HP Calculators

Post Reply New Topic

Well there are a few ways to do it.

You could use this thing called the equation writer where you could just enter the definite integral exactly like it appears in the textbook (the integral function is a shifted key on the keypad). I don't really know how to explain how the interface works, but basically you just use the arrow keys to enter equations exactly as they would look in a textbook.

I personally would take the RPN approach: [X] [Enter] (pushes a symbolic X onto the stack) [X^2] [X] [Enter] [SIN(X)] [+]

This would leave x^2+sin(x) on the stack. (Alternatively you could enter that directly into the equation writer to get it onto the stack). Then I would invoke the INTVX function with one of the function keys along the top (functions take their arguments from the stack).

This would leave the indefinate integral of that function on the stack: (X^3)/3-Cos(X)

Then I would do [0] [Enter] [10] and press the function key for the PREVAL function to calculate the definate integral.

Is there an HP50 emulator, or just a desktop RPN graphic calculator? I think I would have to actually go through and push the buttons to see what you're describing.

There's an OS X port of Emu 48 here: http://www.hpcalc.org/hp49/pc/emulators/ (never tried it myself, so I can't vouch for it)

If there's not a 50g rom included in that package then you can get it here: http://www.educalc.net/ftp/educalc/HP3in1Emu.zip

I agree with the OP about build quality, tactile euphoria, etc. of the HP programmable calculators. I had the 15C when I was in avionics school. My roommate had one similar (or the same) as the one pictured in the OP. I had fun writing programs for mine to let me play blackjack, high/low and other games.

If you have a smartphone, you should do a few searches for open source RPN emulators. Good luck!

The installation instructions on the Linux build instruct me to delete my shell. ('sudo rm /bin/sh') I don't trust any software author who would suggest deleting sh.

Oh, I though you were using Mac OS X for some reason.

Anyways, /bin/sh is usually just a symlink. I haven't seen the specific instructions you're referring too so I'm not sure of the context, but it is probably for Ubuntu users to switch the shell from dash to bash before running the makefile (I suspect the next instruction would be something like ln -s /bin/bash /bin/sh). If that's the case, you can just add SHELL=/bin/bash to the top of the makefile rather than relinking /bin/sh to /bin/bash.