R, a powerful language and environment for statistical computing and graphics, offers a wide array of tools for performing calculations. Basic arithmetic operations are handled using standard operators (+, -, , /, ^ or for exponentiation, %% for modulo). R also provides a rich set of mathematical functions for more complex operations, including trigonometric functions (sin, cos, tan), logarithmic functions (log, log10, exp), statistical distributions (e.g., normal, binomial, poisson), and linear algebra operations (using matrices and vectors). For instance, calculating the mean of a vector of numbers can be achieved using the `mean()` function.
The ability to perform calculations effectively within R is fundamental to its utility in data analysis, statistical modeling, and visualization. It empowers users to manipulate and analyze data, derive insights, and create compelling representations of their findings. From its origins as a tool primarily used by statisticians, R’s computational capabilities have played a pivotal role in its expansion into diverse fields, including finance, bioinformatics, and machine learning. This broad applicability underscores the importance of understanding R’s computational framework.