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What is a reverse polish notation calculator?

Thunder Robot Asked by funadvice 7 months ago, 3 answers.
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Do you know what a 'reverse polish notation' calculator is?

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PWT's rock!!! Answered by plainwhitets on Dec 25, 2007, 01:39PM
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It writes numbers backwards? I don't know...

Whiteboard portrate Answered by filletofspam on Dec 26, 2007, 08:31AM
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RPN calculators require the operator to enter formulae in postfix notation. More common algebraic calculators use infix notation.

With postfix notation the operator is entered after the operands.

With infix notation the operator is entered between the operands.

infix: '2 + 3 ='

postfix: '2 enter 3 +'

One of the advantages of postfix is that it removes the need for parentheses making entry of large formulae faster and less mistake prone.

While RPN seems awkward at first it is very quickly learned and once learned most people strongly prefer it. HP was famous for producing powerful RPN calculators that were prefered by many scientists and engineers.

My HP48 calculator helped me a great deal in my math classes. I don't think HP even makes RPN calculators any more.

Thunder Robot Answered by funadvice on Dec 26, 2007, 10:29AM
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Wow I learned something there. . . Thanks Filletofspam.

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