Scientific Calculator: Free Online Trig and Log Tool
Perform advanced math including trigonometry, logarithms, exponentials, and powers with this free online scientific calculator for students and pros.
About this calculator
About the Scientific Calculator
A scientific calculator goes far beyond basic arithmetic, providing the mathematical functions needed for algebra, trigonometry, calculus, physics, chemistry, and engineering. Whether you're a high school student solving homework problems, a university researcher running calculations, or an engineer performing field measurements, our online scientific calculator delivers all the functions you need—no hardware required.
Key features include:
- Trigonometric functions: sin, cos, tan, and their inverses
- Logarithms and exponents: Natural log (ln), base-10 log, e^x, 10^x, and arbitrary powers
- Roots and radicals: Square roots, cube roots, and nth roots
- Factorials and combinatorics: n! and permutations/combinations support
- Constants: π, e, and golden ratio
- Angle modes: Degrees, radians, and gradians
- Memory functions: Store and recall values
- Parentheses and order of operations: Complex expressions evaluated correctly
Essential Scientific Functions
Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometry studies relationships between angles and sides of triangles. Our calculator supports:
| Function | Input | Example | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| sin(x) | angle | sin(30°) | 0.5 |
| cos(x) | angle | cos(60°) | 0.5 |
| tan(x) | angle | tan(45°) | 1 |
| sin⁻¹(x) | ratio | sin⁻¹(0.5) | 30° |
| cos⁻¹(x) | ratio | cos⁻¹(0.5) | 60° |
| tan⁻¹(x) | ratio | tan⁻¹(1) | 45° |
Remember: Set your angle mode correctly (degrees vs. radians). In radians, sin(π/6) = 0.5.
Logarithms and Exponents
| Function | Description | Example | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| log(x) | Base-10 logarithm | log(100) | 2 |
| ln(x) | Natural logarithm (base e) | ln(e) | 1 |
| 10^x | Power of 10 | 10³ | 1000 |
| e^x | Exponential function | e² | ≈ 7.389 |
| x^y | Arbitrary power | 2^10 | 1024 |
| √x | Square root | √144 | 12 |
| ∛x | Cube root | ∛27 | 3 |
Factorials and Combinatorics
Factorial (n!): The product of all positive integers up to n.
- 5! = 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 120
- 0! = 1 (by definition)
Combinations (nCr): Ways to choose r items from n without regard to order.
- C(5,2) = 5! / (2! × 3!) = 10
Permutations (nPr): Ways to choose r items from n where order matters.
- P(5,2) = 5! / 3! = 20
Common Scientific Calculations
Converting Between Angle Units
| Conversion | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Degrees to radians | × (π/180) | 90° = π/2 ≈ 1.571 rad |
| Radians to degrees | × (180/π) | π/3 rad = 60° |
| Degrees to gradians | × (200/180) | 90° = 100 gradians |
pH Calculation (Chemistry)
pH = -log₁₀[H⁺]
If [H⁺] = 1 × 10⁻⁷ M: pH = -log(1 × 10⁻⁷) = 7 (neutral)
Decibel Calculation (Physics)
dB = 10 × log₁₀(P₂/P₁)
If power increases 100×: dB = 10 × log(100) = 20 dB
Compound Interest (Finance)
A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt)
$1,000 at 5% annual interest, compounded monthly for 10 years: A = 1000(1 + 0.05/12)^(12×10) ≈ $1,647.01
Calculator Modes and Settings
| Setting | Use Case |
|---|---|
| DEG | Everyday angles, navigation, construction |
| RAD | Calculus, physics, pure mathematics |
| GRAD | Surveying, some European engineering contexts |
| SCI | Scientific notation for very large/small numbers |
| FIX | Fixed decimal places for financial reporting |
Order of Operations (PEMDAS)
Our calculator follows standard mathematical precedence:
- Parentheses
- Exponents
- Multiplication and Division (left to right)
- Addition and Subtraction (left to right)
Example: 2 + 3 × 4²
- 4² = 16
- 3 × 16 = 48
- 2 + 48 = 50
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a scientific and graphing calculator?
A scientific calculator performs advanced calculations but doesn't plot graphs. Graphing calculators have larger screens and can visualize functions, which is essential for calculus and advanced algebra.
Why does sin(180°) show 0 but my calculator shows a tiny number?
Due to floating-point precision limits, some calculators show 1.2246...×10⁻¹⁶ instead of exactly 0. This is normal and negligible for practical purposes.
How do I calculate logarithms with bases other than 10 or e?
Use the change of base formula: logₐ(b) = ln(b) / ln(a) or log(b) / log(a)
What does EE or EXP mean?
Scientific notation entry. 5.2 EE 3 means 5.2 × 10³ = 5,200.
Can I use this for standardized tests?
Many standardized tests require specific approved calculators. Check your test regulations—our online calculator is great for practice but may not be permitted during the actual exam.
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- Scientific Notation Calculator - Convert to/from scientific notation
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- Hex Calculator - Hexadecimal calculations
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