Scientific Calculator Guide
Our scientific calculator handles advanced mathematical functions including trigonometry, logarithms, exponents, factorials, and more. Perfect for students, engineers, and scientists.
Understanding Scientific Functions
Scientific calculators extend basic arithmetic with functions like sin, cos, tan (trigonometry), log, ln (logarithms), exponentials, powers, roots, and factorials. These are essential for advanced math, physics, and engineering.
Key Scientific Functions
Trig: sin, cos, tan and inverses. Logs: log (base 10), ln (base e). Powers: xⁿ, √x, ⁿ√x. Constants: π ≈ 3.14159, e ≈ 2.71828. Factorial: n! = n × (n-1) × ... × 1.
Example:
sin(30°) = 0.5. log(100) = 2. ln(e²) = 2. 2⁵ = 32. 5! = 120. √144 = 12.
Common Use Cases
Real-world applications for this calculator
Trigonometry
Calculate angles, distances, and wave functions.
Exponential Growth
Model population growth, compound interest, and decay.
Engineering
Signal processing, circuit analysis, and physics calculations.
Tips
- Check DEG/RAD mode before trig calculations.
- Use parentheses to ensure correct order of operations.
- e^x and ln are inverse functions: ln(e^x) = x.
- For very large/small numbers, use scientific notation (EE or EXP key).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between log and ln?
log (common logarithm) uses base 10: log(100) = 2 because 10² = 100. ln (natural logarithm) uses base e ≈ 2.718: ln(e) = 1. They're related: ln(x) = log(x) / log(e).
How do I switch between degrees and radians?
To convert: radians = degrees × (π/180). Degrees = radians × (180/π). 180° = π radians. Most calculators have a DEG/RAD mode button.
What is a factorial?
n! (n factorial) = n × (n-1) × (n-2) × ... × 1. For example, 5! = 5×4×3×2×1 = 120. By definition, 0! = 1. Factorials grow extremely fast.
What is e (Euler's number)?
e ≈ 2.71828 is the base of natural logarithms. It's the limit of (1 + 1/n)ⁿ as n → ∞. It appears in growth/decay, compound interest, and calculus.
How do inverse trig functions work?
Inverse functions (sin⁻¹, cos⁻¹, tan⁻¹ or arcsin, arccos, arctan) give the angle for a given ratio. sin⁻¹(0.5) = 30° because sin(30°) = 0.5.