50g

One thing confused me about the 50g.  It's apparent schizophrenic agebraic vs RPN operation.

For example, I want to define a function.  I see a stack, so I know I am in RPN mode.  But I only see how to type it in as algebraic to define it.

Can someone clarify how this works?

On 25 Apr 2009, at 07:51, Michael wrote:

>
>
>
> One thing confused me about the 50g. It's apparent schizophrenic  
> agebraic vs RPN operation.
>
> For example, I want to define a function. I see a stack, so I know I  
> am in RPN mode. But I only see how to type it in as algebraic to  
> define it.
>
> Can someone clarify how this works?
>
>
> 
I can understand that part, but I admit that as a long-time HP-41C  
user the emphasis on algebraic in the manuals is annoying. It means  
everything takes so long to explain, they always give the algebraic  
first (even though they have been careful to make RPN quicker,  
entering lists etc), and sometimes don't explain the RPN way at all. I  
can understand the commercial reasons for giving an algebraic mode,  
but could wish they didn't emphasise it so much.

However, in this case I think it does make sense. RPN means you don't  
wait till the end to evaluate things, you do it immediately with what  
is on the stack. If you want to enter an function or equation,  
however, you do want it to do everything at the end, and it also means  
you can readily check what you have in the display with what you want.  
Of course, if you programmed that function it would be more the RPN way.

At least, that's how I see it. In spite of my criticism on this, btw,  
I'm very impressed with the 50g, I hadn't expected so much beyond my  
old 41c.

Alun

----- Original Message -----

From: Michael

To: 50g@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 2:51 AM

Subject: [50g] RPN vs Algebraic

One thing confused me about the 50g. It's apparent schizophrenic agebraic vs RPN operation.

For example, I want to define a function. I see a stack, so I know I am in RPN mode. But I only see how to type it in as algebraic to define it.

Can someone clarify how this works?

Hello Michael, let's be sincere, the hp-50g really works in RPN, In RPN you have to have the argument in the stack or command line before a function or command is executed and if you want to enter an expression or equation in RPN you have to enclosed by 'single quotation marks' the key associated with the letter O. Now if you want to define a function, let's say AREA(L,W)=L*W, you do this:
['] (ALG appears in the right upper corner of the screen)
then enter   AREA(L,W)=L*W
you can now press [ENTER] and then [left-shift][DEF]