WiseCalcs

Scientific calculator

Enter a value, pick a function, and choose degrees or radians for the trig functions. The calculator applies the function and shows the result, with undefined cases marked.

Written by Kenneth Schrøder, Founder of WiseCalcs

Updated ·Sources verified

Use it to evaluate one scientific function at a time and check how roots, powers, trigonometry, logarithms, exponentials, and reciprocals behave for a chosen input.

Result

4

The result updates as you choose. The headline shows the selected function applied to your value, while a dash means that the function is not defined for that input in the real-number system.

How does it work?

Trig functions use the chosen angle unit (degrees or radians). Functions undefined for the input — √ of a negative, log of a non-positive, 1/0 — show a dash. log is base 10; ln is natural.

Scientific functions

r=f(x),f∈{x2,x,sin⁡,cos⁡,tan⁡,log⁡,ln⁡,ex,1x}r = f(x),\quad f \in \{x^2,\sqrt{x},\sin,\cos,\tan,\log,\ln,e^x,\tfrac{1}{x}\}
x
The input value.
f
The selected function.
r
The result.

With x = 90 and sin in degrees, sin(90°) = 1. With x = 16 and √, the result is 4.

Method & sources

One function is applied to one value at a time. Trig functions use the chosen angle unit (degrees or radians). log is base 10; ln is the natural logarithm.

Sources

Where this method comes from — use these references to understand the formula, assumptions, and limits.

How we calculate

  • One function is applied to one value at a time.
  • Trig functions use the chosen angle unit (degrees or radians).
  • log is base 10; ln is the natural logarithm.
  • Undefined results (√ of a negative, log of a non-positive, 1/0) show a dash.

Rounding

Results display up to six decimals. The calculation uses full precision.

What this calculator does

This calculator applies a single scientific function to a value: squares and square roots, the trig functions sine, cosine, and tangent, base-10 and natural logarithms, the exponential, and the reciprocal. Trig functions respect the angle unit you choose.

How to use it

  1. Enter the value.
  2. Pick the function to apply.
  3. Choose degrees or radians for trig.
  4. Read the result.

A worked example

With the value 16 and the square root, the result is 4. With 90 and sine in degrees, sin(90°) = 1.

Degrees vs radians

Trig functions need an angle unit. Degrees split a circle into 360; radians use π. sin(90°) equals sin(π/2 rad) = 1. Pick the unit your angle is in to avoid surprising results.

How to interpret each function

  • Square multiplies a number by itself, so both −4 and 4 give 16.
  • Square root reverses squaring for non-negative inputs: √16 = 4. This calculator works with real numbers, so √−1 is not shown.
  • log asks which power of 10 gives the input, so log(1,000) = 3. ln asks the same question using e as the base.
  • The exponential eˣ reverses ln. The reciprocal is 1/x, which becomes undefined when x is 0.

Limits to keep in mind

A displayed decimal is an approximation of the underlying result. Trigonometric values can be extremely close to zero or grow very large near angles where the function changes sharply; for example, tangent grows rapidly near 90° even though floating-point arithmetic may still display a finite number. Keep the original expression when an exact form such as √2 or π/2 matters.

Convert unfamiliar measurements before calculating with the unit converter, use the basic calculator for arithmetic with two values, or keep an exact ratio in the fraction calculator instead of rounding it too early.

Common mistakes

  • Using radians when your angle is in degrees, or vice versa.
  • Taking the square root or log of a value that makes it undefined.
  • Confusing base-10 log with the natural log.

When it's useful

Homework, quick function evaluation, or checking a single scientific calculation without a full calculator.

FAQ

Which functions are included?
Square, square root, sine, cosine, tangent, base-10 log, natural log, exponential (eˣ), and reciprocal.
Do the trig functions use degrees or radians?
Whichever you pick. Choose the angle unit that matches your input value.
Why does a result show a dash?
The function is undefined for that input — for example the square root of a negative number, the log of zero, or dividing by zero.
Is log base 10 or natural?
'Log' is base 10; 'natural log' (ln) uses base e. They give different values for the same input.
Can I combine functions?
One function at a time. Apply one, then enter its result and apply the next.
Can I share a calculation?
Yes. Use Share to copy a link that reopens the calculator with the same value and function.

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Embed this calculator

Add this calculator to your own site. The snippet includes the calculator iframe and a small attribution link:

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