SciDesk

Scientific Calculator

A full scientific calculator with trig, logs, exponents, and a running history of previous answers.

DEG

What each function key returns for a standard input

These are the exact values this calculator displays for the most looked-up expressions, with the angle mode set to DEG (the default). Press the keys in the left column and the display shows the value in the right column.

Keys you press	What it computes	Display shows
sin(30)	Sine of a 30 degree angle	0.5
cos(60)	Cosine of a 60 degree angle	0.5
tan(45)	Tangent of a 45 degree angle	1
sin(90)	Sine of a right angle	1
log(1000)	Base-10 logarithm	3
ln(e)	Natural logarithm of e	1
sqrt(2)	Square root of 2	1.4142135624
2^10	2 raised to the 10th power	1024
5!	5 factorial, 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1	120
pi	The pi constant	3.1415926536
e	Euler's number	2.7182818285

Trig values assume DEG mode. Switch to RAD and sin(30) becomes -0.9880316241, because 30 is then read as 30 radians rather than 30 degrees. Results are shown to ten decimal places, so irrational values such as pi and sqrt(2) are rounded for display.

Radian vs degree mode

Trigonometric functions default to radians in software. Toggle to degrees for everyday angle problems. π radians = 180°.

Order of operations

Scientific calculators follow PEMDAS/BODMAS: Parentheses first, then Exponents, then Multiplication/Division (left to right), then Addition/Subtraction (left to right). Enter 2 + 3 × 4 and the answer is 14, not 20.

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. In most sciences, ln is more common. On this calculator, 'log' means base 10 and 'ln' means base e.

How do I calculate sin, cos, tan on a calculator?

Enter the angle value, then press the function button. Make sure you're in the right mode: degrees for everyday angles (90° = right angle) or radians for calculus (π/2 = right angle). sin(30°) = 0.5, cos(60°) = 0.5, tan(45°) = 1.

What does the EXP or EE button do?

It enters powers of 10 for scientific notation. Pressing 3 EXP 8 enters 3 × 10⁸ (300,000,000). It's not the same as the exponent key (xʸ or ^). Use EXP for very large or small numbers like the speed of light (3 × 10⁸ m/s) or Planck's constant (6.626 × 10⁻³⁴).