There is no physical calculator allowed for GATE Exam, because the virtual calculator is
available within GATE online interface. So you must know how to use the virtual calculator
provided in the exam and also you should have a good practice before the exam.
In the GATE exam, candidates may get confused while using the virtual calculator as it carries
complicated functions and using it for the first time in the exam hall might be time-consuming
even to produce the simple calculations.
The detailed procedure is provided in the following steps, along with images, to make it easier to
understand.
1. Clear all the inputs ©
Enter C to clear all the inputs.
2. Backspace (←)
Enter ← to delete the last digit entered in the input box
3. Arithmetic Operators (+, - , * , /)
Calculate 145 * (20-3)/7 + 20
Enter 145, *, (, 20, -, 3, ), /, 7, +, 20, =
4. Logarithmic functions (log, ln, log2x, logyx)
Try to use brackets during complex calculations
Calculate 34 × log(20) + 50
Enter 34, *, 20 log, +, 50, =
Calculate 34 × ln(20) + 50
Enter 34, *, 20, ln, +, 50, =
Calculate 34 × log2(20) + 50
Enter 34, *, 20, log2x , +, 50, =
Calculate 34 × log5(20) + 50
Enter 34, *, (, 20, logyx , 5, ), +, 50, =
5. Trigonometric Operations (sin) Using Deg (degree) mode
Try to use brackets during complex calculations
Calculate 20 * sin(40°) + 55
Enter 20, *, (, 40, sin, ), + , 55, =
6. Trigonometric Operations (sin) Using Rad (Radians) mode:
Calculate 20 * sin π
Enter 20, π, sin, =
7. Cube Operation (x^3)
Calculate 2 × 5^3
Enter 2, *, 5, x^3, =
8. Square Operation (x^2)
Calculate 2 × 5^2
Enter 2, *, 5, x^2, =
9. Power of Ten (10^x)
Calculate 23 × 10^5
Enter 23, *, 5, 10^x, =
10. Exponential (e^x)
Calculate 12 × e^5
Enter 12, *,5, e^x, =
11. Factorial (n!)
Calculate 6!
Enter 6, n!, =
12. Modulus or Absolute function (|x|)
Calculate |(-100)|
Enter (, - , 100, ), |x|, =
13. Percent Operator (%)
Calculate 20 percent of 100 (is equal to 20*100 / 100)
Enter 20, %, 100, =
Calculate 50 percent of 8 ( is equal to 50*8/100)
Enter 50, %, 8, =
14. Modulo Function (mod)
Calculate 5 mod 2 (calculates the remainder when we divide 5 by 2)
Enter 5, mod, 2, =
15. Reciprocal (1/x)
Calculate 1/345
Enter 345, 1/x , =
16. Constants (π = 3.141592653589793, e=2.718281828459045)
Calculate 5 π (is same as 5 × π)
Enter 5, *, π,=
Calculate 3+6e
Enter 3, +, 6, *, e, =
17. Exp (a * 10^b)
Calculate 4 * 10^3
Enter 4, Exp, 3, =
18. Unary plus and Minus (+/-)
Calculate -3 * 5
Enter 3, +/-, *, 5, =
19. Power Roots (√ , ∛ , )
Calculate 10 * √31
Enter 10, *, 31, √ =
Calculate 20 * 4√25
Enter 20, *, (, 25, y√x, 4, ), =
Tips and Tricks for Effective Usage of GATE Virtual Calculator
Here are a few effective tips and tricks to use the GATE virtual calculator in order to produce the
desired result as soon as possible so that time can be saved and used for a better attempt at
the exam paper. The effective usage of the GATE virtual calculator can be done with the use of
the following tips:
● Make sure to press [C] at the start of a calculation.
● Use the predefined operator like π, log, ln, n! for fast calculations
● Try to put brackets for the complex operators to avoid wrong calculations
● Use the following memory keys for lengthy calculations
Memory Keys (MC, MR, MS, M+, M-)
● MC is used to clear the memory.
● MS is used to store the number in memory.
● MR is used to read the number from memory.
● M+ is used to add the memory to the number available on display, then stored in
memory.
● M- is used to subtract the number on display from the memory value, and then store it in
memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1. No option is available for calculations involving fractions. Why?
This is not a fractional calculator. NAT questions needs the answers only in decimal form.
Q.2. How to convert polar to rectangular form and vice versa?
No separate keys are available for this. Candidates are expected to use appropriate
conversions using the calculator.
Q.3. How to represent Complex numbers?
Complex numbers cannot be represented in this calculator. All questions relating to any area
where complex numbers might be deemed useful, eg. In power systems or other areas, can be
solved using this calculator.
Q.4. How to carry out Matrix operations like inverse, transpose etc?
Matrices of numbers cannot be represented. The candidates need to carry out all the matrix
related calculations manually.
Q.5. How to solve quadratic, cubic or simultaneous equations?
This is a non-programmable calculator. It does not solve equations.
Q.6. Can I get a stand-alone calculator app for mobile or computer?
No. Please access the calculator through web. Web connection is needed only to load the
calculator on your webpage on your computer or mobile. Once it is loaded you do not need
internet connection to carry out the calculations.
Q.7. How to access the values of constants like Planck’s constant, electron mass etc.?
Any constants needed for solution will be provided in the question paper. Wherever it is not
provided then it is expected that the candidates should know the values of the constants.
Q.8. Can I use the keyboard?
No, Keyboard will not be accessible during the entire duration of examination. Please use
mouse.
Q.9. Can trigonometric functions be calculated on the virtual calculator?
Yes, there are separate tabs for all the trigonometric functions like sin, cos, tan, and also for
inverse and hyperbolic functions.
Q.10. How to convert degree to minutes and vice versa?
There is no particular function for conversion of the degree to the minute and vice versa,
however, a student can perform such calculations using normal mathematical formulae.
Q.11. How can I calculate antilog on GATE virtual calculator?
For Antilog calculations candidates can use 10^x or e^x option.
Q.12. What is the alternative for SHIFT or INV keys in GATE virtual calculator?
SHIFT or INV keys are not available on the virtual calculator as all the Inverse functions will
have separate keys.
Q.13. Is there any way to calculate in one single go on the virtual calculator as writing the
intermediate values on rough sheets takes time?
● Yes, writing intermediate values on rough sheets is timeconsuming, so it is always better
to solve the calculations in one single go.
● The best way to do perform in this manner is to use brackets wherever necessary and
solve them.
● To check whether the entered value is correct or not a student may refer to the top bar of
the calculator where the entered value and the command entered are clearly displayed.
