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50G 'new user' documentation

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TW

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Mar 5, 2009, 7:37:48 PM3/5/09

I am working on some new-user documentation with the goal to reduce
initial frustration and get people to discover some of the best
features of the 50G with little effort. There are plenty of people
that have strong feelings on manuals around here. While I am not
making a complete new manual, I'd like this to be around a 20 page
"follow this and learn enough that you feel good to do simple stuff
and know where to get more info and help." I am hoping to get some
good opinions on topics I have missed, and the general format I am
taking it. Thanks!

Here is what I have for topics, and the general order it is being
presented in, I am trying to avoid getting into CAS and stuff until
near the very end as I feel that is what trips people up the most.

1.On and off
2.Contrast
3.Reboot and clear memory.
4.Performing a ROM update.? (maybe stick at the end)
5.Header
6.Stack
7.Menu – function keys
8.Indicators
9.Set to approximate mode
10.Simple math calculation.
11.Storing variables.
12.Enter an equation using the EQW.
13.->NUM
14.Copy and paste that into the N.SOLV
15.Solve the equation.
16.Open the plotter.
17.Enter a simple equation.
18.Plot it.
19.Look at the table.
20.Go home, show the Y= program
21.Open the filer
22.Look at all the stuff, delete it
23. . . . insert more here
24.CAS, APPROXIMATE/EXACT
25.What cas topics are most important? I am going to cover resetting
the CAS, basic troubleshooting,
26. Common problems (aka: stuff that people always ask, why is my SD
card smaller in the filer? etc)
27. Where to get help. (here, hp's forum, manuals, etc)

Here is what I have so far. Please feel free to destroy my bad writing
(i've done no editing, so this is rough) or suggest anything. :-)
Thanks! Send me a direct email if you'd prefer.

I will use LS and RS to mean left and right shift through the
document. $NAME$ will be a menu command. UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT means
silver arrows. * is multiply, / is divide. ^ is y^x

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Getting Stated - The basics

1.To begin, lets turn the unit ON. While ON, the ON key is also
cancel. Notice that there are 6 items on the menu at the bottom of the
screen. To use a menu, press the key directly beneath it. This menu
will change as you use the calculator. Press $RCL$ and notice the
command RCL() appears with a blinking cursor. The blinking cursor
indicates you have an editline. Now press ON(CANCEL). The editline is
cleared and canceled.
2.Notice how there is a white function, and an orange function on most
keys. There is also a yellow alpha character. Look at the orange
function above ON. Push RS-ON and the unit powers off.
3.Turn it back on. Now hold down ON and press + repeatedly. The screen
will darken. You will now clearly see 6 indicator symbols above the
screen. The 3 on the left indicate that a shift or alpha is turned on.
Then the low battery indicator, then the “busy” annunciator, then the
“communication” annunciator. With ON held, press – until the screen is
the contrast you prefer.
4.If the 50G is non-responsive, press CANCEL a few times. If it
doesn't respond, you may reboot the machine by holding ON and pressing
C. When you release the ON key, it will reboot. This is called a
“warmstart”. To clear all your memory from RAM, press and hold ON-A-F.
Release F, then A, then ON. After a beep, the screen will say, “Try
to Recover Memory”, with YES or NO on the menu. Press $NO$ (if nothing
happens, push another key, it will beep, and then $NO$)
5.All future steps in this manual assume you have cleared your memory,
and have no extra programs installed. If you have not cleared memory
now, this guide may act slightly different. Please do so.
6. Now that your 50G is ready to go, lets look at the screen. On the
top, you have the HEADER. This shows important information. (RAD XYZ
HEX R= 'X' ALG and so on) This means the calculator is in
RADIANS, CARTESIAN, HEX REAL EXACT, 'X' is the default variable, and
algebraic mode {HOME} means you are in the home directory. As we work,
keep track up top to see the changes. Don't worry what it all means
right now.
7.The Main part of the screen is called the stack. This is where your
numbers and equations appear as you work. The bottom is the menu which
we have previously talked about

Basic Math

8.The 50G is the most powerful graphing calculator in the world. This
may seem scary at first, but we can break it down into small tasks and
you'll quickly be on your way.
9.To being, type 1+1 (notice the editline) and press ENTER. The
answer, 2 is returned. Now press UP twice to select 1+1. Press $EDIT$
to open the equation writer. This allows you to write complex
equations very easily and see it exactly as on paper. With 1+1
highlighted, press / 5. Notice how it is nicely shown. Press ENTER to
return the equation to the stack, then ENTER to evaluate. The answer
is 2/5. What is going on here?
10.Notice up in the header the R=. This means that the calculator is
in EXACT mode. Keep your eye on that R=. Press and hold LS and press
ENTER. The R= will toggle to ~. Do it a few times and see how it
changes. Before the next step, leave it as R~.
11.Now press LS-HIST(CMD). A choose box with your last 4 typed entries
is shown. With (1+1)/5 selected, press $OK$ and then ENTER. This time,
the answer is .4. This is what is meant by exact, or approximate.
Observe how the last entry now shows 1.+1./5. This is perfectly fine.
We will discuss more about this later. Press $CLEAR$. Your stack is
cleared.

Using RPN

12.The 50G comes from a history of calculators designed for engineers
and mathematicians. As such, it have very powerful capabilities for
quickly solving, entering and working math problems. One of these
tools is RPN.
13.RPN may sound tricky at first, but it will help you use the 50G
easier and save you lots of time while working problems. RPN's
greatest strength is that is lets you work out problems one small
piece at a time. You don't have to type everything into a long
equation and worry about parenthesis.
14.Lets change into RPN mode. Press MODE and what is called an Input
form appears. These full screen forms are used for a variety of tasks.
On this screen, may basic settings are shown. Currently, algebraic is
selected. Press $CHOOS$ ans a choose box appears. Press DOWN, select
RPN, press ENTER. RPN is now selected. Choose boxes in input forms can
also be changed by press +/-. Press +/- a few times and note how it
toggles between RPN and Algebraic. With RPN selected, press ENTER to
leave the mode screen.
15.Immediately, you will notice that the left side of the screen has
numbers from 1-7. Type 2 SPC 3 SPC 4 ENTER. The 3 numbers appear on
the stack. The number 2 is said to be on level 3 of the stack.
16.Press ENTER again and notice how a copy is made of level 1 on the
stack. This is useful to allow you to save your previous work. Lets
now multiply 4*4. Since 4 is both level 1 and level 2, press *. The
result, 16 is placed on the stack and the other two numbers move down.
You now have 2 3 and 16. Let's calculate 16/3. However, the numbers
are in the wrong order. No problem, press RIGHT and they swap
positions. Now press / and 5.33 repeating appears. Lets square that by
pressing y^x. The final result, 40.317 appears.
17.Now let's work a real problem: (I'll insert a nice real world
problem here - any suggestions on one?)

(I am having most trouble with the RPN section, I don't want to much
deatil, but don't want to little either, some good examples would be
much appreciated)

Working in Algebraic in RPN Mode

18.You may prefer working in algebraic mode. That is no problem. Press
' and '' appears. You can now type in anything just as if you were in
algebraic mode (need a good example here). When you are done, press
ENTER and notice how your equation appears on the stack. Press ENTER
to duplicate it, and then RS-ENTER(->NUM) to return a final numerical
answer.
19.Another option is to use the equation writer. Press RS-'(EQW) to
open the equation writer. Let's type in and solve a problem using the
pythagorean theorem. Type 14 ^ 2 RIGHT + 20 ^ 2 RIGHT RIGHT SQRT. You
now have the equation entered into the equation writer. Now press $EVAL
$ and then RS-HIST(UNDO). $EVAL$ evaluates what is currently
highlighted, and UNDO will undo the last thing you did. Now with the
whole equation highlighted, press RS-VAR(COPY). We will use this
later. Now press ENTER. Your equation is now on the stack. Press EVAL
to evaluate your problem. The hypotenuse is ~24.413.

Using Equation Solvers

20. Let's say you have several problems to solve involving the
Pythagorean theorem from the last example. Rather than typing them all
it, wouldn't it be nice to solve any part of the formula in a simple
manner? The many built-in solving tools can help you do this.
21.There are two major types of solvers on the 50g. Numeric and
symbolic. Let's examine a numeric solver right now. Press RS-7(N.SLV).
A choose box appears. Press 3 and note how the choose jumps to the
matching item. Press 1 to jump back to Solve Equation and press ENTER.
22.A full screen solver appears. To begin, we must enter an equation
to solve. Rather than typing it all in at once, let's use the EQW
again. Press RS-'(EQW). Now let's paste in the formula we copied from
the last example by pressing LS-NXT(paste). The whole variable is
highlighted. Let's rewrite this to be A^2+b^2=c^2. Press LS-BKSP(DEL)
to remove the SQRT function. Now press $CURS$ and notice a cursor
appears. Use the arrow keys to move around the equation. As you move,
note how you can select individual items, or groups in the whole. Move
so the box surrounds only the 20 and press ENTER.
23.Now press ALPHA-A and note how the 20 is replaced by A. Press UP UP
LEFT DOWN to highlight the 14. Press ALPHA-B to replace the 14 with a
B. Press UP UP then LS-RIGHT. The B^2 term moves over. Press LS-LEFT
and it moves back. Position it so the equation reads a^2+b^2. Press UP
until the entire equation is highlighted. Press RS-+/- to insert =,
then ALPHA-C ^ 2. You now have the full a^2+b^2=c^2. Press ENTER.

Thanks for any suggestions and comments!

sc_u...@hotmail.com

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Mar 5, 2009, 7:52:29 PM3/5/09

On Mar 5, 7:37 pm, TW <timwess...@gmail.com> wrote:
> 8.The 50G is the most powerful graphing calculator in the world.

Yes it is.

> positions. Now press / and 5.33 repeating appears. Lets square that by
> pressing y^x. The final result, 40.317 appears.

You will need another SWAP here. After these operations, you have
2: 2
1: 5.333

> 17.Now let's work a real problem: (I'll insert a nice real world
> problem here - any suggestions on one?)
>
> (I am having most trouble with the RPN section, I don't want to much
> deatil, but don't want to little either, some good examples would be
> much appreciated)

How about a parallel resistor problem? The formula is

1/r(total) = 1/r1 + 1/r2 + 1/r3, ...

where r(total) is the equivalent total resistance and rN with N =
1,2,3,... are the individual resistors. This problem allows the user
to see the speed advantages of RPN:

[r1] [1/X] [r2] [1/X] [+] [r3] [1/X] [+] [1/X]

gives the result in minimal keystrokes. Unfortunately, this example
doesn't make use of the other three binary operations and only focuses
on the [1/X] key, which I have to say is very useful.

>
> Working in Algebraic in RPN Mode
>
> 18.You may prefer working in algebraic mode. That is no problem. Press
> ' and '' appears.

You may want to note that the cursor is automatically placed between
the two single quotes, and that this is not a double quote.

> Let's rewrite this to be A^2+b^2=c^2. Press LS-BKSP(DEL)
> to remove the SQRT function. Now press $CURS$ and notice a cursor
> appears. Use the arrow keys to move around the equation. As you move,
> note how you can select individual items, or groups in the whole. Move
> so the box surrounds only the 20 and press ENTER.
> 23.Now press ALPHA-A and note how the 20 is replaced by A. Press UP UP
> LEFT DOWN to highlight the 14. Press ALPHA-B to replace the 14 with a
> B. Press UP UP then LS-RIGHT. The B^2 term moves over. Press LS-LEFT
> and it moves back. Position it so the equation reads a^2+b^2. Press UP
> until the entire equation is highlighted. Press RS-+/- to insert =,
> then ALPHA-C ^ 2. You now have the full a^2+b^2=c^2. Press ENTER.

Maybe insert a note that the "=" sign can be omitted and replaced with
a minus sign, and that the 50g automatically assumes any such
expression is equal to 0.

>
> Thanks for any suggestions and comments!
>
> TW

Well done!

S.C.

jdo...@gmail.com

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Mar 6, 2009, 8:24:23 AM3/6/09

Nice work.

When I switched from Casio to HP, having no knowledge at all about HP
calculators apart from their reputation, one of the first things I
needed to know was how to store a number in a variable, and how to
later quickly change the content of that variable if needed.
Lets say I want to store the number "5" in the "A" variable, and later
I want to store "25" in the "A" variable.
In Casio programmable calculators, this is as simple as:

5 -> ALPHA A EXE
25 -> ALPHA A EXE

Reading the HP 50g "User's Manual" (the small one on paper) you learn
to store something in a variable but...it doesn´t say how to quickly
change its content later.
For said example, reading the manual I guessed:

5 ENTER ALPHA A STO

But after I created the "A" variable, I wanted to change its value to
25 and:

25 ENTER ALPHA A STO

Failed miserably!. Later I knew why.

It should say somewhere in the "small" manual that:

25 LS $A$

would do the trick.

This very important feature for basic and quick operation with
variables, IMHO, should be clearly expressed in a quick reference
manual. It is documented somewhere in the big PDF manual or in the
AUR, but it should be in the small manual too.

Bill Markwick

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Mar 6, 2009, 12:28:03 PM3/6/09

Hi, Tim. I've copied your post and I'll read it over on the weekend
and send comments.

Bill

Dave Hayden

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Mar 6, 2009, 9:50:56 PM3/6/09

Tim,

THANK YOU for doing this. I agree that we need better new-user
documentation for the 50G. I'm thrilled that you're taking this on.

My comments below come from the general philosophy that, for new
users, you should take them from the very simplest things up through
more and more complex stuff as you go, but *without* bogging them down
in complex minutia. For example, I would introduce the indicators as
you get to the parts that deal with them. Also, I'd have the user
switch to approximate mode first thing and then don't even talk about
exact mode until after dealing with all the things a "normal"
calculator does. If you disagree, then many of my comments won't
apply.

With that philosophy in mind, I'd do the topics something like this:

INTRODUCTION
1. On & off
2. Intro to the keyboard (RS, LS, ENTER, cursor keys, menu keys
(little more than "these are menu keys, their function changes, we'll
come back to this")
2. Reboot and clear memory
3. Switch to approximate mode ("you need to do this. It brings up a
form, pay no attention the rest of the form, we'll get back to it")

BASIC OPERATIONS
4. Simple math calculations. (+ - * / sqrt sqr 1/x y^x)
5. Display modes
6. Scientific calculations (sin, cos, tan, e^x log, ln.76. RPN. See
the HP41 manual's explanation here http://www.greendyk.nl/hp41c-manual/
. I like the theme of "RPN is the way you do it with paper and
pencil"
8. Fractions. Switch to exact mode. Do some fractions. Explain -
>NUM. Explain RS ENTER to toggle. Explain exact/approx indicator.

VARIABLES AND EQUATIONS
9. Storing variables
Sending/receiving to other calculators.
10 Equations and equation writer.
11. Directories and the Filer.
11. Numeric equation solver.
12. Financial equations.
13. The Equation library. Give an example.
14. Simple Statistics(?)

GRAPHING
Take them through plotting equations, tables etc.

MATRICES, VECTORS, LISTS and COMPLEX NUMBERS
brief into to each.

MORE ADVANCED FUNCTIONS
Point out EXP&LN, TRIG, and MATH menus. Explain menus at this point
if you haven't already.

SYMBOLIC MATH
15 Back to exact mode. Integers vs. reals.
16 Symbolic solver.
17 Polynomials etc.
CAS Settings.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
(briefly mention the following areas and point out where to get more
information)
BASE menu
TIME
UNITS
CONVERT
APPS
Programming
Transferring to/from the PC

REFERENCES
The MODE dialog box
Keyboard shortcuts
Indicators

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
- Users Manual
- Users Guide
- Advanced Users Reference
- HP web site
- hpcalc.org

Thanks again,
Dave

timwe...@gmail.com

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Mar 6, 2009, 10:56:09 PM3/6/09

> THANK YOU for doing this. I agree that we need better new-user
> documentation for the 50G. I'm thrilled that you're taking this on.

It was your post a bit back that I used for a guide although it is
something I've been thinking about for ages. My only concern with what
you have posted below is that I think it will be too much material (my
goal is about 10-15 pages of text, which when pictures and formatting
are added in expands to ~20-25. Just as an exercise, what if you had
to remove 1/3 of the topics from your great list? What would you
remove? I know I'd like to cover it all, but if it starts getting too
thick the basic user won't read it. :-( My goal in asking this is to
distill down to get the core, most important new user topics with an
even tighter focus. They will feel like they have a handle on it and
know where to go for more information without feeling overwhelmed.

As to the exact/approximate, I think it has to be touched upon at
least once at the beginning. I tried to do that by working it into a
basic math example combined with header instruction, and showing how
to change it.

> My comments below come from the general philosophy that, for new
> users, you should take them from the very simplest things up through
> more and more complex stuff as you go, but *without* bogging them down
> in complex minutia. For example, I would introduce the indicators as
> you get to the parts that deal with them.

I think this is the better way to do it in principle, but I am afraid
we'd never reach battery or communication in this size of document. I
thought pointing them out when the contrast is nice and dark will work
well, but I also think that it could be compacted while explaining
better in that section.

> Also, I'd have the user
> switch to approximate mode first thing and then don't even talk about
> exact mode until after dealing with all the things a "normal"
> calculator does. If you disagree, then many of my comments won't
> apply.

I just think the average user will encounter this right off if they do
almost ANYTHING. Also, mentioning it, and then focusing on it later
reinforces the concept. I don't plan to repeat anything else really
except this as it the stumbling block to so many users.

> With that philosophy in mind, I'd do the topics something like this:
>
> INTRODUCTION
> 1. On & off
> 2. Intro to the keyboard (RS, LS, ENTER, cursor keys, menu keys
> (little more than "these are menu keys, their function changes, we'll
> come back to this")
> 2. Reboot and clear memory
> 3. Switch to approximate mode ("you need to do this. It brings up a
> form, pay no attention the rest of the form, we'll get back to it")
>
> BASIC OPERATIONS
> 4. Simple math calculations. (+ - * / sqrt sqr 1/x y^x)

Do you really feel like a user of this type of calculator needs an
example of each basic operation? I'd like to get a nice example that
can show a few together, but I don't know if specifically highlighting
them is needed.

> 5. Display modes

Do you feel this is needed this early? Aren't most users just
concerned about seeing all the decimals?

> 6. Scientific calculations (sin, cos, tan, e^x log, ln.76. RPN. See

> the HP41 manual's explanation herehttp://www.greendyk.nl/hp41c-manual/

> . I like the theme of "RPN is the way you do it with paper and
> pencil"
> 8. Fractions. Switch to exact mode. Do some fractions. Explain -
>
> >NUM. Explain RS ENTER to toggle. Explain exact/approx indicator.
>
> VARIABLES AND EQUATIONS
> 9. Storing variables
> Sending/receiving to other calculators.

This is another I am not sure of simply because most users may never
encounter anyone with another 50. :-(

> 10 Equations and equation writer.
> 11. Directories and the Filer.
> 11. Numeric equation solver.
> 12. Financial equations.

For finance, I was planning on simply mentioning it is there as most
users don't buy a 50 for financial stuff.

> 13. The Equation library. Give an example.

This one I do definitely want to work in as people are amazed when
they see this.

> 14. Simple Statistics(?)

I think is beyond the scope of the doc. Point to the HP learning
module was my idea.

> GRAPHING
> Take them through plotting equations, tables etc.

I don't know if there is enough space for more than one simple
equation.

Thanks for sharing. I hope we can have a lively discussion. :-)

Dave Hayden

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Mar 7, 2009, 10:22:43 AM3/7/09

On Mar 6, 10:56 pm, timwess...@gmail.com wrote:
> Just as an exercise, what if you had
> to remove 1/3 of the topics from your great list? What would you
> remove?

That's a tough one. Ideally, I'd try to get some info on who new
users are and what they use the calculator for. Certainly the things
you pointed out could go. Basic arithmetic through trig and exp/log
could hopefully be covered in half a page. Financial calculations and
statistics could be covered simply by saying "it does these, see
manual xyz for details".

Hmm. As another approach, I've been sitting here thinking about the
absolute must-have essentials for such a guide. By figuring out what
really MUST be in and what can be easily culled, you can narrow down
the questionable stuff. So my list of must-have sections would be:
- ON, OFF, CANCEL, keyboard intro.
- exact vs. approximate mode and how to switch between them
- RPN
- storing and recalling variables
- solving number equations
- solving symbolic equations
- graphing
-

> I know I'd like to cover it all, but if it starts getting too
> thick the basic user won't read it. :-(

The other danger is that it will cover topics in so little detail as
to be unhelpful.

> > For example, I would introduce the indicators as
> > you get to the parts that deal with them.
>
> I think this is the better way to do it in principle, but I am afraid
> we'd never reach battery or communication in this size of document.

But in this size of a document, you don't *need* to talk about the
communication indicator unless you're going to talk about
communication.
>
> I just think the average user will encounter [exact vs. approximate mode] right off if they do

> almost ANYTHING. Also, mentioning it, and then focusing on it later
> reinforces the concept. I don't plan to repeat anything else really
> except this as it the stumbling block to so many users.

I definitely see your point. I guess my main point is that I think
you should let the user get comfortable with some with some of the
functions of the calculator before getting too far into exact vs.
approximate mode. Consider that you can cover scientific functions,
variables, equations, the equation library and graphing before the
user even needs to know about exact mode.

>
> > With that philosophy in mind, I'd do the topics something like this:

...

> > BASIC OPERATIONS
> > 4. Simple math calculations. (+ - * / sqrt sqr 1/x y^x)
>
> Do you really feel like a user of this type of calculator needs an
> example of each basic operation? I'd like to get a nice example that
> can show a few together, but I don't know if specifically highlighting
> them is needed.

I agree. It shouldn't take more than half a page to cover all of
this.

>
> > 5. Display modes
>
> Do you feel this is needed this early? Aren't most users just
> concerned about seeing all the decimals?

Good point.

>
> > Sending/receiving to other calculators.
>
> This is another I am not sure of simply because most users may never
> encounter anyone with another 50. :-(

Sad but true. I was thinking (fantasizing?) about a classroom full of
students with 50g's and they need to exchange applications and
formulas. :)

>
> > 12. Financial equations.
>
> For finance, I was planning on simply mentioning it is there as most
> users don't buy a 50 for financial stuff.

Good point. Give some thought to the % function, which I think it
fairly basic but isn't on the keyboard or even easily accessible.

> > 14. Simple Statistics(?)
>
> I think is beyond the scope of the doc. Point to the HP learning
> module was my idea.

Good idea.

>
> > GRAPHING
> > Take them through plotting equations, tables etc.
>
> I don't know if there is enough space for more than one simple
> equation.

Okay.

I had another thought. Would it be worthwhile to make a video showing
what the calculator can do? This would be somewhere between a sales
pitch and a quick-start guide sort of thing. A quick look at youtube
didn't reveal any such thing. Hmm. Maybe I'll try that myself. I'm
thinking that this discussion shows that the calculator can do SO MUCH
that even a quick tutorial of the basic stuff would be large. So is
it possible to *show* the things it can do in perhaps 5 to 15 minutes
of video?

Along the way, I stumbled across this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMZtfsiQ1eA&feature=related which is
good for a laugh!

Thanks again,
Dave

Eric Rechlin

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Mar 7, 2009, 11:11:00 AM3/7/09

Hi Tim,

> Here is what I have for topics, and the general order it is being
> presented in, I am trying to avoid getting into CAS and stuff until
> near the very end as I feel that is what trips people up the most.

This is a great idea, and I like your list of topics already. I think it
covers most of what is important to share with a new user, in the hopes that
once they have taken a little time to go through your examples, they will be
inspired to get out the full manual to learn more.

Here are my thoughts:

Performing a ROM upgrade isn't very important for a new user document.
True, every 50g that shipped in the last 2.5 years shipped with a
non-current ROM, but 2.08 is good enough for almost anybody, so I wouldn't
consider the update a critical thing for new users. I can only see it
leading to support problems, especially since the only reliable way to do
the upgrade is with an extra-cost SD card.

One of the most useful features for me on the 50g is its powerful unit
conversion ability. Base conversions would be good to add too, though that
is perhaps a selfish request of my own rather than something that everyone
needs (normally when I am at work, I use the 35s that I keep on my desk, but
when I need to do a base conversion, I run Emu48 with the 50g emulator
because the 35s's base conversions are so painful to use).

Maybe add a page on matrices -- how to enter a matrix, calculate the
inverse, determinant, and cross product.

For plotting, maybe cover both function and polar plots, just to cover
everything a high school student might encounter.

I agree you shouldn't go into detail on the CAS, but perhaps just a few
simple examples with factoring a polynomial (FACTOR or COLLECT), simplifying
it again (EXPAND), and calculating the integral (INTVX) and derivative
(DERVX) would be nice.

Maybe add a few examples with basic number theory and
probability/statistics -- combinations, permutations, prime factoring,
random numbers, and how to calculate the mean and median of a set of
numbers.

Also, a few time-menu-related items could be nice. Show how to calculate
the number of days between two dates, DMS/HMS conversions, and maybe even
how to set an alarm.

I think that you should just attempt to cover many of the things a user
might encounter in high school math or their day-to-day life. I agree you
want to keep it short and simple, so don't try to do any college math, but I
think the topics you listed, plus the few I listed above, plus maybe a
couple more we haven't listed, would be sufficient.

Perhaps this seems to go against my perceived target market of the 50g (I
see it as a calculator for "hackers" and advanced math students, not a
calculator for high school students), but I think that showing people with a
richer background in math or programming how to do the "least common
denominator" math that they all learned in high school will make them feel
more comfortable in the beginning.

Best wishes!

Regards,

Eric Rechlin

John H Meyers

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Mar 7, 2009, 4:39:05 PM3/7/09

On Sat, 07 Mar 2009 09:22:43 -0600:

> The other danger is that it will cover topics in so little detail
> as to be unhelpful.

Or too much, like ON/OFF, which is so obvious that it almost
might not be worth more than one horizintal line -- it's like
the earliest "telephone book" I ever saw, which went into detail
about how to use a finger to turn the dial (yep, that long ago :)
until your finger hit the "stop," but year after year,
the text shrank, until it was assumed that finally
no one would need any descriptive help at all,
because most everyone in society
had by then become familiar with all that.

Very early "four bangers" also came with lengthier instructions,
but finally, a small chart on the back of the typical package,
with one wordless example of each feature (memory, percent, "constant")
became the entire "manual" for most products.

> the average user will encounter [exact vs. approximate mode] right off
> if they do almost ANYTHING.

The most important concept, to me, is that common numerical calculation
requires one mode, while symbolic operation requires the other --
there's nothing obvious about why decimal points are antithetical
to algebra, so start off any section on algebra and calculus,
however introductory, by saying "type CASCFG to get started,"
and that alone is sufficient to get going without explaining
anything deeper -- you don't even have to mention "Exact mode" :)

One example of 1.25 XQ could be enough to demonstrate
how to "remove all decimals" from any input
before proceeding with anything involving algebra or calculus;
saying "now do \->NUM on that" can provide
an enlightening direct experience of how to go the other way,
letting "neural networks" within the brain
absorb this without bogging down in further explanation :)

> With that philosophy in mind, I'd do the topics something like this...

Without even digging it out to look, after all these years,
I seem to recall that the HP48G series Quick Start Guide
was a very excellent model, containing very brief sections
which do just a little of everything -- get right to the doing,
without much explaining, with independent sections
which can be read or skipped, according to
one's interest in each category.

To get all flags "standardized" so that all visible results
are sure to agree with a guide, perhaps either suggest
a total "reset" or provide an argument for STOF.

There is still a "great divide," however, between the
ALGebraic and RPN modes, since the schizophrenic
introduction of the former has almost the effect of
changing between two totally different calculators,
with entirely different modes of working.

HP marketing evidently aimed everything at ALGebraic mode,
while newsgroup discussions tend to aim the opposite way,
and take RPN mode for granted.

Perhaps one might mention ALGebraic mode in passing,
noting that one can type formulas directly,
like most of the common other calculators,
then skip directly to changing to RPN mode,
noting that "the rest of this Guide assumes RPN mode;
see the HP manuals for more about ALG mode" :)

Now copy the rest of the HP48G series Guide,
add a CAS chapter, and I guess you're done :)

> Would it be worthwhile to make a video
> showing what the calculator can do?

How about a "video" in the calculator itself?

Here's the (rather brief) one which came with the original 49G:
http://www.hpcalc.org/details.php?id=3114

No need to download it to your calculator to see it;
here's the same thing to display in your web browser:
http://www.hpcalc.org/hp49/pc/pictures/demo.gif

Want to make a longer one in that style?

[r->] [OFF]

twixter

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Mar 7, 2009, 8:21:03 PM3/7/09

I recommend you include some of these short cuts, which I found in the
web pdf document at

http://www.neng.usu.edu/cee/faculty/gurro/Software_Calculators/HP48_49G_Docs/20essentialthings49.pdf

Right-shift HOLD Enter: toggle exact/approximate mode

Down: opens editor for object on level 1of stack or history

Right: swap (RPN only)

Up: accesses stack or history, like the HIST button

Left: look at last graph or picture

Right-shift Down: examine the items in the soft menu

Right-shift Right: X-modem server mode

Right-shift HOLD Right: Kermit server mode

Left-shift HOLD Tool: toggle real/complex mode

Right-shift Function key: recalls object

Left-shift Function key: stores object (RPN only)

Left-shift HOLD Prev: jumps to the last menu you were in

Left-shift HOLD Updir: jumps directly to Home

Veli-Pekka Nousiainen

unread,

Mar 7, 2009, 9:57:06 PM3/7/09

[ <-| ] [Down]: opens line editor for object on level 1of stack
instead of "best" editor, eg. no MTRW or EQW

> Right-shift HOLD Enter: toggle exact/approximate mode
> Down: opens editor for object on level 1of stack or history
> Right: swap (RPN only)
> Up: accesses stack or history, like the HIST button
> Left: look at last graph or picture
> Right-shift Down: examine the items in the soft menu
> Right-shift Right: X-modem server mode
> Right-shift HOLD Right: Kermit server mode
> Left-shift HOLD Tool: toggle real/complex mode
> Right-shift Function key: recalls object
> Left-shift Function key: stores object (RPN only)
> Left-shift HOLD Prev: jumps to the last menu you were in
> Left-shift HOLD Updir: jumps directly to Home

[ |-> ]&[TIME] = 94 MENU = time soft menu
[ |-> ]&[NUM.SLV] = 74 MENU = solver soft menu
[ |-> ]&[CHARS] = 62 MENU = chars soft menu
[ <-| ]&[MODE] = 63 MENU = modes soft menu

timwe...@gmail.com

unread,

Mar 7, 2009, 11:34:59 PM3/7/09

> I recommend you include some of these short cuts, which I found in the
> web pdf document at
>

> http://www.neng.usu.edu/cee/faculty/gurro/Software_Calculators/HP48_4...

Glad to see that document is still kicking around after all these
years. I wrote it back in high school. :-)

I've always wanted to go back and improve the thing and I decided now
would be a good time. Keep the suggestions coming.

Dave Hayden

unread,

Mar 8, 2009, 10:44:35 AM3/8/09

On Mar 7, 5:39 pm, "John H Meyers" <jhmey...@nomail.invalid> wrote:

> There is still a "great divide," however, between the
> ALGebraic and RPN modes, since the schizophrenic
> introduction of the former has almost the effect of
> changing between two totally different calculators,
> with entirely different modes of working.

The best way to handle RPN vs ALG in a new users guide is to create
two separate documents. Otherwise a great deal of the document won't
apply to any given user (assuming that any specific user works
primarily in RPN or ALG). The documents would probably start off the
same but at some point early on, they'd diverge with one explaining
stuff purely in RPN and the other purely in ALG.

I suggest that Tim write one version and then solicit volunteer help
to "translate" it into the other mode.

Dave