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Section 1: Getting Started 19
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
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 z to 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
2.
Keys the second number into the
calculator.
z
6.50
Pressing 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
(
.)