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Calculation Exercices on HP-48G

HP48G_Math : English version (ou Version française)

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Author : Pierre HARDY
Date : Mars 2008
Copyright © Pierre Hardy, 2008.
E-mail author at: pierrehardy01@yahoo.be

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Math exercises on the HP-48G

Introduction

Here a small program that I wrote for my kids, weary to see their mother preparing them everyday a sheet of exercises. It allows learning the multiplication tables, the squares, the sums/subtractions up to 100, the fractions and, for the smallest, the sums up to 10. Instructions were simple: they had to have a score of 20 good answers, to them to do it as fast as possible to return to play... but this quickly became a game!

Why not on PC? The time to start up and to shut down a computer, they already finished their exercises since a long time! And a pocket calculator, you take it anywhere, in the car, in an rocking-chair, in the living room,... as a game console (games that you can easily load on it: Mine (build-in), Mastermind, Hung,... available for free on Internet).

Principles

The program has the following rules:

Modules

So, this program has 5 training modules:

Content

This is not the calculator manual, but how to use this program set. But for the neophytes that take the calculator in hand for the first time, I give anyway some basic commands so you can do it!

Two words of syntax: I place the commands between square brackets, but without the prefix keys (left or right shift), for example, to come back to the home directory, press [HOME] (accessible after the right shift). Commands of the first row are noted the same way, even if they are not always directly accessible (behind a menu).

First of all, go to 'Math' folder : [HOME] ([VAR]) [MATH]. This one holds the main programs, as well as the subroutines and work variables. To see them, in 'Math' directory, press [VAR] if needed, then [NXT]. By pressing the corresponding [A] ... [F] keys, you recall the content of the variable or execute the program, according to the content type.

So, here the directory content :

How to

From 'Math' directory, by pressing [VAR], you obtain the first screen here under (if stack is empty, [DEL] to clean it). You have then the choice between the automatic and manual option.

Manuel mode

In manual mode, you use directly the various programs, in sequence: Those programs are also accessible through the menu [CST], and second menu ([CST]) [NXT].

NB: You can change the order in which the variables/programs appear. For more details, consult the manual, but quickly, do [Left Shift] [MEMORY] [DIR] [VARS], which puts the variables list to the level 1 of the stack. You can edit the list to change the order, without error in the names: [EDIT] then use the keys in top, the arrows, the [ALPHA] key (two times to remain in this mode) to type the letters,... When you have the programs in the good order (you don't need to list all variables or programs, they'll be let at the end automatically), press [ENTER] and [ORDER]. They're now sorted, press [VAR] to review the list.

Automatic mode

Execute [MATH], give the wished distribution in the first screen (NB: the program keeps the last configuration), and press [OK].

From there, the program puts automatically a new question as soon as you press [OK] (the program is suspended, as indicated by the small 'HALT' at the top of the screen).

To exit the program, press [END], after providing an answer (so at the end of a question).

[SCORE] Shows the score, with distribution:

[INIT] Re-initalize the counter and continue (asks the following question, according to the same distribution).

Question and Answer

For every exercise, the scenario is identical: With every response, a small bip is emitted, which allows (an adult?) to follow, from (not too) far the progression of the exercises. You can suppress the sound by changing the system indicator (flag) n° 56 (see manual).

Good to know

The [ON] key switch the calculator on (!), switch it [OFF] (after right shift). But this is also the [CANCEL] key, useful when the calculator is stick on a menu, or on an error. And again on same key, [CONT] continues or resume a suspended program (HALT in top status line).

When the calculator is in halt mode ('HALT' at top of screen), you can either continue the execution ([CONT]), or kill it : [PRG][NXT][RUN][KILL], command also programmed under the [END] key of menu ([CST][END]).

To change screen contrast, press and hold [ON] key, then [+] or [-].

Backup

Finally, here how to backup and restore a directory (or folder) in "port memory. I'll use here port 0, available on all models.
Backup
To copy a directory , for example 'Math' :
Restore
Before restoring the directory previously saved, may be you'll first want to delete (purge) the existing one :
[HOME] 'Math' [Left shit][MEMORY] [DIR] [PGDIR]

Now, to restore the directory form port memory :

For more details, consult chapiter 28 of the User's Guide.

That's it !

Just hope this will help some kids to get better in mental calculations ...


Pierre.


    HP-48G Math Teaching
    Copyright © 2008  Pierre Hardy

=*=*= Have Fun =*=*=

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