HP 40g hp 39g+ (39g & 40g)_mastering the hp 39g+_English_E_F2224-90010.pdf - Page 310

APPENDIX C: THE HP 40G & ITS CAS Introduction This appendix is intended to give a useful introduction and over view to the user who is new to an hp 40g. It is not intended to fully cover the topic, nor is it intended to serve as a reference text for the advanced user. For those needing a far more extensive coverage than is available here, I can highly recommend the incredibly detailed text "Computer Algebra and Mathematics with the hp 40g, Version 1.0" by Renée de Graeve, Lecturer at the University of Grenoble I and founder of the Grenoble IREM. It contains a complete reference of the functions for symbolic calculation, and also demonstrates, using many examples, how to take smart advantage of the calculating power of the hp 40g. This can be found at Hewlett Packard's web site (http://www.hp.com/calculators) or on the Help page of The HP HOME view (http://www.hphomeview.com). What is a CAS? Although you may not have thought about it consciously, you are probably aware that most calculators do not operate with algebra in the same way that a human does. Generally speaking solutions on computers and calculators are found using numeric means. This is often done by using successive approximations, each one coming closer and closer to the final answer. You can see this process at work quite easily using the Solve aplet. All you need to do is enter an equation to solve which is complex enough to require more than a few seconds to solve. If you do this then you can watch the calculator work. In the Solve aplet, enter the equation (0, X, A2, X) = 1000 as shown right. This is equivalent to solving for a in the ∫ equation: x a2 dx = 1000 . 0 Change into the NUM view, and press on X. As soon as the hour glass symbol appears, press the button again. You may need to press it more than once before the calculator takes notice, but eventually you should see a view similar to the one right. 310