---
syntax: markdown
tags: [tldr, common]
source: https://github.com/tldr-pages/tldr.git
---
# dc

> An arbitrary precision calculator. Uses reverse polish notation (RPN).
> See also: `bc`, `qalc`.
> More information: <https://www.gnu.org/software/bc/manual/dc-1.05/html_mono/dc.html>.

- Start an interactive session:

`dc`

- Execute a script:

`dc {{path/to/script.dc}}`

- Calculate an expression with the specified scale:

`dc --expression='{{10}} k {{5 3 /}} p'`

- Calculate 4 times 5 (4 5 *), subtract 17 (17 -), and [p]rint the output:

`dc --expression='4 5 * 17 - p'`

- Specify the number of decimal places to 7 (7 k), calculate 5 divided by -3 (5 _3 /) and [p]rint:

`dc --expression='7 k 5 _3 / p'`

- Calculate the golden ratio, phi: set number of decimal places to 100 (100 k), square root of 5 (5 v) plus 1 (1 +), divided by 2 (2 /), and [p]rint result:

`dc --expression='100 k 5 v 1 + 2 / p'`
