Basic Calculator
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This basic calculator evaluates a typed arithmetic expression and returns a single numeric answer. It understands addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, plus parentheses for grouping and a leading minus sign for negative numbers. Operator precedence is respected, so multiplication and division are applied before addition and subtraction unless parentheses say otherwise.
How it works
- Type an expression using the digits, a decimal point, the operators + − × ÷, and parentheses ( ) to group terms.
- The evaluator parses the expression with standard precedence: it resolves parentheses first, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction, scanning left to right within each level.
- A single numeric result is shown. Invalid input — such as an unmatched parenthesis or division by zero — returns no result rather than a wrong answer.
Worked example
Evaluate the expression 3 + 4 × (2 − 1).
- Resolve the parentheses first: 2 − 1 = 1.
- Apply multiplication before addition: 4 × 1 = 4.
- Add the remaining term: 3 + 4 = 7.
The expression evaluates to 7.
Frequently asked questions
- Which operations does this calculator support?
- It handles the four core operations — addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division — along with parentheses for grouping and a unary minus for negative values. It does not handle exponents, roots, or trigonometric functions.
- Does it follow order of operations?
- Yes. It applies standard precedence, so multiplication and division are evaluated before addition and subtraction, and anything inside parentheses is computed first.
- What happens if I divide by zero?
- Division by zero is undefined, so the calculator rejects the expression and returns no result instead of producing infinity or an error value.
- I need exponents or scientific functions — what should I use?
- This tool is intentionally limited to basic arithmetic. For powers, roots, logarithms, and trigonometry, use the scientific calculator instead.