HOW TO USE CALCULATOR

3.1. Entering expression

Type your expression into the calculator just as you talks. Examples are available from Help menu (see Example tasks). Click on an example in the task history to see its calculation.

There are four ways to insert an expression onto the input line:

• Enter the expression directly onto the input line
• Use an expression from the history
• Load an expression from the disk
• Use copy and paste an expression from other programs

To edit an existing expression, go on the input line, use the mouse or the arrow keys to position the cursor where you want to insert the character, function or constant, and enter that.

When you finish entering your expression, press ENTER or click = button.

Positive numbers

Enter a positive number by pressing the appropriate digit keys and, if necessary, the decimal point key [.] or decimal comma key [,]. Calculator for Chemists will automatic change comas and dots to the selected decimal separator in the Format menu (3,14 = 3.14).

Negative numbers

Negative numbers are obtained by simple putting the minus character (-) before the number (-2*-3 = 6).

Mantissa and exponents

Enter the mantissa as the positive or negative number, and then click the E button or just type E or e and type the exponent as the positive or negative number (-3.21e-6).

Functions

Every function that is supported by Calculator for Chemists can be inserted by clicking on the button with the function name or by typing its name on the physical keyboard. All supported functions are not assigned on buttons. To view the complete list of the function, go to Insert menu.
Function arguments do not have to be put in brackets, unless if they are defined as mathematical expressions (cospi or log1000).

Chemical formulae

The element symbols can be written in lowercase letters with the number of atoms after symbol, and the program will translate them. If the elements in a chemical formula are properly capitalized, the smart case converter leaves them as you have typed.. For indicating hydration you must use a + sign and a leading number before the formula is correct (CuSO4+5H2O).

Constants

Select a constant from Insert menu and click the constant which you want to insert into the expression.

Power

Enter the number as the positive or negative number, and then click ^ button or just type ^ or ** and type power as the positive or negative number (3**3 = 3^3 = 27).

Root

Enter the root as the positive or negative number, and then click the _ button or just type _ and type the number as the positive number (3_125 = 5).
The root is obtained by raising the number to the reciprocal value of the root (1/x); for example, third root of 8 is 8^(1/3)=2 or 3_8=2.

Enter data from the history

You can also enter data onto the input line from history:

1. Press ∇ button to display the task history.
2. Scroll the list until the data you want to copy to the input line is visible.
3. Click the left button of the mouse

Rules for typing expression

There are a few rules for typing expression into the Calculator for Chemists:

• Spaces are irrelevant, for example s i n 45 is equal sin45
• Never input numbers which have comma or dot as digit grouping (5,234,321.50).
• Currency signs are ignored
• If you type a function without an argument, the last result becomes a function argument
• If the first character in the expression is a math operator then the last result is put in before the math operator
• All types of parentheses are correct, for example 25.3/(K3[Fe(CN)6])
• It is not necessary to enclose the function argument into parentheses, except if arguments contain math operators, for example log100 or sin(pi/2)
• For indicating hydration you must use a + sign, for example CuSO4+5H2O
• It is correct to type the leading number before the chemical formula: 3CO2 is equal 3*(CO2)
• It is correct to type the leading number before the function: 4log125 is equal 4*log125
• Use the standard calculator notation for scientific notation, for example 1e-5 is 0.00001; 1e+3 or 1e3 is 1000

Smart case conversion

The element symbols can be written in lowercase letters, and the intelligent routine in the program will try to translate them and will show the result of translation - or it will report an error. If the elements in a chemical formula are properly capitalized, the smart case converter leaves them as you have typed.

The appearance of mathematical expression, which is the result of the translation, can be seen if the mouse pointer is held over the tasks field.

Implied multiplication

When you enter an expression, you press * button or * key to specify multiplication. For certain expressions, Calculator for Chemists assumes that multiplication is intended and you do not need to specify it. This is the case in the following situations:

• a number followed by a chemical element, for example 2H2O is equal 2*(H2O)
• a number followed by a prefix function, for example 2sin45 is equal 2*sin(45)