How this calculator works
- Step 1Brackets( )Work inside brackets and functions first.
- Step 2Powers^Then powers, right to left.
- Step 3Then × ÷, + −left to rightMultiply and divide before adding and subtracting.
Type the whole calculation. The calculator reads it with the same order of operations taught in school, often called BODMAS.
Worked example
- Order
functions and powers, then ×, then +
- Powers first2^101,024
- Functionssqrt(144), sin(30°)12, 0.5
- Multiply12 × 0.56
- Add1024 + 61,030
Two things that surprise people
- 2 + 3 × 414Multiply first, then add: not 20.
- −2^2-4The power comes before the minus sign.
Brackets and π multiply without a sign: 2π × 3 = 18.849556, and 18% × 2500 = 450.
Assumptions and limits
- FunctionsTrig, inverse trig, roots, logs, exp, abs.
- Degrees or radiansChoose before using sin, cos or tan.
- Six decimalsAnswers are shown to six places.
- No variablesOne calculation at a time; no memory.
When a dedicated tool helps
A scientific calculator takes any expression. For some questions, a dedicated tool also shows the working.
For fractions with every step, use the fraction calculator. The log calculator gives a logarithm in any base, and the root calculator finds exact radical forms.
For very large or very small answers, the scientific notation calculator converts between forms, and the big number calculator keeps every digit. Everyday percent questions are quicker in the percentage calculator.
Common mistakes
Mistake: Typing sin 30 without brackets.
Instead: Write sin(30).
Mistake: Using radians mode for a degrees problem.
Instead: Check the angle unit first.
Mistake: Expecting −2^2 to be 4.
Instead: Write (−2)^2.
Checking the method
A separate script re-works every golden value by handing the same expression to Python's own parser.
Read how we test our calculators, or browse more maths calculators.