Mode

The Mode menu is used to select one of the several calculator

modes available. Changing the Mode alters the legends on buttons which

have functions specific to different number modes, or disables features

which are not appropriate. The buttons which fall into this category have

no legend. The way in which data is displayed also changes between various

number modes.

Changing number mode changes the calculator display, but any data stored

in the calculator is retained. Therefore you can convert between different

number systems by entering data and then selecting the new number base.

However, only the decimal display uses a decimal point (or more generally, a radix point); the other number

bases work for integers only. Also bear in mind that a number in one system will

require a larger number of digits in a lower number base, which may cause

an overflow. This is especially likely when converting to binary.

When converting between different number modes it is sometimes inconvenient

to keep going to the Mode menu. For quick Number Mode changes, either

use the quick mode buttons on the fifth row of the function keypad, or

use the accelerator or shortcut keys. These are all obtained by holding

down Shift and Alt on the keyboard and typing the appropriate letter, i.e.

D for Decimal, H for Hexadecimal, T for Time, etc. See the listing of keyboard

accelerators.

There is a fifth row of function keys which allows you to quickly switch

between the most commonly used modes. This is especially useful when working in multiple

number bases. The fifth function keypad row is enabled by default

when the software is installed but can be removed using the Option/MainKeypad menu item.

The available modes are as follows:

Decimal

The format for display of decimal numbers is controlled by the Display

Tab.

Binary

Binary numbers and bit wise logic operators.

Octal

Octal numbers and bit wise logic operators.

Hexadecimal

Hexadecimal numbers and bit wise logic operators.

Base-N

Arbitrary base numbers up to base 36. The base is set by an edit box adjacent

to the BaseN radio button. For example, using a base of 10 gives decimal

integers. For bases less than 10 the appropriate numeric buttons are enabled.

For bases up to 16 (Hexadecimal) the letters A-F become progressively available.

Beyond base 16 it is not practical to provide buttons for letters, and

the computer keyboard must be used. The convention is for the upper case

letter to be used (i.e. shifted letter).

An interesting example is base 36, where all the decimal digits and

all the letters of the alphabet are available. In this case, words can

be encoded and made the subject of computation. This gives interesting

possibilities for word games and simple ciphers.

Example:

GADGET - 3ZS45L = CALC98

Convert to Decimal:

743385932

Finance

Selecting financial mode enables the financial functions of the

calculator. This also changes the precision of the display to show two

decimal places, fixed point. See the section on Financial

Functions for more information.

Statistics

Selecting statistics puts the calculator into statistics mode. This

is the same as decimal mode except that the M+ button changes

to Data for entering data values into the statistics memory. Other statistical functions are made available on the function keypad. See the

section on Statistics Functions for more information.

Angle and Time

The Angle and Time modes allow display and input as sexagesimal numbers.

In Time mode a stopwatch feature is also available.

Roman

Roman numerals can be selected to display integers greater than zero.

Note that zero is represented by a blank display. It is possible

to perform calculations in Roman numerals, although in practice it is more

likely you would want to convert to or from decimal numbers.

Matrix

Matrix mode is used to handle matrices, vectors or arrays of numbers. It is described in more detail in the relevant section.

Complex

Complex numbers are described in more detail in the relevant section.

IP Address

IP address calculations can be performed as described in the relevant section.

Fractions

The fractions mode is described in more detail in the relevant section.

Feet and inches

The fractions mode is described in more detail in the relevant section.