Scientific Calculator

The scientific calculator extends a basic four-function calculator with trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential operations used throughout science, engineering, mathematics and finance. Use it for homework, lab work, quick conversions or any computation that goes beyond addition and multiplication.

Trigonometric functions (sin, cos, tan) take their input in radians by default — multiply degrees by π/180 to convert. Logarithms include both base-10 (log) and natural (ln, base e). The square-root, square and factorial operators apply to whatever value comes immediately before them.

For complex expressions, use parentheses generously to control order of operations. Standard order is followed: parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction. The history panel shows your last ten calculations; click any entry to load its result back into the input.

The calculator works fully on mobile and supports both keyboard typing and on-screen buttons. For very large or very small results, the display switches to scientific notation automatically. If you encounter "Error", review your expression for unbalanced parentheses or invalid syntax.

Modern scientific calculators trace their lineage to the HP-35 launched in 1972, which made trigonometric and logarithmic functions portable for the first time. Before that, engineers and students relied on slide rules and printed log tables. This browser-based scientific calculator carries that tradition forward with all the standard functions you would expect on a physical model, plus the convenience of copy-paste, expression history and a touch interface that scales from phone to desktop.

Radians versus degrees is the single most common source of trigonometry errors. By default this calculator treats trig inputs as radians, which is the natural unit in calculus and physics. Convert from degrees by multiplying by π/180; convert back by multiplying by 180/π. A right angle is π/2 radians (or 90 degrees), a full circle is 2π radians (or 360 degrees). Always double-check the unit before trusting a sin or cos result.

Logarithms are the inverse of exponentiation and they show up everywhere: pH in chemistry, decibels in acoustics, magnitudes in astronomy, the Richter scale in seismology, and information theory in computer science. Use log for base 10 and ln for natural log (base e ≈ 2.71828). Remember the change-of-base formula: log_b(x) = ln(x) / ln(b), which lets you compute a logarithm in any base from the two the calculator provides.

Factorials grow astonishingly fast — 10! is already over three million, 20! exceeds 2.4 quintillion. Beyond about 170! most calculators overflow into infinity, including this one. If you need to work with very large factorials, use Stirling's approximation or take logarithms first to keep the numbers manageable. The factorial button on this calculator is most useful for combinatorics, probability and permutation problems where the numbers stay reasonable.