HP (Hewlett-Packard) HP 50g Calculator User Manual


 
Page 1-12
Keep the number 3 in front of the Sci. (This number can be changed in the
same fashion that we changed the Fixed number of decimals in the
example above).
Press the !!@@OK#@ soft menu key return to the calculator display. The number
now is shown as:
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 @CHOOS soft menu key, 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).
SG49A.book Page 12 Friday, September 16, 2005 1:31 PM