User Manual

D: RPN: Summary 261

File name : English-M02-1-040308(Print).doc Print data : 2004/3/9

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

and

arithmetic.