D: RPN: Summary 261
File name : English-M02-1-040308(Print).doc Print data : 2004/3/9
D
RPN: Summary
About RPN
The RPN appendixes (D, E, and F) are especially for those of you who
want to use or learn
RPN
—Hewlett-Packard’s original
Reverse Polish
Notation
for operating calculators. This calculator can use
either
RPN
or
algebraic logic for calculations—you choose which.
HP’s RPN operating logic is based on an unambiguous,
parentheses-free mathematical logic known as “Polish Notation,”
developed by the Polish logician Jan
Ł
ukasiewicz (1878
-
1956).
While conventional algebraic notation places the operators
between
the
relevant numbers or variables,
Ł
ukasiewicz’s notation places them
before
the numbers or variables. For optimal efficiency of the stack, we
have modified that notation to specify the operators
after
the numbers.
Hence the term
Reverse Polish Notation
, or
RPN
.
Except for the RPN appendixes, the examples and keystrokes in this
manual are written entirely using Algebraic (ALG) mode.
About RPN on the hp 17bII+
This appendix replaces much of chapter 2, “Arithmetic.” It assumes that
you already understand calculator operation as covered in chapter 1,
“Getting Started.” Only those features unique to RPN mode are
summarized here:
RPN
mode.
RPN
functions.
RPN arithmetic, including percentages and
s
and
R
arithmetic.