The Arithmetic Calculator is a fundamental tool designed to perform basic mathematical operations on two numbers. It handles the four primary arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Understanding how these operations work is crucial not only for everyday tasks but also as the foundation for more complex mathematical concepts and computational processes.
The Operations Explained:
Addition (+): This operation combines two or more numbers to find their total sum. For example, 5 + 3 = 8. The numbers being added are called addends, and the result is called the sum.
Subtraction (-): This operation finds the difference between two numbers. It is essentially the inverse of addition. For example, 10 - 4 = 6. The number being subtracted is the subtrahend, and the result is the difference.
Multiplication (*): This is a shortcut for repeated addition. It involves multiplying one number by another to find their product. For example, 4 * 5 = 20, which is the same as adding 5 four times (5 + 5 + 5 + 5). The numbers being multiplied are factors, and the result is the product.
Division (/): This operation determines how many times one number is contained within another. It is the inverse of multiplication. For example, 20 / 4 = 5. The number being divided is the dividend, the number by which it is divided is the divisor, and the result is the quotient. A critical consideration in division is the case where the divisor is zero, which is mathematically undefined.
Use Cases:
While seemingly simple, arithmetic operations are the building blocks for virtually all calculations. This calculator can be used for:
Everyday Calculations: Quickly sum up expenses, calculate discounts, or figure out remaining quantities.
Educational Purposes: Helps students practice and visualize basic math concepts.
Programming and Scripting: Forms the basis of simple calculation scripts and functions.
Quick Checks: Verify results from more complex calculations or estimations.
This calculator provides a clean and straightforward interface to perform these essential operations, ensuring accuracy and ease of use.
function calculate() {
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 = NaN; // Initialize result to Not a Number
if (isNaN(num1) || isNaN(num2)) {
resultDiv.textContent = "Please enter valid numbers.";
return;
}
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 = "Cannot divide by zero.";
return;
}
result = num1 / num2;
break;
default:
resultDiv.textContent = "Invalid operation selected.";
return;
}
if (!isNaN(result)) {
resultDiv.textContent = "Result: " + result.toLocaleString(); // Format number nicely
}
}
function clearInputs() {
document.getElementById("number1").value = "";
document.getElementById("number2").value = "";
document.getElementById("operator").value = "add"; // Reset to default
document.getElementById("result").textContent = "";
}