RPN Financial 12 manual · Chapter 5 of 16

Display format and settings

FIX and scientific display, showing all digits, BEGIN and END payment timing, date format and the compound-interest indicator.

5.1Set the number of decimals: FIX#

Press f and a digit 0 to 9 to show that many decimals. The start-up setting is 2. The setting changes only what you see. The stored number keeps all its digits.

A number too large to fit in ten digits is shown in scientific form automatically.

Example 5.1

Show four decimals

Press f, 4 and then g, √x for the square root of 2.
f42g√xyˣ

Example 5.2

No decimals

FIX 0 shows the whole number with a point.
f02g√xyˣ

Example 5.3

Nine decimals

FIX 9 shows nine digits after the point.
f92g√xyˣ

FIX 4: the square root of 2 with four decimals. The display shows: 0.0000 / 0.0000 / 0.0000 / 1.4142. — FIX 4: the square root of 2 with four decimals.

5.2Scientific display#

Press f. for scientific notation with six decimals. Press f and a digit to return to FIX.

Example 5.4

Scientific notation

Press f, point, then take the square root of 2.
f.2g√xyˣ

Example 5.5

Back to FIX 2

Key in 123 then press f, 2.
f.123f2

5.3Show all the digits of a number#

fPREFIXENTER (PREFIX) shows all ten digits of X. It stays on the display until you press the next key.

Example 5.6

See the digits of the square root of 2

Key in 2, press g, √x, then f, PREFIX.
2g√xyˣfPREFIXENTER

5.4BEGIN and END: when payments fall due#

Some payments are made at the end of each period (a loan payment, most savings plans). Others are made at the start (rent, a lease, an annuity due). gBEG7 (BEG) sets payments at the beginning. gEND8 (END) sets them at the end. END is the default. The BEGIN indicator shows when payments are at the beginning.

After g BEG: the BEGIN indicator is lit. The display shows: 0.00 / 0.00 / 0.00 / 0.00. — After g BEG: the BEGIN indicator is lit.

5.5Choose the date format#

gM.DY5 (M.DY) sets month-first dates, written 6.152026 for 15 June 2026. gD.MY4 (D.MY) sets day-first dates, written 15.062026. Month-first is the default. D.MY lights the D.MY indicator.

After g D.MY: the D.MY indicator is lit. The display shows: 0.00 / 0.00 / 0.00 / 0.00. — After g D.MY: the D.MY indicator is lit.

5.6The C indicator: compound interest for part periods#

When n is not a whole number, the first part period earns simple interest by default. Press STO then EEX to switch to compound interest for the part period. The C indicator shows when it is on. Press STO EEX again to turn it off.

After STO EEX: the C indicator is lit. The display shows: 0.00 / 0.00 / 0.00 / 0.00. — After STO EEX: the C indicator is lit.

5.7Default settings#

Setting	Default
Display format	FIX 2
Payment timing	END
Date format	M.DY (month first)
Compound part period (C)	Off
Program mode	Off
Stack and registers	All zero

HP 12C is a trademark of HP Inc.. Trident Calculator is an independent product by South View Studios and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by HP. The name is used only to describe the kind of calculator this model resembles; Trident's names, keys, display, fonts and software are its own clean-room design.