Element: Custom Math

Introduction

The Custom Math element is great to add custom math to affect the total cost in scenarios that aren't related to what the user (customer) wants. An example could be shipping cost, no matter what the customer wants, they will need to base shipping costs. Currently, it's triggered automatically on each calculator load.

  Note:   Another feature and element called Variable Math are for users that want to use variables to control a math output, for example, Length X Width X Height, loan, or mortgage calculators.

  Note:    The additional fee charged by this element is applied to the sub-section total instead of the calculator total, so you have more control. 

Benefits, Features & Use Cases

1. Base Price - Create a base price for your product or service. Base Price: The most fundamental cost of a good or service to a consumer that does not include common extra fees. In addition to the base price of a product, fees that raise the overall price to buyers are often assessed by sellers for such things as sales tax, shipping charges, and extra equipment or supply options.
   
   
2. Convert to Monthly pricing - If your pricing is set up to show the yearly pricing, but you want to convert it to a monthly cost in the front end, you can add "Divide by 12" to give the monthly price. We recommend using the Multiple Totals features to achieve a 'monthly pricing' result.
   https://stylishcostcalculator.com/ss/bujxitj4.png
   
   
3. Shipping Cost - If you charge a base fee for shipping, you can use this feature to show that.
   
   
4. Setup Fees - impose a fixed dollar amount or percentage fee that is applicable to the total cost of the entire calculator.
   
   
5. Trigger Fee(s) - Add conditional logic to your custom math element to trigger a charge.
   • Video #10 - trigger a discount or fee with custom math and conditional logic
   
   
6. Trigger Discount(s) - Add conditional logic to your custom math element to trigger a charge.
   • Video #10 - trigger a discount or fee with custom math and conditional logic 

How to Activate & Use This Feature

First, click on the "+Add Element" button

Then, click on the "Custom Math" box

Settings & Options

First, we can set a name for this element

Now, we have the "Type" and here is when the magic comes...

There are 5 operators you can use with Custom Math.

Addition (+) = This will add whatever value you give it, in a dollar amount.
Minus (-) = This will remove whatever value (a dollar amount) that you choose.
Divide (/) = This will divide the sub-section total by the number given.
Percentage (%) - This will take the sub-section total and apply an additional percentage amount to it.
Multiply (X) - This will multiply the sub-section total by a given amount that you choose.

You can choose how the custom math is displayed

1. Hidden (affects price in the background) 
2. Display On Frontend
3. Display on Detailed List & PDF 
4. Show in Backend & Frontend
5. Affect Calculator Total (by default it will only apply math to the subsection total)

In this example, we're using conditional logic with custom math to trigger an artwork setup fee if the user selects logo design.

Video Tutorial

 Additional Information 

The custom math feature can be set up to automatically add, subtract, multiply or divide a given value (not percentage). It does not have a toggle switch for the frontend, meaning the user cannot click anything to trigger custom math.

Custom math cannot do variable math, commonly found in other complex cost calculator plugins. Keep in mind, that the Stylish Cost Calculator plugin was designed for ease of use and not for complex situations.

The custom math element works at the subsection level, unless you activate the 'Apply Math to Calculator Total' option so that it applies to the calculator total.

Related features:

 https://designful.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/48001202286-element-variable-math