Selecting the Format of Displayed Values

Although all numeric values are stored in the calculator with a 13-digit mantissa, you can choose the format in which the calculator displays these values. Three formats are available. You can also fix the number of decimal places or display the entire 13 digits.


Standard

The calculator is in standard notation when you turn it on until you select another notation. In this format, a number is displayed with a maximum of ten digits and a decimal. A sign is also displayed if the number is negative. The following list shows the range of values that can be displayed in standard notation.
  • -9999999999. to -0.000000001
  • zero
  • 0.000000001 to 9999999999.
Values outside these ranges are automatically converted to scientific notation. When values are once again in range, they are displayed in standard notation.

Scientific Notation

To convert to the scientific notation format, press [ EE ]. Numbers are displayed as a 7-digit mantissa with a 2-digit exponent. Because pressing [ EE ] puts the calculator in live entry mode, the mantissa may have more than 7 digits when you first press [ EE ]. The internal value is displayed until you make your first entry. All numbers are displayed in this notation until you select a different format.

Press [ INV ] [ EE ] to return the calculator to standard notation. If you have selected a fixed number of decimal positions, this is not changed.

Engineering Notation

To convert to the engineering notation format, press [ 2nd ][ ENG ]. This is a form of scientific notation with an exponent that is a multiple of three. This enables the display of engineering-related results, such as 10⁶ for megaohms, or 10⁻¹² for picofarads.

All numbers are displayed in this notation until you select standard notation. You cannot convert directly from engineering to scientific notation.

Press [ INV ] [ 2nd ] [ ENG ] to return the calculator to standard notation. If you have selected a fixed number of decimal positions, this is not changed.

Example


The following example illustrates the conversion of numbers from one notation to another.

Procedure

Press

Display

Clear display[ CLEAR ]D_McSSNB
Enter number in standard notation740772592.9
[ +/- ]		D_cLEokN
Convert to scientific notation[ EE ]
[ = ]		D_X7lUiD
Convert to standard notation[ INV ]
[ EE ]		D_m1GrhA
Convert to engineering notation[ 2nd ]
[ ENG ]		D_UMxJAh
Convert to standard notation[ INV ] [ 2nd ]
[ ENG ]		D_m1GrhA

Summary of Notation Conversions

The key sequences required to convert between display notations are summarized in this list.
  • Standard Notation -> [ EE ] -> Scientific Notation
  • Standard Notation -> [ 2nd ] [ ENG ] -> Engineering Notation
  • Scientific Notation -> [ 2nd ] [ ENG ] -> Engineering Notation
  • Scientific Notation -> [ INV ] [ EE ] -> Standard Notation
  • Engineering Notation -> [ INV ] [ 2nd ] [ ENG ] -> Standard Notation

In addition to selecting the notation of the displayed value (standard, scientific, or engineering), you can set the number of decimal places to be displayed. You can also display the entire 13 digits in a number, regardless of the format selected.


Fixing the Number of Decimal Places

The calculator normally displays numbers with a floating decimal point. You can, however, display results with a fixed number of decimal places.
The key sequence [ 2nd ] [ FIX ], followed by any number from 0 to 8, fixes the number of decimal places. Displayed numbers are rounded as necessary to the number of decimal places you select. Only the display is affected. The number is not changed internally.
[ 2nd ] [ FIX ] 9 restores the floating decimal point.

Displaying All 13 Digits

The [ 2nd ] [ 13d ] key sequence lets you examine the digits not normally shown in the display due to rounding.
When you use this function, all 13 digits in the numeric display register are displayed.
  • They are preceded by the sign of the number.
  • No exponent is displayed, regardless of notation.
  • The 13-digit display is temporary.
  • No decimal point is displayed.

Example

Calculate 3.9 ÷ .41, fix to four decimal places, display all 13 digits of result, and return to floating-decimal format.

Procedure

Press

Display

Clear display[ CLEAR ]D_McSSNB
Calculate Answer3.9 [ ÷ ]
.41 [ = ]		D_H6Kd10
Fix decimal to 4 places[ 2nd ]
[ FIX ] 4		D_DDMFGL
Examine all 13 digits[ 2nd ]
[ 13d ]		D_RT4Fgm
Clear fixed decimal[ 2nd ]
[ FIX ] 9		D_H6Kd10


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