The ability to perform basic mathematical operations is fundamental to countless fields, from everyday problem-solving to advanced scientific research and financial analysis. This calculator allows you to perform the five core arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, along with exponentiation (raising a number to a power) and the square root operation.
The Operations Explained:
Addition (+): Combines two numbers to find their total sum. Example: 5 + 3 = 8.
Subtraction (-): Finds the difference between two numbers. Example: 10 – 4 = 6.
Multiplication (*): Repeated addition of a number by itself a specified number of times. Example: 6 * 4 = 24 (which is 6 + 6 + 6 + 6).
Division (/): Splits a number into equal parts or finds how many times one number is contained within another. Example: 20 / 5 = 4. Division by zero is undefined.
Power (^): Raises a number (the base) to the power of another number (the exponent). It means multiplying the base by itself the number of times indicated by the exponent. Example: 3 ^ 4 = 3 * 3 * 3 * 3 = 81.
Square Root (sqrt): Finds the number which, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. It's the inverse of squaring a number. Example: sqrt(25) = 5 because 5 * 5 = 25. This calculator calculates the square root of the *first number* entered.
Use Cases for a Basic Math Calculator:
While seemingly simple, these operations have widespread applications:
Education: Essential for learning arithmetic, algebra, and beyond. Students use calculators daily for homework and exams.
Finance: Calculating percentages, simple interest, profit margins, or budgeting expenses.
Science & Engineering: Performing calculations for experiments, measurements, and design projects.
Programming: Foundational for algorithms and data manipulation in software development.
This calculator provides a quick and accessible tool to perform these fundamental mathematical tasks, helping you verify results or quickly solve problems.
function calculateMath() {
var num1 = parseFloat(document.getElementById("number1").value);
var num2 = parseFloat(document.getElementById("number2").value);
var operator = document.getElementById("operator").value;
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
var result = ";
// Handle visibility of the second number input based on operator
var number2Group = document.getElementById("number2-group");
if (operator === 'sqrt') {
number2Group.style.display = 'none';
} else {
number2Group.style.display = 'block';
}
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(num1)) {
resultDiv.textContent = "Please enter a valid number for the first input.";
return;
}
if (operator !== 'sqrt' && isNaN(num2)) {
resultDiv.textContent = "Please enter a valid number for the second input.";
return;
}
// Perform calculations
switch (operator) {
case 'add':
result = num1 + num2;
break;
case 'subtract':
result = num1 – num2;
break;
case 'multiply':
result = num1 * num2;
break;
case 'divide':
if (num2 === 0) {
resultDiv.textContent = "Error: Division by zero is not allowed.";
return;
}
result = num1 / num2;
break;
case 'power':
result = Math.pow(num1, num2);
break;
case 'sqrt':
if (num1 < 0) {
resultDiv.textContent = "Error: Cannot calculate the square root of a negative number.";
return;
}
result = Math.sqrt(num1);
break;
default:
resultDiv.textContent = "Invalid operation selected.";
return;
}
// Display result
if (typeof result === 'number') {
resultDiv.textContent = "Result: " + result.toFixed(4); // Display with 4 decimal places for precision
}
}
// Initial setup for operator visibility on load
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
var operatorSelect = document.getElementById("operator");
var number2Group = document.getElementById("number2-group");
if (operatorSelect.value === 'sqrt') {
number2Group.style.display = 'none';
} else {
number2Group.style.display = 'block';
}
// Add event listener to update visibility when operator changes
operatorSelect.addEventListener('change', function() {
if (this.value === 'sqrt') {
number2Group.style.display = 'none';
} else {
number2Group.style.display = 'block';
}
});
});