A scientific calculator is an extension of the ordinary hand-held calculator you often use. It usually includes trigonometric functions such as sine and cosine, exponential functions such as square root, and miscellaneous mathematical functions. Some expensive scientific calculators even include graphic and problem solving capabilities.
We have some simple scientific calculations in the School for Champions lessons and have included an online calculator to use. You can access it from the lessons with calculation examples. This lesson includes instructions to use such a calculator.
Questions you may have include:
What is needed to use the calculator?
What does the calculator look like?
How do you use it?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz at the end of the lesson.
Requirements
Your browser needs to have the Flash player. Most computers already are able to use the Flash animations, but if you don’t see the calculator or is doesn’t seem to work, you may need to download the plug-in.
If you do not see the calculator below, click Download Macromedia Flash Player. It should only take a few seconds. If you have the player but an older version, you may get a message to upgrade.
Using Flash is safe for your computer and is used in many websites.
Scientific Calculator
The online calculator is used just like a real one. But note that you can’t use your keyboard numbers at this time.
How to use it
We assume you know how to use a simple calculator to add, subtract, multiply and divide, so we’ll just explain the more complex functions.
Clearing
Memory
1/x
sin, cos, tan, inv
x^2, x^y and sqrt
pi, ln, and n!
Clearing
If you enter a number by mistake, you can use C to clear that number. It does not clear previous calculations.
If you want to clear what is on the display, click AC. Note that AC does not clear the memory.
Example
Clear mistake
Enter 12 + 3 but then realize that you really meant to enter 13.
Click C to clear the 3 and enter 13 and = to get 25.
Clear everything
Memory
For some calculations, you may want to remember one calculation to use later. You can add a calculation into memory by clicking the M+ button. Then you recall it later with the MR button. You clear the memory with the MC button.
Note that M+ will add whatever you have on the display to whatever is already in the memory, so it is good to click MC before adding with M+, unless you have recently started the calculator.
Example
You want to add 1 + 2 and then multiply that by the sum of 8 – 3.
Add 1 + 2 and show what it equals (=).
Click MC to clear the memory, then click M+ to add the value to memory.
Click AC to clear display. Then enter 8 – 3 =.
Click + and click MR to recall what is in memory. Then click =. You should get a total of 8
Using the calculator
1Add 1 + 2 and show what it equals (=).
↓
2Click MC to clear the memory, then click M+ to add the value to memory.
↓
3Click AC to clear display. Then enter 8 – 3 =.
↓
4Click + and click MR to recall what is in memory. Then click =. You should get a total of 8
To see how to add more to memory, click M+ and then MR. The 8 should be added to the 3 already in memroy, giving you 11 when you recall memory.
1/x
1/x is simply 1 divided by whatever x is.
Enter 5 and click 1/x to get 1/5 = 0.2
sin, cos, tan, inv
Functions used in trigonometry concerning angles are sine (sin), cosine (cos), and tangent (tan).
If you would want to find the sine of an angle of 30 degrees, you would enter 30 and then the sin button. The answer should be 0.5.
There is also the capability of going backwards. If you know the sine, cosine or tangent, you can find the angle in degrees for that function. This is called the inverse (inv) operation. Those values are also called the arcsine, arccosine and arctangent.
Enter 0.5, click inv and then click sin. You should get 30 (degrees) for an answer.
x^2, x^y and sqrt
x^2 means “x squared” or x2. That also means x times x or x*x.
Enter 3 and click x^2 to get 9.
x^y means x raised to the y power. For example, if y = 3, you would have x cubed or x3. Using this operation is tricky.
Suppose you wanted to calculate 34. That is 3*3*3*3 or 3 times itself 4 times.
Enter 3, then click x^y
Enter 4 and click =.
You should get the answer 81.
sqrt means the square root of the number. It is often seen as the symbol √, but that may not show up in some older browsers.
The square root of a number is the value multiplied by itself that equals the original number.
Find the square root of 121:
Enter 121 and click sqrt. You should get an answer of 11.
(You can also calculate the square root with x^y, using y = 0.5.)
pi
pi is the number 3.14… used in many geometry calculations. It is more often seen as the Greek letter π, but that may not show up in some older browsers.
ln
ln is called the natural logarithm of a number. This operation is not used much.
n!
n! represents n factorial. That means if n = 7, n! = 7*6*5*4*3*2*1. This operation is not used much.
In conclusion
You can use the online scientific calculator to help solve various problems. It is very similar to actual battery powered calculators.
Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Feel free to establish a link from your web site to pages in this site.
