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RPN Power 48 manual · Chapter 7 of 19

Modes and display

Number format, angle unit, rectangular or polar complex form and the binary integer base and word size.

7.1The MODE menu#

The MODE key opens a menu of three pages. A filled square marks the setting that is on. Defaults: STD, RAD, RECT and HEX.

MODE page 1: STD, FIX, SCI, ENG, DEG, RAD. The display shows: RAD { HOME } / 6: / 5: / 4: / 3: / 2: / 1: / STD■ FIX SCI ENG DEG RAD■ .
MODE page 1: STD, FIX, SCI, ENG, DEG, RAD.
MODE page 2: GRAD, RECT, POLAR, HEX, DEC, BIN. The display shows: RAD { HOME } / 6: / 5: / 4: / 3: / 2: / 1: / GRAD RECT■POLAR HEX■ DEC BIN .
MODE page 2: GRAD, RECT, POLAR, HEX, DEC, BIN.
MODE page 3: OCT, STWS and RCWS. The display shows: RAD { HOME } / 6: / 5: / 4: / 3: / 2: / 1: / OCT STWS RCWS .
MODE page 3: OCT, STWS and RCWS.
SettingEffect
STDShow up to 12 digits, no trailing zeros.
FIX, SCI, ENGFixed decimals, scientific or engineering notation. Type the number of digits first, then press the key.
DEG, RAD, GRADAngle unit for trigonometry.
RECT, POLARShow complex numbers as (x,y) or as (r,∠angle).
HEX, DEC, OCT, BINThe base used to show binary integers.
STWS, RCWSSet or recall the word size of binary integers, in bits.

7.2Choose the display format#

Type the number of digits, then press FIX, SCI or ENG. The status line shows the format, for example FIX 3.

Example 7.1

Show 3 decimal places

  1. Type 3 and press FIX (second key of MODE).

    3MODEF2
    After step 1: Type 3 and press FIX (second key of MODE). The display shows: RAD FIX 3 { HOME } / 6: / 5: / 4: / 3: / 2: / 1: / STD FIX■ SCI ENG DEG RAD■ .

  2. Divide 1 by 3.

    1ENTER3÷
Result of the example "Show 3 decimal places" The display shows: RAD FIX 3 { HOME } / 6: / 5: / 4: / 3: / 2: / 1: 0.333 / STD FIX■ SCI ENG DEG RAD■ .
You should see1: 0.333
Example 7.2

Scientific notation with 3 decimals

  1. Enter 12345, type 3, press SCI.

    12345ENTER3MODEF3
Result of the example "Scientific notation with 3 decimals" The display shows: RAD SCI 3 { HOME } / 6: / 5: / 4: / 3: / 2: / 1: 1.235E4 / STD FIX SCI■ ENG DEG RAD■ .
You should see1: 1.235E4
Example 7.3

Engineering notation

  1. Enter 12345, type 3, press ENG.

    12345ENTER3MODEF4
Result of the example "Engineering notation" The display shows: RAD ENG 3 { HOME } / 6: / 5: / 4: / 3: / 2: / 1: 12.35E3 / STD FIX SCI ENG■ DEG RAD■ .
You should see1: 12.35E3
Example 7.4

Return to STD

  1. Press STD (first key) to show full precision again.

    1ENTER3÷3MODEF2MODEF1
Result of the example "Return to STD" The display shows: RAD { HOME } / 6: / 5: / 4: / 3: / 2: / 1: .333333333333 / STD■ FIX SCI ENG DEG RAD■ .
You should see1: .333333333333

See also Round answers to a set number of decimalsEnter very big and very small numbersShow answers in engineering notation

7.3Set the angle unit#

Example 7.5

Switch to degrees

  1. Press DEG (fifth key). The status line says DEG.

    MODEF5
    After step 1: Press DEG (fifth key). The status line says DEG. The display shows: DEG { HOME } / 6: / 5: / 4: / 3: / 2: / 1: / STD■ FIX SCI ENG DEG■ RAD .
Result of the example "Switch to degrees" The display shows: DEG { HOME } / 6: / 5: / 4: / 3: / 2: / 1: / STD■ FIX SCI ENG DEG■ RAD .
You should seeDEG
Example 7.6

Switch to grads

  1. Press GRAD (page 2, first key).

    MODENXTF1
Result of the example "Switch to grads" The display shows: GRAD { HOME } / 6: / 5: / 4: / 3: / 2: / 1: / GRAD■ RECT■POLAR HEX■ DEC BIN .
You should seeGRAD

See also Set degrees or radians

7.4Rectangular or polar form#

Example 7.7

Show a complex number in polar form

  1. Make 3 + 4i, open MODE page 2 and press POLAR (third key).

    3ENTER4◀R→C1MODENXTF3
    After step 1: Make 3 + 4i, open MODE page 2 and press POLAR (third key). The display shows: RAD R∠Z { HOME } / 6: / 5: / 4: / 3: / 2: / 1: (5,∠.927295218002) / GRAD RECT POLA■ HEX■ DEC BIN .
Result of the example "Show a complex number in polar form" The display shows: RAD R∠Z { HOME } / 6: / 5: / 4: / 3: / 2: / 1: (5,∠.927295218002) / GRAD RECT POLA■ HEX■ DEC BIN .
You should seeR∠Z (5,∠.927295218002)

7.5Binary integer base and word size#

HEX, DEC, OCT and BIN change how binary integers are shown; the objects themselves do not change. STWS sets the number of bits (default 64) and RCWS recalls it. See the Binary integers chapter.

HP 48 and HP 50g 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.