Complex Lock mode for WP-34s

[Nigel (UK)]

(03-17-2015 07:19 PM)BarryMead Wrote:  I agree that "Mod" is a confusing choice for the (Vector Length, Range, Magnitude) part of the polar pair for the reason you gave, and for one additional reason. Vector Length's don't repeat, but Angular components repeat themselves modulo 2 PI or 360 degrees so when I saw the label "Mod" I was confused thinking it might represent the angular component of the polar coordinate pair. Anyway "Mod" and "Arg" don't give any clue as to weather they represent length or angular properties, that is why I suggested "Range" and "Angle" which clearly do.

Any of the following Label sets would work equally well and be easier for users, perhaps ask Jeff and a few other people which sounds better to them:
1. "Range" "Angle"
2. "Len" "Ang"
3. "Mag" "Ang"

I like 1 and 2 better than 3, but it is more of a personal preference kind of thing.

About the history of the terms Range and Angle. I think they may have originated from Artillary, or Submarine backgrounds. The "Range" to target is a Distance component and the "Angle" is an angular aiming component. The words are relatively short, and descriptive which is why I suggested them as data entry labels. I come from an Electronics Engineering background myself.

Out of the three choices above, I prefer "Range" and "Angle". As you say, they are descriptive and unambiguous.

I chose "Mod" and "Arg" - short for modulus and argument - because that's what I've always called these two properties of a complex number; I think they are standard mathematical terms. I'm quite happy to change, though.

Nigel (UK)