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File name: hp 12c_user's guide_English_HDPMBF12E44 Page: 16 of 209
Printered Date: 2005/7/29 Dimension: 14.8 cm x 21 cm
Section 1
Getting Started
Power On and Off
To begin using your hp 12c, press the
;
key
*
. Pressing
;
again turns the
calculator off. If not manually turned off, the calculator will turn off automatically 8
to 17 minutes after it was last used.
Low-Power Indication
A battery symbol (
¼
) shown in the upper-left corner of the display when the
calculator is on signifies that the available battery power is nearly exhausted. To
replace the batteries, refer to Appendix E.
The Keyboard
Many keys on the hp 12c perform two or even three functions. The primary
function of a key is indicated by the characters printed in white on the upper face
of the key. The alternate function(s) of a key are indicated by the characters
printed in gold above the key and the characters printed in blue on the lower face
of the key. These alternate functions are specified by pressing the appropriate
prefix key before the function key:
z To specify the alternate function printed in
g
old
above a key, press the gold prefix key (f), then
press the function key.
z To specify the primary function printed on the uppe
r
face of a key, press the key alone.
z To specify the alternate function printed in blue on the
lower face of a key, press the blue prefix key (g),
then press the function key.
*
Note that the ; key is lower than the other keys to help prevent its being pressed
inadvertently.