Scientific Calculator Guide

Updated October 27, 2026 · 5 min read

Switch any calculator window to the Scientific tab to unlock extra functions. This guide explains each one with an example you can try.

How the function keys work

Most scientific keys act on the number currently on the display. Type the number first, then press the function. For example, to find the square root of 144, type 144 and press √x. Keys that need two numbers, such as xʸ and mod, work like the plus and minus keys: enter the first number, press the key, enter the second number and press =.

Trigonometry: sin, cos, tan

The sin, cos and tan keys use the current angle unit, shown on the DEG / RAD key. Press that key to switch between degrees and radians. Each window remembers its own setting.

Use degrees for everyday angles such as 30° or 90°. Use radians for calculus and most physics formulas.

Logarithms: log and ln

log is the base-10 logarithm and ln is the natural logarithm (base e). They answer the question “what power gives this number?”.

• 1000 then log gives 3, because 10³ = 1000.
• Press e then ln to get 1, because ln(e) = 1.

The opposite keys are 10ˣ and eˣ. For example, 3 then 10ˣ gives 1,000.

Powers and roots

• x² squares the number and x³ cubes it.
• √x is the square root.
• xʸ raises a number to any power: 2 xʸ 10 = gives 1,024.
• 1/x gives the reciprocal: 4 then 1/x gives 0.25.

Factorial

n! multiplies a whole number by every positive whole number below it. 5 then n! gives 120 (5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1). Factorials only work for whole numbers from 0 to 170; anything else shows an error.

Modulo (remainder)

mod gives the remainder after division. 17 mod 5 = gives 2, because 17 = 3 × 5 + 2. It is handy for checking whether a number is even (n mod 2 is 0) or for working with repeating cycles.

Constants and absolute value

• π inserts pi (3.14159…) and e inserts Euler’s number (2.71828…).
• |x| removes the sign: −7 becomes 7.

Tips

• Open two windows: use one for the main calculation and the other for checking intermediate values.
• If you see “Cannot calculate”, you have tried something undefined, such as dividing by zero or taking the square root of a negative number. Press C to start again.

Try the scientific calculator