To calculate cos^2(30) on a scientific calculator, first understand that cos^2(30) means (cos(30))^2, not cos(30*30). This involves first finding the cosine of 30 degrees, which is 0.866. Then, square that result to get approximately 0.75. It's important to clarify the notation, as cos^2 T indicates squaring the cosine value rather than multiplying the angle by itself. Properly interpreting the expression ensures accurate calculations.