OS/2 Shareware BBS: Science/Science.zip/numasst.zip/NA.HLP

OS/2 Help File | 1995-05-26 | 22KB | 504 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. About Numerical Assistant ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Numerical Assistant is a scientific and financial calculator designed to
replace hand held calculators. It uses direct algebraic logic input by either
keyboard or mouse to allow easy editing and visualization of equations. Direct
algebraic logic allows you to enter formulas in the same sequence you read
them.  It may be effectively used by engineers, scientists, managers,
accountants, students or anyone requiring a full function calculator.

Numerical Assistant allows you to perform all functions using either the
keyboard or mouse. All mouse functions have a direct keyboard equivalent and
vice versa. Main editing functions including Cut, Copy, Paste, Insert, Delete,
Help, Left, Right, Up, and Down, are accessed using descriptive icons. All
calculator functions may be entered by pressing the appropriate button or
entering the keyboard equivalent. All functions and their equivalents are
listed in the keys help. Display editing follows all of the default PM actions
including Cut, Copy, Paste and text selection.

The calculation portions of Numerical Assistant include full equation editing,
various result formatting, multi - angle input, unlimited parentheses, memory,
scientific functions, financial functions, programmability, and descriptive
error trapping.

Good Luck, and I hope you enjoy using Numerical Assistant

For more information on using Numerical Assistant, refer to the help index.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. About Menu Item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select About on the System menu to display copyright information about
Numerical Assistant.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Cut ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Press the Cut Button , or Shift+Delete to delete Selected Text from the display
and copy it to the Clipboard.

You can insert the text you cut elsewhere in the display or in any application
which uses the Clipboard using Paste.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Copy ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Press the Copy Button , or Ctrl+Insert to copy Selected Text to the Clipboard.

You can insert the text you copied elsewhere in the display or in any
application which uses the Clipboard using Paste.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Paste ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Press the Paste Button , or Shift+Insert to insert text stored in the Clipboard
into the display at the current cursor position.

If text is Selected, then text from the Clipboard will replace the selected
text.

Note:  Use Cut or Copy to store text in the Clipboard.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Cancel Button ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select the Cancel pushbutton to exit the dialog box without performing any
action.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Help Button ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select the Help pushbutton when you need help with the highlighted field in the
dialog box.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Grouping Equations ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Sections of an equation may be grouped to override default actions and to
better control the results of the calculation. The number of grouping levels
are limited only by memory. Grouped sections are indicated by enclosing the
information in parentheses. The following examples show how grouping works.

   2 + 3 * 5 = 17
   (2 + 3) * 5 = 25

In the above example the first equation calculates 3*5 first equating it to 15
then adds 2 to that result to get 17. Using parentheses, 2+3 is determined
first getting 5 and then multiplied by 5 to get the result of 25. There are no
limits to the amounts or levels of grouping, except that every open parenthesis
must have a matching closing parenthesis. For example the following is also
valid.

   (((2+3)*(3+6))/6)+12 = 19.5

Grouping may also be used in combination with any of the other scientific
functions.

There is a default priority for which order functions get calculated. For more
information on this order see Calculation Hierarchy.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Calculation Hierarchy ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When Numerical Assistant calculates an equation, it uses a set of defined
priorities to determine which part of the equation will get calculated first.
This is the default action, but specific calculation order may be defined using
parentheses. For more information on parentheses, see Grouping Commands. The
defined priorities are shown in the following table.

 Priority:   Functions:

 1           ( ), =

 2           √, ln, abs, exp, log, all trigonometric, financial and user
             defined functions

 3           !, ^, ¤, and √

 4           /, *, <, and >

 5           +, and -

 Basically, what the above table means is that the parentheses, and equal have
 the highest priority and are calculated first. Most of the scientific
 functions have second priority, and so on. The plus and minus operations have
 the lowest priority and are determined last. The root sign appears twice in
 priority 2 and 3 because in priority 2 it is being used for x root y type
 calculations and in priority 3 it is being used for square root calculations.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Equations ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Numerical Assistant contains a complete customizable equation system.  You may
define complex equations, down to simply defining constants.

To bring up the equation selection and editing dialog, simply press  next to
the entry field or press 'F11'. From this dialog you can browse through all of
the equations available in the system.  If you press enter or double click on
an item, it will appear in the entry field for you to add the details.  The
'Abbrev' column is what is used to represent the equation in the 'Equation'
column.  The 'Vars' column shows how many parameters are needed for this
equation and optionally, in brackets, a one word description of the parameters.
Equations with 'internal' in the 'Equation' column are defined internally to
the system and are not editable.  Other equations are editable and you may also
add your own.

To add, delete or edit an equation, simply use the right mouse button on the
item you wish to modify and a popup menu will be displayed to give you your
options.  You may also start an edit by 'Alt+left mouse' clicking on the
portion you wish to edit.  When you are done editing a field either press enter
or click somewhere else on the dialog.  When all your editing is finished press
'Save' or 'Ok' to save everything to their respective files.

The file an equation is stored in is listed under the 'File Name' column. This
file name may be modified for your own purposes, however it must have an
extension of '.eqn' in order for the system to read it in the next time you
load Numerical Assistant.  The '.eqn' files are read/stored in the working
directory you started Numerical Assistant from.  These '.eqn' files may be
transfered to other systems by simply copying them to the working directory of
other users.

The equation itself has some rules to follow in order for it to work correctly.
First you must enter the abbreviation you wish to use, then the number of
variables this equation needs, the actual equation, and the file name to store
the equation.  Abbreviations must be unique with one exception.  A constant
(one with 0 variables) can be the same as an equation (one with more than one
variable).  The number of variables is simply the number needed to fully solve
the equation, and may be up to 26.  The equation itself may contain any
Numerical Assistant functions including other equations.  The parameters the
user puts in the equation are translated as follows, the first is 'a', second
'b' etc.  The number of variables specified must be greater or equal to the
number actually used in the equation.  If only 3 variables are specified, and
'd' is used in the equation, an error will occur when you try to use the
equation.

As an example 'SLN' is defined with 3 variable and has an equation of
'(a-b)/c', therefore if the user entered 'SLN(20000,1000,10)',
'(20000-1000)/10' would be evaluated.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Other Functions ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Numerical Assistant contains some other functions with are contained in the
Equation system but do not have associated keys.

 Key:   Other functions:

 atan2(y,x) Inverse tangent using both x and y coordinates: atan2(1.,0.) = 90
        degrees.

 integrate(min,max,steps,equation) Numerically computes the integral of the
        given equations: integrate(0;1;5;4*a^2) = 1.36.  The equation follows
        the same rules used in the equation editor. The integration system also
        has the ability to do multiple integrations. To perform multiple
        integrations, simply nest the integrate functions.  For example to
        integrate 4*a*b^2 with respect to a and b, with a ranging from 0 to 1
        and b ranging from 1 to 2, with each using 10 subdivisions, you would
        enter 'integrate(1;2;10;integrate(0;1;10;4*a*b^2))'

 deriv(value,equation) Derivatives, numerically computes the derivative of the
        given equations: deriv(2.;4*a^2) = 16.  The equation follows the same
        rules used in the equation editor.

 cterm(i;FV;PV) calculates the number of compounding periods required for a
        single investment (the present value, PV) to grow to a future-value
        (FV) earning a fixed interest rate (i) per compounding period.

 ddb(cost;salvage;life;period) calculates the depreciation allowance of an
        asset with an initial value of cost, and expected useful life, and a
        final salvage value for a specified period of time, using the
        double-declining balance method

 effint(i;M) computes the effective interest rate based on the number of
        compounding time per term (M)

 fv(pmt;i;term) calculates the future value of an investment, based on a series
        of equal payments (pmt), earning a periodic interest rate, over the
        number of payment periods in term

 fvpv(PV;i;term) calculates the future value of an investment, based on a lump
        sum present value payment earning a periodic interest rate, over the
        number of periods in term

 pmt(P;i;term) calculates the payment on a loan principal (P) at a given
        interest rate for a specified number of payment periods

 pv(pmt;i;term) determines the present value of an investment.  PV calculates
        the present value based on a series of equal payments, discounted at a
        periodic interest rate over the number of periods in term

 pvfv(FV;i;term) calculates the present value investment required for a future
        value desired earning a periodic interest rate, over the number of
        periods in term

 rate(FV;PV;term) returns the periodic interest rate necessary for an
        investment present-value to grow to a future-value over the number of
        compounding periods in term

 sln(cost;salvage;life) calculates the straight-line depreciation allowance of
        an asset with an initial value of cost, an expected useful life, and a
        final value of salvage, for one period

 syd(cost;salvage;life;period) calculates the sum-of-the-years'-digits
        depreciation allowance of an asset with an initial value of cost, an
        expected useful life, and a final value of salvage, for a specified
        period

 term(pmt;i,FV) calculates the number of equal payments required for an
        investment to accumulate a future value at periodic interest rate


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select one of the following to get detailed help for a specific set of buttons:

     Editing and Cursor Keys
     Calculator Control Keys
     Scientific Function Keys
     Numeric Keypad
     Memory Keys
     Equations
     Other Functions


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Editing and Cursor Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These keys are used for editing and cursor control.

 Key:   Function:

  Shift+Del Cuts the current selection from the display and saves it in the
        clipboard. See Cut for more information.

  Ctrl+Ins Copies the current selection from the display and saves it in the
        clipboard. See Copy for more information.

  Shift+Ins Pastes the contents of the clipboard into the display at the
        current insertion point, replacing any selected text. See Paste for
        more information.

  Ins   Toggles the insert status from overtype to insert.

  Del   Deletes the current selection in the display, or the current character
        if nothing is selected.

  F1    Brings up the Help System positioned in the Keys Help Section.

  Left  Moves the cursor to the left in the display. If pressed while the
        results of a calculation are being shown, the display will switch back
        to editing the equation and then move left.

  Right Moves the cursor to the right in the display. If pressed while the
        results of a calculation are being shown, the display will switch back
        to editing the equation.

  Up    Cycles up through all of the equations which have been entered for this
        session.

  Down  Cycles down through all of the equations which have been entered for
        this session.

 Home   Moves the cursor to the beginning of the display.

 End    Moves the cursor to the end of the display.

 F2     Edit. When pressed while the results of a calculation are being shown,
        the display will switch back to editing the equation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Calculator Control Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These keys are used to control the format of the numeric output.

 Key:   Function:

 deg/rad/grad or F3 Switchs the current angle type between degrees, radians and
        gradians. The current type is the one showing on the button. All
        trigonometric functions will base their calculations on these angle
        types.

 fixed/sci or F4 Switches between Fixed Point and Scientific notation. 'fixed'
        indicates normal notation, 'sci' indicates scientific notation.

 .xx or F5 Defines the number of decimal places used to display the output. The
        default '.' is the number of decimal places required, but may be set to
        any number between .0 and .16.

 arc    Selects the inverse of the trigonometric functions. Follow this key
        with any one of: asin, acos, or atan to get the inverse of that
        function.

 hyp    Selects the hyperbolic of the trigonometric functions. Follow this key
        with any one of: sinh, cosh, or tanh to get the hyperbolic of that
        function.

 Clr or F6 Clears the display.

  or F11 Brings up the equation selection and editing dialog. See Equations for
        more information.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Scientific Function Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These keys are used for defining the desired scientific functions.

 Key:   Calculation:

 n!     Factorial: 5! = 5*4*3*2*1 = 120. Note: decimal numbers will be
        calculated as follows 5.4! = 5.4*4.4*3.4*2.4*1.4 = 271.43424.

 abs    Absolute Value: abs(-5) = 5.

 sin    Sine: sin(60) = 0.866025403. The results of this calculation depend on
        the type of angle used. See Calculator Control Keys for more
        information. The example shown is for an angle type of degrees.

 cos    Cosine: cos(60) = 0.5. The results of this calculation depend on the
        type of angle used. See Calculator Control Keys for more information.
        The example shown is for an angle type of degrees.

 tan    Tangent: tan(60) = 1.732050808. The results of this calculation depend
        on the type of angle used. See Calculator Control Keys for more
        information. The example shown is for an angle type of degrees.

 10^x   Ten to the power of x: 10^5 = 100000.

 log    Base 10 logarithm: log(100000) = 5.

 3√ or 3 rt Cubic root: 3√5 = 1.709975947. Note: 3√3√8 would be calculated as
        (3√3)√8 which is the 3√3 rd root of eight and not the cubed root of the
        cubed root of eight. To get this effect enter as follows: 3√(3√8)

 x√y or xrty xth root of y: 5√5 = 1.379729661. Note: Similar rules to that for
        cubic roots above apply here.

 y^x    y to the power of x: 3^5 = 243.

 exp    e to the power of x: exp(1) = 2.7182818284590452, exp(5) = 148.4131591.

 ln     Natural logarithm: ln(exp(1)) = 1, ln(5) = 1.609437912.

 1/x    Inverse of x: 1/5 = 0.2.

 √ or rt Square root: √5 = 2.236067977.

 x¤ or ^2 Square: 5¤ = 25.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Numeric Keypad ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These keys are used for entering in numbers.

 Key:   Function:

 у or pi PI: 3.141592653589793.

 1 - 9  Numbers one through nine. These buttons do not repeat when held down.

 0      Number zero. This button will repeat when held down.

 (      Opening parenthesis. Use this to start a group of commands. See
        Grouping Commands for more information.

 )      Closing parenthesis. Use this to end a group of commands. See Grouping
        Commands for more information.

 .      Decimal.  Note: Decimal will be set to decimal place holder set in
        country settings

 /      Divide symbol: 2 / 5 = .4.

 *      Multiply symbol: 2 * 5 = 10.

 -      Minus symbol or plus/minus indicator: 2 - 5 = -3 or 2 + -5 = -3.

 +      Plus symbol: 2 + 5 = 7.

 =      Equals sign. Indicates that Numerical Assistant should calculate the
        results of the current display.

 E      Exponential indicator: 2E5 = 200000. Adds an 'E' to the display to
        indicate that an exponential number is being entered.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> Memory Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These keys are used for storing calculation results.

 Key:   Function:

 x╨┐M or F7 Stores results of the calculation in memory, clearing any previous
        results. If the display is still being edited, pressing this button
        will simulate an equal sign being pressed before continuing.

 RM or F8 Retrieves the number stored in memory and inserts it at the current
        entry point in the display.

 M+ or F9 Adds the results of the calculation to the current value in memory.
        If the display is still being edited, pressing this button will
        simulate an equal sign being pressed before continuing.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. Clipboard ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Clipboard holds the text that you Cut or Copy from an application.

The Clipboard can only hold one block of text at a time. When you cut or copy
text, any text that is already in the Clipboard is replaced with the new
information.

To use the text stored in the clipboard, you utilize the Paste functions. The
text contained in the clipboard is accessible by any applications which use the
clipboard functions and not just the current application. Paste is generally
used for this purpose, however refer to the specific application for more
information. This feature of the clipboard is very useful for calculating using
Numerical Assistant and inserting the results into other applications such as
spreadsheets and word processors. The reverse is also possible, you may have an
equation in a word processor which you would like the results of. In this case
you would cut or copy the equation from the word processor, and paste it into
Numerical Assistant.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. Selecting text ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Selecting text is used for various editing and clipboard operations. When text
is selected it will become highlighted. Text may be selected using the mouse,
keyboard or a combination of the two.

CAUTION:
If an area of text is selected, pressing any character key, the Backspace key,
or the Delete key deletes the selected text from the display.

Mouse Alone

Select Text:

   1. Press and hold the first mouse button at the beginning of the text you
      want to select.
   2. Move the mouse to highlight the text desired.
   3. Release the mouse button.

 Mouse and Keyboard Together

   1. Press the first mouse button at the beginning of the text you want to
      select.
   2. Press and hold the Shift key down.
   3. Press the first mouse button at the end of the text you want to select.
 Keyboard Alone

   1. Press and hold the Shift key at the beginning of the text you want to
      select.
   2. Highlight the text desired using the cursor keys.
   3. Release the Shift key.

 Extending Selection

   1. Hold the Shift key down.
   2. Press the first mouse button at the end of the area you want to select.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden>  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The item referenced is only available if you are executing Numerical Assistant
Scientific.  Please contact Snow Storm Software for details.