Input numerical values and select an operation to perform a calculation.
Add (+)
Subtract (-)
Multiply (*)
Divide (/)
Power (^)
Square Root (of first value)
Modulo (%)
Result will appear here
Understanding Mathematical Calculations
This tool provides a simple interface to perform various fundamental mathematical operations. Understanding these operations is crucial for problem-solving in numerous fields, from everyday budgeting to advanced scientific research.
Operations Explained:
Addition (+): Combines two numbers to find their total sum. The commutative property (a + b = b + a) and associative property (a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c) apply.
Subtraction (-): Finds the difference between two numbers. It is not commutative (a – b ≠ b – a) or associative.
Multiplication (*): Repeated addition; scales one number by another. It is commutative (a * b = b * a) and associative (a * (b * c) = (a * b) * c).
Division (/): Splits a number into equal parts. Division by zero is undefined. It is neither commutative nor associative.
Power (^): Raises a base number to the power of an exponent (e.g., 2^3 means 2 * 2 * 2 = 8).
Square Root (√): Finds the number which, when multiplied by itself, equals the original number (e.g., √9 = 3 because 3 * 3 = 9). This calculator computes the square root of the first value when this option is selected.
Modulo (%): Returns the remainder of a division operation (e.g., 10 % 3 = 1 because 10 divided by 3 is 3 with a remainder of 1).
Use Cases:
Basic mathematical calculations are the bedrock of many applications:
Personal Finance: Budgeting, calculating interest, determining loan payments.
Science and Engineering: Modeling physical phenomena, analyzing data, designing structures.
Computer Science: Algorithm development, data manipulation, graphics rendering.
Everyday Life: Cooking measurements, time calculations, comparing prices.
Education: Learning fundamental concepts, solving homework problems.
This calculator serves as a versatile tool for quick computations, educational purposes, and verifying results in various contexts.
function calculate() {
var value1 = parseFloat(document.getElementById("value1").value);
var value2 = parseFloat(document.getElementById("value2").value);
var operation = document.getElementById("operation").value;
var result = "";
if (isNaN(value1) && operation !== "sqrt") {
result = "Please enter a valid number for the first value.";
} else if (isNaN(value2) && operation !== "sqrt") {
result = "Please enter a valid number for the second value.";
} else {
switch (operation) {
case "add":
result = value1 + value2;
break;
case "subtract":
result = value1 – value2;
break;
case "multiply":
result = value1 * value2;
break;
case "divide":
if (value2 === 0) {
result = "Error: Division by zero is not allowed.";
} else {
result = value1 / value2;
}
break;
case "power":
result = Math.pow(value1, value2);
break;
case "sqrt":
if (value1 < 0) {
result = "Error: Cannot take the square root of a negative number.";
} else {
result = Math.sqrt(value1);
}
break;
case "modulus":
if (value2 === 0) {
result = "Error: Modulo by zero is not allowed.";
} else {
result = value1 % value2;
}
break;
default:
result = "Invalid operation selected.";
}
}
if (typeof result === 'number') {
// Format numbers with commas and limit decimal places for better readability
result = result.toLocaleString(undefined, { maximumFractionDigits: 5 });
}
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = result;
}