Full expression friendly calculator app?

Solution 1:

gcalctool is available in MacPorts

1. Download and install MacPorts

2. Perform the following action to install gcalctool from within a Terminal:

   sudo port install gcalctool

Solution 2:

I am lucky enough to have a Mathematica license, but if I didn't, I would solve problems like this using Spotlight or bc.

1. Click on the Spotlight icon in the upper right and enter your math problem rather than a string to search for. 2+8*6^.5 immediately returns 21.595 . . .

2. the bc app in the terminal works similarly, though I have found bugs in it and it wouldn't be my first choice.