HP 48gII hp 48gII_user's manual_English_E_HDPMSG48E67_V2.pdf - Page 49

• Scientific format The scientific format is mainly used when solving problems in the physical sciences where numbers are usually represented as a number with limited precision multiplied by a power of ten. To set this format, start by pressing the H button. Next, use the down arrow key, ˜, to select the option Number format. Press the @CHOOS soft menu key ( B), and select the option Scientific with the arrow down key ˜. Keep the number 3 in front of the Sci. (This number can be changed in the same fashion that we changed the Fixed number of decimals in the example above). Press the !!@@OK#@ soft menu key return to the calculator display. The number now is shown as: This result, 1.23E2, is the calculator's version of powers-of-ten notation, i.e., 1.235 × 102. In this, so-called, scientific notation, the number 3 in front of the Sci number format (shown earlier) represents the number of significant figures after the decimal point. Scientific notation always includes one integer figure as shown above. For this case, therefore, the number of significant figures is four. • Engineering format The engineering format is very similar to the scientific format, except that the powers of ten are multiples of three. To set this format, start by pressing the H button. Next, use the down arrow key, ˜, to select the option Number format. Press the @CHOOS soft menu key ( B), and select the option Engineering with the arrow down key ˜. Keep the number 3 in front of the Eng. (This number can be changed in the same fashion that we changed the Fixed number of decimals in an earlier example). Page 1-20