Parentheses

Algebraic precedence order of evaluation

Largest and smallest numbers

You need to use parentheses to enclose arguments for functions, such as SIN(45). You can omit the final parenthesis at the end of an edit line. The calculator inserts it automatically.

Parentheses are also important in specifying the order of operation. Without parentheses, the HP 39G/40G calculates according to the order of algebraic precedence (the next topic). Following are some examples using parentheses.

Entering...

...Calculates

 

 

 

 

>6,1@ 45>￿@>6+,)7@π

sin (45 + π)

>6,1@45>￿@>￿@>6+,)7@π

sin (45) + π

>6+,)7@√85>;@9

 

85 ⋅ 9

>6+,)7@√>￿@85>;@9>￿@

 

 

 

 

85 ⋅ 9

 

 

 

 

Functions within an expression are evaluated in the following order of precedence. Functions with the same precedence are evaluated in order from left to right.

1.Expressions within parentheses. Nested parentheses are evaluated from inner to outer.

2.Prefix functions, such as SIN and LOG.

3.Postfix functions, such as !

4.Power function, ^, NTHROOT.

5.Negation, multiplication, and division.

6.Addition and subtraction.

7.AND and NOT.

8.OR and XOR.

9.Left argument of (where).

10.Equals, =.

The smallest number the HP 39G/40G can represent is

1× 10 –499(1E–499). A smaller result is displayed as zero. The largest number is 9.99999999999 × 10 –49 . A larger result is

still displayed as this number.

1-20

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