Section 1: Getting Started

19

Simple Arithmetic Calculations

Any simple arithmetic calculation involves two numbers and an operation — addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. To do such a calculation on your hp 12c, you first tell the calculator the two numbers, then tell the calculator the operation to be performed. The answer is calculated when the operation key (+,-,§, or z) is pressed.

The two numbers should be keyed into the calculator in the order they would appear if the calculation were written down on paper left-to-right. After keying in the first number, press the \ key to tell the calculator that you have completed entering the number. Pressing \ separates the second number to be entered from the first number already entered.

In summary, to perform an arithmetic operation:

1.Key in the first number.

2.Press \to separate the second number from the first.

3.Key in the second number.

4.Press +,-,§, or zto perform the desired operation.

For example to calculate 13 ÷ 2, proceed as follows:

Keystrokes

Display

 

13

13.

Keys the first number into the

 

 

calculator.

\

13.00

Pressing \separates the second

 

 

number from the first.

2

z

2.Keys the second number into the calculator.

6.50Pressing the operation key calculates the answer.

Notice that after you pressed \, two zeroes appeared following the decimal point. This is nothing magical: the calculator’s display is currently set to show two decimal places of every number that has been entered or calculated. Before you pressed \, the calculator had no way of knowing that you had completed entering the number, and so displayed only the digits you had keyed in. Pressing

\tells the calculator that you have completed entering the number: it terminates digit entry. You need not press \ after keying in the second number because the +,-,§and z keys also terminate digit entry. (In fact, all keys terminate digit entry except for digit entry keys — digit keys, ., Þ, and Æ — and prefix keys — f, g, ?, :, and (.)

File name: hp 12c_user's guide_English_HDPMBF12E44

Page: 19 of 209

Printered Date: 2005/7/29

Dimension: 14.8 cm x 21 cm