Scientific
Trig, logarithms, powers, and constants
The Scientific Calculator extends the simple keypad with the functions most students, engineers, and hobbyists actually need day-to-day: sine, cosine, tangent and their inverses, natural and base-10 logarithms, exponentials, square root, powers, and the constants π and e.
It runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, and there is no sign-up. The expression you type is displayed above the result so you can verify the calculation before relying on it.
Supported functions
- Trigonometric: sin, cos, tan, and their inverses (in radians or degrees).
- Logarithmic: natural log (ln), base-10 log (log), and exponential (e^x).
- Powers and roots: x², x^y, and square root.
- Constants: π (pi) and e (Euler's number).
- Helpers: sign flip, percentage, and decimal entry.
Notes on accuracy and units
Trigonometric functions are evaluated using the browser's built-in Math library, which conforms to IEEE-754 double-precision. That is more than enough accuracy for engineering coursework, hobby projects, and most professional sanity checks.
Watch the angle mode (radians vs degrees). A common error is computing sin(30) in radians mode and getting roughly -0.988 rather than the expected 0.5 from degrees mode.
Worked example
To compute the hypotenuse of a right triangle with legs of 3 and 4 using the Pythagorean theorem:
sqrt(3² + 4²) = sqrt(9 + 16) = sqrt(25) = 5.
Or to find the compound growth factor for 7% over 12 years:
1.07 ^ 12 ≈ 2.2522, meaning the value roughly doubles over that period.
When to reach for this
Use the Scientific Calculator for homework, quick engineering checks, and one-off conversions involving exponents or trigonometry. For repeated calculations on many inputs, build it once in a spreadsheet so the formula stays visible and auditable.
Limitations
This calculator is not a CAS (computer algebra system). It evaluates numeric expressions but does not perform symbolic algebra, differentiation, integration, or equation solving. For those, dedicated tools like a desktop CAS or programming notebook are appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
How do I switch between radians and degrees?
Use the angle mode toggle near the trig keys. The current mode is displayed so you always know whether sin/cos/tan are interpreting inputs in radians or degrees.
Is there a memory or history?
The expression display above the result keeps the current expression visible. For longer audit trails, copy the result and paste it elsewhere.
Why am I getting a slightly off answer for π-related values?
Floating-point arithmetic introduces tiny rounding at high precision. The displayed result is accurate to many significant figures, but exact symbolic values are not preserved.