Texas Instruments TITANIUM TI-89 User Manual

Page 282

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Constants and Measurement Units

282

Using Parentheses with Units in a Calculation

Using Parentheses with Units in a Calculation

Using Parentheses with Units in a Calculation

Using Parentheses with Units in a Calculation

In a calculation, you may need to use parentheses ( ) to group a value and its units so
that they are evaluated properly. This is particularly true for division problems. For
example:

Note:

If you have any doubt about how a value and its units will be evaluated, group

them within parentheses ( ).

Here’s why you get unexpected units if you do not use parentheses. In a calculation, a
unit is treated similar to a variable. For example:

100_m

is treated as

100

_m

and

2_s

is

treated as

2

_s

. Without parentheses, the entry is calculated as:

100

_m / 2

_s =

_s = 50.

_m

_s

.

To calculate:

Enter:

100_m

2_s

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

100_m/(2_s) 50 •

_m

_s

-------

You must use parentheses
for (2_s). This is important
for division.

100_m/2_s 50.

_m

_s

If you omit the parentheses,
you will get unexpected units.
For example:

100*_m

2

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