18 Section 1: Getting StartedKeying in Large Numbers

Since the display cannot show more than 10 digits of a number, numbers greater than 9,999,999,999 cannot be entered into the display by keying in all the digits in the number. However, such numbers can be easily entered into the display if the number is expressed in a mathematical shorthand called “scientific notation.” To convert a number into scientific notation, move the decimal point until there is only one digit (a nonzero digit) to its left. The resulting number is called the “mantissa” of the original number, and the number of decimal places you moved the decimal point is called the “exponent” of the original number. If you moved the decimal point to the left, the exponent is positive; if you moved the decimal point to the right (this would occur for numbers less than one), the exponent is negative. To key the number into the display, simply key in the mantissa, press Æ(enter exponent),

then key in the exponent. If the exponent is negative, press Þ after pressing Æ.

For example, to key in $1,781,400,000,000, we move the decimal point 12 places to the left, giving a mantissa of 1.7814 and an exponent of 12:

Keystrokes

Display

 

1.7814Æ12

1.7814 12

1,781,400,000,000 entered

 

 

in scientific notation.

Numbers entered in scientific notation can be used in calculations just like any other number.

Backspacing

While you are entering a number, pressing gÚ deletes the last character you entered. After performing a calculation, pressing gÚ deletes the current number.

KeystrokesDisplay (RPN mode)

12345gÚgÚ

123.63

 

.63\

Correcting removes the 4 and

 

 

5. gÚclears the most recent

 

 

digit entered.

5+

128.63

 

gÚ

0.00

Clears the calculator line.

 

File name: hp 12c pt_user's guide_English_HDPMF123E27

Page: 18 of 275

Printed Date: 2005/8/1

Dimension: 14.8 cm x 21 cm