^x, and 10^x. Use the power button (x^y) for exponents, the square root button for roots, and factorial (n!) for combinatorics.
- Store intermediate results with memory functions: M+ to add to memory, M- to subtract, MR to recall, and MC to clear. This is helpful for multi-step calculations where you need to reuse a value.
- Review your calculation history to see previous expressions and results. The history persists during your session so you can reference or reuse earlier calculations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between degrees and radians?
Degrees and radians are two ways to measure angles. A full rotation is 360 degrees or 2*pi radians (approximately 6.2832 radians). To convert degrees to radians, multiply by pi/180. To convert radians to degrees, multiply by 180/pi. Key equivalences: 90 degrees = pi/2 radians, 60 degrees = pi/3 radians, 45 degrees = pi/4 radians, 30 degrees = pi/6 radians. Most math and physics courses use radians because calculus formulas are simpler in radians (the derivative of sin(x) is cos(x) only when x is in radians).
How do logarithms work?
A logarithm answers the question: 'What exponent do I need?' log_b(x) = y means b^y = x. Common logarithm (log) uses base 10: log(1000) = 3 because 10^3 = 1000. Natural logarithm (ln) uses base e (approximately 2.718): ln(e^5) = 5. To compute logarithms in other bases, use the change-of-base formula: log_b(x) = ln(x) / ln(b). Logarithms are used in decibel scales (sound), Richter scale (earthquakes), pH (chemistry), and information theory (bits).
What is order of operations and does this calculator follow it?
Order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) dictates calculation priority: Parentheses/Brackets first, then Exponents/Orders, then Multiplication and Division (left to right), then Addition and Subtraction (left to right). This calculator follows standard mathematical order of operations. For example, 2 + 3 x 4 = 14 (not 20), because multiplication is performed before addition. Use parentheses to override the default order when needed: (2 + 3) x 4 = 20.
What are hyperbolic functions (sinh, cosh, tanh)?
Hyperbolic functions are analogs of trigonometric functions based on the hyperbola rather than the circle. sinh(x) = (e^x - e^(-x))/2, cosh(x) = (e^x + e^(-x))/2, tanh(x) = sinh(x)/cosh(x). They appear in engineering (catenary curves of hanging cables), physics (special relativity uses rapidity as a hyperbolic angle), and mathematics (solutions to certain differential equations). Unlike circular trig functions, hyperbolic functions are not periodic.
What is the factorial function and when is it used?
The factorial of n (written n!) is the product of all positive integers up to n: 5! = 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 120. By definition, 0! = 1. Factorials are fundamental in combinatorics: the number of ways to arrange n objects is n!, the number of ways to choose k items from n is n!/(k!(n-k)!). They also appear in Taylor series expansions (e^x = sum of x^n/n!), probability distributions, and algorithm analysis. Factorials grow extremely fast: 10! = 3,628,800 and 20! = 2,432,902,008,176,640,000.
Part of ToolFluency’s library of free online tools for Science. No account needed, no data leaves your device.