Math / Scientific Calculator
If there is no calculator displayed, see support page.
Instructions
Enter a formula either by typing on the keyboard, pressing the buttons on the calculator with the mouse, or a mixture of both. Type in the formula as you would say it, then press = or the keyboard enter key. For example:

Find the value of the equation:   by pressing the calculator buttons:
 
3 x2 + 4 x2 ) =
The display will show:  

Or type it in on the keyboard using the full function names (see below)
s q r t ( 3 ^ 2 + 4 ^ 2 ) enter

Functions
Functions can be entered by
  • pressing the function button on the screen with the mouse, for example: sin.
  • type it in on the keyboard, for example: s i n (.
The table below shows what to type for each function. The function has an argument which must be in parentheses, for example tan(12). When you enter a function from the screen buttons, the first parenthesis is entered for you. For example when you press the cos button, it enters "cos ("

Function Button Typed in Description
Sine sin sin(12) The trigonometry sine function*. See Trigonometry Overview
Cosine cos cos(12) The trigonometry cosine function*. See Trigonometry Overview
Tangent tan tan(12) The trigonometry tangent function*. See Trigonometry Overview
Arc Sine sin-1 asin(x) The trigonometry inverse sine function*. The angle whose sine is x. See Trigonometry Overview
Arc Cosine cos-1 acos(x) The trigonometry inverse cosine function*. The angle whose cosine is x. See Trigonometry Overview
Arc Tangent tan-1 atan(x) The trigonometry inverse tangent function*. The angle whose tangent is x. See Trigonometry Overview
Logarithm log10 log(x) The log base 10 of x. The power to which you must raise the base (10) to get x.
Natural Log loge ln(x) The log base e of x. The power to which you must raise the base (e - approximately 2.718) to get x.
Exp  ex  exp(x) e (approx 2.718) raised to the power of x.

* Note: The six trigonometry functions will operate in degrees or radians depending on the setting of the control located just below the display window:


Arithmetic Operators
Function Button Typed in
Add + +
Subtract - -
Multiply × *
Divide /
Exponent none ^

Constants
The three constants keys enter the values at high precision (even if only 3 digits are displayed). From the top:
  • Pi - approximately 3.142.. See PI definition for more.
  • e - approximately 2.718..
  • Square root of 2. - Approximately 1.414..

The ANS button
Pressing the ANS button inserts the result from the previous line into the formula. Although only 2 digits may be showing, the actual value is always internally at the highest possible precision . If this is the first line, zero is inserted.

Decimal places displayed
You can display either 3 decimal places in the results or the maximum number the calculator is capable of (about 14). This only controls how many digits are displayed. Internally all calculations are performed and stored using the maximum possible precision . For example, with two digits displayed, enter 1 0 ÷ 3 = to see the result 3.333. Then press × 3 = and you will see that the result is 10, not 9.999.

Automatic Features
Automatic multiplication If a function (such as sin() ) is preceded by a number, the calculator assumes you want to multiply them. For example 3cos(2.1) will be automatically treated as if you entered 3*cos(2.1): three times the cosine of 2.1
Automatic chaining If the first thing you enter on a line is multiply, divide, add, subtract or exponent, it assumes you want to work on the the result from the previous line. For example, if you enter 1 + 1 = and get the answer 2. Then enter + 3 =. It will add the 3 to the previous answer and get 5.
Automatic parenthesis balancing When you press = or enter, it will automatically add enough closing parentheses to balance them. For example, if you enter ( 4 + 6 = it will add an extra closing parenthesis and get the answer 10. Note: This may not always produce the desired result. It is best to always enter the correct expression yourself.
Function chaining If the last thing on a line is a function with no argument, then it assumes you want the previous result to used as the argument. For example, enter
2 + 6 = and get the answer 8. Then enter sin =. It will find the sine of 8, the previous result.
Unary minus
To start an expression with a negative number, enter zero first. For example to enter -6+2 enter 0-6+2 instead. Otherwise, the calculator will assume you want to subtract from the previous result.
Full Screen mode
Click on the link just below the calculator to show it in full screen mode. It will be expanded to the largest size that will fit your display. Useful for use in a classroom with a projector.

Numeric keypad

On most computers the numbers and operators on the numeric keypad to the right of the keyboard can be used to enter values directly.