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Re: Russian formula for Casio
From: Frank Reed CT
Date: 2005 Feb 13, 23:20 EST
From: Frank Reed CT
Date: 2005 Feb 13, 23:20 EST
Alex wrote:
"My Casio (fx250D, purchased in 1989)
does not allow to input a sign before
a number. If I type -2, the result is 2.
So to enter -2 I have to type 2 and then
+/-"
does not allow to input a sign before
a number. If I type -2, the result is 2.
So to enter -2 I have to type 2 and then
+/-"
Same here. But consider these two possibilities:
1) you enter the number the way you proposed before, throwing in
the sign at the end. So the keystrokes would be: "20 DMS 30 DMS 15 DMS +/-".
There's no algorithmic issue here.
2) you enter the number by attaching the sign to the degrees (I wouldn't
think of doing this, but I can see that a student might). The keystrokes would
be: "20 +/- DMS 30 DMS 15". Try it on your calculator. If you notice, it's being
'smart'. The algorithm isn't just taking -20 and adding 30/60 +15/3600 to
it. It's getting the sign right.
Sorry to any readers who may be tired of the calculator minutiae.
-FER
42.0N 87.7W, or 41.4N 72.1W.
www.HistoricalAtlas.com/lunars
42.0N 87.7W, or 41.4N 72.1W.
www.HistoricalAtlas.com/lunars
