HP49 Calculator for dummies?

onewhippedpuppy · 02-07-2006, 05:26 AM

You guys that have these, how the hell did you learn them? Though powerful, and the RPN is cool, this is the most counter-intuitive POS I have ever used. I've spent the morning trying to write my own equations into it, and keep getting syntax or definition errors. I downloaded 800+ pages of manual, and still can't find a good procedure. My old TI was nothing special, but at least I could operate it. I'm not a CE or a programmer, I don't want to write my own code into it, but I don't think putting in a few equations for my Econ class is too much to ask.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-07-2006, 12:15 PM

You guys are all just that damn smart? It's like a 48, if that helps.

David · David's Garage

I've got a 48. It's my second one since some dickwad stole my briefcase with my first one out of my car. I told my boss it was critical to my job so he bought me another. Writing simple equations shouldn't be too hard. What are trying to do with it?

onewhippedpuppy · 02-07-2006, 02:07 PM

It already has an equation library, I'd just like to add some. In this case it's multi-variable equations for my engineering econ class, but it would come in handy in other classes as well. I'd like to put in the equation as a function of whatever, put in my numbers and get an answer. It works fine with the pre-programmed equations, but I can't get anything with more than one variable, or a variable other than x to work.

scottmandue · 02-07-2006, 02:11 PM

It has been many moons since I programed a calculator, do they still use reverse Polish logic (not a joke... really!)
You literally had to enter the equations backwards into the calculator.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-07-2006, 02:12 PM

Yeah, I love it. Makes entering complex equations so much easier.

Anton · 02-07-2006, 05:31 PM

Sell it, buy a TI, they work on forward Polish logic

masraum · 02-07-2006, 06:41 PM

You have to learn to think in Polish backwards. Apparently you're missing that gene.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-08-2006, 04:04 AM

Damn! I'll brush up on my Polish, then give it another shot.

masraum · 02-08-2006, 07:18 AM

What specifically are you trying to program? I'd assume that the HP32S rpn is probably a bit different, and not entirely straight forward, but it's doable. I've programmed a few small formulas into mine.

vash · vash's Garage

matt, sell it and buy a 48GX! hell, buy two.

i really think that the programing is pretty much the same across the board. practice with easy things like ohms law, and move up to the biggies. my personal "holy grail" was when i programmed my 48 to do the moody diagram. no more looking up factors with a cumbersome table. i still have it.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-08-2006, 01:48 PM

I think they're pretty much the same, aren't they? The 49 just adds more stuff that I probably will never use. I can get the easy ones with one variable to work, just nothing else does. I just need to screw with it more, when I posted this I was in a crappy mood and about to throw the damn thing out the window.

masraum · 02-08-2006, 02:36 PM

Seems you can tell it to request several variables at the beginning, store them as it requests them, and then it recalls them as it performs the math. It's like programming a computer, you have to keep the whole picture in your head and think about how one section will affect another.