Fractions On The Hp 39Gs And Hp 40Gs - HP 39gs Master Manual

F r a c t i o n s o n t h e
F r a c t i o n s o n t h
Earlier we examined the use of the
. We discussed the use of the settings
Number Format
and
Scientific Engineering
The reason for this is that the
Begin by selecting
Fraction
accompanying number as the default value of
Most calculators have a fraction key, often labeled
¬ ¬3 or something similar. What these calculators usually won't do is allow you to mix fractions and
1 2
decimals. A calculation such as 2
to convert the 3 7 into a fraction. The reason for this is that while some decimals like 0.25 are easy to ⋅
convert to a fraction, others, such as recurring ones, are not so easy. Most calculators opt for the easy option
of switching to a decimal answer in any mixture of fractions and decimals. When making the hp 39gs and
hp 40gs HP took a very different approach. Once you select
including any decimals.
The first point to remember is that there is no provision for inputting
mixed fractions such as 2
and, while the calculator is quite happy with improper fractions such as
, it correctly interprets
5/3
. The solution to this is simply to enter mixed fractions as
1/6
Calculator Tip
You need to be careful with brackets or else "order of operations"
problems may occur, such as
1+(2/3*1/5)
When in doubt, use brackets for mixed fractions.
Some examples are... (using a setting of
h p 3 9 g s a n d h
e h p 3 9 g s a n d h
view, and the meaning of
MODES
, but left the setting of
setting can be a little deceptive.
Fraction
in the view, leaving the
MODES
4
will usually give a decimal result: most calculators will not attempt
+ ⋅
1 3 7
3
. Fractions are entered using the divide key
1
3
as ½ divided by 3 and gives a result of
1/2/3
rather than as it should be:
Fraction 4
1 4 17
+ =
3 5 15
1 1 1
3 − 4 = −1
3 2 6
p 4 0 g s
p 4 0 g s
,
Fixed
for later.
Fraction
.
, that allows you to input, for example, 2
Fraction
.
(1+2/3)
* 1 being interpreted as
2
1
3 5
(1+2/3)*1/5
or higher)
33
mode, all numbers become fractions -
.
as
1
3