#HP PLATINUM 12C FINANCIAL CALCULATOR HOW TO#
#HP PLATINUM 12C FINANCIAL CALCULATOR PLUS#

Beginning next month, you intend to make monthly deposits of $50 for the next five years. The savings account will pay 2% compounded monthly. The five keys in the top left corner (including their and functions) are all used for these types of problems.Įxample: You open a savings account with an initial $775 deposit. HP12C Examples: Using Key Financial FunctionsĪ strength of the HP12C is its intuitiveness for completing TVM calculations. Upon turning the calculator back on, the HP12C should now be reset to factory settings.Release the subtract button and then turn the calculator off.The HP12C will display PR ERROR – this is normal. Hold the subtract button while simultaneously turning the calculator back on.If you wish to reset your HP12C to factory settings, you may do so by keying the following: To indicate a negative number, or change a negative number to a positive one, we use the key: You may also overwrite a single stored register by storing a new value in the register. Note: Hitting REG will clear the storage registers. To recall a stored value, press followed by the register (0 – 9) where your value was stored: We will use 1,234 in the example below. Key followed by the storage register (0 – 9) that you wish to store your value in: Key in the value that you wish to store (unless the value is already displayed on the screen). The HP12C allows you to store numbers using the following key strokes: The HP12C has a key for calculating percent change between two numbers.įor example – let’s calculate by what percent is 5 greater than 4: The HP12C will display 77 (which is the first result, 7, multiplied by the second result, 11): Then key the second parenthesis’ calculation: To perform a calculation requiring parenthesis such as: (3 + 4) x (5 + 6), you would key the following:īegin with the first parenthesis’ calculation:

There are six Clear keys on the HP12C – their specific functions are listed below. For example, performing the above operation will display 10 on the calculator. To add subsequent numbers (or use any other arithmetic operator), it is not necessary to use.

For example, to sum 5 and 5, you would key: Reverse Polish Notation requires that when performing arithmetic functions, you separate the first two numbers by hitting the key. The yellow as well as the blue key will be used quite often as they allow you to access many of the important functions available on the HP12C. For example, to display five decimal places, you would key: To modify the number of places displayed, hit the yellow prefix key followed by the number of places you wish to display.

#HP PLATINUM 12C FINANCIAL CALCULATOR HOW TO#

How To Use HP12C: Basic Functions You Should Know 1) Setting Decimal Placesīy default, the HP12C will show only two decimals places. If you have yet to get your HP12C calculator, you can view and get the latest models on Amazon: You may also find that there are less candidates to ask and discuss any keystroke-related issues you may have.

#HP PLATINUM 12C FINANCIAL CALCULATOR PLUS#

Because the BA II Plus calculator is much more widely-used among CFA candidates, this can mean that you may not, for example, get HP12C-specific calculator examples with your provider.

Anecdotally, the RPN can take some extra time to learn. The HP12C is a legendary calculator, so some candidates do like to use and appreciate it beyond its use for the CFA exams.ĭisadvantages of the HP12C and RPN for the CFA exams RPN can be more practical for time value of money (TVM) calculations.

More accurate use. Research also shows that users tend to make less input mistakes with RPN.Because RPN does not need the user to input parentheses, calculations have been shown to take less time to input with RPN. Pros and Cons of RPN Advantages of the HP12C and RPN for the CFA exams Research has also shown that the HP 12C could be faster and more accurate for candidates to use. Once you’ve developed basic knowledge of RPN, you may find its format more practical particularly for TVM problems on the exams. Although Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) – the HP12C’s mathematical notation – may initially take some getting used to, it offers some advantages over non-RPN devices. Reverse Polish notation (RPN), also known as Polish postfix notation or postfix notation, is a mathematical notation in which operators follow their operands, in contrast to Polish notation (PN), in which operators precede their operands.Ī simple example: if you used the HP12C to add 6 and 7, you would input “ 6 7 +” rather than the ‘usual’ “6 + 7”. What Is the Reverse Polish Notation (RPN)?

Hp platinum 12c financial calculator