HP (Hewlett-Packard) hp 49g+ Calculator User Manual


 
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This result, 1.23E2, is the calculator’s version of powers-of-ten notation,
i.e., 1.235 × 10
2
. In this, so-called, scientific notation, the number 3 in
front of the Sci number format (shown earlier) represents the number of
significant figures after the decimal point. Scientific notation always
includes one integer figure as shown above. For this case, therefore, the
number of significant figures is four.
Engineering format
The engineering format is very similar to the scientific format, except that
the powers of ten are multiples of three. To set this format, start by
pressing the H button. Next, use the down arrow key, ˜, to select
the option Number format. Press the @CHOOSE soft menu key ( B), and
select the option Engineering with the arrow down key ˜. Keep the
number 3 in front of the Eng. (This number can be changed in the same
fashion that we changed the Fixed number of decimals in an earlier
example).
Press the !!@@OK#@ soft menu key return to the calculator display. The
number now is shown as:
Because this number has three figures in the integer part, it is shown with
four significative figures and a zero power of ten, while using the
Engineering format. For example, the number 0.00256, will be shown as: