HP Forum Archive 20

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New HP Solve issue now posted at HP site Message #1 Posted by gene wright on 19 Jan 2011, 5:19 p.m. New HP Solve issue is out

Re: New HP Solve issue now posted at HP site Message #2 Posted by Mark Harman on 19 Jan 2011, 7:30 p.m., in response to message #1 by gene wright Thanks for the link, Gene. I read Palmer Hanson's interesting article on algebraic, with its comparison and contrast to RPN. He made the point at the end of the article: Quote: Here's a possible solution for calculators which offer both RPN and algebraic: RPNers frequently use RollDown and x<>y. Algebraic users rarely, if ever, do. Why not share the RollDown function with the left parenthesis function and the x<>y function with the right parenthesis function with the software deciding which option to use depending on which mode the calculator is in. I actually think HP has gone in the right direction with having already done this on both the 20b and 30b. Mark

Re: New HP Solve issue now posted at HP site Message #3 Posted by Katie Wasserman on 19 Jan 2011, 10:44 p.m., in response to message #2 by Mark Harman Isn't this exactly what HP did in 1990 on the 17bii?

Re: New HP Solve issue now posted at HP site Message #4 Posted by Mark Harman on 19 Jan 2011, 10:54 p.m., in response to message #3 by Katie Wasserman Actually, on the 17bII and 17bII+, the roll down and x<>y functions are shifted. Even with the most recent versions, this is the case. On the 20b and 30b, the roll down and x<>y functions share the keys with the parentheses and are engaged based upon the mode that is selected. This functionality is what Palmer is suggesting as a solution. Mark Edited: 19 Jan 2011, 10:56 p.m.

Re: New HP Solve issue now posted at HP site Message #5 Posted by Bruce Bergman on 19 Jan 2011, 11:03 p.m., in response to message #4 by Mark Harman Um, no I don't think that's right. I don't have my 17bii+ around right now, but when it is in RPN mode, the parenthesis function as the swap and drop keys. I distinctly remember that being the case. Can anyone confirm or deny? thanks, Bruce

Re: New HP Solve issue now posted at HP site Message #6 Posted by Mark Harman on 19 Jan 2011, 11:20 p.m., in response to message #5 by Bruce Bergman I guess I could be wrong as I have never used the 17bII+ in RPN - just algebraic when it was on a store display a number of years ago. What I have seen in pics, and in person, have suggested to me that they are shifted functions. However, I can concede to the idea that the key cap labeling is idiosyncratic. Regards, Mark

Re: New HP Solve issue now posted at HP site Message #7 Posted by Bruce Bergman on 20 Jan 2011, 12:31 a.m., in response to message #6 by Mark Harman Ah, it's definitely a shifted function in algebraic, yes. (I've been searching through piles for the last hour trying to find my 17bii+ now... lol) Thanks, Bruce

Re: New HP Solve issue now posted at HP site Message #8 Posted by Katie Wasserman on 20 Jan 2011, 2:14 a.m., in response to message #7 by Bruce Bergman I've got a 17bii (not a 17bii+) in front of me: In ALG mode parens are available without shifting, while in RPN mode the unshifted-paren keys are roll-down and swap. You can shift for these if you'd like to but the shift is not needed. Additionally, in ALG mode you can use the roll-down and swap functions if you shift first. Edited: 20 Jan 2011, 2:15 a.m.

Re: New HP Solve issue now posted at HP site Message #9 Posted by Walter B on 20 Jan 2011, 7:19 a.m., in response to message #8 by Katie Wasserman Same for 17bii+ Silver.

Re: New HP Solve issue now posted at HP site Message #10 Posted by Martin Pinckney on 20 Jan 2011, 10:04 a.m., in response to message #2 by Mark Harman Quote: I read Palmer Hanson's interesting article on algebraic... I, too enjoyed this article, and I like Palmer's categorization of the three main types of "algebraic" calculators. Nitpicking, Palmer, I wish you had included reference to the "almost algebraic" HP's that operate similar to the TI's you mentioned, such as 20s, 21s, 22s and 27s. Except I would further break them down into those that do or don't actually display the parentheses. I.E., some are more "almost" than others!

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