BBP Project 5: Scientific Calculator

:information_source: Project Overview

:dart: What You'll Build: A scientific calculator that performs trigonometric calculations!

⭐ Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 out of 5 stars)

⏱️ Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes

:wrench: Skills Practiced:

• Importing and using Python modules
• Creating and calling functions
• Conditional statements (if/elif/else)
• Input validation with loops
• Working with lists and boolean variables
• Mathematical operations with the math module

:emoji:️ Project Roadmap

Step 1: Import & Setup → Step 2: Build Calculator Function → Step 3: Add Validation → Success! 🎉

Activity Instruction: Create a new project

Setup Instructions:

Go to EduBlocks page and login with your Google account: https://app.edublocks.org/login

Everytime you want to start a new project, click on the "Editor" icon. To resume your project, click on the "Projects" icon.

Setup:

1. Select the Python 3 mode
2. Give the project a filename called: Scientific Calculator
3. Click on the "Start Coding" button and then "Save" at the top-right

:warning: Important! Make sure you have the habit of saving once in a while to avoid losing progress. Use Ctrl+S (Windows) or Cmd+S (Mac) to save quickly!

Project Guideline

In this scientific calculator project we will be focusing on the basic 3 trigonometric functions which are sine (sin), cosine (cos), tangent (tan).

With these 3 functions, build a calculator that allows users to choose which operation to do.

It will then ask for a float number as input to calculate the answer.

:bulb: Real-World Connection

Trigonometric functions are used everywhere! Video game developers use them for character movement, engineers use them for building bridges, and even music producers use them for sound waves! :video_game::emoji::emoji:

Programming Instructions

Phase One: Import the Math Module

One. Import math module.

In EduBlocks, look for the Import block under the Python category. This is like giving your program a special toolkit for mathematical calculations!

Phase 2: Build Your Calculator Function

2. Create a function called calculate that will handle the user input and perform the calculation. The function should follow these steps:

• Prompt the user to enter the operation they want to perform (e.g. sin, cos, tan)
• If the entered operation is sin, prompt the user to enter a float number
• Perform the calculation using the appropriate math function for the selected operation

:bulb: EduBlocks Tip

To create a function in EduBlocks:

1. Find the def block in the Functions category
2. Name your function "calculate"
3. Add all your code blocks inside the function

Here is a code example of how it looks like:

if choice == "sin":
    number = float(input("Enter number: "))
    result = math.sin(number)

• Do this similar statement for the other 2 operations (cos, tan) with else...if. Then else, print "wrong input"
• Finally, print the result

:warning: Common Pitfall The math module in Python uses radians, not degrees! If you enter 90 expecting sin(90°), you'll get a different answer. To use degrees, you'd need to convert: math.sin(math.radians(90))

:dart: Milestone Checkpoint 1

Before moving on, test your basic calculator:

• :white_check_mark: Can you calculate sin(0)? (Should be 0)
• :white_check_mark: Can you calculate cos(0)? (Should be 1)
• :white_check_mark: Does it show "wrong input" for invalid operations?

Here is an example output if the input choice is invalid:

Here is an example output if the input choice is sine:

Advanced: Level Up Your Calculator! :rocket:

For the advanced version of the project, give it a better validation when choosing an operation.

The rule is you have to use an operations list to check if the input exists.

:bulb: Why Lists?

Using a list makes your code more flexible! If you want to add more operations later (like arcsin or arccos), you just add them to the list instead of changing multiple if statements.

operations = ["sin", "cos", "tan"]

Instructions:

One. Check if the entered operation is valid (i.e. one of the supported operations sin, cos, tan).

2. If the entered operation is not valid, print an error message and repeat the process of choosing an operation.

3. If the entered operation is valid, then proceed to do the calculations.

Hints:

• Create a variable as a boolean to check if the selection can proceed to calculations
• You can use a while loop to check if the validation succeeds
• Using the for...in... loop allows you to check for all the possible options in the list. You can then break once the entered operation is valid

:bulb: EduBlocks Navigation

• Find the while loop in the Loops category
• The for...in loop is also in the Loops category
• Boolean variables can be created using the set variable block with True/False values
• The break block is in the Loops category too!

:dart: Milestone Checkpoint 2

Test your advanced validation:

• :white_check_mark: Try entering "sine" instead of "sin" - does it ask again?
• :white_check_mark: Try entering "tan" - does it accept it?
• :white_check_mark: Try entering random text - does it keep asking until you enter a valid operation?

:hammer_and_wrench: Debugging Tips for EduBlocks

Common Issues and Solutions:

1. "NameError: name 'math' is not defined"

   • Solution: Make sure you have the import math block at the very top of your code!

2. Calculator only runs once

   • Solution: Don't forget to call your calculate() function after defining it!

3. Wrong answers for trigonometric functions

   • Remember: Python uses radians! 1 radian ~= 57.3 degrees

4. Validation loop never ends

   • Check that you're setting your boolean variable to True when a valid operation is found
   • Make sure you have a break statement inside your for loop

Testing Strategy:

1. Start with the basic version first
2. Test each operation (sin, cos, tan) individually
3. Test invalid inputs
4. Then add the advanced validation
5. Save your work after each successful test!

Required Elements

Make sure your Scientific Calculator project includes:

• Math module import: For trigonometric functions
• calculate function: Main function handling user input and calculations
• Basic trigonometric operations: sin, cos, tan implementations
• Input validation: Handle invalid operation choices
• Float number input: Accept decimal numbers for calculations
• Advanced validation: Operations list with while loop validation
• Error handling: Repeat operation selection on invalid input
• Boolean control variable: For validation flow control
• for...in loop: Check valid operations from list

:star2: Make It Your Own!

Once you've completed the basic calculator, here are some creative ways to personalize it:

Easy Additions:

• :art: Add a welcome message with ASCII art
• :bar_chart: Show the input number and result in a formatted way: "sin(1.57) = 0.999"
• :emoji: Add a "Calculate again?" option to keep the calculator running

Medium Challenges:

• :emoji: Add degree-to-radian conversion option
• :emoji: Include more math operations: square root, power, logarithm
• :memo: Keep a history of calculations

Advanced Extensions:

• :dart: Create a quiz mode that tests trigonometry knowledge
• :chart_with_upwards_trend: Add inverse trig functions (arcsin, arccos, arctan)
• :emoji: Build a full scientific calculator with memory functions

:bulb: Personalization Tip

Start with one small addition at a time. Get it working perfectly before adding the next feature!

Project Submission

When you have completed your "Scientific Calculator" project, submit it using the link below:

Submit Your Project Here

Make sure to test your program before submitting to ensure all required elements are working properly!

Note: You need to submit 1 project link for this project - the advanced version which incorporates all the concepts from the basic version.

Before You Submit Checklist:

• Import math module is at the top
• Calculate function is defined and called
• All three operations (sin, cos, tan) work correctly
• Invalid operations show error message
• Advanced validation with operations list works
• Code is saved in EduBlocks
• You've tested multiple inputs

:tada: Congratulations on building your scientific calculator! You've just created a tool that mathematicians would have loved to have hundreds of years ago!