SCIOVR and ENGOVR in FIX mode
#1

I think the way WP34s switches from FIX mode to SCI or ENG on overflow and underflow is not quite right.

For example, FIX 04 shows exactly 4 digits after decimal point. As the number grows bigger, it keeps showing 4 digits after decimal, but all digits before decimal. As number keeps growing and there is no more room for digits after decimal, they are getting dropped: first 3 digits are shown, then 2, then 1. All this time it shows all digits before decimal -- so far so good. Then suddenly it switches to sci or eng and shows only 5 digits. It think this is wrong, at least no other calculator does it. At overflow it should switch to unrestricted eng or sci -- just the way ALL mode does. The numeric parameter of FIX should apply to the FIX-specific behavior, not to fallback behaviour.

Another glitch is what happens at underflow: in, say, FIX 02 numbers less that 1e_3 are shown in SCI 02 or ENG 02. I
think this is incorrect. It should show 0.00 or -0.00. Or just 0.00, if -0.00 is too much trouble. When people select FIX, it is to not see smaller fractions of 10, whether because they do not care, or because it does not make sense, like dollars and cents.

At least, this is traditional interpretation of FIX mode by other calculators.

#2

Quote:
It think this is wrong, at least no other calculator does it. At overflow it should switch to unrestricted eng or sci -- just the way ALL mode does.

I've just checked my 15C in FIX 4 mode. It shows 4 digits after the decimal point and all digits left to it as long as the number fits the display. When the number gets too large, the 15C switches to SCI 4 mode, showing exactly 5 digits. This is what WP 34S does in SCIOVR mode.
#3

Marcus is correct, I followed the behaviour of preexisting HP calculators in the display code.

- Pauli

#4

Hm. Just checked with the few hps i have, and you are right. Does not mean that this is correct interpretation, but, I guess, I am in minority here.

Just think about it. You are looking national debt in FIX 02. When it under a trillion you see every dollar. But when it is even slightly above you just suddenly see only first three digits of it -- like billion here, billion there -- who cares?

#5

Quote:
You are looking national debt in FIX 02. When it under a trillion you see every dollar. But when it is even slightly above you just suddenly see only first three digits of it -- like billion here, billion there -- who cares?

Modeling the behaviour of the real world quite truely, doesn't it?

d;-)

#6

Quote:
Just think about it. You are looking national debt in FIX 02. When it under a trillion you see every dollar. But when it is even slightly above you just suddenly see only first three digits of it -- like billion here, billion there -- who cares?

You had me laughing out loud for at least a minute! Thanks for this!
Regards, Victor


Possibly Related Threads…
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Integration question and "RPN" mode comment Craig Thomas 16 5,948 12-05-2013, 02:32 AM
Last Post: Nick_S
  HP Prime: Recommendation for future RPN Program Mode BruceTTT 3 2,208 11-13-2013, 10:03 PM
Last Post: BruceTTT
  Program to change entry mode on Prime Michael de Estrada 3 1,979 10-28-2013, 10:13 AM
Last Post: Han
  Prime: Exam mode (possible duplicate after funny response first time) Paul Townsend (UK) 1 1,519 10-24-2013, 03:09 PM
Last Post: Tim Wessman
  Does RPN entry mode cause the Prime keyboard to lock up ? Michael de Estrada 14 4,889 10-22-2013, 06:27 PM
Last Post: John Colvin
  HP Prime: Edit integer in RPN mode plivesey 15 5,076 10-18-2013, 04:34 PM
Last Post: kris223
  Temporary User Mode Key Programs not working in RPN BruceTTT 7 2,766 10-14-2013, 01:46 PM
Last Post: BruceTTT
  HP Prime: MAKELIST in RPN mode? toml_12953 2 1,685 10-13-2013, 07:40 PM
Last Post: BruceH
  Low battery slow mode Marcel Samek 4 1,670 09-18-2013, 02:02 PM
Last Post: Harald
  HP Prime - How to STO in RPN mode? Javier Goizueta 10 2,813 08-18-2013, 10:24 PM
Last Post: Xavier A. (Brazil)

Forum Jump: