Using the hp 50g (hp 49g+, hp 48gii) calculator for surveying calculations an introduction Gilberto E.

Urroz, October 2007

RPN1 or ALG? Answer: RPN. To change to RPN or ALG mode: [MODE][+/-] (select either mode), then press [ OK ]. Set your calculator to RPN for the exercises in this document. Note: The [+/-] key toggles among the different choices in a choose box in the hp calculators. What if you're used to the ALG mode in calculations? You can still use this mode while RPN has been selected by enclosing the calculation in quotes in the stack, and pressing [ENTER][EVAL], or by using the equation writer [][EQW]. Examples are shown below. First, using quotes:

Next, using the equation writer [][EQW]:

To obtain a floating-point (numerical) result, use [][NUM] in either case.

Drop-down lists or Soft-menu keys? Answer: Soft-menu keys. The soft-menu key option associates the [F1]...[F6] keys with menu commands. The drop-down list option produces a computer-like menu in which selection can be made by pressing the number keys, or the upand down-arrow keys [a][b], then pressing [ OK ]. These two options are illustrated below for the UNITS function of the calculator: [][UNITS].

1 RPN: Reverse Polish Notation: an efficient way to perform arithmetic operations using a stack of numbers. Adopted by Hewlett-Packard for their electronic calculators since their first, handheld, the HP 35S, issued in 1972.

To select the Soft-menu key option use [MODE][FLAGS], the press the [a] key 7 times until flag 117 is selected. Press the [ CHK] key so that the option 117 Soft MENU is shown:

Press [

OK

][

OK

].

Using soft-menu keys: When a menu is selected, as we did with the UNITS menu, above, only the first 6 options are shown. This is the first page of the menu. To see additional pages, press the [NXT] key. To move the previous page, use [][PREV]. To select a menu option press the corresponding [F1] to [F6] key. To get out of a menu and return to a display of your variables, press [VAR]. Other flags to check: Make sure that flags 02 and 03 are set to symbolic. Press [MODE][FLAGS] and check that the first flag screen looks as follows:

If not, select the proper flag and check it off using the [ CHK] key. In either case, press Press [ OK ][ OK ] to return to the stack.

Exact (=) vs Approximate (~) modes: Modern calculators and mathematical software distinguish between exact (or symbolic) mode and approximate (or numerical) mode. The two modes are distinguished by the symbol = or ~ in the top line of the display screen. The figure below shows the two possible options in calculation mode, altogether with other specifications in the top line of the screen display. 2

Exact mode results tend to include fractions, unevaluated square roots and trigonometric functions. They resemble the results you would obtain by hand without calculating a floatingpoint, or decimal, number. On the other hand, approximate mode results are floating point, or decimal, numbers. The distinction between exact and approximate modes is illustrated below.

You want to keep the Exact mode as your default mode in your calculator, because you need that mode to calculate derivatives, integrals, summations, and other calculus operations. You can always calculate a floating point result by using [][NUM].

To toggle between Exact and Approx modes, press and hold the right-shift key [], and then press [ENTER]. Notice the change in the = or ~ specification in the top line of the display screen. Remember, [] (hold) [ENTER] to toggle between Exact and Approx.

Changing angle mode: Enter [MODE][b][b][CHOOS] . Press [a] or [b] to select the angle mode: Degrees, Radians, or Grads2. Press [ OK ][ OK ]. Angle mode will be shown at the upper left corner of the screen. For surveying applications, make sure that the angle mode is set to DEGrees. Shortcuts for changing to radians or degrees: Change to radians: [ALPHA][ALPHA][R][A][D][ENTER] Change to degrees: [ALPHA][ALPHA][D][E][G][ENTER]

Converting radiand to degree and vice versa: Use [][MTH][REAL][NXT][NXT] to get the following menu: Function [DR] converts from degrees to radians, function [RD] converts from radiands to degrees. Try, for example, 60 [DR][ENTER] and [][][RD][ENTER]. Press [VAR] to exit the menu.

2 Grads, or Gradians, are defined so that radians = 180 degrees = 200 grads.

Entering an angle in degree-minute-second format: To enter an angle in the degree-minutesecond format you need to write it as a decimal number with the integer part corresponding to degrees, the first two decimal digits corresponding to minutes, decimal digits numbers 3 and 4 corresponding to the integer part of seconds, and the remaining decimal digits corresponding to decimal parts of seconds. Here are some examples: Angle = 23o 15' 27, type 23.1517 Angle = 273o 2' 55.17, type 273.025517 Angle = 123o 52' 17.2, type 123.52172 Angle = 13o 48' 7.256, type 123.4807256

Since the calculator does not provide for the o, ', symbols, you need to keep in mind the fact that the number you entered is indeed in the degree-minute-second format.

Operations with numbers in the degree-minute-second (DMS) format: Use functions in the TIME menu of the calculator: [][TIME][4][ OK ] (i.e., select 4.Tools..). Press [NXT] to get the following menu: Functions [HMS][HMS][HMS+][HMS-] are used to convert and operate on numbers in the DMS format, as follows:

[HMS]: Convert from decimal degrees to DMS format, e.g., try 12.7625 [HMS] to produce 12.4545, interpreted as 12o45'45 [HMS]: Convert from from DMS format to decimal degrees, e.g., try converting 12o15'17.5, entered as 12.15175 [HMS] to produce . [HMS+]: Add two angles in the DMS format, e.g., try 14o25'13.5 + 128o45'53.5, by entering 14.25135 [ENTER] 128.45535 [HMS+]. The result is 143.1107, interpreted as 143o 11' 07. [HMS-]: Subtract angle in stack level 1 from that in stack level 2, both in the DMS format. For example, calculate 128o45'53.5-14o25'13.25 by entering 128.45535 [ENTER] 14.251325 [HMS-]. The result is 114.204025, interpreted as 114o 20' 40.25.

Trigonometric functions. When the angle mode is set to DEG, the arguments of trigonometric functions (SIN, COS, TAN) must be in decimal-degree format. Thus, use function [HMS] to convert your DMS angle to decimal-degree format before using trigonometric functions. Examples First, press [][TIME][4][ OK ][NXT] to get the functions [HMS][HMS] handy :

sin(25o17'28), use 25.1728 [HMS][SIN], to get 0.427217 cos(152o 7'8), use 152.0708 [HMS][COS], to get -0.883919 tan(5o36'5), use 5.3605 [HMS][TAN], to get 9.80753E-2 = 9.8075310-2 = 0.0098753

Even if the angle mode is set to DEG, you can still calculate trigonometric functions of angles in radians by attaching the radian units (r) to the angle value. To access angle units use: [][UNITS][NXT][NXT][ANGL]. The resulting menu is shown below:

For example, to calculate sin(/6r), use [][][6][][][UNITS][NXT][NXT][ANGL][ r ][SIN][EVAL]. Alternatively, you can use function [RD] to convert radians to degrees before evaluating a trigonometric function, e.g., [][][6][][][MTH][REAL][NXT][NXT][RD][SIN][EVAL]. In a similar fashion, if your calculator angle mode is set to RAD, you can calculate trigonometric functions by adding the degree unit [ o ] to the angular value.

Inverse trigonometric functions. If the angle mode is set to DEG, the inverse trigonometric functions will be given in decimal degrees. Use function to convert them to degree-minutesecond (DMS) format. Examples First, press [][TIME][4][ OK ][NXT] to get the functions [HMS][HMS] handy :

sin-1(0.25), use 0.25 [][ASIN][HMS], to get 14.283904..., i.e., 14o 28' 39.04... cos-1(0.95), use 0.95 [][ACOS][HMS], to get 18.114154..., i.e., 18o 11' 41.54... tan-1(12.75), use 12.75 [][ATAN][HMS], to get 85.515393..., i.e., 85o 51' 53.93

Symbolic solution to a single equation. Suppose we want to solve for c from the cosine law equation a2 = b2 + c2 2bc cos . Use Exact mode. Enter this equation in the equation writer [][EQW]:

Then, press [ENTER] to copy it to the stack. _____________________________________________________________________________ Notes: To enter lower-case letters use [ALPHA][] before typing the letter key. For example, to type a use [ALPHA][][A]. 2 x To enter a squared variable, e.g., a , use [ALPHA][][A][y ][2]. To enter use [ALPHA][][T]. Alternatively, use [][CHARS], navigate through the collection of characters until is highlighted. Then, press [ECHO1] to copy the character to the stack or equation writer (see figure below):

_____________________________________________________________________________ With the equation in the stack, type [ ' ][ALPHA][][C][ENTER]. The stack (screen) will show the following lines:

Then, use function SOLVE to obtain c as follows: [][ALG][NXT][SOLVE]. If your calculator's angle mode is set to DEG, you will be asked to change the angle mode to radians:

This is necessary because algebraic operations prefer using angles in radians rather than degrees. Press [ OK ] to accept the change. If you select NO, the operation will not be completed. The result is shown in a list in stack level 1:

To see the different elements in the list, you could use the down-arrow key [] to edit the line:

Press [ENTER] to return to the stack. Alternatively, you can use [EVAL] to separate the elements of the list in the stack, i.e.,

Since the length c must be positive, only the result in stack level 1 is relevant. Suppose that we want to replace the values a = 3, b = 5, and = 23o18'23'' in that expression. We can start by typing 'a=3' ([ALPHA][][A][][=][3][[ENTER]), and then, using function SUBST ([][ALG][NXT][SUBST]. The result is:

To substitute more than one variable at a time, say, b= 5 and = 30o 15' 16, first, create the list {b 5 30.2544444444 } as follows: 6

[][{ }] [ALPHA][][A] [SPC] [5] [SPC] [ALPHA][][T] [ENTER] 30.1516 [][TIME][NXT][HMS]3 [+]4 Before performing the substitution, the stack will look as this:

To perform the substitution, we use the substitution key [][ | ], instead of function SUBST. The result is:

To see the expression in detail, use [b] to edit the expression in the equation writer:

To see the expression fully, press the [BIG ] key ([F3]) to reduce the font size:

At this point, we can press the [EVAL] key to produce a numerical result:

To see this result in a larger font press [BIG ]([F3]):

This result represents a complex number5, i.e., c = (0,2.015...) = 0 + 2.015...i, where i is the unit imaginary number, such that i2 = -16. This result indicates that the triangle is not physically possible. Note: If you ever need to enter the imaginary unit in your calculator, use [][ i ] (i.e., the [TOOL] key). For example, 5+3i, could be entered as [5][SPC][3][SPC][][ i] (accept change to Complex mode) [][+]. To change back to Real mode use [MODE][CAS], uncheck the _Complex option, press [ OK ][ OK ].
3 Note: pressing [][TIME] while a numerical entry is pending opens the TIME Tools menu directly without having to select 4. Tools... If we had typed 30.1516 [ENTER], then we needed to use [][TIME][4][ OK ][NXT][HMS] next. 4 The [+] key used here when one of the operands is a list produces a concatenation, i.e., attaching the value in stack level 1 as an additional element to the list, rather than adding a value to the list elements. 5 More correctly, this result represents an imaginary number since the real part of the complex number shown is zero. 6 You could also write i =1 , however, mathematicians cringe when they see such expression.

Symbolic solution to more than one equation. In the solution of a right triangle with hypotenuse a, sides b and c, with the angle opposite to side b, we can write the equations: a 2=b 2c 2 and sin =b / a . Suppose that a and are known and we want to find b and c using these two equations. We can obtain a symbolic solution for these two simultaneous equations by using setting up the stack as follows:

Notes: (1) To enter square brackets use [][[]]. (2) Write the equations and variable names between quotes ['] as elements of the vectors shown. (2) To enter use [ALPHA][][B], or use the CHARS screen ([][CHARS]). To obtain a solution use [][ALG][NXT][SOLVE]. The solution is shown as a list. Use [EVAL] to separate the elements of the list in the stack. The result is shown as the following two vectors:

These results indicate two possible solutions from the two equations. In both solutions it is obvious that b = a sin . To see the two elements of the solution in stack level 1 press [b] to open the matrix editor. The first element in the vector will be shown in the edit line (bottom of screen):

Press [`] to move to the next element. Still, the edit line does not show the entire element. To see this element in detail, press [EDIT]. We now see the result as:

i.e.,

2 2 c = sin 1 a =a1 sin .

Since a>0 and 1-sin2 > 0, this value of c will be negative. Thus, this result will not be relevant to our solution. Press [ENTER][ENTER][] to delete the vector under scrutiny. 8

The elements of the remaining vector can be separated in the stack by using the following keystroke sequence: [][PRG][TYPE][OBJ]7,8. The result is shown as:

The results show the two equations in stack levels 2 and 3, and a list indicating the size of the vector, i.e., {2.}, in stack level 1. Press [] to delete the contents of stack level 1. The resulting equations are: b =asin , and c = sin 2 1 a =a 1sin2 = acos .

More on symbolic and numeric results. Set the calculator to DEG and Exact modes. Refer again to the cosine equation a2 = b2 + c2 2bc cos . Suppose that we know the values a = 2, b = 7, and c =8, and would like to calculate the value of , by using the explicit expression: =cos1

b2 c 2a 2 2bc

The result of this calculation is shown in the equation writer as follows:

Select the expression by pressing [a] a few times, and then press [EVAL] to obtain the Exact value:

To obtain a numerical value, use [][NUM]. The result is:

The following equation, shown in the equation writer, is the same as that one show above, except that we wrote the value 7. instead of 7 (i.e., without the decimal point). Selecting the entire expression and using [EVAL] produces a numerical result directly without going through the intermediate step shown earlier. This is so because the value 7. in the calculator is stored as a floating-point (numeric, or approximate) value, while 7 is stored as an integer (symbolic, or exact) value and they are handled in slightly different ways by the calculator's algebraic system.
7 The command [][PRG] opens the ProGRamming menu for the calculator. The command [TYPE] opens a menu containing functions dealing with the different type of objects available in the calculator. Function [OBJ] decomposes an object into its components. 8 Function OBJ can also be found using the catalog: [][CAT][ALPHA][O].

The presence of a single floating-point value in the expression forces the whole result to become floating-point, as illustrated above.

Creating a directory for your surveying equations. If you are interested in keeping a collection of equations for your surveying class, you may consider creating a SURVEY directory in your calculator's memory. To create this directory, proceed as follows:

Type the word SURVEY between quotes: [ ' ][ALPHA][ALPHA]9[S][U][R][V][E][Y][ENTER]. Use function CRDIR to create the directory. This function can be found by using either the PRG>MEM>DIR menu: [][PRG][MEM][DIR][CRDIR] the catalog: [][CAT][ALPHA][C], then use [b] until you find CRDIR. Press [ OK ]. Press [VAR] to recover the list of variables.

Directory [SURVEY] should be available in your list of variables:

In this exercise, directory [SURVEY] is associated with soft-menu key [F1].

Press [SURVEY] to enter the directory. Notice that the second line in the display changes from {HOME} to {HOME SURVEY}. This is equivalent to the path C:\HOME\SURVEY in a Windows-based computer. Press [][UPDIR] to move up one level of directories (in this case, to return to the HOME directory). Note: to return to the HOME directory, regardless of the current directory level, use [](hold key)[UPDIR].

Storing an equation in the SURVEY directory. Suppose that you want to store the following equation for sag correction in distance tape measurements, Cs, in your SURVEY directory: w L Cs= 24 P 2 1
2 3

In this equation w = weight of tape (lb/ft), L = unsupported length of tape (ft), and P1 = total tension applied to the tape (lb). In order to store the equation you need to move into your [SURVEY] directory, and type the equation in the stack (You could type the equation in the equation writer, then press [ENTER] to list it in the stack). Then, type the name of the variable that will hold the equation, e.g., sageq10.
9 Pressing [ALPHA][ALPHA] locks the alphabetic keyboard so that one can type a sequence of alphabetic characters. Pressing [ALPHA], afterwards, unlocks it. In this example the alpha keyboard is unlocked when we press [ENTER]. 10 To enter a word all in lower case, as in this example, use [ALPHA][ALPHA], then press [] before each letter.

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At this point, the stack should look as follows:

To store the equation, use the [STO`] (store) key.

Manipulating variables in the VAR-LINK. Press [VAR], if needed, to recover your variable list. Variable [sageq] should now be available in your variables list.

Press the corresponding soft-menu key, [sageq], to see the contents of the variable. This only lists the contents in the screen, it does not remove the variable from your list. Alternatively, you can use [][sageq] to list the contents of the variable. Press [] (hold)[b] to list the contents of the current page in the variable list. Press [ENTER] to return to the stack. In this case there is only one variable:

To make a copy of the contents of sageq, that will be named csaeq, use:[][sageq], type 'csaeq' [ENTER][STO`]. To delete a variable type the variable name in the stack. This can be done by pressing ['] and then pressing the soft-menu key associated with the variable name. For example, if you wanted to list the name csaeq (created in the step immediately above), use ['][csaeq]. To delete the variable use: [TOOL][PURGE]. Press [VAR] to return to the variables list. To delete more than one variable, first, list their names in a list in stack level 1. To open a list use [][{}]. You can enter the variable names into the list by pressing the corresponding soft-menu keys. Press [ENTER] when done filling the list. Then use [TOOL] [PURGE]. Press [VAR] to return to the variables list.

Numerical solution of equations. Refer again to the cosine equation (written using an angle insted of ): a2 = b2 + c2 2bc cos . Suppose that we know the values a = 2.5, b = 7.3, and c =8.8, and would like to calculate the value of numerically. In such a case we use the Numeric Solver (NUM.SLV). Next, we provide some exercises to illustrate the use of the numerical solver. For the case of the cosine law equation referred to, above, type the equation in the equation writer (to type use [ALPHA][][B], or use the CHARS screen, [][CHARS]), then press [ENTER] 11

to list the equation in the stack. Store the equation in a variable, say, coslawa. Before storing the equation, the stack will look like this:

To store the equation, use the [STO`] (store) key. Press [VAR], if needed, to recover your variable list. Variable [cosla] should now be available in your variables list. We'll return to the solution of his equation later. Next, we show the use of the numerical solver for another equation. To select the numerical solver, press [][NUM.SLV]. This produces the following drop-down menu list:

The six applications shown correspond to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Solve equation..: numerical solution of a single equation Solve diff eq..: numerical solution of a first-order ordinary differential equation Solve poly..: solve a polynomial equation Solve lin sys..: solve a system of linear equations MSLV: numerical solution of simultaneous (not necessarily linear) equations

Example 1. At this point, we are only interested in item 1. Solve equation.. Press [ OK ] to activate the solver. The following entry form is provided:

The field Eq: is highlighted. One could type and equation in that field by pressing [EDIT]. For example, to solve the equation a2 + b2 = c2, press [EDIT] and type the equation as 'a^2+b^2=c^2'. Press [ENTER]. The entry form is now shown as: 12

The entry form has been modified to show the equation and provide entry fields for the variables involved in the equation, in this case, a, b, and c. Suppose that we use a = 2.5, c = 5.2, and we want to find b. Proceed as follows:

Type 2.5 in field a: and press [ OK ] Press [b][b] to move to field c:. Enter 5.2 in field c: and press [ OK ] Press [b][b] to move to field b:. This selects the variable to solve for. Press [SOLVE]

The result is shown in the form:

Press [ENTER] to return to the stack. You'll notice that the result, with its corresponding tag, is shown in stack level 1. Also, variables [ b ][ c ][ a ] and [ EQ ] have been created (press [VAR] if needed to see the list of variables):

Variable EQ is the default name for the current equation available for solution in the numerical solver. Press [ EQ ] to see the contents of the variable. You can also press the soft-menu keys corresponding to variables [ b ][ c ][ a ] to see their current values. Example 2. Suppose that we want to solve the cosine law equation in variable coslawa. We could proceed by saving a copy of the current EQ variable into a variable EQ1, and then replacing the contents of coslawa into EQ, as follows: Press [][ EQ ], then press ['][EQ][1][ENTER][STO`]. Variable EQ1 is now available. Press [][cosla] (press [NXT], if needed, to find the variable [cosla]). 11 Press [][ EQ ] to store the contents of stack level 1 into variable EQ.
11 The sequence [][ variable_name ] will store the contents of stack level 1 into variable_name. Use it carefully, because the original contents of the variable in variable_name will be lost.

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Next, activate the numerical solver by using [][NUM.SLV][ OK ]. The resulting entry form is now shown as:

The values of a, b, c are the ones used in the previous example (currently stored in variables of the same names). Let's now change the values to a = 2.5, b = 7.3, and c =8.8, and solve for :

Press [ENTER] to return to the stack. This result is shown in decimal degrees, use [][TIME] [4][ OK ][NXT][HMS] to convert to degree-minute-second format. The result is 14.2004265..., which is interpreted as 14o 20' 04.265.... Example 3 - Solving for other variables in the equation. Activate the Numerical Solver again using the instructions shown above. The equation most recently used is still available. Let's use the solver to solve for other variables. For example, if the value of is changed to 32 o, and the values of a and b are kept the same, what is the value of c? The following screen shows the solution:

Example 4. Without leaving the solver, we can load an equation into it by highlighting the Eq: field, and pressing [CHOOS]. A listing of the equations available in the directory will be provided. Select equation sageq, and press [ OK ]. The numerical solver entry form will now look like this: 14

For this case, use Cs = -0.06, L = 100, w = 0.05. Solving for P1 we find P1 = 41.67. Keep in mind the units used even though they're not explicitly shown in the solution, i.e., Cs = -0.06 ft, L = 100 ft, w = 0.05 lb/ft, and P1 = 41.67 lb.

Unit conversions. Suppose that you want to convert 118 mi to km. Here's the procedure:

Type the value 118, then press [][UNITS][LENG][NXT][ mi ] Type 1, then press [ km ] Press [][UNITS][TOOLS][CONVE]

The result is shown as:

Additional resources for learning calculator operation. These are some links that you may find useful in learning to operate your hp calculator: Applications of calculators in Dynamics include operations useful in science and engineering calculations:

http://www.neng.usu.edu/cee/faculty/gurro/Classes/Classes_Summer2007/ENGR2030/ENGR2030Add itionalNotesSummer2007.htm

Tutorial exercises for the hp 49g+ more detailed exercises using the hp 49g+, hp 48gii, and hp 50g calculators:

http://www.neng.usu.edu/cee/faculty/gurro/Classes/Classes_Spring2004/hp49g+/hp49g+training.htm

Calculators in engineering you can download calculator emulators here:

http://www.neng.usu.edu/cee/faculty/gurro/Classes/Classes_Spring2007/Calculators/CalculatorsEngineering.htm

My hp 50g page with other links:

http://www.neng.usu.edu/cee/faculty/gurro/Software_Calculators/HP48_49G_Docs/HP50G+.html

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