HP 17bII+ - Manual (Page 261)

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 Łukasiewicz (1878
－1956).
While conventional algebraic notation places the operators between the
relevant numbers or variables, Łukasiewicz’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.