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Basic Calculator Operations
This list documents the basic "4 function" calculator operations present in any calculator and the special stack based operations that give the RPN calculator its unique flavor. Each of these operations is identified by both a textual instruction statement (a mnemonic) and a keystroke sequence. The former is used when you prepare your program via a word processor such as Notepad and the latter is used when you prepare your program by clicking on the calculator's keys. In a generic instruction statement such as "FIX n" the letter n is a placeholder for a single digit; i.e., a member of the set {0,1,...9}.
FIX n | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sets the calculator into its fixed point display mode and requests that n digits be displayed to the right of the decimal point. In fixed point display mode, numbers are displayed without an exponent. Note that the calculator will automatically shift into floating point (SCI) mode if the current number cannot be properly displayed in the requested FIX mode. |
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SCI n | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sets the calculator into its floating point display mode and requests that n digits be displayed to the right of the decimal point. In floating point display mode, numbers are displayed with an exponent. This exponent always has exactly 2 digits. |
ENG n | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sets the calculator into its engineering notation display mode and requests that n+1 significant digits be displayed. In engineering notation display mode, numbers are displayed with an exponent and this exponent is always a multiple of 3. These multiples of 3 correspond to the metric system prefixes such as kilo, mega, giga, etc. |
GTO .nn | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Goto program step nn. This means the program counter (PC) is re-initialized to the value given by nn, a two digit value which can range from 00 to 98 (the value 99 has the same consequence as the value 01). The program counter always points to the next statement to be executed. Note that it is impossible to include this statement in a program since it is used to edit your program (so use the GTO n statement instead). |
SST | ![]() |
In Run mode this keystroke causes the next program statement
to be executed. Executing a program by one statement at a time is a
standard debugging technique known as single-stepping.
This keystroke also causes the Program window and
Registers window to open to aid your debugging of the program.
Note that the next instruction to be executed is displayed in the calculator's
LED display while you depress the SST key and then executed when you release
the SST key.
In Program mode this keystroke moves the insertion point forward by one program statement. If you have very far to go it is faster to employ the GTO .nn command. |
BST | ![]() ![]() |
In Run mode this keystroke decrements the program counter
(PC) that identifies the program statement which will be executed next, but does
NOT execute any statements.
If you need to make a large adjustment to the PC it is faster
to employ the GTO .nn command.
In Program mode this keystroke moves the insertion point backward by one program statement. If you have very far to go it is faster to employ the GTO .nn command. |
x<>y | ![]() |
Exchanges the contents of the X and Y stack locations. As an example, if the stack held 1,2,3,4 (contents of X,Y,Z,T) then after the x<>y keystroke the stack would hold 2,1,3,4 |
Rolldown | ![]() |
Rotates the entire stack downward such that the prior contents of the Y stack location are moved to the X location, Z is moved to Y, T is moved to Z, and X is moved to T. As an example, if the stack held 1,2,3,4 (contents of X,Y,Z,T) then after the Rolldown keystroke the stack would hold 2,3,4,1. |
% | ![]() ![]() |
Computes the value that is X percent of Y. That is, the keystroke sequence 200, ENTER, 50, % results in 100 since 100 is 50% of 200. |
DEL | ![]() ![]() |
In Program mode this keystroke deletes the instruction at the insertion point (this is the instruction highlighted in blue). All subsequent instructions move up 1 location and the 98th program statement is populated with a R/S instruction. In Run mode this keystroke is ignored. |
ENTER | ![]() |
Lifts the stack such that the prior contents of the Z stack location are copied into the T stack location, Y is copied to Z, and X is copied to Y. As an example, if the stack held 1,2,3,4 (contents of X,Y,Z,T) then after the ENTER keystroke the stack would hold 1,1,2,3 |
ClearPrefix | ![]() ![]() |
Cancels an unwanted but yet incomplete keystroke sequence. For example, it allows you to back out of a store operation if you have already hit the STO key but not yet specified the register number. |
ClearPRGM | ![]() ![]() |
In Program mode this keystroke clears all of program memory which means every program memory statement is populated with R/S. Furthermore the program counter (PC) is reset to 0. In Run mode this keystroke is ignored. |
ClearREG | ![]() ![]() |
Clears all the registers (i.e., zeros all of the data memory locations). |
ClearSum | ![]() ![]() |
Clears the summation registers, which are registers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. |
CHS | ![]() |
Change sign. If you are currently entering a mantissa, this keystroke
negates (flips the sign of) the mantissa. If you are currently entering
the exponent, this keystroke negates the exponent.
For example, to enter the number -2.3x10-5 use the keystroke
sequence:
2 . 3 CHS EEX 5 CHS |
EEX | ![]() |
Enter exponent. After completely entering the mantissa hit this key
to begin entering the exponent. Note that exponents are limited to a
max of 2 digits. As an example, to enter Avogadro's number to a
precision of 5 significant digits (i.e., 6.0225x1023),
use the keystroke sequence:
6 . 0 2 2 5 EEX 2 3 |
CLX | ![]() |
Clears (zeroes) the X stack location. As an example, if the stack held 1,2,3,4 (contents of X,Y,Z,T) then after the CLX keystroke the stack would hold 0,2,3,4. However since this keystrokes disables the normal auto stack-lift feature, the next number you enter will overwrite the 0. |
GRD | ![]() ![]() |
Sets the calculator into gradians mode where the argument for all trig functions is assumed to be expressed in gradians (there are 100 gradians in a circle). Note that the current trig mode is always shown in the calculator's display. |
RAD | ![]() ![]() |
Sets the calculator into radians mode where the argument for all trig functions is assumed to be expressed in radians (there are 2*pi radians in a circle). Note that the current trig mode is always shown in the calculator's display. |
DEG | ![]() ![]() |
Sets the calculator into degrees mode where the argument for all trig functions is assumed to be expressed in degrees (there are 360 degrees in a circle). Note that the current trig mode is always shown in the calculator's display. |
- | ![]() |
Subtracts the contents of the X stack location from the contents of the Y stack location, places the result in the X stack location, and drops the rest of the stack. As an example, if the stack held 3,4,5,6 (contents of X,Y,Z,T) then after the - keystroke the stack would hold 1,5,6,6. |
+ | ![]() |
Adds the contents of the X stack location to the contents of the Y stack location, places the result in the X stack location, and drops the rest of the stack. As an example, if the stack held 3,4,5,6 (contents of X,Y,Z,T) then after the + keystroke the stack would hold 7,5,6,6. |
* | ![]() |
Multiplies the contents of the X stack location with the contents of the Y stack location, places the result in the X stack location, and drops the rest of the stack. As an example, if the stack held 3,4,5,6 (contents of X,Y,Z,T) then after the * keystroke the stack would hold 12,5,6,6. |
/ | ![]() |
Divides the contents of the Y stack location by the contents of the X stack location, places the result in the X stack location, and drops the rest of the stack. As an example, if the stack held 3,4,5,6 (contents of X,Y,Z,T) then after the / keystroke the stack would hold 1.33,5,6,6. |
LASTx | ![]() ![]() |
Restores to the X stack location whatever value was in the X stack location prior to the last math operation. The stack lifts to accommodate the new entry. |
pi | ![]() ![]() |
Initializes the X stack location with the value of pi (i.e., 3.14159). The stack lifts to accommodate the new entry. |
PAUSE | ![]() ![]() |
Causes a 1 second delay, which is useful to give the operator an opportunity to view the display before the program continues. |
R/S | ![]() |
In Program mode this keystroke places the R/S statement
at the current insertion point (subsequent statements are pushed down
in program memory to make room for the new statement).
Either a R/S or a RTN statement can be employed at the very end of your
programs to halt execution and return control to the keyboard.
In Run mode if a program is currently running then this keystroke halts the program (of course, any other keystroke halts the program as well). In Run mode if a program is NOT currently running then this keystroke initiates execution of the program starting with the statement identified by the program counter (this statement is highlighted in blue). |
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