Are you a science student? If yes, then this calculator is useful for solving mathematics as well as engineering problems. While a normal calculator performs only basic arithmetic problems, a scientific calculator solves log functions, trigonometry, calculus, exponents, square roots, fractions, complex numbers and binary.
Functions of a Scientific Calculator
The bottom right grid of the scientific calculator is generic, having the numbers and the basic signs. What you need to look at is the top row and the left side. So, let’s start with the top row.
2nd
The first button you see on the calculator is a red button called “2nd”. The moment you click on it, the trigonometric and log function buttons will change.
This is a button that only online scientific calculators can provide you.
( )
The next two buttons are first brackets which you use to solve equations. However, the only equations that you can solve are the ones that have only one bracket involved.
%
The next button is the percentage button. To use it, you need to divide any two numbers and then click on this button instead of multiplying the quotient by 100. It is a faster way of getting a percentage.
mc, m+, m- and mr
The initials “mc” stand for memory clear, which means that when you click on it, the memory is set to 0. In short, the entire memory register gets cleared.
m+ memory add – the number that is currently on display will be added to the memory the moment you click on this button. The result is also added in the memory.
m- is memory subtract, which works the same way as memory add, except for one difference – it will subtract the number on display from the number stored in the memory.
The initials “mr” actually stand for memory recall, which means that when you click on it, the calculator recalls the current memory’s register value.
1/x
From here, we come to some real complex functions. Although, this key could solve both simple math problems as well as complex ones. Here, x is any number or function that you input before clicking on the button.
x2, x3, yx and ex
You can find the square, cube or an exponent of any other power of a number with these buttons. Just give your input of any number before clicking on any of these.
In order to use yx, you first input the number for y, click on the yx button and then input a number for x. On clicking the “=” button, you’ll get the answer.
For using ex, you input the number for x and click on the button to find its exponential value.
x!
If you’re solving permutations and combinations, then x! will help you make much faster calculations for any number.
√ and x√y
This makes calculation of square roots simpler. If you want to find a radical of any other power, you use the x√y, the same way you use yx.
log, sin, cos, tan, In, sinh, cosh and tanh
These buttons are self-explanatory, performing functions for finding the log of a number or solving trigonometric problems. You need to click on them after giving a number.
Rad, Deg and ∏
Coming to geometry, these buttons give you the radian, degree and pie values of a number respectively.
EE
This button is for physics students, a scientific notation for times 10 to the number you input after pressing the button. Here’s how it works:
4 EE 5 = 4 x 105
Rand
Rand stands for random function, which is any number between 0 and 1.