How the expression is evaluated
You type a full math expression and it is parsed and solved as one unit, rather than entered button by button. Standard order of operations applies automatically: powers are handled before multiplication and division, which come before addition and subtraction, and parentheses override everything to group terms.
Functions and constants are recognised by name within the expression, so something like sqrt(16) + 2^3 is read, broken into its parts, and combined into a single answer.
Writing valid expressions
Use the usual symbols and spell function and constant names in lowercase. Wrapping function arguments and any grouped terms in parentheses keeps the meaning unambiguous.
- Operators: +, -, *, / and ^ for powers
- Functions: sin, cos, tan, asin, acos, atan, ln, log, sqrt, cbrt, exp
- Constants: pi and e
- Group terms with parentheses, for example (2 + 3) * 4
Degrees versus radians
The angle mode controls how trigonometric functions interpret their input. In degree mode, sin(90) equals 1 because 90 is read as 90 degrees; in radian mode the same call treats 90 as radians and gives a very different value.
Choose the mode that matches your problem before reading any trig result, since the wrong setting is the single most common source of confusion.
Common mistakes
Most errors are typos in the expression: a missing parenthesis, an unknown function name, or an operator with nothing on one side. When the expression cannot be parsed, the calculator reports it as invalid rather than guessing.
- Balance every opening parenthesis with a closing one
- Spell function names exactly and in lowercase
- Remember log is base 10 while ln is the natural log
- Set the angle mode before evaluating trig functions
Formula
result = evaluate(expression)Frequently asked questions
- Which functions are supported?
- sin, cos, tan, asin, acos, atan, ln, log, sqrt, cbrt and exp, plus the constants pi and e.