--- In
50g@yahoogroups.com, "Gordon Ayres" <gordon.ayres@...> wrote:
>
> funny thing
>
> I have claculator mode RPN set.
>
> When i do rpn operation for * + or - works as expected. When I divide
> a number like 3 by 2 it shows 3/2 in the stack and does not return 1.5
> as expected?
>
> any help apreciated.
>
> Best regards
> Gordon
>
Hi, Gordon,
The 50G uses "infinite precision integers" (ZINTS) when in "exact" mode
(i.e., 4 ENTER 3 / produces 4/3 instead of 1.33333). You know you are
in exact mode with a couple of clues: (1) if you have the status area
showing, you will see an "=" sign next to the "R" or "C" symbol (real
or complex mode), and (2) numbers you enter without a decimal point
(e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.) will show up without a decimal point on the stack.
In approximate mode, a tilde "~" in the status area will appear in the
same spot as the "=" sign, above. Also, entering numbers without
decimal points (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.) will produce numbers WITH decimal
points on the stack (e.g., 1., 2., 3., etc.), even with STD display
formatting.
To convert 4/3 into a numeric equivalent, press right-shift and then
press "Enter" (which is ->NUM). This will display 1.3333 according to
your display mode.
If you'd like to temporarily force an approximate display, put a
decimal point after one or more of your numbers that you will enter
(e.g., 4./3, or 4/3., or 4./3.). This will return the result in
approximate mode and display 1.333.
To toggle between exact and approximate modes quickly, use the long-
hold keypress combination as follows: While pressing (AND HOLDING) the
right-shift key, press and release the enter key. You can now release
the right-shift key. In doing so, pay attention to your status area.
You should see the "=" sign turn into a "~" sign and vice-versa. There
are many of these long-hold keypresses available on the HP50G, e.g., to
enter certain characters or toggle between real and complex mode.
Hope that helps some,
Scott
