Calculator Help

Choose a calculator from the View menu.

• Basic: Perform simple arithmetic operations.

• Scientific: Use memory functions and perform advanced calculations involving fractions, powers, roots, exponents, logarithms, trigonometry, and more.

• Programmer: Perform binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal calculations, including bitwise operations. You can also view the ASCII and Unicode characters represented by the current value.

To convert a value from one unit of measurement to another, enter the original value, choose Convert in the menu bar, then choose a category.

To convert currencies, choose Convert > Currency. You must be connected to the Internet to get the most recent conversion rate.

Choose View > Decimal Places, then choose the number of decimal places to display. Calculator stores the full value and displays the rounded value. If the displayed value shows fewer decimal places than you specified, the undisplayed decimal places are zeros.

Choose View > RPN Mode. The stack is shown in Calculator’s display, the Equal Sign key (=) becomes the Enter key, and four keys appear for manipulating numbers on the stack.

• Swap the bottom two numbers on the stack: Click the Exchange Registers key .

• Move the most recently entered number up or down on the stack: Click the Roll Up key or Roll Down key .

• Remove the bottom number from the stack: Click the Drop key.

If the result of the calculation is not as you expect, repeat the calculation, keeping in mind that Calculator uses the fundamental order of operations to evaluate expressions. For example, multiplication operations are completed before addition and subtraction.

If the programmer calculator displays numbers in an unexpected format, change to octal, decimal, or hexadecimal format: click the 8, 10, or 16 key, respectively, under the calculator’s display. Or use the basic or scientific calculator.

If the result contains no decimal points:

• Choose View > Basic or View > Scientific, because the programmer calculator truncates all digits after the decimal point. For example, if you enter 99 / 10 =, the result is 9. Use the basic or scientific calculator to get more precise results.

• Choose View > Decimal Places (in any calculator), because the number of decimal places may be set incorrectly and the calculator rounds the result. For example, if decimal places is set to zero and you enter 99 / 10 =, the result is 10.

If you’re not sure you entered the calculation correctly, use the Paper Tape (choose Window > Show Paper Tape) to review what you entered.

If you prefer to display a comma separator, choose View > Show Thousands Separators to display the comma in larger numbers.

Use keyboard shortcuts to quickly enter calculations; the shortcuts vary based on the type of calculator you’re using.