Merging Numbers with a Displayed Message

Merging lets you display a numeric value together with an alpha message. This feature is particularly useful when you need to display an explanatory message with the result of a calculation. The numeric value can be either the value in the numeric display register or a value stored in a data register.

How to Specify the Merge Point

Specifying a merge point takes some planning. The rightmost digit (or the decimal point if the number is an integer) of the number will occupy the current cursor position. Because a number may require as many as 12 character positions (16 for unformatted numbers), you must leave enough space for the number.

You may find it helpful to draw a template of the character positions in the display to help you establish an appropriate merge point.

For example, before merging a number with the message "AREA=", you may wish to position the cursor at column 16.

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
A	R	E	A	=											❚

Using the Merge Function

To merge a number with an alpha message, follow these steps.

Activate the alpha mode and create (or recall) the alpha message.
Position the cursor where you want the rightmost digit of the merged number to appear.
To merge the number in the numeric display register, press { MRG } [ = ].
To merge a stored number, press { MRG } and enter the data register where the number is stored.

Note:

The number is displayed in the currently selected display format (such as FIX, EE, ENG, or HEX).

Example

The following example merges a stored number with an alpha message. Before beginning this example, make sure the calculator is not in the alpha mode.

Procedure	Press	Display
Store 64 in register A	64 [ STO ] A
Activate alpha mode	[ ALPHA ]
Enter the message	AREA [ = ]
Allow room for the number	{ COL } 16
Merge the number	{ MRG } A
Exit alpha mode	[ ALPHA ]