# Calculator Notation for Symbolic Questions

Calculator notation for symbolic questions includes a number of operators and functions.

Note
• Angles for trigonometric functions are expressed in radians.
• Answers are case-sensitive; x and X are not the same.
• Do not type commas in numbers; 5,280 is not correct.
Notation Keyboard Example Notes
Subtraction - x - 1

-x

Multiplication * 4*x

4x

Implicit multiplication is allowed.
Division / x/4
Exponents ^

*

x**3 or x^3
Parentheses ( ) 4/(x + 1)

3(x + 1)

Equal = y = 10
Greater than > y > 10
Less than < y < 10
Greater than or equal to >= y >= 10
Less than or equal to <= y <= 10
Absolute value abs() abs(-5) = 5
Square root sqrt() sqrt(x/5)
nth root rootn() root5(x - 3)
Factorial ! 5! = 120

(x - 1)!

Trigonometric functions

sin()

cos()

tan()

sec()

csc()

cot()

sin(2x)

atan(pi/4)

cosh(y)

Inverse and hyperbolic functions are also supported with notation like atan() and coth().

Greek letters (π, α, θ, )

pi

alpha

theta

Delta

2 pi x

sin( alpha )

2 theta

Delta t

3.14 is only an approximation of π and is not equivalent for grading.

Type the name of a Greek letter in lowercase to enter the lowercase letter, or capitalize it to enter the capital letter.

Scientific notation e 1e3 = 1000 When entering scientific notation, always use a lowercase e and an integer exponent, for example, 1.23e-5.
Natural log ln() ln(x)
Euler's number exp() exp(x) Raises Euler's number to the specified power. For example, exp(2) = ${\mathbit{e}}^{2}$.
General log log_b() log_2(x + 5) The specified base must be a natural number.
Positive and negative infinity

infinity

-infinity

(-infinity, 2]

Degrees deg 30 deg