1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @comment %**start of header (This is for running Texinfo on a region.)
4 @setfilename ../../info/calc
6 @settitle GNU Emacs Calc Manual
8 @comment %**end of header (This is for running Texinfo on a region.)
10 @include emacsver.texi
12 @c The following macros are used for conditional output for single lines.
14 @c `foo' will appear only in TeX output
16 @c `foo' will appear only in non-TeX output
18 @c @expr{expr} will typeset an expression;
19 @c $x$ in TeX, @samp{x} otherwise.
24 @alias infoline=comment
38 @alias texline=comment
39 @macro infoline{stuff}
58 % Suggested by Karl Berry <karl@@freefriends.org>
59 \gdef\!{\mskip-\thinmuskip}
62 @c Fix some other things specifically for this manual.
65 @mathcode`@:=`@: @c Make Calc fractions come out right in math mode
67 \gdef\coloneq{\mathrel{\mathord:\mathord=}}
69 \gdef\beforedisplay{\vskip-10pt}
70 \gdef\afterdisplay{\vskip-5pt}
71 \gdef\beforedisplayh{\vskip-25pt}
72 \gdef\afterdisplayh{\vskip-10pt}
74 @newdimen@kyvpos @kyvpos=0pt
75 @newdimen@kyhpos @kyhpos=0pt
76 @newcount@calcclubpenalty @calcclubpenalty=1000
79 @newtoks@calcoldeverypar @calcoldeverypar=@everypar
80 @everypar={@calceverypar@the@calcoldeverypar}
81 @ifx@ninett@undefinedzzz@font@ninett=cmtt9@fi
82 @catcode`@\=0 \catcode`\@=11
84 \catcode`\@=0 @catcode`@\=@active
90 This file documents Calc, the GNU Emacs calculator.
93 This file documents Calc, the GNU Emacs calculator, included with
94 GNU Emacs @value{EMACSVER}.
97 Copyright @copyright{} 1990-1991, 2001-2011 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
100 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
101 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
102 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
103 Invariant Sections being just ``GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE'', with the
104 Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU Manual,'' and with the Back-Cover
105 Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the license is included in the section
106 entitled ``GNU Free Documentation License.''
108 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have the freedom to copy and
109 modify this GNU manual. Buying copies from the FSF supports it in
110 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
114 @dircategory Emacs misc features
116 * Calc: (calc). Advanced desk calculator and mathematical tool.
121 @center @titlefont{Calc Manual}
123 @center GNU Emacs Calc
126 @center Dave Gillespie
127 @center daveg@@synaptics.com
130 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
143 @node Top, Getting Started, (dir), (dir)
144 @chapter The GNU Emacs Calculator
147 @dfn{Calc} is an advanced desk calculator and mathematical tool
148 written by Dave Gillespie that runs as part of the GNU Emacs environment.
150 This manual, also written (mostly) by Dave Gillespie, is divided into
151 three major parts: ``Getting Started,'' the ``Calc Tutorial,'' and the
152 ``Calc Reference.'' The Tutorial introduces all the major aspects of
153 Calculator use in an easy, hands-on way. The remainder of the manual is
154 a complete reference to the features of the Calculator.
158 For help in the Emacs Info system (which you are using to read this
159 file), type @kbd{?}. (You can also type @kbd{h} to run through a
160 longer Info tutorial.)
166 * Getting Started:: General description and overview.
168 * Interactive Tutorial::
170 * Tutorial:: A step-by-step introduction for beginners.
172 * Introduction:: Introduction to the Calc reference manual.
173 * Data Types:: Types of objects manipulated by Calc.
174 * Stack and Trail:: Manipulating the stack and trail buffers.
175 * Mode Settings:: Adjusting display format and other modes.
176 * Arithmetic:: Basic arithmetic functions.
177 * Scientific Functions:: Transcendentals and other scientific functions.
178 * Matrix Functions:: Operations on vectors and matrices.
179 * Algebra:: Manipulating expressions algebraically.
180 * Units:: Operations on numbers with units.
181 * Store and Recall:: Storing and recalling variables.
182 * Graphics:: Commands for making graphs of data.
183 * Kill and Yank:: Moving data into and out of Calc.
184 * Keypad Mode:: Operating Calc from a keypad.
185 * Embedded Mode:: Working with formulas embedded in a file.
186 * Programming:: Calc as a programmable calculator.
188 * Copying:: How you can copy and share Calc.
189 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation.
190 * Customizing Calc:: Customizing Calc.
191 * Reporting Bugs:: How to report bugs and make suggestions.
193 * Summary:: Summary of Calc commands and functions.
195 * Key Index:: The standard Calc key sequences.
196 * Command Index:: The interactive Calc commands.
197 * Function Index:: Functions (in algebraic formulas).
198 * Concept Index:: General concepts.
199 * Variable Index:: Variables used by Calc (both user and internal).
200 * Lisp Function Index:: Internal Lisp math functions.
204 @node Getting Started, Interactive Tutorial, Top, Top
207 @node Getting Started, Tutorial, Top, Top
209 @chapter Getting Started
211 This chapter provides a general overview of Calc, the GNU Emacs
212 Calculator: What it is, how to start it and how to exit from it,
213 and what are the various ways that it can be used.
217 * About This Manual::
218 * Notations Used in This Manual::
219 * Demonstration of Calc::
221 * History and Acknowledgements::
224 @node What is Calc, About This Manual, Getting Started, Getting Started
225 @section What is Calc?
228 @dfn{Calc} is an advanced calculator and mathematical tool that runs as
229 part of the GNU Emacs environment. Very roughly based on the HP-28/48
230 series of calculators, its many features include:
234 Choice of algebraic or RPN (stack-based) entry of calculations.
237 Arbitrary precision integers and floating-point numbers.
240 Arithmetic on rational numbers, complex numbers (rectangular and polar),
241 error forms with standard deviations, open and closed intervals, vectors
242 and matrices, dates and times, infinities, sets, quantities with units,
243 and algebraic formulas.
246 Mathematical operations such as logarithms and trigonometric functions.
249 Programmer's features (bitwise operations, non-decimal numbers).
252 Financial functions such as future value and internal rate of return.
255 Number theoretical features such as prime factorization and arithmetic
256 modulo @var{m} for any @var{m}.
259 Algebraic manipulation features, including symbolic calculus.
262 Moving data to and from regular editing buffers.
265 Embedded mode for manipulating Calc formulas and data directly
266 inside any editing buffer.
269 Graphics using GNUPLOT, a versatile (and free) plotting program.
272 Easy programming using keyboard macros, algebraic formulas,
273 algebraic rewrite rules, or extended Emacs Lisp.
276 Calc tries to include a little something for everyone; as a result it is
277 large and might be intimidating to the first-time user. If you plan to
278 use Calc only as a traditional desk calculator, all you really need to
279 read is the ``Getting Started'' chapter of this manual and possibly the
280 first few sections of the tutorial. As you become more comfortable with
281 the program you can learn its additional features. Calc does not
282 have the scope and depth of a fully-functional symbolic math package,
283 but Calc has the advantages of convenience, portability, and freedom.
285 @node About This Manual, Notations Used in This Manual, What is Calc, Getting Started
286 @section About This Manual
289 This document serves as a complete description of the GNU Emacs
290 Calculator. It works both as an introduction for novices and as
291 a reference for experienced users. While it helps to have some
292 experience with GNU Emacs in order to get the most out of Calc,
293 this manual ought to be readable even if you don't know or use Emacs
296 This manual is divided into three major parts:@: the ``Getting
297 Started'' chapter you are reading now, the Calc tutorial, and the Calc
300 @c This manual has been printed in two volumes, the @dfn{Tutorial} and the
301 @c @dfn{Reference}. Both volumes include a copy of the ``Getting Started''
304 If you are in a hurry to use Calc, there is a brief ``demonstration''
305 below which illustrates the major features of Calc in just a couple of
306 pages. If you don't have time to go through the full tutorial, this
307 will show you everything you need to know to begin.
308 @xref{Demonstration of Calc}.
310 The tutorial chapter walks you through the various parts of Calc
311 with lots of hands-on examples and explanations. If you are new
312 to Calc and you have some time, try going through at least the
313 beginning of the tutorial. The tutorial includes about 70 exercises
314 with answers. These exercises give you some guided practice with
315 Calc, as well as pointing out some interesting and unusual ways
318 The reference section discusses Calc in complete depth. You can read
319 the reference from start to finish if you want to learn every aspect
320 of Calc. Or, you can look in the table of contents or the Concept
321 Index to find the parts of the manual that discuss the things you
324 @c @cindex Marginal notes
325 Every Calc keyboard command is listed in the Calc Summary, and also
326 in the Key Index. Algebraic functions, @kbd{M-x} commands, and
327 variables also have their own indices.
329 @c @infoline In the printed manual, each
330 @c paragraph that is referenced in the Key or Function Index is marked
331 @c in the margin with its index entry.
333 @c [fix-ref Help Commands]
334 You can access this manual on-line at any time within Calc by pressing
335 the @kbd{h i} key sequence. Outside of the Calc window, you can press
336 @kbd{C-x * i} to read the manual on-line. From within Calc the command
337 @kbd{h t} will jump directly to the Tutorial; from outside of Calc the
338 command @kbd{C-x * t} will jump to the Tutorial and start Calc if
339 necessary. Pressing @kbd{h s} or @kbd{C-x * s} will take you directly
340 to the Calc Summary. Within Calc, you can also go to the part of the
341 manual describing any Calc key, function, or variable using
342 @w{@kbd{h k}}, @kbd{h f}, or @kbd{h v}, respectively. @xref{Help Commands}.
345 The Calc manual can be printed, but because the manual is so large, you
346 should only make a printed copy if you really need it. To print the
347 manual, you will need the @TeX{} typesetting program (this is a free
348 program by Donald Knuth at Stanford University) as well as the
349 @file{texindex} program and @file{texinfo.tex} file, both of which can
350 be obtained from the FSF as part of the @code{texinfo} package.
351 To print the Calc manual in one huge tome, you will need the
352 source code to this manual, @file{calc.texi}, available as part of the
353 Emacs source. Once you have this file, type @kbd{texi2dvi calc.texi}.
354 Alternatively, change to the @file{man} subdirectory of the Emacs
355 source distribution, and type @kbd{make calc.dvi}. (Don't worry if you
356 get some ``overfull box'' warnings while @TeX{} runs.)
357 The result will be a device-independent output file called
358 @file{calc.dvi}, which you must print in whatever way is right
359 for your system. On many systems, the command is
372 @c Printed copies of this manual are also available from the Free Software
375 @node Notations Used in This Manual, Demonstration of Calc, About This Manual, Getting Started
376 @section Notations Used in This Manual
379 This section describes the various notations that are used
380 throughout the Calc manual.
382 In keystroke sequences, uppercase letters mean you must hold down
383 the shift key while typing the letter. Keys pressed with Control
384 held down are shown as @kbd{C-x}. Keys pressed with Meta held down
385 are shown as @kbd{M-x}. Other notations are @key{RET} for the
386 Return key, @key{SPC} for the space bar, @key{TAB} for the Tab key,
387 @key{DEL} for the Delete key, and @key{LFD} for the Line-Feed key.
388 The @key{DEL} key is called Backspace on some keyboards, it is
389 whatever key you would use to correct a simple typing error when
390 regularly using Emacs.
392 (If you don't have the @key{LFD} or @key{TAB} keys on your keyboard,
393 the @kbd{C-j} and @kbd{C-i} keys are equivalent to them, respectively.
394 If you don't have a Meta key, look for Alt or Extend Char. You can
395 also press @key{ESC} or @kbd{C-[} first to get the same effect, so
396 that @kbd{M-x}, @kbd{@key{ESC} x}, and @kbd{C-[ x} are all equivalent.)
398 Sometimes the @key{RET} key is not shown when it is ``obvious''
399 that you must press @key{RET} to proceed. For example, the @key{RET}
400 is usually omitted in key sequences like @kbd{M-x calc-keypad @key{RET}}.
402 Commands are generally shown like this: @kbd{p} (@code{calc-precision})
403 or @kbd{C-x * k} (@code{calc-keypad}). This means that the command is
404 normally used by pressing the @kbd{p} key or @kbd{C-x * k} key sequence,
405 but it also has the full-name equivalent shown, e.g., @kbd{M-x calc-precision}.
407 Commands that correspond to functions in algebraic notation
408 are written: @kbd{C} (@code{calc-cos}) [@code{cos}]. This means
409 the @kbd{C} key is equivalent to @kbd{M-x calc-cos}, and that
410 the corresponding function in an algebraic-style formula would
411 be @samp{cos(@var{x})}.
413 A few commands don't have key equivalents: @code{calc-sincos}
416 @node Demonstration of Calc, Using Calc, Notations Used in This Manual, Getting Started
417 @section A Demonstration of Calc
420 @cindex Demonstration of Calc
421 This section will show some typical small problems being solved with
422 Calc. The focus is more on demonstration than explanation, but
423 everything you see here will be covered more thoroughly in the
426 To begin, start Emacs if necessary (usually the command @code{emacs}
427 does this), and type @kbd{C-x * c} to start the
428 Calculator. (You can also use @kbd{M-x calc} if this doesn't work.
429 @xref{Starting Calc}, for various ways of starting the Calculator.)
431 Be sure to type all the sample input exactly, especially noting the
432 difference between lower-case and upper-case letters. Remember,
433 @key{RET}, @key{TAB}, @key{DEL}, and @key{SPC} are the Return, Tab,
434 Delete, and Space keys.
436 @strong{RPN calculation.} In RPN, you type the input number(s) first,
437 then the command to operate on the numbers.
440 Type @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 + Q} to compute
441 @texline @math{\sqrt{2+3} = 2.2360679775}.
442 @infoline the square root of 2+3, which is 2.2360679775.
445 Type @kbd{P 2 ^} to compute
446 @texline @math{\pi^2 = 9.86960440109}.
447 @infoline the value of `pi' squared, 9.86960440109.
450 Type @key{TAB} to exchange the order of these two results.
453 Type @kbd{- I H S} to subtract these results and compute the Inverse
454 Hyperbolic sine of the difference, 2.72996136574.
457 Type @key{DEL} to erase this result.
459 @strong{Algebraic calculation.} You can also enter calculations using
460 conventional ``algebraic'' notation. To enter an algebraic formula,
461 use the apostrophe key.
464 Type @kbd{' sqrt(2+3) @key{RET}} to compute
465 @texline @math{\sqrt{2+3}}.
466 @infoline the square root of 2+3.
469 Type @kbd{' pi^2 @key{RET}} to enter
470 @texline @math{\pi^2}.
471 @infoline `pi' squared.
472 To evaluate this symbolic formula as a number, type @kbd{=}.
475 Type @kbd{' arcsinh($ - $$) @key{RET}} to subtract the second-most-recent
476 result from the most-recent and compute the Inverse Hyperbolic sine.
478 @strong{Keypad mode.} If you are using the X window system, press
479 @w{@kbd{C-x * k}} to get Keypad mode. (If you don't use X, skip to
483 Click on the @key{2}, @key{ENTER}, @key{3}, @key{+}, and @key{SQRT}
484 ``buttons'' using your left mouse button.
487 Click on @key{PI}, @key{2}, and @tfn{y^x}.
490 Click on @key{INV}, then @key{ENTER} to swap the two results.
493 Click on @key{-}, @key{INV}, @key{HYP}, and @key{SIN}.
496 Click on @key{<-} to erase the result, then click @key{OFF} to turn
497 the Keypad Calculator off.
499 @strong{Grabbing data.} Type @kbd{C-x * x} if necessary to exit Calc.
500 Now select the following numbers as an Emacs region: ``Mark'' the
501 front of the list by typing @kbd{C-@key{SPC}} or @kbd{C-@@} there,
502 then move to the other end of the list. (Either get this list from
503 the on-line copy of this manual, accessed by @w{@kbd{C-x * i}}, or just
504 type these numbers into a scratch file.) Now type @kbd{C-x * g} to
505 ``grab'' these numbers into Calc.
516 The result @samp{[1.23, 1.97, 1.6, 2, 1.19, 1.08]} is a Calc ``vector.''
517 Type @w{@kbd{V R +}} to compute the sum of these numbers.
520 Type @kbd{U} to Undo this command, then type @kbd{V R *} to compute
521 the product of the numbers.
524 You can also grab data as a rectangular matrix. Place the cursor on
525 the upper-leftmost @samp{1} and set the mark, then move to just after
526 the lower-right @samp{8} and press @kbd{C-x * r}.
529 Type @kbd{v t} to transpose this
530 @texline @math{3\times2}
533 @texline @math{2\times3}
535 matrix. Type @w{@kbd{v u}} to unpack the rows into two separate
536 vectors. Now type @w{@kbd{V R + @key{TAB} V R +}} to compute the sums
537 of the two original columns. (There is also a special
538 grab-and-sum-columns command, @kbd{C-x * :}.)
540 @strong{Units conversion.} Units are entered algebraically.
541 Type @w{@kbd{' 43 mi/hr @key{RET}}} to enter the quantity 43 miles-per-hour.
542 Type @w{@kbd{u c km/hr @key{RET}}}. Type @w{@kbd{u c m/s @key{RET}}}.
544 @strong{Date arithmetic.} Type @kbd{t N} to get the current date and
545 time. Type @kbd{90 +} to find the date 90 days from now. Type
546 @kbd{' <25 dec 87> @key{RET}} to enter a date, then @kbd{- 7 /} to see how
547 many weeks have passed since then.
549 @strong{Algebra.} Algebraic entries can also include formulas
550 or equations involving variables. Type @kbd{@w{' [x + y} = a, x y = 1] @key{RET}}
551 to enter a pair of equations involving three variables.
552 (Note the leading apostrophe in this example; also, note that the space
553 in @samp{x y} is required.) Type @w{@kbd{a S x,y @key{RET}}} to solve
554 these equations for the variables @expr{x} and @expr{y}.
557 Type @kbd{d B} to view the solutions in more readable notation.
558 Type @w{@kbd{d C}} to view them in C language notation, @kbd{d T}
559 to view them in the notation for the @TeX{} typesetting system,
560 and @kbd{d L} to view them in the notation for the La@TeX{} typesetting
561 system. Type @kbd{d N} to return to normal notation.
564 Type @kbd{7.5}, then @kbd{s l a @key{RET}} to let @expr{a = 7.5} in these formulas.
565 (That's the letter @kbd{l}, not the numeral @kbd{1}.)
568 @strong{Help functions.} You can read about any command in the on-line
569 manual. Type @kbd{C-x * c} to return to Calc after each of these
570 commands: @kbd{h k t N} to read about the @kbd{t N} command,
571 @kbd{h f sqrt @key{RET}} to read about the @code{sqrt} function, and
572 @kbd{h s} to read the Calc summary.
575 @strong{Help functions.} You can read about any command in the on-line
576 manual. Remember to type the letter @kbd{l}, then @kbd{C-x * c}, to
577 return here after each of these commands: @w{@kbd{h k t N}} to read
578 about the @w{@kbd{t N}} command, @kbd{h f sqrt @key{RET}} to read about the
579 @code{sqrt} function, and @kbd{h s} to read the Calc summary.
582 Press @key{DEL} repeatedly to remove any leftover results from the stack.
583 To exit from Calc, press @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x * c} again.
585 @node Using Calc, History and Acknowledgements, Demonstration of Calc, Getting Started
589 Calc has several user interfaces that are specialized for
590 different kinds of tasks. As well as Calc's standard interface,
591 there are Quick mode, Keypad mode, and Embedded mode.
595 * The Standard Interface::
596 * Quick Mode Overview::
597 * Keypad Mode Overview::
598 * Standalone Operation::
599 * Embedded Mode Overview::
600 * Other C-x * Commands::
603 @node Starting Calc, The Standard Interface, Using Calc, Using Calc
604 @subsection Starting Calc
607 On most systems, you can type @kbd{C-x *} to start the Calculator.
608 The key sequence @kbd{C-x *} is bound to the command @code{calc-dispatch},
609 which can be rebound if convenient (@pxref{Customizing Calc}).
611 When you press @kbd{C-x *}, Emacs waits for you to press a second key to
612 complete the command. In this case, you will follow @kbd{C-x *} with a
613 letter (upper- or lower-case, it doesn't matter for @kbd{C-x *}) that says
614 which Calc interface you want to use.
616 To get Calc's standard interface, type @kbd{C-x * c}. To get
617 Keypad mode, type @kbd{C-x * k}. Type @kbd{C-x * ?} to get a brief
618 list of the available options, and type a second @kbd{?} to get
621 To ease typing, @kbd{C-x * *} also works to start Calc. It starts the
622 same interface (either @kbd{C-x * c} or @w{@kbd{C-x * k}}) that you last
623 used, selecting the @kbd{C-x * c} interface by default.
625 If @kbd{C-x *} doesn't work for you, you can always type explicit
626 commands like @kbd{M-x calc} (for the standard user interface) or
627 @w{@kbd{M-x calc-keypad}} (for Keypad mode). First type @kbd{M-x}
628 (that's Meta with the letter @kbd{x}), then, at the prompt,
629 type the full command (like @kbd{calc-keypad}) and press Return.
631 The same commands (like @kbd{C-x * c} or @kbd{C-x * *}) that start
632 the Calculator also turn it off if it is already on.
634 @node The Standard Interface, Quick Mode Overview, Starting Calc, Using Calc
635 @subsection The Standard Calc Interface
638 @cindex Standard user interface
639 Calc's standard interface acts like a traditional RPN calculator,
640 operated by the normal Emacs keyboard. When you type @kbd{C-x * c}
641 to start the Calculator, the Emacs screen splits into two windows
642 with the file you were editing on top and Calc on the bottom.
648 --**-Emacs: myfile (Fundamental)----All----------------------
649 --- Emacs Calculator Mode --- |Emacs Calculator Trail
657 --%*-Calc: 12 Deg (Calculator)----All----- --%*- *Calc Trail*
661 In this figure, the mode-line for @file{myfile} has moved up and the
662 ``Calculator'' window has appeared below it. As you can see, Calc
663 actually makes two windows side-by-side. The lefthand one is
664 called the @dfn{stack window} and the righthand one is called the
665 @dfn{trail window.} The stack holds the numbers involved in the
666 calculation you are currently performing. The trail holds a complete
667 record of all calculations you have done. In a desk calculator with
668 a printer, the trail corresponds to the paper tape that records what
671 In this case, the trail shows that four numbers (17.3, 3, 2, and 4)
672 were first entered into the Calculator, then the 2 and 4 were
673 multiplied to get 8, then the 3 and 8 were subtracted to get @mathit{-5}.
674 (The @samp{>} symbol shows that this was the most recent calculation.)
675 The net result is the two numbers 17.3 and @mathit{-5} sitting on the stack.
677 Most Calculator commands deal explicitly with the stack only, but
678 there is a set of commands that allow you to search back through
679 the trail and retrieve any previous result.
681 Calc commands use the digits, letters, and punctuation keys.
682 Shifted (i.e., upper-case) letters are different from lowercase
683 letters. Some letters are @dfn{prefix} keys that begin two-letter
684 commands. For example, @kbd{e} means ``enter exponent'' and shifted
685 @kbd{E} means @expr{e^x}. With the @kbd{d} (``display modes'') prefix
686 the letter ``e'' takes on very different meanings: @kbd{d e} means
687 ``engineering notation'' and @kbd{d E} means ``@dfn{eqn} language mode.''
689 There is nothing stopping you from switching out of the Calc
690 window and back into your editing window, say by using the Emacs
691 @w{@kbd{C-x o}} (@code{other-window}) command. When the cursor is
692 inside a regular window, Emacs acts just like normal. When the
693 cursor is in the Calc stack or trail windows, keys are interpreted
696 When you quit by pressing @kbd{C-x * c} a second time, the Calculator
697 windows go away but the actual Stack and Trail are not gone, just
698 hidden. When you press @kbd{C-x * c} once again you will get the
699 same stack and trail contents you had when you last used the
702 The Calculator does not remember its state between Emacs sessions.
703 Thus if you quit Emacs and start it again, @kbd{C-x * c} will give you
704 a fresh stack and trail. There is a command (@kbd{m m}) that lets
705 you save your favorite mode settings between sessions, though.
706 One of the things it saves is which user interface (standard or
707 Keypad) you last used; otherwise, a freshly started Emacs will
708 always treat @kbd{C-x * *} the same as @kbd{C-x * c}.
710 The @kbd{q} key is another equivalent way to turn the Calculator off.
712 If you type @kbd{C-x * b} first and then @kbd{C-x * c}, you get a
713 full-screen version of Calc (@code{full-calc}) in which the stack and
714 trail windows are still side-by-side but are now as tall as the whole
715 Emacs screen. When you press @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x * c} again to quit,
716 the file you were editing before reappears. The @kbd{C-x * b} key
717 switches back and forth between ``big'' full-screen mode and the
718 normal partial-screen mode.
720 Finally, @kbd{C-x * o} (@code{calc-other-window}) is like @kbd{C-x * c}
721 except that the Calc window is not selected. The buffer you were
722 editing before remains selected instead. If you are in a Calc window,
723 then @kbd{C-x * o} will switch you out of it, being careful not to
724 switch you to the Calc Trail window. So @kbd{C-x * o} is a handy
725 way to switch out of Calc momentarily to edit your file; you can then
726 type @kbd{C-x * c} to switch back into Calc when you are done.
728 @node Quick Mode Overview, Keypad Mode Overview, The Standard Interface, Using Calc
729 @subsection Quick Mode (Overview)
732 @dfn{Quick mode} is a quick way to use Calc when you don't need the
733 full complexity of the stack and trail. To use it, type @kbd{C-x * q}
734 (@code{quick-calc}) in any regular editing buffer.
736 Quick mode is very simple: It prompts you to type any formula in
737 standard algebraic notation (like @samp{4 - 2/3}) and then displays
738 the result at the bottom of the Emacs screen (@mathit{3.33333333333}
739 in this case). You are then back in the same editing buffer you
740 were in before, ready to continue editing or to type @kbd{C-x * q}
741 again to do another quick calculation. The result of the calculation
742 will also be in the Emacs ``kill ring'' so that a @kbd{C-y} command
743 at this point will yank the result into your editing buffer.
745 Calc mode settings affect Quick mode, too, though you will have to
746 go into regular Calc (with @kbd{C-x * c}) to change the mode settings.
748 @c [fix-ref Quick Calculator mode]
749 @xref{Quick Calculator}, for further information.
751 @node Keypad Mode Overview, Standalone Operation, Quick Mode Overview, Using Calc
752 @subsection Keypad Mode (Overview)
755 @dfn{Keypad mode} is a mouse-based interface to the Calculator.
756 It is designed for use with terminals that support a mouse. If you
757 don't have a mouse, you will have to operate Keypad mode with your
758 arrow keys (which is probably more trouble than it's worth).
760 Type @kbd{C-x * k} to turn Keypad mode on or off. Once again you
761 get two new windows, this time on the righthand side of the screen
762 instead of at the bottom. The upper window is the familiar Calc
763 Stack; the lower window is a picture of a typical calculator keypad.
767 \advance \dimen0 by 24\baselineskip%
768 \ifdim \dimen0>\pagegoal \vfill\eject \fi%
773 |--- Emacs Calculator Mode ---
777 |--%*-Calc: 12 Deg (Calcul
778 |----+----+--Calc---+----+----1
779 |FLR |CEIL|RND |TRNC|CLN2|FLT |
780 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
781 | LN |EXP | |ABS |IDIV|MOD |
782 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
783 |SIN |COS |TAN |SQRT|y^x |1/x |
784 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
785 | ENTER |+/- |EEX |UNDO| <- |
786 |-----+---+-+--+--+-+---++----|
787 | INV | 7 | 8 | 9 | / |
788 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----|
789 | HYP | 4 | 5 | 6 | * |
790 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----|
791 |EXEC | 1 | 2 | 3 | - |
792 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----|
793 | OFF | 0 | . | PI | + |
794 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
798 Keypad mode is much easier for beginners to learn, because there
799 is no need to memorize lots of obscure key sequences. But not all
800 commands in regular Calc are available on the Keypad. You can
801 always switch the cursor into the Calc stack window to use
802 standard Calc commands if you need. Serious Calc users, though,
803 often find they prefer the standard interface over Keypad mode.
805 To operate the Calculator, just click on the ``buttons'' of the
806 keypad using your left mouse button. To enter the two numbers
807 shown here you would click @w{@kbd{1 7 .@: 3 ENTER 5 +/- ENTER}}; to
808 add them together you would then click @kbd{+} (to get 12.3 on
811 If you click the right mouse button, the top three rows of the
812 keypad change to show other sets of commands, such as advanced
813 math functions, vector operations, and operations on binary
816 Because Keypad mode doesn't use the regular keyboard, Calc leaves
817 the cursor in your original editing buffer. You can type in
818 this buffer in the usual way while also clicking on the Calculator
819 keypad. One advantage of Keypad mode is that you don't need an
820 explicit command to switch between editing and calculating.
822 If you press @kbd{C-x * b} first, you get a full-screen Keypad mode
823 (@code{full-calc-keypad}) with three windows: The keypad in the lower
824 left, the stack in the lower right, and the trail on top.
826 @c [fix-ref Keypad Mode]
827 @xref{Keypad Mode}, for further information.
829 @node Standalone Operation, Embedded Mode Overview, Keypad Mode Overview, Using Calc
830 @subsection Standalone Operation
833 @cindex Standalone Operation
834 If you are not in Emacs at the moment but you wish to use Calc,
835 you must start Emacs first. If all you want is to run Calc, you
836 can give the commands:
846 emacs -f full-calc-keypad
850 which run a full-screen Calculator (as if by @kbd{C-x * b C-x * c}) or
851 a full-screen X-based Calculator (as if by @kbd{C-x * b C-x * k}).
852 In standalone operation, quitting the Calculator (by pressing
853 @kbd{q} or clicking on the keypad @key{EXIT} button) quits Emacs
856 @node Embedded Mode Overview, Other C-x * Commands, Standalone Operation, Using Calc
857 @subsection Embedded Mode (Overview)
860 @dfn{Embedded mode} is a way to use Calc directly from inside an
861 editing buffer. Suppose you have a formula written as part of a
875 and you wish to have Calc compute and format the derivative for
876 you and store this derivative in the buffer automatically. To
877 do this with Embedded mode, first copy the formula down to where
878 you want the result to be, leaving a blank line before and after the
893 Now, move the cursor onto this new formula and press @kbd{C-x * e}.
894 Calc will read the formula (using the surrounding blank lines to tell
895 how much text to read), then push this formula (invisibly) onto the Calc
896 stack. The cursor will stay on the formula in the editing buffer, but
897 the line with the formula will now appear as it would on the Calc stack
898 (in this case, it will be left-aligned) and the buffer's mode line will
899 change to look like the Calc mode line (with mode indicators like
900 @samp{12 Deg} and so on). Even though you are still in your editing
901 buffer, the keyboard now acts like the Calc keyboard, and any new result
902 you get is copied from the stack back into the buffer. To take the
903 derivative, you would type @kbd{a d x @key{RET}}.
917 (Note that by default, Calc gives division lower precedence than multiplication,
918 so that @samp{1 / ln(x) x} is equivalent to @samp{1 / (ln(x) x)}.)
920 To make this look nicer, you might want to press @kbd{d =} to center
921 the formula, and even @kbd{d B} to use Big display mode.
930 % [calc-mode: justify: center]
931 % [calc-mode: language: big]
939 Calc has added annotations to the file to help it remember the modes
940 that were used for this formula. They are formatted like comments
941 in the @TeX{} typesetting language, just in case you are using @TeX{} or
942 La@TeX{}. (In this example @TeX{} is not being used, so you might want
943 to move these comments up to the top of the file or otherwise put them
946 As an extra flourish, we can add an equation number using a
947 righthand label: Type @kbd{d @} (1) @key{RET}}.
951 % [calc-mode: justify: center]
952 % [calc-mode: language: big]
953 % [calc-mode: right-label: " (1)"]
961 To leave Embedded mode, type @kbd{C-x * e} again. The mode line
962 and keyboard will revert to the way they were before.
964 The related command @kbd{C-x * w} operates on a single word, which
965 generally means a single number, inside text. It searches for an
966 expression which ``looks'' like a number containing the point.
967 Here's an example of its use:
970 A slope of one-third corresponds to an angle of 1 degrees.
973 Place the cursor on the @samp{1}, then type @kbd{C-x * w} to enable
974 Embedded mode on that number. Now type @kbd{3 /} (to get one-third),
975 and @kbd{I T} (the Inverse Tangent converts a slope into an angle),
976 then @w{@kbd{C-x * w}} again to exit Embedded mode.
979 A slope of one-third corresponds to an angle of 18.4349488229 degrees.
982 @c [fix-ref Embedded Mode]
983 @xref{Embedded Mode}, for full details.
985 @node Other C-x * Commands, , Embedded Mode Overview, Using Calc
986 @subsection Other @kbd{C-x *} Commands
989 Two more Calc-related commands are @kbd{C-x * g} and @kbd{C-x * r},
990 which ``grab'' data from a selected region of a buffer into the
991 Calculator. The region is defined in the usual Emacs way, by
992 a ``mark'' placed at one end of the region, and the Emacs
993 cursor or ``point'' placed at the other.
995 The @kbd{C-x * g} command reads the region in the usual left-to-right,
996 top-to-bottom order. The result is packaged into a Calc vector
997 of numbers and placed on the stack. Calc (in its standard
998 user interface) is then started. Type @kbd{v u} if you want
999 to unpack this vector into separate numbers on the stack. Also,
1000 @kbd{C-u C-x * g} interprets the region as a single number or
1003 The @kbd{C-x * r} command reads a rectangle, with the point and
1004 mark defining opposite corners of the rectangle. The result
1005 is a matrix of numbers on the Calculator stack.
1007 Complementary to these is @kbd{C-x * y}, which ``yanks'' the
1008 value at the top of the Calc stack back into an editing buffer.
1009 If you type @w{@kbd{C-x * y}} while in such a buffer, the value is
1010 yanked at the current position. If you type @kbd{C-x * y} while
1011 in the Calc buffer, Calc makes an educated guess as to which
1012 editing buffer you want to use. The Calc window does not have
1013 to be visible in order to use this command, as long as there
1014 is something on the Calc stack.
1016 Here, for reference, is the complete list of @kbd{C-x *} commands.
1017 The shift, control, and meta keys are ignored for the keystroke
1018 following @kbd{C-x *}.
1021 Commands for turning Calc on and off:
1025 Turn Calc on or off, employing the same user interface as last time.
1027 @item =, +, -, /, \, &, #
1028 Alternatives for @kbd{*}.
1031 Turn Calc on or off using its standard bottom-of-the-screen
1032 interface. If Calc is already turned on but the cursor is not
1033 in the Calc window, move the cursor into the window.
1036 Same as @kbd{C}, but don't select the new Calc window. If
1037 Calc is already turned on and the cursor is in the Calc window,
1038 move it out of that window.
1041 Control whether @kbd{C-x * c} and @kbd{C-x * k} use the full screen.
1044 Use Quick mode for a single short calculation.
1047 Turn Calc Keypad mode on or off.
1050 Turn Calc Embedded mode on or off at the current formula.
1053 Turn Calc Embedded mode on or off, select the interesting part.
1056 Turn Calc Embedded mode on or off at the current word (number).
1059 Turn Calc on in a user-defined way, as defined by a @kbd{Z I} command.
1062 Quit Calc; turn off standard, Keypad, or Embedded mode if on.
1063 (This is like @kbd{q} or @key{OFF} inside of Calc.)
1070 Commands for moving data into and out of the Calculator:
1074 Grab the region into the Calculator as a vector.
1077 Grab the rectangular region into the Calculator as a matrix.
1080 Grab the rectangular region and compute the sums of its columns.
1083 Grab the rectangular region and compute the sums of its rows.
1086 Yank a value from the Calculator into the current editing buffer.
1093 Commands for use with Embedded mode:
1097 ``Activate'' the current buffer. Locate all formulas that
1098 contain @samp{:=} or @samp{=>} symbols and record their locations
1099 so that they can be updated automatically as variables are changed.
1102 Duplicate the current formula immediately below and select
1106 Insert a new formula at the current point.
1109 Move the cursor to the next active formula in the buffer.
1112 Move the cursor to the previous active formula in the buffer.
1115 Update (i.e., as if by the @kbd{=} key) the formula at the current point.
1118 Edit (as if by @code{calc-edit}) the formula at the current point.
1125 Miscellaneous commands:
1129 Run the Emacs Info system to read the Calc manual.
1130 (This is the same as @kbd{h i} inside of Calc.)
1133 Run the Emacs Info system to read the Calc Tutorial.
1136 Run the Emacs Info system to read the Calc Summary.
1139 Load Calc entirely into memory. (Normally the various parts
1140 are loaded only as they are needed.)
1143 Read a region of written keystroke names (like @kbd{C-n a b c @key{RET}})
1144 and record them as the current keyboard macro.
1147 (This is the ``zero'' digit key.) Reset the Calculator to
1148 its initial state: Empty stack, and initial mode settings.
1151 @node History and Acknowledgements, , Using Calc, Getting Started
1152 @section History and Acknowledgements
1155 Calc was originally started as a two-week project to occupy a lull
1156 in the author's schedule. Basically, a friend asked if I remembered
1158 @texline @math{2^{32}}.
1159 @infoline @expr{2^32}.
1160 I didn't offhand, but I said, ``that's easy, just call up an
1161 @code{xcalc}.'' @code{Xcalc} duly reported that the answer to our
1162 question was @samp{4.294967e+09}---with no way to see the full ten
1163 digits even though we knew they were there in the program's memory! I
1164 was so annoyed, I vowed to write a calculator of my own, once and for
1167 I chose Emacs Lisp, a) because I had always been curious about it
1168 and b) because, being only a text editor extension language after
1169 all, Emacs Lisp would surely reach its limits long before the project
1170 got too far out of hand.
1172 To make a long story short, Emacs Lisp turned out to be a distressingly
1173 solid implementation of Lisp, and the humble task of calculating
1174 turned out to be more open-ended than one might have expected.
1176 Emacs Lisp didn't have built-in floating point math (now it does), so
1177 this had to be simulated in software. In fact, Emacs integers would
1178 only comfortably fit six decimal digits or so---not enough for a decent
1179 calculator. So I had to write my own high-precision integer code as
1180 well, and once I had this I figured that arbitrary-size integers were
1181 just as easy as large integers. Arbitrary floating-point precision was
1182 the logical next step. Also, since the large integer arithmetic was
1183 there anyway it seemed only fair to give the user direct access to it,
1184 which in turn made it practical to support fractions as well as floats.
1185 All these features inspired me to look around for other data types that
1186 might be worth having.
1188 Around this time, my friend Rick Koshi showed me his nifty new HP-28
1189 calculator. It allowed the user to manipulate formulas as well as
1190 numerical quantities, and it could also operate on matrices. I
1191 decided that these would be good for Calc to have, too. And once
1192 things had gone this far, I figured I might as well take a look at
1193 serious algebra systems for further ideas. Since these systems did
1194 far more than I could ever hope to implement, I decided to focus on
1195 rewrite rules and other programming features so that users could
1196 implement what they needed for themselves.
1198 Rick complained that matrices were hard to read, so I put in code to
1199 format them in a 2D style. Once these routines were in place, Big mode
1200 was obligatory. Gee, what other language modes would be useful?
1202 Scott Hemphill and Allen Knutson, two friends with a strong mathematical
1203 bent, contributed ideas and algorithms for a number of Calc features
1204 including modulo forms, primality testing, and float-to-fraction conversion.
1206 Units were added at the eager insistence of Mass Sivilotti. Later,
1207 Ulrich Mueller at CERN and Przemek Klosowski at NIST provided invaluable
1208 expert assistance with the units table. As far as I can remember, the
1209 idea of using algebraic formulas and variables to represent units dates
1210 back to an ancient article in Byte magazine about muMath, an early
1211 algebra system for microcomputers.
1213 Many people have contributed to Calc by reporting bugs and suggesting
1214 features, large and small. A few deserve special mention: Tim Peters,
1215 who helped develop the ideas that led to the selection commands, rewrite
1216 rules, and many other algebra features;
1217 @texline Fran\c{c}ois
1219 Pinard, who contributed an early prototype of the Calc Summary appendix
1220 as well as providing valuable suggestions in many other areas of Calc;
1221 Carl Witty, whose eagle eyes discovered many typographical and factual
1222 errors in the Calc manual; Tim Kay, who drove the development of
1223 Embedded mode; Ove Ewerlid, who made many suggestions relating to the
1224 algebra commands and contributed some code for polynomial operations;
1225 Randal Schwartz, who suggested the @code{calc-eval} function; Juha
1226 Sarlin, who first worked out how to split Calc into quickly-loading
1227 parts; Bob Weiner, who helped immensely with the Lucid Emacs port; and
1228 Robert J. Chassell, who suggested the Calc Tutorial and exercises as
1229 well as many other things.
1231 @cindex Bibliography
1232 @cindex Knuth, Art of Computer Programming
1233 @cindex Numerical Recipes
1234 @c Should these be expanded into more complete references?
1235 Among the books used in the development of Calc were Knuth's @emph{Art
1236 of Computer Programming} (especially volume II, @emph{Seminumerical
1237 Algorithms}); @emph{Numerical Recipes} by Press, Flannery, Teukolsky,
1238 and Vetterling; Bevington's @emph{Data Reduction and Error Analysis
1239 for the Physical Sciences}; @emph{Concrete Mathematics} by Graham,
1240 Knuth, and Patashnik; Steele's @emph{Common Lisp, the Language}; the
1241 @emph{CRC Standard Math Tables} (William H. Beyer, ed.); and
1242 Abramowitz and Stegun's venerable @emph{Handbook of Mathematical
1243 Functions}. Also, of course, Calc could not have been written without
1244 the excellent @emph{GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}, by Bil Lewis and
1247 Final thanks go to Richard Stallman, without whose fine implementations
1248 of the Emacs editor, language, and environment, Calc would have been
1249 finished in two weeks.
1254 @c This node is accessed by the `C-x * t' command.
1255 @node Interactive Tutorial, Tutorial, Getting Started, Top
1259 Some brief instructions on using the Emacs Info system for this tutorial:
1261 Press the space bar and Delete keys to go forward and backward in a
1262 section by screenfuls (or use the regular Emacs scrolling commands
1265 Press @kbd{n} or @kbd{p} to go to the Next or Previous section.
1266 If the section has a @dfn{menu}, press a digit key like @kbd{1}
1267 or @kbd{2} to go to a sub-section from the menu. Press @kbd{u} to
1268 go back up from a sub-section to the menu it is part of.
1270 Exercises in the tutorial all have cross-references to the
1271 appropriate page of the ``answers'' section. Press @kbd{f}, then
1272 the exercise number, to see the answer to an exercise. After
1273 you have followed a cross-reference, you can press the letter
1274 @kbd{l} to return to where you were before.
1276 You can press @kbd{?} at any time for a brief summary of Info commands.
1278 Press the number @kbd{1} now to enter the first section of the Tutorial.
1284 @node Tutorial, Introduction, Interactive Tutorial, Top
1287 @node Tutorial, Introduction, Getting Started, Top
1292 This chapter explains how to use Calc and its many features, in
1293 a step-by-step, tutorial way. You are encouraged to run Calc and
1294 work along with the examples as you read (@pxref{Starting Calc}).
1295 If you are already familiar with advanced calculators, you may wish
1297 to skip on to the rest of this manual.
1299 @c to skip on to volume II of this manual, the @dfn{Calc Reference}.
1301 @c [fix-ref Embedded Mode]
1302 This tutorial describes the standard user interface of Calc only.
1303 The Quick mode and Keypad mode interfaces are fairly
1304 self-explanatory. @xref{Embedded Mode}, for a description of
1305 the Embedded mode interface.
1307 The easiest way to read this tutorial on-line is to have two windows on
1308 your Emacs screen, one with Calc and one with the Info system. Press
1309 @kbd{C-x * t} to set this up; the on-line tutorial will be opened in the
1310 current window and Calc will be started in another window. From the
1311 Info window, the command @kbd{C-x * c} can be used to switch to the Calc
1312 window and @kbd{C-x * o} can be used to switch back to the Info window.
1313 (If you have a printed copy of the manual you can use that instead; in
1314 that case you only need to press @kbd{C-x * c} to start Calc.)
1316 This tutorial is designed to be done in sequence. But the rest of this
1317 manual does not assume you have gone through the tutorial. The tutorial
1318 does not cover everything in the Calculator, but it touches on most
1322 You may wish to print out a copy of the Calc Summary and keep notes on
1323 it as you learn Calc. @xref{About This Manual}, to see how to make a
1324 printed summary. @xref{Summary}.
1327 The Calc Summary at the end of the reference manual includes some blank
1328 space for your own use. You may wish to keep notes there as you learn
1334 * Arithmetic Tutorial::
1335 * Vector/Matrix Tutorial::
1337 * Algebra Tutorial::
1338 * Programming Tutorial::
1340 * Answers to Exercises::
1343 @node Basic Tutorial, Arithmetic Tutorial, Tutorial, Tutorial
1344 @section Basic Tutorial
1347 In this section, we learn how RPN and algebraic-style calculations
1348 work, how to undo and redo an operation done by mistake, and how
1349 to control various modes of the Calculator.
1352 * RPN Tutorial:: Basic operations with the stack.
1353 * Algebraic Tutorial:: Algebraic entry; variables.
1354 * Undo Tutorial:: If you make a mistake: Undo and the trail.
1355 * Modes Tutorial:: Common mode-setting commands.
1358 @node RPN Tutorial, Algebraic Tutorial, Basic Tutorial, Basic Tutorial
1359 @subsection RPN Calculations and the Stack
1361 @cindex RPN notation
1364 Calc normally uses RPN notation. You may be familiar with the RPN
1365 system from Hewlett-Packard calculators, FORTH, or PostScript.
1366 (Reverse Polish Notation, RPN, is named after the Polish mathematician
1371 Calc normally uses RPN notation. You may be familiar with the RPN
1372 system from Hewlett-Packard calculators, FORTH, or PostScript.
1373 (Reverse Polish Notation, RPN, is named after the Polish mathematician
1377 The central component of an RPN calculator is the @dfn{stack}. A
1378 calculator stack is like a stack of dishes. New dishes (numbers) are
1379 added at the top of the stack, and numbers are normally only removed
1380 from the top of the stack.
1384 In an operation like @expr{2+3}, the 2 and 3 are called the @dfn{operands}
1385 and the @expr{+} is the @dfn{operator}. In an RPN calculator you always
1386 enter the operands first, then the operator. Each time you type a
1387 number, Calc adds or @dfn{pushes} it onto the top of the Stack.
1388 When you press an operator key like @kbd{+}, Calc @dfn{pops} the appropriate
1389 number of operands from the stack and pushes back the result.
1391 Thus we could add the numbers 2 and 3 in an RPN calculator by typing:
1392 @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} +}. (The @key{RET} key, Return, corresponds to
1393 the @key{ENTER} key on traditional RPN calculators.) Try this now if
1394 you wish; type @kbd{C-x * c} to switch into the Calc window (you can type
1395 @kbd{C-x * c} again or @kbd{C-x * o} to switch back to the Tutorial window).
1396 The first four keystrokes ``push'' the numbers 2 and 3 onto the stack.
1397 The @kbd{+} key ``pops'' the top two numbers from the stack, adds them,
1398 and pushes the result (5) back onto the stack. Here's how the stack
1399 will look at various points throughout the calculation:
1407 C-x * c 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} + @key{DEL}
1411 The @samp{.} symbol is a marker that represents the top of the stack.
1412 Note that the ``top'' of the stack is really shown at the bottom of
1413 the Stack window. This may seem backwards, but it turns out to be
1414 less distracting in regular use.
1416 @cindex Stack levels
1417 @cindex Levels of stack
1418 The numbers @samp{1:} and @samp{2:} on the left are @dfn{stack level
1419 numbers}. Old RPN calculators always had four stack levels called
1420 @expr{x}, @expr{y}, @expr{z}, and @expr{t}. Calc's stack can grow
1421 as large as you like, so it uses numbers instead of letters. Some
1422 stack-manipulation commands accept a numeric argument that says
1423 which stack level to work on. Normal commands like @kbd{+} always
1424 work on the top few levels of the stack.
1426 @c [fix-ref Truncating the Stack]
1427 The Stack buffer is just an Emacs buffer, and you can move around in
1428 it using the regular Emacs motion commands. But no matter where the
1429 cursor is, even if you have scrolled the @samp{.} marker out of
1430 view, most Calc commands always move the cursor back down to level 1
1431 before doing anything. It is possible to move the @samp{.} marker
1432 upwards through the stack, temporarily ``hiding'' some numbers from
1433 commands like @kbd{+}. This is called @dfn{stack truncation} and
1434 we will not cover it in this tutorial; @pxref{Truncating the Stack},
1435 if you are interested.
1437 You don't really need the second @key{RET} in @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3
1438 @key{RET} +}. That's because if you type any operator name or
1439 other non-numeric key when you are entering a number, the Calculator
1440 automatically enters that number and then does the requested command.
1441 Thus @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 +} will work just as well.
1443 Examples in this tutorial will often omit @key{RET} even when the
1444 stack displays shown would only happen if you did press @key{RET}:
1457 Here, after pressing @kbd{3} the stack would really show @samp{1: 2}
1458 with @samp{Calc:@: 3} in the minibuffer. In these situations, you can
1459 press the optional @key{RET} to see the stack as the figure shows.
1461 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} (This tutorial will include exercises
1462 at various points. Try them if you wish. Answers to all the exercises
1463 are located at the end of the Tutorial chapter. Each exercise will
1464 include a cross-reference to its particular answer. If you are
1465 reading with the Emacs Info system, press @kbd{f} and the
1466 exercise number to go to the answer, then the letter @kbd{l} to
1467 return to where you were.)
1470 Here's the first exercise: What will the keystrokes @kbd{1 @key{RET} 2
1471 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} 4 + * -} compute? (@samp{*} is the symbol for
1472 multiplication.) Figure it out by hand, then try it with Calc to see
1473 if you're right. @xref{RPN Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
1475 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Compute
1476 @texline @math{(2\times4) + (7\times9.4) + {5\over4}}
1477 @infoline @expr{2*4 + 7*9.5 + 5/4}
1478 using the stack. @xref{RPN Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
1480 The @key{DEL} key is called Backspace on some keyboards. It is
1481 whatever key you would use to correct a simple typing error when
1482 regularly using Emacs. The @key{DEL} key pops and throws away the
1483 top value on the stack. (You can still get that value back from
1484 the Trail if you should need it later on.) There are many places
1485 in this tutorial where we assume you have used @key{DEL} to erase the
1486 results of the previous example at the beginning of a new example.
1487 In the few places where it is really important to use @key{DEL} to
1488 clear away old results, the text will remind you to do so.
1490 (It won't hurt to let things accumulate on the stack, except that
1491 whenever you give a display-mode-changing command Calc will have to
1492 spend a long time reformatting such a large stack.)
1494 Since the @kbd{-} key is also an operator (it subtracts the top two
1495 stack elements), how does one enter a negative number? Calc uses
1496 the @kbd{_} (underscore) key to act like the minus sign in a number.
1497 So, typing @kbd{-5 @key{RET}} won't work because the @kbd{-} key
1498 will try to do a subtraction, but @kbd{_5 @key{RET}} works just fine.
1500 You can also press @kbd{n}, which means ``change sign.'' It changes
1501 the number at the top of the stack (or the number being entered)
1502 from positive to negative or vice-versa: @kbd{5 n @key{RET}}.
1504 @cindex Duplicating a stack entry
1505 If you press @key{RET} when you're not entering a number, the effect
1506 is to duplicate the top number on the stack. Consider this calculation:
1510 1: 3 2: 3 1: 9 2: 9 1: 81
1514 3 @key{RET} @key{RET} * @key{RET} *
1519 (Of course, an easier way to do this would be @kbd{3 @key{RET} 4 ^},
1520 to raise 3 to the fourth power.)
1522 The space-bar key (denoted @key{SPC} here) performs the same function
1523 as @key{RET}; you could replace all three occurrences of @key{RET} in
1524 the above example with @key{SPC} and the effect would be the same.
1526 @cindex Exchanging stack entries
1527 Another stack manipulation key is @key{TAB}. This exchanges the top
1528 two stack entries. Suppose you have computed @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 +}
1529 to get 5, and then you realize what you really wanted to compute
1530 was @expr{20 / (2+3)}.
1534 1: 5 2: 5 2: 20 1: 4
1538 2 @key{RET} 3 + 20 @key{TAB} /
1543 Planning ahead, the calculation would have gone like this:
1547 1: 20 2: 20 3: 20 2: 20 1: 4
1552 20 @key{RET} 2 @key{RET} 3 + /
1556 A related stack command is @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} (hold @key{META} and type
1557 @key{TAB}). It rotates the top three elements of the stack upward,
1558 bringing the object in level 3 to the top.
1562 1: 10 2: 10 3: 10 3: 20 3: 30
1563 . 1: 20 2: 20 2: 30 2: 10
1567 10 @key{RET} 20 @key{RET} 30 @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} M-@key{TAB}
1571 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} Suppose the numbers 10, 20, and 30 are
1572 on the stack. Figure out how to add one to the number in level 2
1573 without affecting the rest of the stack. Also figure out how to add
1574 one to the number in level 3. @xref{RPN Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
1576 Operations like @kbd{+}, @kbd{-}, @kbd{*}, @kbd{/}, and @kbd{^} pop two
1577 arguments from the stack and push a result. Operations like @kbd{n} and
1578 @kbd{Q} (square root) pop a single number and push the result. You can
1579 think of them as simply operating on the top element of the stack.
1583 1: 3 1: 9 2: 9 1: 25 1: 5
1587 3 @key{RET} @key{RET} * 4 @key{RET} @key{RET} * + Q
1592 (Note that capital @kbd{Q} means to hold down the Shift key while
1593 typing @kbd{q}. Remember, plain unshifted @kbd{q} is the Quit command.)
1595 @cindex Pythagorean Theorem
1596 Here we've used the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the hypotenuse of a
1597 right triangle. Calc actually has a built-in command for that called
1598 @kbd{f h}, but let's suppose we can't remember the necessary keystrokes.
1599 We can still enter it by its full name using @kbd{M-x} notation:
1607 3 @key{RET} 4 @key{RET} M-x calc-hypot
1611 All Calculator commands begin with the word @samp{calc-}. Since it
1612 gets tiring to type this, Calc provides an @kbd{x} key which is just
1613 like the regular Emacs @kbd{M-x} key except that it types the @samp{calc-}
1622 3 @key{RET} 4 @key{RET} x hypot
1626 What happens if you take the square root of a negative number?
1630 1: 4 1: -4 1: (0, 2)
1638 The notation @expr{(a, b)} represents a complex number.
1639 Complex numbers are more traditionally written @expr{a + b i};
1640 Calc can display in this format, too, but for now we'll stick to the
1641 @expr{(a, b)} notation.
1643 If you don't know how complex numbers work, you can safely ignore this
1644 feature. Complex numbers only arise from operations that would be
1645 errors in a calculator that didn't have complex numbers. (For example,
1646 taking the square root or logarithm of a negative number produces a
1649 Complex numbers are entered in the notation shown. The @kbd{(} and
1650 @kbd{,} and @kbd{)} keys manipulate ``incomplete complex numbers.''
1654 1: ( ... 2: ( ... 1: (2, ... 1: (2, ... 1: (2, 3)
1662 You can perform calculations while entering parts of incomplete objects.
1663 However, an incomplete object cannot actually participate in a calculation:
1667 1: ( ... 2: ( ... 3: ( ... 1: ( ... 1: ( ...
1677 Adding 5 to an incomplete object makes no sense, so the last command
1678 produces an error message and leaves the stack the same.
1680 Incomplete objects can't participate in arithmetic, but they can be
1681 moved around by the regular stack commands.
1685 2: 2 3: 2 3: 3 1: ( ... 1: (2, 3)
1686 1: 3 2: 3 2: ( ... 2 .
1690 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} ( M-@key{TAB} M-@key{TAB} )
1695 Note that the @kbd{,} (comma) key did not have to be used here.
1696 When you press @kbd{)} all the stack entries between the incomplete
1697 entry and the top are collected, so there's never really a reason
1698 to use the comma. It's up to you.
1700 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} To enter the complex number @expr{(2, 3)},
1701 your friend Joe typed @kbd{( 2 , @key{SPC} 3 )}. What happened?
1702 (Joe thought of a clever way to correct his mistake in only two
1703 keystrokes, but it didn't quite work. Try it to find out why.)
1704 @xref{RPN Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
1706 Vectors are entered the same way as complex numbers, but with square
1707 brackets in place of parentheses. We'll meet vectors again later in
1710 Any Emacs command can be given a @dfn{numeric prefix argument} by
1711 typing a series of @key{META}-digits beforehand. If @key{META} is
1712 awkward for you, you can instead type @kbd{C-u} followed by the
1713 necessary digits. Numeric prefix arguments can be negative, as in
1714 @kbd{M-- M-3 M-5} or @w{@kbd{C-u - 3 5}}. Calc commands use numeric
1715 prefix arguments in a variety of ways. For example, a numeric prefix
1716 on the @kbd{+} operator adds any number of stack entries at once:
1720 1: 10 2: 10 3: 10 3: 10 1: 60
1721 . 1: 20 2: 20 2: 20 .
1725 10 @key{RET} 20 @key{RET} 30 @key{RET} C-u 3 +
1729 For stack manipulation commands like @key{RET}, a positive numeric
1730 prefix argument operates on the top @var{n} stack entries at once. A
1731 negative argument operates on the entry in level @var{n} only. An
1732 argument of zero operates on the entire stack. In this example, we copy
1733 the second-to-top element of the stack:
1737 1: 10 2: 10 3: 10 3: 10 4: 10
1738 . 1: 20 2: 20 2: 20 3: 20
1743 10 @key{RET} 20 @key{RET} 30 @key{RET} C-u -2 @key{RET}
1747 @cindex Clearing the stack
1748 @cindex Emptying the stack
1749 Another common idiom is @kbd{M-0 @key{DEL}}, which clears the stack.
1750 (The @kbd{M-0} numeric prefix tells @key{DEL} to operate on the
1753 @node Algebraic Tutorial, Undo Tutorial, RPN Tutorial, Basic Tutorial
1754 @subsection Algebraic-Style Calculations
1757 If you are not used to RPN notation, you may prefer to operate the
1758 Calculator in Algebraic mode, which is closer to the way
1759 non-RPN calculators work. In Algebraic mode, you enter formulas
1760 in traditional @expr{2+3} notation.
1762 @strong{Notice:} Calc gives @samp{/} lower precedence than @samp{*}, so
1763 that @samp{a/b*c} is interpreted as @samp{a/(b*c)}; this is not
1764 standard across all computer languages. See below for details.
1766 You don't really need any special ``mode'' to enter algebraic formulas.
1767 You can enter a formula at any time by pressing the apostrophe (@kbd{'})
1768 key. Answer the prompt with the desired formula, then press @key{RET}.
1769 The formula is evaluated and the result is pushed onto the RPN stack.
1770 If you don't want to think in RPN at all, you can enter your whole
1771 computation as a formula, read the result from the stack, then press
1772 @key{DEL} to delete it from the stack.
1774 Try pressing the apostrophe key, then @kbd{2+3+4}, then @key{RET}.
1775 The result should be the number 9.
1777 Algebraic formulas use the operators @samp{+}, @samp{-}, @samp{*},
1778 @samp{/}, and @samp{^}. You can use parentheses to make the order
1779 of evaluation clear. In the absence of parentheses, @samp{^} is
1780 evaluated first, then @samp{*}, then @samp{/}, then finally
1781 @samp{+} and @samp{-}. For example, the expression
1784 2 + 3*4*5 / 6*7^8 - 9
1791 2 + ((3*4*5) / (6*(7^8)) - 9
1795 or, in large mathematical notation,
1809 $$ 2 + { 3 \times 4 \times 5 \over 6 \times 7^8 } - 9 $$
1814 The result of this expression will be the number @mathit{-6.99999826533}.
1816 Calc's order of evaluation is the same as for most computer languages,
1817 except that @samp{*} binds more strongly than @samp{/}, as the above
1818 example shows. As in normal mathematical notation, the @samp{*} symbol
1819 can often be omitted: @samp{2 a} is the same as @samp{2*a}.
1821 Operators at the same level are evaluated from left to right, except
1822 that @samp{^} is evaluated from right to left. Thus, @samp{2-3-4} is
1823 equivalent to @samp{(2-3)-4} or @mathit{-5}, whereas @samp{2^3^4} is equivalent
1824 to @samp{2^(3^4)} (a very large integer; try it!).
1826 If you tire of typing the apostrophe all the time, there is
1827 Algebraic mode, where Calc automatically senses
1828 when you are about to type an algebraic expression. To enter this
1829 mode, press the two letters @w{@kbd{m a}}. (An @samp{Alg} indicator
1830 should appear in the Calc window's mode line.)
1832 Press @kbd{m a}, then @kbd{2+3+4} with no apostrophe, then @key{RET}.
1834 In Algebraic mode, when you press any key that would normally begin
1835 entering a number (such as a digit, a decimal point, or the @kbd{_}
1836 key), or if you press @kbd{(} or @kbd{[}, Calc automatically begins
1839 Functions which do not have operator symbols like @samp{+} and @samp{*}
1840 must be entered in formulas using function-call notation. For example,
1841 the function name corresponding to the square-root key @kbd{Q} is
1842 @code{sqrt}. To compute a square root in a formula, you would use
1843 the notation @samp{sqrt(@var{x})}.
1845 Press the apostrophe, then type @kbd{sqrt(5*2) - 3}. The result should
1846 be @expr{0.16227766017}.
1848 Note that if the formula begins with a function name, you need to use
1849 the apostrophe even if you are in Algebraic mode. If you type @kbd{arcsin}
1850 out of the blue, the @kbd{a r} will be taken as an Algebraic Rewrite
1851 command, and the @kbd{csin} will be taken as the name of the rewrite
1854 Some people prefer to enter complex numbers and vectors in algebraic
1855 form because they find RPN entry with incomplete objects to be too
1856 distracting, even though they otherwise use Calc as an RPN calculator.
1858 Still in Algebraic mode, type:
1862 1: (2, 3) 2: (2, 3) 1: (8, -1) 2: (8, -1) 1: (9, -1)
1863 . 1: (1, -2) . 1: 1 .
1866 (2,3) @key{RET} (1,-2) @key{RET} * 1 @key{RET} +
1870 Algebraic mode allows us to enter complex numbers without pressing
1871 an apostrophe first, but it also means we need to press @key{RET}
1872 after every entry, even for a simple number like @expr{1}.
1874 (You can type @kbd{C-u m a} to enable a special Incomplete Algebraic
1875 mode in which the @kbd{(} and @kbd{[} keys use algebraic entry even
1876 though regular numeric keys still use RPN numeric entry. There is also
1877 Total Algebraic mode, started by typing @kbd{m t}, in which all
1878 normal keys begin algebraic entry. You must then use the @key{META} key
1879 to type Calc commands: @kbd{M-m t} to get back out of Total Algebraic
1880 mode, @kbd{M-q} to quit, etc.)
1882 If you're still in Algebraic mode, press @kbd{m a} again to turn it off.
1884 Actual non-RPN calculators use a mixture of algebraic and RPN styles.
1885 In general, operators of two numbers (like @kbd{+} and @kbd{*})
1886 use algebraic form, but operators of one number (like @kbd{n} and @kbd{Q})
1887 use RPN form. Also, a non-RPN calculator allows you to see the
1888 intermediate results of a calculation as you go along. You can
1889 accomplish this in Calc by performing your calculation as a series
1890 of algebraic entries, using the @kbd{$} sign to tie them together.
1891 In an algebraic formula, @kbd{$} represents the number on the top
1892 of the stack. Here, we perform the calculation
1893 @texline @math{\sqrt{2\times4+1}},
1894 @infoline @expr{sqrt(2*4+1)},
1895 which on a traditional calculator would be done by pressing
1896 @kbd{2 * 4 + 1 =} and then the square-root key.
1903 ' 2*4 @key{RET} $+1 @key{RET} Q
1908 Notice that we didn't need to press an apostrophe for the @kbd{$+1},
1909 because the dollar sign always begins an algebraic entry.
1911 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} How could you get the same effect as
1912 pressing @kbd{Q} but using an algebraic entry instead? How about
1913 if the @kbd{Q} key on your keyboard were broken?
1914 @xref{Algebraic Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
1916 The notations @kbd{$$}, @kbd{$$$}, and so on stand for higher stack
1917 entries. For example, @kbd{' $$+$ @key{RET}} is just like typing @kbd{+}.
1919 Algebraic formulas can include @dfn{variables}. To store in a
1920 variable, press @kbd{s s}, then type the variable name, then press
1921 @key{RET}. (There are actually two flavors of store command:
1922 @kbd{s s} stores a number in a variable but also leaves the number
1923 on the stack, while @w{@kbd{s t}} removes a number from the stack and
1924 stores it in the variable.) A variable name should consist of one
1925 or more letters or digits, beginning with a letter.
1929 1: 17 . 1: a + a^2 1: 306
1932 17 s t a @key{RET} ' a+a^2 @key{RET} =
1937 The @kbd{=} key @dfn{evaluates} a formula by replacing all its
1938 variables by the values that were stored in them.
1940 For RPN calculations, you can recall a variable's value on the
1941 stack either by entering its name as a formula and pressing @kbd{=},
1942 or by using the @kbd{s r} command.
1946 1: 17 2: 17 3: 17 2: 17 1: 306
1947 . 1: 17 2: 17 1: 289 .
1951 s r a @key{RET} ' a @key{RET} = 2 ^ +
1955 If you press a single digit for a variable name (as in @kbd{s t 3}, you
1956 get one of ten @dfn{quick variables} @code{q0} through @code{q9}.
1957 They are ``quick'' simply because you don't have to type the letter
1958 @code{q} or the @key{RET} after their names. In fact, you can type
1959 simply @kbd{s 3} as a shorthand for @kbd{s s 3}, and likewise for
1960 @kbd{t 3} and @w{@kbd{r 3}}.
1962 Any variables in an algebraic formula for which you have not stored
1963 values are left alone, even when you evaluate the formula.
1967 1: 2 a + 2 b 1: 34 + 2 b
1974 Calls to function names which are undefined in Calc are also left
1975 alone, as are calls for which the value is undefined.
1979 1: 2 + log10(0) + log10(x) + log10(5, 6) + foo(3)
1982 ' log10(100) + log10(0) + log10(x) + log10(5,6) + foo(3) @key{RET}
1987 In this example, the first call to @code{log10} works, but the other
1988 calls are not evaluated. In the second call, the logarithm is
1989 undefined for that value of the argument; in the third, the argument
1990 is symbolic, and in the fourth, there are too many arguments. In the
1991 fifth case, there is no function called @code{foo}. You will see a
1992 ``Wrong number of arguments'' message referring to @samp{log10(5,6)}.
1993 Press the @kbd{w} (``why'') key to see any other messages that may
1994 have arisen from the last calculation. In this case you will get
1995 ``logarithm of zero,'' then ``number expected: @code{x}''. Calc
1996 automatically displays the first message only if the message is
1997 sufficiently important; for example, Calc considers ``wrong number
1998 of arguments'' and ``logarithm of zero'' to be important enough to
1999 report automatically, while a message like ``number expected: @code{x}''
2000 will only show up if you explicitly press the @kbd{w} key.
2002 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Joe entered the formula @samp{2 x y},
2003 stored 5 in @code{x}, pressed @kbd{=}, and got the expected result,
2004 @samp{10 y}. He then tried the same for the formula @samp{2 x (1+y)},
2005 expecting @samp{10 (1+y)}, but it didn't work. Why not?
2006 @xref{Algebraic Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
2008 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} What result would you expect
2009 @kbd{1 @key{RET} 0 /} to give? What if you then type @kbd{0 *}?
2010 @xref{Algebraic Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
2012 One interesting way to work with variables is to use the
2013 @dfn{evaluates-to} (@samp{=>}) operator. It works like this:
2014 Enter a formula algebraically in the usual way, but follow
2015 the formula with an @samp{=>} symbol. (There is also an @kbd{s =}
2016 command which builds an @samp{=>} formula using the stack.) On
2017 the stack, you will see two copies of the formula with an @samp{=>}
2018 between them. The lefthand formula is exactly like you typed it;
2019 the righthand formula has been evaluated as if by typing @kbd{=}.
2023 2: 2 + 3 => 5 2: 2 + 3 => 5
2024 1: 2 a + 2 b => 34 + 2 b 1: 2 a + 2 b => 20 + 2 b
2027 ' 2+3 => @key{RET} ' 2a+2b @key{RET} s = 10 s t a @key{RET}
2032 Notice that the instant we stored a new value in @code{a}, all
2033 @samp{=>} operators already on the stack that referred to @expr{a}
2034 were updated to use the new value. With @samp{=>}, you can push a
2035 set of formulas on the stack, then change the variables experimentally
2036 to see the effects on the formulas' values.
2038 You can also ``unstore'' a variable when you are through with it:
2043 1: 2 a + 2 b => 2 a + 2 b
2050 We will encounter formulas involving variables and functions again
2051 when we discuss the algebra and calculus features of the Calculator.
2053 @node Undo Tutorial, Modes Tutorial, Algebraic Tutorial, Basic Tutorial
2054 @subsection Undo and Redo
2057 If you make a mistake, you can usually correct it by pressing shift-@kbd{U},
2058 the ``undo'' command. First, clear the stack (@kbd{M-0 @key{DEL}}) and exit
2059 and restart Calc (@kbd{C-x * * C-x * *}) to make sure things start off
2060 with a clean slate. Now:
2064 1: 2 2: 2 1: 8 2: 2 1: 6
2072 You can undo any number of times. Calc keeps a complete record of
2073 all you have done since you last opened the Calc window. After the
2074 above example, you could type:
2086 You can also type @kbd{D} to ``redo'' a command that you have undone
2091 . 1: 2 2: 2 1: 6 1: 6
2100 It was not possible to redo past the @expr{6}, since that was placed there
2101 by something other than an undo command.
2104 You can think of undo and redo as a sort of ``time machine.'' Press
2105 @kbd{U} to go backward in time, @kbd{D} to go forward. If you go
2106 backward and do something (like @kbd{*}) then, as any science fiction
2107 reader knows, you have changed your future and you cannot go forward
2108 again. Thus, the inability to redo past the @expr{6} even though there
2109 was an earlier undo command.
2111 You can always recall an earlier result using the Trail. We've ignored
2112 the trail so far, but it has been faithfully recording everything we
2113 did since we loaded the Calculator. If the Trail is not displayed,
2114 press @kbd{t d} now to turn it on.
2116 Let's try grabbing an earlier result. The @expr{8} we computed was
2117 undone by a @kbd{U} command, and was lost even to Redo when we pressed
2118 @kbd{*}, but it's still there in the trail. There should be a little
2119 @samp{>} arrow (the @dfn{trail pointer}) resting on the last trail
2120 entry. If there isn't, press @kbd{t ]} to reset the trail pointer.
2121 Now, press @w{@kbd{t p}} to move the arrow onto the line containing
2122 @expr{8}, and press @w{@kbd{t y}} to ``yank'' that number back onto the
2125 If you press @kbd{t ]} again, you will see that even our Yank command
2126 went into the trail.
2128 Let's go further back in time. Earlier in the tutorial we computed
2129 a huge integer using the formula @samp{2^3^4}. We don't remember
2130 what it was, but the first digits were ``241''. Press @kbd{t r}
2131 (which stands for trail-search-reverse), then type @kbd{241}.
2132 The trail cursor will jump back to the next previous occurrence of
2133 the string ``241'' in the trail. This is just a regular Emacs
2134 incremental search; you can now press @kbd{C-s} or @kbd{C-r} to
2135 continue the search forwards or backwards as you like.
2137 To finish the search, press @key{RET}. This halts the incremental
2138 search and leaves the trail pointer at the thing we found. Now we
2139 can type @kbd{t y} to yank that number onto the stack. If we hadn't
2140 remembered the ``241'', we could simply have searched for @kbd{2^3^4},
2141 then pressed @kbd{@key{RET} t n} to halt and then move to the next item.
2143 You may have noticed that all the trail-related commands begin with
2144 the letter @kbd{t}. (The store-and-recall commands, on the other hand,
2145 all began with @kbd{s}.) Calc has so many commands that there aren't
2146 enough keys for all of them, so various commands are grouped into
2147 two-letter sequences where the first letter is called the @dfn{prefix}
2148 key. If you type a prefix key by accident, you can press @kbd{C-g}
2149 to cancel it. (In fact, you can press @kbd{C-g} to cancel almost
2150 anything in Emacs.) To get help on a prefix key, press that key
2151 followed by @kbd{?}. Some prefixes have several lines of help,
2152 so you need to press @kbd{?} repeatedly to see them all.
2153 You can also type @kbd{h h} to see all the help at once.
2155 Try pressing @kbd{t ?} now. You will see a line of the form,
2158 trail/time: Display; Fwd, Back; Next, Prev, Here, [, ]; Yank: [MORE] t-
2162 The word ``trail'' indicates that the @kbd{t} prefix key contains
2163 trail-related commands. Each entry on the line shows one command,
2164 with a single capital letter showing which letter you press to get
2165 that command. We have used @kbd{t n}, @kbd{t p}, @kbd{t ]}, and
2166 @kbd{t y} so far. The @samp{[MORE]} means you can press @kbd{?}
2167 again to see more @kbd{t}-prefix commands. Notice that the commands
2168 are roughly divided (by semicolons) into related groups.
2170 When you are in the help display for a prefix key, the prefix is
2171 still active. If you press another key, like @kbd{y} for example,
2172 it will be interpreted as a @kbd{t y} command. If all you wanted
2173 was to look at the help messages, press @kbd{C-g} afterwards to cancel
2176 One more way to correct an error is by editing the stack entries.
2177 The actual Stack buffer is marked read-only and must not be edited
2178 directly, but you can press @kbd{`} (the backquote or accent grave)
2179 to edit a stack entry.
2181 Try entering @samp{3.141439} now. If this is supposed to represent
2182 @cpi{}, it's got several errors. Press @kbd{`} to edit this number.
2183 Now use the normal Emacs cursor motion and editing keys to change
2184 the second 4 to a 5, and to transpose the 3 and the 9. When you
2185 press @key{RET}, the number on the stack will be replaced by your
2186 new number. This works for formulas, vectors, and all other types
2187 of values you can put on the stack. The @kbd{`} key also works
2188 during entry of a number or algebraic formula.
2190 @node Modes Tutorial, , Undo Tutorial, Basic Tutorial
2191 @subsection Mode-Setting Commands
2194 Calc has many types of @dfn{modes} that affect the way it interprets
2195 your commands or the way it displays data. We have already seen one
2196 mode, namely Algebraic mode. There are many others, too; we'll
2197 try some of the most common ones here.
2199 Perhaps the most fundamental mode in Calc is the current @dfn{precision}.
2200 Notice the @samp{12} on the Calc window's mode line:
2203 --%*-Calc: 12 Deg (Calculator)----All------
2207 Most of the symbols there are Emacs things you don't need to worry
2208 about, but the @samp{12} and the @samp{Deg} are mode indicators.
2209 The @samp{12} means that calculations should always be carried to
2210 12 significant figures. That is why, when we type @kbd{1 @key{RET} 7 /},
2211 we get @expr{0.142857142857} with exactly 12 digits, not counting
2212 leading and trailing zeros.
2214 You can set the precision to anything you like by pressing @kbd{p},
2215 then entering a suitable number. Try pressing @kbd{p 30 @key{RET}},
2216 then doing @kbd{1 @key{RET} 7 /} again:
2221 2: 0.142857142857142857142857142857
2226 Although the precision can be set arbitrarily high, Calc always
2227 has to have @emph{some} value for the current precision. After
2228 all, the true value @expr{1/7} is an infinitely repeating decimal;
2229 Calc has to stop somewhere.
2231 Of course, calculations are slower the more digits you request.
2232 Press @w{@kbd{p 12}} now to set the precision back down to the default.
2234 Calculations always use the current precision. For example, even
2235 though we have a 30-digit value for @expr{1/7} on the stack, if
2236 we use it in a calculation in 12-digit mode it will be rounded
2237 down to 12 digits before it is used. Try it; press @key{RET} to
2238 duplicate the number, then @w{@kbd{1 +}}. Notice that the @key{RET}
2239 key didn't round the number, because it doesn't do any calculation.
2240 But the instant we pressed @kbd{+}, the number was rounded down.
2245 2: 0.142857142857142857142857142857
2252 In fact, since we added a digit on the left, we had to lose one
2253 digit on the right from even the 12-digit value of @expr{1/7}.
2255 How did we get more than 12 digits when we computed @samp{2^3^4}? The
2256 answer is that Calc makes a distinction between @dfn{integers} and
2257 @dfn{floating-point} numbers, or @dfn{floats}. An integer is a number
2258 that does not contain a decimal point. There is no such thing as an
2259 ``infinitely repeating fraction integer,'' so Calc doesn't have to limit
2260 itself. If you asked for @samp{2^10000} (don't try this!), you would
2261 have to wait a long time but you would eventually get an exact answer.
2262 If you ask for @samp{2.^10000}, you will quickly get an answer which is
2263 correct only to 12 places. The decimal point tells Calc that it should
2264 use floating-point arithmetic to get the answer, not exact integer
2267 You can use the @kbd{F} (@code{calc-floor}) command to convert a
2268 floating-point value to an integer, and @kbd{c f} (@code{calc-float})
2269 to convert an integer to floating-point form.
2271 Let's try entering that last calculation:
2275 1: 2. 2: 2. 1: 1.99506311689e3010
2279 2.0 @key{RET} 10000 @key{RET} ^
2284 @cindex Scientific notation, entry of
2285 Notice the letter @samp{e} in there. It represents ``times ten to the
2286 power of,'' and is used by Calc automatically whenever writing the
2287 number out fully would introduce more extra zeros than you probably
2288 want to see. You can enter numbers in this notation, too.
2292 1: 2. 2: 2. 1: 1.99506311678e3010
2296 2.0 @key{RET} 1e4 @key{RET} ^
2300 @cindex Round-off errors
2302 Hey, the answer is different! Look closely at the middle columns
2303 of the two examples. In the first, the stack contained the
2304 exact integer @expr{10000}, but in the second it contained
2305 a floating-point value with a decimal point. When you raise a
2306 number to an integer power, Calc uses repeated squaring and
2307 multiplication to get the answer. When you use a floating-point
2308 power, Calc uses logarithms and exponentials. As you can see,
2309 a slight error crept in during one of these methods. Which
2310 one should we trust? Let's raise the precision a bit and find
2315 . 1: 2. 2: 2. 1: 1.995063116880828e3010
2319 p 16 @key{RET} 2. @key{RET} 1e4 ^ p 12 @key{RET}
2324 @cindex Guard digits
2325 Presumably, it doesn't matter whether we do this higher-precision
2326 calculation using an integer or floating-point power, since we
2327 have added enough ``guard digits'' to trust the first 12 digits
2328 no matter what. And the verdict is@dots{} Integer powers were more
2329 accurate; in fact, the result was only off by one unit in the
2332 @cindex Guard digits
2333 Calc does many of its internal calculations to a slightly higher
2334 precision, but it doesn't always bump the precision up enough.
2335 In each case, Calc added about two digits of precision during
2336 its calculation and then rounded back down to 12 digits
2337 afterward. In one case, it was enough; in the other, it
2338 wasn't. If you really need @var{x} digits of precision, it
2339 never hurts to do the calculation with a few extra guard digits.
2341 What if we want guard digits but don't want to look at them?
2342 We can set the @dfn{float format}. Calc supports four major
2343 formats for floating-point numbers, called @dfn{normal},
2344 @dfn{fixed-point}, @dfn{scientific notation}, and @dfn{engineering
2345 notation}. You get them by pressing @w{@kbd{d n}}, @kbd{d f},
2346 @kbd{d s}, and @kbd{d e}, respectively. In each case, you can
2347 supply a numeric prefix argument which says how many digits
2348 should be displayed. As an example, let's put a few numbers
2349 onto the stack and try some different display modes. First,
2350 use @kbd{M-0 @key{DEL}} to clear the stack, then enter the four
2355 4: 12345 4: 12345 4: 12345 4: 12345 4: 12345
2356 3: 12345. 3: 12300. 3: 1.2345e4 3: 1.23e4 3: 12345.000
2357 2: 123.45 2: 123. 2: 1.2345e2 2: 1.23e2 2: 123.450
2358 1: 12.345 1: 12.3 1: 1.2345e1 1: 1.23e1 1: 12.345
2361 d n M-3 d n d s M-3 d s M-3 d f
2366 Notice that when we typed @kbd{M-3 d n}, the numbers were rounded down
2367 to three significant digits, but then when we typed @kbd{d s} all
2368 five significant figures reappeared. The float format does not
2369 affect how numbers are stored, it only affects how they are
2370 displayed. Only the current precision governs the actual rounding
2371 of numbers in the Calculator's memory.
2373 Engineering notation, not shown here, is like scientific notation
2374 except the exponent (the power-of-ten part) is always adjusted to be
2375 a multiple of three (as in ``kilo,'' ``micro,'' etc.). As a result
2376 there will be one, two, or three digits before the decimal point.
2378 Whenever you change a display-related mode, Calc redraws everything
2379 in the stack. This may be slow if there are many things on the stack,
2380 so Calc allows you to type shift-@kbd{H} before any mode command to
2381 prevent it from updating the stack. Anything Calc displays after the
2382 mode-changing command will appear in the new format.
2386 4: 12345 4: 12345 4: 12345 4: 12345 4: 12345
2387 3: 12345.000 3: 12345.000 3: 12345.000 3: 1.2345e4 3: 12345.
2388 2: 123.450 2: 123.450 2: 1.2345e1 2: 1.2345e1 2: 123.45
2389 1: 12.345 1: 1.2345e1 1: 1.2345e2 1: 1.2345e2 1: 12.345
2392 H d s @key{DEL} U @key{TAB} d @key{SPC} d n
2397 Here the @kbd{H d s} command changes to scientific notation but without
2398 updating the screen. Deleting the top stack entry and undoing it back
2399 causes it to show up in the new format; swapping the top two stack
2400 entries reformats both entries. The @kbd{d @key{SPC}} command refreshes the
2401 whole stack. The @kbd{d n} command changes back to the normal float
2402 format; since it doesn't have an @kbd{H} prefix, it also updates all
2403 the stack entries to be in @kbd{d n} format.
2405 Notice that the integer @expr{12345} was not affected by any
2406 of the float formats. Integers are integers, and are always
2409 @cindex Large numbers, readability
2410 Large integers have their own problems. Let's look back at
2411 the result of @kbd{2^3^4}.
2414 2417851639229258349412352
2418 Quick---how many digits does this have? Try typing @kbd{d g}:
2421 2,417,851,639,229,258,349,412,352
2425 Now how many digits does this have? It's much easier to tell!
2426 We can actually group digits into clumps of any size. Some
2427 people prefer @kbd{M-5 d g}:
2430 24178,51639,22925,83494,12352
2433 Let's see what happens to floating-point numbers when they are grouped.
2434 First, type @kbd{p 25 @key{RET}} to make sure we have enough precision
2435 to get ourselves into trouble. Now, type @kbd{1e13 /}:
2438 24,17851,63922.9258349412352
2442 The integer part is grouped but the fractional part isn't. Now try
2443 @kbd{M-- M-5 d g} (that's meta-minus-sign, meta-five):
2446 24,17851,63922.92583,49412,352
2449 If you find it hard to tell the decimal point from the commas, try
2450 changing the grouping character to a space with @kbd{d , @key{SPC}}:
2453 24 17851 63922.92583 49412 352
2456 Type @kbd{d , ,} to restore the normal grouping character, then
2457 @kbd{d g} again to turn grouping off. Also, press @kbd{p 12} to
2458 restore the default precision.
2460 Press @kbd{U} enough times to get the original big integer back.
2461 (Notice that @kbd{U} does not undo each mode-setting command; if
2462 you want to undo a mode-setting command, you have to do it yourself.)
2463 Now, type @kbd{d r 16 @key{RET}}:
2466 16#200000000000000000000
2470 The number is now displayed in @dfn{hexadecimal}, or ``base-16'' form.
2471 Suddenly it looks pretty simple; this should be no surprise, since we
2472 got this number by computing a power of two, and 16 is a power of 2.
2473 In fact, we can use @w{@kbd{d r 2 @key{RET}}} to see it in actual binary
2477 2#1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 @dots{}
2481 We don't have enough space here to show all the zeros! They won't
2482 fit on a typical screen, either, so you will have to use horizontal
2483 scrolling to see them all. Press @kbd{<} and @kbd{>} to scroll the
2484 stack window left and right by half its width. Another way to view
2485 something large is to press @kbd{`} (back-quote) to edit the top of
2486 stack in a separate window. (Press @kbd{C-c C-c} when you are done.)
2488 You can enter non-decimal numbers using the @kbd{#} symbol, too.
2489 Let's see what the hexadecimal number @samp{5FE} looks like in
2490 binary. Type @kbd{16#5FE} (the letters can be typed in upper or
2491 lower case; they will always appear in upper case). It will also
2492 help to turn grouping on with @kbd{d g}:
2498 Notice that @kbd{d g} groups by fours by default if the display radix
2499 is binary or hexadecimal, but by threes if it is decimal, octal, or any
2502 Now let's see that number in decimal; type @kbd{d r 10}:
2508 Numbers are not @emph{stored} with any particular radix attached. They're
2509 just numbers; they can be entered in any radix, and are always displayed
2510 in whatever radix you've chosen with @kbd{d r}. The current radix applies
2511 to integers, fractions, and floats.
2513 @cindex Roundoff errors, in non-decimal numbers
2514 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} Your friend Joe tried to enter one-third
2515 as @samp{3#0.1} in @kbd{d r 3} mode with a precision of 12. He got
2516 @samp{3#0.0222222...} (with 25 2's) in the display. When he multiplied
2517 that by three, he got @samp{3#0.222222...} instead of the expected
2518 @samp{3#1}. Next, Joe entered @samp{3#0.2} and, to his great relief,
2519 saw @samp{3#0.2} on the screen. But when he typed @kbd{2 /}, he got
2520 @samp{3#0.10000001} (some zeros omitted). What's going on here?
2521 @xref{Modes Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
2523 @cindex Scientific notation, in non-decimal numbers
2524 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Scientific notation works in non-decimal
2525 modes in the natural way (the exponent is a power of the radix instead of
2526 a power of ten, although the exponent itself is always written in decimal).
2527 Thus @samp{8#1.23e3 = 8#1230.0}. Suppose we have the hexadecimal number
2528 @samp{f.e8f} times 16 to the 15th power: We write @samp{16#f.e8fe15}.
2529 What is wrong with this picture? What could we write instead that would
2530 work better? @xref{Modes Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
2532 The @kbd{m} prefix key has another set of modes, relating to the way
2533 Calc interprets your inputs and does computations. Whereas @kbd{d}-prefix
2534 modes generally affect the way things look, @kbd{m}-prefix modes affect
2535 the way they are actually computed.
2537 The most popular @kbd{m}-prefix mode is the @dfn{angular mode}. Notice
2538 the @samp{Deg} indicator in the mode line. This means that if you use
2539 a command that interprets a number as an angle, it will assume the
2540 angle is measured in degrees. For example,
2544 1: 45 1: 0.707106781187 1: 0.500000000001 1: 0.5
2552 The shift-@kbd{S} command computes the sine of an angle. The sine
2554 @texline @math{\sqrt{2}/2};
2555 @infoline @expr{sqrt(2)/2};
2556 squaring this yields @expr{2/4 = 0.5}. However, there has been a slight
2557 roundoff error because the representation of
2558 @texline @math{\sqrt{2}/2}
2559 @infoline @expr{sqrt(2)/2}
2560 wasn't exact. The @kbd{c 1} command is a handy way to clean up numbers
2561 in this case; it temporarily reduces the precision by one digit while it
2562 re-rounds the number on the top of the stack.
2564 @cindex Roundoff errors, examples
2565 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} Your friend Joe computed the sine
2566 of 45 degrees as shown above, then, hoping to avoid an inexact
2567 result, he increased the precision to 16 digits before squaring.
2568 What happened? @xref{Modes Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
2570 To do this calculation in radians, we would type @kbd{m r} first.
2571 (The indicator changes to @samp{Rad}.) 45 degrees corresponds to
2572 @cpiover{4} radians. To get @cpi{}, press the @kbd{P} key. (Once
2573 again, this is a shifted capital @kbd{P}. Remember, unshifted
2574 @kbd{p} sets the precision.)
2578 1: 3.14159265359 1: 0.785398163398 1: 0.707106781187
2585 Likewise, inverse trigonometric functions generate results in
2586 either radians or degrees, depending on the current angular mode.
2590 1: 0.707106781187 1: 0.785398163398 1: 45.
2593 .5 Q m r I S m d U I S
2598 Here we compute the Inverse Sine of
2599 @texline @math{\sqrt{0.5}},
2600 @infoline @expr{sqrt(0.5)},
2601 first in radians, then in degrees.
2603 Use @kbd{c d} and @kbd{c r} to convert a number from radians to degrees
2608 1: 45 1: 0.785398163397 1: 45.
2615 Another interesting mode is @dfn{Fraction mode}. Normally,
2616 dividing two integers produces a floating-point result if the
2617 quotient can't be expressed as an exact integer. Fraction mode
2618 causes integer division to produce a fraction, i.e., a rational
2623 2: 12 1: 1.33333333333 1: 4:3
2627 12 @key{RET} 9 / m f U / m f
2632 In the first case, we get an approximate floating-point result.
2633 In the second case, we get an exact fractional result (four-thirds).
2635 You can enter a fraction at any time using @kbd{:} notation.
2636 (Calc uses @kbd{:} instead of @kbd{/} as the fraction separator
2637 because @kbd{/} is already used to divide the top two stack
2638 elements.) Calculations involving fractions will always
2639 produce exact fractional results; Fraction mode only says
2640 what to do when dividing two integers.
2642 @cindex Fractions vs. floats
2643 @cindex Floats vs. fractions
2644 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} If fractional arithmetic is exact,
2645 why would you ever use floating-point numbers instead?
2646 @xref{Modes Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
2648 Typing @kbd{m f} doesn't change any existing values in the stack.
2649 In the above example, we had to Undo the division and do it over
2650 again when we changed to Fraction mode. But if you use the
2651 evaluates-to operator you can get commands like @kbd{m f} to
2656 1: 12 / 9 => 1.33333333333 1: 12 / 9 => 1.333 1: 12 / 9 => 4:3
2659 ' 12/9 => @key{RET} p 4 @key{RET} m f
2664 In this example, the righthand side of the @samp{=>} operator
2665 on the stack is recomputed when we change the precision, then
2666 again when we change to Fraction mode. All @samp{=>} expressions
2667 on the stack are recomputed every time you change any mode that
2668 might affect their values.
2670 @node Arithmetic Tutorial, Vector/Matrix Tutorial, Basic Tutorial, Tutorial
2671 @section Arithmetic Tutorial
2674 In this section, we explore the arithmetic and scientific functions
2675 available in the Calculator.
2677 The standard arithmetic commands are @kbd{+}, @kbd{-}, @kbd{*}, @kbd{/},
2678 and @kbd{^}. Each normally takes two numbers from the top of the stack
2679 and pushes back a result. The @kbd{n} and @kbd{&} keys perform
2680 change-sign and reciprocal operations, respectively.
2684 1: 5 1: 0.2 1: 5. 1: -5. 1: 5.
2691 @cindex Binary operators
2692 You can apply a ``binary operator'' like @kbd{+} across any number of
2693 stack entries by giving it a numeric prefix. You can also apply it
2694 pairwise to several stack elements along with the top one if you use
2699 3: 2 1: 9 3: 2 4: 2 3: 12
2700 2: 3 . 2: 3 3: 3 2: 13
2701 1: 4 1: 4 2: 4 1: 14
2705 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} 4 M-3 + U 10 M-- M-3 +
2709 @cindex Unary operators
2710 You can apply a ``unary operator'' like @kbd{&} to the top @var{n}
2711 stack entries with a numeric prefix, too.
2716 2: 3 2: 0.333333333333 2: 3.
2720 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} 4 M-3 & M-2 &
2724 Notice that the results here are left in floating-point form.
2725 We can convert them back to integers by pressing @kbd{F}, the
2726 ``floor'' function. This function rounds down to the next lower
2727 integer. There is also @kbd{R}, which rounds to the nearest
2745 Since dividing-and-flooring (i.e., ``integer quotient'') is such a
2746 common operation, Calc provides a special command for that purpose, the
2747 backslash @kbd{\}. Another common arithmetic operator is @kbd{%}, which
2748 computes the remainder that would arise from a @kbd{\} operation, i.e.,
2749 the ``modulo'' of two numbers. For example,
2753 2: 1234 1: 12 2: 1234 1: 34
2757 1234 @key{RET} 100 \ U %
2761 These commands actually work for any real numbers, not just integers.
2765 2: 3.1415 1: 3 2: 3.1415 1: 0.1415
2769 3.1415 @key{RET} 1 \ U %
2773 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} The @kbd{\} command would appear to be a
2774 frill, since you could always do the same thing with @kbd{/ F}. Think
2775 of a situation where this is not true---@kbd{/ F} would be inadequate.
2776 Now think of a way you could get around the problem if Calc didn't
2777 provide a @kbd{\} command. @xref{Arithmetic Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
2779 We've already seen the @kbd{Q} (square root) and @kbd{S} (sine)
2780 commands. Other commands along those lines are @kbd{C} (cosine),
2781 @kbd{T} (tangent), @kbd{E} (@expr{e^x}) and @kbd{L} (natural
2782 logarithm). These can be modified by the @kbd{I} (inverse) and
2783 @kbd{H} (hyperbolic) prefix keys.
2785 Let's compute the sine and cosine of an angle, and verify the
2787 @texline @math{\sin^2x + \cos^2x = 1}.
2788 @infoline @expr{sin(x)^2 + cos(x)^2 = 1}.
2789 We'll arbitrarily pick @mathit{-64} degrees as a good value for @expr{x}.
2790 With the angular mode set to degrees (type @w{@kbd{m d}}), do:
2794 2: -64 2: -64 2: -0.89879 2: -0.89879 1: 1.
2795 1: -64 1: -0.89879 1: -64 1: 0.43837 .
2798 64 n @key{RET} @key{RET} S @key{TAB} C f h
2803 (For brevity, we're showing only five digits of the results here.
2804 You can of course do these calculations to any precision you like.)
2806 Remember, @kbd{f h} is the @code{calc-hypot}, or square-root of sum
2807 of squares, command.
2810 @texline @math{\displaystyle\tan x = {\sin x \over \cos x}}.
2811 @infoline @expr{tan(x) = sin(x) / cos(x)}.
2815 2: -0.89879 1: -2.0503 1: -64.
2823 A physical interpretation of this calculation is that if you move
2824 @expr{0.89879} units downward and @expr{0.43837} units to the right,
2825 your direction of motion is @mathit{-64} degrees from horizontal. Suppose
2826 we move in the opposite direction, up and to the left:
2830 2: -0.89879 2: 0.89879 1: -2.0503 1: -64.
2831 1: 0.43837 1: -0.43837 . .
2839 How can the angle be the same? The answer is that the @kbd{/} operation
2840 loses information about the signs of its inputs. Because the quotient
2841 is negative, we know exactly one of the inputs was negative, but we
2842 can't tell which one. There is an @kbd{f T} [@code{arctan2}] function which
2843 computes the inverse tangent of the quotient of a pair of numbers.
2844 Since you feed it the two original numbers, it has enough information
2845 to give you a full 360-degree answer.
2849 2: 0.89879 1: 116. 3: 116. 2: 116. 1: 180.
2850 1: -0.43837 . 2: -0.89879 1: -64. .
2854 U U f T M-@key{RET} M-2 n f T -
2859 The resulting angles differ by 180 degrees; in other words, they
2860 point in opposite directions, just as we would expect.
2862 The @key{META}-@key{RET} we used in the third step is the
2863 ``last-arguments'' command. It is sort of like Undo, except that it
2864 restores the arguments of the last command to the stack without removing
2865 the command's result. It is useful in situations like this one,
2866 where we need to do several operations on the same inputs. We could
2867 have accomplished the same thing by using @kbd{M-2 @key{RET}} to duplicate
2868 the top two stack elements right after the @kbd{U U}, then a pair of
2869 @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} commands to cycle the 116 up around the duplicates.
2871 A similar identity is supposed to hold for hyperbolic sines and cosines,
2872 except that it is the @emph{difference}
2873 @texline @math{\cosh^2x - \sinh^2x}
2874 @infoline @expr{cosh(x)^2 - sinh(x)^2}
2875 that always equals one. Let's try to verify this identity.
2879 2: -64 2: -64 2: -64 2: 9.7192e54 2: 9.7192e54
2880 1: -64 1: -3.1175e27 1: 9.7192e54 1: -64 1: 9.7192e54
2883 64 n @key{RET} @key{RET} H C 2 ^ @key{TAB} H S 2 ^
2888 @cindex Roundoff errors, examples
2889 Something's obviously wrong, because when we subtract these numbers
2890 the answer will clearly be zero! But if you think about it, if these
2891 numbers @emph{did} differ by one, it would be in the 55th decimal
2892 place. The difference we seek has been lost entirely to roundoff
2895 We could verify this hypothesis by doing the actual calculation with,
2896 say, 60 decimal places of precision. This will be slow, but not
2897 enormously so. Try it if you wish; sure enough, the answer is
2898 0.99999, reasonably close to 1.
2900 Of course, a more reasonable way to verify the identity is to use
2901 a more reasonable value for @expr{x}!
2903 @cindex Common logarithm
2904 Some Calculator commands use the Hyperbolic prefix for other purposes.
2905 The logarithm and exponential functions, for example, work to the base
2906 @expr{e} normally but use base-10 instead if you use the Hyperbolic
2911 1: 1000 1: 6.9077 1: 1000 1: 3
2919 First, we mistakenly compute a natural logarithm. Then we undo
2920 and compute a common logarithm instead.
2922 The @kbd{B} key computes a general base-@var{b} logarithm for any
2927 2: 1000 1: 3 1: 1000. 2: 1000. 1: 6.9077
2928 1: 10 . . 1: 2.71828 .
2931 1000 @key{RET} 10 B H E H P B
2936 Here we first use @kbd{B} to compute the base-10 logarithm, then use
2937 the ``hyperbolic'' exponential as a cheap hack to recover the number
2938 1000, then use @kbd{B} again to compute the natural logarithm. Note
2939 that @kbd{P} with the hyperbolic prefix pushes the constant @expr{e}
2942 You may have noticed that both times we took the base-10 logarithm
2943 of 1000, we got an exact integer result. Calc always tries to give
2944 an exact rational result for calculations involving rational numbers
2945 where possible. But when we used @kbd{H E}, the result was a
2946 floating-point number for no apparent reason. In fact, if we had
2947 computed @kbd{10 @key{RET} 3 ^} we @emph{would} have gotten an
2948 exact integer 1000. But the @kbd{H E} command is rigged to generate
2949 a floating-point result all of the time so that @kbd{1000 H E} will
2950 not waste time computing a thousand-digit integer when all you
2951 probably wanted was @samp{1e1000}.
2953 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Find a pair of integer inputs to
2954 the @kbd{B} command for which Calc could find an exact rational
2955 result but doesn't. @xref{Arithmetic Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
2957 The Calculator also has a set of functions relating to combinatorics
2958 and statistics. You may be familiar with the @dfn{factorial} function,
2959 which computes the product of all the integers up to a given number.
2963 1: 100 1: 93326215443... 1: 100. 1: 9.3326e157
2971 Recall, the @kbd{c f} command converts the integer or fraction at the
2972 top of the stack to floating-point format. If you take the factorial
2973 of a floating-point number, you get a floating-point result
2974 accurate to the current precision. But if you give @kbd{!} an
2975 exact integer, you get an exact integer result (158 digits long
2978 If you take the factorial of a non-integer, Calc uses a generalized
2979 factorial function defined in terms of Euler's Gamma function
2980 @texline @math{\Gamma(n)}
2981 @infoline @expr{gamma(n)}
2982 (which is itself available as the @kbd{f g} command).
2986 3: 4. 3: 24. 1: 5.5 1: 52.342777847
2987 2: 4.5 2: 52.3427777847 . .
2991 M-3 ! M-0 @key{DEL} 5.5 f g
2996 Here we verify the identity
2997 @texline @math{n! = \Gamma(n+1)}.
2998 @infoline @expr{@var{n}!@: = gamma(@var{n}+1)}.
3000 The binomial coefficient @var{n}-choose-@var{m}
3001 @texline or @math{\displaystyle {n \choose m}}
3003 @texline @math{\displaystyle {n! \over m! \, (n-m)!}}
3004 @infoline @expr{n!@: / m!@: (n-m)!}
3005 for all reals @expr{n} and @expr{m}. The intermediate results in this
3006 formula can become quite large even if the final result is small; the
3007 @kbd{k c} command computes a binomial coefficient in a way that avoids
3008 large intermediate values.
3010 The @kbd{k} prefix key defines several common functions out of
3011 combinatorics and number theory. Here we compute the binomial
3012 coefficient 30-choose-20, then determine its prime factorization.
3016 2: 30 1: 30045015 1: [3, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 23, 29]
3020 30 @key{RET} 20 k c k f
3025 You can verify these prime factors by using @kbd{V R *} to multiply
3026 together the elements of this vector. The result is the original
3030 Suppose a program you are writing needs a hash table with at least
3031 10000 entries. It's best to use a prime number as the actual size
3032 of a hash table. Calc can compute the next prime number after 10000:
3036 1: 10000 1: 10007 1: 9973
3044 Just for kicks we've also computed the next prime @emph{less} than
3047 @c [fix-ref Financial Functions]
3048 @xref{Financial Functions}, for a description of the Calculator
3049 commands that deal with business and financial calculations (functions
3050 like @code{pv}, @code{rate}, and @code{sln}).
3052 @c [fix-ref Binary Number Functions]
3053 @xref{Binary Functions}, to read about the commands for operating
3054 on binary numbers (like @code{and}, @code{xor}, and @code{lsh}).
3056 @node Vector/Matrix Tutorial, Types Tutorial, Arithmetic Tutorial, Tutorial
3057 @section Vector/Matrix Tutorial
3060 A @dfn{vector} is a list of numbers or other Calc data objects.
3061 Calc provides a large set of commands that operate on vectors. Some
3062 are familiar operations from vector analysis. Others simply treat
3063 a vector as a list of objects.
3066 * Vector Analysis Tutorial::
3071 @node Vector Analysis Tutorial, Matrix Tutorial, Vector/Matrix Tutorial, Vector/Matrix Tutorial
3072 @subsection Vector Analysis
3075 If you add two vectors, the result is a vector of the sums of the
3076 elements, taken pairwise.
3080 1: [1, 2, 3] 2: [1, 2, 3] 1: [8, 8, 3]
3084 [1,2,3] s 1 [7 6 0] s 2 +
3089 Note that we can separate the vector elements with either commas or
3090 spaces. This is true whether we are using incomplete vectors or
3091 algebraic entry. The @kbd{s 1} and @kbd{s 2} commands save these
3092 vectors so we can easily reuse them later.
3094 If you multiply two vectors, the result is the sum of the products
3095 of the elements taken pairwise. This is called the @dfn{dot product}
3109 The dot product of two vectors is equal to the product of their
3110 lengths times the cosine of the angle between them. (Here the vector
3111 is interpreted as a line from the origin @expr{(0,0,0)} to the
3112 specified point in three-dimensional space.) The @kbd{A}
3113 (absolute value) command can be used to compute the length of a
3118 3: 19 3: 19 1: 0.550782 1: 56.579
3119 2: [1, 2, 3] 2: 3.741657 . .
3120 1: [7, 6, 0] 1: 9.219544
3123 M-@key{RET} M-2 A * / I C
3128 First we recall the arguments to the dot product command, then
3129 we compute the absolute values of the top two stack entries to
3130 obtain the lengths of the vectors, then we divide the dot product
3131 by the product of the lengths to get the cosine of the angle.
3132 The inverse cosine finds that the angle between the vectors
3133 is about 56 degrees.
3135 @cindex Cross product
3136 @cindex Perpendicular vectors
3137 The @dfn{cross product} of two vectors is a vector whose length
3138 is the product of the lengths of the inputs times the sine of the
3139 angle between them, and whose direction is perpendicular to both
3140 input vectors. Unlike the dot product, the cross product is
3141 defined only for three-dimensional vectors. Let's double-check
3142 our computation of the angle using the cross product.
3146 2: [1, 2, 3] 3: [-18, 21, -8] 1: [-0.52, 0.61, -0.23] 1: 56.579
3147 1: [7, 6, 0] 2: [1, 2, 3] . .
3151 r 1 r 2 V C s 3 M-@key{RET} M-2 A * / A I S
3156 First we recall the original vectors and compute their cross product,
3157 which we also store for later reference. Now we divide the vector
3158 by the product of the lengths of the original vectors. The length of
3159 this vector should be the sine of the angle; sure enough, it is!
3161 @c [fix-ref General Mode Commands]
3162 Vector-related commands generally begin with the @kbd{v} prefix key.
3163 Some are uppercase letters and some are lowercase. To make it easier
3164 to type these commands, the shift-@kbd{V} prefix key acts the same as
3165 the @kbd{v} key. (@xref{General Mode Commands}, for a way to make all
3166 prefix keys have this property.)
3168 If we take the dot product of two perpendicular vectors we expect
3169 to get zero, since the cosine of 90 degrees is zero. Let's check
3170 that the cross product is indeed perpendicular to both inputs:
3174 2: [1, 2, 3] 1: 0 2: [7, 6, 0] 1: 0
3175 1: [-18, 21, -8] . 1: [-18, 21, -8] .
3178 r 1 r 3 * @key{DEL} r 2 r 3 *
3182 @cindex Normalizing a vector
3183 @cindex Unit vectors
3184 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} Given a vector on the top of the
3185 stack, what keystrokes would you use to @dfn{normalize} the
3186 vector, i.e., to reduce its length to one without changing its
3187 direction? @xref{Vector Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
3189 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Suppose a certain particle can be
3190 at any of several positions along a ruler. You have a list of
3191 those positions in the form of a vector, and another list of the
3192 probabilities for the particle to be at the corresponding positions.
3193 Find the average position of the particle.
3194 @xref{Vector Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
3196 @node Matrix Tutorial, List Tutorial, Vector Analysis Tutorial, Vector/Matrix Tutorial
3197 @subsection Matrices
3200 A @dfn{matrix} is just a vector of vectors, all the same length.
3201 This means you can enter a matrix using nested brackets. You can
3202 also use the semicolon character to enter a matrix. We'll show
3207 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ]
3208 [ 4, 5, 6 ] ] [ 4, 5, 6 ] ]
3211 [[1 2 3] [4 5 6]] ' [1 2 3; 4 5 6] @key{RET}
3216 We'll be using this matrix again, so type @kbd{s 4} to save it now.
3218 Note that semicolons work with incomplete vectors, but they work
3219 better in algebraic entry. That's why we use the apostrophe in
3222 When two matrices are multiplied, the lefthand matrix must have
3223 the same number of columns as the righthand matrix has rows.
3224 Row @expr{i}, column @expr{j} of the result is effectively the
3225 dot product of row @expr{i} of the left matrix by column @expr{j}
3226 of the right matrix.
3228 If we try to duplicate this matrix and multiply it by itself,
3229 the dimensions are wrong and the multiplication cannot take place:
3233 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] * [ [ 1, 2, 3 ]
3234 [ 4, 5, 6 ] ] [ 4, 5, 6 ] ]
3242 Though rather hard to read, this is a formula which shows the product
3243 of two matrices. The @samp{*} function, having invalid arguments, has
3244 been left in symbolic form.
3246 We can multiply the matrices if we @dfn{transpose} one of them first.
3250 2: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 1: [ [ 14, 32 ] 1: [ [ 17, 22, 27 ]
3251 [ 4, 5, 6 ] ] [ 32, 77 ] ] [ 22, 29, 36 ]
3252 1: [ [ 1, 4 ] . [ 27, 36, 45 ] ]
3257 U v t * U @key{TAB} *
3261 Matrix multiplication is not commutative; indeed, switching the
3262 order of the operands can even change the dimensions of the result
3263 matrix, as happened here!
3265 If you multiply a plain vector by a matrix, it is treated as a
3266 single row or column depending on which side of the matrix it is
3267 on. The result is a plain vector which should also be interpreted
3268 as a row or column as appropriate.
3272 2: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 1: [14, 32]
3281 Multiplying in the other order wouldn't work because the number of
3282 rows in the matrix is different from the number of elements in the
3285 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} Use @samp{*} to sum along the rows
3287 @texline @math{2\times3}
3289 matrix to get @expr{[6, 15]}. Now use @samp{*} to sum along the columns
3290 to get @expr{[5, 7, 9]}.
3291 @xref{Matrix Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
3293 @cindex Identity matrix
3294 An @dfn{identity matrix} is a square matrix with ones along the
3295 diagonal and zeros elsewhere. It has the property that multiplication
3296 by an identity matrix, on the left or on the right, always produces
3297 the original matrix.
3301 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 2: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ]
3302 [ 4, 5, 6 ] ] [ 4, 5, 6 ] ] [ 4, 5, 6 ] ]
3303 . 1: [ [ 1, 0, 0 ] .
3308 r 4 v i 3 @key{RET} *
3312 If a matrix is square, it is often possible to find its @dfn{inverse},
3313 that is, a matrix which, when multiplied by the original matrix, yields
3314 an identity matrix. The @kbd{&} (reciprocal) key also computes the
3315 inverse of a matrix.
3319 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 1: [ [ -2.4, 1.2, -0.2 ]
3320 [ 4, 5, 6 ] [ 2.8, -1.4, 0.4 ]
3321 [ 7, 6, 0 ] ] [ -0.73333, 0.53333, -0.2 ] ]
3329 The vertical bar @kbd{|} @dfn{concatenates} numbers, vectors, and
3330 matrices together. Here we have used it to add a new row onto
3331 our matrix to make it square.
3333 We can multiply these two matrices in either order to get an identity.
3337 1: [ [ 1., 0., 0. ] 1: [ [ 1., 0., 0. ]
3338 [ 0., 1., 0. ] [ 0., 1., 0. ]
3339 [ 0., 0., 1. ] ] [ 0., 0., 1. ] ]
3342 M-@key{RET} * U @key{TAB} *
3346 @cindex Systems of linear equations
3347 @cindex Linear equations, systems of
3348 Matrix inverses are related to systems of linear equations in algebra.
3349 Suppose we had the following set of equations:
3362 $$ \openup1\jot \tabskip=0pt plus1fil
3363 \halign to\displaywidth{\tabskip=0pt
3364 $\hfil#$&$\hfil{}#{}$&
3365 $\hfil#$&$\hfil{}#{}$&
3366 $\hfil#$&${}#\hfil$\tabskip=0pt plus1fil\cr
3375 This can be cast into the matrix equation,
3380 [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] [ [ a ] [ [ 6 ]
3381 [ 4, 5, 6 ] * [ b ] = [ 2 ]
3382 [ 7, 6, 0 ] ] [ c ] ] [ 3 ] ]
3388 $$ \pmatrix{ 1 & 2 & 3 \cr 4 & 5 & 6 \cr 7 & 6 & 0 }
3390 \pmatrix{ a \cr b \cr c } = \pmatrix{ 6 \cr 2 \cr 3 }
3395 We can solve this system of equations by multiplying both sides by the
3396 inverse of the matrix. Calc can do this all in one step:
3400 2: [6, 2, 3] 1: [-12.6, 15.2, -3.93333]
3411 The result is the @expr{[a, b, c]} vector that solves the equations.
3412 (Dividing by a square matrix is equivalent to multiplying by its
3415 Let's verify this solution:
3419 2: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 1: [6., 2., 3.]
3422 1: [-12.6, 15.2, -3.93333]
3430 Note that we had to be careful about the order in which we multiplied
3431 the matrix and vector. If we multiplied in the other order, Calc would
3432 assume the vector was a row vector in order to make the dimensions
3433 come out right, and the answer would be incorrect. If you
3434 don't feel safe letting Calc take either interpretation of your
3435 vectors, use explicit
3436 @texline @math{N\times1}
3439 @texline @math{1\times N}
3441 matrices instead. In this case, you would enter the original column
3442 vector as @samp{[[6], [2], [3]]} or @samp{[6; 2; 3]}.
3444 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Algebraic entry allows you to make
3445 vectors and matrices that include variables. Solve the following
3446 system of equations to get expressions for @expr{x} and @expr{y}
3447 in terms of @expr{a} and @expr{b}.
3459 $$ \eqalign{ x &+ a y = 6 \cr
3466 @xref{Matrix Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
3468 @cindex Least-squares for over-determined systems
3469 @cindex Over-determined systems of equations
3470 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} A system of equations is ``over-determined''
3471 if it has more equations than variables. It is often the case that
3472 there are no values for the variables that will satisfy all the
3473 equations at once, but it is still useful to find a set of values
3474 which ``nearly'' satisfy all the equations. In terms of matrix equations,
3475 you can't solve @expr{A X = B} directly because the matrix @expr{A}
3476 is not square for an over-determined system. Matrix inversion works
3477 only for square matrices. One common trick is to multiply both sides
3478 on the left by the transpose of @expr{A}:
3480 @samp{trn(A)*A*X = trn(A)*B}.
3483 $A^T A \, X = A^T B$, where $A^T$ is the transpose \samp{trn(A)}.
3486 @texline @math{A^T A}
3487 @infoline @expr{trn(A)*A}
3488 is a square matrix so a solution is possible. It turns out that the
3489 @expr{X} vector you compute in this way will be a ``least-squares''
3490 solution, which can be regarded as the ``closest'' solution to the set
3491 of equations. Use Calc to solve the following over-determined
3506 $$ \openup1\jot \tabskip=0pt plus1fil
3507 \halign to\displaywidth{\tabskip=0pt
3508 $\hfil#$&$\hfil{}#{}$&
3509 $\hfil#$&$\hfil{}#{}$&
3510 $\hfil#$&${}#\hfil$\tabskip=0pt plus1fil\cr
3514 2a&+&4b&+&6c&=11 \cr}
3520 @xref{Matrix Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
3522 @node List Tutorial, , Matrix Tutorial, Vector/Matrix Tutorial
3523 @subsection Vectors as Lists
3527 Although Calc has a number of features for manipulating vectors and
3528 matrices as mathematical objects, you can also treat vectors as
3529 simple lists of values. For example, we saw that the @kbd{k f}
3530 command returns a vector which is a list of the prime factors of a
3533 You can pack and unpack stack entries into vectors:
3537 3: 10 1: [10, 20, 30] 3: 10
3546 You can also build vectors out of consecutive integers, or out
3547 of many copies of a given value:
3551 1: [1, 2, 3, 4] 2: [1, 2, 3, 4] 2: [1, 2, 3, 4]
3552 . 1: 17 1: [17, 17, 17, 17]
3555 v x 4 @key{RET} 17 v b 4 @key{RET}
3559 You can apply an operator to every element of a vector using the
3564 1: [17, 34, 51, 68] 1: [289, 1156, 2601, 4624] 1: [17, 34, 51, 68]
3572 In the first step, we multiply the vector of integers by the vector
3573 of 17's elementwise. In the second step, we raise each element to
3574 the power two. (The general rule is that both operands must be
3575 vectors of the same length, or else one must be a vector and the
3576 other a plain number.) In the final step, we take the square root
3579 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} Compute a vector of powers of two
3581 @texline @math{2^{-4}}
3582 @infoline @expr{2^-4}
3583 to @expr{2^4}. @xref{List Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
3585 You can also @dfn{reduce} a binary operator across a vector.
3586 For example, reducing @samp{*} computes the product of all the
3587 elements in the vector:
3591 1: 123123 1: [3, 7, 11, 13, 41] 1: 123123
3599 In this example, we decompose 123123 into its prime factors, then
3600 multiply those factors together again to yield the original number.
3602 We could compute a dot product ``by hand'' using mapping and
3607 2: [1, 2, 3] 1: [7, 12, 0] 1: 19
3616 Recalling two vectors from the previous section, we compute the
3617 sum of pairwise products of the elements to get the same answer
3618 for the dot product as before.
3620 A slight variant of vector reduction is the @dfn{accumulate} operation,
3621 @kbd{V U}. This produces a vector of the intermediate results from
3622 a corresponding reduction. Here we compute a table of factorials:
3626 1: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] 1: [1, 2, 6, 24, 120, 720]
3629 v x 6 @key{RET} V U *
3633 Calc allows vectors to grow as large as you like, although it gets
3634 rather slow if vectors have more than about a hundred elements.
3635 Actually, most of the time is spent formatting these large vectors
3636 for display, not calculating on them. Try the following experiment
3637 (if your computer is very fast you may need to substitute a larger
3642 1: [1, 2, 3, 4, ... 1: [2, 3, 4, 5, ...
3645 v x 500 @key{RET} 1 V M +
3649 Now press @kbd{v .} (the letter @kbd{v}, then a period) and try the
3650 experiment again. In @kbd{v .} mode, long vectors are displayed
3651 ``abbreviated'' like this:
3655 1: [1, 2, 3, ..., 500] 1: [2, 3, 4, ..., 501]
3658 v x 500 @key{RET} 1 V M +
3663 (where now the @samp{...} is actually part of the Calc display).
3664 You will find both operations are now much faster. But notice that
3665 even in @w{@kbd{v .}} mode, the full vectors are still shown in the Trail.
3666 Type @w{@kbd{t .}} to cause the trail to abbreviate as well, and try the
3667 experiment one more time. Operations on long vectors are now quite
3668 fast! (But of course if you use @kbd{t .} you will lose the ability
3669 to get old vectors back using the @kbd{t y} command.)
3671 An easy way to view a full vector when @kbd{v .} mode is active is
3672 to press @kbd{`} (back-quote) to edit the vector; editing always works
3673 with the full, unabbreviated value.
3675 @cindex Least-squares for fitting a straight line
3676 @cindex Fitting data to a line
3677 @cindex Line, fitting data to
3678 @cindex Data, extracting from buffers
3679 @cindex Columns of data, extracting
3680 As a larger example, let's try to fit a straight line to some data,
3681 using the method of least squares. (Calc has a built-in command for
3682 least-squares curve fitting, but we'll do it by hand here just to
3683 practice working with vectors.) Suppose we have the following list
3684 of values in a file we have loaded into Emacs:
3711 If you are reading this tutorial in printed form, you will find it
3712 easiest to press @kbd{C-x * i} to enter the on-line Info version of
3713 the manual and find this table there. (Press @kbd{g}, then type
3714 @kbd{List Tutorial}, to jump straight to this section.)
3716 Position the cursor at the upper-left corner of this table, just
3717 to the left of the @expr{1.34}. Press @kbd{C-@@} to set the mark.
3718 (On your system this may be @kbd{C-2}, @kbd{C-@key{SPC}}, or @kbd{NUL}.)
3719 Now position the cursor to the lower-right, just after the @expr{1.354}.
3720 You have now defined this region as an Emacs ``rectangle.'' Still
3721 in the Info buffer, type @kbd{C-x * r}. This command
3722 (@code{calc-grab-rectangle}) will pop you back into the Calculator, with
3723 the contents of the rectangle you specified in the form of a matrix.
3727 1: [ [ 1.34, 0.234 ]
3734 (You may wish to use @kbd{v .} mode to abbreviate the display of this
3737 We want to treat this as a pair of lists. The first step is to
3738 transpose this matrix into a pair of rows. Remember, a matrix is
3739 just a vector of vectors. So we can unpack the matrix into a pair
3740 of row vectors on the stack.
3744 1: [ [ 1.34, 1.41, 1.49, ... ] 2: [1.34, 1.41, 1.49, ... ]
3745 [ 0.234, 0.298, 0.402, ... ] ] 1: [0.234, 0.298, 0.402, ... ]
3753 Let's store these in quick variables 1 and 2, respectively.
3757 1: [1.34, 1.41, 1.49, ... ] .
3765 (Recall that @kbd{t 2} is a variant of @kbd{s 2} that removes the
3766 stored value from the stack.)
3768 In a least squares fit, the slope @expr{m} is given by the formula
3772 m = (N sum(x y) - sum(x) sum(y)) / (N sum(x^2) - sum(x)^2)
3777 $$ m = {N \sum x y - \sum x \sum y \over
3778 N \sum x^2 - \left( \sum x \right)^2} $$
3784 @texline @math{\sum x}
3785 @infoline @expr{sum(x)}
3786 represents the sum of all the values of @expr{x}. While there is an
3787 actual @code{sum} function in Calc, it's easier to sum a vector using a
3788 simple reduction. First, let's compute the four different sums that
3796 r 1 V R + t 3 r 1 2 V M ^ V R + t 4
3803 1: 13.613 1: 33.36554
3806 r 2 V R + t 5 r 1 r 2 V M * V R + t 6
3812 These are @samp{sum(x)}, @samp{sum(x^2)}, @samp{sum(y)}, and @samp{sum(x y)},
3813 respectively. (We could have used @kbd{*} to compute @samp{sum(x^2)} and
3817 These are $\sum x$, $\sum x^2$, $\sum y$, and $\sum x y$,
3818 respectively. (We could have used \kbd{*} to compute $\sum x^2$ and
3822 Finally, we also need @expr{N}, the number of data points. This is just
3823 the length of either of our lists.
3835 (That's @kbd{v} followed by a lower-case @kbd{l}.)
3837 Now we grind through the formula:
3841 1: 633.94526 2: 633.94526 1: 67.23607
3845 r 7 r 6 * r 3 r 5 * -
3852 2: 67.23607 3: 67.23607 2: 67.23607 1: 0.52141679
3853 1: 1862.0057 2: 1862.0057 1: 128.9488 .
3857 r 7 r 4 * r 3 2 ^ - / t 8
3861 That gives us the slope @expr{m}. The y-intercept @expr{b} can now
3862 be found with the simple formula,
3866 b = (sum(y) - m sum(x)) / N
3871 $$ b = {\sum y - m \sum x \over N} $$
3878 1: 13.613 2: 13.613 1: -8.09358 1: -0.425978
3882 r 5 r 8 r 3 * - r 7 / t 9
3886 Let's ``plot'' this straight line approximation,
3887 @texline @math{y \approx m x + b},
3888 @infoline @expr{m x + b},
3889 and compare it with the original data.
3893 1: [0.699, 0.735, ... ] 1: [0.273, 0.309, ... ]
3901 Notice that multiplying a vector by a constant, and adding a constant
3902 to a vector, can be done without mapping commands since these are
3903 common operations from vector algebra. As far as Calc is concerned,
3904 we've just been doing geometry in 19-dimensional space!
3906 We can subtract this vector from our original @expr{y} vector to get
3907 a feel for the error of our fit. Let's find the maximum error:
3911 1: [0.0387, 0.0112, ... ] 1: [0.0387, 0.0112, ... ] 1: 0.0897
3919 First we compute a vector of differences, then we take the absolute
3920 values of these differences, then we reduce the @code{max} function
3921 across the vector. (The @code{max} function is on the two-key sequence
3922 @kbd{f x}; because it is so common to use @code{max} in a vector
3923 operation, the letters @kbd{X} and @kbd{N} are also accepted for
3924 @code{max} and @code{min} in this context. In general, you answer
3925 the @kbd{V M} or @kbd{V R} prompt with the actual key sequence that
3926 invokes the function you want. You could have typed @kbd{V R f x} or
3927 even @kbd{V R x max @key{RET}} if you had preferred.)
3929 If your system has the GNUPLOT program, you can see graphs of your
3930 data and your straight line to see how well they match. (If you have
3931 GNUPLOT 3.0 or higher, the following instructions will work regardless
3932 of the kind of display you have. Some GNUPLOT 2.0, non-X-windows systems
3933 may require additional steps to view the graphs.)
3935 Let's start by plotting the original data. Recall the ``@var{x}'' and ``@var{y}''
3936 vectors onto the stack and press @kbd{g f}. This ``fast'' graphing
3937 command does everything you need to do for simple, straightforward
3942 2: [1.34, 1.41, 1.49, ... ]
3943 1: [0.234, 0.298, 0.402, ... ]
3950 If all goes well, you will shortly get a new window containing a graph
3951 of the data. (If not, contact your GNUPLOT or Calc installer to find
3952 out what went wrong.) In the X window system, this will be a separate
3953 graphics window. For other kinds of displays, the default is to
3954 display the graph in Emacs itself using rough character graphics.
3955 Press @kbd{q} when you are done viewing the character graphics.
3957 Next, let's add the line we got from our least-squares fit.
3959 (If you are reading this tutorial on-line while running Calc, typing
3960 @kbd{g a} may cause the tutorial to disappear from its window and be
3961 replaced by a buffer named @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*}. The tutorial
3962 will reappear when you terminate GNUPLOT by typing @kbd{g q}.)
3967 2: [1.34, 1.41, 1.49, ... ]
3968 1: [0.273, 0.309, 0.351, ... ]
3971 @key{DEL} r 0 g a g p
3975 It's not very useful to get symbols to mark the data points on this
3976 second curve; you can type @kbd{g S g p} to remove them. Type @kbd{g q}
3977 when you are done to remove the X graphics window and terminate GNUPLOT.
3979 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} An earlier exercise showed how to do
3980 least squares fitting to a general system of equations. Our 19 data
3981 points are really 19 equations of the form @expr{y_i = m x_i + b} for
3982 different pairs of @expr{(x_i,y_i)}. Use the matrix-transpose method
3983 to solve for @expr{m} and @expr{b}, duplicating the above result.
3984 @xref{List Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
3986 @cindex Geometric mean
3987 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} If the input data do not form a
3988 rectangle, you can use @w{@kbd{C-x * g}} (@code{calc-grab-region})
3989 to grab the data the way Emacs normally works with regions---it reads
3990 left-to-right, top-to-bottom, treating line breaks the same as spaces.
3991 Use this command to find the geometric mean of the following numbers.
3992 (The geometric mean is the @var{n}th root of the product of @var{n} numbers.)
4001 The @kbd{C-x * g} command accepts numbers separated by spaces or commas,
4002 with or without surrounding vector brackets.
4003 @xref{List Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
4006 As another example, a theorem about binomial coefficients tells
4007 us that the alternating sum of binomial coefficients
4008 @var{n}-choose-0 minus @var{n}-choose-1 plus @var{n}-choose-2, and so
4009 on up to @var{n}-choose-@var{n},
4010 always comes out to zero. Let's verify this
4014 As another example, a theorem about binomial coefficients tells
4015 us that the alternating sum of binomial coefficients
4016 ${n \choose 0} - {n \choose 1} + {n \choose 2} - \cdots \pm {n \choose n}$
4017 always comes out to zero. Let's verify this
4023 1: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] 1: [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
4033 1: [1, -6, 15, -20, 15, -6, 1] 1: 0
4036 V M ' (-1)^$ choose(6,$) @key{RET} V R +
4040 The @kbd{V M '} command prompts you to enter any algebraic expression
4041 to define the function to map over the vector. The symbol @samp{$}
4042 inside this expression represents the argument to the function.
4043 The Calculator applies this formula to each element of the vector,
4044 substituting each element's value for the @samp{$} sign(s) in turn.
4046 To define a two-argument function, use @samp{$$} for the first
4047 argument and @samp{$} for the second: @kbd{V M ' $$-$ @key{RET}} is
4048 equivalent to @kbd{V M -}. This is analogous to regular algebraic
4049 entry, where @samp{$$} would refer to the next-to-top stack entry
4050 and @samp{$} would refer to the top stack entry, and @kbd{' $$-$ @key{RET}}
4051 would act exactly like @kbd{-}.
4053 Notice that the @kbd{V M '} command has recorded two things in the
4054 trail: The result, as usual, and also a funny-looking thing marked
4055 @samp{oper} that represents the operator function you typed in.
4056 The function is enclosed in @samp{< >} brackets, and the argument is
4057 denoted by a @samp{#} sign. If there were several arguments, they
4058 would be shown as @samp{#1}, @samp{#2}, and so on. (For example,
4059 @kbd{V M ' $$-$} will put the function @samp{<#1 - #2>} on the
4060 trail.) This object is a ``nameless function''; you can use nameless
4061 @w{@samp{< >}} notation to answer the @kbd{V M '} prompt if you like.
4062 Nameless function notation has the interesting, occasionally useful
4063 property that a nameless function is not actually evaluated until
4064 it is used. For example, @kbd{V M ' $+random(2.0)} evaluates
4065 @samp{random(2.0)} once and adds that random number to all elements
4066 of the vector, but @kbd{V M ' <#+random(2.0)>} evaluates the
4067 @samp{random(2.0)} separately for each vector element.
4069 Another group of operators that are often useful with @kbd{V M} are
4070 the relational operators: @kbd{a =}, for example, compares two numbers
4071 and gives the result 1 if they are equal, or 0 if not. Similarly,
4072 @w{@kbd{a <}} checks for one number being less than another.
4074 Other useful vector operations include @kbd{v v}, to reverse a
4075 vector end-for-end; @kbd{V S}, to sort the elements of a vector
4076 into increasing order; and @kbd{v r} and @w{@kbd{v c}}, to extract
4077 one row or column of a matrix, or (in both cases) to extract one
4078 element of a plain vector. With a negative argument, @kbd{v r}
4079 and @kbd{v c} instead delete one row, column, or vector element.
4081 @cindex Divisor functions
4082 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} The @expr{k}th @dfn{divisor function}
4086 is the sum of the @expr{k}th powers of all the divisors of an
4087 integer @expr{n}. Figure out a method for computing the divisor
4088 function for reasonably small values of @expr{n}. As a test,
4089 the 0th and 1st divisor functions of 30 are 8 and 72, respectively.
4090 @xref{List Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
4092 @cindex Square-free numbers
4093 @cindex Duplicate values in a list
4094 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 5.} The @kbd{k f} command produces a
4095 list of prime factors for a number. Sometimes it is important to
4096 know that a number is @dfn{square-free}, i.e., that no prime occurs
4097 more than once in its list of prime factors. Find a sequence of
4098 keystrokes to tell if a number is square-free; your method should
4099 leave 1 on the stack if it is, or 0 if it isn't.
4100 @xref{List Answer 5, 5}. (@bullet{})
4102 @cindex Triangular lists
4103 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 6.} Build a list of lists that looks
4104 like the following diagram. (You may wish to use the @kbd{v /}
4105 command to enable multi-line display of vectors.)
4114 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] ]
4119 @xref{List Answer 6, 6}. (@bullet{})
4121 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 7.} Build the following list of lists.
4129 [10, 11, 12, 13, 14],
4130 [15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20] ]
4135 @xref{List Answer 7, 7}. (@bullet{})
4137 @cindex Maximizing a function over a list of values
4138 @c [fix-ref Numerical Solutions]
4139 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 8.} Compute a list of values of Bessel's
4140 @texline @math{J_1(x)}
4142 function @samp{besJ(1,x)} for @expr{x} from 0 to 5 in steps of 0.25.
4143 Find the value of @expr{x} (from among the above set of values) for
4144 which @samp{besJ(1,x)} is a maximum. Use an ``automatic'' method,
4145 i.e., just reading along the list by hand to find the largest value
4146 is not allowed! (There is an @kbd{a X} command which does this kind
4147 of thing automatically; @pxref{Numerical Solutions}.)
4148 @xref{List Answer 8, 8}. (@bullet{})
4150 @cindex Digits, vectors of
4151 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 9.} You are given an integer in the range
4152 @texline @math{0 \le N < 10^m}
4153 @infoline @expr{0 <= N < 10^m}
4154 for @expr{m=12} (i.e., an integer of less than
4155 twelve digits). Convert this integer into a vector of @expr{m}
4156 digits, each in the range from 0 to 9. In vector-of-digits notation,
4157 add one to this integer to produce a vector of @expr{m+1} digits
4158 (since there could be a carry out of the most significant digit).
4159 Convert this vector back into a regular integer. A good integer
4160 to try is 25129925999. @xref{List Answer 9, 9}. (@bullet{})
4162 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 10.} Your friend Joe tried to use
4163 @kbd{V R a =} to test if all numbers in a list were equal. What
4164 happened? How would you do this test? @xref{List Answer 10, 10}. (@bullet{})
4166 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 11.} The area of a circle of radius one
4167 is @cpi{}. The area of the
4168 @texline @math{2\times2}
4170 square that encloses that circle is 4. So if we throw @var{n} darts at
4171 random points in the square, about @cpiover{4} of them will land inside
4172 the circle. This gives us an entertaining way to estimate the value of
4173 @cpi{}. The @w{@kbd{k r}}
4174 command picks a random number between zero and the value on the stack.
4175 We could get a random floating-point number between @mathit{-1} and 1 by typing
4176 @w{@kbd{2.0 k r 1 -}}. Build a vector of 100 random @expr{(x,y)} points in
4177 this square, then use vector mapping and reduction to count how many
4178 points lie inside the unit circle. Hint: Use the @kbd{v b} command.
4179 @xref{List Answer 11, 11}. (@bullet{})
4181 @cindex Matchstick problem
4182 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 12.} The @dfn{matchstick problem} provides
4183 another way to calculate @cpi{}. Say you have an infinite field
4184 of vertical lines with a spacing of one inch. Toss a one-inch matchstick
4185 onto the field. The probability that the matchstick will land crossing
4186 a line turns out to be
4187 @texline @math{2/\pi}.
4188 @infoline @expr{2/pi}.
4189 Toss 100 matchsticks to estimate @cpi{}. (If you want still more fun,
4190 the probability that the GCD (@w{@kbd{k g}}) of two large integers is
4192 @texline @math{6/\pi^2}.
4193 @infoline @expr{6/pi^2}.
4194 That provides yet another way to estimate @cpi{}.)
4195 @xref{List Answer 12, 12}. (@bullet{})
4197 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 13.} An algebraic entry of a string in
4198 double-quote marks, @samp{"hello"}, creates a vector of the numerical
4199 (ASCII) codes of the characters (here, @expr{[104, 101, 108, 108, 111]}).
4200 Sometimes it is convenient to compute a @dfn{hash code} of a string,
4201 which is just an integer that represents the value of that string.
4202 Two equal strings have the same hash code; two different strings
4203 @dfn{probably} have different hash codes. (For example, Calc has
4204 over 400 function names, but Emacs can quickly find the definition for
4205 any given name because it has sorted the functions into ``buckets'' by
4206 their hash codes. Sometimes a few names will hash into the same bucket,
4207 but it is easier to search among a few names than among all the names.)
4208 One popular hash function is computed as follows: First set @expr{h = 0}.
4209 Then, for each character from the string in turn, set @expr{h = 3h + c_i}
4210 where @expr{c_i} is the character's ASCII code. If we have 511 buckets,
4211 we then take the hash code modulo 511 to get the bucket number. Develop a
4212 simple command or commands for converting string vectors into hash codes.
4213 The hash code for @samp{"Testing, 1, 2, 3"} is 1960915098, which modulo
4214 511 is 121. @xref{List Answer 13, 13}. (@bullet{})
4216 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 14.} The @kbd{H V R} and @kbd{H V U}
4217 commands do nested function evaluations. @kbd{H V U} takes a starting
4218 value and a number of steps @var{n} from the stack; it then applies the
4219 function you give to the starting value 0, 1, 2, up to @var{n} times
4220 and returns a vector of the results. Use this command to create a
4221 ``random walk'' of 50 steps. Start with the two-dimensional point
4222 @expr{(0,0)}; then take one step a random distance between @mathit{-1} and 1
4223 in both @expr{x} and @expr{y}; then take another step, and so on. Use the
4224 @kbd{g f} command to display this random walk. Now modify your random
4225 walk to walk a unit distance, but in a random direction, at each step.
4226 (Hint: The @code{sincos} function returns a vector of the cosine and
4227 sine of an angle.) @xref{List Answer 14, 14}. (@bullet{})
4229 @node Types Tutorial, Algebra Tutorial, Vector/Matrix Tutorial, Tutorial
4230 @section Types Tutorial
4233 Calc understands a variety of data types as well as simple numbers.
4234 In this section, we'll experiment with each of these types in turn.
4236 The numbers we've been using so far have mainly been either @dfn{integers}
4237 or @dfn{floats}. We saw that floats are usually a good approximation to
4238 the mathematical concept of real numbers, but they are only approximations
4239 and are susceptible to roundoff error. Calc also supports @dfn{fractions},
4240 which can exactly represent any rational number.
4244 1: 3628800 2: 3628800 1: 518400:7 1: 518414:7 1: 7:518414
4248 10 ! 49 @key{RET} : 2 + &
4253 The @kbd{:} command divides two integers to get a fraction; @kbd{/}
4254 would normally divide integers to get a floating-point result.
4255 Notice we had to type @key{RET} between the @kbd{49} and the @kbd{:}
4256 since the @kbd{:} would otherwise be interpreted as part of a
4257 fraction beginning with 49.
4259 You can convert between floating-point and fractional format using
4260 @kbd{c f} and @kbd{c F}:
4264 1: 1.35027217629e-5 1: 7:518414
4271 The @kbd{c F} command replaces a floating-point number with the
4272 ``simplest'' fraction whose floating-point representation is the
4273 same, to within the current precision.
4277 1: 3.14159265359 1: 1146408:364913 1: 3.1416 1: 355:113
4280 P c F @key{DEL} p 5 @key{RET} P c F
4284 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} A calculation has produced the
4285 result 1.26508260337. You suspect it is the square root of the
4286 product of @cpi{} and some rational number. Is it? (Be sure
4287 to allow for roundoff error!) @xref{Types Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
4289 @dfn{Complex numbers} can be stored in both rectangular and polar form.
4293 1: -9 1: (0, 3) 1: (3; 90.) 1: (6; 90.) 1: (2.4495; 45.)
4301 The square root of @mathit{-9} is by default rendered in rectangular form
4302 (@w{@expr{0 + 3i}}), but we can convert it to polar form (3 with a
4303 phase angle of 90 degrees). All the usual arithmetic and scientific
4304 operations are defined on both types of complex numbers.
4306 Another generalized kind of number is @dfn{infinity}. Infinity
4307 isn't really a number, but it can sometimes be treated like one.
4308 Calc uses the symbol @code{inf} to represent positive infinity,
4309 i.e., a value greater than any real number. Naturally, you can
4310 also write @samp{-inf} for minus infinity, a value less than any
4311 real number. The word @code{inf} can only be input using
4316 2: inf 2: -inf 2: -inf 2: -inf 1: nan
4317 1: -17 1: -inf 1: -inf 1: inf .
4320 ' inf @key{RET} 17 n * @key{RET} 72 + A +
4325 Since infinity is infinitely large, multiplying it by any finite
4326 number (like @mathit{-17}) has no effect, except that since @mathit{-17}
4327 is negative, it changes a plus infinity to a minus infinity.
4328 (``A huge positive number, multiplied by @mathit{-17}, yields a huge
4329 negative number.'') Adding any finite number to infinity also
4330 leaves it unchanged. Taking an absolute value gives us plus
4331 infinity again. Finally, we add this plus infinity to the minus
4332 infinity we had earlier. If you work it out, you might expect
4333 the answer to be @mathit{-72} for this. But the 72 has been completely
4334 lost next to the infinities; by the time we compute @w{@samp{inf - inf}}
4335 the finite difference between them, if any, is undetectable.
4336 So we say the result is @dfn{indeterminate}, which Calc writes
4337 with the symbol @code{nan} (for Not A Number).
4339 Dividing by zero is normally treated as an error, but you can get
4340 Calc to write an answer in terms of infinity by pressing @kbd{m i}
4341 to turn on Infinite mode.
4345 3: nan 2: nan 2: nan 2: nan 1: nan
4346 2: 1 1: 1 / 0 1: uinf 1: uinf .
4350 1 @key{RET} 0 / m i U / 17 n * +
4355 Dividing by zero normally is left unevaluated, but after @kbd{m i}
4356 it instead gives an infinite result. The answer is actually
4357 @code{uinf}, ``undirected infinity.'' If you look at a graph of
4358 @expr{1 / x} around @w{@expr{x = 0}}, you'll see that it goes toward
4359 plus infinity as you approach zero from above, but toward minus
4360 infinity as you approach from below. Since we said only @expr{1 / 0},
4361 Calc knows that the answer is infinite but not in which direction.
4362 That's what @code{uinf} means. Notice that multiplying @code{uinf}
4363 by a negative number still leaves plain @code{uinf}; there's no
4364 point in saying @samp{-uinf} because the sign of @code{uinf} is
4365 unknown anyway. Finally, we add @code{uinf} to our @code{nan},
4366 yielding @code{nan} again. It's easy to see that, because
4367 @code{nan} means ``totally unknown'' while @code{uinf} means
4368 ``unknown sign but known to be infinite,'' the more mysterious
4369 @code{nan} wins out when it is combined with @code{uinf}, or, for
4370 that matter, with anything else.
4372 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Predict what Calc will answer
4373 for each of these formulas: @samp{inf / inf}, @samp{exp(inf)},
4374 @samp{exp(-inf)}, @samp{sqrt(-inf)}, @samp{sqrt(uinf)},
4375 @samp{abs(uinf)}, @samp{ln(0)}.
4376 @xref{Types Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
4378 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} We saw that @samp{inf - inf = nan},
4379 which stands for an unknown value. Can @code{nan} stand for
4380 a complex number? Can it stand for infinity?
4381 @xref{Types Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
4383 @dfn{HMS forms} represent a value in terms of hours, minutes, and
4388 1: 2@@ 30' 0" 1: 3@@ 30' 0" 2: 3@@ 30' 0" 1: 2.
4389 . . 1: 1@@ 45' 0." .
4392 2@@ 30' @key{RET} 1 + @key{RET} 2 / /
4396 HMS forms can also be used to hold angles in degrees, minutes, and
4401 1: 0.5 1: 26.56505 1: 26@@ 33' 54.18" 1: 0.44721
4409 First we convert the inverse tangent of 0.5 to degrees-minutes-seconds
4410 form, then we take the sine of that angle. Note that the trigonometric
4411 functions will accept HMS forms directly as input.
4414 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} The Beatles' @emph{Abbey Road} is
4415 47 minutes and 26 seconds long, and contains 17 songs. What is the
4416 average length of a song on @emph{Abbey Road}? If the Extended Disco
4417 Version of @emph{Abbey Road} added 20 seconds to the length of each
4418 song, how long would the album be? @xref{Types Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
4420 A @dfn{date form} represents a date, or a date and time. Dates must
4421 be entered using algebraic entry. Date forms are surrounded by
4422 @samp{< >} symbols; most standard formats for dates are recognized.
4426 2: <Sun Jan 13, 1991> 1: 2.25
4427 1: <6:00pm Thu Jan 10, 1991> .
4430 ' <13 Jan 1991>, <1/10/91, 6pm> @key{RET} -
4435 In this example, we enter two dates, then subtract to find the
4436 number of days between them. It is also possible to add an
4437 HMS form or a number (of days) to a date form to get another
4442 1: <4:45:59pm Mon Jan 14, 1991> 1: <2:50:59am Thu Jan 17, 1991>
4449 @c [fix-ref Date Arithmetic]
4451 The @kbd{t N} (``now'') command pushes the current date and time on the
4452 stack; then we add two days, ten hours and five minutes to the date and
4453 time. Other date-and-time related commands include @kbd{t J}, which
4454 does Julian day conversions, @kbd{t W}, which finds the beginning of
4455 the week in which a date form lies, and @kbd{t I}, which increments a
4456 date by one or several months. @xref{Date Arithmetic}, for more.
4458 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 5.} How many days until the next
4459 Friday the 13th? @xref{Types Answer 5, 5}. (@bullet{})
4461 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 6.} How many leap years will there be
4462 between now and the year 10001 A.D.? @xref{Types Answer 6, 6}. (@bullet{})
4464 @cindex Slope and angle of a line
4465 @cindex Angle and slope of a line
4466 An @dfn{error form} represents a mean value with an attached standard
4467 deviation, or error estimate. Suppose our measurements indicate that
4468 a certain telephone pole is about 30 meters away, with an estimated
4469 error of 1 meter, and 8 meters tall, with an estimated error of 0.2
4470 meters. What is the slope of a line from here to the top of the
4471 pole, and what is the equivalent angle in degrees?
4475 1: 8 +/- 0.2 2: 8 +/- 0.2 1: 0.266 +/- 0.011 1: 14.93 +/- 0.594
4479 8 p .2 @key{RET} 30 p 1 / I T
4484 This means that the angle is about 15 degrees, and, assuming our
4485 original error estimates were valid standard deviations, there is about
4486 a 60% chance that the result is correct within 0.59 degrees.
4488 @cindex Torus, volume of
4489 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 7.} The volume of a torus (a donut shape) is
4490 @texline @math{2 \pi^2 R r^2}
4491 @infoline @w{@expr{2 pi^2 R r^2}}
4492 where @expr{R} is the radius of the circle that
4493 defines the center of the tube and @expr{r} is the radius of the tube
4494 itself. Suppose @expr{R} is 20 cm and @expr{r} is 4 cm, each known to
4495 within 5 percent. What is the volume and the relative uncertainty of
4496 the volume? @xref{Types Answer 7, 7}. (@bullet{})
4498 An @dfn{interval form} represents a range of values. While an
4499 error form is best for making statistical estimates, intervals give
4500 you exact bounds on an answer. Suppose we additionally know that
4501 our telephone pole is definitely between 28 and 31 meters away,
4502 and that it is between 7.7 and 8.1 meters tall.
4506 1: [7.7 .. 8.1] 2: [7.7 .. 8.1] 1: [0.24 .. 0.28] 1: [13.9 .. 16.1]
4510 [ 7.7 .. 8.1 ] [ 28 .. 31 ] / I T
4515 If our bounds were correct, then the angle to the top of the pole
4516 is sure to lie in the range shown.
4518 The square brackets around these intervals indicate that the endpoints
4519 themselves are allowable values. In other words, the distance to the
4520 telephone pole is between 28 and 31, @emph{inclusive}. You can also
4521 make an interval that is exclusive of its endpoints by writing
4522 parentheses instead of square brackets. You can even make an interval
4523 which is inclusive (``closed'') on one end and exclusive (``open'') on
4528 1: [1 .. 10) 1: (0.1 .. 1] 2: (0.1 .. 1] 1: (0.2 .. 3)
4532 [ 1 .. 10 ) & [ 2 .. 3 ) *
4537 The Calculator automatically keeps track of which end values should
4538 be open and which should be closed. You can also make infinite or
4539 semi-infinite intervals by using @samp{-inf} or @samp{inf} for one
4542 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 8.} What answer would you expect from
4543 @samp{@w{1 /} @w{(0 .. 10)}}? What about @samp{@w{1 /} @w{(-10 .. 0)}}? What
4544 about @samp{@w{1 /} @w{[0 .. 10]}} (where the interval actually includes
4545 zero)? What about @samp{@w{1 /} @w{(-10 .. 10)}}?
4546 @xref{Types Answer 8, 8}. (@bullet{})
4548 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 9.} Two easy ways of squaring a number
4549 are @kbd{@key{RET} *} and @w{@kbd{2 ^}}. Normally these produce the same
4550 answer. Would you expect this still to hold true for interval forms?
4551 If not, which of these will result in a larger interval?
4552 @xref{Types Answer 9, 9}. (@bullet{})
4554 A @dfn{modulo form} is used for performing arithmetic modulo @var{m}.
4555 For example, arithmetic involving time is generally done modulo 12
4560 1: 17 mod 24 1: 3 mod 24 1: 21 mod 24 1: 9 mod 24
4563 17 M 24 @key{RET} 10 + n 5 /
4568 In this last step, Calc has divided by 5 modulo 24; i.e., it has found a
4569 new number which, when multiplied by 5 modulo 24, produces the original
4570 number, 21. If @var{m} is prime and the divisor is not a multiple of
4571 @var{m}, it is always possible to find such a number. For non-prime
4572 @var{m} like 24, it is only sometimes possible.
4576 1: 10 mod 24 1: 16 mod 24 1: 1000000... 1: 16
4579 10 M 24 @key{RET} 100 ^ 10 @key{RET} 100 ^ 24 %
4584 These two calculations get the same answer, but the first one is
4585 much more efficient because it avoids the huge intermediate value
4586 that arises in the second one.
4588 @cindex Fermat, primality test of
4589 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 10.} A theorem of Pierre de Fermat
4591 @texline @w{@math{x^{n-1} \bmod n = 1}}
4592 @infoline @expr{x^(n-1) mod n = 1}
4593 if @expr{n} is a prime number and @expr{x} is an integer less than
4594 @expr{n}. If @expr{n} is @emph{not} a prime number, this will
4595 @emph{not} be true for most values of @expr{x}. Thus we can test
4596 informally if a number is prime by trying this formula for several
4597 values of @expr{x}. Use this test to tell whether the following numbers
4598 are prime: 811749613, 15485863. @xref{Types Answer 10, 10}. (@bullet{})
4600 It is possible to use HMS forms as parts of error forms, intervals,
4601 modulo forms, or as the phase part of a polar complex number.
4602 For example, the @code{calc-time} command pushes the current time
4603 of day on the stack as an HMS/modulo form.
4607 1: 17@@ 34' 45" mod 24@@ 0' 0" 1: 6@@ 22' 15" mod 24@@ 0' 0"
4615 This calculation tells me it is six hours and 22 minutes until midnight.
4617 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 11.} A rule of thumb is that one year
4619 @texline @math{\pi \times 10^7}
4620 @infoline @w{@expr{pi * 10^7}}
4621 seconds. What time will it be that many seconds from right now?
4622 @xref{Types Answer 11, 11}. (@bullet{})
4624 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 12.} You are preparing to order packaging
4625 for the CD release of the Extended Disco Version of @emph{Abbey Road}.
4626 You are told that the songs will actually be anywhere from 20 to 60
4627 seconds longer than the originals. One CD can hold about 75 minutes
4628 of music. Should you order single or double packages?
4629 @xref{Types Answer 12, 12}. (@bullet{})
4631 Another kind of data the Calculator can manipulate is numbers with
4632 @dfn{units}. This isn't strictly a new data type; it's simply an
4633 application of algebraic expressions, where we use variables with
4634 suggestive names like @samp{cm} and @samp{in} to represent units
4635 like centimeters and inches.
4639 1: 2 in 1: 5.08 cm 1: 0.027778 fath 1: 0.0508 m
4642 ' 2in @key{RET} u c cm @key{RET} u c fath @key{RET} u b
4647 We enter the quantity ``2 inches'' (actually an algebraic expression
4648 which means two times the variable @samp{in}), then we convert it
4649 first to centimeters, then to fathoms, then finally to ``base'' units,
4650 which in this case means meters.
4654 1: 9 acre 1: 3 sqrt(acre) 1: 190.84 m 1: 190.84 m + 30 cm
4657 ' 9 acre @key{RET} Q u s ' $+30 cm @key{RET}
4664 1: 191.14 m 1: 36536.3046 m^2 1: 365363046 cm^2
4672 Since units expressions are really just formulas, taking the square
4673 root of @samp{acre} is undefined. After all, @code{acre} might be an
4674 algebraic variable that you will someday assign a value. We use the
4675 ``units-simplify'' command to simplify the expression with variables
4676 being interpreted as unit names.
4678 In the final step, we have converted not to a particular unit, but to a
4679 units system. The ``cgs'' system uses centimeters instead of meters
4680 as its standard unit of length.
4682 There is a wide variety of units defined in the Calculator.
4686 1: 55 mph 1: 88.5139 kph 1: 88.5139 km / hr 1: 8.201407e-8 c
4689 ' 55 mph @key{RET} u c kph @key{RET} u c km/hr @key{RET} u c c @key{RET}
4694 We express a speed first in miles per hour, then in kilometers per
4695 hour, then again using a slightly more explicit notation, then
4696 finally in terms of fractions of the speed of light.
4698 Temperature conversions are a bit more tricky. There are two ways to
4699 interpret ``20 degrees Fahrenheit''---it could mean an actual
4700 temperature, or it could mean a change in temperature. For normal
4701 units there is no difference, but temperature units have an offset
4702 as well as a scale factor and so there must be two explicit commands
4707 1: 20 degF 1: 11.1111 degC 1: -20:3 degC 1: -6.666 degC
4710 ' 20 degF @key{RET} u c degC @key{RET} U u t degC @key{RET} c f
4715 First we convert a change of 20 degrees Fahrenheit into an equivalent
4716 change in degrees Celsius (or Centigrade). Then, we convert the
4717 absolute temperature 20 degrees Fahrenheit into Celsius. Since
4718 this comes out as an exact fraction, we then convert to floating-point
4719 for easier comparison with the other result.
4721 For simple unit conversions, you can put a plain number on the stack.
4722 Then @kbd{u c} and @kbd{u t} will prompt for both old and new units.
4723 When you use this method, you're responsible for remembering which
4724 numbers are in which units:
4728 1: 55 1: 88.5139 1: 8.201407e-8
4731 55 u c mph @key{RET} kph @key{RET} u c km/hr @key{RET} c @key{RET}
4735 To see a complete list of built-in units, type @kbd{u v}. Press
4736 @w{@kbd{C-x * c}} again to re-enter the Calculator when you're done looking
4739 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 13.} How many seconds are there really
4740 in a year? @xref{Types Answer 13, 13}. (@bullet{})
4742 @cindex Speed of light
4743 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 14.} Supercomputer designs are limited by
4744 the speed of light (and of electricity, which is nearly as fast).
4745 Suppose a computer has a 4.1 ns (nanosecond) clock cycle, and its
4746 cabinet is one meter across. Is speed of light going to be a
4747 significant factor in its design? @xref{Types Answer 14, 14}. (@bullet{})
4749 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 15.} Sam the Slug normally travels about
4750 five yards in an hour. He has obtained a supply of Power Pills; each
4751 Power Pill he eats doubles his speed. How many Power Pills can he
4752 swallow and still travel legally on most US highways?
4753 @xref{Types Answer 15, 15}. (@bullet{})
4755 @node Algebra Tutorial, Programming Tutorial, Types Tutorial, Tutorial
4756 @section Algebra and Calculus Tutorial
4759 This section shows how to use Calc's algebra facilities to solve
4760 equations, do simple calculus problems, and manipulate algebraic
4764 * Basic Algebra Tutorial::
4765 * Rewrites Tutorial::
4768 @node Basic Algebra Tutorial, Rewrites Tutorial, Algebra Tutorial, Algebra Tutorial
4769 @subsection Basic Algebra
4772 If you enter a formula in Algebraic mode that refers to variables,
4773 the formula itself is pushed onto the stack. You can manipulate
4774 formulas as regular data objects.
4778 1: 2 x^2 - 6 1: 6 - 2 x^2 1: (6 - 2 x^2) (3 x^2 + y)
4781 ' 2x^2-6 @key{RET} n ' 3x^2+y @key{RET} *
4785 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} Do @kbd{' x @key{RET} Q 2 ^} and
4786 @kbd{' x @key{RET} 2 ^ Q} both wind up with the same result (@samp{x})?
4787 Why or why not? @xref{Algebra Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
4789 There are also commands for doing common algebraic operations on
4790 formulas. Continuing with the formula from the last example,
4794 1: 18 x^2 + 6 y - 6 x^4 - 2 x^2 y 1: (18 - 2 y) x^2 - 6 x^4 + 6 y
4802 First we ``expand'' using the distributive law, then we ``collect''
4803 terms involving like powers of @expr{x}.
4805 Let's find the value of this expression when @expr{x} is 2 and @expr{y}
4810 1: 17 x^2 - 6 x^4 + 3 1: -25
4813 1:2 s l y @key{RET} 2 s l x @key{RET}
4818 The @kbd{s l} command means ``let''; it takes a number from the top of
4819 the stack and temporarily assigns it as the value of the variable
4820 you specify. It then evaluates (as if by the @kbd{=} key) the
4821 next expression on the stack. After this command, the variable goes
4822 back to its original value, if any.
4824 (An earlier exercise in this tutorial involved storing a value in the
4825 variable @code{x}; if this value is still there, you will have to
4826 unstore it with @kbd{s u x @key{RET}} before the above example will work
4829 @cindex Maximum of a function using Calculus
4830 Let's find the maximum value of our original expression when @expr{y}
4831 is one-half and @expr{x} ranges over all possible values. We can
4832 do this by taking the derivative with respect to @expr{x} and examining
4833 values of @expr{x} for which the derivative is zero. If the second
4834 derivative of the function at that value of @expr{x} is negative,
4835 the function has a local maximum there.
4839 1: 17 x^2 - 6 x^4 + 3 1: 34 x - 24 x^3
4842 U @key{DEL} s 1 a d x @key{RET} s 2
4847 Well, the derivative is clearly zero when @expr{x} is zero. To find
4848 the other root(s), let's divide through by @expr{x} and then solve:
4852 1: (34 x - 24 x^3) / x 1: 34 x / x - 24 x^3 / x 1: 34 - 24 x^2
4855 ' x @key{RET} / a x a s
4862 1: 34 - 24 x^2 = 0 1: x = 1.19023
4865 0 a = s 3 a S x @key{RET}
4870 Notice the use of @kbd{a s} to ``simplify'' the formula. When the
4871 default algebraic simplifications don't do enough, you can use
4872 @kbd{a s} to tell Calc to spend more time on the job.
4874 Now we compute the second derivative and plug in our values of @expr{x}:
4878 1: 1.19023 2: 1.19023 2: 1.19023
4879 . 1: 34 x - 24 x^3 1: 34 - 72 x^2
4882 a . r 2 a d x @key{RET} s 4
4887 (The @kbd{a .} command extracts just the righthand side of an equation.
4888 Another method would have been to use @kbd{v u} to unpack the equation
4889 @w{@samp{x = 1.19}} to @samp{x} and @samp{1.19}, then use @kbd{M-- M-2 @key{DEL}}
4890 to delete the @samp{x}.)
4894 2: 34 - 72 x^2 1: -68. 2: 34 - 72 x^2 1: 34
4898 @key{TAB} s l x @key{RET} U @key{DEL} 0 s l x @key{RET}
4903 The first of these second derivatives is negative, so we know the function
4904 has a maximum value at @expr{x = 1.19023}. (The function also has a
4905 local @emph{minimum} at @expr{x = 0}.)
4907 When we solved for @expr{x}, we got only one value even though
4908 @expr{34 - 24 x^2 = 0} is a quadratic equation that ought to have
4909 two solutions. The reason is that @w{@kbd{a S}} normally returns a
4910 single ``principal'' solution. If it needs to come up with an
4911 arbitrary sign (as occurs in the quadratic formula) it picks @expr{+}.
4912 If it needs an arbitrary integer, it picks zero. We can get a full
4913 solution by pressing @kbd{H} (the Hyperbolic flag) before @kbd{a S}.
4917 1: 34 - 24 x^2 = 0 1: x = 1.19023 s1 1: x = -1.19023
4920 r 3 H a S x @key{RET} s 5 1 n s l s1 @key{RET}
4925 Calc has invented the variable @samp{s1} to represent an unknown sign;
4926 it is supposed to be either @mathit{+1} or @mathit{-1}. Here we have used
4927 the ``let'' command to evaluate the expression when the sign is negative.
4928 If we plugged this into our second derivative we would get the same,
4929 negative, answer, so @expr{x = -1.19023} is also a maximum.
4931 To find the actual maximum value, we must plug our two values of @expr{x}
4932 into the original formula.
4936 2: 17 x^2 - 6 x^4 + 3 1: 24.08333 s1^2 - 12.04166 s1^4 + 3
4940 r 1 r 5 s l @key{RET}
4945 (Here we see another way to use @kbd{s l}; if its input is an equation
4946 with a variable on the lefthand side, then @kbd{s l} treats the equation
4947 like an assignment to that variable if you don't give a variable name.)
4949 It's clear that this will have the same value for either sign of
4950 @code{s1}, but let's work it out anyway, just for the exercise:
4954 2: [-1, 1] 1: [15.04166, 15.04166]
4955 1: 24.08333 s1^2 ... .
4958 [ 1 n , 1 ] @key{TAB} V M $ @key{RET}
4963 Here we have used a vector mapping operation to evaluate the function
4964 at several values of @samp{s1} at once. @kbd{V M $} is like @kbd{V M '}
4965 except that it takes the formula from the top of the stack. The
4966 formula is interpreted as a function to apply across the vector at the
4967 next-to-top stack level. Since a formula on the stack can't contain
4968 @samp{$} signs, Calc assumes the variables in the formula stand for
4969 different arguments. It prompts you for an @dfn{argument list}, giving
4970 the list of all variables in the formula in alphabetical order as the
4971 default list. In this case the default is @samp{(s1)}, which is just
4972 what we want so we simply press @key{RET} at the prompt.
4974 If there had been several different values, we could have used
4975 @w{@kbd{V R X}} to find the global maximum.
4977 Calc has a built-in @kbd{a P} command that solves an equation using
4978 @w{@kbd{H a S}} and returns a vector of all the solutions. It simply
4979 automates the job we just did by hand. Applied to our original
4980 cubic polynomial, it would produce the vector of solutions
4981 @expr{[1.19023, -1.19023, 0]}. (There is also an @kbd{a X} command
4982 which finds a local maximum of a function. It uses a numerical search
4983 method rather than examining the derivatives, and thus requires you
4984 to provide some kind of initial guess to show it where to look.)
4986 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Given a vector of the roots of a
4987 polynomial (such as the output of an @kbd{a P} command), what
4988 sequence of commands would you use to reconstruct the original
4989 polynomial? (The answer will be unique to within a constant
4990 multiple; choose the solution where the leading coefficient is one.)
4991 @xref{Algebra Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
4993 The @kbd{m s} command enables Symbolic mode, in which formulas
4994 like @samp{sqrt(5)} that can't be evaluated exactly are left in
4995 symbolic form rather than giving a floating-point approximate answer.
4996 Fraction mode (@kbd{m f}) is also useful when doing algebra.
5000 2: 34 x - 24 x^3 2: 34 x - 24 x^3
5001 1: 34 x - 24 x^3 1: [sqrt(51) / 6, sqrt(51) / -6, 0]
5004 r 2 @key{RET} m s m f a P x @key{RET}
5008 One more mode that makes reading formulas easier is Big mode.
5017 1: [-----, -----, 0]
5026 Here things like powers, square roots, and quotients and fractions
5027 are displayed in a two-dimensional pictorial form. Calc has other
5028 language modes as well, such as C mode, FORTRAN mode, @TeX{} mode
5033 2: 34*x - 24*pow(x, 3) 2: 34*x - 24*x**3
5034 1: @{sqrt(51) / 6, sqrt(51) / -6, 0@} 1: /sqrt(51) / 6, sqrt(51) / -6, 0/
5045 2: [@{\sqrt@{51@} \over 6@}, @{\sqrt@{51@} \over -6@}, 0]
5046 1: @{2 \over 3@} \sqrt@{5@}
5049 d T ' 2 \sqrt@{5@} \over 3 @key{RET}
5054 As you can see, language modes affect both entry and display of
5055 formulas. They affect such things as the names used for built-in
5056 functions, the set of arithmetic operators and their precedences,
5057 and notations for vectors and matrices.
5059 Notice that @samp{sqrt(51)} may cause problems with older
5060 implementations of C and FORTRAN, which would require something more
5061 like @samp{sqrt(51.0)}. It is always wise to check over the formulas
5062 produced by the various language modes to make sure they are fully
5065 Type @kbd{m s}, @kbd{m f}, and @kbd{d N} to reset these modes. (You
5066 may prefer to remain in Big mode, but all the examples in the tutorial
5067 are shown in normal mode.)
5069 @cindex Area under a curve
5070 What is the area under the portion of this curve from @expr{x = 1} to @expr{2}?
5071 This is simply the integral of the function:
5075 1: 17 x^2 - 6 x^4 + 3 1: 5.6666 x^3 - 1.2 x^5 + 3 x
5083 We want to evaluate this at our two values for @expr{x} and subtract.
5084 One way to do it is again with vector mapping and reduction:
5088 2: [2, 1] 1: [12.93333, 7.46666] 1: 5.46666
5089 1: 5.6666 x^3 ... . .
5091 [ 2 , 1 ] @key{TAB} V M $ @key{RET} V R -
5095 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} Find the integral from 1 to @expr{y}
5097 @texline @math{x \sin \pi x}
5098 @infoline @w{@expr{x sin(pi x)}}
5099 (where the sine is calculated in radians). Find the values of the
5100 integral for integers @expr{y} from 1 to 5. @xref{Algebra Answer 3,
5103 Calc's integrator can do many simple integrals symbolically, but many
5104 others are beyond its capabilities. Suppose we wish to find the area
5106 @texline @math{\sin x \ln x}
5107 @infoline @expr{sin(x) ln(x)}
5108 over the same range of @expr{x}. If you entered this formula and typed
5109 @kbd{a i x @key{RET}} (don't bother to try this), Calc would work for a
5110 long time but would be unable to find a solution. In fact, there is no
5111 closed-form solution to this integral. Now what do we do?
5113 @cindex Integration, numerical
5114 @cindex Numerical integration
5115 One approach would be to do the integral numerically. It is not hard
5116 to do this by hand using vector mapping and reduction. It is rather
5117 slow, though, since the sine and logarithm functions take a long time.
5118 We can save some time by reducing the working precision.
5122 3: 10 1: [1, 1.1, 1.2, ... , 1.8, 1.9]
5127 10 @key{RET} 1 @key{RET} .1 @key{RET} C-u v x
5132 (Note that we have used the extended version of @kbd{v x}; we could
5133 also have used plain @kbd{v x} as follows: @kbd{v x 10 @key{RET} 9 + .1 *}.)
5137 2: [1, 1.1, ... ] 1: [0., 0.084941, 0.16993, ... ]
5141 ' sin(x) ln(x) @key{RET} s 1 m r p 5 @key{RET} V M $ @key{RET}
5156 (If you got wildly different results, did you remember to switch
5159 Here we have divided the curve into ten segments of equal width;
5160 approximating these segments as rectangular boxes (i.e., assuming
5161 the curve is nearly flat at that resolution), we compute the areas
5162 of the boxes (height times width), then sum the areas. (It is
5163 faster to sum first, then multiply by the width, since the width
5164 is the same for every box.)
5166 The true value of this integral turns out to be about 0.374, so
5167 we're not doing too well. Let's try another approach.
5171 1: sin(x) ln(x) 1: 0.84147 x - 0.84147 + 0.11957 (x - 1)^2 - ...
5174 r 1 a t x=1 @key{RET} 4 @key{RET}
5179 Here we have computed the Taylor series expansion of the function
5180 about the point @expr{x=1}. We can now integrate this polynomial
5181 approximation, since polynomials are easy to integrate.
5185 1: 0.42074 x^2 + ... 1: [-0.0446, -0.42073] 1: 0.3761
5188 a i x @key{RET} [ 2 , 1 ] @key{TAB} V M $ @key{RET} V R -
5193 Better! By increasing the precision and/or asking for more terms
5194 in the Taylor series, we can get a result as accurate as we like.
5195 (Taylor series converge better away from singularities in the
5196 function such as the one at @code{ln(0)}, so it would also help to
5197 expand the series about the points @expr{x=2} or @expr{x=1.5} instead
5200 @cindex Simpson's rule
5201 @cindex Integration by Simpson's rule
5202 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} Our first method approximated the
5203 curve by stairsteps of width 0.1; the total area was then the sum
5204 of the areas of the rectangles under these stairsteps. Our second
5205 method approximated the function by a polynomial, which turned out
5206 to be a better approximation than stairsteps. A third method is
5207 @dfn{Simpson's rule}, which is like the stairstep method except
5208 that the steps are not required to be flat. Simpson's rule boils
5209 down to the formula,
5213 (h/3) * (f(a) + 4 f(a+h) + 2 f(a+2h) + 4 f(a+3h) + ...
5214 + 2 f(a+(n-2)*h) + 4 f(a+(n-1)*h) + f(a+n*h))
5220 \qquad {h \over 3} (f(a) + 4 f(a+h) + 2 f(a+2h) + 4 f(a+3h) + \cdots
5221 \hfill \cr \hfill {} + 2 f(a+(n-2)h) + 4 f(a+(n-1)h) + f(a+n h)) \qquad
5227 where @expr{n} (which must be even) is the number of slices and @expr{h}
5228 is the width of each slice. These are 10 and 0.1 in our example.
5229 For reference, here is the corresponding formula for the stairstep
5234 h * (f(a) + f(a+h) + f(a+2h) + f(a+3h) + ...
5235 + f(a+(n-2)*h) + f(a+(n-1)*h))
5240 $$ h (f(a) + f(a+h) + f(a+2h) + f(a+3h) + \cdots
5241 + f(a+(n-2)h) + f(a+(n-1)h)) $$
5245 Compute the integral from 1 to 2 of
5246 @texline @math{\sin x \ln x}
5247 @infoline @expr{sin(x) ln(x)}
5248 using Simpson's rule with 10 slices.
5249 @xref{Algebra Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
5251 Calc has a built-in @kbd{a I} command for doing numerical integration.
5252 It uses @dfn{Romberg's method}, which is a more sophisticated cousin
5253 of Simpson's rule. In particular, it knows how to keep refining the
5254 result until the current precision is satisfied.
5256 @c [fix-ref Selecting Sub-Formulas]
5257 Aside from the commands we've seen so far, Calc also provides a
5258 large set of commands for operating on parts of formulas. You
5259 indicate the desired sub-formula by placing the cursor on any part
5260 of the formula before giving a @dfn{selection} command. Selections won't
5261 be covered in the tutorial; @pxref{Selecting Subformulas}, for
5262 details and examples.
5264 @c hard exercise: simplify (2^(n r) - 2^(r*(n - 1))) / (2^r - 1) 2^(n - 1)
5265 @c to 2^((n-1)*(r-1)).
5267 @node Rewrites Tutorial, , Basic Algebra Tutorial, Algebra Tutorial
5268 @subsection Rewrite Rules
5271 No matter how many built-in commands Calc provided for doing algebra,
5272 there would always be something you wanted to do that Calc didn't have
5273 in its repertoire. So Calc also provides a @dfn{rewrite rule} system
5274 that you can use to define your own algebraic manipulations.
5276 Suppose we want to simplify this trigonometric formula:
5280 1: 2 / cos(x)^2 - 2 tan(x)^2
5283 ' 2/cos(x)^2 - 2tan(x)^2 @key{RET} s 1
5288 If we were simplifying this by hand, we'd probably replace the
5289 @samp{tan} with a @samp{sin/cos} first, then combine over a common
5290 denominator. The @kbd{I a s} command will do the former and the @kbd{a n}
5291 algebra command will do the latter, but we'll do both with rewrite
5292 rules just for practice.
5294 Rewrite rules are written with the @samp{:=} symbol.
5298 1: 2 / cos(x)^2 - 2 sin(x)^2 / cos(x)^2
5301 a r tan(a) := sin(a)/cos(a) @key{RET}
5306 (The ``assignment operator'' @samp{:=} has several uses in Calc. All
5307 by itself the formula @samp{tan(a) := sin(a)/cos(a)} doesn't do anything,
5308 but when it is given to the @kbd{a r} command, that command interprets
5309 it as a rewrite rule.)
5311 The lefthand side, @samp{tan(a)}, is called the @dfn{pattern} of the
5312 rewrite rule. Calc searches the formula on the stack for parts that
5313 match the pattern. Variables in a rewrite pattern are called
5314 @dfn{meta-variables}, and when matching the pattern each meta-variable
5315 can match any sub-formula. Here, the meta-variable @samp{a} matched
5316 the actual variable @samp{x}.
5318 When the pattern part of a rewrite rule matches a part of the formula,
5319 that part is replaced by the righthand side with all the meta-variables
5320 substituted with the things they matched. So the result is
5321 @samp{sin(x) / cos(x)}. Calc's normal algebraic simplifications then
5322 mix this in with the rest of the original formula.
5324 To merge over a common denominator, we can use another simple rule:
5328 1: (2 - 2 sin(x)^2) / cos(x)^2
5331 a r a/x + b/x := (a+b)/x @key{RET}
5335 This rule points out several interesting features of rewrite patterns.
5336 First, if a meta-variable appears several times in a pattern, it must
5337 match the same thing everywhere. This rule detects common denominators
5338 because the same meta-variable @samp{x} is used in both of the
5341 Second, meta-variable names are independent from variables in the
5342 target formula. Notice that the meta-variable @samp{x} here matches
5343 the subformula @samp{cos(x)^2}; Calc never confuses the two meanings of
5346 And third, rewrite patterns know a little bit about the algebraic
5347 properties of formulas. The pattern called for a sum of two quotients;
5348 Calc was able to match a difference of two quotients by matching
5349 @samp{a = 2}, @samp{b = -2 sin(x)^2}, and @samp{x = cos(x)^2}.
5351 @c [fix-ref Algebraic Properties of Rewrite Rules]
5352 We could just as easily have written @samp{a/x - b/x := (a-b)/x} for
5353 the rule. It would have worked just the same in all cases. (If we
5354 really wanted the rule to apply only to @samp{+} or only to @samp{-},
5355 we could have used the @code{plain} symbol. @xref{Algebraic Properties
5356 of Rewrite Rules}, for some examples of this.)
5358 One more rewrite will complete the job. We want to use the identity
5359 @samp{sin(x)^2 + cos(x)^2 = 1}, but of course we must first rearrange
5360 the identity in a way that matches our formula. The obvious rule
5361 would be @samp{@w{2 - 2 sin(x)^2} := 2 cos(x)^2}, but a little thought shows
5362 that the rule @samp{sin(x)^2 := 1 - cos(x)^2} will also work. The
5363 latter rule has a more general pattern so it will work in many other
5368 1: (2 + 2 cos(x)^2 - 2) / cos(x)^2 1: 2
5371 a r sin(x)^2 := 1 - cos(x)^2 @key{RET} a s
5375 You may ask, what's the point of using the most general rule if you
5376 have to type it in every time anyway? The answer is that Calc allows
5377 you to store a rewrite rule in a variable, then give the variable
5378 name in the @kbd{a r} command. In fact, this is the preferred way to
5379 use rewrites. For one, if you need a rule once you'll most likely
5380 need it again later. Also, if the rule doesn't work quite right you
5381 can simply Undo, edit the variable, and run the rule again without
5382 having to retype it.
5386 ' tan(x) := sin(x)/cos(x) @key{RET} s t tsc @key{RET}
5387 ' a/x + b/x := (a+b)/x @key{RET} s t merge @key{RET}
5388 ' sin(x)^2 := 1 - cos(x)^2 @key{RET} s t sinsqr @key{RET}
5390 1: 2 / cos(x)^2 - 2 tan(x)^2 1: 2
5393 r 1 a r tsc @key{RET} a r merge @key{RET} a r sinsqr @key{RET} a s
5397 To edit a variable, type @kbd{s e} and the variable name, use regular
5398 Emacs editing commands as necessary, then type @kbd{C-c C-c} to store
5399 the edited value back into the variable.
5400 You can also use @w{@kbd{s e}} to create a new variable if you wish.
5402 Notice that the first time you use each rule, Calc puts up a ``compiling''
5403 message briefly. The pattern matcher converts rules into a special
5404 optimized pattern-matching language rather than using them directly.
5405 This allows @kbd{a r} to apply even rather complicated rules very
5406 efficiently. If the rule is stored in a variable, Calc compiles it
5407 only once and stores the compiled form along with the variable. That's
5408 another good reason to store your rules in variables rather than
5409 entering them on the fly.
5411 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} Type @kbd{m s} to get Symbolic
5412 mode, then enter the formula @samp{@w{(2 + sqrt(2))} / @w{(1 + sqrt(2))}}.
5413 Using a rewrite rule, simplify this formula by multiplying the top and
5414 bottom by the conjugate @w{@samp{1 - sqrt(2)}}. The result will have
5415 to be expanded by the distributive law; do this with another
5416 rewrite. @xref{Rewrites Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
5418 The @kbd{a r} command can also accept a vector of rewrite rules, or
5419 a variable containing a vector of rules.
5423 1: [tsc, merge, sinsqr] 1: [tan(x) := sin(x) / cos(x), ... ]
5426 ' [tsc,merge,sinsqr] @key{RET} =
5433 1: 1 / cos(x) - sin(x) tan(x) 1: cos(x)
5436 s t trig @key{RET} r 1 a r trig @key{RET} a s
5440 @c [fix-ref Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules]
5441 Calc tries all the rules you give against all parts of the formula,
5442 repeating until no further change is possible. (The exact order in
5443 which things are tried is rather complex, but for simple rules like
5444 the ones we've used here the order doesn't really matter.
5445 @xref{Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules}.)
5447 Calc actually repeats only up to 100 times, just in case your rule set
5448 has gotten into an infinite loop. You can give a numeric prefix argument
5449 to @kbd{a r} to specify any limit. In particular, @kbd{M-1 a r} does
5450 only one rewrite at a time.
5454 1: 1 / cos(x) - sin(x)^2 / cos(x) 1: (1 - sin(x)^2) / cos(x)
5457 r 1 M-1 a r trig @key{RET} M-1 a r trig @key{RET}
5461 You can type @kbd{M-0 a r} if you want no limit at all on the number
5462 of rewrites that occur.
5464 Rewrite rules can also be @dfn{conditional}. Simply follow the rule
5465 with a @samp{::} symbol and the desired condition. For example,
5469 1: exp(2 pi i) + exp(3 pi i) + exp(4 pi i)
5472 ' exp(2 pi i) + exp(3 pi i) + exp(4 pi i) @key{RET}
5479 1: 1 + exp(3 pi i) + 1
5482 a r exp(k pi i) := 1 :: k % 2 = 0 @key{RET}
5487 (Recall, @samp{k % 2} is the remainder from dividing @samp{k} by 2,
5488 which will be zero only when @samp{k} is an even integer.)
5490 An interesting point is that the variables @samp{pi} and @samp{i}
5491 were matched literally rather than acting as meta-variables.
5492 This is because they are special-constant variables. The special
5493 constants @samp{e}, @samp{phi}, and so on also match literally.
5494 A common error with rewrite
5495 rules is to write, say, @samp{f(a,b,c,d,e) := g(a+b+c+d+e)}, expecting
5496 to match any @samp{f} with five arguments but in fact matching
5497 only when the fifth argument is literally @samp{e}!
5499 @cindex Fibonacci numbers
5504 Rewrite rules provide an interesting way to define your own functions.
5505 Suppose we want to define @samp{fib(n)} to produce the @var{n}th
5506 Fibonacci number. The first two Fibonacci numbers are each 1;
5507 later numbers are formed by summing the two preceding numbers in
5508 the sequence. This is easy to express in a set of three rules:
5512 ' [fib(1) := 1, fib(2) := 1, fib(n) := fib(n-1) + fib(n-2)] @key{RET} s t fib
5517 ' fib(7) @key{RET} a r fib @key{RET}
5521 One thing that is guaranteed about the order that rewrites are tried
5522 is that, for any given subformula, earlier rules in the rule set will
5523 be tried for that subformula before later ones. So even though the
5524 first and third rules both match @samp{fib(1)}, we know the first will
5525 be used preferentially.
5527 This rule set has one dangerous bug: Suppose we apply it to the
5528 formula @samp{fib(x)}? (Don't actually try this.) The third rule
5529 will match @samp{fib(x)} and replace it with @w{@samp{fib(x-1) + fib(x-2)}}.
5530 Each of these will then be replaced to get @samp{fib(x-2) + 2 fib(x-3) +
5531 fib(x-4)}, and so on, expanding forever. What we really want is to apply
5532 the third rule only when @samp{n} is an integer greater than two. Type
5533 @w{@kbd{s e fib @key{RET}}}, then edit the third rule to:
5536 fib(n) := fib(n-1) + fib(n-2) :: integer(n) :: n > 2
5544 1: fib(6) + fib(x) + fib(0) 1: 8 + fib(x) + fib(0)
5547 ' fib(6)+fib(x)+fib(0) @key{RET} a r fib @key{RET}
5552 We've created a new function, @code{fib}, and a new command,
5553 @w{@kbd{a r fib @key{RET}}}, which means ``evaluate all @code{fib} calls in
5554 this formula.'' To make things easier still, we can tell Calc to
5555 apply these rules automatically by storing them in the special
5556 variable @code{EvalRules}.
5560 1: [fib(1) := ...] . 1: [8, 13]
5563 s r fib @key{RET} s t EvalRules @key{RET} ' [fib(6), fib(7)] @key{RET}
5567 It turns out that this rule set has the problem that it does far
5568 more work than it needs to when @samp{n} is large. Consider the
5569 first few steps of the computation of @samp{fib(6)}:
5575 fib(4) + fib(3) + fib(3) + fib(2) =
5576 fib(3) + fib(2) + fib(2) + fib(1) + fib(2) + fib(1) + 1 = ...
5581 Note that @samp{fib(3)} appears three times here. Unless Calc's
5582 algebraic simplifier notices the multiple @samp{fib(3)}s and combines
5583 them (and, as it happens, it doesn't), this rule set does lots of
5584 needless recomputation. To cure the problem, type @code{s e EvalRules}
5585 to edit the rules (or just @kbd{s E}, a shorthand command for editing
5586 @code{EvalRules}) and add another condition:
5589 fib(n) := fib(n-1) + fib(n-2) :: integer(n) :: n > 2 :: remember
5593 If a @samp{:: remember} condition appears anywhere in a rule, then if
5594 that rule succeeds Calc will add another rule that describes that match
5595 to the front of the rule set. (Remembering works in any rule set, but
5596 for technical reasons it is most effective in @code{EvalRules}.) For
5597 example, if the rule rewrites @samp{fib(7)} to something that evaluates
5598 to 13, then the rule @samp{fib(7) := 13} will be added to the rule set.
5600 Type @kbd{' fib(8) @key{RET}} to compute the eighth Fibonacci number, then
5601 type @kbd{s E} again to see what has happened to the rule set.
5603 With the @code{remember} feature, our rule set can now compute
5604 @samp{fib(@var{n})} in just @var{n} steps. In the process it builds
5605 up a table of all Fibonacci numbers up to @var{n}. After we have
5606 computed the result for a particular @var{n}, we can get it back
5607 (and the results for all smaller @var{n}) later in just one step.
5609 All Calc operations will run somewhat slower whenever @code{EvalRules}
5610 contains any rules. You should type @kbd{s u EvalRules @key{RET}} now to
5611 un-store the variable.
5613 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Sometimes it is possible to reformulate
5614 a problem to reduce the amount of recursion necessary to solve it.
5615 Create a rule that, in about @var{n} simple steps and without recourse
5616 to the @code{remember} option, replaces @samp{fib(@var{n}, 1, 1)} with
5617 @samp{fib(1, @var{x}, @var{y})} where @var{x} and @var{y} are the
5618 @var{n}th and @var{n+1}st Fibonacci numbers, respectively. This rule is
5619 rather clunky to use, so add a couple more rules to make the ``user
5620 interface'' the same as for our first version: enter @samp{fib(@var{n})},
5621 get back a plain number. @xref{Rewrites Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
5623 There are many more things that rewrites can do. For example, there
5624 are @samp{&&&} and @samp{|||} pattern operators that create ``and''
5625 and ``or'' combinations of rules. As one really simple example, we
5626 could combine our first two Fibonacci rules thusly:
5629 [fib(1 ||| 2) := 1, fib(n) := ... ]
5633 That means ``@code{fib} of something matching either 1 or 2 rewrites
5636 You can also make meta-variables optional by enclosing them in @code{opt}.
5637 For example, the pattern @samp{a + b x} matches @samp{2 + 3 x} but not
5638 @samp{2 + x} or @samp{3 x} or @samp{x}. The pattern @samp{opt(a) + opt(b) x}
5639 matches all of these forms, filling in a default of zero for @samp{a}
5640 and one for @samp{b}.
5642 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} Your friend Joe had @samp{2 + 3 x}
5643 on the stack and tried to use the rule
5644 @samp{opt(a) + opt(b) x := f(a, b, x)}. What happened?
5645 @xref{Rewrites Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
5647 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} Starting with a positive integer @expr{a},
5648 divide @expr{a} by two if it is even, otherwise compute @expr{3 a + 1}.
5649 Now repeat this step over and over. A famous unproved conjecture
5650 is that for any starting @expr{a}, the sequence always eventually
5651 reaches 1. Given the formula @samp{seq(@var{a}, 0)}, write a set of
5652 rules that convert this into @samp{seq(1, @var{n})} where @var{n}
5653 is the number of steps it took the sequence to reach the value 1.
5654 Now enhance the rules to accept @samp{seq(@var{a})} as a starting
5655 configuration, and to stop with just the number @var{n} by itself.
5656 Now make the result be a vector of values in the sequence, from @var{a}
5657 to 1. (The formula @samp{@var{x}|@var{y}} appends the vectors @var{x}
5658 and @var{y}.) For example, rewriting @samp{seq(6)} should yield the
5659 vector @expr{[6, 3, 10, 5, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1]}.
5660 @xref{Rewrites Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
5662 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 5.} Define, using rewrite rules, a function
5663 @samp{nterms(@var{x})} that returns the number of terms in the sum
5664 @var{x}, or 1 if @var{x} is not a sum. (A @dfn{sum} for our purposes
5665 is one or more non-sum terms separated by @samp{+} or @samp{-} signs,
5666 so that @expr{2 - 3 (x + y) + x y} is a sum of three terms.)
5667 @xref{Rewrites Answer 5, 5}. (@bullet{})
5669 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 6.} A Taylor series for a function is an
5670 infinite series that exactly equals the value of that function at
5671 values of @expr{x} near zero.
5675 cos(x) = 1 - x^2 / 2! + x^4 / 4! - x^6 / 6! + ...
5680 $$ \cos x = 1 - {x^2 \over 2!} + {x^4 \over 4!} - {x^6 \over 6!} + \cdots $$
5684 The @kbd{a t} command produces a @dfn{truncated Taylor series} which
5685 is obtained by dropping all the terms higher than, say, @expr{x^2}.
5686 Calc represents the truncated Taylor series as a polynomial in @expr{x}.
5687 Mathematicians often write a truncated series using a ``big-O'' notation
5688 that records what was the lowest term that was truncated.
5692 cos(x) = 1 - x^2 / 2! + O(x^3)
5697 $$ \cos x = 1 - {x^2 \over 2!} + O(x^3) $$
5702 The meaning of @expr{O(x^3)} is ``a quantity which is negligibly small
5703 if @expr{x^3} is considered negligibly small as @expr{x} goes to zero.''
5705 The exercise is to create rewrite rules that simplify sums and products of
5706 power series represented as @samp{@var{polynomial} + O(@var{var}^@var{n})}.
5707 For example, given @samp{1 - x^2 / 2 + O(x^3)} and @samp{x - x^3 / 6 + O(x^4)}
5708 on the stack, we want to be able to type @kbd{*} and get the result
5709 @samp{x - 2:3 x^3 + O(x^4)}. Don't worry if the terms of the sum are
5710 rearranged or if @kbd{a s} needs to be typed after rewriting. (This one
5711 is rather tricky; the solution at the end of this chapter uses 6 rewrite
5712 rules. Hint: The @samp{constant(x)} condition tests whether @samp{x} is
5713 a number.) @xref{Rewrites Answer 6, 6}. (@bullet{})
5715 Just for kicks, try adding the rule @code{2+3 := 6} to @code{EvalRules}.
5716 What happens? (Be sure to remove this rule afterward, or you might get
5717 a nasty surprise when you use Calc to balance your checkbook!)
5719 @xref{Rewrite Rules}, for the whole story on rewrite rules.
5721 @node Programming Tutorial, Answers to Exercises, Algebra Tutorial, Tutorial
5722 @section Programming Tutorial
5725 The Calculator is written entirely in Emacs Lisp, a highly extensible
5726 language. If you know Lisp, you can program the Calculator to do
5727 anything you like. Rewrite rules also work as a powerful programming
5728 system. But Lisp and rewrite rules take a while to master, and often
5729 all you want to do is define a new function or repeat a command a few
5730 times. Calc has features that allow you to do these things easily.
5732 One very limited form of programming is defining your own functions.
5733 Calc's @kbd{Z F} command allows you to define a function name and
5734 key sequence to correspond to any formula. Programming commands use
5735 the shift-@kbd{Z} prefix; the user commands they create use the lower
5736 case @kbd{z} prefix.
5740 1: 1 + x + x^2 / 2 + x^3 / 6 1: 1 + x + x^2 / 2 + x^3 / 6
5743 ' 1 + x + x^2/2! + x^3/3! @key{RET} Z F e myexp @key{RET} @key{RET} @key{RET} y
5747 This polynomial is a Taylor series approximation to @samp{exp(x)}.
5748 The @kbd{Z F} command asks a number of questions. The above answers
5749 say that the key sequence for our function should be @kbd{z e}; the
5750 @kbd{M-x} equivalent should be @code{calc-myexp}; the name of the
5751 function in algebraic formulas should also be @code{myexp}; the
5752 default argument list @samp{(x)} is acceptable; and finally @kbd{y}
5753 answers the question ``leave it in symbolic form for non-constant
5758 1: 1.3495 2: 1.3495 3: 1.3495
5759 . 1: 1.34986 2: 1.34986
5763 .3 z e .3 E ' a+1 @key{RET} z e
5768 First we call our new @code{exp} approximation with 0.3 as an
5769 argument, and compare it with the true @code{exp} function. Then
5770 we note that, as requested, if we try to give @kbd{z e} an
5771 argument that isn't a plain number, it leaves the @code{myexp}
5772 function call in symbolic form. If we had answered @kbd{n} to the
5773 final question, @samp{myexp(a + 1)} would have evaluated by plugging
5774 in @samp{a + 1} for @samp{x} in the defining formula.
5776 @cindex Sine integral Si(x)
5781 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} The ``sine integral'' function
5782 @texline @math{{\rm Si}(x)}
5783 @infoline @expr{Si(x)}
5784 is defined as the integral of @samp{sin(t)/t} for
5785 @expr{t = 0} to @expr{x} in radians. (It was invented because this
5786 integral has no solution in terms of basic functions; if you give it
5787 to Calc's @kbd{a i} command, it will ponder it for a long time and then
5788 give up.) We can use the numerical integration command, however,
5789 which in algebraic notation is written like @samp{ninteg(f(t), t, 0, x)}
5790 with any integrand @samp{f(t)}. Define a @kbd{z s} command and
5791 @code{Si} function that implement this. You will need to edit the
5792 default argument list a bit. As a test, @samp{Si(1)} should return
5793 0.946083. (If you don't get this answer, you might want to check that
5794 Calc is in Radians mode. Also, @code{ninteg} will run a lot faster if
5795 you reduce the precision to, say, six digits beforehand.)
5796 @xref{Programming Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
5798 The simplest way to do real ``programming'' of Emacs is to define a
5799 @dfn{keyboard macro}. A keyboard macro is simply a sequence of
5800 keystrokes which Emacs has stored away and can play back on demand.
5801 For example, if you find yourself typing @kbd{H a S x @key{RET}} often,
5802 you may wish to program a keyboard macro to type this for you.
5806 1: y = sqrt(x) 1: x = y^2
5809 ' y=sqrt(x) @key{RET} C-x ( H a S x @key{RET} C-x )
5811 1: y = cos(x) 1: x = s1 arccos(y) + 2 pi n1
5814 ' y=cos(x) @key{RET} X
5819 When you type @kbd{C-x (}, Emacs begins recording. But it is also
5820 still ready to execute your keystrokes, so you're really ``training''
5821 Emacs by walking it through the procedure once. When you type
5822 @w{@kbd{C-x )}}, the macro is recorded. You can now type @kbd{X} to
5823 re-execute the same keystrokes.
5825 You can give a name to your macro by typing @kbd{Z K}.
5829 1: . 1: y = x^4 1: x = s2 sqrt(s1 sqrt(y))
5832 Z K x @key{RET} ' y=x^4 @key{RET} z x
5837 Notice that we use shift-@kbd{Z} to define the command, and lower-case
5838 @kbd{z} to call it up.
5840 Keyboard macros can call other macros.
5844 1: abs(x) 1: x = s1 y 1: 2 / x 1: x = 2 / y
5847 ' abs(x) @key{RET} C-x ( ' y @key{RET} a = z x C-x ) ' 2/x @key{RET} X
5851 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Define a keyboard macro to negate
5852 the item in level 3 of the stack, without disturbing the rest of
5853 the stack. @xref{Programming Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
5855 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} Define keyboard macros to compute
5856 the following functions:
5861 @texline @math{\displaystyle{\sin x \over x}},
5862 @infoline @expr{sin(x) / x},
5863 where @expr{x} is the number on the top of the stack.
5866 Compute the base-@expr{b} logarithm, just like the @kbd{B} key except
5867 the arguments are taken in the opposite order.
5870 Produce a vector of integers from 1 to the integer on the top of
5874 @xref{Programming Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
5876 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} Define a keyboard macro to compute
5877 the average (mean) value of a list of numbers.
5878 @xref{Programming Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
5880 In many programs, some of the steps must execute several times.
5881 Calc has @dfn{looping} commands that allow this. Loops are useful
5882 inside keyboard macros, but actually work at any time.
5886 1: x^6 2: x^6 1: 360 x^2
5890 ' x^6 @key{RET} 4 Z < a d x @key{RET} Z >
5895 Here we have computed the fourth derivative of @expr{x^6} by
5896 enclosing a derivative command in a ``repeat loop'' structure.
5897 This structure pops a repeat count from the stack, then
5898 executes the body of the loop that many times.
5900 If you make a mistake while entering the body of the loop,
5901 type @w{@kbd{Z C-g}} to cancel the loop command.
5903 @cindex Fibonacci numbers
5904 Here's another example:
5913 1 @key{RET} @key{RET} 20 Z < @key{TAB} C-j + Z >
5918 The numbers in levels 2 and 1 should be the 21st and 22nd Fibonacci
5919 numbers, respectively. (To see what's going on, try a few repetitions
5920 of the loop body by hand; @kbd{C-j}, also on the Line-Feed or @key{LFD}
5921 key if you have one, makes a copy of the number in level 2.)
5923 @cindex Golden ratio
5924 @cindex Phi, golden ratio
5925 A fascinating property of the Fibonacci numbers is that the @expr{n}th
5926 Fibonacci number can be found directly by computing
5927 @texline @math{\phi^n / \sqrt{5}}
5928 @infoline @expr{phi^n / sqrt(5)}
5929 and then rounding to the nearest integer, where
5930 @texline @math{\phi} (``phi''),
5931 @infoline @expr{phi},
5932 the ``golden ratio,'' is
5933 @texline @math{(1 + \sqrt{5}) / 2}.
5934 @infoline @expr{(1 + sqrt(5)) / 2}.
5935 (For convenience, this constant is available from the @code{phi}
5936 variable, or the @kbd{I H P} command.)
5940 1: 1.61803 1: 24476.0000409 1: 10945.9999817 1: 10946
5947 @cindex Continued fractions
5948 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 5.} The @dfn{continued fraction}
5950 @texline @math{\phi}
5951 @infoline @expr{phi}
5953 @texline @math{1 + 1/(1 + 1/(1 + 1/( \ldots )))}.
5954 @infoline @expr{1 + 1/(1 + 1/(1 + 1/( ...@: )))}.
5955 We can compute an approximate value by carrying this however far
5956 and then replacing the innermost
5957 @texline @math{1/( \ldots )}
5958 @infoline @expr{1/( ...@: )}
5960 @texline @math{\phi}
5961 @infoline @expr{phi}
5962 using a twenty-term continued fraction.
5963 @xref{Programming Answer 5, 5}. (@bullet{})
5965 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 6.} Linear recurrences like the one for
5966 Fibonacci numbers can be expressed in terms of matrices. Given a
5967 vector @w{@expr{[a, b]}} determine a matrix which, when multiplied by this
5968 vector, produces the vector @expr{[b, c]}, where @expr{a}, @expr{b} and
5969 @expr{c} are three successive Fibonacci numbers. Now write a program
5970 that, given an integer @expr{n}, computes the @expr{n}th Fibonacci number
5971 using matrix arithmetic. @xref{Programming Answer 6, 6}. (@bullet{})
5973 @cindex Harmonic numbers
5974 A more sophisticated kind of loop is the @dfn{for} loop. Suppose
5975 we wish to compute the 20th ``harmonic'' number, which is equal to
5976 the sum of the reciprocals of the integers from 1 to 20.
5985 0 @key{RET} 1 @key{RET} 20 Z ( & + 1 Z )
5990 The ``for'' loop pops two numbers, the lower and upper limits, then
5991 repeats the body of the loop as an internal counter increases from
5992 the lower limit to the upper one. Just before executing the loop
5993 body, it pushes the current loop counter. When the loop body
5994 finishes, it pops the ``step,'' i.e., the amount by which to
5995 increment the loop counter. As you can see, our loop always
5998 This harmonic number function uses the stack to hold the running
5999 total as well as for the various loop housekeeping functions. If
6000 you find this disorienting, you can sum in a variable instead:
6004 1: 0 2: 1 . 1: 3.597739
6008 0 t 7 1 @key{RET} 20 Z ( & s + 7 1 Z ) r 7
6013 The @kbd{s +} command adds the top-of-stack into the value in a
6014 variable (and removes that value from the stack).
6016 It's worth noting that many jobs that call for a ``for'' loop can
6017 also be done more easily by Calc's high-level operations. Two
6018 other ways to compute harmonic numbers are to use vector mapping
6019 and reduction (@kbd{v x 20}, then @w{@kbd{V M &}}, then @kbd{V R +}),
6020 or to use the summation command @kbd{a +}. Both of these are
6021 probably easier than using loops. However, there are some
6022 situations where loops really are the way to go:
6024 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 7.} Use a ``for'' loop to find the first
6025 harmonic number which is greater than 4.0.
6026 @xref{Programming Answer 7, 7}. (@bullet{})
6028 Of course, if we're going to be using variables in our programs,
6029 we have to worry about the programs clobbering values that the
6030 caller was keeping in those same variables. This is easy to
6035 . 1: 0.6667 1: 0.6667 3: 0.6667
6040 Z ` p 4 @key{RET} 2 @key{RET} 3 / s 7 s s a @key{RET} Z ' r 7 s r a @key{RET}
6045 When we type @kbd{Z `} (that's a back-quote character), Calc saves
6046 its mode settings and the contents of the ten ``quick variables''
6047 for later reference. When we type @kbd{Z '} (that's an apostrophe
6048 now), Calc restores those saved values. Thus the @kbd{p 4} and
6049 @kbd{s 7} commands have no effect outside this sequence. Wrapping
6050 this around the body of a keyboard macro ensures that it doesn't
6051 interfere with what the user of the macro was doing. Notice that
6052 the contents of the stack, and the values of named variables,
6053 survive past the @kbd{Z '} command.
6055 @cindex Bernoulli numbers, approximate
6056 The @dfn{Bernoulli numbers} are a sequence with the interesting
6057 property that all of the odd Bernoulli numbers are zero, and the
6058 even ones, while difficult to compute, can be roughly approximated
6060 @texline @math{\displaystyle{2 n! \over (2 \pi)^n}}.
6061 @infoline @expr{2 n!@: / (2 pi)^n}.
6062 Let's write a keyboard macro to compute (approximate) Bernoulli numbers.
6063 (Calc has a command, @kbd{k b}, to compute exact Bernoulli numbers, but
6064 this command is very slow for large @expr{n} since the higher Bernoulli
6065 numbers are very large fractions.)
6072 10 C-x ( @key{RET} 2 % Z [ @key{DEL} 0 Z : ' 2 $! / (2 pi)^$ @key{RET} = Z ] C-x )
6077 You can read @kbd{Z [} as ``then,'' @kbd{Z :} as ``else,'' and
6078 @kbd{Z ]} as ``end-if.'' There is no need for an explicit ``if''
6079 command. For the purposes of @w{@kbd{Z [}}, the condition is ``true''
6080 if the value it pops from the stack is a nonzero number, or ``false''
6081 if it pops zero or something that is not a number (like a formula).
6082 Here we take our integer argument modulo 2; this will be nonzero
6083 if we're asking for an odd Bernoulli number.
6085 The actual tenth Bernoulli number is @expr{5/66}.
6089 3: 0.0756823 1: 0 1: 0.25305 1: 0 1: 1.16659
6094 10 k b @key{RET} c f M-0 @key{DEL} 11 X @key{DEL} 12 X @key{DEL} 13 X @key{DEL} 14 X
6098 Just to exercise loops a bit more, let's compute a table of even
6103 3: [] 1: [0.10132, 0.03079, 0.02340, 0.033197, ...]
6108 [ ] 2 @key{RET} 30 Z ( X | 2 Z )
6113 The vertical-bar @kbd{|} is the vector-concatenation command. When
6114 we execute it, the list we are building will be in stack level 2
6115 (initially this is an empty list), and the next Bernoulli number
6116 will be in level 1. The effect is to append the Bernoulli number
6117 onto the end of the list. (To create a table of exact fractional
6118 Bernoulli numbers, just replace @kbd{X} with @kbd{k b} in the above
6119 sequence of keystrokes.)
6121 With loops and conditionals, you can program essentially anything
6122 in Calc. One other command that makes looping easier is @kbd{Z /},
6123 which takes a condition from the stack and breaks out of the enclosing
6124 loop if the condition is true (non-zero). You can use this to make
6125 ``while'' and ``until'' style loops.
6127 If you make a mistake when entering a keyboard macro, you can edit
6128 it using @kbd{Z E}. First, you must attach it to a key with @kbd{Z K}.
6129 One technique is to enter a throwaway dummy definition for the macro,
6130 then enter the real one in the edit command.
6134 1: 3 1: 3 Calc Macro Edit Mode.
6135 . . Original keys: 1 <return> 2 +
6142 C-x ( 1 @key{RET} 2 + C-x ) Z K h @key{RET} Z E h
6147 A keyboard macro is stored as a pure keystroke sequence. The
6148 @file{edmacro} package (invoked by @kbd{Z E}) scans along the
6149 macro and tries to decode it back into human-readable steps.
6150 Descriptions of the keystrokes are given as comments, which begin with
6151 @samp{;;}, and which are ignored when the edited macro is saved.
6152 Spaces and line breaks are also ignored when the edited macro is saved.
6153 To enter a space into the macro, type @code{SPC}. All the special
6154 characters @code{RET}, @code{LFD}, @code{TAB}, @code{SPC}, @code{DEL},
6155 and @code{NUL} must be written in all uppercase, as must the prefixes
6156 @code{C-} and @code{M-}.
6158 Let's edit in a new definition, for computing harmonic numbers.
6159 First, erase the four lines of the old definition. Then, type
6160 in the new definition (or use Emacs @kbd{M-w} and @kbd{C-y} commands
6161 to copy it from this page of the Info file; you can of course skip
6162 typing the comments, which begin with @samp{;;}).
6165 Z` ;; calc-kbd-push (Save local values)
6166 0 ;; calc digits (Push a zero onto the stack)
6167 st ;; calc-store-into (Store it in the following variable)
6168 1 ;; calc quick variable (Quick variable q1)
6169 1 ;; calc digits (Initial value for the loop)
6170 TAB ;; calc-roll-down (Swap initial and final)
6171 Z( ;; calc-kbd-for (Begin the "for" loop)
6172 & ;; calc-inv (Take the reciprocal)
6173 s+ ;; calc-store-plus (Add to the following variable)
6174 1 ;; calc quick variable (Quick variable q1)
6175 1 ;; calc digits (The loop step is 1)
6176 Z) ;; calc-kbd-end-for (End the "for" loop)
6177 sr ;; calc-recall (Recall the final accumulated value)
6178 1 ;; calc quick variable (Quick variable q1)
6179 Z' ;; calc-kbd-pop (Restore values)
6183 Press @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish editing and return to the Calculator.
6194 The @file{edmacro} package defines a handy @code{read-kbd-macro} command
6195 which reads the current region of the current buffer as a sequence of
6196 keystroke names, and defines that sequence on the @kbd{X}
6197 (and @kbd{C-x e}) key. Because this is so useful, Calc puts this
6198 command on the @kbd{C-x * m} key. Try reading in this macro in the
6199 following form: Press @kbd{C-@@} (or @kbd{C-@key{SPC}}) at
6200 one end of the text below, then type @kbd{C-x * m} at the other.
6212 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 8.} A general algorithm for solving
6213 equations numerically is @dfn{Newton's Method}. Given the equation
6214 @expr{f(x) = 0} for any function @expr{f}, and an initial guess
6215 @expr{x_0} which is reasonably close to the desired solution, apply
6216 this formula over and over:
6220 new_x = x - f(x)/f'(x)
6225 $$ x_{\rm new} = x - {f(x) \over f^{\prime}(x)} $$
6230 where @expr{f'(x)} is the derivative of @expr{f}. The @expr{x}
6231 values will quickly converge to a solution, i.e., eventually
6232 @texline @math{x_{\rm new}}
6233 @infoline @expr{new_x}
6234 and @expr{x} will be equal to within the limits
6235 of the current precision. Write a program which takes a formula
6236 involving the variable @expr{x}, and an initial guess @expr{x_0},
6237 on the stack, and produces a value of @expr{x} for which the formula
6238 is zero. Use it to find a solution of
6239 @texline @math{\sin(\cos x) = 0.5}
6240 @infoline @expr{sin(cos(x)) = 0.5}
6241 near @expr{x = 4.5}. (Use angles measured in radians.) Note that
6242 the built-in @w{@kbd{a R}} (@code{calc-find-root}) command uses Newton's
6243 method when it is able. @xref{Programming Answer 8, 8}. (@bullet{})
6245 @cindex Digamma function
6246 @cindex Gamma constant, Euler's
6247 @cindex Euler's gamma constant
6248 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 9.} The @dfn{digamma} function
6249 @texline @math{\psi(z) (``psi'')}
6250 @infoline @expr{psi(z)}
6251 is defined as the derivative of
6252 @texline @math{\ln \Gamma(z)}.
6253 @infoline @expr{ln(gamma(z))}.
6254 For large values of @expr{z}, it can be approximated by the infinite sum
6258 psi(z) ~= ln(z) - 1/2z - sum(bern(2 n) / 2 n z^(2 n), n, 1, inf)
6263 $$ \psi(z) \approx \ln z - {1\over2z} -
6264 \sum_{n=1}^\infty {\code{bern}(2 n) \over 2 n z^{2n}}
6271 @texline @math{\sum}
6272 @infoline @expr{sum}
6273 represents the sum over @expr{n} from 1 to infinity
6274 (or to some limit high enough to give the desired accuracy), and
6275 the @code{bern} function produces (exact) Bernoulli numbers.
6276 While this sum is not guaranteed to converge, in practice it is safe.
6277 An interesting mathematical constant is Euler's gamma, which is equal
6278 to about 0.5772. One way to compute it is by the formula,
6279 @texline @math{\gamma = -\psi(1)}.
6280 @infoline @expr{gamma = -psi(1)}.
6281 Unfortunately, 1 isn't a large enough argument
6282 for the above formula to work (5 is a much safer value for @expr{z}).
6283 Fortunately, we can compute
6284 @texline @math{\psi(1)}
6285 @infoline @expr{psi(1)}
6287 @texline @math{\psi(5)}
6288 @infoline @expr{psi(5)}
6289 using the recurrence
6290 @texline @math{\psi(z+1) = \psi(z) + {1 \over z}}.
6291 @infoline @expr{psi(z+1) = psi(z) + 1/z}.
6292 Your task: Develop a program to compute
6293 @texline @math{\psi(z)};
6294 @infoline @expr{psi(z)};
6295 it should ``pump up'' @expr{z}
6296 if necessary to be greater than 5, then use the above summation
6297 formula. Use looping commands to compute the sum. Use your function
6299 @texline @math{\gamma}
6300 @infoline @expr{gamma}
6301 to twelve decimal places. (Calc has a built-in command
6302 for Euler's constant, @kbd{I P}, which you can use to check your answer.)
6303 @xref{Programming Answer 9, 9}. (@bullet{})
6305 @cindex Polynomial, list of coefficients
6306 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 10.} Given a polynomial in @expr{x} and
6307 a number @expr{m} on the stack, where the polynomial is of degree
6308 @expr{m} or less (i.e., does not have any terms higher than @expr{x^m}),
6309 write a program to convert the polynomial into a list-of-coefficients
6310 notation. For example, @expr{5 x^4 + (x + 1)^2} with @expr{m = 6}
6311 should produce the list @expr{[1, 2, 1, 0, 5, 0, 0]}. Also develop
6312 a way to convert from this form back to the standard algebraic form.
6313 @xref{Programming Answer 10, 10}. (@bullet{})
6316 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 11.} The @dfn{Stirling numbers of the
6317 first kind} are defined by the recurrences,
6321 s(n,n) = 1 for n >= 0,
6322 s(n,0) = 0 for n > 0,
6323 s(n+1,m) = s(n,m-1) - n s(n,m) for n >= m >= 1.
6328 $$ \eqalign{ s(n,n) &= 1 \qquad \hbox{for } n \ge 0, \cr
6329 s(n,0) &= 0 \qquad \hbox{for } n > 0, \cr
6330 s(n+1,m) &= s(n,m-1) - n \, s(n,m) \qquad
6331 \hbox{for } n \ge m \ge 1.}
6335 (These numbers are also sometimes written $\displaystyle{n \brack m}$.)
6338 This can be implemented using a @dfn{recursive} program in Calc; the
6339 program must invoke itself in order to calculate the two righthand
6340 terms in the general formula. Since it always invokes itself with
6341 ``simpler'' arguments, it's easy to see that it must eventually finish
6342 the computation. Recursion is a little difficult with Emacs keyboard
6343 macros since the macro is executed before its definition is complete.
6344 So here's the recommended strategy: Create a ``dummy macro'' and assign
6345 it to a key with, e.g., @kbd{Z K s}. Now enter the true definition,
6346 using the @kbd{z s} command to call itself recursively, then assign it
6347 to the same key with @kbd{Z K s}. Now the @kbd{z s} command will run
6348 the complete recursive program. (Another way is to use @w{@kbd{Z E}}
6349 or @kbd{C-x * m} (@code{read-kbd-macro}) to read the whole macro at once,
6350 thus avoiding the ``training'' phase.) The task: Write a program
6351 that computes Stirling numbers of the first kind, given @expr{n} and
6352 @expr{m} on the stack. Test it with @emph{small} inputs like
6353 @expr{s(4,2)}. (There is a built-in command for Stirling numbers,
6354 @kbd{k s}, which you can use to check your answers.)
6355 @xref{Programming Answer 11, 11}. (@bullet{})
6357 The programming commands we've seen in this part of the tutorial
6358 are low-level, general-purpose operations. Often you will find
6359 that a higher-level function, such as vector mapping or rewrite
6360 rules, will do the job much more easily than a detailed, step-by-step
6363 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 12.} Write another program for
6364 computing Stirling numbers of the first kind, this time using
6365 rewrite rules. Once again, @expr{n} and @expr{m} should be taken
6366 from the stack. @xref{Programming Answer 12, 12}. (@bullet{})
6371 This ends the tutorial section of the Calc manual. Now you know enough
6372 about Calc to use it effectively for many kinds of calculations. But
6373 Calc has many features that were not even touched upon in this tutorial.
6375 The rest of this manual tells the whole story.
6377 @c Volume II of this manual, the @dfn{Calc Reference}, tells the whole story.
6380 @node Answers to Exercises, , Programming Tutorial, Tutorial
6381 @section Answers to Exercises
6384 This section includes answers to all the exercises in the Calc tutorial.
6387 * RPN Answer 1:: 1 @key{RET} 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} 4 + * -
6388 * RPN Answer 2:: 2*4 + 7*9.5 + 5/4
6389 * RPN Answer 3:: Operating on levels 2 and 3
6390 * RPN Answer 4:: Joe's complex problems
6391 * Algebraic Answer 1:: Simulating Q command
6392 * Algebraic Answer 2:: Joe's algebraic woes
6393 * Algebraic Answer 3:: 1 / 0
6394 * Modes Answer 1:: 3#0.1 = 3#0.0222222?
6395 * Modes Answer 2:: 16#f.e8fe15
6396 * Modes Answer 3:: Joe's rounding bug
6397 * Modes Answer 4:: Why floating point?
6398 * Arithmetic Answer 1:: Why the \ command?
6399 * Arithmetic Answer 2:: Tripping up the B command
6400 * Vector Answer 1:: Normalizing a vector
6401 * Vector Answer 2:: Average position
6402 * Matrix Answer 1:: Row and column sums
6403 * Matrix Answer 2:: Symbolic system of equations
6404 * Matrix Answer 3:: Over-determined system
6405 * List Answer 1:: Powers of two
6406 * List Answer 2:: Least-squares fit with matrices
6407 * List Answer 3:: Geometric mean
6408 * List Answer 4:: Divisor function
6409 * List Answer 5:: Duplicate factors
6410 * List Answer 6:: Triangular list
6411 * List Answer 7:: Another triangular list
6412 * List Answer 8:: Maximum of Bessel function
6413 * List Answer 9:: Integers the hard way
6414 * List Answer 10:: All elements equal
6415 * List Answer 11:: Estimating pi with darts
6416 * List Answer 12:: Estimating pi with matchsticks
6417 * List Answer 13:: Hash codes
6418 * List Answer 14:: Random walk
6419 * Types Answer 1:: Square root of pi times rational
6420 * Types Answer 2:: Infinities
6421 * Types Answer 3:: What can "nan" be?
6422 * Types Answer 4:: Abbey Road
6423 * Types Answer 5:: Friday the 13th
6424 * Types Answer 6:: Leap years
6425 * Types Answer 7:: Erroneous donut
6426 * Types Answer 8:: Dividing intervals
6427 * Types Answer 9:: Squaring intervals
6428 * Types Answer 10:: Fermat's primality test
6429 * Types Answer 11:: pi * 10^7 seconds
6430 * Types Answer 12:: Abbey Road on CD
6431 * Types Answer 13:: Not quite pi * 10^7 seconds
6432 * Types Answer 14:: Supercomputers and c
6433 * Types Answer 15:: Sam the Slug
6434 * Algebra Answer 1:: Squares and square roots
6435 * Algebra Answer 2:: Building polynomial from roots
6436 * Algebra Answer 3:: Integral of x sin(pi x)
6437 * Algebra Answer 4:: Simpson's rule
6438 * Rewrites Answer 1:: Multiplying by conjugate
6439 * Rewrites Answer 2:: Alternative fib rule
6440 * Rewrites Answer 3:: Rewriting opt(a) + opt(b) x
6441 * Rewrites Answer 4:: Sequence of integers
6442 * Rewrites Answer 5:: Number of terms in sum
6443 * Rewrites Answer 6:: Truncated Taylor series
6444 * Programming Answer 1:: Fresnel's C(x)
6445 * Programming Answer 2:: Negate third stack element
6446 * Programming Answer 3:: Compute sin(x) / x, etc.
6447 * Programming Answer 4:: Average value of a list
6448 * Programming Answer 5:: Continued fraction phi
6449 * Programming Answer 6:: Matrix Fibonacci numbers
6450 * Programming Answer 7:: Harmonic number greater than 4
6451 * Programming Answer 8:: Newton's method
6452 * Programming Answer 9:: Digamma function
6453 * Programming Answer 10:: Unpacking a polynomial
6454 * Programming Answer 11:: Recursive Stirling numbers
6455 * Programming Answer 12:: Stirling numbers with rewrites
6458 @c The following kludgery prevents the individual answers from
6459 @c being entered on the table of contents.
6461 \global\let\oldwrite=\write
6462 \gdef\skipwrite#1#2{\let\write=\oldwrite}
6463 \global\let\oldchapternofonts=\chapternofonts
6464 \gdef\chapternofonts{\let\write=\skipwrite\oldchapternofonts}
6467 @node RPN Answer 1, RPN Answer 2, Answers to Exercises, Answers to Exercises
6468 @subsection RPN Tutorial Exercise 1
6471 @kbd{1 @key{RET} 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} 4 + * -}
6474 @texline @math{1 - (2 \times (3 + 4)) = -13}.
6475 @infoline @expr{1 - (2 * (3 + 4)) = -13}.
6477 @node RPN Answer 2, RPN Answer 3, RPN Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
6478 @subsection RPN Tutorial Exercise 2
6481 @texline @math{2\times4 + 7\times9.5 + {5\over4} = 75.75}
6482 @infoline @expr{2*4 + 7*9.5 + 5/4 = 75.75}
6484 After computing the intermediate term
6485 @texline @math{2\times4 = 8},
6486 @infoline @expr{2*4 = 8},
6487 you can leave that result on the stack while you compute the second
6488 term. With both of these results waiting on the stack you can then
6489 compute the final term, then press @kbd{+ +} to add everything up.
6498 2 @key{RET} 4 * 7 @key{RET} 9.5 *
6505 4: 8 3: 8 2: 8 1: 75.75
6506 3: 66.5 2: 66.5 1: 67.75 .
6515 Alternatively, you could add the first two terms before going on
6516 with the third term.
6520 2: 8 1: 74.5 3: 74.5 2: 74.5 1: 75.75
6521 1: 66.5 . 2: 5 1: 1.25 .
6525 ... + 5 @key{RET} 4 / +
6529 On an old-style RPN calculator this second method would have the
6530 advantage of using only three stack levels. But since Calc's stack
6531 can grow arbitrarily large this isn't really an issue. Which method
6532 you choose is purely a matter of taste.
6534 @node RPN Answer 3, RPN Answer 4, RPN Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
6535 @subsection RPN Tutorial Exercise 3
6538 The @key{TAB} key provides a way to operate on the number in level 2.
6542 3: 10 3: 10 4: 10 3: 10 3: 10
6543 2: 20 2: 30 3: 30 2: 30 2: 21
6544 1: 30 1: 20 2: 20 1: 21 1: 30
6548 @key{TAB} 1 + @key{TAB}
6552 Similarly, @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} gives you access to the number in level 3.
6556 3: 10 3: 21 3: 21 3: 30 3: 11
6557 2: 21 2: 30 2: 30 2: 11 2: 21
6558 1: 30 1: 10 1: 11 1: 21 1: 30
6561 M-@key{TAB} 1 + M-@key{TAB} M-@key{TAB}
6565 @node RPN Answer 4, Algebraic Answer 1, RPN Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
6566 @subsection RPN Tutorial Exercise 4
6569 Either @kbd{( 2 , 3 )} or @kbd{( 2 @key{SPC} 3 )} would have worked,
6570 but using both the comma and the space at once yields:
6574 1: ( ... 2: ( ... 1: (2, ... 2: (2, ... 2: (2, ...
6575 . 1: 2 . 1: (2, ... 1: (2, 3)
6582 Joe probably tried to type @kbd{@key{TAB} @key{DEL}} to swap the
6583 extra incomplete object to the top of the stack and delete it.
6584 But a feature of Calc is that @key{DEL} on an incomplete object
6585 deletes just one component out of that object, so he had to press
6586 @key{DEL} twice to finish the job.
6590 2: (2, ... 2: (2, 3) 2: (2, 3) 1: (2, 3)
6591 1: (2, 3) 1: (2, ... 1: ( ... .
6594 @key{TAB} @key{DEL} @key{DEL}
6598 (As it turns out, deleting the second-to-top stack entry happens often
6599 enough that Calc provides a special key, @kbd{M-@key{DEL}}, to do just that.
6600 @kbd{M-@key{DEL}} is just like @kbd{@key{TAB} @key{DEL}}, except that it doesn't exhibit
6601 the ``feature'' that tripped poor Joe.)
6603 @node Algebraic Answer 1, Algebraic Answer 2, RPN Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
6604 @subsection Algebraic Entry Tutorial Exercise 1
6607 Type @kbd{' sqrt($) @key{RET}}.
6609 If the @kbd{Q} key is broken, you could use @kbd{' $^0.5 @key{RET}}.
6610 Or, RPN style, @kbd{0.5 ^}.
6612 (Actually, @samp{$^1:2}, using the fraction one-half as the power, is
6613 a closer equivalent, since @samp{9^0.5} yields @expr{3.0} whereas
6614 @samp{sqrt(9)} and @samp{9^1:2} yield the exact integer @expr{3}.)
6616 @node Algebraic Answer 2, Algebraic Answer 3, Algebraic Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
6617 @subsection Algebraic Entry Tutorial Exercise 2
6620 In the formula @samp{2 x (1+y)}, @samp{x} was interpreted as a function
6621 name with @samp{1+y} as its argument. Assigning a value to a variable
6622 has no relation to a function by the same name. Joe needed to use an
6623 explicit @samp{*} symbol here: @samp{2 x*(1+y)}.
6625 @node Algebraic Answer 3, Modes Answer 1, Algebraic Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
6626 @subsection Algebraic Entry Tutorial Exercise 3
6629 The result from @kbd{1 @key{RET} 0 /} will be the formula @expr{1 / 0}.
6630 The ``function'' @samp{/} cannot be evaluated when its second argument
6631 is zero, so it is left in symbolic form. When you now type @kbd{0 *},
6632 the result will be zero because Calc uses the general rule that ``zero
6633 times anything is zero.''
6635 @c [fix-ref Infinities]
6636 The @kbd{m i} command enables an @dfn{Infinite mode} in which @expr{1 / 0}
6637 results in a special symbol that represents ``infinity.'' If you
6638 multiply infinity by zero, Calc uses another special new symbol to
6639 show that the answer is ``indeterminate.'' @xref{Infinities}, for
6640 further discussion of infinite and indeterminate values.
6642 @node Modes Answer 1, Modes Answer 2, Algebraic Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
6643 @subsection Modes Tutorial Exercise 1
6646 Calc always stores its numbers in decimal, so even though one-third has
6647 an exact base-3 representation (@samp{3#0.1}), it is still stored as
6648 0.3333333 (chopped off after 12 or however many decimal digits) inside
6649 the calculator's memory. When this inexact number is converted back
6650 to base 3 for display, it may still be slightly inexact. When we
6651 multiply this number by 3, we get 0.999999, also an inexact value.
6653 When Calc displays a number in base 3, it has to decide how many digits
6654 to show. If the current precision is 12 (decimal) digits, that corresponds
6655 to @samp{12 / log10(3) = 25.15} base-3 digits. Because 25.15 is not an
6656 exact integer, Calc shows only 25 digits, with the result that stored
6657 numbers carry a little bit of extra information that may not show up on
6658 the screen. When Joe entered @samp{3#0.2}, the stored number 0.666666
6659 happened to round to a pleasing value when it lost that last 0.15 of a
6660 digit, but it was still inexact in Calc's memory. When he divided by 2,
6661 he still got the dreaded inexact value 0.333333. (Actually, he divided
6662 0.666667 by 2 to get 0.333334, which is why he got something a little
6663 higher than @code{3#0.1} instead of a little lower.)
6665 If Joe didn't want to be bothered with all this, he could have typed
6666 @kbd{M-24 d n} to display with one less digit than the default. (If
6667 you give @kbd{d n} a negative argument, it uses default-minus-that,
6668 so @kbd{M-- d n} would be an easier way to get the same effect.) Those
6669 inexact results would still be lurking there, but they would now be
6670 rounded to nice, natural-looking values for display purposes. (Remember,
6671 @samp{0.022222} in base 3 is like @samp{0.099999} in base 10; rounding
6672 off one digit will round the number up to @samp{0.1}.) Depending on the
6673 nature of your work, this hiding of the inexactness may be a benefit or
6674 a danger. With the @kbd{d n} command, Calc gives you the choice.
6676 Incidentally, another consequence of all this is that if you type
6677 @kbd{M-30 d n} to display more digits than are ``really there,''
6678 you'll see garbage digits at the end of the number. (In decimal
6679 display mode, with decimally-stored numbers, these garbage digits are
6680 always zero so they vanish and you don't notice them.) Because Calc
6681 rounds off that 0.15 digit, there is the danger that two numbers could
6682 be slightly different internally but still look the same. If you feel
6683 uneasy about this, set the @kbd{d n} precision to be a little higher
6684 than normal; you'll get ugly garbage digits, but you'll always be able
6685 to tell two distinct numbers apart.
6687 An interesting side note is that most computers store their
6688 floating-point numbers in binary, and convert to decimal for display.
6689 Thus everyday programs have the same problem: Decimal 0.1 cannot be
6690 represented exactly in binary (try it: @kbd{0.1 d 2}), so @samp{0.1 * 10}
6691 comes out as an inexact approximation to 1 on some machines (though
6692 they generally arrange to hide it from you by rounding off one digit as
6693 we did above). Because Calc works in decimal instead of binary, you can
6694 be sure that numbers that look exact @emph{are} exact as long as you stay
6695 in decimal display mode.
6697 It's not hard to show that any number that can be represented exactly
6698 in binary, octal, or hexadecimal is also exact in decimal, so the kinds
6699 of problems we saw in this exercise are likely to be severe only when
6700 you use a relatively unusual radix like 3.
6702 @node Modes Answer 2, Modes Answer 3, Modes Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
6703 @subsection Modes Tutorial Exercise 2
6705 If the radix is 15 or higher, we can't use the letter @samp{e} to mark
6706 the exponent because @samp{e} is interpreted as a digit. When Calc
6707 needs to display scientific notation in a high radix, it writes
6708 @samp{16#F.E8F*16.^15}. You can enter a number like this as an
6709 algebraic entry. Also, pressing @kbd{e} without any digits before it
6710 normally types @kbd{1e}, but in a high radix it types @kbd{16.^} and
6711 puts you in algebraic entry: @kbd{16#f.e8f @key{RET} e 15 @key{RET} *} is another
6712 way to enter this number.
6714 The reason Calc puts a decimal point in the @samp{16.^} is to prevent
6715 huge integers from being generated if the exponent is large (consider
6716 @samp{16#1.23*16^1000}, where we compute @samp{16^1000} as a giant
6717 exact integer and then throw away most of the digits when we multiply
6718 it by the floating-point @samp{16#1.23}). While this wouldn't normally
6719 matter for display purposes, it could give you a nasty surprise if you
6720 copied that number into a file and later moved it back into Calc.
6722 @node Modes Answer 3, Modes Answer 4, Modes Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
6723 @subsection Modes Tutorial Exercise 3
6726 The answer he got was @expr{0.5000000000006399}.
6728 The problem is not that the square operation is inexact, but that the
6729 sine of 45 that was already on the stack was accurate to only 12 places.
6730 Arbitrary-precision calculations still only give answers as good as
6733 The real problem is that there is no 12-digit number which, when
6734 squared, comes out to 0.5 exactly. The @kbd{f [} and @kbd{f ]}
6735 commands decrease or increase a number by one unit in the last
6736 place (according to the current precision). They are useful for
6737 determining facts like this.
6741 1: 0.707106781187 1: 0.500000000001
6751 1: 0.707106781187 1: 0.707106781186 1: 0.499999999999
6758 A high-precision calculation must be carried out in high precision
6759 all the way. The only number in the original problem which was known
6760 exactly was the quantity 45 degrees, so the precision must be raised
6761 before anything is done after the number 45 has been entered in order
6762 for the higher precision to be meaningful.
6764 @node Modes Answer 4, Arithmetic Answer 1, Modes Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
6765 @subsection Modes Tutorial Exercise 4
6768 Many calculations involve real-world quantities, like the width and
6769 height of a piece of wood or the volume of a jar. Such quantities
6770 can't be measured exactly anyway, and if the data that is input to
6771 a calculation is inexact, doing exact arithmetic on it is a waste
6774 Fractions become unwieldy after too many calculations have been
6775 done with them. For example, the sum of the reciprocals of the
6776 integers from 1 to 10 is 7381:2520. The sum from 1 to 30 is
6777 9304682830147:2329089562800. After a point it will take a long
6778 time to add even one more term to this sum, but a floating-point
6779 calculation of the sum will not have this problem.
6781 Also, rational numbers cannot express the results of all calculations.
6782 There is no fractional form for the square root of two, so if you type
6783 @w{@kbd{2 Q}}, Calc has no choice but to give you a floating-point answer.
6785 @node Arithmetic Answer 1, Arithmetic Answer 2, Modes Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
6786 @subsection Arithmetic Tutorial Exercise 1
6789 Dividing two integers that are larger than the current precision may
6790 give a floating-point result that is inaccurate even when rounded
6791 down to an integer. Consider @expr{123456789 / 2} when the current
6792 precision is 6 digits. The true answer is @expr{61728394.5}, but
6793 with a precision of 6 this will be rounded to
6794 @texline @math{12345700.0/2.0 = 61728500.0}.
6795 @infoline @expr{12345700.@: / 2.@: = 61728500.}.
6796 The result, when converted to an integer, will be off by 106.
6798 Here are two solutions: Raise the precision enough that the
6799 floating-point round-off error is strictly to the right of the
6800 decimal point. Or, convert to Fraction mode so that @expr{123456789 / 2}
6801 produces the exact fraction @expr{123456789:2}, which can be rounded
6802 down by the @kbd{F} command without ever switching to floating-point
6805 @node Arithmetic Answer 2, Vector Answer 1, Arithmetic Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
6806 @subsection Arithmetic Tutorial Exercise 2
6809 @kbd{27 @key{RET} 9 B} could give the exact result @expr{3:2}, but it
6810 does a floating-point calculation instead and produces @expr{1.5}.
6812 Calc will find an exact result for a logarithm if the result is an integer
6813 or (when in Fraction mode) the reciprocal of an integer. But there is
6814 no efficient way to search the space of all possible rational numbers
6815 for an exact answer, so Calc doesn't try.
6817 @node Vector Answer 1, Vector Answer 2, Arithmetic Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
6818 @subsection Vector Tutorial Exercise 1
6821 Duplicate the vector, compute its length, then divide the vector
6822 by its length: @kbd{@key{RET} A /}.
6826 1: [1, 2, 3] 2: [1, 2, 3] 1: [0.27, 0.53, 0.80] 1: 1.
6827 . 1: 3.74165738677 . .
6834 The final @kbd{A} command shows that the normalized vector does
6835 indeed have unit length.
6837 @node Vector Answer 2, Matrix Answer 1, Vector Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
6838 @subsection Vector Tutorial Exercise 2
6841 The average position is equal to the sum of the products of the
6842 positions times their corresponding probabilities. This is the
6843 definition of the dot product operation. So all you need to do
6844 is to put the two vectors on the stack and press @kbd{*}.
6846 @node Matrix Answer 1, Matrix Answer 2, Vector Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
6847 @subsection Matrix Tutorial Exercise 1
6850 The trick is to multiply by a vector of ones. Use @kbd{r 4 [1 1 1] *} to
6851 get the row sum. Similarly, use @kbd{[1 1] r 4 *} to get the column sum.
6853 @node Matrix Answer 2, Matrix Answer 3, Matrix Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
6854 @subsection Matrix Tutorial Exercise 2
6866 $$ \eqalign{ x &+ a y = 6 \cr
6872 Just enter the righthand side vector, then divide by the lefthand side
6877 1: [6, 10] 2: [6, 10] 1: [6 - 4 a / (b - a), 4 / (b - a) ]
6882 ' [6 10] @key{RET} ' [1 a; 1 b] @key{RET} /
6886 This can be made more readable using @kbd{d B} to enable Big display
6892 1: [6 - -----, -----]
6897 Type @kbd{d N} to return to Normal display mode afterwards.
6899 @node Matrix Answer 3, List Answer 1, Matrix Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
6900 @subsection Matrix Tutorial Exercise 3
6904 @texline @math{A^T A \, X = A^T B},
6905 @infoline @expr{trn(A) * A * X = trn(A) * B},
6907 @texline @math{A' = A^T A}
6908 @infoline @expr{A2 = trn(A) * A}
6910 @texline @math{B' = A^T B};
6911 @infoline @expr{B2 = trn(A) * B};
6912 now, we have a system
6913 @texline @math{A' X = B'}
6914 @infoline @expr{A2 * X = B2}
6915 which we can solve using Calc's @samp{/} command.
6929 $$ \openup1\jot \tabskip=0pt plus1fil
6930 \halign to\displaywidth{\tabskip=0pt
6931 $\hfil#$&$\hfil{}#{}$&
6932 $\hfil#$&$\hfil{}#{}$&
6933 $\hfil#$&${}#\hfil$\tabskip=0pt plus1fil\cr
6937 2a&+&4b&+&6c&=11 \cr}
6942 The first step is to enter the coefficient matrix. We'll store it in
6943 quick variable number 7 for later reference. Next, we compute the
6950 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 2: [ [ 1, 4, 7, 2 ] 1: [57, 84, 96]
6951 [ 4, 5, 6 ] [ 2, 5, 6, 4 ] .
6952 [ 7, 6, 0 ] [ 3, 6, 0, 6 ] ]
6953 [ 2, 4, 6 ] ] 1: [6, 2, 3, 11]
6956 ' [1 2 3; 4 5 6; 7 6 0; 2 4 6] @key{RET} s 7 v t [6 2 3 11] *
6961 Now we compute the matrix
6968 2: [57, 84, 96] 1: [-11.64, 14.08, -3.64]
6969 1: [ [ 70, 72, 39 ] .
6979 (The actual computed answer will be slightly inexact due to
6982 Notice that the answers are similar to those for the
6983 @texline @math{3\times3}
6985 system solved in the text. That's because the fourth equation that was
6986 added to the system is almost identical to the first one multiplied
6987 by two. (If it were identical, we would have gotten the exact same
6989 @texline @math{4\times3}
6991 system would be equivalent to the original
6992 @texline @math{3\times3}
6996 Since the first and fourth equations aren't quite equivalent, they
6997 can't both be satisfied at once. Let's plug our answers back into
6998 the original system of equations to see how well they match.
7002 2: [-11.64, 14.08, -3.64] 1: [5.6, 2., 3., 11.2]
7014 This is reasonably close to our original @expr{B} vector,
7015 @expr{[6, 2, 3, 11]}.
7017 @node List Answer 1, List Answer 2, Matrix Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
7018 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 1
7021 We can use @kbd{v x} to build a vector of integers. This needs to be
7022 adjusted to get the range of integers we desire. Mapping @samp{-}
7023 across the vector will accomplish this, although it turns out the
7024 plain @samp{-} key will work just as well.
7029 1: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] 1: [-4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4]
7032 2 v x 9 @key{RET} 5 V M - or 5 -
7037 Now we use @kbd{V M ^} to map the exponentiation operator across the
7042 1: [0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16]
7049 @node List Answer 2, List Answer 3, List Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
7050 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 2
7053 Given @expr{x} and @expr{y} vectors in quick variables 1 and 2 as before,
7054 the first job is to form the matrix that describes the problem.
7063 $$ m \times x + b \times 1 = y $$
7068 @texline @math{19\times2}
7070 matrix with our @expr{x} vector as one column and
7071 ones as the other column. So, first we build the column of ones, then
7072 we combine the two columns to form our @expr{A} matrix.
7076 2: [1.34, 1.41, 1.49, ... ] 1: [ [ 1.34, 1 ]
7077 1: [1, 1, 1, ...] [ 1.41, 1 ]
7081 r 1 1 v b 19 @key{RET} M-2 v p v t s 3
7087 @texline @math{A^T y}
7088 @infoline @expr{trn(A) * y}
7090 @texline @math{A^T A}
7091 @infoline @expr{trn(A) * A}
7096 1: [33.36554, 13.613] 2: [33.36554, 13.613]
7097 . 1: [ [ 98.0003, 41.63 ]
7101 v t r 2 * r 3 v t r 3 *
7106 (Hey, those numbers look familiar!)
7110 1: [0.52141679, -0.425978]
7117 Since we were solving equations of the form
7118 @texline @math{m \times x + b \times 1 = y},
7119 @infoline @expr{m*x + b*1 = y},
7120 these numbers should be @expr{m} and @expr{b}, respectively. Sure
7121 enough, they agree exactly with the result computed using @kbd{V M} and
7124 The moral of this story: @kbd{V M} and @kbd{V R} will probably solve
7125 your problem, but there is often an easier way using the higher-level
7126 arithmetic functions!
7128 @c [fix-ref Curve Fitting]
7129 In fact, there is a built-in @kbd{a F} command that does least-squares
7130 fits. @xref{Curve Fitting}.
7132 @node List Answer 3, List Answer 4, List Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
7133 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 3
7136 Move to one end of the list and press @kbd{C-@@} (or @kbd{C-@key{SPC}} or
7137 whatever) to set the mark, then move to the other end of the list
7138 and type @w{@kbd{C-x * g}}.
7142 1: [2.3, 6, 22, 15.1, 7, 15, 14, 7.5, 2.5]
7147 To make things interesting, let's assume we don't know at a glance
7148 how many numbers are in this list. Then we could type:
7152 2: [2.3, 6, 22, ... ] 2: [2.3, 6, 22, ... ]
7153 1: [2.3, 6, 22, ... ] 1: 126356422.5
7163 2: 126356422.5 2: 126356422.5 1: 7.94652913734
7164 1: [2.3, 6, 22, ... ] 1: 9 .
7172 (The @kbd{I ^} command computes the @var{n}th root of a number.
7173 You could also type @kbd{& ^} to take the reciprocal of 9 and
7174 then raise the number to that power.)
7176 @node List Answer 4, List Answer 5, List Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
7177 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 4
7180 A number @expr{j} is a divisor of @expr{n} if
7181 @texline @math{n \mathbin{\hbox{\code{\%}}} j = 0}.
7182 @infoline @samp{n % j = 0}.
7183 The first step is to get a vector that identifies the divisors.
7187 2: 30 2: [0, 0, 0, 2, ...] 1: [1, 1, 1, 0, ...]
7188 1: [1, 2, 3, 4, ...] 1: 0 .
7191 30 @key{RET} v x 30 @key{RET} s 1 V M % 0 V M a = s 2
7196 This vector has 1's marking divisors of 30 and 0's marking non-divisors.
7198 The zeroth divisor function is just the total number of divisors.
7199 The first divisor function is the sum of the divisors.
7204 2: [1, 2, 3, 4, ...] 1: [1, 2, 3, 0, ...] 1: 72
7205 1: [1, 1, 1, 0, ...] . .
7208 V R + r 1 r 2 V M * V R +
7213 Once again, the last two steps just compute a dot product for which
7214 a simple @kbd{*} would have worked equally well.
7216 @node List Answer 5, List Answer 6, List Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
7217 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 5
7220 The obvious first step is to obtain the list of factors with @kbd{k f}.
7221 This list will always be in sorted order, so if there are duplicates
7222 they will be right next to each other. A suitable method is to compare
7223 the list with a copy of itself shifted over by one.
7227 1: [3, 7, 7, 7, 19] 2: [3, 7, 7, 7, 19] 2: [3, 7, 7, 7, 19, 0]
7228 . 1: [3, 7, 7, 7, 19, 0] 1: [0, 3, 7, 7, 7, 19]
7231 19551 k f @key{RET} 0 | @key{TAB} 0 @key{TAB} |
7238 1: [0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0] 1: 2 1: 0
7246 Note that we have to arrange for both vectors to have the same length
7247 so that the mapping operation works; no prime factor will ever be
7248 zero, so adding zeros on the left and right is safe. From then on
7249 the job is pretty straightforward.
7251 Incidentally, Calc provides the
7252 @texline @dfn{M@"obius} @math{\mu}
7253 @infoline @dfn{Moebius mu}
7254 function which is zero if and only if its argument is square-free. It
7255 would be a much more convenient way to do the above test in practice.
7257 @node List Answer 6, List Answer 7, List Answer 5, Answers to Exercises
7258 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 6
7261 First use @kbd{v x 6 @key{RET}} to get a list of integers, then @kbd{V M v x}
7262 to get a list of lists of integers!
7264 @node List Answer 7, List Answer 8, List Answer 6, Answers to Exercises
7265 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 7
7268 Here's one solution. First, compute the triangular list from the previous
7269 exercise and type @kbd{1 -} to subtract one from all the elements.
7282 The numbers down the lefthand edge of the list we desire are called
7283 the ``triangular numbers'' (now you know why!). The @expr{n}th
7284 triangular number is the sum of the integers from 1 to @expr{n}, and
7285 can be computed directly by the formula
7286 @texline @math{n (n+1) \over 2}.
7287 @infoline @expr{n * (n+1) / 2}.
7291 2: [ [0], [0, 1], ... ] 2: [ [0], [0, 1], ... ]
7292 1: [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 1: [0, 1, 3, 6, 10, 15]
7295 v x 6 @key{RET} 1 - V M ' $ ($+1)/2 @key{RET}
7300 Adding this list to the above list of lists produces the desired
7309 [10, 11, 12, 13, 14],
7310 [15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20] ]
7317 If we did not know the formula for triangular numbers, we could have
7318 computed them using a @kbd{V U +} command. We could also have
7319 gotten them the hard way by mapping a reduction across the original
7324 2: [ [0], [0, 1], ... ] 2: [ [0], [0, 1], ... ]
7325 1: [ [0], [0, 1], ... ] 1: [0, 1, 3, 6, 10, 15]
7333 (This means ``map a @kbd{V R +} command across the vector,'' and
7334 since each element of the main vector is itself a small vector,
7335 @kbd{V R +} computes the sum of its elements.)
7337 @node List Answer 8, List Answer 9, List Answer 7, Answers to Exercises
7338 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 8
7341 The first step is to build a list of values of @expr{x}.
7345 1: [1, 2, 3, ..., 21] 1: [0, 1, 2, ..., 20] 1: [0, 0.25, 0.5, ..., 5]
7348 v x 21 @key{RET} 1 - 4 / s 1
7352 Next, we compute the Bessel function values.
7356 1: [0., 0.124, 0.242, ..., -0.328]
7359 V M ' besJ(1,$) @key{RET}
7364 (Another way to do this would be @kbd{1 @key{TAB} V M f j}.)
7366 A way to isolate the maximum value is to compute the maximum using
7367 @kbd{V R X}, then compare all the Bessel values with that maximum.
7371 2: [0., 0.124, 0.242, ... ] 1: [0, 0, 0, ... ] 2: [0, 0, 0, ... ]
7375 @key{RET} V R X V M a = @key{RET} V R + @key{DEL}
7380 It's a good idea to verify, as in the last step above, that only
7381 one value is equal to the maximum. (After all, a plot of
7382 @texline @math{\sin x}
7383 @infoline @expr{sin(x)}
7384 might have many points all equal to the maximum value, 1.)
7386 The vector we have now has a single 1 in the position that indicates
7387 the maximum value of @expr{x}. Now it is a simple matter to convert
7388 this back into the corresponding value itself.
7392 2: [0, 0, 0, ... ] 1: [0, 0., 0., ... ] 1: 1.75
7393 1: [0, 0.25, 0.5, ... ] . .
7400 If @kbd{a =} had produced more than one @expr{1} value, this method
7401 would have given the sum of all maximum @expr{x} values; not very
7402 useful! In this case we could have used @kbd{v m} (@code{calc-mask-vector})
7403 instead. This command deletes all elements of a ``data'' vector that
7404 correspond to zeros in a ``mask'' vector, leaving us with, in this
7405 example, a vector of maximum @expr{x} values.
7407 The built-in @kbd{a X} command maximizes a function using more
7408 efficient methods. Just for illustration, let's use @kbd{a X}
7409 to maximize @samp{besJ(1,x)} over this same interval.
7413 2: besJ(1, x) 1: [1.84115, 0.581865]
7417 ' besJ(1,x), [0..5] @key{RET} a X x @key{RET}
7422 The output from @kbd{a X} is a vector containing the value of @expr{x}
7423 that maximizes the function, and the function's value at that maximum.
7424 As you can see, our simple search got quite close to the right answer.
7426 @node List Answer 9, List Answer 10, List Answer 8, Answers to Exercises
7427 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 9
7430 Step one is to convert our integer into vector notation.
7434 1: 25129925999 3: 25129925999
7436 1: [11, 10, 9, ..., 1, 0]
7439 25129925999 @key{RET} 10 @key{RET} 12 @key{RET} v x 12 @key{RET} -
7446 1: 25129925999 1: [0, 2, 25, 251, 2512, ... ]
7447 2: [100000000000, ... ] .
7455 (Recall, the @kbd{\} command computes an integer quotient.)
7459 1: [0, 2, 5, 1, 2, 9, 9, 2, 5, 9, 9, 9]
7466 Next we must increment this number. This involves adding one to
7467 the last digit, plus handling carries. There is a carry to the
7468 left out of a digit if that digit is a nine and all the digits to
7469 the right of it are nines.
7473 1: [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1] 1: [1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, ... ]
7483 1: [1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, ... ] 1: [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1]
7491 Accumulating @kbd{*} across a vector of ones and zeros will preserve
7492 only the initial run of ones. These are the carries into all digits
7493 except the rightmost digit. Concatenating a one on the right takes
7494 care of aligning the carries properly, and also adding one to the
7499 2: [0, 0, 0, 0, ... ] 1: [0, 0, 2, 5, 1, 2, 9, 9, 2, 6, 0, 0, 0]
7500 1: [0, 0, 2, 5, ... ] .
7503 0 r 2 | V M + 10 V M %
7508 Here we have concatenated 0 to the @emph{left} of the original number;
7509 this takes care of shifting the carries by one with respect to the
7510 digits that generated them.
7512 Finally, we must convert this list back into an integer.
7516 3: [0, 0, 2, 5, ... ] 2: [0, 0, 2, 5, ... ]
7517 2: 1000000000000 1: [1000000000000, 100000000000, ... ]
7518 1: [100000000000, ... ] .
7521 10 @key{RET} 12 ^ r 1 |
7528 1: [0, 0, 20000000000, 5000000000, ... ] 1: 25129926000
7536 Another way to do this final step would be to reduce the formula
7537 @w{@samp{10 $$ + $}} across the vector of digits.
7541 1: [0, 0, 2, 5, ... ] 1: 25129926000
7544 V R ' 10 $$ + $ @key{RET}
7548 @node List Answer 10, List Answer 11, List Answer 9, Answers to Exercises
7549 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 10
7552 For the list @expr{[a, b, c, d]}, the result is @expr{((a = b) = c) = d},
7553 which will compare @expr{a} and @expr{b} to produce a 1 or 0, which is
7554 then compared with @expr{c} to produce another 1 or 0, which is then
7555 compared with @expr{d}. This is not at all what Joe wanted.
7557 Here's a more correct method:
7561 1: [7, 7, 7, 8, 7] 2: [7, 7, 7, 8, 7]
7565 ' [7,7,7,8,7] @key{RET} @key{RET} v r 1 @key{RET}
7572 1: [1, 1, 1, 0, 1] 1: 0
7579 @node List Answer 11, List Answer 12, List Answer 10, Answers to Exercises
7580 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 11
7583 The circle of unit radius consists of those points @expr{(x,y)} for which
7584 @expr{x^2 + y^2 < 1}. We start by generating a vector of @expr{x^2}
7585 and a vector of @expr{y^2}.
7587 We can make this go a bit faster by using the @kbd{v .} and @kbd{t .}
7592 2: [2., 2., ..., 2.] 2: [2., 2., ..., 2.]
7593 1: [2., 2., ..., 2.] 1: [1.16, 1.98, ..., 0.81]
7596 v . t . 2. v b 100 @key{RET} @key{RET} V M k r
7603 2: [2., 2., ..., 2.] 1: [0.026, 0.96, ..., 0.036]
7604 1: [0.026, 0.96, ..., 0.036] 2: [0.53, 0.81, ..., 0.094]
7607 1 - 2 V M ^ @key{TAB} V M k r 1 - 2 V M ^
7611 Now we sum the @expr{x^2} and @expr{y^2} values, compare with 1 to
7612 get a vector of 1/0 truth values, then sum the truth values.
7616 1: [0.56, 1.78, ..., 0.13] 1: [1, 0, ..., 1] 1: 84
7624 The ratio @expr{84/100} should approximate the ratio @cpiover{4}.
7628 1: 0.84 1: 3.36 2: 3.36 1: 1.0695
7636 Our estimate, 3.36, is off by about 7%. We could get a better estimate
7637 by taking more points (say, 1000), but it's clear that this method is
7640 (Naturally, since this example uses random numbers your own answer
7641 will be slightly different from the one shown here!)
7643 If you typed @kbd{v .} and @kbd{t .} before, type them again to
7644 return to full-sized display of vectors.
7646 @node List Answer 12, List Answer 13, List Answer 11, Answers to Exercises
7647 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 12
7650 This problem can be made a lot easier by taking advantage of some
7651 symmetries. First of all, after some thought it's clear that the
7652 @expr{y} axis can be ignored altogether. Just pick a random @expr{x}
7653 component for one end of the match, pick a random direction
7654 @texline @math{\theta},
7655 @infoline @expr{theta},
7656 and see if @expr{x} and
7657 @texline @math{x + \cos \theta}
7658 @infoline @expr{x + cos(theta)}
7659 (which is the @expr{x} coordinate of the other endpoint) cross a line.
7660 The lines are at integer coordinates, so this happens when the two
7661 numbers surround an integer.
7663 Since the two endpoints are equivalent, we may as well choose the leftmost
7664 of the two endpoints as @expr{x}. Then @expr{theta} is an angle pointing
7665 to the right, in the range -90 to 90 degrees. (We could use radians, but
7666 it would feel like cheating to refer to @cpiover{2} radians while trying
7667 to estimate @cpi{}!)
7669 In fact, since the field of lines is infinite we can choose the
7670 coordinates 0 and 1 for the lines on either side of the leftmost
7671 endpoint. The rightmost endpoint will be between 0 and 1 if the
7672 match does not cross a line, or between 1 and 2 if it does. So:
7673 Pick random @expr{x} and
7674 @texline @math{\theta},
7675 @infoline @expr{theta},
7677 @texline @math{x + \cos \theta},
7678 @infoline @expr{x + cos(theta)},
7679 and count how many of the results are greater than one. Simple!
7681 We can make this go a bit faster by using the @kbd{v .} and @kbd{t .}
7686 1: [0.52, 0.71, ..., 0.72] 2: [0.52, 0.71, ..., 0.72]
7687 . 1: [78.4, 64.5, ..., -42.9]
7690 v . t . 1. v b 100 @key{RET} V M k r 180. v b 100 @key{RET} V M k r 90 -
7695 (The next step may be slow, depending on the speed of your computer.)
7699 2: [0.52, 0.71, ..., 0.72] 1: [0.72, 1.14, ..., 1.45]
7700 1: [0.20, 0.43, ..., 0.73] .
7710 1: [0, 1, ..., 1] 1: 0.64 1: 3.125
7713 1 V M a > V R + 100 / 2 @key{TAB} /
7717 Let's try the third method, too. We'll use random integers up to
7718 one million. The @kbd{k r} command with an integer argument picks
7723 2: [1000000, 1000000, ..., 1000000] 2: [78489, 527587, ..., 814975]
7724 1: [1000000, 1000000, ..., 1000000] 1: [324014, 358783, ..., 955450]
7727 1000000 v b 100 @key{RET} @key{RET} V M k r @key{TAB} V M k r
7734 1: [1, 1, ..., 25] 1: [1, 1, ..., 0] 1: 0.56
7737 V M k g 1 V M a = V R + 100 /
7751 For a proof of this property of the GCD function, see section 4.5.2,
7752 exercise 10, of Knuth's @emph{Art of Computer Programming}, volume II.
7754 If you typed @kbd{v .} and @kbd{t .} before, type them again to
7755 return to full-sized display of vectors.
7757 @node List Answer 13, List Answer 14, List Answer 12, Answers to Exercises
7758 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 13
7761 First, we put the string on the stack as a vector of ASCII codes.
7765 1: [84, 101, 115, ..., 51]
7768 "Testing, 1, 2, 3 @key{RET}
7773 Note that the @kbd{"} key, like @kbd{$}, initiates algebraic entry so
7774 there was no need to type an apostrophe. Also, Calc didn't mind that
7775 we omitted the closing @kbd{"}. (The same goes for all closing delimiters
7776 like @kbd{)} and @kbd{]} at the end of a formula.
7778 We'll show two different approaches here. In the first, we note that
7779 if the input vector is @expr{[a, b, c, d]}, then the hash code is
7780 @expr{3 (3 (3a + b) + c) + d = 27a + 9b + 3c + d}. In other words,
7781 it's a sum of descending powers of three times the ASCII codes.
7785 2: [84, 101, 115, ..., 51] 2: [84, 101, 115, ..., 51]
7786 1: 16 1: [15, 14, 13, ..., 0]
7789 @key{RET} v l v x 16 @key{RET} -
7796 2: [84, 101, 115, ..., 51] 1: 1960915098 1: 121
7797 1: [14348907, ..., 1] . .
7800 3 @key{TAB} V M ^ * 511 %
7805 Once again, @kbd{*} elegantly summarizes most of the computation.
7806 But there's an even more elegant approach: Reduce the formula
7807 @kbd{3 $$ + $} across the vector. Recall that this represents a
7808 function of two arguments that computes its first argument times three
7809 plus its second argument.
7813 1: [84, 101, 115, ..., 51] 1: 1960915098
7816 "Testing, 1, 2, 3 @key{RET} V R ' 3$$+$ @key{RET}
7821 If you did the decimal arithmetic exercise, this will be familiar.
7822 Basically, we're turning a base-3 vector of digits into an integer,
7823 except that our ``digits'' are much larger than real digits.
7825 Instead of typing @kbd{511 %} again to reduce the result, we can be
7826 cleverer still and notice that rather than computing a huge integer
7827 and taking the modulo at the end, we can take the modulo at each step
7828 without affecting the result. While this means there are more
7829 arithmetic operations, the numbers we operate on remain small so
7830 the operations are faster.
7834 1: [84, 101, 115, ..., 51] 1: 121
7837 "Testing, 1, 2, 3 @key{RET} V R ' (3$$+$)%511 @key{RET}
7841 Why does this work? Think about a two-step computation:
7842 @w{@expr{3 (3a + b) + c}}. Taking a result modulo 511 basically means
7843 subtracting off enough 511's to put the result in the desired range.
7844 So the result when we take the modulo after every step is,
7848 3 (3 a + b - 511 m) + c - 511 n
7853 $$ 3 (3 a + b - 511 m) + c - 511 n $$
7858 for some suitable integers @expr{m} and @expr{n}. Expanding out by
7859 the distributive law yields
7863 9 a + 3 b + c - 511*3 m - 511 n
7868 $$ 9 a + 3 b + c - 511\times3 m - 511 n $$
7873 The @expr{m} term in the latter formula is redundant because any
7874 contribution it makes could just as easily be made by the @expr{n}
7875 term. So we can take it out to get an equivalent formula with
7880 9 a + 3 b + c - 511 n'
7885 $$ 9 a + 3 b + c - 511 n^{\prime} $$
7890 which is just the formula for taking the modulo only at the end of
7891 the calculation. Therefore the two methods are essentially the same.
7893 Later in the tutorial we will encounter @dfn{modulo forms}, which
7894 basically automate the idea of reducing every intermediate result
7895 modulo some value @var{m}.
7897 @node List Answer 14, Types Answer 1, List Answer 13, Answers to Exercises
7898 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 14
7900 We want to use @kbd{H V U} to nest a function which adds a random
7901 step to an @expr{(x,y)} coordinate. The function is a bit long, but
7902 otherwise the problem is quite straightforward.
7906 2: [0, 0] 1: [ [ 0, 0 ]
7907 1: 50 [ 0.4288, -0.1695 ]
7908 . [ -0.4787, -0.9027 ]
7911 [0,0] 50 H V U ' <# + [random(2.0)-1, random(2.0)-1]> @key{RET}
7915 Just as the text recommended, we used @samp{< >} nameless function
7916 notation to keep the two @code{random} calls from being evaluated
7917 before nesting even begins.
7919 We now have a vector of @expr{[x, y]} sub-vectors, which by Calc's
7920 rules acts like a matrix. We can transpose this matrix and unpack
7921 to get a pair of vectors, @expr{x} and @expr{y}, suitable for graphing.
7925 2: [ 0, 0.4288, -0.4787, ... ]
7926 1: [ 0, -0.1696, -0.9027, ... ]
7933 Incidentally, because the @expr{x} and @expr{y} are completely
7934 independent in this case, we could have done two separate commands
7935 to create our @expr{x} and @expr{y} vectors of numbers directly.
7937 To make a random walk of unit steps, we note that @code{sincos} of
7938 a random direction exactly gives us an @expr{[x, y]} step of unit
7939 length; in fact, the new nesting function is even briefer, though
7940 we might want to lower the precision a bit for it.
7944 2: [0, 0] 1: [ [ 0, 0 ]
7945 1: 50 [ 0.1318, 0.9912 ]
7946 . [ -0.5965, 0.3061 ]
7949 [0,0] 50 m d p 6 @key{RET} H V U ' <# + sincos(random(360.0))> @key{RET}
7953 Another @kbd{v t v u g f} sequence will graph this new random walk.
7955 An interesting twist on these random walk functions would be to use
7956 complex numbers instead of 2-vectors to represent points on the plane.
7957 In the first example, we'd use something like @samp{random + random*(0,1)},
7958 and in the second we could use polar complex numbers with random phase
7959 angles. (This exercise was first suggested in this form by Randal
7962 @node Types Answer 1, Types Answer 2, List Answer 14, Answers to Exercises
7963 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 1
7966 If the number is the square root of @cpi{} times a rational number,
7967 then its square, divided by @cpi{}, should be a rational number.
7971 1: 1.26508260337 1: 0.509433962268 1: 2486645810:4881193627
7979 Technically speaking this is a rational number, but not one that is
7980 likely to have arisen in the original problem. More likely, it just
7981 happens to be the fraction which most closely represents some
7982 irrational number to within 12 digits.
7984 But perhaps our result was not quite exact. Let's reduce the
7985 precision slightly and try again:
7989 1: 0.509433962268 1: 27:53
7992 U p 10 @key{RET} c F
7997 Aha! It's unlikely that an irrational number would equal a fraction
7998 this simple to within ten digits, so our original number was probably
7999 @texline @math{\sqrt{27 \pi / 53}}.
8000 @infoline @expr{sqrt(27 pi / 53)}.
8002 Notice that we didn't need to re-round the number when we reduced the
8003 precision. Remember, arithmetic operations always round their inputs
8004 to the current precision before they begin.
8006 @node Types Answer 2, Types Answer 3, Types Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
8007 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 2
8010 @samp{inf / inf = nan}. Perhaps @samp{1} is the ``obvious'' answer.
8011 But if @w{@samp{17 inf = inf}}, then @samp{17 inf / inf = inf / inf = 17}, too.
8013 @samp{exp(inf) = inf}. It's tempting to say that the exponential
8014 of infinity must be ``bigger'' than ``regular'' infinity, but as
8015 far as Calc is concerned all infinities are the same size.
8016 In other words, as @expr{x} goes to infinity, @expr{e^x} also goes
8017 to infinity, but the fact the @expr{e^x} grows much faster than
8018 @expr{x} is not relevant here.
8020 @samp{exp(-inf) = 0}. Here we have a finite answer even though
8021 the input is infinite.
8023 @samp{sqrt(-inf) = (0, 1) inf}. Remember that @expr{(0, 1)}
8024 represents the imaginary number @expr{i}. Here's a derivation:
8025 @samp{sqrt(-inf) = @w{sqrt((-1) * inf)} = sqrt(-1) * sqrt(inf)}.
8026 The first part is, by definition, @expr{i}; the second is @code{inf}
8027 because, once again, all infinities are the same size.
8029 @samp{sqrt(uinf) = uinf}. In fact, we do know something about the
8030 direction because @code{sqrt} is defined to return a value in the
8031 right half of the complex plane. But Calc has no notation for this,
8032 so it settles for the conservative answer @code{uinf}.
8034 @samp{abs(uinf) = inf}. No matter which direction @expr{x} points,
8035 @samp{abs(x)} always points along the positive real axis.
8037 @samp{ln(0) = -inf}. Here we have an infinite answer to a finite
8038 input. As in the @expr{1 / 0} case, Calc will only use infinities
8039 here if you have turned on Infinite mode. Otherwise, it will
8040 treat @samp{ln(0)} as an error.
8042 @node Types Answer 3, Types Answer 4, Types Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
8043 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 3
8046 We can make @samp{inf - inf} be any real number we like, say,
8047 @expr{a}, just by claiming that we added @expr{a} to the first
8048 infinity but not to the second. This is just as true for complex
8049 values of @expr{a}, so @code{nan} can stand for a complex number.
8050 (And, similarly, @code{uinf} can stand for an infinity that points
8051 in any direction in the complex plane, such as @samp{(0, 1) inf}).
8053 In fact, we can multiply the first @code{inf} by two. Surely
8054 @w{@samp{2 inf - inf = inf}}, but also @samp{2 inf - inf = inf - inf = nan}.
8055 So @code{nan} can even stand for infinity. Obviously it's just
8056 as easy to make it stand for minus infinity as for plus infinity.
8058 The moral of this story is that ``infinity'' is a slippery fish
8059 indeed, and Calc tries to handle it by having a very simple model
8060 for infinities (only the direction counts, not the ``size''); but
8061 Calc is careful to write @code{nan} any time this simple model is
8062 unable to tell what the true answer is.
8064 @node Types Answer 4, Types Answer 5, Types Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
8065 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 4
8069 2: 0@@ 47' 26" 1: 0@@ 2' 47.411765"
8073 0@@ 47' 26" @key{RET} 17 /
8078 The average song length is two minutes and 47.4 seconds.
8082 2: 0@@ 2' 47.411765" 1: 0@@ 3' 7.411765" 1: 0@@ 53' 6.000005"
8091 The album would be 53 minutes and 6 seconds long.
8093 @node Types Answer 5, Types Answer 6, Types Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
8094 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 5
8097 Let's suppose it's January 14, 1991. The easiest thing to do is
8098 to keep trying 13ths of months until Calc reports a Friday.
8099 We can do this by manually entering dates, or by using @kbd{t I}:
8103 1: <Wed Feb 13, 1991> 1: <Wed Mar 13, 1991> 1: <Sat Apr 13, 1991>
8106 ' <2/13> @key{RET} @key{DEL} ' <3/13> @key{RET} t I
8111 (Calc assumes the current year if you don't say otherwise.)
8113 This is getting tedious---we can keep advancing the date by typing
8114 @kbd{t I} over and over again, but let's automate the job by using
8115 vector mapping. The @kbd{t I} command actually takes a second
8116 ``how-many-months'' argument, which defaults to one. This
8117 argument is exactly what we want to map over:
8121 2: <Sat Apr 13, 1991> 1: [<Mon May 13, 1991>, <Thu Jun 13, 1991>,
8122 1: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] <Sat Jul 13, 1991>, <Tue Aug 13, 1991>,
8123 . <Fri Sep 13, 1991>, <Sun Oct 13, 1991>]
8126 v x 6 @key{RET} V M t I
8131 Et voil@`a, September 13, 1991 is a Friday.
8138 ' <sep 13> - <jan 14> @key{RET}
8143 And the answer to our original question: 242 days to go.
8145 @node Types Answer 6, Types Answer 7, Types Answer 5, Answers to Exercises
8146 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 6
8149 The full rule for leap years is that they occur in every year divisible
8150 by four, except that they don't occur in years divisible by 100, except
8151 that they @emph{do} in years divisible by 400. We could work out the
8152 answer by carefully counting the years divisible by four and the
8153 exceptions, but there is a much simpler way that works even if we
8154 don't know the leap year rule.
8156 Let's assume the present year is 1991. Years have 365 days, except
8157 that leap years (whenever they occur) have 366 days. So let's count
8158 the number of days between now and then, and compare that to the
8159 number of years times 365. The number of extra days we find must be
8160 equal to the number of leap years there were.
8164 1: <Mon Jan 1, 10001> 2: <Mon Jan 1, 10001> 1: 2925593
8165 . 1: <Tue Jan 1, 1991> .
8168 ' <jan 1 10001> @key{RET} ' <jan 1 1991> @key{RET} -
8175 3: 2925593 2: 2925593 2: 2925593 1: 1943
8176 2: 10001 1: 8010 1: 2923650 .
8180 10001 @key{RET} 1991 - 365 * -
8184 @c [fix-ref Date Forms]
8186 There will be 1943 leap years before the year 10001. (Assuming,
8187 of course, that the algorithm for computing leap years remains
8188 unchanged for that long. @xref{Date Forms}, for some interesting
8189 background information in that regard.)
8191 @node Types Answer 7, Types Answer 8, Types Answer 6, Answers to Exercises
8192 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 7
8195 The relative errors must be converted to absolute errors so that
8196 @samp{+/-} notation may be used.
8204 20 @key{RET} .05 * 4 @key{RET} .05 *
8208 Now we simply chug through the formula.
8212 1: 19.7392088022 1: 394.78 +/- 19.739 1: 6316.5 +/- 706.21
8215 2 P 2 ^ * 20 p 1 * 4 p .2 @key{RET} 2 ^ *
8219 It turns out the @kbd{v u} command will unpack an error form as
8220 well as a vector. This saves us some retyping of numbers.
8224 3: 6316.5 +/- 706.21 2: 6316.5 +/- 706.21
8229 @key{RET} v u @key{TAB} /
8234 Thus the volume is 6316 cubic centimeters, within about 11 percent.
8236 @node Types Answer 8, Types Answer 9, Types Answer 7, Answers to Exercises
8237 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 8
8240 The first answer is pretty simple: @samp{1 / (0 .. 10) = (0.1 .. inf)}.
8241 Since a number in the interval @samp{(0 .. 10)} can get arbitrarily
8242 close to zero, its reciprocal can get arbitrarily large, so the answer
8243 is an interval that effectively means, ``any number greater than 0.1''
8244 but with no upper bound.
8246 The second answer, similarly, is @samp{1 / (-10 .. 0) = (-inf .. -0.1)}.
8248 Calc normally treats division by zero as an error, so that the formula
8249 @w{@samp{1 / 0}} is left unsimplified. Our third problem,
8250 @w{@samp{1 / [0 .. 10]}}, also (potentially) divides by zero because zero
8251 is now a member of the interval. So Calc leaves this one unevaluated, too.
8253 If you turn on Infinite mode by pressing @kbd{m i}, you will
8254 instead get the answer @samp{[0.1 .. inf]}, which includes infinity
8255 as a possible value.
8257 The fourth calculation, @samp{1 / (-10 .. 10)}, has the same problem.
8258 Zero is buried inside the interval, but it's still a possible value.
8259 It's not hard to see that the actual result of @samp{1 / (-10 .. 10)}
8260 will be either greater than @mathit{0.1}, or less than @mathit{-0.1}. Thus
8261 the interval goes from minus infinity to plus infinity, with a ``hole''
8262 in it from @mathit{-0.1} to @mathit{0.1}. Calc doesn't have any way to
8263 represent this, so it just reports @samp{[-inf .. inf]} as the answer.
8264 It may be disappointing to hear ``the answer lies somewhere between
8265 minus infinity and plus infinity, inclusive,'' but that's the best
8266 that interval arithmetic can do in this case.
8268 @node Types Answer 9, Types Answer 10, Types Answer 8, Answers to Exercises
8269 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 9
8273 1: [-3 .. 3] 2: [-3 .. 3] 2: [0 .. 9]
8274 . 1: [0 .. 9] 1: [-9 .. 9]
8277 [ 3 n .. 3 ] @key{RET} 2 ^ @key{TAB} @key{RET} *
8282 In the first case the result says, ``if a number is between @mathit{-3} and
8283 3, its square is between 0 and 9.'' The second case says, ``the product
8284 of two numbers each between @mathit{-3} and 3 is between @mathit{-9} and 9.''
8286 An interval form is not a number; it is a symbol that can stand for
8287 many different numbers. Two identical-looking interval forms can stand
8288 for different numbers.
8290 The same issue arises when you try to square an error form.
8292 @node Types Answer 10, Types Answer 11, Types Answer 9, Answers to Exercises
8293 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 10
8296 Testing the first number, we might arbitrarily choose 17 for @expr{x}.
8300 1: 17 mod 811749613 2: 17 mod 811749613 1: 533694123 mod 811749613
8304 17 M 811749613 @key{RET} 811749612 ^
8309 Since 533694123 is (considerably) different from 1, the number 811749613
8312 It's awkward to type the number in twice as we did above. There are
8313 various ways to avoid this, and algebraic entry is one. In fact, using
8314 a vector mapping operation we can perform several tests at once. Let's
8315 use this method to test the second number.
8319 2: [17, 42, 100000] 1: [1 mod 15485863, 1 mod ... ]
8323 [17 42 100000] 15485863 @key{RET} V M ' ($$ mod $)^($-1) @key{RET}
8328 The result is three ones (modulo @expr{n}), so it's very probable that
8329 15485863 is prime. (In fact, this number is the millionth prime.)
8331 Note that the functions @samp{($$^($-1)) mod $} or @samp{$$^($-1) % $}
8332 would have been hopelessly inefficient, since they would have calculated
8333 the power using full integer arithmetic.
8335 Calc has a @kbd{k p} command that does primality testing. For small
8336 numbers it does an exact test; for large numbers it uses a variant
8337 of the Fermat test we used here. You can use @kbd{k p} repeatedly
8338 to prove that a large integer is prime with any desired probability.
8340 @node Types Answer 11, Types Answer 12, Types Answer 10, Answers to Exercises
8341 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 11
8344 There are several ways to insert a calculated number into an HMS form.
8345 One way to convert a number of seconds to an HMS form is simply to
8346 multiply the number by an HMS form representing one second:
8350 1: 31415926.5359 2: 31415926.5359 1: 8726@@ 38' 46.5359"
8361 2: 8726@@ 38' 46.5359" 1: 6@@ 6' 2.5359" mod 24@@ 0' 0"
8362 1: 15@@ 27' 16" mod 24@@ 0' 0" .
8370 It will be just after six in the morning.
8372 The algebraic @code{hms} function can also be used to build an
8377 1: hms(0, 0, 10000000. pi) 1: 8726@@ 38' 46.5359"
8380 ' hms(0, 0, 1e7 pi) @key{RET} =
8385 The @kbd{=} key is necessary to evaluate the symbol @samp{pi} to
8386 the actual number 3.14159...
8388 @node Types Answer 12, Types Answer 13, Types Answer 11, Answers to Exercises
8389 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 12
8392 As we recall, there are 17 songs of about 2 minutes and 47 seconds
8397 2: 0@@ 2' 47" 1: [0@@ 3' 7" .. 0@@ 3' 47"]
8398 1: [0@@ 0' 20" .. 0@@ 1' 0"] .
8401 [ 0@@ 20" .. 0@@ 1' ] +
8408 1: [0@@ 52' 59." .. 1@@ 4' 19."]
8416 No matter how long it is, the album will fit nicely on one CD.
8418 @node Types Answer 13, Types Answer 14, Types Answer 12, Answers to Exercises
8419 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 13
8422 Type @kbd{' 1 yr @key{RET} u c s @key{RET}}. The answer is 31557600 seconds.
8424 @node Types Answer 14, Types Answer 15, Types Answer 13, Answers to Exercises
8425 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 14
8428 How long will it take for a signal to get from one end of the computer
8433 1: m / c 1: 3.3356 ns
8436 ' 1 m / c @key{RET} u c ns @key{RET}
8441 (Recall, @samp{c} is a ``unit'' corresponding to the speed of light.)
8445 1: 3.3356 ns 1: 0.81356 ns / ns 1: 0.81356
8449 ' 4.1 ns @key{RET} / u s
8454 Thus a signal could take up to 81 percent of a clock cycle just to
8455 go from one place to another inside the computer, assuming the signal
8456 could actually attain the full speed of light. Pretty tight!
8458 @node Types Answer 15, Algebra Answer 1, Types Answer 14, Answers to Exercises
8459 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 15
8462 The speed limit is 55 miles per hour on most highways. We want to
8463 find the ratio of Sam's speed to the US speed limit.
8467 1: 55 mph 2: 55 mph 3: 11 hr mph / yd
8471 ' 55 mph @key{RET} ' 5 yd/hr @key{RET} /
8475 The @kbd{u s} command cancels out these units to get a plain
8476 number. Now we take the logarithm base two to find the final
8477 answer, assuming that each successive pill doubles his speed.
8481 1: 19360. 2: 19360. 1: 14.24
8490 Thus Sam can take up to 14 pills without a worry.
8492 @node Algebra Answer 1, Algebra Answer 2, Types Answer 15, Answers to Exercises
8493 @subsection Algebra Tutorial Exercise 1
8496 @c [fix-ref Declarations]
8497 The result @samp{sqrt(x)^2} is simplified back to @expr{x} by the
8498 Calculator, but @samp{sqrt(x^2)} is not. (Consider what happens
8499 if @w{@expr{x = -4}}.) If @expr{x} is real, this formula could be
8500 simplified to @samp{abs(x)}, but for general complex arguments even
8501 that is not safe. (@xref{Declarations}, for a way to tell Calc
8502 that @expr{x} is known to be real.)
8504 @node Algebra Answer 2, Algebra Answer 3, Algebra Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
8505 @subsection Algebra Tutorial Exercise 2
8508 Suppose our roots are @expr{[a, b, c]}. We want a polynomial which
8509 is zero when @expr{x} is any of these values. The trivial polynomial
8510 @expr{x-a} is zero when @expr{x=a}, so the product @expr{(x-a)(x-b)(x-c)}
8511 will do the job. We can use @kbd{a c x} to write this in a more
8516 1: 34 x - 24 x^3 1: [1.19023, -1.19023, 0]
8526 1: [x - 1.19023, x + 1.19023, x] 1: (x - 1.19023) (x + 1.19023) x
8529 V M ' x-$ @key{RET} V R *
8536 1: x^3 - 1.41666 x 1: 34 x - 24 x^3
8539 a c x @key{RET} 24 n * a x
8544 Sure enough, our answer (multiplied by a suitable constant) is the
8545 same as the original polynomial.
8547 @node Algebra Answer 3, Algebra Answer 4, Algebra Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
8548 @subsection Algebra Tutorial Exercise 3
8552 1: x sin(pi x) 1: (sin(pi x) - pi x cos(pi x)) / pi^2
8555 ' x sin(pi x) @key{RET} m r a i x @key{RET}
8563 2: (sin(pi x) - pi x cos(pi x)) / pi^2
8566 ' [y,1] @key{RET} @key{TAB}
8573 1: [(sin(pi y) - pi y cos(pi y)) / pi^2, (sin(pi) - pi cos(pi)) / pi^2]
8583 1: (sin(pi y) - pi y cos(pi y)) / pi^2 + (pi cos(pi) - sin(pi)) / pi^2
8593 1: (sin(3.14159 y) - 3.14159 y cos(3.14159 y)) / 9.8696 - 0.3183
8603 1: [0., -0.95493, 0.63662, -1.5915, 1.2732]
8606 v x 5 @key{RET} @key{TAB} V M $ @key{RET}
8610 @node Algebra Answer 4, Rewrites Answer 1, Algebra Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
8611 @subsection Algebra Tutorial Exercise 4
8614 The hard part is that @kbd{V R +} is no longer sufficient to add up all
8615 the contributions from the slices, since the slices have varying
8616 coefficients. So first we must come up with a vector of these
8617 coefficients. Here's one way:
8621 2: -1 2: 3 1: [4, 2, ..., 4]
8622 1: [1, 2, ..., 9] 1: [-1, 1, ..., -1] .
8625 1 n v x 9 @key{RET} V M ^ 3 @key{TAB} -
8632 1: [4, 2, ..., 4, 1] 1: [1, 4, 2, ..., 4, 1]
8640 Now we compute the function values. Note that for this method we need
8641 eleven values, including both endpoints of the desired interval.
8645 2: [1, 4, 2, ..., 4, 1]
8646 1: [1, 1.1, 1.2, ... , 1.8, 1.9, 2.]
8649 11 @key{RET} 1 @key{RET} .1 @key{RET} C-u v x
8656 2: [1, 4, 2, ..., 4, 1]
8657 1: [0., 0.084941, 0.16993, ... ]
8660 ' sin(x) ln(x) @key{RET} m r p 5 @key{RET} V M $ @key{RET}
8665 Once again this calls for @kbd{V M * V R +}; a simple @kbd{*} does the
8670 1: 11.22 1: 1.122 1: 0.374
8678 Wow! That's even better than the result from the Taylor series method.
8680 @node Rewrites Answer 1, Rewrites Answer 2, Algebra Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
8681 @subsection Rewrites Tutorial Exercise 1
8684 We'll use Big mode to make the formulas more readable.
8690 1: (2 + sqrt(2)) / (1 + sqrt(2)) 1: --------
8696 ' (2+sqrt(2)) / (1+sqrt(2)) @key{RET} d B
8701 Multiplying by the conjugate helps because @expr{(a+b) (a-b) = a^2 - b^2}.
8706 1: (2 + V 2 ) (V 2 - 1)
8709 a r a/(b+c) := a*(b-c) / (b^2-c^2) @key{RET}
8717 1: 2 + V 2 - 2 1: V 2
8720 a r a*(b+c) := a*b + a*c a s
8725 (We could have used @kbd{a x} instead of a rewrite rule for the
8728 The multiply-by-conjugate rule turns out to be useful in many
8729 different circumstances, such as when the denominator involves
8730 sines and cosines or the imaginary constant @code{i}.
8732 @node Rewrites Answer 2, Rewrites Answer 3, Rewrites Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
8733 @subsection Rewrites Tutorial Exercise 2
8736 Here is the rule set:
8740 [ fib(n) := fib(n, 1, 1) :: integer(n) :: n >= 1,
8742 fib(n, x, y) := fib(n-1, y, x+y) ]
8747 The first rule turns a one-argument @code{fib} that people like to write
8748 into a three-argument @code{fib} that makes computation easier. The
8749 second rule converts back from three-argument form once the computation
8750 is done. The third rule does the computation itself. It basically
8751 says that if @expr{x} and @expr{y} are two consecutive Fibonacci numbers,
8752 then @expr{y} and @expr{x+y} are the next (overlapping) pair of Fibonacci
8755 Notice that because the number @expr{n} was ``validated'' by the
8756 conditions on the first rule, there is no need to put conditions on
8757 the other rules because the rule set would never get that far unless
8758 the input were valid. That further speeds computation, since no
8759 extra conditions need to be checked at every step.
8761 Actually, a user with a nasty sense of humor could enter a bad
8762 three-argument @code{fib} call directly, say, @samp{fib(0, 1, 1)},
8763 which would get the rules into an infinite loop. One thing that would
8764 help keep this from happening by accident would be to use something like
8765 @samp{ZzFib} instead of @code{fib} as the name of the three-argument
8768 @node Rewrites Answer 3, Rewrites Answer 4, Rewrites Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
8769 @subsection Rewrites Tutorial Exercise 3
8772 He got an infinite loop. First, Calc did as expected and rewrote
8773 @w{@samp{2 + 3 x}} to @samp{f(2, 3, x)}. Then it looked for ways to
8774 apply the rule again, and found that @samp{f(2, 3, x)} looks like
8775 @samp{a + b x} with @w{@samp{a = 0}} and @samp{b = 1}, so it rewrote to
8776 @samp{f(0, 1, f(2, 3, x))}. It then wrapped another @samp{f(0, 1, ...)}
8777 around that, and so on, ad infinitum. Joe should have used @kbd{M-1 a r}
8778 to make sure the rule applied only once.
8780 (Actually, even the first step didn't work as he expected. What Calc
8781 really gives for @kbd{M-1 a r} in this situation is @samp{f(3 x, 1, 2)},
8782 treating 2 as the ``variable,'' and @samp{3 x} as a constant being added
8783 to it. While this may seem odd, it's just as valid a solution as the
8784 ``obvious'' one. One way to fix this would be to add the condition
8785 @samp{:: variable(x)} to the rule, to make sure the thing that matches
8786 @samp{x} is indeed a variable, or to change @samp{x} to @samp{quote(x)}
8787 on the lefthand side, so that the rule matches the actual variable
8788 @samp{x} rather than letting @samp{x} stand for something else.)
8790 @node Rewrites Answer 4, Rewrites Answer 5, Rewrites Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
8791 @subsection Rewrites Tutorial Exercise 4
8798 Here is a suitable set of rules to solve the first part of the problem:
8802 [ seq(n, c) := seq(n/2, c+1) :: n%2 = 0,
8803 seq(n, c) := seq(3n+1, c+1) :: n%2 = 1 :: n > 1 ]
8807 Given the initial formula @samp{seq(6, 0)}, application of these
8808 rules produces the following sequence of formulas:
8822 whereupon neither of the rules match, and rewriting stops.
8824 We can pretty this up a bit with a couple more rules:
8828 [ seq(n) := seq(n, 0),
8835 Now, given @samp{seq(6)} as the starting configuration, we get 8
8838 The change to return a vector is quite simple:
8842 [ seq(n) := seq(n, []) :: integer(n) :: n > 0,
8844 seq(n, v) := seq(n/2, v | n) :: n%2 = 0,
8845 seq(n, v) := seq(3n+1, v | n) :: n%2 = 1 ]
8850 Given @samp{seq(6)}, the result is @samp{[6, 3, 10, 5, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1]}.
8852 Notice that the @expr{n > 1} guard is no longer necessary on the last
8853 rule since the @expr{n = 1} case is now detected by another rule.
8854 But a guard has been added to the initial rule to make sure the
8855 initial value is suitable before the computation begins.
8857 While still a good idea, this guard is not as vitally important as it
8858 was for the @code{fib} function, since calling, say, @samp{seq(x, [])}
8859 will not get into an infinite loop. Calc will not be able to prove
8860 the symbol @samp{x} is either even or odd, so none of the rules will
8861 apply and the rewrites will stop right away.
8863 @node Rewrites Answer 5, Rewrites Answer 6, Rewrites Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
8864 @subsection Rewrites Tutorial Exercise 5
8871 If @expr{x} is the sum @expr{a + b}, then `@tfn{nterms(}@var{x}@tfn{)}' must
8872 be `@tfn{nterms(}@var{a}@tfn{)}' plus `@tfn{nterms(}@var{b}@tfn{)}'. If @expr{x}
8873 is not a sum, then `@tfn{nterms(}@var{x}@tfn{)}' = 1.
8877 [ nterms(a + b) := nterms(a) + nterms(b),
8883 Here we have taken advantage of the fact that earlier rules always
8884 match before later rules; @samp{nterms(x)} will only be tried if we
8885 already know that @samp{x} is not a sum.
8887 @node Rewrites Answer 6, Programming Answer 1, Rewrites Answer 5, Answers to Exercises
8888 @subsection Rewrites Tutorial Exercise 6
8891 Here is a rule set that will do the job:
8895 [ a*(b + c) := a*b + a*c,
8896 opt(a) O(x^n) + opt(b) O(x^m) := O(x^n) :: n <= m
8897 :: constant(a) :: constant(b),
8898 opt(a) O(x^n) + opt(b) x^m := O(x^n) :: n <= m
8899 :: constant(a) :: constant(b),
8900 a O(x^n) := O(x^n) :: constant(a),
8901 x^opt(m) O(x^n) := O(x^(n+m)),
8902 O(x^n) O(x^m) := O(x^(n+m)) ]
8906 If we really want the @kbd{+} and @kbd{*} keys to operate naturally
8907 on power series, we should put these rules in @code{EvalRules}. For
8908 testing purposes, it is better to put them in a different variable,
8909 say, @code{O}, first.
8911 The first rule just expands products of sums so that the rest of the
8912 rules can assume they have an expanded-out polynomial to work with.
8913 Note that this rule does not mention @samp{O} at all, so it will
8914 apply to any product-of-sum it encounters---this rule may surprise
8915 you if you put it into @code{EvalRules}!
8917 In the second rule, the sum of two O's is changed to the smaller O.
8918 The optional constant coefficients are there mostly so that
8919 @samp{O(x^2) - O(x^3)} and @samp{O(x^3) - O(x^2)} are handled
8920 as well as @samp{O(x^2) + O(x^3)}.
8922 The third rule absorbs higher powers of @samp{x} into O's.
8924 The fourth rule says that a constant times a negligible quantity
8925 is still negligible. (This rule will also match @samp{O(x^3) / 4},
8926 with @samp{a = 1/4}.)
8928 The fifth rule rewrites, for example, @samp{x^2 O(x^3)} to @samp{O(x^5)}.
8929 (It is easy to see that if one of these forms is negligible, the other
8930 is, too.) Notice the @samp{x^opt(m)} to pick up terms like
8931 @w{@samp{x O(x^3)}}. Optional powers will match @samp{x} as @samp{x^1}
8932 but not 1 as @samp{x^0}. This turns out to be exactly what we want here.
8934 The sixth rule is the corresponding rule for products of two O's.
8936 Another way to solve this problem would be to create a new ``data type''
8937 that represents truncated power series. We might represent these as
8938 function calls @samp{series(@var{coefs}, @var{x})} where @var{coefs} is
8939 a vector of coefficients for @expr{x^0}, @expr{x^1}, @expr{x^2}, and so
8940 on. Rules would exist for sums and products of such @code{series}
8941 objects, and as an optional convenience could also know how to combine a
8942 @code{series} object with a normal polynomial. (With this, and with a
8943 rule that rewrites @samp{O(x^n)} to the equivalent @code{series} form,
8944 you could still enter power series in exactly the same notation as
8945 before.) Operations on such objects would probably be more efficient,
8946 although the objects would be a bit harder to read.
8948 @c [fix-ref Compositions]
8949 Some other symbolic math programs provide a power series data type
8950 similar to this. Mathematica, for example, has an object that looks
8951 like @samp{PowerSeries[@var{x}, @var{x0}, @var{coefs}, @var{nmin},
8952 @var{nmax}, @var{den}]}, where @var{x0} is the point about which the
8953 power series is taken (we've been assuming this was always zero),
8954 and @var{nmin}, @var{nmax}, and @var{den} allow pseudo-power-series
8955 with fractional or negative powers. Also, the @code{PowerSeries}
8956 objects have a special display format that makes them look like
8957 @samp{2 x^2 + O(x^4)} when they are printed out. (@xref{Compositions},
8958 for a way to do this in Calc, although for something as involved as
8959 this it would probably be better to write the formatting routine
8962 @node Programming Answer 1, Programming Answer 2, Rewrites Answer 6, Answers to Exercises
8963 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 1
8966 Just enter the formula @samp{ninteg(sin(t)/t, t, 0, x)}, type
8967 @kbd{Z F}, and answer the questions. Since this formula contains two
8968 variables, the default argument list will be @samp{(t x)}. We want to
8969 change this to @samp{(x)} since @expr{t} is really a dummy variable
8970 to be used within @code{ninteg}.
8972 The exact keystrokes are @kbd{Z F s Si @key{RET} @key{RET} C-b C-b @key{DEL} @key{DEL} @key{RET} y}.
8973 (The @kbd{C-b C-b @key{DEL} @key{DEL}} are what fix the argument list.)
8975 @node Programming Answer 2, Programming Answer 3, Programming Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
8976 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 2
8979 One way is to move the number to the top of the stack, operate on
8980 it, then move it back: @kbd{C-x ( M-@key{TAB} n M-@key{TAB} M-@key{TAB} C-x )}.
8982 Another way is to negate the top three stack entries, then negate
8983 again the top two stack entries: @kbd{C-x ( M-3 n M-2 n C-x )}.
8985 Finally, it turns out that a negative prefix argument causes a
8986 command like @kbd{n} to operate on the specified stack entry only,
8987 which is just what we want: @kbd{C-x ( M-- 3 n C-x )}.
8989 Just for kicks, let's also do it algebraically:
8990 @w{@kbd{C-x ( ' -$$$, $$, $ @key{RET} C-x )}}.
8992 @node Programming Answer 3, Programming Answer 4, Programming Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
8993 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 3
8996 Each of these functions can be computed using the stack, or using
8997 algebraic entry, whichever way you prefer:
9001 @texline @math{\displaystyle{\sin x \over x}}:
9002 @infoline @expr{sin(x) / x}:
9004 Using the stack: @kbd{C-x ( @key{RET} S @key{TAB} / C-x )}.
9006 Using algebraic entry: @kbd{C-x ( ' sin($)/$ @key{RET} C-x )}.
9009 Computing the logarithm:
9011 Using the stack: @kbd{C-x ( @key{TAB} B C-x )}
9013 Using algebraic entry: @kbd{C-x ( ' log($,$$) @key{RET} C-x )}.
9016 Computing the vector of integers:
9018 Using the stack: @kbd{C-x ( 1 @key{RET} 1 C-u v x C-x )}. (Recall that
9019 @kbd{C-u v x} takes the vector size, starting value, and increment
9022 Alternatively: @kbd{C-x ( ~ v x C-x )}. (The @kbd{~} key pops a
9023 number from the stack and uses it as the prefix argument for the
9026 Using algebraic entry: @kbd{C-x ( ' index($) @key{RET} C-x )}.
9028 @node Programming Answer 4, Programming Answer 5, Programming Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
9029 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 4
9032 Here's one way: @kbd{C-x ( @key{RET} V R + @key{TAB} v l / C-x )}.
9034 @node Programming Answer 5, Programming Answer 6, Programming Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
9035 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 5
9039 2: 1 1: 1.61803398502 2: 1.61803398502
9040 1: 20 . 1: 1.61803398875
9043 1 @key{RET} 20 Z < & 1 + Z > I H P
9048 This answer is quite accurate.
9050 @node Programming Answer 6, Programming Answer 7, Programming Answer 5, Answers to Exercises
9051 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 6
9057 [ [ 0, 1 ] * [a, b] = [b, a + b]
9062 Thus @samp{[0, 1; 1, 1]^n * [1, 1]} computes Fibonacci numbers @expr{n+1}
9063 and @expr{n+2}. Here's one program that does the job:
9066 C-x ( ' [0, 1; 1, 1] ^ ($-1) * [1, 1] @key{RET} v u @key{DEL} C-x )
9070 This program is quite efficient because Calc knows how to raise a
9071 matrix (or other value) to the power @expr{n} in only
9072 @texline @math{\log_2 n}
9073 @infoline @expr{log(n,2)}
9074 steps. For example, this program can compute the 1000th Fibonacci
9075 number (a 209-digit integer!) in about 10 steps; even though the
9076 @kbd{Z < ... Z >} solution had much simpler steps, it would have
9077 required so many steps that it would not have been practical.
9079 @node Programming Answer 7, Programming Answer 8, Programming Answer 6, Answers to Exercises
9080 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 7
9083 The trick here is to compute the harmonic numbers differently, so that
9084 the loop counter itself accumulates the sum of reciprocals. We use
9085 a separate variable to hold the integer counter.
9093 1 t 1 1 @key{RET} 4 Z ( t 2 r 1 1 + s 1 & Z )
9098 The body of the loop goes as follows: First save the harmonic sum
9099 so far in variable 2. Then delete it from the stack; the for loop
9100 itself will take care of remembering it for us. Next, recall the
9101 count from variable 1, add one to it, and feed its reciprocal to
9102 the for loop to use as the step value. The for loop will increase
9103 the ``loop counter'' by that amount and keep going until the
9104 loop counter exceeds 4.
9109 1: 3.99498713092 2: 3.99498713092
9113 r 1 r 2 @key{RET} 31 & +
9117 Thus we find that the 30th harmonic number is 3.99, and the 31st
9118 harmonic number is 4.02.
9120 @node Programming Answer 8, Programming Answer 9, Programming Answer 7, Answers to Exercises
9121 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 8
9124 The first step is to compute the derivative @expr{f'(x)} and thus
9126 @texline @math{\displaystyle{x - {f(x) \over f'(x)}}}.
9127 @infoline @expr{x - f(x)/f'(x)}.
9129 (Because this definition is long, it will be repeated in concise form
9130 below. You can use @w{@kbd{C-x * m}} to load it from there. While you are
9131 entering a @kbd{Z ` Z '} body in a macro, Calc simply collects
9132 keystrokes without executing them. In the following diagrams we'll
9133 pretend Calc actually executed the keystrokes as you typed them,
9134 just for purposes of illustration.)
9138 2: sin(cos(x)) - 0.5 3: 4.5
9139 1: 4.5 2: sin(cos(x)) - 0.5
9140 . 1: -(sin(x) cos(cos(x)))
9143 ' sin(cos(x))-0.5 @key{RET} 4.5 m r C-x ( Z ` @key{TAB} @key{RET} a d x @key{RET}
9151 1: x + (sin(cos(x)) - 0.5) / sin(x) cos(cos(x))
9154 / ' x @key{RET} @key{TAB} - t 1
9158 Now, we enter the loop. We'll use a repeat loop with a 20-repetition
9159 limit just in case the method fails to converge for some reason.
9160 (Normally, the @w{@kbd{Z /}} command will stop the loop before all 20
9161 repetitions are done.)
9165 1: 4.5 3: 4.5 2: 4.5
9166 . 2: x + (sin(cos(x)) ... 1: 5.24196456928
9170 20 Z < @key{RET} r 1 @key{TAB} s l x @key{RET}
9174 This is the new guess for @expr{x}. Now we compare it with the
9175 old one to see if we've converged.
9179 3: 5.24196 2: 5.24196 1: 5.24196 1: 5.26345856348
9184 @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} a = Z / Z > Z ' C-x )
9188 The loop converges in just a few steps to this value. To check
9189 the result, we can simply substitute it back into the equation.
9197 @key{RET} ' sin(cos($)) @key{RET}
9201 Let's test the new definition again:
9209 ' x^2-9 @key{RET} 1 X
9213 Once again, here's the full Newton's Method definition:
9217 C-x ( Z ` @key{TAB} @key{RET} a d x @key{RET} / ' x @key{RET} @key{TAB} - t 1
9218 20 Z < @key{RET} r 1 @key{TAB} s l x @key{RET}
9219 @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} a = Z /
9226 @c [fix-ref Nesting and Fixed Points]
9227 It turns out that Calc has a built-in command for applying a formula
9228 repeatedly until it converges to a number. @xref{Nesting and Fixed Points},
9229 to see how to use it.
9231 @c [fix-ref Root Finding]
9232 Also, of course, @kbd{a R} is a built-in command that uses Newton's
9233 method (among others) to look for numerical solutions to any equation.
9234 @xref{Root Finding}.
9236 @node Programming Answer 9, Programming Answer 10, Programming Answer 8, Answers to Exercises
9237 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 9
9240 The first step is to adjust @expr{z} to be greater than 5. A simple
9241 ``for'' loop will do the job here. If @expr{z} is less than 5, we
9242 reduce the problem using
9243 @texline @math{\psi(z) = \psi(z+1) - 1/z}.
9244 @infoline @expr{psi(z) = psi(z+1) - 1/z}. We go
9246 @texline @math{\psi(z+1)},
9247 @infoline @expr{psi(z+1)},
9248 and remember to add back a factor of @expr{-1/z} when we're done. This
9249 step is repeated until @expr{z > 5}.
9251 (Because this definition is long, it will be repeated in concise form
9252 below. You can use @w{@kbd{C-x * m}} to load it from there. While you are
9253 entering a @kbd{Z ` Z '} body in a macro, Calc simply collects
9254 keystrokes without executing them. In the following diagrams we'll
9255 pretend Calc actually executed the keystrokes as you typed them,
9256 just for purposes of illustration.)
9263 1.0 @key{RET} C-x ( Z ` s 1 0 t 2
9267 Here, variable 1 holds @expr{z} and variable 2 holds the adjustment
9268 factor. If @expr{z < 5}, we use a loop to increase it.
9270 (By the way, we started with @samp{1.0} instead of the integer 1 because
9271 otherwise the calculation below will try to do exact fractional arithmetic,
9272 and will never converge because fractions compare equal only if they
9273 are exactly equal, not just equal to within the current precision.)
9282 @key{RET} 5 a < Z [ 5 Z ( & s + 2 1 s + 1 1 Z ) r 1 Z ]
9286 Now we compute the initial part of the sum:
9287 @texline @math{\ln z - {1 \over 2z}}
9288 @infoline @expr{ln(z) - 1/2z}
9289 minus the adjustment factor.
9293 2: 1.79175946923 2: 1.7084261359 1: -0.57490719743
9294 1: 0.0833333333333 1: 2.28333333333 .
9301 Now we evaluate the series. We'll use another ``for'' loop counting
9302 up the value of @expr{2 n}. (Calc does have a summation command,
9303 @kbd{a +}, but we'll use loops just to get more practice with them.)
9307 3: -0.5749 3: -0.5749 4: -0.5749 2: -0.5749
9308 2: 2 2: 1:6 3: 1:6 1: 2.3148e-3
9313 2 @key{RET} 40 Z ( @key{RET} k b @key{TAB} @key{RET} r 1 @key{TAB} ^ * /
9320 3: -0.5749 3: -0.5772 2: -0.5772 1: -0.577215664892
9321 2: -0.5749 2: -0.5772 1: 0 .
9322 1: 2.3148e-3 1: -0.5749 .
9325 @key{TAB} @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} - @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} a = Z / 2 Z ) Z ' C-x )
9329 This is the value of
9330 @texline @math{-\gamma},
9331 @infoline @expr{- gamma},
9332 with a slight bit of roundoff error. To get a full 12 digits, let's use
9337 2: -0.577215664892 2: -0.577215664892
9338 1: 1. 1: -0.577215664901532
9340 1. @key{RET} p 16 @key{RET} X
9344 Here's the complete sequence of keystrokes:
9349 @key{RET} 5 a < Z [ 5 Z ( & s + 2 1 s + 1 1 Z ) r 1 Z ]
9351 2 @key{RET} 40 Z ( @key{RET} k b @key{TAB} @key{RET} r 1 @key{TAB} ^ * /
9352 @key{TAB} @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} - @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} a = Z /
9359 @node Programming Answer 10, Programming Answer 11, Programming Answer 9, Answers to Exercises
9360 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 10
9363 Taking the derivative of a term of the form @expr{x^n} will produce
9365 @texline @math{n x^{n-1}}.
9366 @infoline @expr{n x^(n-1)}.
9367 Taking the derivative of a constant
9368 produces zero. From this it is easy to see that the @expr{n}th
9369 derivative of a polynomial, evaluated at @expr{x = 0}, will equal the
9370 coefficient on the @expr{x^n} term times @expr{n!}.
9372 (Because this definition is long, it will be repeated in concise form
9373 below. You can use @w{@kbd{C-x * m}} to load it from there. While you are
9374 entering a @kbd{Z ` Z '} body in a macro, Calc simply collects
9375 keystrokes without executing them. In the following diagrams we'll
9376 pretend Calc actually executed the keystrokes as you typed them,
9377 just for purposes of illustration.)
9381 2: 5 x^4 + (x + 1)^2 3: 5 x^4 + (x + 1)^2
9386 ' 5 x^4 + (x+1)^2 @key{RET} 6 C-x ( Z ` [ ] t 1 0 @key{TAB}
9391 Variable 1 will accumulate the vector of coefficients.
9395 2: 0 3: 0 2: 5 x^4 + ...
9396 1: 5 x^4 + ... 2: 5 x^4 + ... 1: 1
9400 Z ( @key{TAB} @key{RET} 0 s l x @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} ! / s | 1
9405 Note that @kbd{s | 1} appends the top-of-stack value to the vector
9406 in a variable; it is completely analogous to @kbd{s + 1}. We could
9407 have written instead, @kbd{r 1 @key{TAB} | t 1}.
9411 1: 20 x^3 + 2 x + 2 1: 0 1: [1, 2, 1, 0, 5, 0, 0]
9414 a d x @key{RET} 1 Z ) @key{DEL} r 1 Z ' C-x )
9418 To convert back, a simple method is just to map the coefficients
9419 against a table of powers of @expr{x}.
9423 2: [1, 2, 1, 0, 5, 0, 0] 2: [1, 2, 1, 0, 5, 0, 0]
9424 1: 6 1: [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
9427 6 @key{RET} 1 + 0 @key{RET} 1 C-u v x
9434 2: [1, 2, 1, 0, 5, 0, 0] 2: 1 + 2 x + x^2 + 5 x^4
9435 1: [1, x, x^2, x^3, ... ] .
9438 ' x @key{RET} @key{TAB} V M ^ *
9442 Once again, here are the whole polynomial to/from vector programs:
9446 C-x ( Z ` [ ] t 1 0 @key{TAB}
9447 Z ( @key{TAB} @key{RET} 0 s l x @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} ! / s | 1
9453 C-x ( 1 + 0 @key{RET} 1 C-u v x ' x @key{RET} @key{TAB} V M ^ * C-x )
9457 @node Programming Answer 11, Programming Answer 12, Programming Answer 10, Answers to Exercises
9458 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 11
9461 First we define a dummy program to go on the @kbd{z s} key. The true
9462 @w{@kbd{z s}} key is supposed to take two numbers from the stack and
9463 return one number, so @key{DEL} as a dummy definition will make
9464 sure the stack comes out right.
9472 4 @key{RET} 2 C-x ( @key{DEL} C-x ) Z K s @key{RET} 2
9476 The last step replaces the 2 that was eaten during the creation
9477 of the dummy @kbd{z s} command. Now we move on to the real
9478 definition. The recurrence needs to be rewritten slightly,
9479 to the form @expr{s(n,m) = s(n-1,m-1) - (n-1) s(n-1,m)}.
9481 (Because this definition is long, it will be repeated in concise form
9482 below. You can use @kbd{C-x * m} to load it from there.)
9492 C-x ( M-2 @key{RET} a = Z [ @key{DEL} @key{DEL} 1 Z :
9499 4: 4 2: 4 2: 3 4: 3 4: 3 3: 3
9500 3: 2 1: 2 1: 2 3: 2 3: 2 2: 2
9501 2: 2 . . 2: 3 2: 3 1: 3
9505 @key{RET} 0 a = Z [ @key{DEL} @key{DEL} 0 Z : @key{TAB} 1 - @key{TAB} M-2 @key{RET} 1 - z s
9510 (Note that the value 3 that our dummy @kbd{z s} produces is not correct;
9511 it is merely a placeholder that will do just as well for now.)
9515 3: 3 4: 3 3: 3 2: 3 1: -6
9516 2: 3 3: 3 2: 3 1: 9 .
9521 M-@key{TAB} M-@key{TAB} @key{TAB} @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} z s * -
9528 1: -6 2: 4 1: 11 2: 11
9532 Z ] Z ] C-x ) Z K s @key{RET} @key{DEL} 4 @key{RET} 2 z s M-@key{RET} k s
9536 Even though the result that we got during the definition was highly
9537 bogus, once the definition is complete the @kbd{z s} command gets
9540 Here's the full program once again:
9544 C-x ( M-2 @key{RET} a =
9545 Z [ @key{DEL} @key{DEL} 1
9547 Z [ @key{DEL} @key{DEL} 0
9548 Z : @key{TAB} 1 - @key{TAB} M-2 @key{RET} 1 - z s
9549 M-@key{TAB} M-@key{TAB} @key{TAB} @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} z s * -
9556 You can read this definition using @kbd{C-x * m} (@code{read-kbd-macro})
9557 followed by @kbd{Z K s}, without having to make a dummy definition
9558 first, because @code{read-kbd-macro} doesn't need to execute the
9559 definition as it reads it in. For this reason, @code{C-x * m} is often
9560 the easiest way to create recursive programs in Calc.
9562 @node Programming Answer 12, , Programming Answer 11, Answers to Exercises
9563 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 12
9566 This turns out to be a much easier way to solve the problem. Let's
9567 denote Stirling numbers as calls of the function @samp{s}.
9569 First, we store the rewrite rules corresponding to the definition of
9570 Stirling numbers in a convenient variable:
9573 s e StirlingRules @key{RET}
9574 [ s(n,n) := 1 :: n >= 0,
9575 s(n,0) := 0 :: n > 0,
9576 s(n,m) := s(n-1,m-1) - (n-1) s(n-1,m) :: n >= m :: m >= 1 ]
9580 Now, it's just a matter of applying the rules:
9584 2: 4 1: s(4, 2) 1: 11
9588 4 @key{RET} 2 C-x ( ' s($$,$) @key{RET} a r StirlingRules @key{RET} C-x )
9592 As in the case of the @code{fib} rules, it would be useful to put these
9593 rules in @code{EvalRules} and to add a @samp{:: remember} condition to
9596 @c This ends the table-of-contents kludge from above:
9598 \global\let\chapternofonts=\oldchapternofonts
9603 @node Introduction, Data Types, Tutorial, Top
9604 @chapter Introduction
9607 This chapter is the beginning of the Calc reference manual.
9608 It covers basic concepts such as the stack, algebraic and
9609 numeric entry, undo, numeric prefix arguments, etc.
9612 @c (Chapter 2, the Tutorial, has been printed in a separate volume.)
9620 * Quick Calculator::
9621 * Prefix Arguments::
9624 * Multiple Calculators::
9625 * Troubleshooting Commands::
9628 @node Basic Commands, Help Commands, Introduction, Introduction
9629 @section Basic Commands
9634 @cindex Starting the Calculator
9635 @cindex Running the Calculator
9636 To start the Calculator in its standard interface, type @kbd{M-x calc}.
9637 By default this creates a pair of small windows, @samp{*Calculator*}
9638 and @samp{*Calc Trail*}. The former displays the contents of the
9639 Calculator stack and is manipulated exclusively through Calc commands.
9640 It is possible (though not usually necessary) to create several Calc
9641 mode buffers each of which has an independent stack, undo list, and
9642 mode settings. There is exactly one Calc Trail buffer; it records a
9643 list of the results of all calculations that have been done. The
9644 Calc Trail buffer uses a variant of Calc mode, so Calculator commands
9645 still work when the trail buffer's window is selected. It is possible
9646 to turn the trail window off, but the @samp{*Calc Trail*} buffer itself
9647 still exists and is updated silently. @xref{Trail Commands}.
9654 In most installations, the @kbd{C-x * c} key sequence is a more
9655 convenient way to start the Calculator. Also, @kbd{C-x * *}
9656 is a synonym for @kbd{C-x * c} unless you last used Calc
9661 @pindex calc-execute-extended-command
9662 Most Calc commands use one or two keystrokes. Lower- and upper-case
9663 letters are distinct. Commands may also be entered in full @kbd{M-x} form;
9664 for some commands this is the only form. As a convenience, the @kbd{x}
9665 key (@code{calc-execute-extended-command})
9666 is like @kbd{M-x} except that it enters the initial string @samp{calc-}
9667 for you. For example, the following key sequences are equivalent:
9668 @kbd{S}, @kbd{M-x calc-sin @key{RET}}, @kbd{x sin @key{RET}}.
9670 Although Calc is designed to be used from the keyboard, some of
9671 Calc's more common commands are available from a menu. In the menu, the
9672 arguments to the functions are given by referring to their stack level
9675 @cindex Extensions module
9676 @cindex @file{calc-ext} module
9677 The Calculator exists in many parts. When you type @kbd{C-x * c}, the
9678 Emacs ``auto-load'' mechanism will bring in only the first part, which
9679 contains the basic arithmetic functions. The other parts will be
9680 auto-loaded the first time you use the more advanced commands like trig
9681 functions or matrix operations. This is done to improve the response time
9682 of the Calculator in the common case when all you need to do is a
9683 little arithmetic. If for some reason the Calculator fails to load an
9684 extension module automatically, you can force it to load all the
9685 extensions by using the @kbd{C-x * L} (@code{calc-load-everything})
9686 command. @xref{Mode Settings}.
9688 If you type @kbd{M-x calc} or @kbd{C-x * c} with any numeric prefix argument,
9689 the Calculator is loaded if necessary, but it is not actually started.
9690 If the argument is positive, the @file{calc-ext} extensions are also
9691 loaded if necessary. User-written Lisp code that wishes to make use
9692 of Calc's arithmetic routines can use @samp{(calc 0)} or @samp{(calc 1)}
9693 to auto-load the Calculator.
9697 If you type @kbd{C-x * b}, then next time you use @kbd{C-x * c} you
9698 will get a Calculator that uses the full height of the Emacs screen.
9699 When full-screen mode is on, @kbd{C-x * c} runs the @code{full-calc}
9700 command instead of @code{calc}. From the Unix shell you can type
9701 @samp{emacs -f full-calc} to start a new Emacs specifically for use
9702 as a calculator. When Calc is started from the Emacs command line
9703 like this, Calc's normal ``quit'' commands actually quit Emacs itself.
9706 @pindex calc-other-window
9707 The @kbd{C-x * o} command is like @kbd{C-x * c} except that the Calc
9708 window is not actually selected. If you are already in the Calc
9709 window, @kbd{C-x * o} switches you out of it. (The regular Emacs
9710 @kbd{C-x o} command would also work for this, but it has a
9711 tendency to drop you into the Calc Trail window instead, which
9712 @kbd{C-x * o} takes care not to do.)
9717 For one quick calculation, you can type @kbd{C-x * q} (@code{quick-calc})
9718 which prompts you for a formula (like @samp{2+3/4}). The result is
9719 displayed at the bottom of the Emacs screen without ever creating
9720 any special Calculator windows. @xref{Quick Calculator}.
9725 Finally, if you are using the X window system you may want to try
9726 @kbd{C-x * k} (@code{calc-keypad}) which runs Calc with a
9727 ``calculator keypad'' picture as well as a stack display. Click on
9728 the keys with the mouse to operate the calculator. @xref{Keypad Mode}.
9732 @cindex Quitting the Calculator
9733 @cindex Exiting the Calculator
9734 The @kbd{q} key (@code{calc-quit}) exits Calc mode and closes the
9735 Calculator's window(s). It does not delete the Calculator buffers.
9736 If you type @kbd{M-x calc} again, the Calculator will reappear with the
9737 contents of the stack intact. Typing @kbd{C-x * c} or @kbd{C-x * *}
9738 again from inside the Calculator buffer is equivalent to executing
9739 @code{calc-quit}; you can think of @kbd{C-x * *} as toggling the
9740 Calculator on and off.
9743 The @kbd{C-x * x} command also turns the Calculator off, no matter which
9744 user interface (standard, Keypad, or Embedded) is currently active.
9745 It also cancels @code{calc-edit} mode if used from there.
9748 @pindex calc-refresh
9749 @cindex Refreshing a garbled display
9750 @cindex Garbled displays, refreshing
9751 The @kbd{d @key{SPC}} key sequence (@code{calc-refresh}) redraws the contents
9752 of the Calculator buffer from memory. Use this if the contents of the
9753 buffer have been damaged somehow.
9758 The @kbd{o} key (@code{calc-realign}) moves the cursor back to its
9759 ``home'' position at the bottom of the Calculator buffer.
9763 @pindex calc-scroll-left
9764 @pindex calc-scroll-right
9765 @cindex Horizontal scrolling
9767 @cindex Wide text, scrolling
9768 The @kbd{<} and @kbd{>} keys are bound to @code{calc-scroll-left} and
9769 @code{calc-scroll-right}. These are just like the normal horizontal
9770 scrolling commands except that they scroll one half-screen at a time by
9771 default. (Calc formats its output to fit within the bounds of the
9772 window whenever it can.)
9776 @pindex calc-scroll-down
9777 @pindex calc-scroll-up
9778 @cindex Vertical scrolling
9779 The @kbd{@{} and @kbd{@}} keys are bound to @code{calc-scroll-down}
9780 and @code{calc-scroll-up}. They scroll up or down by one-half the
9781 height of the Calc window.
9785 The @kbd{C-x * 0} command (@code{calc-reset}; that's @kbd{C-x *} followed
9786 by a zero) resets the Calculator to its initial state. This clears
9787 the stack, resets all the modes to their initial values (the values
9788 that were saved with @kbd{m m} (@code{calc-save-modes})), clears the
9789 caches (@pxref{Caches}), and so on. (It does @emph{not} erase the
9790 values of any variables.) With an argument of 0, Calc will be reset to
9791 its default state; namely, the modes will be given their default values.
9792 With a positive prefix argument, @kbd{C-x * 0} preserves the contents of
9793 the stack but resets everything else to its initial state; with a
9794 negative prefix argument, @kbd{C-x * 0} preserves the contents of the
9795 stack but resets everything else to its default state.
9797 @node Help Commands, Stack Basics, Basic Commands, Introduction
9798 @section Help Commands
9801 @cindex Help commands
9821 The @kbd{?} key (@code{calc-help}) displays a series of brief help messages.
9822 Some keys (such as @kbd{b} and @kbd{d}) are prefix keys, like Emacs'
9823 @key{ESC} and @kbd{C-x} prefixes. You can type
9824 @kbd{?} after a prefix to see a list of commands beginning with that
9825 prefix. (If the message includes @samp{[MORE]}, press @kbd{?} again
9826 to see additional commands for that prefix.)
9829 @pindex calc-full-help
9830 The @kbd{h h} (@code{calc-full-help}) command displays all the @kbd{?}
9831 responses at once. When printed, this makes a nice, compact (three pages)
9832 summary of Calc keystrokes.
9834 In general, the @kbd{h} key prefix introduces various commands that
9835 provide help within Calc. Many of the @kbd{h} key functions are
9836 Calc-specific analogues to the @kbd{C-h} functions for Emacs help.
9842 The @kbd{h i} (@code{calc-info}) command runs the Emacs Info system
9843 to read this manual on-line. This is basically the same as typing
9844 @kbd{C-h i} (the regular way to run the Info system), then, if Info
9845 is not already in the Calc manual, selecting the beginning of the
9846 manual. The @kbd{C-x * i} command is another way to read the Calc
9847 manual; it is different from @kbd{h i} in that it works any time,
9848 not just inside Calc. The plain @kbd{i} key is also equivalent to
9849 @kbd{h i}, though this key is obsolete and may be replaced with a
9850 different command in a future version of Calc.
9854 @pindex calc-tutorial
9855 The @kbd{h t} (@code{calc-tutorial}) command runs the Info system on
9856 the Tutorial section of the Calc manual. It is like @kbd{h i},
9857 except that it selects the starting node of the tutorial rather
9858 than the beginning of the whole manual. (It actually selects the
9859 node ``Interactive Tutorial'' which tells a few things about
9860 using the Info system before going on to the actual tutorial.)
9861 The @kbd{C-x * t} key is equivalent to @kbd{h t} (but it works at
9866 @pindex calc-info-summary
9867 The @kbd{h s} (@code{calc-info-summary}) command runs the Info system
9868 on the Summary node of the Calc manual. @xref{Summary}. The @kbd{C-x * s}
9869 key is equivalent to @kbd{h s}.
9872 @pindex calc-describe-key
9873 The @kbd{h k} (@code{calc-describe-key}) command looks up a key
9874 sequence in the Calc manual. For example, @kbd{h k H a S} looks
9875 up the documentation on the @kbd{H a S} (@code{calc-solve-for})
9876 command. This works by looking up the textual description of
9877 the key(s) in the Key Index of the manual, then jumping to the
9878 node indicated by the index.
9880 Most Calc commands do not have traditional Emacs documentation
9881 strings, since the @kbd{h k} command is both more convenient and
9882 more instructive. This means the regular Emacs @kbd{C-h k}
9883 (@code{describe-key}) command will not be useful for Calc keystrokes.
9886 @pindex calc-describe-key-briefly
9887 The @kbd{h c} (@code{calc-describe-key-briefly}) command reads a
9888 key sequence and displays a brief one-line description of it at
9889 the bottom of the screen. It looks for the key sequence in the
9890 Summary node of the Calc manual; if it doesn't find the sequence
9891 there, it acts just like its regular Emacs counterpart @kbd{C-h c}
9892 (@code{describe-key-briefly}). For example, @kbd{h c H a S}
9893 gives the description:
9896 H a S runs calc-solve-for: a `H a S' v => fsolve(a,v) (?=notes)
9900 which means the command @kbd{H a S} or @kbd{H M-x calc-solve-for}
9901 takes a value @expr{a} from the stack, prompts for a value @expr{v},
9902 then applies the algebraic function @code{fsolve} to these values.
9903 The @samp{?=notes} message means you can now type @kbd{?} to see
9904 additional notes from the summary that apply to this command.
9907 @pindex calc-describe-function
9908 The @kbd{h f} (@code{calc-describe-function}) command looks up an
9909 algebraic function or a command name in the Calc manual. Enter an
9910 algebraic function name to look up that function in the Function
9911 Index or enter a command name beginning with @samp{calc-} to look it
9912 up in the Command Index. This command will also look up operator
9913 symbols that can appear in algebraic formulas, like @samp{%} and
9917 @pindex calc-describe-variable
9918 The @kbd{h v} (@code{calc-describe-variable}) command looks up a
9919 variable in the Calc manual. Enter a variable name like @code{pi} or
9923 @pindex describe-bindings
9924 The @kbd{h b} (@code{calc-describe-bindings}) command is just like
9925 @kbd{C-h b}, except that only local (Calc-related) key bindings are
9929 The @kbd{h n} or @kbd{h C-n} (@code{calc-view-news}) command displays
9930 the ``news'' or change history of Calc. This is kept in the file
9931 @file{README}, which Calc looks for in the same directory as the Calc
9937 The @kbd{h C-c}, @kbd{h C-d}, and @kbd{h C-w} keys display copying,
9938 distribution, and warranty information about Calc. These work by
9939 pulling up the appropriate parts of the ``Copying'' or ``Reporting
9940 Bugs'' sections of the manual.
9942 @node Stack Basics, Numeric Entry, Help Commands, Introduction
9943 @section Stack Basics
9946 @cindex Stack basics
9947 @c [fix-tut RPN Calculations and the Stack]
9948 Calc uses RPN notation. If you are not familiar with RPN, @pxref{RPN
9951 To add the numbers 1 and 2 in Calc you would type the keys:
9952 @kbd{1 @key{RET} 2 +}.
9953 (@key{RET} corresponds to the @key{ENTER} key on most calculators.)
9954 The first three keystrokes ``push'' the numbers 1 and 2 onto the stack. The
9955 @kbd{+} key always ``pops'' the top two numbers from the stack, adds them,
9956 and pushes the result (3) back onto the stack. This number is ready for
9957 further calculations: @kbd{5 -} pushes 5 onto the stack, then pops the
9958 3 and 5, subtracts them, and pushes the result (@mathit{-2}).
9960 Note that the ``top'' of the stack actually appears at the @emph{bottom}
9961 of the buffer. A line containing a single @samp{.} character signifies
9962 the end of the buffer; Calculator commands operate on the number(s)
9963 directly above this line. The @kbd{d t} (@code{calc-truncate-stack})
9964 command allows you to move the @samp{.} marker up and down in the stack;
9965 @pxref{Truncating the Stack}.
9968 @pindex calc-line-numbering
9969 Stack elements are numbered consecutively, with number 1 being the top of
9970 the stack. These line numbers are ordinarily displayed on the lefthand side
9971 of the window. The @kbd{d l} (@code{calc-line-numbering}) command controls
9972 whether these numbers appear. (Line numbers may be turned off since they
9973 slow the Calculator down a bit and also clutter the display.)
9976 @pindex calc-realign
9977 The unshifted letter @kbd{o} (@code{calc-realign}) command repositions
9978 the cursor to its top-of-stack ``home'' position. It also undoes any
9979 horizontal scrolling in the window. If you give it a numeric prefix
9980 argument, it instead moves the cursor to the specified stack element.
9982 The @key{RET} (or equivalent @key{SPC}) key is only required to separate
9983 two consecutive numbers.
9984 (After all, if you typed @kbd{1 2} by themselves the Calculator
9985 would enter the number 12.) If you press @key{RET} or @key{SPC} @emph{not}
9986 right after typing a number, the key duplicates the number on the top of
9987 the stack. @kbd{@key{RET} *} is thus a handy way to square a number.
9989 The @key{DEL} key pops and throws away the top number on the stack.
9990 The @key{TAB} key swaps the top two objects on the stack.
9991 @xref{Stack and Trail}, for descriptions of these and other stack-related
9994 @node Numeric Entry, Algebraic Entry, Stack Basics, Introduction
9995 @section Numeric Entry
10001 @cindex Numeric entry
10002 @cindex Entering numbers
10003 Pressing a digit or other numeric key begins numeric entry using the
10004 minibuffer. The number is pushed on the stack when you press the @key{RET}
10005 or @key{SPC} keys. If you press any other non-numeric key, the number is
10006 pushed onto the stack and the appropriate operation is performed. If
10007 you press a numeric key which is not valid, the key is ignored.
10009 @cindex Minus signs
10010 @cindex Negative numbers, entering
10012 There are three different concepts corresponding to the word ``minus,''
10013 typified by @expr{a-b} (subtraction), @expr{-x}
10014 (change-sign), and @expr{-5} (negative number). Calc uses three
10015 different keys for these operations, respectively:
10016 @kbd{-}, @kbd{n}, and @kbd{_} (the underscore). The @kbd{-} key subtracts
10017 the two numbers on the top of the stack. The @kbd{n} key changes the sign
10018 of the number on the top of the stack or the number currently being entered.
10019 The @kbd{_} key begins entry of a negative number or changes the sign of
10020 the number currently being entered. The following sequences all enter the
10021 number @mathit{-5} onto the stack: @kbd{0 @key{RET} 5 -}, @kbd{5 n @key{RET}},
10022 @kbd{5 @key{RET} n}, @kbd{_ 5 @key{RET}}, @kbd{5 _ @key{RET}}.
10024 Some other keys are active during numeric entry, such as @kbd{#} for
10025 non-decimal numbers, @kbd{:} for fractions, and @kbd{@@} for HMS forms.
10026 These notations are described later in this manual with the corresponding
10027 data types. @xref{Data Types}.
10029 During numeric entry, the only editing key available is @key{DEL}.
10031 @node Algebraic Entry, Quick Calculator, Numeric Entry, Introduction
10032 @section Algebraic Entry
10036 @pindex calc-algebraic-entry
10037 @cindex Algebraic notation
10038 @cindex Formulas, entering
10039 The @kbd{'} (@code{calc-algebraic-entry}) command can be used to enter
10040 calculations in algebraic form. This is accomplished by typing the
10041 apostrophe key, ', followed by the expression in standard format:
10049 @texline @math{2+(3\times4) = 14}
10050 @infoline @expr{2+(3*4) = 14}
10051 and push it on the stack. If you wish you can
10052 ignore the RPN aspect of Calc altogether and simply enter algebraic
10053 expressions in this way. You may want to use @key{DEL} every so often to
10054 clear previous results off the stack.
10056 You can press the apostrophe key during normal numeric entry to switch
10057 the half-entered number into Algebraic entry mode. One reason to do
10058 this would be to fix a typo, as the full Emacs cursor motion and editing
10059 keys are available during algebraic entry but not during numeric entry.
10061 In the same vein, during either numeric or algebraic entry you can
10062 press @kbd{`} (backquote) to switch to @code{calc-edit} mode, where
10063 you complete your half-finished entry in a separate buffer.
10064 @xref{Editing Stack Entries}.
10067 @pindex calc-algebraic-mode
10068 @cindex Algebraic Mode
10069 If you prefer algebraic entry, you can use the command @kbd{m a}
10070 (@code{calc-algebraic-mode}) to set Algebraic mode. In this mode,
10071 digits and other keys that would normally start numeric entry instead
10072 start full algebraic entry; as long as your formula begins with a digit
10073 you can omit the apostrophe. Open parentheses and square brackets also
10074 begin algebraic entry. You can still do RPN calculations in this mode,
10075 but you will have to press @key{RET} to terminate every number:
10076 @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} * 4 @key{RET} +} would accomplish the same
10077 thing as @kbd{2*3+4 @key{RET}}.
10079 @cindex Incomplete Algebraic Mode
10080 If you give a numeric prefix argument like @kbd{C-u} to the @kbd{m a}
10081 command, it enables Incomplete Algebraic mode; this is like regular
10082 Algebraic mode except that it applies to the @kbd{(} and @kbd{[} keys
10083 only. Numeric keys still begin a numeric entry in this mode.
10086 @pindex calc-total-algebraic-mode
10087 @cindex Total Algebraic Mode
10088 The @kbd{m t} (@code{calc-total-algebraic-mode}) gives you an even
10089 stronger algebraic-entry mode, in which @emph{all} regular letter and
10090 punctuation keys begin algebraic entry. Use this if you prefer typing
10091 @w{@kbd{sqrt( )}} instead of @kbd{Q}, @w{@kbd{factor( )}} instead of
10092 @kbd{a f}, and so on. To type regular Calc commands when you are in
10093 Total Algebraic mode, hold down the @key{META} key. Thus @kbd{M-q}
10094 is the command to quit Calc, @kbd{M-p} sets the precision, and
10095 @kbd{M-m t} (or @kbd{M-m M-t}, if you prefer) turns Total Algebraic
10096 mode back off again. Meta keys also terminate algebraic entry, so
10097 that @kbd{2+3 M-S} is equivalent to @kbd{2+3 @key{RET} M-S}. The symbol
10098 @samp{Alg*} will appear in the mode line whenever you are in this mode.
10100 Pressing @kbd{'} (the apostrophe) a second time re-enters the previous
10101 algebraic formula. You can then use the normal Emacs editing keys to
10102 modify this formula to your liking before pressing @key{RET}.
10105 @cindex Formulas, referring to stack
10106 Within a formula entered from the keyboard, the symbol @kbd{$}
10107 represents the number on the top of the stack. If an entered formula
10108 contains any @kbd{$} characters, the Calculator replaces the top of
10109 stack with that formula rather than simply pushing the formula onto the
10110 stack. Thus, @kbd{' 1+2 @key{RET}} pushes 3 on the stack, and @kbd{$*2
10111 @key{RET}} replaces it with 6. Note that the @kbd{$} key always
10112 initiates algebraic entry; the @kbd{'} is unnecessary if @kbd{$} is the
10113 first character in the new formula.
10115 Higher stack elements can be accessed from an entered formula with the
10116 symbols @kbd{$$}, @kbd{$$$}, and so on. The number of stack elements
10117 removed (to be replaced by the entered values) equals the number of dollar
10118 signs in the longest such symbol in the formula. For example, @samp{$$+$$$}
10119 adds the second and third stack elements, replacing the top three elements
10120 with the answer. (All information about the top stack element is thus lost
10121 since no single @samp{$} appears in this formula.)
10123 A slightly different way to refer to stack elements is with a dollar
10124 sign followed by a number: @samp{$1}, @samp{$2}, and so on are much
10125 like @samp{$}, @samp{$$}, etc., except that stack entries referred
10126 to numerically are not replaced by the algebraic entry. That is, while
10127 @samp{$+1} replaces 5 on the stack with 6, @samp{$1+1} leaves the 5
10128 on the stack and pushes an additional 6.
10130 If a sequence of formulas are entered separated by commas, each formula
10131 is pushed onto the stack in turn. For example, @samp{1,2,3} pushes
10132 those three numbers onto the stack (leaving the 3 at the top), and
10133 @samp{$+1,$-1} replaces a 5 on the stack with 4 followed by 6. Also,
10134 @samp{$,$$} exchanges the top two elements of the stack, just like the
10137 You can finish an algebraic entry with @kbd{M-=} or @kbd{M-@key{RET}} instead
10138 of @key{RET}. This uses @kbd{=} to evaluate the variables in each
10139 formula that goes onto the stack. (Thus @kbd{' pi @key{RET}} pushes
10140 the variable @samp{pi}, but @kbd{' pi M-@key{RET}} pushes 3.1415.)
10142 If you finish your algebraic entry by pressing @key{LFD} (or @kbd{C-j})
10143 instead of @key{RET}, Calc disables the default simplifications
10144 (as if by @kbd{m O}; @pxref{Simplification Modes}) while the entry
10145 is being pushed on the stack. Thus @kbd{' 1+2 @key{RET}} pushes 3
10146 on the stack, but @kbd{' 1+2 @key{LFD}} pushes the formula @expr{1+2};
10147 you might then press @kbd{=} when it is time to evaluate this formula.
10149 @node Quick Calculator, Prefix Arguments, Algebraic Entry, Introduction
10150 @section ``Quick Calculator'' Mode
10155 @cindex Quick Calculator
10156 There is another way to invoke the Calculator if all you need to do
10157 is make one or two quick calculations. Type @kbd{C-x * q} (or
10158 @kbd{M-x quick-calc}), then type any formula as an algebraic entry.
10159 The Calculator will compute the result and display it in the echo
10160 area, without ever actually putting up a Calc window.
10162 You can use the @kbd{$} character in a Quick Calculator formula to
10163 refer to the previous Quick Calculator result. Older results are
10164 not retained; the Quick Calculator has no effect on the full
10165 Calculator's stack or trail. If you compute a result and then
10166 forget what it was, just run @code{C-x * q} again and enter
10167 @samp{$} as the formula.
10169 If this is the first time you have used the Calculator in this Emacs
10170 session, the @kbd{C-x * q} command will create the @code{*Calculator*}
10171 buffer and perform all the usual initializations; it simply will
10172 refrain from putting that buffer up in a new window. The Quick
10173 Calculator refers to the @code{*Calculator*} buffer for all mode
10174 settings. Thus, for example, to set the precision that the Quick
10175 Calculator uses, simply run the full Calculator momentarily and use
10176 the regular @kbd{p} command.
10178 If you use @code{C-x * q} from inside the Calculator buffer, the
10179 effect is the same as pressing the apostrophe key (algebraic entry).
10181 The result of a Quick calculation is placed in the Emacs ``kill ring''
10182 as well as being displayed. A subsequent @kbd{C-y} command will
10183 yank the result into the editing buffer. You can also use this
10184 to yank the result into the next @kbd{C-x * q} input line as a more
10185 explicit alternative to @kbd{$} notation, or to yank the result
10186 into the Calculator stack after typing @kbd{C-x * c}.
10188 If you finish your formula by typing @key{LFD} (or @kbd{C-j}) instead
10189 of @key{RET}, the result is inserted immediately into the current
10190 buffer rather than going into the kill ring.
10192 Quick Calculator results are actually evaluated as if by the @kbd{=}
10193 key (which replaces variable names by their stored values, if any).
10194 If the formula you enter is an assignment to a variable using the
10195 @samp{:=} operator, say, @samp{foo := 2 + 3} or @samp{foo := foo + 1},
10196 then the result of the evaluation is stored in that Calc variable.
10197 @xref{Store and Recall}.
10199 If the result is an integer and the current display radix is decimal,
10200 the number will also be displayed in hex, octal and binary formats. If
10201 the integer is in the range from 1 to 126, it will also be displayed as
10202 an ASCII character.
10204 For example, the quoted character @samp{"x"} produces the vector
10205 result @samp{[120]} (because 120 is the ASCII code of the lower-case
10206 `x'; @pxref{Strings}). Since this is a vector, not an integer, it
10207 is displayed only according to the current mode settings. But
10208 running Quick Calc again and entering @samp{120} will produce the
10209 result @samp{120 (16#78, 8#170, x)} which shows the number in its
10210 decimal, hexadecimal, octal, and ASCII forms.
10212 Please note that the Quick Calculator is not any faster at loading
10213 or computing the answer than the full Calculator; the name ``quick''
10214 merely refers to the fact that it's much less hassle to use for
10215 small calculations.
10217 @node Prefix Arguments, Undo, Quick Calculator, Introduction
10218 @section Numeric Prefix Arguments
10221 Many Calculator commands use numeric prefix arguments. Some, such as
10222 @kbd{d s} (@code{calc-sci-notation}), set a parameter to the value of
10223 the prefix argument or use a default if you don't use a prefix.
10224 Others (like @kbd{d f} (@code{calc-fix-notation})) require an argument
10225 and prompt for a number if you don't give one as a prefix.
10227 As a rule, stack-manipulation commands accept a numeric prefix argument
10228 which is interpreted as an index into the stack. A positive argument
10229 operates on the top @var{n} stack entries; a negative argument operates
10230 on the @var{n}th stack entry in isolation; and a zero argument operates
10231 on the entire stack.
10233 Most commands that perform computations (such as the arithmetic and
10234 scientific functions) accept a numeric prefix argument that allows the
10235 operation to be applied across many stack elements. For unary operations
10236 (that is, functions of one argument like absolute value or complex
10237 conjugate), a positive prefix argument applies that function to the top
10238 @var{n} stack entries simultaneously, and a negative argument applies it
10239 to the @var{n}th stack entry only. For binary operations (functions of
10240 two arguments like addition, GCD, and vector concatenation), a positive
10241 prefix argument ``reduces'' the function across the top @var{n}
10242 stack elements (for example, @kbd{C-u 5 +} sums the top 5 stack entries;
10243 @pxref{Reducing and Mapping}), and a negative argument maps the next-to-top
10244 @var{n} stack elements with the top stack element as a second argument
10245 (for example, @kbd{7 c-u -5 +} adds 7 to the top 5 stack elements).
10246 This feature is not available for operations which use the numeric prefix
10247 argument for some other purpose.
10249 Numeric prefixes are specified the same way as always in Emacs: Press
10250 a sequence of @key{META}-digits, or press @key{ESC} followed by digits,
10251 or press @kbd{C-u} followed by digits. Some commands treat plain
10252 @kbd{C-u} (without any actual digits) specially.
10255 @pindex calc-num-prefix
10256 You can type @kbd{~} (@code{calc-num-prefix}) to pop an integer from the
10257 top of the stack and enter it as the numeric prefix for the next command.
10258 For example, @kbd{C-u 16 p} sets the precision to 16 digits; an alternate
10259 (silly) way to do this would be @kbd{2 @key{RET} 4 ^ ~ p}, i.e., compute 2
10260 to the fourth power and set the precision to that value.
10262 Conversely, if you have typed a numeric prefix argument the @kbd{~} key
10263 pushes it onto the stack in the form of an integer.
10265 @node Undo, Error Messages, Prefix Arguments, Introduction
10266 @section Undoing Mistakes
10272 @cindex Mistakes, undoing
10273 @cindex Undoing mistakes
10274 @cindex Errors, undoing
10275 The shift-@kbd{U} key (@code{calc-undo}) undoes the most recent operation.
10276 If that operation added or dropped objects from the stack, those objects
10277 are removed or restored. If it was a ``store'' operation, you are
10278 queried whether or not to restore the variable to its original value.
10279 The @kbd{U} key may be pressed any number of times to undo successively
10280 farther back in time; with a numeric prefix argument it undoes a
10281 specified number of operations. When the Calculator is quit, as with
10282 the @kbd{q} (@code{calc-quit}) command, the undo history will be
10283 truncated to the length of the customizable variable
10284 @code{calc-undo-length} (@pxref{Customizing Calc}), which by default
10285 is @expr{100}. (Recall that @kbd{C-x * c} is synonymous with
10286 @code{calc-quit} while inside the Calculator; this also truncates the
10289 Currently the mode-setting commands (like @code{calc-precision}) are not
10290 undoable. You can undo past a point where you changed a mode, but you
10291 will need to reset the mode yourself.
10295 @cindex Redoing after an Undo
10296 The shift-@kbd{D} key (@code{calc-redo}) redoes an operation that was
10297 mistakenly undone. Pressing @kbd{U} with a negative prefix argument is
10298 equivalent to executing @code{calc-redo}. You can redo any number of
10299 times, up to the number of recent consecutive undo commands. Redo
10300 information is cleared whenever you give any command that adds new undo
10301 information, i.e., if you undo, then enter a number on the stack or make
10302 any other change, then it will be too late to redo.
10304 @kindex M-@key{RET}
10305 @pindex calc-last-args
10306 @cindex Last-arguments feature
10307 @cindex Arguments, restoring
10308 The @kbd{M-@key{RET}} key (@code{calc-last-args}) is like undo in that
10309 it restores the arguments of the most recent command onto the stack;
10310 however, it does not remove the result of that command. Given a numeric
10311 prefix argument, this command applies to the @expr{n}th most recent
10312 command which removed items from the stack; it pushes those items back
10315 The @kbd{K} (@code{calc-keep-args}) command provides a related function
10316 to @kbd{M-@key{RET}}. @xref{Stack and Trail}.
10318 It is also possible to recall previous results or inputs using the trail.
10319 @xref{Trail Commands}.
10321 The standard Emacs @kbd{C-_} undo key is recognized as a synonym for @kbd{U}.
10323 @node Error Messages, Multiple Calculators, Undo, Introduction
10324 @section Error Messages
10329 @cindex Errors, messages
10330 @cindex Why did an error occur?
10331 Many situations that would produce an error message in other calculators
10332 simply create unsimplified formulas in the Emacs Calculator. For example,
10333 @kbd{1 @key{RET} 0 /} pushes the formula @expr{1 / 0}; @w{@kbd{0 L}} pushes
10334 the formula @samp{ln(0)}. Floating-point overflow and underflow are also
10335 reasons for this to happen.
10337 When a function call must be left in symbolic form, Calc usually
10338 produces a message explaining why. Messages that are probably
10339 surprising or indicative of user errors are displayed automatically.
10340 Other messages are simply kept in Calc's memory and are displayed only
10341 if you type @kbd{w} (@code{calc-why}). You can also press @kbd{w} if
10342 the same computation results in several messages. (The first message
10343 will end with @samp{[w=more]} in this case.)
10346 @pindex calc-auto-why
10347 The @kbd{d w} (@code{calc-auto-why}) command controls when error messages
10348 are displayed automatically. (Calc effectively presses @kbd{w} for you
10349 after your computation finishes.) By default, this occurs only for
10350 ``important'' messages. The other possible modes are to report
10351 @emph{all} messages automatically, or to report none automatically (so
10352 that you must always press @kbd{w} yourself to see the messages).
10354 @node Multiple Calculators, Troubleshooting Commands, Error Messages, Introduction
10355 @section Multiple Calculators
10358 @pindex another-calc
10359 It is possible to have any number of Calc mode buffers at once.
10360 Usually this is done by executing @kbd{M-x another-calc}, which
10361 is similar to @kbd{C-x * c} except that if a @samp{*Calculator*}
10362 buffer already exists, a new, independent one with a name of the
10363 form @samp{*Calculator*<@var{n}>} is created. You can also use the
10364 command @code{calc-mode} to put any buffer into Calculator mode, but
10365 this would ordinarily never be done.
10367 The @kbd{q} (@code{calc-quit}) command does not destroy a Calculator buffer;
10368 it only closes its window. Use @kbd{M-x kill-buffer} to destroy a
10371 Each Calculator buffer keeps its own stack, undo list, and mode settings
10372 such as precision, angular mode, and display formats. In Emacs terms,
10373 variables such as @code{calc-stack} are buffer-local variables. The
10374 global default values of these variables are used only when a new
10375 Calculator buffer is created. The @code{calc-quit} command saves
10376 the stack and mode settings of the buffer being quit as the new defaults.
10378 There is only one trail buffer, @samp{*Calc Trail*}, used by all
10379 Calculator buffers.
10381 @node Troubleshooting Commands, , Multiple Calculators, Introduction
10382 @section Troubleshooting Commands
10385 This section describes commands you can use in case a computation
10386 incorrectly fails or gives the wrong answer.
10388 @xref{Reporting Bugs}, if you find a problem that appears to be due
10389 to a bug or deficiency in Calc.
10392 * Autoloading Problems::
10393 * Recursion Depth::
10398 @node Autoloading Problems, Recursion Depth, Troubleshooting Commands, Troubleshooting Commands
10399 @subsection Autoloading Problems
10402 The Calc program is split into many component files; components are
10403 loaded automatically as you use various commands that require them.
10404 Occasionally Calc may lose track of when a certain component is
10405 necessary; typically this means you will type a command and it won't
10406 work because some function you've never heard of was undefined.
10409 @pindex calc-load-everything
10410 If this happens, the easiest workaround is to type @kbd{C-x * L}
10411 (@code{calc-load-everything}) to force all the parts of Calc to be
10412 loaded right away. This will cause Emacs to take up a lot more
10413 memory than it would otherwise, but it's guaranteed to fix the problem.
10415 @node Recursion Depth, Caches, Autoloading Problems, Troubleshooting Commands
10416 @subsection Recursion Depth
10421 @pindex calc-more-recursion-depth
10422 @pindex calc-less-recursion-depth
10423 @cindex Recursion depth
10424 @cindex ``Computation got stuck'' message
10425 @cindex @code{max-lisp-eval-depth}
10426 @cindex @code{max-specpdl-size}
10427 Calc uses recursion in many of its calculations. Emacs Lisp keeps a
10428 variable @code{max-lisp-eval-depth} which limits the amount of recursion
10429 possible in an attempt to recover from program bugs. If a calculation
10430 ever halts incorrectly with the message ``Computation got stuck or
10431 ran too long,'' use the @kbd{M} command (@code{calc-more-recursion-depth})
10432 to increase this limit. (Of course, this will not help if the
10433 calculation really did get stuck due to some problem inside Calc.)
10435 The limit is always increased (multiplied) by a factor of two. There
10436 is also an @kbd{I M} (@code{calc-less-recursion-depth}) command which
10437 decreases this limit by a factor of two, down to a minimum value of 200.
10438 The default value is 1000.
10440 These commands also double or halve @code{max-specpdl-size}, another
10441 internal Lisp recursion limit. The minimum value for this limit is 600.
10443 @node Caches, Debugging Calc, Recursion Depth, Troubleshooting Commands
10448 @cindex Flushing caches
10449 Calc saves certain values after they have been computed once. For
10450 example, the @kbd{P} (@code{calc-pi}) command initially ``knows'' the
10451 constant @cpi{} to about 20 decimal places; if the current precision
10452 is greater than this, it will recompute @cpi{} using a series
10453 approximation. This value will not need to be recomputed ever again
10454 unless you raise the precision still further. Many operations such as
10455 logarithms and sines make use of similarly cached values such as
10457 @texline @math{\ln 2}.
10458 @infoline @expr{ln(2)}.
10459 The visible effect of caching is that
10460 high-precision computations may seem to do extra work the first time.
10461 Other things cached include powers of two (for the binary arithmetic
10462 functions), matrix inverses and determinants, symbolic integrals, and
10463 data points computed by the graphing commands.
10465 @pindex calc-flush-caches
10466 If you suspect a Calculator cache has become corrupt, you can use the
10467 @code{calc-flush-caches} command to reset all caches to the empty state.
10468 (This should only be necessary in the event of bugs in the Calculator.)
10469 The @kbd{C-x * 0} (with the zero key) command also resets caches along
10470 with all other aspects of the Calculator's state.
10472 @node Debugging Calc, , Caches, Troubleshooting Commands
10473 @subsection Debugging Calc
10476 A few commands exist to help in the debugging of Calc commands.
10477 @xref{Programming}, to see the various ways that you can write
10478 your own Calc commands.
10481 @pindex calc-timing
10482 The @kbd{Z T} (@code{calc-timing}) command turns on and off a mode
10483 in which the timing of slow commands is reported in the Trail.
10484 Any Calc command that takes two seconds or longer writes a line
10485 to the Trail showing how many seconds it took. This value is
10486 accurate only to within one second.
10488 All steps of executing a command are included; in particular, time
10489 taken to format the result for display in the stack and trail is
10490 counted. Some prompts also count time taken waiting for them to
10491 be answered, while others do not; this depends on the exact
10492 implementation of the command. For best results, if you are timing
10493 a sequence that includes prompts or multiple commands, define a
10494 keyboard macro to run the whole sequence at once. Calc's @kbd{X}
10495 command (@pxref{Keyboard Macros}) will then report the time taken
10496 to execute the whole macro.
10498 Another advantage of the @kbd{X} command is that while it is
10499 executing, the stack and trail are not updated from step to step.
10500 So if you expect the output of your test sequence to leave a result
10501 that may take a long time to format and you don't wish to count
10502 this formatting time, end your sequence with a @key{DEL} keystroke
10503 to clear the result from the stack. When you run the sequence with
10504 @kbd{X}, Calc will never bother to format the large result.
10506 Another thing @kbd{Z T} does is to increase the Emacs variable
10507 @code{gc-cons-threshold} to a much higher value (two million; the
10508 usual default in Calc is 250,000) for the duration of each command.
10509 This generally prevents garbage collection during the timing of
10510 the command, though it may cause your Emacs process to grow
10511 abnormally large. (Garbage collection time is a major unpredictable
10512 factor in the timing of Emacs operations.)
10514 Another command that is useful when debugging your own Lisp
10515 extensions to Calc is @kbd{M-x calc-pass-errors}, which disables
10516 the error handler that changes the ``@code{max-lisp-eval-depth}
10517 exceeded'' message to the much more friendly ``Computation got
10518 stuck or ran too long.'' This handler interferes with the Emacs
10519 Lisp debugger's @code{debug-on-error} mode. Errors are reported
10520 in the handler itself rather than at the true location of the
10521 error. After you have executed @code{calc-pass-errors}, Lisp
10522 errors will be reported correctly but the user-friendly message
10525 @node Data Types, Stack and Trail, Introduction, Top
10526 @chapter Data Types
10529 This chapter discusses the various types of objects that can be placed
10530 on the Calculator stack, how they are displayed, and how they are
10531 entered. (@xref{Data Type Formats}, for information on how these data
10532 types are represented as underlying Lisp objects.)
10534 Integers, fractions, and floats are various ways of describing real
10535 numbers. HMS forms also for many purposes act as real numbers. These
10536 types can be combined to form complex numbers, modulo forms, error forms,
10537 or interval forms. (But these last four types cannot be combined
10538 arbitrarily:@: error forms may not contain modulo forms, for example.)
10539 Finally, all these types of numbers may be combined into vectors,
10540 matrices, or algebraic formulas.
10543 * Integers:: The most basic data type.
10544 * Fractions:: This and above are called @dfn{rationals}.
10545 * Floats:: This and above are called @dfn{reals}.
10546 * Complex Numbers:: This and above are called @dfn{numbers}.
10548 * Vectors and Matrices::
10555 * Incomplete Objects::
10560 @node Integers, Fractions, Data Types, Data Types
10565 The Calculator stores integers to arbitrary precision. Addition,
10566 subtraction, and multiplication of integers always yields an exact
10567 integer result. (If the result of a division or exponentiation of
10568 integers is not an integer, it is expressed in fractional or
10569 floating-point form according to the current Fraction mode.
10570 @xref{Fraction Mode}.)
10572 A decimal integer is represented as an optional sign followed by a
10573 sequence of digits. Grouping (@pxref{Grouping Digits}) can be used to
10574 insert a comma at every third digit for display purposes, but you
10575 must not type commas during the entry of numbers.
10578 A non-decimal integer is represented as an optional sign, a radix
10579 between 2 and 36, a @samp{#} symbol, and one or more digits. For radix 11
10580 and above, the letters A through Z (upper- or lower-case) count as
10581 digits and do not terminate numeric entry mode. @xref{Radix Modes}, for how
10582 to set the default radix for display of integers. Numbers of any radix
10583 may be entered at any time. If you press @kbd{#} at the beginning of a
10584 number, the current display radix is used.
10586 @node Fractions, Floats, Integers, Data Types
10591 A @dfn{fraction} is a ratio of two integers. Fractions are traditionally
10592 written ``2/3'' but Calc uses the notation @samp{2:3}. (The @kbd{/} key
10593 performs RPN division; the following two sequences push the number
10594 @samp{2:3} on the stack: @kbd{2 :@: 3 @key{RET}}, or @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 /}
10595 assuming Fraction mode has been enabled.)
10596 When the Calculator produces a fractional result it always reduces it to
10597 simplest form, which may in fact be an integer.
10599 Fractions may also be entered in a three-part form, where @samp{2:3:4}
10600 represents two-and-three-quarters. @xref{Fraction Formats}, for fraction
10603 Non-decimal fractions are entered and displayed as
10604 @samp{@var{radix}#@var{num}:@var{denom}} (or in the analogous three-part
10605 form). The numerator and denominator always use the same radix.
10607 @node Floats, Complex Numbers, Fractions, Data Types
10611 @cindex Floating-point numbers
10612 A floating-point number or @dfn{float} is a number stored in scientific
10613 notation. The number of significant digits in the fractional part is
10614 governed by the current floating precision (@pxref{Precision}). The
10615 range of acceptable values is from
10616 @texline @math{10^{-3999999}}
10617 @infoline @expr{10^-3999999}
10619 @texline @math{10^{4000000}}
10620 @infoline @expr{10^4000000}
10621 (exclusive), plus the corresponding negative values and zero.
10623 Calculations that would exceed the allowable range of values (such
10624 as @samp{exp(exp(20))}) are left in symbolic form by Calc. The
10625 messages ``floating-point overflow'' or ``floating-point underflow''
10626 indicate that during the calculation a number would have been produced
10627 that was too large or too close to zero, respectively, to be represented
10628 by Calc. This does not necessarily mean the final result would have
10629 overflowed, just that an overflow occurred while computing the result.
10630 (In fact, it could report an underflow even though the final result
10631 would have overflowed!)
10633 If a rational number and a float are mixed in a calculation, the result
10634 will in general be expressed as a float. Commands that require an integer
10635 value (such as @kbd{k g} [@code{gcd}]) will also accept integer-valued
10636 floats, i.e., floating-point numbers with nothing after the decimal point.
10638 Floats are identified by the presence of a decimal point and/or an
10639 exponent. In general a float consists of an optional sign, digits
10640 including an optional decimal point, and an optional exponent consisting
10641 of an @samp{e}, an optional sign, and up to seven exponent digits.
10642 For example, @samp{23.5e-2} is 23.5 times ten to the minus-second power,
10645 Floating-point numbers are normally displayed in decimal notation with
10646 all significant figures shown. Exceedingly large or small numbers are
10647 displayed in scientific notation. Various other display options are
10648 available. @xref{Float Formats}.
10650 @cindex Accuracy of calculations
10651 Floating-point numbers are stored in decimal, not binary. The result
10652 of each operation is rounded to the nearest value representable in the
10653 number of significant digits specified by the current precision,
10654 rounding away from zero in the case of a tie. Thus (in the default
10655 display mode) what you see is exactly what you get. Some operations such
10656 as square roots and transcendental functions are performed with several
10657 digits of extra precision and then rounded down, in an effort to make the
10658 final result accurate to the full requested precision. However,
10659 accuracy is not rigorously guaranteed. If you suspect the validity of a
10660 result, try doing the same calculation in a higher precision. The
10661 Calculator's arithmetic is not intended to be IEEE-conformant in any
10664 While floats are always @emph{stored} in decimal, they can be entered
10665 and displayed in any radix just like integers and fractions. Since a
10666 float that is entered in a radix other that 10 will be converted to
10667 decimal, the number that Calc stores may not be exactly the number that
10668 was entered, it will be the closest decimal approximation given the
10669 current precison. The notation @samp{@var{radix}#@var{ddd}.@var{ddd}}
10670 is a floating-point number whose digits are in the specified radix.
10671 Note that the @samp{.} is more aptly referred to as a ``radix point''
10672 than as a decimal point in this case. The number @samp{8#123.4567} is
10673 defined as @samp{8#1234567 * 8^-4}. If the radix is 14 or less, you can
10674 use @samp{e} notation to write a non-decimal number in scientific
10675 notation. The exponent is written in decimal, and is considered to be a
10676 power of the radix: @samp{8#1234567e-4}. If the radix is 15 or above,
10677 the letter @samp{e} is a digit, so scientific notation must be written
10678 out, e.g., @samp{16#123.4567*16^2}. The first two exercises of the
10679 Modes Tutorial explore some of the properties of non-decimal floats.
10681 @node Complex Numbers, Infinities, Floats, Data Types
10682 @section Complex Numbers
10685 @cindex Complex numbers
10686 There are two supported formats for complex numbers: rectangular and
10687 polar. The default format is rectangular, displayed in the form
10688 @samp{(@var{real},@var{imag})} where @var{real} is the real part and
10689 @var{imag} is the imaginary part, each of which may be any real number.
10690 Rectangular complex numbers can also be displayed in @samp{@var{a}+@var{b}i}
10691 notation; @pxref{Complex Formats}.
10693 Polar complex numbers are displayed in the form
10694 @texline `@tfn{(}@var{r}@tfn{;}@math{\theta}@tfn{)}'
10695 @infoline `@tfn{(}@var{r}@tfn{;}@var{theta}@tfn{)}'
10696 where @var{r} is the nonnegative magnitude and
10697 @texline @math{\theta}
10698 @infoline @var{theta}
10699 is the argument or phase angle. The range of
10700 @texline @math{\theta}
10701 @infoline @var{theta}
10702 depends on the current angular mode (@pxref{Angular Modes}); it is
10703 generally between @mathit{-180} and @mathit{+180} degrees or the equivalent range
10706 Complex numbers are entered in stages using incomplete objects.
10707 @xref{Incomplete Objects}.
10709 Operations on rectangular complex numbers yield rectangular complex
10710 results, and similarly for polar complex numbers. Where the two types
10711 are mixed, or where new complex numbers arise (as for the square root of
10712 a negative real), the current @dfn{Polar mode} is used to determine the
10713 type. @xref{Polar Mode}.
10715 A complex result in which the imaginary part is zero (or the phase angle
10716 is 0 or 180 degrees or @cpi{} radians) is automatically converted to a real
10719 @node Infinities, Vectors and Matrices, Complex Numbers, Data Types
10720 @section Infinities
10724 @cindex @code{inf} variable
10725 @cindex @code{uinf} variable
10726 @cindex @code{nan} variable
10730 The word @code{inf} represents the mathematical concept of @dfn{infinity}.
10731 Calc actually has three slightly different infinity-like values:
10732 @code{inf}, @code{uinf}, and @code{nan}. These are just regular
10733 variable names (@pxref{Variables}); you should avoid using these
10734 names for your own variables because Calc gives them special
10735 treatment. Infinities, like all variable names, are normally
10736 entered using algebraic entry.
10738 Mathematically speaking, it is not rigorously correct to treat
10739 ``infinity'' as if it were a number, but mathematicians often do
10740 so informally. When they say that @samp{1 / inf = 0}, what they
10741 really mean is that @expr{1 / x}, as @expr{x} becomes larger and
10742 larger, becomes arbitrarily close to zero. So you can imagine
10743 that if @expr{x} got ``all the way to infinity,'' then @expr{1 / x}
10744 would go all the way to zero. Similarly, when they say that
10745 @samp{exp(inf) = inf}, they mean that
10746 @texline @math{e^x}
10747 @infoline @expr{exp(x)}
10748 grows without bound as @expr{x} grows. The symbol @samp{-inf} likewise
10749 stands for an infinitely negative real value; for example, we say that
10750 @samp{exp(-inf) = 0}. You can have an infinity pointing in any
10751 direction on the complex plane: @samp{sqrt(-inf) = i inf}.
10753 The same concept of limits can be used to define @expr{1 / 0}. We
10754 really want the value that @expr{1 / x} approaches as @expr{x}
10755 approaches zero. But if all we have is @expr{1 / 0}, we can't
10756 tell which direction @expr{x} was coming from. If @expr{x} was
10757 positive and decreasing toward zero, then we should say that
10758 @samp{1 / 0 = inf}. But if @expr{x} was negative and increasing
10759 toward zero, the answer is @samp{1 / 0 = -inf}. In fact, @expr{x}
10760 could be an imaginary number, giving the answer @samp{i inf} or
10761 @samp{-i inf}. Calc uses the special symbol @samp{uinf} to mean
10762 @dfn{undirected infinity}, i.e., a value which is infinitely
10763 large but with an unknown sign (or direction on the complex plane).
10765 Calc actually has three modes that say how infinities are handled.
10766 Normally, infinities never arise from calculations that didn't
10767 already have them. Thus, @expr{1 / 0} is treated simply as an
10768 error and left unevaluated. The @kbd{m i} (@code{calc-infinite-mode})
10769 command (@pxref{Infinite Mode}) enables a mode in which
10770 @expr{1 / 0} evaluates to @code{uinf} instead. There is also
10771 an alternative type of infinite mode which says to treat zeros
10772 as if they were positive, so that @samp{1 / 0 = inf}. While this
10773 is less mathematically correct, it may be the answer you want in
10776 Since all infinities are ``as large'' as all others, Calc simplifies,
10777 e.g., @samp{5 inf} to @samp{inf}. Another example is
10778 @samp{5 - inf = -inf}, where the @samp{-inf} is so large that
10779 adding a finite number like five to it does not affect it.
10780 Note that @samp{a - inf} also results in @samp{-inf}; Calc assumes
10781 that variables like @code{a} always stand for finite quantities.
10782 Just to show that infinities really are all the same size,
10783 note that @samp{sqrt(inf) = inf^2 = exp(inf) = inf} in Calc's
10786 It's not so easy to define certain formulas like @samp{0 * inf} and
10787 @samp{inf / inf}. Depending on where these zeros and infinities
10788 came from, the answer could be literally anything. The latter
10789 formula could be the limit of @expr{x / x} (giving a result of one),
10790 or @expr{2 x / x} (giving two), or @expr{x^2 / x} (giving @code{inf}),
10791 or @expr{x / x^2} (giving zero). Calc uses the symbol @code{nan}
10792 to represent such an @dfn{indeterminate} value. (The name ``nan''
10793 comes from analogy with the ``NAN'' concept of IEEE standard
10794 arithmetic; it stands for ``Not A Number.'' This is somewhat of a
10795 misnomer, since @code{nan} @emph{does} stand for some number or
10796 infinity, it's just that @emph{which} number it stands for
10797 cannot be determined.) In Calc's notation, @samp{0 * inf = nan}
10798 and @samp{inf / inf = nan}. A few other common indeterminate
10799 expressions are @samp{inf - inf} and @samp{inf ^ 0}. Also,
10800 @samp{0 / 0 = nan} if you have turned on Infinite mode
10801 (as described above).
10803 Infinities are especially useful as parts of @dfn{intervals}.
10804 @xref{Interval Forms}.
10806 @node Vectors and Matrices, Strings, Infinities, Data Types
10807 @section Vectors and Matrices
10811 @cindex Plain vectors
10813 The @dfn{vector} data type is flexible and general. A vector is simply a
10814 list of zero or more data objects. When these objects are numbers, the
10815 whole is a vector in the mathematical sense. When these objects are
10816 themselves vectors of equal (nonzero) length, the whole is a @dfn{matrix}.
10817 A vector which is not a matrix is referred to here as a @dfn{plain vector}.
10819 A vector is displayed as a list of values separated by commas and enclosed
10820 in square brackets: @samp{[1, 2, 3]}. Thus the following is a 2 row by
10821 3 column matrix: @samp{[[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6]]}. Vectors, like complex
10822 numbers, are entered as incomplete objects. @xref{Incomplete Objects}.
10823 During algebraic entry, vectors are entered all at once in the usual
10824 brackets-and-commas form. Matrices may be entered algebraically as nested
10825 vectors, or using the shortcut notation @w{@samp{[1, 2, 3; 4, 5, 6]}},
10826 with rows separated by semicolons. The commas may usually be omitted
10827 when entering vectors: @samp{[1 2 3]}. Curly braces may be used in
10828 place of brackets: @samp{@{1, 2, 3@}}, but the commas are required in
10831 Traditional vector and matrix arithmetic is also supported;
10832 @pxref{Basic Arithmetic} and @pxref{Matrix Functions}.
10833 Many other operations are applied to vectors element-wise. For example,
10834 the complex conjugate of a vector is a vector of the complex conjugates
10841 Algebraic functions for building vectors include @samp{vec(a, b, c)}
10842 to build @samp{[a, b, c]}, @samp{cvec(a, n, m)} to build an
10843 @texline @math{n\times m}
10844 @infoline @var{n}x@var{m}
10845 matrix of @samp{a}s, and @samp{index(n)} to build a vector of integers
10846 from 1 to @samp{n}.
10848 @node Strings, HMS Forms, Vectors and Matrices, Data Types
10854 @cindex Character strings
10855 Character strings are not a special data type in the Calculator.
10856 Rather, a string is represented simply as a vector all of whose
10857 elements are integers in the range 0 to 255 (ASCII codes). You can
10858 enter a string at any time by pressing the @kbd{"} key. Quotation
10859 marks and backslashes are written @samp{\"} and @samp{\\}, respectively,
10860 inside strings. Other notations introduced by backslashes are:
10876 Finally, a backslash followed by three octal digits produces any
10877 character from its ASCII code.
10880 @pindex calc-display-strings
10881 Strings are normally displayed in vector-of-integers form. The
10882 @w{@kbd{d "}} (@code{calc-display-strings}) command toggles a mode in
10883 which any vectors of small integers are displayed as quoted strings
10886 The backslash notations shown above are also used for displaying
10887 strings. Characters 128 and above are not translated by Calc; unless
10888 you have an Emacs modified for 8-bit fonts, these will show up in
10889 backslash-octal-digits notation. For characters below 32, and
10890 for character 127, Calc uses the backslash-letter combination if
10891 there is one, or otherwise uses a @samp{\^} sequence.
10893 The only Calc feature that uses strings is @dfn{compositions};
10894 @pxref{Compositions}. Strings also provide a convenient
10895 way to do conversions between ASCII characters and integers.
10901 There is a @code{string} function which provides a different display
10902 format for strings. Basically, @samp{string(@var{s})}, where @var{s}
10903 is a vector of integers in the proper range, is displayed as the
10904 corresponding string of characters with no surrounding quotation
10905 marks or other modifications. Thus @samp{string("ABC")} (or
10906 @samp{string([65 66 67])}) will look like @samp{ABC} on the stack.
10907 This happens regardless of whether @w{@kbd{d "}} has been used. The
10908 only way to turn it off is to use @kbd{d U} (unformatted language
10909 mode) which will display @samp{string("ABC")} instead.
10911 Control characters are displayed somewhat differently by @code{string}.
10912 Characters below 32, and character 127, are shown using @samp{^} notation
10913 (same as shown above, but without the backslash). The quote and
10914 backslash characters are left alone, as are characters 128 and above.
10920 The @code{bstring} function is just like @code{string} except that
10921 the resulting string is breakable across multiple lines if it doesn't
10922 fit all on one line. Potential break points occur at every space
10923 character in the string.
10925 @node HMS Forms, Date Forms, Strings, Data Types
10929 @cindex Hours-minutes-seconds forms
10930 @cindex Degrees-minutes-seconds forms
10931 @dfn{HMS} stands for Hours-Minutes-Seconds; when used as an angular
10932 argument, the interpretation is Degrees-Minutes-Seconds. All functions
10933 that operate on angles accept HMS forms. These are interpreted as
10934 degrees regardless of the current angular mode. It is also possible to
10935 use HMS as the angular mode so that calculated angles are expressed in
10936 degrees, minutes, and seconds.
10942 @kindex ' (HMS forms)
10946 @kindex " (HMS forms)
10950 @kindex h (HMS forms)
10954 @kindex o (HMS forms)
10958 @kindex m (HMS forms)
10962 @kindex s (HMS forms)
10963 The default format for HMS values is
10964 @samp{@var{hours}@@ @var{mins}' @var{secs}"}. During entry, the letters
10965 @samp{h} (for ``hours'') or
10966 @samp{o} (approximating the ``degrees'' symbol) are accepted as well as
10967 @samp{@@}, @samp{m} is accepted in place of @samp{'}, and @samp{s} is
10968 accepted in place of @samp{"}.
10969 The @var{hours} value is an integer (or integer-valued float).
10970 The @var{mins} value is an integer or integer-valued float between 0 and 59.
10971 The @var{secs} value is a real number between 0 (inclusive) and 60
10972 (exclusive). A positive HMS form is interpreted as @var{hours} +
10973 @var{mins}/60 + @var{secs}/3600. A negative HMS form is interpreted
10974 as @mathit{- @var{hours}} @mathit{-} @var{mins}/60 @mathit{-} @var{secs}/3600.
10975 Display format for HMS forms is quite flexible. @xref{HMS Formats}.
10977 HMS forms can be added and subtracted. When they are added to numbers,
10978 the numbers are interpreted according to the current angular mode. HMS
10979 forms can also be multiplied and divided by real numbers. Dividing
10980 two HMS forms produces a real-valued ratio of the two angles.
10983 @cindex Time of day
10984 Just for kicks, @kbd{M-x calc-time} pushes the current time of day on
10985 the stack as an HMS form.
10987 @node Date Forms, Modulo Forms, HMS Forms, Data Types
10988 @section Date Forms
10992 A @dfn{date form} represents a date and possibly an associated time.
10993 Simple date arithmetic is supported: Adding a number to a date
10994 produces a new date shifted by that many days; adding an HMS form to
10995 a date shifts it by that many hours. Subtracting two date forms
10996 computes the number of days between them (represented as a simple
10997 number). Many other operations, such as multiplying two date forms,
10998 are nonsensical and are not allowed by Calc.
11000 Date forms are entered and displayed enclosed in @samp{< >} brackets.
11001 The default format is, e.g., @samp{<Wed Jan 9, 1991>} for dates,
11002 or @samp{<3:32:20pm Wed Jan 9, 1991>} for dates with times.
11003 Input is flexible; date forms can be entered in any of the usual
11004 notations for dates and times. @xref{Date Formats}.
11006 Date forms are stored internally as numbers, specifically the number
11007 of days since midnight on the morning of January 1 of the year 1 AD.
11008 If the internal number is an integer, the form represents a date only;
11009 if the internal number is a fraction or float, the form represents
11010 a date and time. For example, @samp{<6:00am Wed Jan 9, 1991>}
11011 is represented by the number 726842.25. The standard precision of
11012 12 decimal digits is enough to ensure that a (reasonable) date and
11013 time can be stored without roundoff error.
11015 If the current precision is greater than 12, date forms will keep
11016 additional digits in the seconds position. For example, if the
11017 precision is 15, the seconds will keep three digits after the
11018 decimal point. Decreasing the precision below 12 may cause the
11019 time part of a date form to become inaccurate. This can also happen
11020 if astronomically high years are used, though this will not be an
11021 issue in everyday (or even everymillennium) use. Note that date
11022 forms without times are stored as exact integers, so roundoff is
11023 never an issue for them.
11025 You can use the @kbd{v p} (@code{calc-pack}) and @kbd{v u}
11026 (@code{calc-unpack}) commands to get at the numerical representation
11027 of a date form. @xref{Packing and Unpacking}.
11029 Date forms can go arbitrarily far into the future or past. Negative
11030 year numbers represent years BC. Calc uses a combination of the
11031 Gregorian and Julian calendars, following the history of Great
11032 Britain and the British colonies. This is the same calendar that
11033 is used by the @code{cal} program in most Unix implementations.
11035 @cindex Julian calendar
11036 @cindex Gregorian calendar
11037 Some historical background: The Julian calendar was created by
11038 Julius Caesar in the year 46 BC as an attempt to fix the gradual
11039 drift caused by the lack of leap years in the calendar used
11040 until that time. The Julian calendar introduced an extra day in
11041 all years divisible by four. After some initial confusion, the
11042 calendar was adopted around the year we call 8 AD. Some centuries
11043 later it became apparent that the Julian year of 365.25 days was
11044 itself not quite right. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII introduced the
11045 Gregorian calendar, which added the new rule that years divisible
11046 by 100, but not by 400, were not to be considered leap years
11047 despite being divisible by four. Many countries delayed adoption
11048 of the Gregorian calendar because of religious differences;
11049 in Britain it was put off until the year 1752, by which time
11050 the Julian calendar had fallen eleven days behind the true
11051 seasons. So the switch to the Gregorian calendar in early
11052 September 1752 introduced a discontinuity: The day after
11053 Sep 2, 1752 is Sep 14, 1752. Calc follows this convention.
11054 To take another example, Russia waited until 1918 before
11055 adopting the new calendar, and thus needed to remove thirteen
11056 days (between Feb 1, 1918 and Feb 14, 1918). This means that
11057 Calc's reckoning will be inconsistent with Russian history between
11058 1752 and 1918, and similarly for various other countries.
11060 Today's timekeepers introduce an occasional ``leap second'' as
11061 well, but Calc does not take these minor effects into account.
11062 (If it did, it would have to report a non-integer number of days
11063 between, say, @samp{<12:00am Mon Jan 1, 1900>} and
11064 @samp{<12:00am Sat Jan 1, 2000>}.)
11066 Calc uses the Julian calendar for all dates before the year 1752,
11067 including dates BC when the Julian calendar technically had not
11068 yet been invented. Thus the claim that day number @mathit{-10000} is
11069 called ``August 16, 28 BC'' should be taken with a grain of salt.
11071 Please note that there is no ``year 0''; the day before
11072 @samp{<Sat Jan 1, +1>} is @samp{<Fri Dec 31, -1>}. These are
11073 days 0 and @mathit{-1} respectively in Calc's internal numbering scheme.
11075 @cindex Julian day counting
11076 Another day counting system in common use is, confusingly, also called
11077 ``Julian.'' The Julian day number is the numbers of days since
11078 12:00 noon (GMT) on Jan 1, 4713 BC, which in Calc's scheme (in GMT)
11079 is @mathit{-1721423.5} (recall that Calc starts at midnight instead
11080 of noon). Thus to convert a Calc date code obtained by unpacking a
11081 date form into a Julian day number, simply add 1721423.5 after
11082 compensating for the time zone difference. The built-in @kbd{t J}
11083 command performs this conversion for you.
11085 The Julian day number is based on the Julian cycle, which was invented
11086 in 1583 by Joseph Justus Scaliger. Scaliger named it the Julian cycle
11087 since it involves the Julian calendar, but some have suggested that
11088 Scaliger named it in honor of his father, Julius Caesar Scaliger. The
11089 Julian cycle is based on three other cycles: the indiction cycle, the
11090 Metonic cycle, and the solar cycle. The indiction cycle is a 15 year
11091 cycle originally used by the Romans for tax purposes but later used to
11092 date medieval documents. The Metonic cycle is a 19 year cycle; 19
11093 years is close to being a common multiple of a solar year and a lunar
11094 month, and so every 19 years the phases of the moon will occur on the
11095 same days of the year. The solar cycle is a 28 year cycle; the Julian
11096 calendar repeats itself every 28 years. The smallest time period
11097 which contains multiples of all three cycles is the least common
11098 multiple of 15 years, 19 years and 28 years, which (since they're
11099 pairwise relatively prime) is
11100 @texline @math{15\times 19\times 28 = 7980} years.
11101 @infoline 15*19*28 = 7980 years.
11102 This is the length of a Julian cycle. Working backwards, the previous
11103 year in which all three cycles began was 4713 BC, and so Scalinger
11104 chose that year as the beginning of a Julian cycle. Since at the time
11105 there were no historical records from before 4713 BC, using this year
11106 as a starting point had the advantage of avoiding negative year
11107 numbers. In 1849, the astronomer John Herschel (son of William
11108 Herschel) suggested using the number of days since the beginning of
11109 the Julian cycle as an astronomical dating system; this idea was taken
11110 up by other astronomers. (At the time, noon was the start of the
11111 astronomical day. Herschel originally suggested counting the days
11112 since Jan 1, 4713 BC at noon Alexandria time; this was later amended to
11113 noon GMT.) Julian day numbering is largely used in astronomy.
11115 @cindex Unix time format
11116 The Unix operating system measures time as an integer number of
11117 seconds since midnight, Jan 1, 1970. To convert a Calc date
11118 value into a Unix time stamp, first subtract 719164 (the code
11119 for @samp{<Jan 1, 1970>}), then multiply by 86400 (the number of
11120 seconds in a day) and press @kbd{R} to round to the nearest
11121 integer. If you have a date form, you can simply subtract the
11122 day @samp{<Jan 1, 1970>} instead of unpacking and subtracting
11123 719164. Likewise, divide by 86400 and add @samp{<Jan 1, 1970>}
11124 to convert from Unix time to a Calc date form. (Note that
11125 Unix normally maintains the time in the GMT time zone; you may
11126 need to subtract five hours to get New York time, or eight hours
11127 for California time. The same is usually true of Julian day
11128 counts.) The built-in @kbd{t U} command performs these
11131 @node Modulo Forms, Error Forms, Date Forms, Data Types
11132 @section Modulo Forms
11135 @cindex Modulo forms
11136 A @dfn{modulo form} is a real number which is taken modulo (i.e., within
11137 an integer multiple of) some value @var{M}. Arithmetic modulo @var{M}
11138 often arises in number theory. Modulo forms are written
11139 `@var{a} @tfn{mod} @var{M}',
11140 where @var{a} and @var{M} are real numbers or HMS forms, and
11141 @texline @math{0 \le a < M}.
11142 @infoline @expr{0 <= a < @var{M}}.
11143 In many applications @expr{a} and @expr{M} will be
11144 integers but this is not required.
11149 @kindex M (modulo forms)
11153 @tindex mod (operator)
11154 To create a modulo form during numeric entry, press the shift-@kbd{M}
11155 key to enter the word @samp{mod}. As a special convenience, pressing
11156 shift-@kbd{M} a second time automatically enters the value of @expr{M}
11157 that was most recently used before. During algebraic entry, either
11158 type @samp{mod} by hand or press @kbd{M-m} (that's @kbd{@key{META}-m}).
11159 Once again, pressing this a second time enters the current modulo.
11161 Modulo forms are not to be confused with the modulo operator @samp{%}.
11162 The expression @samp{27 % 10} means to compute 27 modulo 10 to produce
11163 the result 7. Further computations treat this 7 as just a regular integer.
11164 The expression @samp{27 mod 10} produces the result @samp{7 mod 10};
11165 further computations with this value are again reduced modulo 10 so that
11166 the result always lies in the desired range.
11168 When two modulo forms with identical @expr{M}'s are added or multiplied,
11169 the Calculator simply adds or multiplies the values, then reduces modulo
11170 @expr{M}. If one argument is a modulo form and the other a plain number,
11171 the plain number is treated like a compatible modulo form. It is also
11172 possible to raise modulo forms to powers; the result is the value raised
11173 to the power, then reduced modulo @expr{M}. (When all values involved
11174 are integers, this calculation is done much more efficiently than
11175 actually computing the power and then reducing.)
11177 @cindex Modulo division
11178 Two modulo forms `@var{a} @tfn{mod} @var{M}' and `@var{b} @tfn{mod} @var{M}'
11179 can be divided if @expr{a}, @expr{b}, and @expr{M} are all
11180 integers. The result is the modulo form which, when multiplied by
11181 `@var{b} @tfn{mod} @var{M}', produces `@var{a} @tfn{mod} @var{M}'. If
11182 there is no solution to this equation (which can happen only when
11183 @expr{M} is non-prime), or if any of the arguments are non-integers, the
11184 division is left in symbolic form. Other operations, such as square
11185 roots, are not yet supported for modulo forms. (Note that, although
11186 @w{`@tfn{(}@var{a} @tfn{mod} @var{M}@tfn{)^.5}'} will compute a ``modulo square root''
11187 in the sense of reducing
11188 @texline @math{\sqrt a}
11189 @infoline @expr{sqrt(a)}
11190 modulo @expr{M}, this is not a useful definition from the
11191 number-theoretical point of view.)
11193 It is possible to mix HMS forms and modulo forms. For example, an
11194 HMS form modulo 24 could be used to manipulate clock times; an HMS
11195 form modulo 360 would be suitable for angles. Making the modulo @expr{M}
11196 also be an HMS form eliminates troubles that would arise if the angular
11197 mode were inadvertently set to Radians, in which case
11198 @w{@samp{2@@ 0' 0" mod 24}} would be interpreted as two degrees modulo
11201 Modulo forms cannot have variables or formulas for components. If you
11202 enter the formula @samp{(x + 2) mod 5}, Calc propagates the modulus
11203 to each of the coefficients: @samp{(1 mod 5) x + (2 mod 5)}.
11205 You can use @kbd{v p} and @kbd{%} to modify modulo forms.
11206 @xref{Packing and Unpacking}. @xref{Basic Arithmetic}.
11212 The algebraic function @samp{makemod(a, m)} builds the modulo form
11213 @w{@samp{a mod m}}.
11215 @node Error Forms, Interval Forms, Modulo Forms, Data Types
11216 @section Error Forms
11219 @cindex Error forms
11220 @cindex Standard deviations
11221 An @dfn{error form} is a number with an associated standard
11222 deviation, as in @samp{2.3 +/- 0.12}. The notation
11223 @texline `@var{x} @tfn{+/-} @math{\sigma}'
11224 @infoline `@var{x} @tfn{+/-} sigma'
11225 stands for an uncertain value which follows
11226 a normal or Gaussian distribution of mean @expr{x} and standard
11227 deviation or ``error''
11228 @texline @math{\sigma}.
11229 @infoline @expr{sigma}.
11230 Both the mean and the error can be either numbers or
11231 formulas. Generally these are real numbers but the mean may also be
11232 complex. If the error is negative or complex, it is changed to its
11233 absolute value. An error form with zero error is converted to a
11234 regular number by the Calculator.
11236 All arithmetic and transcendental functions accept error forms as input.
11237 Operations on the mean-value part work just like operations on regular
11238 numbers. The error part for any function @expr{f(x)} (such as
11239 @texline @math{\sin x}
11240 @infoline @expr{sin(x)})
11241 is defined by the error of @expr{x} times the derivative of @expr{f}
11242 evaluated at the mean value of @expr{x}. For a two-argument function
11243 @expr{f(x,y)} (such as addition) the error is the square root of the sum
11244 of the squares of the errors due to @expr{x} and @expr{y}.
11247 f(x \hbox{\code{ +/- }} \sigma)
11248 &= f(x) \hbox{\code{ +/- }} \sigma \left| {df(x) \over dx} \right| \cr
11249 f(x \hbox{\code{ +/- }} \sigma_x, y \hbox{\code{ +/- }} \sigma_y)
11250 &= f(x,y) \hbox{\code{ +/- }}
11251 \sqrt{\left(\sigma_x \left| {\partial f(x,y) \over \partial x}
11253 +\left(\sigma_y \left| {\partial f(x,y) \over \partial y}
11254 \right| \right)^2 } \cr
11258 definition assumes the errors in @expr{x} and @expr{y} are uncorrelated.
11259 A side effect of this definition is that @samp{(2 +/- 1) * (2 +/- 1)}
11260 is not the same as @samp{(2 +/- 1)^2}; the former represents the product
11261 of two independent values which happen to have the same probability
11262 distributions, and the latter is the product of one random value with itself.
11263 The former will produce an answer with less error, since on the average
11264 the two independent errors can be expected to cancel out.
11266 Consult a good text on error analysis for a discussion of the proper use
11267 of standard deviations. Actual errors often are neither Gaussian-distributed
11268 nor uncorrelated, and the above formulas are valid only when errors
11269 are small. As an example, the error arising from
11270 @texline `@tfn{sin(}@var{x} @tfn{+/-} @math{\sigma}@tfn{)}'
11271 @infoline `@tfn{sin(}@var{x} @tfn{+/-} @var{sigma}@tfn{)}'
11273 @texline `@math{\sigma} @tfn{abs(cos(}@var{x}@tfn{))}'.
11274 @infoline `@var{sigma} @tfn{abs(cos(}@var{x}@tfn{))}'.
11275 When @expr{x} is close to zero,
11276 @texline @math{\cos x}
11277 @infoline @expr{cos(x)}
11278 is close to one so the error in the sine is close to
11279 @texline @math{\sigma};
11280 @infoline @expr{sigma};
11281 this makes sense, since
11282 @texline @math{\sin x}
11283 @infoline @expr{sin(x)}
11284 is approximately @expr{x} near zero, so a given error in @expr{x} will
11285 produce about the same error in the sine. Likewise, near 90 degrees
11286 @texline @math{\cos x}
11287 @infoline @expr{cos(x)}
11288 is nearly zero and so the computed error is
11289 small: The sine curve is nearly flat in that region, so an error in @expr{x}
11290 has relatively little effect on the value of
11291 @texline @math{\sin x}.
11292 @infoline @expr{sin(x)}.
11293 However, consider @samp{sin(90 +/- 1000)}. The cosine of 90 is zero, so
11294 Calc will report zero error! We get an obviously wrong result because
11295 we have violated the small-error approximation underlying the error
11296 analysis. If the error in @expr{x} had been small, the error in
11297 @texline @math{\sin x}
11298 @infoline @expr{sin(x)}
11299 would indeed have been negligible.
11304 @kindex p (error forms)
11306 To enter an error form during regular numeric entry, use the @kbd{p}
11307 (``plus-or-minus'') key to type the @samp{+/-} symbol. (If you try actually
11308 typing @samp{+/-} the @kbd{+} key will be interpreted as the Calculator's
11309 @kbd{+} command!) Within an algebraic formula, you can press @kbd{M-+} to
11310 type the @samp{+/-} symbol, or type it out by hand.
11312 Error forms and complex numbers can be mixed; the formulas shown above
11313 are used for complex numbers, too; note that if the error part evaluates
11314 to a complex number its absolute value (or the square root of the sum of
11315 the squares of the absolute values of the two error contributions) is
11316 used. Mathematically, this corresponds to a radially symmetric Gaussian
11317 distribution of numbers on the complex plane. However, note that Calc
11318 considers an error form with real components to represent a real number,
11319 not a complex distribution around a real mean.
11321 Error forms may also be composed of HMS forms. For best results, both
11322 the mean and the error should be HMS forms if either one is.
11328 The algebraic function @samp{sdev(a, b)} builds the error form @samp{a +/- b}.
11330 @node Interval Forms, Incomplete Objects, Error Forms, Data Types
11331 @section Interval Forms
11334 @cindex Interval forms
11335 An @dfn{interval} is a subset of consecutive real numbers. For example,
11336 the interval @samp{[2 ..@: 4]} represents all the numbers from 2 to 4,
11337 inclusive. If you multiply it by the interval @samp{[0.5 ..@: 2]} you
11338 obtain @samp{[1 ..@: 8]}. This calculation represents the fact that if
11339 you multiply some number in the range @samp{[2 ..@: 4]} by some other
11340 number in the range @samp{[0.5 ..@: 2]}, your result will lie in the range
11341 from 1 to 8. Interval arithmetic is used to get a worst-case estimate
11342 of the possible range of values a computation will produce, given the
11343 set of possible values of the input.
11346 Calc supports several varieties of intervals, including @dfn{closed}
11347 intervals of the type shown above, @dfn{open} intervals such as
11348 @samp{(2 ..@: 4)}, which represents the range of numbers from 2 to 4
11349 @emph{exclusive}, and @dfn{semi-open} intervals in which one end
11350 uses a round parenthesis and the other a square bracket. In mathematical
11352 @samp{[2 ..@: 4]} means @expr{2 <= x <= 4}, whereas
11353 @samp{[2 ..@: 4)} represents @expr{2 <= x < 4},
11354 @samp{(2 ..@: 4]} represents @expr{2 < x <= 4}, and
11355 @samp{(2 ..@: 4)} represents @expr{2 < x < 4}.
11358 Calc supports several varieties of intervals, including \dfn{closed}
11359 intervals of the type shown above, \dfn{open} intervals such as
11360 \samp{(2 ..\: 4)}, which represents the range of numbers from 2 to 4
11361 \emph{exclusive}, and \dfn{semi-open} intervals in which one end
11362 uses a round parenthesis and the other a square bracket. In mathematical
11365 [2 \hbox{\cite{..}} 4] &\quad\hbox{means}\quad 2 \le x \le 4 \cr
11366 [2 \hbox{\cite{..}} 4) &\quad\hbox{means}\quad 2 \le x < 4 \cr
11367 (2 \hbox{\cite{..}} 4] &\quad\hbox{means}\quad 2 < x \le 4 \cr
11368 (2 \hbox{\cite{..}} 4) &\quad\hbox{means}\quad 2 < x < 4 \cr
11372 The lower and upper limits of an interval must be either real numbers
11373 (or HMS or date forms), or symbolic expressions which are assumed to be
11374 real-valued, or @samp{-inf} and @samp{inf}. In general the lower limit
11375 must be less than the upper limit. A closed interval containing only
11376 one value, @samp{[3 ..@: 3]}, is converted to a plain number (3)
11377 automatically. An interval containing no values at all (such as
11378 @samp{[3 ..@: 2]} or @samp{[2 ..@: 2)}) can be represented but is not
11379 guaranteed to behave well when used in arithmetic. Note that the
11380 interval @samp{[3 .. inf)} represents all real numbers greater than
11381 or equal to 3, and @samp{(-inf .. inf)} represents all real numbers.
11382 In fact, @samp{[-inf .. inf]} represents all real numbers including
11383 the real infinities.
11385 Intervals are entered in the notation shown here, either as algebraic
11386 formulas, or using incomplete forms. (@xref{Incomplete Objects}.)
11387 In algebraic formulas, multiple periods in a row are collected from
11388 left to right, so that @samp{1...1e2} is interpreted as @samp{1.0 ..@: 1e2}
11389 rather than @samp{1 ..@: 0.1e2}. Add spaces or zeros if you want to
11390 get the other interpretation. If you omit the lower or upper limit,
11391 a default of @samp{-inf} or @samp{inf} (respectively) is furnished.
11393 Infinite mode also affects operations on intervals
11394 (@pxref{Infinities}). Calc will always introduce an open infinity,
11395 as in @samp{1 / (0 .. 2] = [0.5 .. inf)}. But closed infinities,
11396 @w{@samp{1 / [0 .. 2] = [0.5 .. inf]}}, arise only in Infinite mode;
11397 otherwise they are left unevaluated. Note that the ``direction'' of
11398 a zero is not an issue in this case since the zero is always assumed
11399 to be continuous with the rest of the interval. For intervals that
11400 contain zero inside them Calc is forced to give the result,
11401 @samp{1 / (-2 .. 2) = [-inf .. inf]}.
11403 While it may seem that intervals and error forms are similar, they are
11404 based on entirely different concepts of inexact quantities. An error
11406 @texline `@var{x} @tfn{+/-} @math{\sigma}'
11407 @infoline `@var{x} @tfn{+/-} @var{sigma}'
11408 means a variable is random, and its value could
11409 be anything but is ``probably'' within one
11410 @texline @math{\sigma}
11411 @infoline @var{sigma}
11412 of the mean value @expr{x}. An interval
11413 `@tfn{[}@var{a} @tfn{..@:} @var{b}@tfn{]}' means a
11414 variable's value is unknown, but guaranteed to lie in the specified
11415 range. Error forms are statistical or ``average case'' approximations;
11416 interval arithmetic tends to produce ``worst case'' bounds on an
11419 Intervals may not contain complex numbers, but they may contain
11420 HMS forms or date forms.
11422 @xref{Set Operations}, for commands that interpret interval forms
11423 as subsets of the set of real numbers.
11429 The algebraic function @samp{intv(n, a, b)} builds an interval form
11430 from @samp{a} to @samp{b}; @samp{n} is an integer code which must
11431 be 0 for @samp{(..)}, 1 for @samp{(..]}, 2 for @samp{[..)}, or
11434 Please note that in fully rigorous interval arithmetic, care would be
11435 taken to make sure that the computation of the lower bound rounds toward
11436 minus infinity, while upper bound computations round toward plus
11437 infinity. Calc's arithmetic always uses a round-to-nearest mode,
11438 which means that roundoff errors could creep into an interval
11439 calculation to produce intervals slightly smaller than they ought to
11440 be. For example, entering @samp{[1..2]} and pressing @kbd{Q 2 ^}
11441 should yield the interval @samp{[1..2]} again, but in fact it yields the
11442 (slightly too small) interval @samp{[1..1.9999999]} due to roundoff
11445 @node Incomplete Objects, Variables, Interval Forms, Data Types
11446 @section Incomplete Objects
11466 @cindex Incomplete vectors
11467 @cindex Incomplete complex numbers
11468 @cindex Incomplete interval forms
11469 When @kbd{(} or @kbd{[} is typed to begin entering a complex number or
11470 vector, respectively, the effect is to push an @dfn{incomplete} complex
11471 number or vector onto the stack. The @kbd{,} key adds the value(s) at
11472 the top of the stack onto the current incomplete object. The @kbd{)}
11473 and @kbd{]} keys ``close'' the incomplete object after adding any values
11474 on the top of the stack in front of the incomplete object.
11476 As a result, the sequence of keystrokes @kbd{[ 2 , 3 @key{RET} 2 * , 9 ]}
11477 pushes the vector @samp{[2, 6, 9]} onto the stack. Likewise, @kbd{( 1 , 2 Q )}
11478 pushes the complex number @samp{(1, 1.414)} (approximately).
11480 If several values lie on the stack in front of the incomplete object,
11481 all are collected and appended to the object. Thus the @kbd{,} key
11482 is redundant: @kbd{[ 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} 2 * 9 ]}. Some people
11483 prefer the equivalent @key{SPC} key to @key{RET}.
11485 As a special case, typing @kbd{,} immediately after @kbd{(}, @kbd{[}, or
11486 @kbd{,} adds a zero or duplicates the preceding value in the list being
11487 formed. Typing @key{DEL} during incomplete entry removes the last item
11491 The @kbd{;} key is used in the same way as @kbd{,} to create polar complex
11492 numbers: @kbd{( 1 ; 2 )}. When entering a vector, @kbd{;} is useful for
11493 creating a matrix. In particular, @kbd{[ [ 1 , 2 ; 3 , 4 ; 5 , 6 ] ]} is
11494 equivalent to @kbd{[ [ 1 , 2 ] , [ 3 , 4 ] , [ 5 , 6 ] ]}.
11498 Incomplete entry is also used to enter intervals. For example,
11499 @kbd{[ 2 ..@: 4 )} enters a semi-open interval. Note that when you type
11500 the first period, it will be interpreted as a decimal point, but when
11501 you type a second period immediately afterward, it is re-interpreted as
11502 part of the interval symbol. Typing @kbd{..} corresponds to executing
11503 the @code{calc-dots} command.
11505 If you find incomplete entry distracting, you may wish to enter vectors
11506 and complex numbers as algebraic formulas by pressing the apostrophe key.
11508 @node Variables, Formulas, Incomplete Objects, Data Types
11512 @cindex Variables, in formulas
11513 A @dfn{variable} is somewhere between a storage register on a conventional
11514 calculator, and a variable in a programming language. (In fact, a Calc
11515 variable is really just an Emacs Lisp variable that contains a Calc number
11516 or formula.) A variable's name is normally composed of letters and digits.
11517 Calc also allows apostrophes and @code{#} signs in variable names.
11518 (The Calc variable @code{foo} corresponds to the Emacs Lisp variable
11519 @code{var-foo}, but unless you access the variable from within Emacs
11520 Lisp, you don't need to worry about it. Variable names in algebraic
11521 formulas implicitly have @samp{var-} prefixed to their names. The
11522 @samp{#} character in variable names used in algebraic formulas
11523 corresponds to a dash @samp{-} in the Lisp variable name. If the name
11524 contains any dashes, the prefix @samp{var-} is @emph{not} automatically
11525 added. Thus the two formulas @samp{foo + 1} and @samp{var#foo + 1} both
11526 refer to the same variable.)
11528 In a command that takes a variable name, you can either type the full
11529 name of a variable, or type a single digit to use one of the special
11530 convenience variables @code{q0} through @code{q9}. For example,
11531 @kbd{3 s s 2} stores the number 3 in variable @code{q2}, and
11532 @w{@kbd{3 s s foo @key{RET}}} stores that number in variable
11535 To push a variable itself (as opposed to the variable's value) on the
11536 stack, enter its name as an algebraic expression using the apostrophe
11540 @pindex calc-evaluate
11541 @cindex Evaluation of variables in a formula
11542 @cindex Variables, evaluation
11543 @cindex Formulas, evaluation
11544 The @kbd{=} (@code{calc-evaluate}) key ``evaluates'' a formula by
11545 replacing all variables in the formula which have been given values by a
11546 @code{calc-store} or @code{calc-let} command by their stored values.
11547 Other variables are left alone. Thus a variable that has not been
11548 stored acts like an abstract variable in algebra; a variable that has
11549 been stored acts more like a register in a traditional calculator.
11550 With a positive numeric prefix argument, @kbd{=} evaluates the top
11551 @var{n} stack entries; with a negative argument, @kbd{=} evaluates
11552 the @var{n}th stack entry.
11554 @cindex @code{e} variable
11555 @cindex @code{pi} variable
11556 @cindex @code{i} variable
11557 @cindex @code{phi} variable
11558 @cindex @code{gamma} variable
11564 A few variables are called @dfn{special constants}. Their names are
11565 @samp{e}, @samp{pi}, @samp{i}, @samp{phi}, and @samp{gamma}.
11566 (@xref{Scientific Functions}.) When they are evaluated with @kbd{=},
11567 their values are calculated if necessary according to the current precision
11568 or complex polar mode. If you wish to use these symbols for other purposes,
11569 simply undefine or redefine them using @code{calc-store}.
11571 The variables @samp{inf}, @samp{uinf}, and @samp{nan} stand for
11572 infinite or indeterminate values. It's best not to use them as
11573 regular variables, since Calc uses special algebraic rules when
11574 it manipulates them. Calc displays a warning message if you store
11575 a value into any of these special variables.
11577 @xref{Store and Recall}, for a discussion of commands dealing with variables.
11579 @node Formulas, , Variables, Data Types
11584 @cindex Expressions
11585 @cindex Operators in formulas
11586 @cindex Precedence of operators
11587 When you press the apostrophe key you may enter any expression or formula
11588 in algebraic form. (Calc uses the terms ``expression'' and ``formula''
11589 interchangeably.) An expression is built up of numbers, variable names,
11590 and function calls, combined with various arithmetic operators.
11592 be used to indicate grouping. Spaces are ignored within formulas, except
11593 that spaces are not permitted within variable names or numbers.
11594 Arithmetic operators, in order from highest to lowest precedence, and
11595 with their equivalent function names, are:
11597 @samp{_} [@code{subscr}] (subscripts);
11599 postfix @samp{%} [@code{percent}] (as in @samp{25% = 0.25});
11601 prefix @samp{!} [@code{lnot}] (logical ``not,'' as in @samp{!x});
11603 @samp{+/-} [@code{sdev}] (the standard deviation symbol) and
11604 @samp{mod} [@code{makemod}] (the symbol for modulo forms);
11606 postfix @samp{!} [@code{fact}] (factorial, as in @samp{n!})
11607 and postfix @samp{!!} [@code{dfact}] (double factorial);
11609 @samp{^} [@code{pow}] (raised-to-the-power-of);
11611 prefix @samp{+} and @samp{-} [@code{neg}] (as in @samp{-x});
11613 @samp{*} [@code{mul}];
11615 @samp{/} [@code{div}], @samp{%} [@code{mod}] (modulo), and
11616 @samp{\} [@code{idiv}] (integer division);
11618 infix @samp{+} [@code{add}] and @samp{-} [@code{sub}] (as in @samp{x-y});
11620 @samp{|} [@code{vconcat}] (vector concatenation);
11622 relations @samp{=} [@code{eq}], @samp{!=} [@code{neq}], @samp{<} [@code{lt}],
11623 @samp{>} [@code{gt}], @samp{<=} [@code{leq}], and @samp{>=} [@code{geq}];
11625 @samp{&&} [@code{land}] (logical ``and'');
11627 @samp{||} [@code{lor}] (logical ``or'');
11629 the C-style ``if'' operator @samp{a?b:c} [@code{if}];
11631 @samp{!!!} [@code{pnot}] (rewrite pattern ``not'');
11633 @samp{&&&} [@code{pand}] (rewrite pattern ``and'');
11635 @samp{|||} [@code{por}] (rewrite pattern ``or'');
11637 @samp{:=} [@code{assign}] (for assignments and rewrite rules);
11639 @samp{::} [@code{condition}] (rewrite pattern condition);
11641 @samp{=>} [@code{evalto}].
11643 Note that, unlike in usual computer notation, multiplication binds more
11644 strongly than division: @samp{a*b/c*d} is equivalent to
11645 @texline @math{a b \over c d}.
11646 @infoline @expr{(a*b)/(c*d)}.
11648 @cindex Multiplication, implicit
11649 @cindex Implicit multiplication
11650 The multiplication sign @samp{*} may be omitted in many cases. In particular,
11651 if the righthand side is a number, variable name, or parenthesized
11652 expression, the @samp{*} may be omitted. Implicit multiplication has the
11653 same precedence as the explicit @samp{*} operator. The one exception to
11654 the rule is that a variable name followed by a parenthesized expression,
11656 is interpreted as a function call, not an implicit @samp{*}. In many
11657 cases you must use a space if you omit the @samp{*}: @samp{2a} is the
11658 same as @samp{2*a}, and @samp{a b} is the same as @samp{a*b}, but @samp{ab}
11659 is a variable called @code{ab}, @emph{not} the product of @samp{a} and
11660 @samp{b}! Also note that @samp{f (x)} is still a function call.
11662 @cindex Implicit comma in vectors
11663 The rules are slightly different for vectors written with square brackets.
11664 In vectors, the space character is interpreted (like the comma) as a
11665 separator of elements of the vector. Thus @w{@samp{[ 2a b+c d ]}} is
11666 equivalent to @samp{[2*a, b+c, d]}, whereas @samp{2a b+c d} is equivalent
11667 to @samp{2*a*b + c*d}.
11668 Note that spaces around the brackets, and around explicit commas, are
11669 ignored. To force spaces to be interpreted as multiplication you can
11670 enclose a formula in parentheses as in @samp{[(a b) 2(c d)]}, which is
11671 interpreted as @samp{[a*b, 2*c*d]}. An implicit comma is also inserted
11672 between @samp{][}, as in the matrix @samp{[[1 2][3 4]]}.
11674 Vectors that contain commas (not embedded within nested parentheses or
11675 brackets) do not treat spaces specially: @samp{[a b, 2 c d]} is a vector
11676 of two elements. Also, if it would be an error to treat spaces as
11677 separators, but not otherwise, then Calc will ignore spaces:
11678 @w{@samp{[a - b]}} is a vector of one element, but @w{@samp{[a -b]}} is
11679 a vector of two elements. Finally, vectors entered with curly braces
11680 instead of square brackets do not give spaces any special treatment.
11681 When Calc displays a vector that does not contain any commas, it will
11682 insert parentheses if necessary to make the meaning clear:
11683 @w{@samp{[(a b)]}}.
11685 The expression @samp{5%-2} is ambiguous; is this five-percent minus two,
11686 or five modulo minus-two? Calc always interprets the leftmost symbol as
11687 an infix operator preferentially (modulo, in this case), so you would
11688 need to write @samp{(5%)-2} to get the former interpretation.
11690 @cindex Function call notation
11691 A function call is, e.g., @samp{sin(1+x)}. (The Calc algebraic function
11692 @code{foo} corresponds to the Emacs Lisp function @code{calcFunc-foo},
11693 but unless you access the function from within Emacs Lisp, you don't
11694 need to worry about it.) Most mathematical Calculator commands like
11695 @code{calc-sin} have function equivalents like @code{sin}.
11696 If no Lisp function is defined for a function called by a formula, the
11697 call is left as it is during algebraic manipulation: @samp{f(x+y)} is
11698 left alone. Beware that many innocent-looking short names like @code{in}
11699 and @code{re} have predefined meanings which could surprise you; however,
11700 single letters or single letters followed by digits are always safe to
11701 use for your own function names. @xref{Function Index}.
11703 In the documentation for particular commands, the notation @kbd{H S}
11704 (@code{calc-sinh}) [@code{sinh}] means that the key sequence @kbd{H S}, the
11705 command @kbd{M-x calc-sinh}, and the algebraic function @code{sinh(x)} all
11706 represent the same operation.
11708 Commands that interpret (``parse'') text as algebraic formulas include
11709 algebraic entry (@kbd{'}), editing commands like @kbd{`} which parse
11710 the contents of the editing buffer when you finish, the @kbd{C-x * g}
11711 and @w{@kbd{C-x * r}} commands, the @kbd{C-y} command, the X window system
11712 ``paste'' mouse operation, and Embedded mode. All of these operations
11713 use the same rules for parsing formulas; in particular, language modes
11714 (@pxref{Language Modes}) affect them all in the same way.
11716 When you read a large amount of text into the Calculator (say a vector
11717 which represents a big set of rewrite rules; @pxref{Rewrite Rules}),
11718 you may wish to include comments in the text. Calc's formula parser
11719 ignores the symbol @samp{%%} and anything following it on a line:
11722 [ a + b, %% the sum of "a" and "b"
11724 %% last line is coming up:
11729 This is parsed exactly the same as @samp{[ a + b, c + d, e + f ]}.
11731 @xref{Syntax Tables}, for a way to create your own operators and other
11732 input notations. @xref{Compositions}, for a way to create new display
11735 @xref{Algebra}, for commands for manipulating formulas symbolically.
11737 @node Stack and Trail, Mode Settings, Data Types, Top
11738 @chapter Stack and Trail Commands
11741 This chapter describes the Calc commands for manipulating objects on the
11742 stack and in the trail buffer. (These commands operate on objects of any
11743 type, such as numbers, vectors, formulas, and incomplete objects.)
11746 * Stack Manipulation::
11747 * Editing Stack Entries::
11752 @node Stack Manipulation, Editing Stack Entries, Stack and Trail, Stack and Trail
11753 @section Stack Manipulation Commands
11759 @cindex Duplicating stack entries
11760 To duplicate the top object on the stack, press @key{RET} or @key{SPC}
11761 (two equivalent keys for the @code{calc-enter} command).
11762 Given a positive numeric prefix argument, these commands duplicate
11763 several elements at the top of the stack.
11764 Given a negative argument,
11765 these commands duplicate the specified element of the stack.
11766 Given an argument of zero, they duplicate the entire stack.
11767 For example, with @samp{10 20 30} on the stack,
11768 @key{RET} creates @samp{10 20 30 30},
11769 @kbd{C-u 2 @key{RET}} creates @samp{10 20 30 20 30},
11770 @kbd{C-u - 2 @key{RET}} creates @samp{10 20 30 20}, and
11771 @kbd{C-u 0 @key{RET}} creates @samp{10 20 30 10 20 30}.
11775 The @key{LFD} (@code{calc-over}) command (on a key marked Line-Feed if you
11776 have it, else on @kbd{C-j}) is like @code{calc-enter}
11777 except that the sign of the numeric prefix argument is interpreted
11778 oppositely. Also, with no prefix argument the default argument is 2.
11779 Thus with @samp{10 20 30} on the stack, @key{LFD} and @kbd{C-u 2 @key{LFD}}
11780 are both equivalent to @kbd{C-u - 2 @key{RET}}, producing
11781 @samp{10 20 30 20}.
11786 @cindex Removing stack entries
11787 @cindex Deleting stack entries
11788 To remove the top element from the stack, press @key{DEL} (@code{calc-pop}).
11789 The @kbd{C-d} key is a synonym for @key{DEL}.
11790 (If the top element is an incomplete object with at least one element, the
11791 last element is removed from it.) Given a positive numeric prefix argument,
11792 several elements are removed. Given a negative argument, the specified
11793 element of the stack is deleted. Given an argument of zero, the entire
11795 For example, with @samp{10 20 30} on the stack,
11796 @key{DEL} leaves @samp{10 20},
11797 @kbd{C-u 2 @key{DEL}} leaves @samp{10},
11798 @kbd{C-u - 2 @key{DEL}} leaves @samp{10 30}, and
11799 @kbd{C-u 0 @key{DEL}} leaves an empty stack.
11801 @kindex M-@key{DEL}
11802 @pindex calc-pop-above
11803 The @kbd{M-@key{DEL}} (@code{calc-pop-above}) command is to @key{DEL} what
11804 @key{LFD} is to @key{RET}: It interprets the sign of the numeric
11805 prefix argument in the opposite way, and the default argument is 2.
11806 Thus @kbd{M-@key{DEL}} by itself removes the second-from-top stack element,
11807 leaving the first, third, fourth, and so on; @kbd{M-3 M-@key{DEL}} deletes
11808 the third stack element.
11811 @pindex calc-roll-down
11812 To exchange the top two elements of the stack, press @key{TAB}
11813 (@code{calc-roll-down}). Given a positive numeric prefix argument, the
11814 specified number of elements at the top of the stack are rotated downward.
11815 Given a negative argument, the entire stack is rotated downward the specified
11816 number of times. Given an argument of zero, the entire stack is reversed
11818 For example, with @samp{10 20 30 40 50} on the stack,
11819 @key{TAB} creates @samp{10 20 30 50 40},
11820 @kbd{C-u 3 @key{TAB}} creates @samp{10 20 50 30 40},
11821 @kbd{C-u - 2 @key{TAB}} creates @samp{40 50 10 20 30}, and
11822 @kbd{C-u 0 @key{TAB}} creates @samp{50 40 30 20 10}.
11824 @kindex M-@key{TAB}
11825 @pindex calc-roll-up
11826 The command @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} (@code{calc-roll-up}) is analogous to @key{TAB}
11827 except that it rotates upward instead of downward. Also, the default
11828 with no prefix argument is to rotate the top 3 elements.
11829 For example, with @samp{10 20 30 40 50} on the stack,
11830 @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} creates @samp{10 20 40 50 30},
11831 @kbd{C-u 4 M-@key{TAB}} creates @samp{10 30 40 50 20},
11832 @kbd{C-u - 2 M-@key{TAB}} creates @samp{30 40 50 10 20}, and
11833 @kbd{C-u 0 M-@key{TAB}} creates @samp{50 40 30 20 10}.
11835 A good way to view the operation of @key{TAB} and @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} is in
11836 terms of moving a particular element to a new position in the stack.
11837 With a positive argument @var{n}, @key{TAB} moves the top stack
11838 element down to level @var{n}, making room for it by pulling all the
11839 intervening stack elements toward the top. @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} moves the
11840 element at level @var{n} up to the top. (Compare with @key{LFD},
11841 which copies instead of moving the element in level @var{n}.)
11843 With a negative argument @mathit{-@var{n}}, @key{TAB} rotates the stack
11844 to move the object in level @var{n} to the deepest place in the
11845 stack, and the object in level @mathit{@var{n}+1} to the top. @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}
11846 rotates the deepest stack element to be in level @var{n}, also
11847 putting the top stack element in level @mathit{@var{n}+1}.
11849 @xref{Selecting Subformulas}, for a way to apply these commands to
11850 any portion of a vector or formula on the stack.
11853 @pindex calc-transpose-lines
11854 @cindex Moving stack entries
11855 The command @kbd{C-x C-t} (@code{calc-transpose-lines}) will transpose
11856 the stack object determined by the point with the stack object at the
11857 next higher level. For example, with @samp{10 20 30 40 50} on the
11858 stack and the point on the line containing @samp{30}, @kbd{C-x C-t}
11859 creates @samp{10 20 40 30 50}. More generally, @kbd{C-x C-t} acts on
11860 the stack objects determined by the current point (and mark) similar
11861 to how the text-mode command @code{transpose-lines} acts on
11862 lines. With argument @var{n}, @kbd{C-x C-t} will move the stack object
11863 at the level above the current point and move it past N other objects;
11864 for example, with @samp{10 20 30 40 50} on the stack and the point on
11865 the line containing @samp{30}, @kbd{C-u 2 C-x C-t} creates
11866 @samp{10 40 20 30 50}. With an argument of 0, @kbd{C-x C-t} will switch
11867 the stack objects at the levels determined by the point and the mark.
11869 @node Editing Stack Entries, Trail Commands, Stack Manipulation, Stack and Trail
11870 @section Editing Stack Entries
11875 @pindex calc-edit-finish
11876 @cindex Editing the stack with Emacs
11877 The @kbd{`} (@code{calc-edit}) command creates a temporary buffer
11878 (@samp{*Calc Edit*}) for editing the top-of-stack value using regular
11879 Emacs commands. Note that @kbd{`} is a backquote, not a quote. With a
11880 numeric prefix argument, it edits the specified number of stack entries
11881 at once. (An argument of zero edits the entire stack; a negative
11882 argument edits one specific stack entry.)
11884 When you are done editing, press @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish and return
11885 to Calc. The @key{RET} and @key{LFD} keys also work to finish most
11886 sorts of editing, though in some cases Calc leaves @key{RET} with its
11887 usual meaning (``insert a newline'') if it's a situation where you
11888 might want to insert new lines into the editing buffer.
11890 When you finish editing, the Calculator parses the lines of text in
11891 the @samp{*Calc Edit*} buffer as numbers or formulas, replaces the
11892 original stack elements in the original buffer with these new values,
11893 then kills the @samp{*Calc Edit*} buffer. The original Calculator buffer
11894 continues to exist during editing, but for best results you should be
11895 careful not to change it until you have finished the edit. You can
11896 also cancel the edit by killing the buffer with @kbd{C-x k}.
11898 The formula is normally reevaluated as it is put onto the stack.
11899 For example, editing @samp{a + 2} to @samp{3 + 2} and pressing
11900 @kbd{C-c C-c} will push 5 on the stack. If you use @key{LFD} to
11901 finish, Calc will put the result on the stack without evaluating it.
11903 If you give a prefix argument to @kbd{C-c C-c},
11904 Calc will not kill the @samp{*Calc Edit*} buffer. You can switch
11905 back to that buffer and continue editing if you wish. However, you
11906 should understand that if you initiated the edit with @kbd{`}, the
11907 @kbd{C-c C-c} operation will be programmed to replace the top of the
11908 stack with the new edited value, and it will do this even if you have
11909 rearranged the stack in the meanwhile. This is not so much of a problem
11910 with other editing commands, though, such as @kbd{s e}
11911 (@code{calc-edit-variable}; @pxref{Operations on Variables}).
11913 If the @code{calc-edit} command involves more than one stack entry,
11914 each line of the @samp{*Calc Edit*} buffer is interpreted as a
11915 separate formula. Otherwise, the entire buffer is interpreted as
11916 one formula, with line breaks ignored. (You can use @kbd{C-o} or
11917 @kbd{C-q C-j} to insert a newline in the buffer without pressing @key{RET}.)
11919 The @kbd{`} key also works during numeric or algebraic entry. The
11920 text entered so far is moved to the @code{*Calc Edit*} buffer for
11921 more extensive editing than is convenient in the minibuffer.
11923 @node Trail Commands, Keep Arguments, Editing Stack Entries, Stack and Trail
11924 @section Trail Commands
11927 @cindex Trail buffer
11928 The commands for manipulating the Calc Trail buffer are two-key sequences
11929 beginning with the @kbd{t} prefix.
11932 @pindex calc-trail-display
11933 The @kbd{t d} (@code{calc-trail-display}) command turns display of the
11934 trail on and off. Normally the trail display is toggled on if it was off,
11935 off if it was on. With a numeric prefix of zero, this command always
11936 turns the trail off; with a prefix of one, it always turns the trail on.
11937 The other trail-manipulation commands described here automatically turn
11938 the trail on. Note that when the trail is off values are still recorded
11939 there; they are simply not displayed. To set Emacs to turn the trail
11940 off by default, type @kbd{t d} and then save the mode settings with
11941 @kbd{m m} (@code{calc-save-modes}).
11944 @pindex calc-trail-in
11946 @pindex calc-trail-out
11947 The @kbd{t i} (@code{calc-trail-in}) and @kbd{t o}
11948 (@code{calc-trail-out}) commands switch the cursor into and out of the
11949 Calc Trail window. In practice they are rarely used, since the commands
11950 shown below are a more convenient way to move around in the
11951 trail, and they work ``by remote control'' when the cursor is still
11952 in the Calculator window.
11954 @cindex Trail pointer
11955 There is a @dfn{trail pointer} which selects some entry of the trail at
11956 any given time. The trail pointer looks like a @samp{>} symbol right
11957 before the selected number. The following commands operate on the
11958 trail pointer in various ways.
11961 @pindex calc-trail-yank
11962 @cindex Retrieving previous results
11963 The @kbd{t y} (@code{calc-trail-yank}) command reads the selected value in
11964 the trail and pushes it onto the Calculator stack. It allows you to
11965 re-use any previously computed value without retyping. With a numeric
11966 prefix argument @var{n}, it yanks the value @var{n} lines above the current
11970 @pindex calc-trail-scroll-left
11972 @pindex calc-trail-scroll-right
11973 The @kbd{t <} (@code{calc-trail-scroll-left}) and @kbd{t >}
11974 (@code{calc-trail-scroll-right}) commands horizontally scroll the trail
11975 window left or right by one half of its width.
11978 @pindex calc-trail-next
11980 @pindex calc-trail-previous
11982 @pindex calc-trail-forward
11984 @pindex calc-trail-backward
11985 The @kbd{t n} (@code{calc-trail-next}) and @kbd{t p}
11986 (@code{calc-trail-previous)} commands move the trail pointer down or up
11987 one line. The @kbd{t f} (@code{calc-trail-forward}) and @kbd{t b}
11988 (@code{calc-trail-backward}) commands move the trail pointer down or up
11989 one screenful at a time. All of these commands accept numeric prefix
11990 arguments to move several lines or screenfuls at a time.
11993 @pindex calc-trail-first
11995 @pindex calc-trail-last
11997 @pindex calc-trail-here
11998 The @kbd{t [} (@code{calc-trail-first}) and @kbd{t ]}
11999 (@code{calc-trail-last}) commands move the trail pointer to the first or
12000 last line of the trail. The @kbd{t h} (@code{calc-trail-here}) command
12001 moves the trail pointer to the cursor position; unlike the other trail
12002 commands, @kbd{t h} works only when Calc Trail is the selected window.
12005 @pindex calc-trail-isearch-forward
12007 @pindex calc-trail-isearch-backward
12009 The @kbd{t s} (@code{calc-trail-isearch-forward}) and @kbd{t r}
12010 (@code{calc-trail-isearch-backward}) commands perform an incremental
12011 search forward or backward through the trail. You can press @key{RET}
12012 to terminate the search; the trail pointer moves to the current line.
12013 If you cancel the search with @kbd{C-g}, the trail pointer stays where
12014 it was when the search began.
12017 The @kbd{t s} (@code{calc-trail-isearch-forward}) and @kbd{t r}
12018 (@code{calc-trail-isearch-backward}) com\-mands perform an incremental
12019 search forward or backward through the trail. You can press @key{RET}
12020 to terminate the search; the trail pointer moves to the current line.
12021 If you cancel the search with @kbd{C-g}, the trail pointer stays where
12022 it was when the search began.
12026 @pindex calc-trail-marker
12027 The @kbd{t m} (@code{calc-trail-marker}) command allows you to enter a
12028 line of text of your own choosing into the trail. The text is inserted
12029 after the line containing the trail pointer; this usually means it is
12030 added to the end of the trail. Trail markers are useful mainly as the
12031 targets for later incremental searches in the trail.
12034 @pindex calc-trail-kill
12035 The @kbd{t k} (@code{calc-trail-kill}) command removes the selected line
12036 from the trail. The line is saved in the Emacs kill ring suitable for
12037 yanking into another buffer, but it is not easy to yank the text back
12038 into the trail buffer. With a numeric prefix argument, this command
12039 kills the @var{n} lines below or above the selected one.
12041 The @kbd{t .} (@code{calc-full-trail-vectors}) command is described
12042 elsewhere; @pxref{Vector and Matrix Formats}.
12044 @node Keep Arguments, , Trail Commands, Stack and Trail
12045 @section Keep Arguments
12049 @pindex calc-keep-args
12050 The @kbd{K} (@code{calc-keep-args}) command acts like a prefix for
12051 the following command. It prevents that command from removing its
12052 arguments from the stack. For example, after @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 +},
12053 the stack contains the sole number 5, but after @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 K +},
12054 the stack contains the arguments and the result: @samp{2 3 5}.
12056 With the exception of keyboard macros, this works for all commands that
12057 take arguments off the stack. (To avoid potentially unpleasant behavior,
12058 a @kbd{K} prefix before a keyboard macro will be ignored. A @kbd{K}
12059 prefix called @emph{within} the keyboard macro will still take effect.)
12060 As another example, @kbd{K a s} simplifies a formula, pushing the
12061 simplified version of the formula onto the stack after the original
12062 formula (rather than replacing the original formula). Note that you
12063 could get the same effect by typing @kbd{@key{RET} a s}, copying the
12064 formula and then simplifying the copy. One difference is that for a very
12065 large formula the time taken to format the intermediate copy in
12066 @kbd{@key{RET} a s} could be noticeable; @kbd{K a s} would avoid this
12069 Even stack manipulation commands are affected. @key{TAB} works by
12070 popping two values and pushing them back in the opposite order,
12071 so @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 K @key{TAB}} produces @samp{2 3 3 2}.
12073 A few Calc commands provide other ways of doing the same thing.
12074 For example, @kbd{' sin($)} replaces the number on the stack with
12075 its sine using algebraic entry; to push the sine and keep the
12076 original argument you could use either @kbd{' sin($1)} or
12077 @kbd{K ' sin($)}. @xref{Algebraic Entry}. Also, the @kbd{s s}
12078 command is effectively the same as @kbd{K s t}. @xref{Storing Variables}.
12080 If you execute a command and then decide you really wanted to keep
12081 the argument, you can press @kbd{M-@key{RET}} (@code{calc-last-args}).
12082 This command pushes the last arguments that were popped by any command
12083 onto the stack. Note that the order of things on the stack will be
12084 different than with @kbd{K}: @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 + M-@key{RET}} leaves
12085 @samp{5 2 3} on the stack instead of @samp{2 3 5}. @xref{Undo}.
12087 @node Mode Settings, Arithmetic, Stack and Trail, Top
12088 @chapter Mode Settings
12091 This chapter describes commands that set modes in the Calculator.
12092 They do not affect the contents of the stack, although they may change
12093 the @emph{appearance} or @emph{interpretation} of the stack's contents.
12096 * General Mode Commands::
12098 * Inverse and Hyperbolic::
12099 * Calculation Modes::
12100 * Simplification Modes::
12108 @node General Mode Commands, Precision, Mode Settings, Mode Settings
12109 @section General Mode Commands
12113 @pindex calc-save-modes
12114 @cindex Continuous memory
12115 @cindex Saving mode settings
12116 @cindex Permanent mode settings
12117 @cindex Calc init file, mode settings
12118 You can save all of the current mode settings in your Calc init file
12119 (the file given by the variable @code{calc-settings-file}, typically
12120 @file{~/.emacs.d/calc.el}) with the @kbd{m m} (@code{calc-save-modes})
12121 command. This will cause Emacs to reestablish these modes each time
12122 it starts up. The modes saved in the file include everything
12123 controlled by the @kbd{m} and @kbd{d} prefix keys, the current
12124 precision and binary word size, whether or not the trail is displayed,
12125 the current height of the Calc window, and more. The current
12126 interface (used when you type @kbd{C-x * *}) is also saved. If there
12127 were already saved mode settings in the file, they are replaced.
12128 Otherwise, the new mode information is appended to the end of the
12132 @pindex calc-mode-record-mode
12133 The @kbd{m R} (@code{calc-mode-record-mode}) command tells Calc to
12134 record all the mode settings (as if by pressing @kbd{m m}) every
12135 time a mode setting changes. If the modes are saved this way, then this
12136 ``automatic mode recording'' mode is also saved.
12137 Type @kbd{m R} again to disable this method of recording the mode
12138 settings. To turn it off permanently, the @kbd{m m} command will also be
12139 necessary. (If Embedded mode is enabled, other options for recording
12140 the modes are available; @pxref{Mode Settings in Embedded Mode}.)
12143 @pindex calc-settings-file-name
12144 The @kbd{m F} (@code{calc-settings-file-name}) command allows you to
12145 choose a different file than the current value of @code{calc-settings-file}
12146 for @kbd{m m}, @kbd{Z P}, and similar commands to save permanent information.
12147 You are prompted for a file name. All Calc modes are then reset to
12148 their default values, then settings from the file you named are loaded
12149 if this file exists, and this file becomes the one that Calc will
12150 use in the future for commands like @kbd{m m}. The default settings
12151 file name is @file{~/.emacs.d/calc.el}. You can see the current file name by
12152 giving a blank response to the @kbd{m F} prompt. See also the
12153 discussion of the @code{calc-settings-file} variable; @pxref{Customizing Calc}.
12155 If the file name you give is your user init file (typically
12156 @file{~/.emacs}), @kbd{m F} will not automatically load the new file. This
12157 is because your user init file may contain other things you don't want
12158 to reread. You can give
12159 a numeric prefix argument of 1 to @kbd{m F} to force it to read the
12160 file no matter what. Conversely, an argument of @mathit{-1} tells
12161 @kbd{m F} @emph{not} to read the new file. An argument of 2 or @mathit{-2}
12162 tells @kbd{m F} not to reset the modes to their defaults beforehand,
12163 which is useful if you intend your new file to have a variant of the
12164 modes present in the file you were using before.
12167 @pindex calc-always-load-extensions
12168 The @kbd{m x} (@code{calc-always-load-extensions}) command enables a mode
12169 in which the first use of Calc loads the entire program, including all
12170 extensions modules. Otherwise, the extensions modules will not be loaded
12171 until the various advanced Calc features are used. Since this mode only
12172 has effect when Calc is first loaded, @kbd{m x} is usually followed by
12173 @kbd{m m} to make the mode-setting permanent. To load all of Calc just
12174 once, rather than always in the future, you can press @kbd{C-x * L}.
12177 @pindex calc-shift-prefix
12178 The @kbd{m S} (@code{calc-shift-prefix}) command enables a mode in which
12179 all of Calc's letter prefix keys may be typed shifted as well as unshifted.
12180 If you are typing, say, @kbd{a S} (@code{calc-solve-for}) quite often
12181 you might find it easier to turn this mode on so that you can type
12182 @kbd{A S} instead. When this mode is enabled, the commands that used to
12183 be on those single shifted letters (e.g., @kbd{A} (@code{calc-abs})) can
12184 now be invoked by pressing the shifted letter twice: @kbd{A A}. Note
12185 that the @kbd{v} prefix key always works both shifted and unshifted, and
12186 the @kbd{z} and @kbd{Z} prefix keys are always distinct. Also, the @kbd{h}
12187 prefix is not affected by this mode. Press @kbd{m S} again to disable
12188 shifted-prefix mode.
12190 @node Precision, Inverse and Hyperbolic, General Mode Commands, Mode Settings
12195 @pindex calc-precision
12196 @cindex Precision of calculations
12197 The @kbd{p} (@code{calc-precision}) command controls the precision to
12198 which floating-point calculations are carried. The precision must be
12199 at least 3 digits and may be arbitrarily high, within the limits of
12200 memory and time. This affects only floats: Integer and rational
12201 calculations are always carried out with as many digits as necessary.
12203 The @kbd{p} key prompts for the current precision. If you wish you
12204 can instead give the precision as a numeric prefix argument.
12206 Many internal calculations are carried to one or two digits higher
12207 precision than normal. Results are rounded down afterward to the
12208 current precision. Unless a special display mode has been selected,
12209 floats are always displayed with their full stored precision, i.e.,
12210 what you see is what you get. Reducing the current precision does not
12211 round values already on the stack, but those values will be rounded
12212 down before being used in any calculation. The @kbd{c 0} through
12213 @kbd{c 9} commands (@pxref{Conversions}) can be used to round an
12214 existing value to a new precision.
12216 @cindex Accuracy of calculations
12217 It is important to distinguish the concepts of @dfn{precision} and
12218 @dfn{accuracy}. In the normal usage of these words, the number
12219 123.4567 has a precision of 7 digits but an accuracy of 4 digits.
12220 The precision is the total number of digits not counting leading
12221 or trailing zeros (regardless of the position of the decimal point).
12222 The accuracy is simply the number of digits after the decimal point
12223 (again not counting trailing zeros). In Calc you control the precision,
12224 not the accuracy of computations. If you were to set the accuracy
12225 instead, then calculations like @samp{exp(100)} would generate many
12226 more digits than you would typically need, while @samp{exp(-100)} would
12227 probably round to zero! In Calc, both these computations give you
12228 exactly 12 (or the requested number of) significant digits.
12230 The only Calc features that deal with accuracy instead of precision
12231 are fixed-point display mode for floats (@kbd{d f}; @pxref{Float Formats}),
12232 and the rounding functions like @code{floor} and @code{round}
12233 (@pxref{Integer Truncation}). Also, @kbd{c 0} through @kbd{c 9}
12234 deal with both precision and accuracy depending on the magnitudes
12235 of the numbers involved.
12237 If you need to work with a particular fixed accuracy (say, dollars and
12238 cents with two digits after the decimal point), one solution is to work
12239 with integers and an ``implied'' decimal point. For example, $8.99
12240 divided by 6 would be entered @kbd{899 @key{RET} 6 /}, yielding 149.833
12241 (actually $1.49833 with our implied decimal point); pressing @kbd{R}
12242 would round this to 150 cents, i.e., $1.50.
12244 @xref{Floats}, for still more on floating-point precision and related
12247 @node Inverse and Hyperbolic, Calculation Modes, Precision, Mode Settings
12248 @section Inverse and Hyperbolic Flags
12252 @pindex calc-inverse
12253 There is no single-key equivalent to the @code{calc-arcsin} function.
12254 Instead, you must first press @kbd{I} (@code{calc-inverse}) to set
12255 the @dfn{Inverse Flag}, then press @kbd{S} (@code{calc-sin}).
12256 The @kbd{I} key actually toggles the Inverse Flag. When this flag
12257 is set, the word @samp{Inv} appears in the mode line.
12260 @pindex calc-hyperbolic
12261 Likewise, the @kbd{H} key (@code{calc-hyperbolic}) sets or clears the
12262 Hyperbolic Flag, which transforms @code{calc-sin} into @code{calc-sinh}.
12263 If both of these flags are set at once, the effect will be
12264 @code{calc-arcsinh}. (The Hyperbolic flag is also used by some
12265 non-trigonometric commands; for example @kbd{H L} computes a base-10,
12266 instead of base-@mathit{e}, logarithm.)
12268 Command names like @code{calc-arcsin} are provided for completeness, and
12269 may be executed with @kbd{x} or @kbd{M-x}. Their effect is simply to
12270 toggle the Inverse and/or Hyperbolic flags and then execute the
12271 corresponding base command (@code{calc-sin} in this case).
12274 @pindex calc-option
12275 The @kbd{O} key (@code{calc-option}) sets another flag, the
12276 @dfn{Option Flag}, which also can alter the subsequent Calc command in
12279 The Inverse, Hyperbolic and Option flags apply only to the next
12280 Calculator command, after which they are automatically cleared. (They
12281 are also cleared if the next keystroke is not a Calc command.) Digits
12282 you type after @kbd{I}, @kbd{H} or @kbd{O} (or @kbd{K}) are treated as
12283 prefix arguments for the next command, not as numeric entries. The
12284 same is true of @kbd{C-u}, but not of the minus sign (@kbd{K -} means
12285 to subtract and keep arguments).
12287 Another Calc prefix flag, @kbd{K} (keep-arguments), is discussed
12288 elsewhere. @xref{Keep Arguments}.
12290 @node Calculation Modes, Simplification Modes, Inverse and Hyperbolic, Mode Settings
12291 @section Calculation Modes
12294 The commands in this section are two-key sequences beginning with
12295 the @kbd{m} prefix. (That's the letter @kbd{m}, not the @key{META} key.)
12296 The @samp{m a} (@code{calc-algebraic-mode}) command is described elsewhere
12297 (@pxref{Algebraic Entry}).
12306 * Automatic Recomputation::
12307 * Working Message::
12310 @node Angular Modes, Polar Mode, Calculation Modes, Calculation Modes
12311 @subsection Angular Modes
12314 @cindex Angular mode
12315 The Calculator supports three notations for angles: radians, degrees,
12316 and degrees-minutes-seconds. When a number is presented to a function
12317 like @code{sin} that requires an angle, the current angular mode is
12318 used to interpret the number as either radians or degrees. If an HMS
12319 form is presented to @code{sin}, it is always interpreted as
12320 degrees-minutes-seconds.
12322 Functions that compute angles produce a number in radians, a number in
12323 degrees, or an HMS form depending on the current angular mode. If the
12324 result is a complex number and the current mode is HMS, the number is
12325 instead expressed in degrees. (Complex-number calculations would
12326 normally be done in Radians mode, though. Complex numbers are converted
12327 to degrees by calculating the complex result in radians and then
12328 multiplying by 180 over @cpi{}.)
12331 @pindex calc-radians-mode
12333 @pindex calc-degrees-mode
12335 @pindex calc-hms-mode
12336 The @kbd{m r} (@code{calc-radians-mode}), @kbd{m d} (@code{calc-degrees-mode}),
12337 and @kbd{m h} (@code{calc-hms-mode}) commands control the angular mode.
12338 The current angular mode is displayed on the Emacs mode line.
12339 The default angular mode is Degrees.
12341 @node Polar Mode, Fraction Mode, Angular Modes, Calculation Modes
12342 @subsection Polar Mode
12346 The Calculator normally ``prefers'' rectangular complex numbers in the
12347 sense that rectangular form is used when the proper form can not be
12348 decided from the input. This might happen by multiplying a rectangular
12349 number by a polar one, by taking the square root of a negative real
12350 number, or by entering @kbd{( 2 @key{SPC} 3 )}.
12353 @pindex calc-polar-mode
12354 The @kbd{m p} (@code{calc-polar-mode}) command toggles complex-number
12355 preference between rectangular and polar forms. In Polar mode, all
12356 of the above example situations would produce polar complex numbers.
12358 @node Fraction Mode, Infinite Mode, Polar Mode, Calculation Modes
12359 @subsection Fraction Mode
12362 @cindex Fraction mode
12363 @cindex Division of integers
12364 Division of two integers normally yields a floating-point number if the
12365 result cannot be expressed as an integer. In some cases you would
12366 rather get an exact fractional answer. One way to accomplish this is
12367 to use the @kbd{:} (@code{calc-fdiv}) [@code{fdiv}] command, which
12368 divides the two integers on the top of the stack to produce a fraction:
12369 @kbd{6 @key{RET} 4 :} produces @expr{3:2} even though
12370 @kbd{6 @key{RET} 4 /} produces @expr{1.5}.
12373 @pindex calc-frac-mode
12374 To set the Calculator to produce fractional results for normal integer
12375 divisions, use the @kbd{m f} (@code{calc-frac-mode}) command.
12376 For example, @expr{8/4} produces @expr{2} in either mode,
12377 but @expr{6/4} produces @expr{3:2} in Fraction mode, @expr{1.5} in
12380 At any time you can use @kbd{c f} (@code{calc-float}) to convert a
12381 fraction to a float, or @kbd{c F} (@code{calc-fraction}) to convert a
12382 float to a fraction. @xref{Conversions}.
12384 @node Infinite Mode, Symbolic Mode, Fraction Mode, Calculation Modes
12385 @subsection Infinite Mode
12388 @cindex Infinite mode
12389 The Calculator normally treats results like @expr{1 / 0} as errors;
12390 formulas like this are left in unsimplified form. But Calc can be
12391 put into a mode where such calculations instead produce ``infinite''
12395 @pindex calc-infinite-mode
12396 The @kbd{m i} (@code{calc-infinite-mode}) command turns this mode
12397 on and off. When the mode is off, infinities do not arise except
12398 in calculations that already had infinities as inputs. (One exception
12399 is that infinite open intervals like @samp{[0 .. inf)} can be
12400 generated; however, intervals closed at infinity (@samp{[0 .. inf]})
12401 will not be generated when Infinite mode is off.)
12403 With Infinite mode turned on, @samp{1 / 0} will generate @code{uinf},
12404 an undirected infinity. @xref{Infinities}, for a discussion of the
12405 difference between @code{inf} and @code{uinf}. Also, @expr{0 / 0}
12406 evaluates to @code{nan}, the ``indeterminate'' symbol. Various other
12407 functions can also return infinities in this mode; for example,
12408 @samp{ln(0) = -inf}, and @samp{gamma(-7) = uinf}. Once again,
12409 note that @samp{exp(inf) = inf} regardless of Infinite mode because
12410 this calculation has infinity as an input.
12412 @cindex Positive Infinite mode
12413 The @kbd{m i} command with a numeric prefix argument of zero,
12414 i.e., @kbd{C-u 0 m i}, turns on a Positive Infinite mode in
12415 which zero is treated as positive instead of being directionless.
12416 Thus, @samp{1 / 0 = inf} and @samp{-1 / 0 = -inf} in this mode.
12417 Note that zero never actually has a sign in Calc; there are no
12418 separate representations for @mathit{+0} and @mathit{-0}. Positive
12419 Infinite mode merely changes the interpretation given to the
12420 single symbol, @samp{0}. One consequence of this is that, while
12421 you might expect @samp{1 / -0 = -inf}, actually @samp{1 / -0}
12422 is equivalent to @samp{1 / 0}, which is equal to positive @code{inf}.
12424 @node Symbolic Mode, Matrix Mode, Infinite Mode, Calculation Modes
12425 @subsection Symbolic Mode
12428 @cindex Symbolic mode
12429 @cindex Inexact results
12430 Calculations are normally performed numerically wherever possible.
12431 For example, the @code{calc-sqrt} command, or @code{sqrt} function in an
12432 algebraic expression, produces a numeric answer if the argument is a
12433 number or a symbolic expression if the argument is an expression:
12434 @kbd{2 Q} pushes 1.4142 but @kbd{@key{'} x+1 @key{RET} Q} pushes @samp{sqrt(x+1)}.
12437 @pindex calc-symbolic-mode
12438 In @dfn{Symbolic mode}, controlled by the @kbd{m s} (@code{calc-symbolic-mode})
12439 command, functions which would produce inexact, irrational results are
12440 left in symbolic form. Thus @kbd{16 Q} pushes 4, but @kbd{2 Q} pushes
12444 @pindex calc-eval-num
12445 The shift-@kbd{N} (@code{calc-eval-num}) command evaluates numerically
12446 the expression at the top of the stack, by temporarily disabling
12447 @code{calc-symbolic-mode} and executing @kbd{=} (@code{calc-evaluate}).
12448 Given a numeric prefix argument, it also
12449 sets the floating-point precision to the specified value for the duration
12452 To evaluate a formula numerically without expanding the variables it
12453 contains, you can use the key sequence @kbd{m s a v m s} (this uses
12454 @code{calc-alg-evaluate}, which resimplifies but doesn't evaluate
12457 @node Matrix Mode, Automatic Recomputation, Symbolic Mode, Calculation Modes
12458 @subsection Matrix and Scalar Modes
12461 @cindex Matrix mode
12462 @cindex Scalar mode
12463 Calc sometimes makes assumptions during algebraic manipulation that
12464 are awkward or incorrect when vectors and matrices are involved.
12465 Calc has two modes, @dfn{Matrix mode} and @dfn{Scalar mode}, which
12466 modify its behavior around vectors in useful ways.
12469 @pindex calc-matrix-mode
12470 Press @kbd{m v} (@code{calc-matrix-mode}) once to enter Matrix mode.
12471 In this mode, all objects are assumed to be matrices unless provably
12472 otherwise. One major effect is that Calc will no longer consider
12473 multiplication to be commutative. (Recall that in matrix arithmetic,
12474 @samp{A*B} is not the same as @samp{B*A}.) This assumption affects
12475 rewrite rules and algebraic simplification. Another effect of this
12476 mode is that calculations that would normally produce constants like
12477 0 and 1 (e.g., @expr{a - a} and @expr{a / a}, respectively) will now
12478 produce function calls that represent ``generic'' zero or identity
12479 matrices: @samp{idn(0)}, @samp{idn(1)}. The @code{idn} function
12480 @samp{idn(@var{a},@var{n})} returns @var{a} times an @var{n}x@var{n}
12481 identity matrix; if @var{n} is omitted, it doesn't know what
12482 dimension to use and so the @code{idn} call remains in symbolic
12483 form. However, if this generic identity matrix is later combined
12484 with a matrix whose size is known, it will be converted into
12485 a true identity matrix of the appropriate size. On the other hand,
12486 if it is combined with a scalar (as in @samp{idn(1) + 2}), Calc
12487 will assume it really was a scalar after all and produce, e.g., 3.
12489 Press @kbd{m v} a second time to get Scalar mode. Here, objects are
12490 assumed @emph{not} to be vectors or matrices unless provably so.
12491 For example, normally adding a variable to a vector, as in
12492 @samp{[x, y, z] + a}, will leave the sum in symbolic form because
12493 as far as Calc knows, @samp{a} could represent either a number or
12494 another 3-vector. In Scalar mode, @samp{a} is assumed to be a
12495 non-vector, and the addition is evaluated to @samp{[x+a, y+a, z+a]}.
12497 Press @kbd{m v} a third time to return to the normal mode of operation.
12499 If you press @kbd{m v} with a numeric prefix argument @var{n}, you
12500 get a special ``dimensioned'' Matrix mode in which matrices of
12501 unknown size are assumed to be @var{n}x@var{n} square matrices.
12502 Then, the function call @samp{idn(1)} will expand into an actual
12503 matrix rather than representing a ``generic'' matrix. Simply typing
12504 @kbd{C-u m v} will get you a square Matrix mode, in which matrices of
12505 unknown size are assumed to be square matrices of unspecified size.
12507 @cindex Declaring scalar variables
12508 Of course these modes are approximations to the true state of
12509 affairs, which is probably that some quantities will be matrices
12510 and others will be scalars. One solution is to ``declare''
12511 certain variables or functions to be scalar-valued.
12512 @xref{Declarations}, to see how to make declarations in Calc.
12514 There is nothing stopping you from declaring a variable to be
12515 scalar and then storing a matrix in it; however, if you do, the
12516 results you get from Calc may not be valid. Suppose you let Calc
12517 get the result @samp{[x+a, y+a, z+a]} shown above, and then stored
12518 @samp{[1, 2, 3]} in @samp{a}. The result would not be the same as
12519 for @samp{[x, y, z] + [1, 2, 3]}, but that's because you have broken
12520 your earlier promise to Calc that @samp{a} would be scalar.
12522 Another way to mix scalars and matrices is to use selections
12523 (@pxref{Selecting Subformulas}). Use Matrix mode when operating on
12524 your formula normally; then, to apply Scalar mode to a certain part
12525 of the formula without affecting the rest just select that part,
12526 change into Scalar mode and press @kbd{=} to resimplify the part
12527 under this mode, then change back to Matrix mode before deselecting.
12529 @node Automatic Recomputation, Working Message, Matrix Mode, Calculation Modes
12530 @subsection Automatic Recomputation
12533 The @dfn{evaluates-to} operator, @samp{=>}, has the special
12534 property that any @samp{=>} formulas on the stack are recomputed
12535 whenever variable values or mode settings that might affect them
12536 are changed. @xref{Evaluates-To Operator}.
12539 @pindex calc-auto-recompute
12540 The @kbd{m C} (@code{calc-auto-recompute}) command turns this
12541 automatic recomputation on and off. If you turn it off, Calc will
12542 not update @samp{=>} operators on the stack (nor those in the
12543 attached Embedded mode buffer, if there is one). They will not
12544 be updated unless you explicitly do so by pressing @kbd{=} or until
12545 you press @kbd{m C} to turn recomputation back on. (While automatic
12546 recomputation is off, you can think of @kbd{m C m C} as a command
12547 to update all @samp{=>} operators while leaving recomputation off.)
12549 To update @samp{=>} operators in an Embedded buffer while
12550 automatic recomputation is off, use @w{@kbd{C-x * u}}.
12551 @xref{Embedded Mode}.
12553 @node Working Message, , Automatic Recomputation, Calculation Modes
12554 @subsection Working Messages
12557 @cindex Performance
12558 @cindex Working messages
12559 Since the Calculator is written entirely in Emacs Lisp, which is not
12560 designed for heavy numerical work, many operations are quite slow.
12561 The Calculator normally displays the message @samp{Working...} in the
12562 echo area during any command that may be slow. In addition, iterative
12563 operations such as square roots and trigonometric functions display the
12564 intermediate result at each step. Both of these types of messages can
12565 be disabled if you find them distracting.
12568 @pindex calc-working
12569 Type @kbd{m w} (@code{calc-working}) with a numeric prefix of 0 to
12570 disable all ``working'' messages. Use a numeric prefix of 1 to enable
12571 only the plain @samp{Working...} message. Use a numeric prefix of 2 to
12572 see intermediate results as well. With no numeric prefix this displays
12575 While it may seem that the ``working'' messages will slow Calc down
12576 considerably, experiments have shown that their impact is actually
12577 quite small. But if your terminal is slow you may find that it helps
12578 to turn the messages off.
12580 @node Simplification Modes, Declarations, Calculation Modes, Mode Settings
12581 @section Simplification Modes
12584 The current @dfn{simplification mode} controls how numbers and formulas
12585 are ``normalized'' when being taken from or pushed onto the stack.
12586 Some normalizations are unavoidable, such as rounding floating-point
12587 results to the current precision, and reducing fractions to simplest
12588 form. Others, such as simplifying a formula like @expr{a+a} (or @expr{2+3}),
12589 are done by default but can be turned off when necessary.
12591 When you press a key like @kbd{+} when @expr{2} and @expr{3} are on the
12592 stack, Calc pops these numbers, normalizes them, creates the formula
12593 @expr{2+3}, normalizes it, and pushes the result. Of course the standard
12594 rules for normalizing @expr{2+3} will produce the result @expr{5}.
12596 Simplification mode commands consist of the lower-case @kbd{m} prefix key
12597 followed by a shifted letter.
12600 @pindex calc-no-simplify-mode
12601 The @kbd{m O} (@code{calc-no-simplify-mode}) command turns off all optional
12602 simplifications. These would leave a formula like @expr{2+3} alone. In
12603 fact, nothing except simple numbers are ever affected by normalization
12607 @pindex calc-num-simplify-mode
12608 The @kbd{m N} (@code{calc-num-simplify-mode}) command turns off simplification
12609 of any formulas except those for which all arguments are constants. For
12610 example, @expr{1+2} is simplified to @expr{3}, and @expr{a+(2-2)} is
12611 simplified to @expr{a+0} but no further, since one argument of the sum
12612 is not a constant. Unfortunately, @expr{(a+2)-2} is @emph{not} simplified
12613 because the top-level @samp{-} operator's arguments are not both
12614 constant numbers (one of them is the formula @expr{a+2}).
12615 A constant is a number or other numeric object (such as a constant
12616 error form or modulo form), or a vector all of whose
12617 elements are constant.
12620 @pindex calc-default-simplify-mode
12621 The @kbd{m D} (@code{calc-default-simplify-mode}) command restores the
12622 default simplifications for all formulas. This includes many easy and
12623 fast algebraic simplifications such as @expr{a+0} to @expr{a}, and
12624 @expr{a + 2 a} to @expr{3 a}, as well as evaluating functions like
12625 @expr{@tfn{deriv}(x^2, x)} to @expr{2 x}.
12628 @pindex calc-bin-simplify-mode
12629 The @kbd{m B} (@code{calc-bin-simplify-mode}) mode applies the default
12630 simplifications to a result and then, if the result is an integer,
12631 uses the @kbd{b c} (@code{calc-clip}) command to clip the integer according
12632 to the current binary word size. @xref{Binary Functions}. Real numbers
12633 are rounded to the nearest integer and then clipped; other kinds of
12634 results (after the default simplifications) are left alone.
12637 @pindex calc-alg-simplify-mode
12638 The @kbd{m A} (@code{calc-alg-simplify-mode}) mode does algebraic
12639 simplification; it applies all the default simplifications, and also
12640 the more powerful (and slower) simplifications made by @kbd{a s}
12641 (@code{calc-simplify}). @xref{Algebraic Simplifications}.
12644 @pindex calc-ext-simplify-mode
12645 The @kbd{m E} (@code{calc-ext-simplify-mode}) mode does ``extended''
12646 algebraic simplification, as by the @kbd{a e} (@code{calc-simplify-extended})
12647 command. @xref{Unsafe Simplifications}.
12650 @pindex calc-units-simplify-mode
12651 The @kbd{m U} (@code{calc-units-simplify-mode}) mode does units
12652 simplification; it applies the command @kbd{u s}
12653 (@code{calc-simplify-units}), which in turn
12654 is a superset of @kbd{a s}. In this mode, variable names which
12655 are identifiable as unit names (like @samp{mm} for ``millimeters'')
12656 are simplified with their unit definitions in mind.
12658 A common technique is to set the simplification mode down to the lowest
12659 amount of simplification you will allow to be applied automatically, then
12660 use manual commands like @kbd{a s} and @kbd{c c} (@code{calc-clean}) to
12661 perform higher types of simplifications on demand. @xref{Algebraic
12662 Definitions}, for another sample use of No-Simplification mode.
12664 @node Declarations, Display Modes, Simplification Modes, Mode Settings
12665 @section Declarations
12668 A @dfn{declaration} is a statement you make that promises you will
12669 use a certain variable or function in a restricted way. This may
12670 give Calc the freedom to do things that it couldn't do if it had to
12671 take the fully general situation into account.
12674 * Declaration Basics::
12675 * Kinds of Declarations::
12676 * Functions for Declarations::
12679 @node Declaration Basics, Kinds of Declarations, Declarations, Declarations
12680 @subsection Declaration Basics
12684 @pindex calc-declare-variable
12685 The @kbd{s d} (@code{calc-declare-variable}) command is the easiest
12686 way to make a declaration for a variable. This command prompts for
12687 the variable name, then prompts for the declaration. The default
12688 at the declaration prompt is the previous declaration, if any.
12689 You can edit this declaration, or press @kbd{C-k} to erase it and
12690 type a new declaration. (Or, erase it and press @key{RET} to clear
12691 the declaration, effectively ``undeclaring'' the variable.)
12693 A declaration is in general a vector of @dfn{type symbols} and
12694 @dfn{range} values. If there is only one type symbol or range value,
12695 you can write it directly rather than enclosing it in a vector.
12696 For example, @kbd{s d foo @key{RET} real @key{RET}} declares @code{foo} to
12697 be a real number, and @kbd{s d bar @key{RET} [int, const, [1..6]] @key{RET}}
12698 declares @code{bar} to be a constant integer between 1 and 6.
12699 (Actually, you can omit the outermost brackets and Calc will
12700 provide them for you: @kbd{s d bar @key{RET} int, const, [1..6] @key{RET}}.)
12702 @cindex @code{Decls} variable
12704 Declarations in Calc are kept in a special variable called @code{Decls}.
12705 This variable encodes the set of all outstanding declarations in
12706 the form of a matrix. Each row has two elements: A variable or
12707 vector of variables declared by that row, and the declaration
12708 specifier as described above. You can use the @kbd{s D} command to
12709 edit this variable if you wish to see all the declarations at once.
12710 @xref{Operations on Variables}, for a description of this command
12711 and the @kbd{s p} command that allows you to save your declarations
12712 permanently if you wish.
12714 Items being declared can also be function calls. The arguments in
12715 the call are ignored; the effect is to say that this function returns
12716 values of the declared type for any valid arguments. The @kbd{s d}
12717 command declares only variables, so if you wish to make a function
12718 declaration you will have to edit the @code{Decls} matrix yourself.
12720 For example, the declaration matrix
12726 [ f(1,2,3), [0 .. inf) ] ]
12731 declares that @code{foo} represents a real number, @code{j}, @code{k}
12732 and @code{n} represent integers, and the function @code{f} always
12733 returns a real number in the interval shown.
12736 If there is a declaration for the variable @code{All}, then that
12737 declaration applies to all variables that are not otherwise declared.
12738 It does not apply to function names. For example, using the row
12739 @samp{[All, real]} says that all your variables are real unless they
12740 are explicitly declared without @code{real} in some other row.
12741 The @kbd{s d} command declares @code{All} if you give a blank
12742 response to the variable-name prompt.
12744 @node Kinds of Declarations, Functions for Declarations, Declaration Basics, Declarations
12745 @subsection Kinds of Declarations
12748 The type-specifier part of a declaration (that is, the second prompt
12749 in the @kbd{s d} command) can be a type symbol, an interval, or a
12750 vector consisting of zero or more type symbols followed by zero or
12751 more intervals or numbers that represent the set of possible values
12756 [ [ a, [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] ]
12758 [ c, [int, 1 .. 5] ] ]
12762 Here @code{a} is declared to contain one of the five integers shown;
12763 @code{b} is any number in the interval from 1 to 5 (any real number
12764 since we haven't specified), and @code{c} is any integer in that
12765 interval. Thus the declarations for @code{a} and @code{c} are
12766 nearly equivalent (see below).
12768 The type-specifier can be the empty vector @samp{[]} to say that
12769 nothing is known about a given variable's value. This is the same
12770 as not declaring the variable at all except that it overrides any
12771 @code{All} declaration which would otherwise apply.
12773 The initial value of @code{Decls} is the empty vector @samp{[]}.
12774 If @code{Decls} has no stored value or if the value stored in it
12775 is not valid, it is ignored and there are no declarations as far
12776 as Calc is concerned. (The @kbd{s d} command will replace such a
12777 malformed value with a fresh empty matrix, @samp{[]}, before recording
12778 the new declaration.) Unrecognized type symbols are ignored.
12780 The following type symbols describe what sorts of numbers will be
12781 stored in a variable:
12787 Numerical integers. (Integers or integer-valued floats.)
12789 Fractions. (Rational numbers which are not integers.)
12791 Rational numbers. (Either integers or fractions.)
12793 Floating-point numbers.
12795 Real numbers. (Integers, fractions, or floats. Actually,
12796 intervals and error forms with real components also count as
12799 Positive real numbers. (Strictly greater than zero.)
12801 Nonnegative real numbers. (Greater than or equal to zero.)
12803 Numbers. (Real or complex.)
12806 Calc uses this information to determine when certain simplifications
12807 of formulas are safe. For example, @samp{(x^y)^z} cannot be
12808 simplified to @samp{x^(y z)} in general; for example,
12809 @samp{((-3)^2)^1:2} is 3, but @samp{(-3)^(2*1:2) = (-3)^1} is @mathit{-3}.
12810 However, this simplification @emph{is} safe if @code{z} is known
12811 to be an integer, or if @code{x} is known to be a nonnegative
12812 real number. If you have given declarations that allow Calc to
12813 deduce either of these facts, Calc will perform this simplification
12816 Calc can apply a certain amount of logic when using declarations.
12817 For example, @samp{(x^y)^(2n+1)} will be simplified if @code{n}
12818 has been declared @code{int}; Calc knows that an integer times an
12819 integer, plus an integer, must always be an integer. (In fact,
12820 Calc would simplify @samp{(-x)^(2n+1)} to @samp{-(x^(2n+1))} since
12821 it is able to determine that @samp{2n+1} must be an odd integer.)
12823 Similarly, @samp{(abs(x)^y)^z} will be simplified to @samp{abs(x)^(y z)}
12824 because Calc knows that the @code{abs} function always returns a
12825 nonnegative real. If you had a @code{myabs} function that also had
12826 this property, you could get Calc to recognize it by adding the row
12827 @samp{[myabs(), nonneg]} to the @code{Decls} matrix.
12829 One instance of this simplification is @samp{sqrt(x^2)} (since the
12830 @code{sqrt} function is effectively a one-half power). Normally
12831 Calc leaves this formula alone. After the command
12832 @kbd{s d x @key{RET} real @key{RET}}, however, it can simplify the formula to
12833 @samp{abs(x)}. And after @kbd{s d x @key{RET} nonneg @key{RET}}, Calc can
12834 simplify this formula all the way to @samp{x}.
12836 If there are any intervals or real numbers in the type specifier,
12837 they comprise the set of possible values that the variable or
12838 function being declared can have. In particular, the type symbol
12839 @code{real} is effectively the same as the range @samp{[-inf .. inf]}
12840 (note that infinity is included in the range of possible values);
12841 @code{pos} is the same as @samp{(0 .. inf]}, and @code{nonneg} is
12842 the same as @samp{[0 .. inf]}. Saying @samp{[real, [-5 .. 5]]} is
12843 redundant because the fact that the variable is real can be
12844 deduced just from the interval, but @samp{[int, [-5 .. 5]]} and
12845 @samp{[rat, [-5 .. 5]]} are useful combinations.
12847 Note that the vector of intervals or numbers is in the same format
12848 used by Calc's set-manipulation commands. @xref{Set Operations}.
12850 The type specifier @samp{[1, 2, 3]} is equivalent to
12851 @samp{[numint, 1, 2, 3]}, @emph{not} to @samp{[int, 1, 2, 3]}.
12852 In other words, the range of possible values means only that
12853 the variable's value must be numerically equal to a number in
12854 that range, but not that it must be equal in type as well.
12855 Calc's set operations act the same way; @samp{in(2, [1., 2., 3.])}
12856 and @samp{in(1.5, [1:2, 3:2, 5:2])} both report ``true.''
12858 If you use a conflicting combination of type specifiers, the
12859 results are unpredictable. An example is @samp{[pos, [0 .. 5]]},
12860 where the interval does not lie in the range described by the
12863 ``Real'' declarations mostly affect simplifications involving powers
12864 like the one described above. Another case where they are used
12865 is in the @kbd{a P} command which returns a list of all roots of a
12866 polynomial; if the variable has been declared real, only the real
12867 roots (if any) will be included in the list.
12869 ``Integer'' declarations are used for simplifications which are valid
12870 only when certain values are integers (such as @samp{(x^y)^z}
12873 Another command that makes use of declarations is @kbd{a s}, when
12874 simplifying equations and inequalities. It will cancel @code{x}
12875 from both sides of @samp{a x = b x} only if it is sure @code{x}
12876 is non-zero, say, because it has a @code{pos} declaration.
12877 To declare specifically that @code{x} is real and non-zero,
12878 use @samp{[[-inf .. 0), (0 .. inf]]}. (There is no way in the
12879 current notation to say that @code{x} is nonzero but not necessarily
12880 real.) The @kbd{a e} command does ``unsafe'' simplifications,
12881 including cancelling @samp{x} from the equation when @samp{x} is
12882 not known to be nonzero.
12884 Another set of type symbols distinguish between scalars and vectors.
12888 The value is not a vector.
12890 The value is a vector.
12892 The value is a matrix (a rectangular vector of vectors).
12894 The value is a square matrix.
12897 These type symbols can be combined with the other type symbols
12898 described above; @samp{[int, matrix]} describes an object which
12899 is a matrix of integers.
12901 Scalar/vector declarations are used to determine whether certain
12902 algebraic operations are safe. For example, @samp{[a, b, c] + x}
12903 is normally not simplified to @samp{[a + x, b + x, c + x]}, but
12904 it will be if @code{x} has been declared @code{scalar}. On the
12905 other hand, multiplication is usually assumed to be commutative,
12906 but the terms in @samp{x y} will never be exchanged if both @code{x}
12907 and @code{y} are known to be vectors or matrices. (Calc currently
12908 never distinguishes between @code{vector} and @code{matrix}
12911 @xref{Matrix Mode}, for a discussion of Matrix mode and
12912 Scalar mode, which are similar to declaring @samp{[All, matrix]}
12913 or @samp{[All, scalar]} but much more convenient.
12915 One more type symbol that is recognized is used with the @kbd{H a d}
12916 command for taking total derivatives of a formula. @xref{Calculus}.
12920 The value is a constant with respect to other variables.
12923 Calc does not check the declarations for a variable when you store
12924 a value in it. However, storing @mathit{-3.5} in a variable that has
12925 been declared @code{pos}, @code{int}, or @code{matrix} may have
12926 unexpected effects; Calc may evaluate @samp{sqrt(x^2)} to @expr{3.5}
12927 if it substitutes the value first, or to @expr{-3.5} if @code{x}
12928 was declared @code{pos} and the formula @samp{sqrt(x^2)} is
12929 simplified to @samp{x} before the value is substituted. Before
12930 using a variable for a new purpose, it is best to use @kbd{s d}
12931 or @kbd{s D} to check to make sure you don't still have an old
12932 declaration for the variable that will conflict with its new meaning.
12934 @node Functions for Declarations, , Kinds of Declarations, Declarations
12935 @subsection Functions for Declarations
12938 Calc has a set of functions for accessing the current declarations
12939 in a convenient manner. These functions return 1 if the argument
12940 can be shown to have the specified property, or 0 if the argument
12941 can be shown @emph{not} to have that property; otherwise they are
12942 left unevaluated. These functions are suitable for use with rewrite
12943 rules (@pxref{Conditional Rewrite Rules}) or programming constructs
12944 (@pxref{Conditionals in Macros}). They can be entered only using
12945 algebraic notation. @xref{Logical Operations}, for functions
12946 that perform other tests not related to declarations.
12948 For example, @samp{dint(17)} returns 1 because 17 is an integer, as
12949 do @samp{dint(n)} and @samp{dint(2 n - 3)} if @code{n} has been declared
12950 @code{int}, but @samp{dint(2.5)} and @samp{dint(n + 0.5)} return 0.
12951 Calc consults knowledge of its own built-in functions as well as your
12952 own declarations: @samp{dint(floor(x))} returns 1.
12966 The @code{dint} function checks if its argument is an integer.
12967 The @code{dnatnum} function checks if its argument is a natural
12968 number, i.e., a nonnegative integer. The @code{dnumint} function
12969 checks if its argument is numerically an integer, i.e., either an
12970 integer or an integer-valued float. Note that these and the other
12971 data type functions also accept vectors or matrices composed of
12972 suitable elements, and that real infinities @samp{inf} and @samp{-inf}
12973 are considered to be integers for the purposes of these functions.
12979 The @code{drat} function checks if its argument is rational, i.e.,
12980 an integer or fraction. Infinities count as rational, but intervals
12981 and error forms do not.
12987 The @code{dreal} function checks if its argument is real. This
12988 includes integers, fractions, floats, real error forms, and intervals.
12994 The @code{dimag} function checks if its argument is imaginary,
12995 i.e., is mathematically equal to a real number times @expr{i}.
13009 The @code{dpos} function checks for positive (but nonzero) reals.
13010 The @code{dneg} function checks for negative reals. The @code{dnonneg}
13011 function checks for nonnegative reals, i.e., reals greater than or
13012 equal to zero. Note that the @kbd{a s} command can simplify an
13013 expression like @expr{x > 0} to 1 or 0 using @code{dpos}, and that
13014 @kbd{a s} is effectively applied to all conditions in rewrite rules,
13015 so the actual functions @code{dpos}, @code{dneg}, and @code{dnonneg}
13016 are rarely necessary.
13022 The @code{dnonzero} function checks that its argument is nonzero.
13023 This includes all nonzero real or complex numbers, all intervals that
13024 do not include zero, all nonzero modulo forms, vectors all of whose
13025 elements are nonzero, and variables or formulas whose values can be
13026 deduced to be nonzero. It does not include error forms, since they
13027 represent values which could be anything including zero. (This is
13028 also the set of objects considered ``true'' in conditional contexts.)
13038 The @code{deven} function returns 1 if its argument is known to be
13039 an even integer (or integer-valued float); it returns 0 if its argument
13040 is known not to be even (because it is known to be odd or a non-integer).
13041 The @kbd{a s} command uses this to simplify a test of the form
13042 @samp{x % 2 = 0}. There is also an analogous @code{dodd} function.
13048 The @code{drange} function returns a set (an interval or a vector
13049 of intervals and/or numbers; @pxref{Set Operations}) that describes
13050 the set of possible values of its argument. If the argument is
13051 a variable or a function with a declaration, the range is copied
13052 from the declaration. Otherwise, the possible signs of the
13053 expression are determined using a method similar to @code{dpos},
13054 etc., and a suitable set like @samp{[0 .. inf]} is returned. If
13055 the expression is not provably real, the @code{drange} function
13056 remains unevaluated.
13062 The @code{dscalar} function returns 1 if its argument is provably
13063 scalar, or 0 if its argument is provably non-scalar. It is left
13064 unevaluated if this cannot be determined. (If Matrix mode or Scalar
13065 mode is in effect, this function returns 1 or 0, respectively,
13066 if it has no other information.) When Calc interprets a condition
13067 (say, in a rewrite rule) it considers an unevaluated formula to be
13068 ``false.'' Thus, @samp{dscalar(a)} is ``true'' only if @code{a} is
13069 provably scalar, and @samp{!dscalar(a)} is ``true'' only if @code{a}
13070 is provably non-scalar; both are ``false'' if there is insufficient
13071 information to tell.
13073 @node Display Modes, Language Modes, Declarations, Mode Settings
13074 @section Display Modes
13077 The commands in this section are two-key sequences beginning with the
13078 @kbd{d} prefix. The @kbd{d l} (@code{calc-line-numbering}) and @kbd{d b}
13079 (@code{calc-line-breaking}) commands are described elsewhere;
13080 @pxref{Stack Basics} and @pxref{Normal Language Modes}, respectively.
13081 Display formats for vectors and matrices are also covered elsewhere;
13082 @pxref{Vector and Matrix Formats}.
13084 One thing all display modes have in common is their treatment of the
13085 @kbd{H} prefix. This prefix causes any mode command that would normally
13086 refresh the stack to leave the stack display alone. The word ``Dirty''
13087 will appear in the mode line when Calc thinks the stack display may not
13088 reflect the latest mode settings.
13090 @kindex d @key{RET}
13091 @pindex calc-refresh-top
13092 The @kbd{d @key{RET}} (@code{calc-refresh-top}) command reformats the
13093 top stack entry according to all the current modes. Positive prefix
13094 arguments reformat the top @var{n} entries; negative prefix arguments
13095 reformat the specified entry, and a prefix of zero is equivalent to
13096 @kbd{d @key{SPC}} (@code{calc-refresh}), which reformats the entire stack.
13097 For example, @kbd{H d s M-2 d @key{RET}} changes to scientific notation
13098 but reformats only the top two stack entries in the new mode.
13100 The @kbd{I} prefix has another effect on the display modes. The mode
13101 is set only temporarily; the top stack entry is reformatted according
13102 to that mode, then the original mode setting is restored. In other
13103 words, @kbd{I d s} is equivalent to @kbd{H d s d @key{RET} H d (@var{old mode})}.
13107 * Grouping Digits::
13109 * Complex Formats::
13110 * Fraction Formats::
13113 * Truncating the Stack::
13118 @node Radix Modes, Grouping Digits, Display Modes, Display Modes
13119 @subsection Radix Modes
13122 @cindex Radix display
13123 @cindex Non-decimal numbers
13124 @cindex Decimal and non-decimal numbers
13125 Calc normally displays numbers in decimal (@dfn{base-10} or @dfn{radix-10})
13126 notation. Calc can actually display in any radix from two (binary) to 36.
13127 When the radix is above 10, the letters @code{A} to @code{Z} are used as
13128 digits. When entering such a number, letter keys are interpreted as
13129 potential digits rather than terminating numeric entry mode.
13135 @cindex Hexadecimal integers
13136 @cindex Octal integers
13137 The key sequences @kbd{d 2}, @kbd{d 8}, @kbd{d 6}, and @kbd{d 0} select
13138 binary, octal, hexadecimal, and decimal as the current display radix,
13139 respectively. Numbers can always be entered in any radix, though the
13140 current radix is used as a default if you press @kbd{#} without any initial
13141 digits. A number entered without a @kbd{#} is @emph{always} interpreted
13146 To set the radix generally, use @kbd{d r} (@code{calc-radix}) and enter
13147 an integer from 2 to 36. You can specify the radix as a numeric prefix
13148 argument; otherwise you will be prompted for it.
13151 @pindex calc-leading-zeros
13152 @cindex Leading zeros
13153 Integers normally are displayed with however many digits are necessary to
13154 represent the integer and no more. The @kbd{d z} (@code{calc-leading-zeros})
13155 command causes integers to be padded out with leading zeros according to the
13156 current binary word size. (@xref{Binary Functions}, for a discussion of
13157 word size.) If the absolute value of the word size is @expr{w}, all integers
13158 are displayed with at least enough digits to represent
13159 @texline @math{2^w-1}
13160 @infoline @expr{(2^w)-1}
13161 in the current radix. (Larger integers will still be displayed in their
13164 @cindex Two's complements
13165 Calc can display @expr{w}-bit integers using two's complement
13166 notation, although this is most useful with the binary, octal and
13167 hexadecimal display modes. This option is selected by using the
13168 @kbd{O} option prefix before setting the display radix, and a negative word
13169 size might be appropriate (@pxref{Binary Functions}). In two's
13170 complement notation, the integers in the (nearly) symmetric interval
13172 @texline @math{-2^{w-1}}
13173 @infoline @expr{-2^(w-1)}
13175 @texline @math{2^{w-1}-1}
13176 @infoline @expr{2^(w-1)-1}
13177 are represented by the integers from @expr{0} to @expr{2^w-1}:
13178 the integers from @expr{0} to
13179 @texline @math{2^{w-1}-1}
13180 @infoline @expr{2^(w-1)-1}
13181 are represented by themselves and the integers from
13182 @texline @math{-2^{w-1}}
13183 @infoline @expr{-2^(w-1)}
13184 to @expr{-1} are represented by the integers from
13185 @texline @math{2^{w-1}}
13186 @infoline @expr{2^(w-1)}
13187 to @expr{2^w-1} (the integer @expr{k} is represented by @expr{k+2^w}).
13188 Calc will display a two's complement integer by the radix (either
13189 @expr{2}, @expr{8} or @expr{16}), two @kbd{#} symbols, and then its
13190 representation (including any leading zeros necessary to include all
13191 @expr{w} bits). In a two's complement display mode, numbers that
13192 are not displayed in two's complement notation (i.e., that aren't
13194 @texline @math{-2^{w-1}}
13195 @infoline @expr{-2^(w-1)}
13198 @texline @math{2^{w-1}-1})
13199 @infoline @expr{2^(w-1)-1})
13200 will be represented using Calc's usual notation (in the appropriate
13203 @node Grouping Digits, Float Formats, Radix Modes, Display Modes
13204 @subsection Grouping Digits
13208 @pindex calc-group-digits
13209 @cindex Grouping digits
13210 @cindex Digit grouping
13211 Long numbers can be hard to read if they have too many digits. For
13212 example, the factorial of 30 is 33 digits long! Press @kbd{d g}
13213 (@code{calc-group-digits}) to enable @dfn{Grouping} mode, in which digits
13214 are displayed in clumps of 3 or 4 (depending on the current radix)
13215 separated by commas.
13217 The @kbd{d g} command toggles grouping on and off.
13218 With a numeric prefix of 0, this command displays the current state of
13219 the grouping flag; with an argument of minus one it disables grouping;
13220 with a positive argument @expr{N} it enables grouping on every @expr{N}
13221 digits. For floating-point numbers, grouping normally occurs only
13222 before the decimal point. A negative prefix argument @expr{-N} enables
13223 grouping every @expr{N} digits both before and after the decimal point.
13226 @pindex calc-group-char
13227 The @kbd{d ,} (@code{calc-group-char}) command allows you to choose any
13228 character as the grouping separator. The default is the comma character.
13229 If you find it difficult to read vectors of large integers grouped with
13230 commas, you may wish to use spaces or some other character instead.
13231 This command takes the next character you type, whatever it is, and
13232 uses it as the digit separator. As a special case, @kbd{d , \} selects
13233 @samp{\,} (@TeX{}'s thin-space symbol) as the digit separator.
13235 Please note that grouped numbers will not generally be parsed correctly
13236 if re-read in textual form, say by the use of @kbd{C-x * y} and @kbd{C-x * g}.
13237 (@xref{Kill and Yank}, for details on these commands.) One exception is
13238 the @samp{\,} separator, which doesn't interfere with parsing because it
13239 is ignored by @TeX{} language mode.
13241 @node Float Formats, Complex Formats, Grouping Digits, Display Modes
13242 @subsection Float Formats
13245 Floating-point quantities are normally displayed in standard decimal
13246 form, with scientific notation used if the exponent is especially high
13247 or low. All significant digits are normally displayed. The commands
13248 in this section allow you to choose among several alternative display
13249 formats for floats.
13252 @pindex calc-normal-notation
13253 The @kbd{d n} (@code{calc-normal-notation}) command selects the normal
13254 display format. All significant figures in a number are displayed.
13255 With a positive numeric prefix, numbers are rounded if necessary to
13256 that number of significant digits. With a negative numerix prefix,
13257 the specified number of significant digits less than the current
13258 precision is used. (Thus @kbd{C-u -2 d n} displays 10 digits if the
13259 current precision is 12.)
13262 @pindex calc-fix-notation
13263 The @kbd{d f} (@code{calc-fix-notation}) command selects fixed-point
13264 notation. The numeric argument is the number of digits after the
13265 decimal point, zero or more. This format will relax into scientific
13266 notation if a nonzero number would otherwise have been rounded all the
13267 way to zero. Specifying a negative number of digits is the same as
13268 for a positive number, except that small nonzero numbers will be rounded
13269 to zero rather than switching to scientific notation.
13272 @pindex calc-sci-notation
13273 @cindex Scientific notation, display of
13274 The @kbd{d s} (@code{calc-sci-notation}) command selects scientific
13275 notation. A positive argument sets the number of significant figures
13276 displayed, of which one will be before and the rest after the decimal
13277 point. A negative argument works the same as for @kbd{d n} format.
13278 The default is to display all significant digits.
13281 @pindex calc-eng-notation
13282 @cindex Engineering notation, display of
13283 The @kbd{d e} (@code{calc-eng-notation}) command selects engineering
13284 notation. This is similar to scientific notation except that the
13285 exponent is rounded down to a multiple of three, with from one to three
13286 digits before the decimal point. An optional numeric prefix sets the
13287 number of significant digits to display, as for @kbd{d s}.
13289 It is important to distinguish between the current @emph{precision} and
13290 the current @emph{display format}. After the commands @kbd{C-u 10 p}
13291 and @kbd{C-u 6 d n} the Calculator computes all results to ten
13292 significant figures but displays only six. (In fact, intermediate
13293 calculations are often carried to one or two more significant figures,
13294 but values placed on the stack will be rounded down to ten figures.)
13295 Numbers are never actually rounded to the display precision for storage,
13296 except by commands like @kbd{C-k} and @kbd{C-x * y} which operate on the
13297 actual displayed text in the Calculator buffer.
13300 @pindex calc-point-char
13301 The @kbd{d .} (@code{calc-point-char}) command selects the character used
13302 as a decimal point. Normally this is a period; users in some countries
13303 may wish to change this to a comma. Note that this is only a display
13304 style; on entry, periods must always be used to denote floating-point
13305 numbers, and commas to separate elements in a list.
13307 @node Complex Formats, Fraction Formats, Float Formats, Display Modes
13308 @subsection Complex Formats
13312 @pindex calc-complex-notation
13313 There are three supported notations for complex numbers in rectangular
13314 form. The default is as a pair of real numbers enclosed in parentheses
13315 and separated by a comma: @samp{(a,b)}. The @kbd{d c}
13316 (@code{calc-complex-notation}) command selects this style.
13319 @pindex calc-i-notation
13321 @pindex calc-j-notation
13322 The other notations are @kbd{d i} (@code{calc-i-notation}), in which
13323 numbers are displayed in @samp{a+bi} form, and @kbd{d j}
13324 (@code{calc-j-notation}) which displays the form @samp{a+bj} preferred
13325 in some disciplines.
13327 @cindex @code{i} variable
13329 Complex numbers are normally entered in @samp{(a,b)} format.
13330 If you enter @samp{2+3i} as an algebraic formula, it will be stored as
13331 the formula @samp{2 + 3 * i}. However, if you use @kbd{=} to evaluate
13332 this formula and you have not changed the variable @samp{i}, the @samp{i}
13333 will be interpreted as @samp{(0,1)} and the formula will be simplified
13334 to @samp{(2,3)}. Other commands (like @code{calc-sin}) will @emph{not}
13335 interpret the formula @samp{2 + 3 * i} as a complex number.
13336 @xref{Variables}, under ``special constants.''
13338 @node Fraction Formats, HMS Formats, Complex Formats, Display Modes
13339 @subsection Fraction Formats
13343 @pindex calc-over-notation
13344 Display of fractional numbers is controlled by the @kbd{d o}
13345 (@code{calc-over-notation}) command. By default, a number like
13346 eight thirds is displayed in the form @samp{8:3}. The @kbd{d o} command
13347 prompts for a one- or two-character format. If you give one character,
13348 that character is used as the fraction separator. Common separators are
13349 @samp{:} and @samp{/}. (During input of numbers, the @kbd{:} key must be
13350 used regardless of the display format; in particular, the @kbd{/} is used
13351 for RPN-style division, @emph{not} for entering fractions.)
13353 If you give two characters, fractions use ``integer-plus-fractional-part''
13354 notation. For example, the format @samp{+/} would display eight thirds
13355 as @samp{2+2/3}. If two colons are present in a number being entered,
13356 the number is interpreted in this form (so that the entries @kbd{2:2:3}
13357 and @kbd{8:3} are equivalent).
13359 It is also possible to follow the one- or two-character format with
13360 a number. For example: @samp{:10} or @samp{+/3}. In this case,
13361 Calc adjusts all fractions that are displayed to have the specified
13362 denominator, if possible. Otherwise it adjusts the denominator to
13363 be a multiple of the specified value. For example, in @samp{:6} mode
13364 the fraction @expr{1:6} will be unaffected, but @expr{2:3} will be
13365 displayed as @expr{4:6}, @expr{1:2} will be displayed as @expr{3:6},
13366 and @expr{1:8} will be displayed as @expr{3:24}. Integers are also
13367 affected by this mode: 3 is displayed as @expr{18:6}. Note that the
13368 format @samp{:1} writes fractions the same as @samp{:}, but it writes
13369 integers as @expr{n:1}.
13371 The fraction format does not affect the way fractions or integers are
13372 stored, only the way they appear on the screen. The fraction format
13373 never affects floats.
13375 @node HMS Formats, Date Formats, Fraction Formats, Display Modes
13376 @subsection HMS Formats
13380 @pindex calc-hms-notation
13381 The @kbd{d h} (@code{calc-hms-notation}) command controls the display of
13382 HMS (hours-minutes-seconds) forms. It prompts for a string which
13383 consists basically of an ``hours'' marker, optional punctuation, a
13384 ``minutes'' marker, more optional punctuation, and a ``seconds'' marker.
13385 Punctuation is zero or more spaces, commas, or semicolons. The hours
13386 marker is one or more non-punctuation characters. The minutes and
13387 seconds markers must be single non-punctuation characters.
13389 The default HMS format is @samp{@@ ' "}, producing HMS values of the form
13390 @samp{23@@ 30' 15.75"}. The format @samp{deg, ms} would display this same
13391 value as @samp{23deg, 30m15.75s}. During numeric entry, the @kbd{h} or @kbd{o}
13392 keys are recognized as synonyms for @kbd{@@} regardless of display format.
13393 The @kbd{m} and @kbd{s} keys are recognized as synonyms for @kbd{'} and
13394 @kbd{"}, respectively, but only if an @kbd{@@} (or @kbd{h} or @kbd{o}) has
13395 already been typed; otherwise, they have their usual meanings
13396 (@kbd{m-} prefix and @kbd{s-} prefix). Thus, @kbd{5 "}, @kbd{0 @@ 5 "}, and
13397 @kbd{0 h 5 s} are some of the ways to enter the quantity ``five seconds.''
13398 The @kbd{'} key is recognized as ``minutes'' only if @kbd{@@} (or @kbd{h} or
13399 @kbd{o}) has already been pressed; otherwise it means to switch to algebraic
13402 @node Date Formats, Truncating the Stack, HMS Formats, Display Modes
13403 @subsection Date Formats
13407 @pindex calc-date-notation
13408 The @kbd{d d} (@code{calc-date-notation}) command controls the display
13409 of date forms (@pxref{Date Forms}). It prompts for a string which
13410 contains letters that represent the various parts of a date and time.
13411 To show which parts should be omitted when the form represents a pure
13412 date with no time, parts of the string can be enclosed in @samp{< >}
13413 marks. If you don't include @samp{< >} markers in the format, Calc
13414 guesses at which parts, if any, should be omitted when formatting
13417 The default format is: @samp{<H:mm:SSpp >Www Mmm D, YYYY}.
13418 An example string in this format is @samp{3:32pm Wed Jan 9, 1991}.
13419 If you enter a blank format string, this default format is
13422 Calc uses @samp{< >} notation for nameless functions as well as for
13423 dates. @xref{Specifying Operators}. To avoid confusion with nameless
13424 functions, your date formats should avoid using the @samp{#} character.
13427 * Date Formatting Codes::
13428 * Free-Form Dates::
13429 * Standard Date Formats::
13432 @node Date Formatting Codes, Free-Form Dates, Date Formats, Date Formats
13433 @subsubsection Date Formatting Codes
13436 When displaying a date, the current date format is used. All
13437 characters except for letters and @samp{<} and @samp{>} are
13438 copied literally when dates are formatted. The portion between
13439 @samp{< >} markers is omitted for pure dates, or included for
13440 date/time forms. Letters are interpreted according to the table
13443 When dates are read in during algebraic entry, Calc first tries to
13444 match the input string to the current format either with or without
13445 the time part. The punctuation characters (including spaces) must
13446 match exactly; letter fields must correspond to suitable text in
13447 the input. If this doesn't work, Calc checks if the input is a
13448 simple number; if so, the number is interpreted as a number of days
13449 since Jan 1, 1 AD. Otherwise, Calc tries a much more relaxed and
13450 flexible algorithm which is described in the next section.
13452 Weekday names are ignored during reading.
13454 Two-digit year numbers are interpreted as lying in the range
13455 from 1941 to 2039. Years outside that range are always
13456 entered and displayed in full. Year numbers with a leading
13457 @samp{+} sign are always interpreted exactly, allowing the
13458 entry and display of the years 1 through 99 AD.
13460 Here is a complete list of the formatting codes for dates:
13464 Year: ``91'' for 1991, ``7'' for 2007, ``+23'' for 23 AD.
13466 Year: ``91'' for 1991, ``07'' for 2007, ``+23'' for 23 AD.
13468 Year: ``91'' for 1991, `` 7'' for 2007, ``+23'' for 23 AD.
13470 Year: ``1991'' for 1991, ``23'' for 23 AD.
13472 Year: ``1991'' for 1991, ``+23'' for 23 AD.
13474 Year: ``ad'' or blank.
13476 Year: ``AD'' or blank.
13478 Year: ``ad '' or blank. (Note trailing space.)
13480 Year: ``AD '' or blank.
13482 Year: ``a.d.'' or blank.
13484 Year: ``A.D.'' or blank.
13486 Year: ``bc'' or blank.
13488 Year: ``BC'' or blank.
13490 Year: `` bc'' or blank. (Note leading space.)
13492 Year: `` BC'' or blank.
13494 Year: ``b.c.'' or blank.
13496 Year: ``B.C.'' or blank.
13498 Month: ``8'' for August.
13500 Month: ``08'' for August.
13502 Month: `` 8'' for August.
13504 Month: ``AUG'' for August.
13506 Month: ``Aug'' for August.
13508 Month: ``aug'' for August.
13510 Month: ``AUGUST'' for August.
13512 Month: ``August'' for August.
13514 Day: ``7'' for 7th day of month.
13516 Day: ``07'' for 7th day of month.
13518 Day: `` 7'' for 7th day of month.
13520 Weekday: ``0'' for Sunday, ``6'' for Saturday.
13522 Weekday: ``SUN'' for Sunday.
13524 Weekday: ``Sun'' for Sunday.
13526 Weekday: ``sun'' for Sunday.
13528 Weekday: ``SUNDAY'' for Sunday.
13530 Weekday: ``Sunday'' for Sunday.
13532 Day of year: ``34'' for Feb. 3.
13534 Day of year: ``034'' for Feb. 3.
13536 Day of year: `` 34'' for Feb. 3.
13538 Hour: ``5'' for 5 AM; ``17'' for 5 PM.
13540 Hour: ``05'' for 5 AM; ``17'' for 5 PM.
13542 Hour: `` 5'' for 5 AM; ``17'' for 5 PM.
13544 Hour: ``5'' for 5 AM and 5 PM.
13546 Hour: ``05'' for 5 AM and 5 PM.
13548 Hour: `` 5'' for 5 AM and 5 PM.
13550 AM/PM: ``a'' or ``p''.
13552 AM/PM: ``A'' or ``P''.
13554 AM/PM: ``am'' or ``pm''.
13556 AM/PM: ``AM'' or ``PM''.
13558 AM/PM: ``a.m.'' or ``p.m.''.
13560 AM/PM: ``A.M.'' or ``P.M.''.
13562 Minutes: ``7'' for 7.
13564 Minutes: ``07'' for 7.
13566 Minutes: `` 7'' for 7.
13568 Seconds: ``7'' for 7; ``7.23'' for 7.23.
13570 Seconds: ``07'' for 7; ``07.23'' for 7.23.
13572 Seconds: `` 7'' for 7; `` 7.23'' for 7.23.
13574 Optional seconds: ``07'' for 7; blank for 0.
13576 Optional seconds: `` 7'' for 7; blank for 0.
13578 Numeric date/time: ``726842.25'' for 6:00am Wed Jan 9, 1991.
13580 Numeric date: ``726842'' for any time on Wed Jan 9, 1991.
13582 Julian date/time: ``2448265.75'' for 6:00am Wed Jan 9, 1991.
13584 Julian date: ``2448266'' for any time on Wed Jan 9, 1991.
13586 Unix time: ``663400800'' for 6:00am Wed Jan 9, 1991.
13588 Brackets suppression. An ``X'' at the front of the format
13589 causes the surrounding @w{@samp{< >}} delimiters to be omitted
13590 when formatting dates. Note that the brackets are still
13591 required for algebraic entry.
13594 If ``SS'' or ``BS'' (optional seconds) is preceded by a colon, the
13595 colon is also omitted if the seconds part is zero.
13597 If ``bb,'' ``bbb'' or ``bbbb'' or their upper-case equivalents
13598 appear in the format, then negative year numbers are displayed
13599 without a minus sign. Note that ``aa'' and ``bb'' are mutually
13600 exclusive. Some typical usages would be @samp{YYYY AABB};
13601 @samp{AAAYYYYBBB}; @samp{YYYYBBB}.
13603 The formats ``YY,'' ``YYYY,'' ``MM,'' ``DD,'' ``ddd,'' ``hh,'' ``HH,''
13604 ``mm,'' ``ss,'' and ``SS'' actually match any number of digits during
13605 reading unless several of these codes are strung together with no
13606 punctuation in between, in which case the input must have exactly as
13607 many digits as there are letters in the format.
13609 The ``j,'' ``J,'' and ``U'' formats do not make any time zone
13610 adjustment. They effectively use @samp{julian(x,0)} and
13611 @samp{unixtime(x,0)} to make the conversion; @pxref{Date Arithmetic}.
13613 @node Free-Form Dates, Standard Date Formats, Date Formatting Codes, Date Formats
13614 @subsubsection Free-Form Dates
13617 When reading a date form during algebraic entry, Calc falls back
13618 on the algorithm described here if the input does not exactly
13619 match the current date format. This algorithm generally
13620 ``does the right thing'' and you don't have to worry about it,
13621 but it is described here in full detail for the curious.
13623 Calc does not distinguish between upper- and lower-case letters
13624 while interpreting dates.
13626 First, the time portion, if present, is located somewhere in the
13627 text and then removed. The remaining text is then interpreted as
13630 A time is of the form @samp{hh:mm:ss}, possibly with the seconds
13631 part omitted and possibly with an AM/PM indicator added to indicate
13632 12-hour time. If the AM/PM is present, the minutes may also be
13633 omitted. The AM/PM part may be any of the words @samp{am},
13634 @samp{pm}, @samp{noon}, or @samp{midnight}; each of these may be
13635 abbreviated to one letter, and the alternate forms @samp{a.m.},
13636 @samp{p.m.}, and @samp{mid} are also understood. Obviously
13637 @samp{noon} and @samp{midnight} are allowed only on 12:00:00.
13638 The words @samp{noon}, @samp{mid}, and @samp{midnight} are also
13639 recognized with no number attached.
13641 If there is no AM/PM indicator, the time is interpreted in 24-hour
13644 To read the date portion, all words and numbers are isolated
13645 from the string; other characters are ignored. All words must
13646 be either month names or day-of-week names (the latter of which
13647 are ignored). Names can be written in full or as three-letter
13650 Large numbers, or numbers with @samp{+} or @samp{-} signs,
13651 are interpreted as years. If one of the other numbers is
13652 greater than 12, then that must be the day and the remaining
13653 number in the input is therefore the month. Otherwise, Calc
13654 assumes the month, day and year are in the same order that they
13655 appear in the current date format. If the year is omitted, the
13656 current year is taken from the system clock.
13658 If there are too many or too few numbers, or any unrecognizable
13659 words, then the input is rejected.
13661 If there are any large numbers (of five digits or more) other than
13662 the year, they are ignored on the assumption that they are something
13663 like Julian dates that were included along with the traditional
13664 date components when the date was formatted.
13666 One of the words @samp{ad}, @samp{a.d.}, @samp{bc}, or @samp{b.c.}
13667 may optionally be used; the latter two are equivalent to a
13668 minus sign on the year value.
13670 If you always enter a four-digit year, and use a name instead
13671 of a number for the month, there is no danger of ambiguity.
13673 @node Standard Date Formats, , Free-Form Dates, Date Formats
13674 @subsubsection Standard Date Formats
13677 There are actually ten standard date formats, numbered 0 through 9.
13678 Entering a blank line at the @kbd{d d} command's prompt gives
13679 you format number 1, Calc's usual format. You can enter any digit
13680 to select the other formats.
13682 To create your own standard date formats, give a numeric prefix
13683 argument from 0 to 9 to the @w{@kbd{d d}} command. The format you
13684 enter will be recorded as the new standard format of that
13685 number, as well as becoming the new current date format.
13686 You can save your formats permanently with the @w{@kbd{m m}}
13687 command (@pxref{Mode Settings}).
13691 @samp{N} (Numerical format)
13693 @samp{<H:mm:SSpp >Www Mmm D, YYYY} (American format)
13695 @samp{D Mmm YYYY<, h:mm:SS>} (European format)
13697 @samp{Www Mmm BD< hh:mm:ss> YYYY} (Unix written date format)
13699 @samp{M/D/Y< H:mm:SSpp>} (American slashed format)
13701 @samp{D.M.Y< h:mm:SS>} (European dotted format)
13703 @samp{M-D-Y< H:mm:SSpp>} (American dashed format)
13705 @samp{D-M-Y< h:mm:SS>} (European dashed format)
13707 @samp{j<, h:mm:ss>} (Julian day plus time)
13709 @samp{YYddd< hh:mm:ss>} (Year-day format)
13712 @node Truncating the Stack, Justification, Date Formats, Display Modes
13713 @subsection Truncating the Stack
13717 @pindex calc-truncate-stack
13718 @cindex Truncating the stack
13719 @cindex Narrowing the stack
13720 The @kbd{d t} (@code{calc-truncate-stack}) command moves the @samp{.}@:
13721 line that marks the top-of-stack up or down in the Calculator buffer.
13722 The number right above that line is considered to the be at the top of
13723 the stack. Any numbers below that line are ``hidden'' from all stack
13724 operations (although still visible to the user). This is similar to the
13725 Emacs ``narrowing'' feature, except that the values below the @samp{.}
13726 are @emph{visible}, just temporarily frozen. This feature allows you to
13727 keep several independent calculations running at once in different parts
13728 of the stack, or to apply a certain command to an element buried deep in
13731 Pressing @kbd{d t} by itself moves the @samp{.} to the line the cursor
13732 is on. Thus, this line and all those below it become hidden. To un-hide
13733 these lines, move down to the end of the buffer and press @w{@kbd{d t}}.
13734 With a positive numeric prefix argument @expr{n}, @kbd{d t} hides the
13735 bottom @expr{n} values in the buffer. With a negative argument, it hides
13736 all but the top @expr{n} values. With an argument of zero, it hides zero
13737 values, i.e., moves the @samp{.} all the way down to the bottom.
13740 @pindex calc-truncate-up
13742 @pindex calc-truncate-down
13743 The @kbd{d [} (@code{calc-truncate-up}) and @kbd{d ]}
13744 (@code{calc-truncate-down}) commands move the @samp{.} up or down one
13745 line at a time (or several lines with a prefix argument).
13747 @node Justification, Labels, Truncating the Stack, Display Modes
13748 @subsection Justification
13752 @pindex calc-left-justify
13754 @pindex calc-center-justify
13756 @pindex calc-right-justify
13757 Values on the stack are normally left-justified in the window. You can
13758 control this arrangement by typing @kbd{d <} (@code{calc-left-justify}),
13759 @kbd{d >} (@code{calc-right-justify}), or @kbd{d =}
13760 (@code{calc-center-justify}). For example, in Right-Justification mode,
13761 stack entries are displayed flush-right against the right edge of the
13764 If you change the width of the Calculator window you may have to type
13765 @kbd{d @key{SPC}} (@code{calc-refresh}) to re-align right-justified or centered
13768 Right-justification is especially useful together with fixed-point
13769 notation (see @code{d f}; @code{calc-fix-notation}). With these modes
13770 together, the decimal points on numbers will always line up.
13772 With a numeric prefix argument, the justification commands give you
13773 a little extra control over the display. The argument specifies the
13774 horizontal ``origin'' of a display line. It is also possible to
13775 specify a maximum line width using the @kbd{d b} command (@pxref{Normal
13776 Language Modes}). For reference, the precise rules for formatting and
13777 breaking lines are given below. Notice that the interaction between
13778 origin and line width is slightly different in each justification
13781 In Left-Justified mode, the line is indented by a number of spaces
13782 given by the origin (default zero). If the result is longer than the
13783 maximum line width, if given, or too wide to fit in the Calc window
13784 otherwise, then it is broken into lines which will fit; each broken
13785 line is indented to the origin.
13787 In Right-Justified mode, lines are shifted right so that the rightmost
13788 character is just before the origin, or just before the current
13789 window width if no origin was specified. If the line is too long
13790 for this, then it is broken; the current line width is used, if
13791 specified, or else the origin is used as a width if that is
13792 specified, or else the line is broken to fit in the window.
13794 In Centering mode, the origin is the column number of the center of
13795 each stack entry. If a line width is specified, lines will not be
13796 allowed to go past that width; Calc will either indent less or
13797 break the lines if necessary. If no origin is specified, half the
13798 line width or Calc window width is used.
13800 Note that, in each case, if line numbering is enabled the display
13801 is indented an additional four spaces to make room for the line
13802 number. The width of the line number is taken into account when
13803 positioning according to the current Calc window width, but not
13804 when positioning by explicit origins and widths. In the latter
13805 case, the display is formatted as specified, and then uniformly
13806 shifted over four spaces to fit the line numbers.
13808 @node Labels, , Justification, Display Modes
13813 @pindex calc-left-label
13814 The @kbd{d @{} (@code{calc-left-label}) command prompts for a string,
13815 then displays that string to the left of every stack entry. If the
13816 entries are left-justified (@pxref{Justification}), then they will
13817 appear immediately after the label (unless you specified an origin
13818 greater than the length of the label). If the entries are centered
13819 or right-justified, the label appears on the far left and does not
13820 affect the horizontal position of the stack entry.
13822 Give a blank string (with @kbd{d @{ @key{RET}}) to turn the label off.
13825 @pindex calc-right-label
13826 The @kbd{d @}} (@code{calc-right-label}) command similarly adds a
13827 label on the righthand side. It does not affect positioning of
13828 the stack entries unless they are right-justified. Also, if both
13829 a line width and an origin are given in Right-Justified mode, the
13830 stack entry is justified to the origin and the righthand label is
13831 justified to the line width.
13833 One application of labels would be to add equation numbers to
13834 formulas you are manipulating in Calc and then copying into a
13835 document (possibly using Embedded mode). The equations would
13836 typically be centered, and the equation numbers would be on the
13837 left or right as you prefer.
13839 @node Language Modes, Modes Variable, Display Modes, Mode Settings
13840 @section Language Modes
13843 The commands in this section change Calc to use a different notation for
13844 entry and display of formulas, corresponding to the conventions of some
13845 other common language such as Pascal or La@TeX{}. Objects displayed on the
13846 stack or yanked from the Calculator to an editing buffer will be formatted
13847 in the current language; objects entered in algebraic entry or yanked from
13848 another buffer will be interpreted according to the current language.
13850 The current language has no effect on things written to or read from the
13851 trail buffer, nor does it affect numeric entry. Only algebraic entry is
13852 affected. You can make even algebraic entry ignore the current language
13853 and use the standard notation by giving a numeric prefix, e.g., @kbd{C-u '}.
13855 For example, suppose the formula @samp{2*a[1] + atan(a[2])} occurs in a C
13856 program; elsewhere in the program you need the derivatives of this formula
13857 with respect to @samp{a[1]} and @samp{a[2]}. First, type @kbd{d C}
13858 to switch to C notation. Now use @code{C-u C-x * g} to grab the formula
13859 into the Calculator, @kbd{a d a[1] @key{RET}} to differentiate with respect
13860 to the first variable, and @kbd{C-x * y} to yank the formula for the derivative
13861 back into your C program. Press @kbd{U} to undo the differentiation and
13862 repeat with @kbd{a d a[2] @key{RET}} for the other derivative.
13864 Without being switched into C mode first, Calc would have misinterpreted
13865 the brackets in @samp{a[1]} and @samp{a[2]}, would not have known that
13866 @code{atan} was equivalent to Calc's built-in @code{arctan} function,
13867 and would have written the formula back with notations (like implicit
13868 multiplication) which would not have been valid for a C program.
13870 As another example, suppose you are maintaining a C program and a La@TeX{}
13871 document, each of which needs a copy of the same formula. You can grab the
13872 formula from the program in C mode, switch to La@TeX{} mode, and yank the
13873 formula into the document in La@TeX{} math-mode format.
13875 Language modes are selected by typing the letter @kbd{d} followed by a
13876 shifted letter key.
13879 * Normal Language Modes::
13880 * C FORTRAN Pascal::
13881 * TeX and LaTeX Language Modes::
13882 * Eqn Language Mode::
13883 * Yacas Language Mode::
13884 * Maxima Language Mode::
13885 * Giac Language Mode::
13886 * Mathematica Language Mode::
13887 * Maple Language Mode::
13892 @node Normal Language Modes, C FORTRAN Pascal, Language Modes, Language Modes
13893 @subsection Normal Language Modes
13897 @pindex calc-normal-language
13898 The @kbd{d N} (@code{calc-normal-language}) command selects the usual
13899 notation for Calc formulas, as described in the rest of this manual.
13900 Matrices are displayed in a multi-line tabular format, but all other
13901 objects are written in linear form, as they would be typed from the
13905 @pindex calc-flat-language
13906 @cindex Matrix display
13907 The @kbd{d O} (@code{calc-flat-language}) command selects a language
13908 identical with the normal one, except that matrices are written in
13909 one-line form along with everything else. In some applications this
13910 form may be more suitable for yanking data into other buffers.
13913 @pindex calc-line-breaking
13914 @cindex Line breaking
13915 @cindex Breaking up long lines
13916 Even in one-line mode, long formulas or vectors will still be split
13917 across multiple lines if they exceed the width of the Calculator window.
13918 The @kbd{d b} (@code{calc-line-breaking}) command turns this line-breaking
13919 feature on and off. (It works independently of the current language.)
13920 If you give a numeric prefix argument of five or greater to the @kbd{d b}
13921 command, that argument will specify the line width used when breaking
13925 @pindex calc-big-language
13926 The @kbd{d B} (@code{calc-big-language}) command selects a language
13927 which uses textual approximations to various mathematical notations,
13928 such as powers, quotients, and square roots:
13938 in place of @samp{sqrt((a+1)/b + c^2)}.
13940 Subscripts like @samp{a_i} are displayed as actual subscripts in Big
13941 mode. Double subscripts, @samp{a_i_j} (@samp{subscr(subscr(a, i), j)})
13942 are displayed as @samp{a} with subscripts separated by commas:
13943 @samp{i, j}. They must still be entered in the usual underscore
13946 One slight ambiguity of Big notation is that
13955 can represent either the negative rational number @expr{-3:4}, or the
13956 actual expression @samp{-(3/4)}; but the latter formula would normally
13957 never be displayed because it would immediately be evaluated to
13958 @expr{-3:4} or @expr{-0.75}, so this ambiguity is not a problem in
13961 Non-decimal numbers are displayed with subscripts. Thus there is no
13962 way to tell the difference between @samp{16#C2} and @samp{C2_16},
13963 though generally you will know which interpretation is correct.
13964 Logarithms @samp{log(x,b)} and @samp{log10(x)} also use subscripts
13967 In Big mode, stack entries often take up several lines. To aid
13968 readability, stack entries are separated by a blank line in this mode.
13969 You may find it useful to expand the Calc window's height using
13970 @kbd{C-x ^} (@code{enlarge-window}) or to make the Calc window the only
13971 one on the screen with @kbd{C-x 1} (@code{delete-other-windows}).
13973 Long lines are currently not rearranged to fit the window width in
13974 Big mode, so you may need to use the @kbd{<} and @kbd{>} keys
13975 to scroll across a wide formula. For really big formulas, you may
13976 even need to use @kbd{@{} and @kbd{@}} to scroll up and down.
13979 @pindex calc-unformatted-language
13980 The @kbd{d U} (@code{calc-unformatted-language}) command altogether disables
13981 the use of operator notation in formulas. In this mode, the formula
13982 shown above would be displayed:
13985 sqrt(add(div(add(a, 1), b), pow(c, 2)))
13988 These four modes differ only in display format, not in the format
13989 expected for algebraic entry. The standard Calc operators work in
13990 all four modes, and unformatted notation works in any language mode
13991 (except that Mathematica mode expects square brackets instead of
13994 @node C FORTRAN Pascal, TeX and LaTeX Language Modes, Normal Language Modes, Language Modes
13995 @subsection C, FORTRAN, and Pascal Modes
13999 @pindex calc-c-language
14001 The @kbd{d C} (@code{calc-c-language}) command selects the conventions
14002 of the C language for display and entry of formulas. This differs from
14003 the normal language mode in a variety of (mostly minor) ways. In
14004 particular, C language operators and operator precedences are used in
14005 place of Calc's usual ones. For example, @samp{a^b} means @samp{xor(a,b)}
14006 in C mode; a value raised to a power is written as a function call,
14009 In C mode, vectors and matrices use curly braces instead of brackets.
14010 Octal and hexadecimal values are written with leading @samp{0} or @samp{0x}
14011 rather than using the @samp{#} symbol. Array subscripting is
14012 translated into @code{subscr} calls, so that @samp{a[i]} in C
14013 mode is the same as @samp{a_i} in Normal mode. Assignments
14014 turn into the @code{assign} function, which Calc normally displays
14015 using the @samp{:=} symbol.
14017 The variables @code{pi} and @code{e} would be displayed @samp{pi}
14018 and @samp{e} in Normal mode, but in C mode they are displayed as
14019 @samp{M_PI} and @samp{M_E}, corresponding to the names of constants
14020 typically provided in the @file{<math.h>} header. Functions whose
14021 names are different in C are translated automatically for entry and
14022 display purposes. For example, entering @samp{asin(x)} will push the
14023 formula @samp{arcsin(x)} onto the stack; this formula will be displayed
14024 as @samp{asin(x)} as long as C mode is in effect.
14027 @pindex calc-pascal-language
14028 @cindex Pascal language
14029 The @kbd{d P} (@code{calc-pascal-language}) command selects Pascal
14030 conventions. Like C mode, Pascal mode interprets array brackets and uses
14031 a different table of operators. Hexadecimal numbers are entered and
14032 displayed with a preceding dollar sign. (Thus the regular meaning of
14033 @kbd{$2} during algebraic entry does not work in Pascal mode, though
14034 @kbd{$} (and @kbd{$$}, etc.) not followed by digits works the same as
14035 always.) No special provisions are made for other non-decimal numbers,
14036 vectors, and so on, since there is no universally accepted standard way
14037 of handling these in Pascal.
14040 @pindex calc-fortran-language
14041 @cindex FORTRAN language
14042 The @kbd{d F} (@code{calc-fortran-language}) command selects FORTRAN
14043 conventions. Various function names are transformed into FORTRAN
14044 equivalents. Vectors are written as @samp{/1, 2, 3/}, and may be
14045 entered this way or using square brackets. Since FORTRAN uses round
14046 parentheses for both function calls and array subscripts, Calc displays
14047 both in the same way; @samp{a(i)} is interpreted as a function call
14048 upon reading, and subscripts must be entered as @samp{subscr(a, i)}.
14049 If the variable @code{a} has been declared to have type
14050 @code{vector} or @code{matrix}, however, then @samp{a(i)} will be
14051 parsed as a subscript. (@xref{Declarations}.) Usually it doesn't
14052 matter, though; if you enter the subscript expression @samp{a(i)} and
14053 Calc interprets it as a function call, you'll never know the difference
14054 unless you switch to another language mode or replace @code{a} with an
14055 actual vector (or unless @code{a} happens to be the name of a built-in
14058 Underscores are allowed in variable and function names in all of these
14059 language modes. The underscore here is equivalent to the @samp{#} in
14060 Normal mode, or to hyphens in the underlying Emacs Lisp variable names.
14062 FORTRAN and Pascal modes normally do not adjust the case of letters in
14063 formulas. Most built-in Calc names use lower-case letters. If you use a
14064 positive numeric prefix argument with @kbd{d P} or @kbd{d F}, these
14065 modes will use upper-case letters exclusively for display, and will
14066 convert to lower-case on input. With a negative prefix, these modes
14067 convert to lower-case for display and input.
14069 @node TeX and LaTeX Language Modes, Eqn Language Mode, C FORTRAN Pascal, Language Modes
14070 @subsection @TeX{} and La@TeX{} Language Modes
14074 @pindex calc-tex-language
14075 @cindex TeX language
14077 @pindex calc-latex-language
14078 @cindex LaTeX language
14079 The @kbd{d T} (@code{calc-tex-language}) command selects the conventions
14080 of ``math mode'' in Donald Knuth's @TeX{} typesetting language,
14081 and the @kbd{d L} (@code{calc-latex-language}) command selects the
14082 conventions of ``math mode'' in La@TeX{}, a typesetting language that
14083 uses @TeX{} as its formatting engine. Calc's La@TeX{} language mode can
14084 read any formula that the @TeX{} language mode can, although La@TeX{}
14085 mode may display it differently.
14087 Formulas are entered and displayed in the appropriate notation;
14088 @texline @math{\sin(a/b)}
14089 @infoline @expr{sin(a/b)}
14090 will appear as @samp{\sin\left( @{a \over b@} \right)} in @TeX{} mode and
14091 @samp{\sin\left(\frac@{a@}@{b@}\right)} in La@TeX{} mode.
14092 Math formulas are often enclosed by @samp{$ $} signs in @TeX{} and
14093 La@TeX{}; these should be omitted when interfacing with Calc. To Calc,
14094 the @samp{$} sign has the same meaning it always does in algebraic
14095 formulas (a reference to an existing entry on the stack).
14097 Complex numbers are displayed as in @samp{3 + 4i}. Fractions and
14098 quotients are written using @code{\over} in @TeX{} mode (as in
14099 @code{@{a \over b@}}) and @code{\frac} in La@TeX{} mode (as in
14100 @code{\frac@{a@}@{b@}}); binomial coefficients are written with
14101 @code{\choose} in @TeX{} mode (as in @code{@{a \choose b@}}) and
14102 @code{\binom} in La@TeX{} mode (as in @code{\binom@{a@}@{b@}}).
14103 Interval forms are written with @code{\ldots}, and error forms are
14104 written with @code{\pm}. Absolute values are written as in
14105 @samp{|x + 1|}, and the floor and ceiling functions are written with
14106 @code{\lfloor}, @code{\rfloor}, etc. The words @code{\left} and
14107 @code{\right} are ignored when reading formulas in @TeX{} and La@TeX{}
14108 modes. Both @code{inf} and @code{uinf} are written as @code{\infty};
14109 when read, @code{\infty} always translates to @code{inf}.
14111 Function calls are written the usual way, with the function name followed
14112 by the arguments in parentheses. However, functions for which @TeX{}
14113 and La@TeX{} have special names (like @code{\sin}) will use curly braces
14114 instead of parentheses for very simple arguments. During input, curly
14115 braces and parentheses work equally well for grouping, but when the
14116 document is formatted the curly braces will be invisible. Thus the
14118 @texline @math{\sin{2 x}}
14119 @infoline @expr{sin 2x}
14121 @texline @math{\sin(2 + x)}.
14122 @infoline @expr{sin(2 + x)}.
14124 The @TeX{} specific unit names (@pxref{Predefined Units}) will not use
14125 the @samp{tex} prefix; the unit name for a @TeX{} point will be
14126 @samp{pt} instead of @samp{texpt}, for example.
14128 Function and variable names not treated specially by @TeX{} and La@TeX{}
14129 are simply written out as-is, which will cause them to come out in
14130 italic letters in the printed document. If you invoke @kbd{d T} or
14131 @kbd{d L} with a positive numeric prefix argument, names of more than
14132 one character will instead be enclosed in a protective commands that
14133 will prevent them from being typeset in the math italics; they will be
14134 written @samp{\hbox@{@var{name}@}} in @TeX{} mode and
14135 @samp{\text@{@var{name}@}} in La@TeX{} mode. The
14136 @samp{\hbox@{ @}} and @samp{\text@{ @}} notations are ignored during
14137 reading. If you use a negative prefix argument, such function names are
14138 written @samp{\@var{name}}, and function names that begin with @code{\} during
14139 reading have the @code{\} removed. (Note that in this mode, long
14140 variable names are still written with @code{\hbox} or @code{\text}.
14141 However, you can always make an actual variable name like @code{\bar} in
14144 During reading, text of the form @samp{\matrix@{ ...@: @}} is replaced
14145 by @samp{[ ...@: ]}. The same also applies to @code{\pmatrix} and
14146 @code{\bmatrix}. In La@TeX{} mode this also applies to
14147 @samp{\begin@{matrix@} ... \end@{matrix@}},
14148 @samp{\begin@{bmatrix@} ... \end@{bmatrix@}},
14149 @samp{\begin@{pmatrix@} ... \end@{pmatrix@}}, as well as
14150 @samp{\begin@{smallmatrix@} ... \end@{smallmatrix@}}.
14151 The symbol @samp{&} is interpreted as a comma,
14152 and the symbols @samp{\cr} and @samp{\\} are interpreted as semicolons.
14153 During output, matrices are displayed in @samp{\matrix@{ a & b \\ c & d@}}
14154 format in @TeX{} mode and in
14155 @samp{\begin@{pmatrix@} a & b \\ c & d \end@{pmatrix@}} format in
14156 La@TeX{} mode; you may need to edit this afterwards to change to your
14157 preferred matrix form. If you invoke @kbd{d T} or @kbd{d L} with an
14158 argument of 2 or -2, then matrices will be displayed in two-dimensional
14169 This may be convenient for isolated matrices, but could lead to
14170 expressions being displayed like
14173 \begin@{pmatrix@} \times x
14180 While this wouldn't bother Calc, it is incorrect La@TeX{}.
14181 (Similarly for @TeX{}.)
14183 Accents like @code{\tilde} and @code{\bar} translate into function
14184 calls internally (@samp{tilde(x)}, @samp{bar(x)}). The @code{\underline}
14185 sequence is treated as an accent. The @code{\vec} accent corresponds
14186 to the function name @code{Vec}, because @code{vec} is the name of
14187 a built-in Calc function. The following table shows the accents
14188 in Calc, @TeX{}, La@TeX{} and @dfn{eqn} (described in the next section):
14193 @let@calcindexershow=@calcindexernoshow @c Suppress marginal notes
14194 @let@calcindexersh=@calcindexernoshow
14303 acute \acute \acute
14307 breve \breve \breve
14309 check \check \check
14315 dotdot \ddot \ddot dotdot
14318 grave \grave \grave
14323 tilde \tilde \tilde tilde
14325 under \underline \underline under
14330 The @samp{=>} (evaluates-to) operator appears as a @code{\to} symbol:
14331 @samp{@{@var{a} \to @var{b}@}}. @TeX{} defines @code{\to} as an
14332 alias for @code{\rightarrow}. However, if the @samp{=>} is the
14333 top-level expression being formatted, a slightly different notation
14334 is used: @samp{\evalto @var{a} \to @var{b}}. The @code{\evalto}
14335 word is ignored by Calc's input routines, and is undefined in @TeX{}.
14336 You will typically want to include one of the following definitions
14337 at the top of a @TeX{} file that uses @code{\evalto}:
14341 \def\evalto#1\to@{@}
14344 The first definition formats evaluates-to operators in the usual
14345 way. The second causes only the @var{b} part to appear in the
14346 printed document; the @var{a} part and the arrow are hidden.
14347 Another definition you may wish to use is @samp{\let\to=\Rightarrow}
14348 which causes @code{\to} to appear more like Calc's @samp{=>} symbol.
14349 @xref{Evaluates-To Operator}, for a discussion of @code{evalto}.
14351 The complete set of @TeX{} control sequences that are ignored during
14355 \hbox \mbox \text \left \right
14356 \, \> \: \; \! \quad \qquad \hfil \hfill
14357 \displaystyle \textstyle \dsize \tsize
14358 \scriptstyle \scriptscriptstyle \ssize \ssize
14359 \rm \bf \it \sl \roman \bold \italic \slanted
14360 \cal \mit \Cal \Bbb \frak \goth
14364 Note that, because these symbols are ignored, reading a @TeX{} or
14365 La@TeX{} formula into Calc and writing it back out may lose spacing and
14368 Also, the ``discretionary multiplication sign'' @samp{\*} is read
14369 the same as @samp{*}.
14372 The @TeX{} version of this manual includes some printed examples at the
14373 end of this section.
14376 Here are some examples of how various Calc formulas are formatted in @TeX{}:
14381 \sin\left( {a^2 \over b_i} \right)
14385 $$ \sin\left( a^2 \over b_i \right) $$
14391 [(3, 4), 3:4, 3 +/- 4, [3 .. inf)]
14392 [3 + 4i, @{3 \over 4@}, 3 \pm 4, [3 \ldots \infty)]
14396 $$ [3 + 4i, {3 \over 4}, 3 \pm 4, [ 3 \ldots \infty)] $$
14402 [abs(a), abs(a / b), floor(a), ceil(a / b)]
14403 [|a|, \left| a \over b \right|,
14404 \lfloor a \rfloor, \left\lceil a \over b \right\rceil]
14408 $$ [|a|, \left| a \over b \right|,
14409 \lfloor a \rfloor, \left\lceil a \over b \right\rceil] $$
14415 [sin(a), sin(2 a), sin(2 + a), sin(a / b)]
14416 [\sin@{a@}, \sin@{2 a@}, \sin(2 + a),
14417 \sin\left( @{a \over b@} \right)]
14421 $$ [\sin{a}, \sin{2 a}, \sin(2 + a), \sin\left( {a \over b} \right)] $$
14425 First with plain @kbd{d T}, then with @kbd{C-u d T}, then finally with
14426 @kbd{C-u - d T} (using the example definition
14427 @samp{\def\foo#1@{\tilde F(#1)@}}:
14431 [f(a), foo(bar), sin(pi)]
14432 [f(a), foo(bar), \sin{\pi}]
14433 [f(a), \hbox@{foo@}(\hbox@{bar@}), \sin@{\pi@}]
14434 [f(a), \foo@{\hbox@{bar@}@}, \sin@{\pi@}]
14438 $$ [f(a), foo(bar), \sin{\pi}] $$
14439 $$ [f(a), \hbox{foo}(\hbox{bar}), \sin{\pi}] $$
14440 $$ [f(a), \tilde F(\hbox{bar}), \sin{\pi}] $$
14444 First with @samp{\def\evalto@{@}}, then with @samp{\def\evalto#1\to@{@}}:
14449 \evalto 2 + 3 \to 5
14458 First with standard @code{\to}, then with @samp{\let\to\Rightarrow}:
14462 [2 + 3 => 5, a / 2 => (b + c) / 2]
14463 [@{2 + 3 \to 5@}, @{@{a \over 2@} \to @{b + c \over 2@}@}]
14467 $$ [{2 + 3 \to 5}, {{a \over 2} \to {b + c \over 2}}] $$
14468 {\let\to\Rightarrow
14469 $$ [{2 + 3 \to 5}, {{a \over 2} \to {b + c \over 2}}] $$}
14473 Matrices normally, then changing @code{\matrix} to @code{\pmatrix}:
14477 [ [ a / b, 0 ], [ 0, 2^(x + 1) ] ]
14478 \matrix@{ @{a \over b@} & 0 \\ 0 & 2^@{(x + 1)@} @}
14479 \pmatrix@{ @{a \over b@} & 0 \\ 0 & 2^@{(x + 1)@} @}
14483 $$ \matrix{ {a \over b} & 0 \cr 0 & 2^{(x + 1)} } $$
14484 $$ \pmatrix{ {a \over b} & 0 \cr 0 & 2^{(x + 1)} } $$
14489 @node Eqn Language Mode, Yacas Language Mode, TeX and LaTeX Language Modes, Language Modes
14490 @subsection Eqn Language Mode
14494 @pindex calc-eqn-language
14495 @dfn{Eqn} is another popular formatter for math formulas. It is
14496 designed for use with the TROFF text formatter, and comes standard
14497 with many versions of Unix. The @kbd{d E} (@code{calc-eqn-language})
14498 command selects @dfn{eqn} notation.
14500 The @dfn{eqn} language's main idiosyncrasy is that whitespace plays
14501 a significant part in the parsing of the language. For example,
14502 @samp{sqrt x+1 + y} treats @samp{x+1} as the argument of the
14503 @code{sqrt} operator. @dfn{Eqn} also understands more conventional
14504 grouping using curly braces: @samp{sqrt@{x+1@} + y}. Braces are
14505 required only when the argument contains spaces.
14507 In Calc's @dfn{eqn} mode, however, curly braces are required to
14508 delimit arguments of operators like @code{sqrt}. The first of the
14509 above examples would treat only the @samp{x} as the argument of
14510 @code{sqrt}, and in fact @samp{sin x+1} would be interpreted as
14511 @samp{sin * x + 1}, because @code{sin} is not a special operator
14512 in the @dfn{eqn} language. If you always surround the argument
14513 with curly braces, Calc will never misunderstand.
14515 Calc also understands parentheses as grouping characters. Another
14516 peculiarity of @dfn{eqn}'s syntax makes it advisable to separate
14517 words with spaces from any surrounding characters that aren't curly
14518 braces, so Calc writes @samp{sin ( x + y )} in @dfn{eqn} mode.
14519 (The spaces around @code{sin} are important to make @dfn{eqn}
14520 recognize that @code{sin} should be typeset in a roman font, and
14521 the spaces around @code{x} and @code{y} are a good idea just in
14522 case the @dfn{eqn} document has defined special meanings for these
14525 Powers and subscripts are written with the @code{sub} and @code{sup}
14526 operators, respectively. Note that the caret symbol @samp{^} is
14527 treated the same as a space in @dfn{eqn} mode, as is the @samp{~}
14528 symbol (these are used to introduce spaces of various widths into
14529 the typeset output of @dfn{eqn}).
14531 As in La@TeX{} mode, Calc's formatter omits parentheses around the
14532 arguments of functions like @code{ln} and @code{sin} if they are
14533 ``simple-looking''; in this case Calc surrounds the argument with
14534 braces, separated by a @samp{~} from the function name: @samp{sin~@{x@}}.
14536 Font change codes (like @samp{roman @var{x}}) and positioning codes
14537 (like @samp{~} and @samp{down @var{n} @var{x}}) are ignored by the
14538 @dfn{eqn} reader. Also ignored are the words @code{left}, @code{right},
14539 @code{mark}, and @code{lineup}. Quotation marks in @dfn{eqn} mode input
14540 are treated the same as curly braces: @samp{sqrt "1+x"} is equivalent to
14541 @samp{sqrt @{1+x@}}; this is only an approximation to the true meaning
14542 of quotes in @dfn{eqn}, but it is good enough for most uses.
14544 Accent codes (@samp{@var{x} dot}) are handled by treating them as
14545 function calls (@samp{dot(@var{x})}) internally.
14546 @xref{TeX and LaTeX Language Modes}, for a table of these accent
14547 functions. The @code{prime} accent is treated specially if it occurs on
14548 a variable or function name: @samp{f prime prime @w{( x prime )}} is
14549 stored internally as @samp{f'@w{'}(x')}. For example, taking the
14550 derivative of @samp{f(2 x)} with @kbd{a d x} will produce @samp{2 f'(2
14551 x)}, which @dfn{eqn} mode will display as @samp{2 f prime ( 2 x )}.
14553 Assignments are written with the @samp{<-} (left-arrow) symbol,
14554 and @code{evalto} operators are written with @samp{->} or
14555 @samp{evalto ... ->} (@pxref{TeX and LaTeX Language Modes}, for a discussion
14556 of this). The regular Calc symbols @samp{:=} and @samp{=>} are also
14557 recognized for these operators during reading.
14559 Vectors in @dfn{eqn} mode use regular Calc square brackets, but
14560 matrices are formatted as @samp{matrix @{ ccol @{ a above b @} ... @}}.
14561 The words @code{lcol} and @code{rcol} are recognized as synonyms
14562 for @code{ccol} during input, and are generated instead of @code{ccol}
14563 if the matrix justification mode so specifies.
14565 @node Yacas Language Mode, Maxima Language Mode, Eqn Language Mode, Language Modes
14566 @subsection Yacas Language Mode
14570 @pindex calc-yacas-language
14571 @cindex Yacas language
14572 The @kbd{d Y} (@code{calc-yacas-language}) command selects the
14573 conventions of Yacas, a free computer algebra system. While the
14574 operators and functions in Yacas are similar to those of Calc, the names
14575 of built-in functions in Yacas are capitalized. The Calc formula
14576 @samp{sin(2 x)}, for example, is entered and displayed @samp{Sin(2 x)}
14577 in Yacas mode, and `@samp{arcsin(x^2)} is @samp{ArcSin(x^2)} in Yacas
14578 mode. Complex numbers are written are written @samp{3 + 4 I}.
14579 The standard special constants are written @code{Pi}, @code{E},
14580 @code{I}, @code{GoldenRatio} and @code{Gamma}. @code{Infinity}
14581 represents both @code{inf} and @code{uinf}, and @code{Undefined}
14582 represents @code{nan}.
14584 Certain operators on functions, such as @code{D} for differentiation
14585 and @code{Integrate} for integration, take a prefix form in Yacas. For
14586 example, the derivative of @w{@samp{e^x sin(x)}} can be computed with
14587 @w{@samp{D(x) Exp(x)*Sin(x)}}.
14589 Other notable differences between Yacas and standard Calc expressions
14590 are that vectors and matrices use curly braces in Yacas, and subscripts
14591 use square brackets. If, for example, @samp{A} represents the list
14592 @samp{@{a,2,c,4@}}, then @samp{A[3]} would equal @samp{c}.
14595 @node Maxima Language Mode, Giac Language Mode, Yacas Language Mode, Language Modes
14596 @subsection Maxima Language Mode
14600 @pindex calc-maxima-language
14601 @cindex Maxima language
14602 The @kbd{d X} (@code{calc-maxima-language}) command selects the
14603 conventions of Maxima, another free computer algebra system. The
14604 function names in Maxima are similar, but not always identical, to Calc.
14605 For example, instead of @samp{arcsin(x)}, Maxima will use
14606 @samp{asin(x)}. Complex numbers are written @samp{3 + 4 %i}. The
14607 standard special constants are written @code{%pi}, @code{%e},
14608 @code{%i}, @code{%phi} and @code{%gamma}. In Maxima, @code{inf} means
14609 the same as in Calc, but @code{infinity} represents Calc's @code{uinf}.
14611 Underscores as well as percent signs are allowed in function and
14612 variable names in Maxima mode. The underscore again is equivalent to
14613 the @samp{#} in Normal mode, and the percent sign is equivalent to
14616 Maxima uses square brackets for lists and vectors, and matrices are
14617 written as calls to the function @code{matrix}, given the row vectors of
14618 the matrix as arguments. Square brackets are also used as subscripts.
14620 @node Giac Language Mode, Mathematica Language Mode, Maxima Language Mode, Language Modes
14621 @subsection Giac Language Mode
14625 @pindex calc-giac-language
14626 @cindex Giac language
14627 The @kbd{d A} (@code{calc-giac-language}) command selects the
14628 conventions of Giac, another free computer algebra system. The function
14629 names in Giac are similar to Maxima. Complex numbers are written
14630 @samp{3 + 4 i}. The standard special constants in Giac are the same as
14631 in Calc, except that @code{infinity} represents both Calc's @code{inf}
14634 Underscores are allowed in function and variable names in Giac mode.
14635 Brackets are used for subscripts. In Giac, indexing of lists begins at
14636 0, instead of 1 as in Calc. So if @samp{A} represents the list
14637 @samp{[a,2,c,4]}, then @samp{A[2]} would equal @samp{c}. In general,
14638 @samp{A[n]} in Giac mode corresponds to @samp{A_(n+1)} in Normal mode.
14640 The Giac interval notation @samp{2 .. 3} has no surrounding brackets;
14641 Calc reads @samp{2 .. 3} as the closed interval @samp{[2 .. 3]} and
14642 writes any kind of interval as @samp{2 .. 3}. This means you cannot see
14643 the difference between an open and a closed interval while in Giac mode.
14645 @node Mathematica Language Mode, Maple Language Mode, Giac Language Mode, Language Modes
14646 @subsection Mathematica Language Mode
14650 @pindex calc-mathematica-language
14651 @cindex Mathematica language
14652 The @kbd{d M} (@code{calc-mathematica-language}) command selects the
14653 conventions of Mathematica. Notable differences in Mathematica mode
14654 are that the names of built-in functions are capitalized, and function
14655 calls use square brackets instead of parentheses. Thus the Calc
14656 formula @samp{sin(2 x)} is entered and displayed @w{@samp{Sin[2 x]}} in
14659 Vectors and matrices use curly braces in Mathematica. Complex numbers
14660 are written @samp{3 + 4 I}. The standard special constants in Calc are
14661 written @code{Pi}, @code{E}, @code{I}, @code{GoldenRatio}, @code{EulerGamma},
14662 @code{Infinity}, @code{ComplexInfinity}, and @code{Indeterminate} in
14664 Non-decimal numbers are written, e.g., @samp{16^^7fff}. Floating-point
14665 numbers in scientific notation are written @samp{1.23*10.^3}.
14666 Subscripts use double square brackets: @samp{a[[i]]}.
14668 @node Maple Language Mode, Compositions, Mathematica Language Mode, Language Modes
14669 @subsection Maple Language Mode
14673 @pindex calc-maple-language
14674 @cindex Maple language
14675 The @kbd{d W} (@code{calc-maple-language}) command selects the
14676 conventions of Maple.
14678 Maple's language is much like C. Underscores are allowed in symbol
14679 names; square brackets are used for subscripts; explicit @samp{*}s for
14680 multiplications are required. Use either @samp{^} or @samp{**} to
14683 Maple uses square brackets for lists and curly braces for sets. Calc
14684 interprets both notations as vectors, and displays vectors with square
14685 brackets. This means Maple sets will be converted to lists when they
14686 pass through Calc. As a special case, matrices are written as calls
14687 to the function @code{matrix}, given a list of lists as the argument,
14688 and can be read in this form or with all-capitals @code{MATRIX}.
14690 The Maple interval notation @samp{2 .. 3} is like Giac's interval
14691 notation, and is handled the same by Calc.
14693 Maple writes complex numbers as @samp{3 + 4*I}. Its special constants
14694 are @code{Pi}, @code{E}, @code{I}, and @code{infinity} (all three of
14695 @code{inf}, @code{uinf}, and @code{nan} display as @code{infinity}).
14696 Floating-point numbers are written @samp{1.23*10.^3}.
14698 Among things not currently handled by Calc's Maple mode are the
14699 various quote symbols, procedures and functional operators, and
14700 inert (@samp{&}) operators.
14702 @node Compositions, Syntax Tables, Maple Language Mode, Language Modes
14703 @subsection Compositions
14706 @cindex Compositions
14707 There are several @dfn{composition functions} which allow you to get
14708 displays in a variety of formats similar to those in Big language
14709 mode. Most of these functions do not evaluate to anything; they are
14710 placeholders which are left in symbolic form by Calc's evaluator but
14711 are recognized by Calc's display formatting routines.
14713 Two of these, @code{string} and @code{bstring}, are described elsewhere.
14714 @xref{Strings}. For example, @samp{string("ABC")} is displayed as
14715 @samp{ABC}. When viewed on the stack it will be indistinguishable from
14716 the variable @code{ABC}, but internally it will be stored as
14717 @samp{string([65, 66, 67])} and can still be manipulated this way; for
14718 example, the selection and vector commands @kbd{j 1 v v j u} would
14719 select the vector portion of this object and reverse the elements, then
14720 deselect to reveal a string whose characters had been reversed.
14722 The composition functions do the same thing in all language modes
14723 (although their components will of course be formatted in the current
14724 language mode). The one exception is Unformatted mode (@kbd{d U}),
14725 which does not give the composition functions any special treatment.
14726 The functions are discussed here because of their relationship to
14727 the language modes.
14730 * Composition Basics::
14731 * Horizontal Compositions::
14732 * Vertical Compositions::
14733 * Other Compositions::
14734 * Information about Compositions::
14735 * User-Defined Compositions::
14738 @node Composition Basics, Horizontal Compositions, Compositions, Compositions
14739 @subsubsection Composition Basics
14742 Compositions are generally formed by stacking formulas together
14743 horizontally or vertically in various ways. Those formulas are
14744 themselves compositions. @TeX{} users will find this analogous
14745 to @TeX{}'s ``boxes.'' Each multi-line composition has a
14746 @dfn{baseline}; horizontal compositions use the baselines to
14747 decide how formulas should be positioned relative to one another.
14748 For example, in the Big mode formula
14760 the second term of the sum is four lines tall and has line three as
14761 its baseline. Thus when the term is combined with 17, line three
14762 is placed on the same level as the baseline of 17.
14768 Another important composition concept is @dfn{precedence}. This is
14769 an integer that represents the binding strength of various operators.
14770 For example, @samp{*} has higher precedence (195) than @samp{+} (180),
14771 which means that @samp{(a * b) + c} will be formatted without the
14772 parentheses, but @samp{a * (b + c)} will keep the parentheses.
14774 The operator table used by normal and Big language modes has the
14775 following precedences:
14778 _ 1200 @r{(subscripts)}
14779 % 1100 @r{(as in n}%@r{)}
14780 ! 1000 @r{(as in }!@r{n)}
14783 !! 210 @r{(as in n}!!@r{)}
14784 ! 210 @r{(as in n}!@r{)}
14786 - 197 @r{(as in }-@r{n)}
14787 * 195 @r{(or implicit multiplication)}
14789 + - 180 @r{(as in a}+@r{b)}
14791 < = 160 @r{(and other relations)}
14803 The general rule is that if an operator with precedence @expr{n}
14804 occurs as an argument to an operator with precedence @expr{m}, then
14805 the argument is enclosed in parentheses if @expr{n < m}. Top-level
14806 expressions and expressions which are function arguments, vector
14807 components, etc., are formatted with precedence zero (so that they
14808 normally never get additional parentheses).
14810 For binary left-associative operators like @samp{+}, the righthand
14811 argument is actually formatted with one-higher precedence than shown
14812 in the table. This makes sure @samp{(a + b) + c} omits the parentheses,
14813 but the unnatural form @samp{a + (b + c)} keeps its parentheses.
14814 Right-associative operators like @samp{^} format the lefthand argument
14815 with one-higher precedence.
14821 The @code{cprec} function formats an expression with an arbitrary
14822 precedence. For example, @samp{cprec(abc, 185)} will combine into
14823 sums and products as follows: @samp{7 + abc}, @samp{7 (abc)} (because
14824 this @code{cprec} form has higher precedence than addition, but lower
14825 precedence than multiplication).
14831 A final composition issue is @dfn{line breaking}. Calc uses two
14832 different strategies for ``flat'' and ``non-flat'' compositions.
14833 A non-flat composition is anything that appears on multiple lines
14834 (not counting line breaking). Examples would be matrices and Big
14835 mode powers and quotients. Non-flat compositions are displayed
14836 exactly as specified. If they come out wider than the current
14837 window, you must use horizontal scrolling (@kbd{<} and @kbd{>}) to
14840 Flat compositions, on the other hand, will be broken across several
14841 lines if they are too wide to fit the window. Certain points in a
14842 composition are noted internally as @dfn{break points}. Calc's
14843 general strategy is to fill each line as much as possible, then to
14844 move down to the next line starting at the first break point that
14845 didn't fit. However, the line breaker understands the hierarchical
14846 structure of formulas. It will not break an ``inner'' formula if
14847 it can use an earlier break point from an ``outer'' formula instead.
14848 For example, a vector of sums might be formatted as:
14852 [ a + b + c, d + e + f,
14853 g + h + i, j + k + l, m ]
14858 If the @samp{m} can fit, then so, it seems, could the @samp{g}.
14859 But Calc prefers to break at the comma since the comma is part
14860 of a ``more outer'' formula. Calc would break at a plus sign
14861 only if it had to, say, if the very first sum in the vector had
14862 itself been too large to fit.
14864 Of the composition functions described below, only @code{choriz}
14865 generates break points. The @code{bstring} function (@pxref{Strings})
14866 also generates breakable items: A break point is added after every
14867 space (or group of spaces) except for spaces at the very beginning or
14870 Composition functions themselves count as levels in the formula
14871 hierarchy, so a @code{choriz} that is a component of a larger
14872 @code{choriz} will be less likely to be broken. As a special case,
14873 if a @code{bstring} occurs as a component of a @code{choriz} or
14874 @code{choriz}-like object (such as a vector or a list of arguments
14875 in a function call), then the break points in that @code{bstring}
14876 will be on the same level as the break points of the surrounding
14879 @node Horizontal Compositions, Vertical Compositions, Composition Basics, Compositions
14880 @subsubsection Horizontal Compositions
14887 The @code{choriz} function takes a vector of objects and composes
14888 them horizontally. For example, @samp{choriz([17, a b/c, d])} formats
14889 as @w{@samp{17a b / cd}} in Normal language mode, or as
14900 in Big language mode. This is actually one case of the general
14901 function @samp{choriz(@var{vec}, @var{sep}, @var{prec})}, where
14902 either or both of @var{sep} and @var{prec} may be omitted.
14903 @var{Prec} gives the @dfn{precedence} to use when formatting
14904 each of the components of @var{vec}. The default precedence is
14905 the precedence from the surrounding environment.
14907 @var{Sep} is a string (i.e., a vector of character codes as might
14908 be entered with @code{" "} notation) which should separate components
14909 of the composition. Also, if @var{sep} is given, the line breaker
14910 will allow lines to be broken after each occurrence of @var{sep}.
14911 If @var{sep} is omitted, the composition will not be breakable
14912 (unless any of its component compositions are breakable).
14914 For example, @samp{2 choriz([a, b c, d = e], " + ", 180)} is
14915 formatted as @samp{2 a + b c + (d = e)}. To get the @code{choriz}
14916 to have precedence 180 ``outwards'' as well as ``inwards,''
14917 enclose it in a @code{cprec} form: @samp{2 cprec(choriz(...), 180)}
14918 formats as @samp{2 (a + b c + (d = e))}.
14920 The baseline of a horizontal composition is the same as the
14921 baselines of the component compositions, which are all aligned.
14923 @node Vertical Compositions, Other Compositions, Horizontal Compositions, Compositions
14924 @subsubsection Vertical Compositions
14931 The @code{cvert} function makes a vertical composition. Each
14932 component of the vector is centered in a column. The baseline of
14933 the result is by default the top line of the resulting composition.
14934 For example, @samp{f(cvert([a, bb, ccc]), cvert([a^2 + 1, b^2]))}
14935 formats in Big mode as
14950 There are several special composition functions that work only as
14951 components of a vertical composition. The @code{cbase} function
14952 controls the baseline of the vertical composition; the baseline
14953 will be the same as the baseline of whatever component is enclosed
14954 in @code{cbase}. Thus @samp{f(cvert([a, cbase(bb), ccc]),
14955 cvert([a^2 + 1, cbase(b^2)]))} displays as
14975 There are also @code{ctbase} and @code{cbbase} functions which
14976 make the baseline of the vertical composition equal to the top
14977 or bottom line (rather than the baseline) of that component.
14978 Thus @samp{cvert([cbase(a / b)]) + cvert([ctbase(a / b)]) +
14979 cvert([cbbase(a / b)])} gives
14991 There should be only one @code{cbase}, @code{ctbase}, or @code{cbbase}
14992 function in a given vertical composition. These functions can also
14993 be written with no arguments: @samp{ctbase()} is a zero-height object
14994 which means the baseline is the top line of the following item, and
14995 @samp{cbbase()} means the baseline is the bottom line of the preceding
15002 The @code{crule} function builds a ``rule,'' or horizontal line,
15003 across a vertical composition. By itself @samp{crule()} uses @samp{-}
15004 characters to build the rule. You can specify any other character,
15005 e.g., @samp{crule("=")}. The argument must be a character code or
15006 vector of exactly one character code. It is repeated to match the
15007 width of the widest item in the stack. For example, a quotient
15008 with a thick line is @samp{cvert([a + 1, cbase(crule("=")), b^2])}:
15027 Finally, the functions @code{clvert} and @code{crvert} act exactly
15028 like @code{cvert} except that the items are left- or right-justified
15029 in the stack. Thus @samp{clvert([a, bb, ccc]) + crvert([a, bb, ccc])}
15040 Like @code{choriz}, the vertical compositions accept a second argument
15041 which gives the precedence to use when formatting the components.
15042 Vertical compositions do not support separator strings.
15044 @node Other Compositions, Information about Compositions, Vertical Compositions, Compositions
15045 @subsubsection Other Compositions
15052 The @code{csup} function builds a superscripted expression. For
15053 example, @samp{csup(a, b)} looks the same as @samp{a^b} does in Big
15054 language mode. This is essentially a horizontal composition of
15055 @samp{a} and @samp{b}, where @samp{b} is shifted up so that its
15056 bottom line is one above the baseline.
15062 Likewise, the @code{csub} function builds a subscripted expression.
15063 This shifts @samp{b} down so that its top line is one below the
15064 bottom line of @samp{a} (note that this is not quite analogous to
15065 @code{csup}). Other arrangements can be obtained by using
15066 @code{choriz} and @code{cvert} directly.
15072 The @code{cflat} function formats its argument in ``flat'' mode,
15073 as obtained by @samp{d O}, if the current language mode is normal
15074 or Big. It has no effect in other language modes. For example,
15075 @samp{a^(b/c)} is formatted by Big mode like @samp{csup(a, cflat(b/c))}
15076 to improve its readability.
15082 The @code{cspace} function creates horizontal space. For example,
15083 @samp{cspace(4)} is effectively the same as @samp{string(" ")}.
15084 A second string (i.e., vector of characters) argument is repeated
15085 instead of the space character. For example, @samp{cspace(4, "ab")}
15086 looks like @samp{abababab}. If the second argument is not a string,
15087 it is formatted in the normal way and then several copies of that
15088 are composed together: @samp{cspace(4, a^2)} yields
15098 If the number argument is zero, this is a zero-width object.
15104 The @code{cvspace} function creates vertical space, or a vertical
15105 stack of copies of a certain string or formatted object. The
15106 baseline is the center line of the resulting stack. A numerical
15107 argument of zero will produce an object which contributes zero
15108 height if used in a vertical composition.
15118 There are also @code{ctspace} and @code{cbspace} functions which
15119 create vertical space with the baseline the same as the baseline
15120 of the top or bottom copy, respectively, of the second argument.
15121 Thus @samp{cvspace(2, a/b) + ctspace(2, a/b) + cbspace(2, a/b)}
15138 @node Information about Compositions, User-Defined Compositions, Other Compositions, Compositions
15139 @subsubsection Information about Compositions
15142 The functions in this section are actual functions; they compose their
15143 arguments according to the current language and other display modes,
15144 then return a certain measurement of the composition as an integer.
15150 The @code{cwidth} function measures the width, in characters, of a
15151 composition. For example, @samp{cwidth(a + b)} is 5, and
15152 @samp{cwidth(a / b)} is 5 in Normal mode, 1 in Big mode, and 11 in
15153 @TeX{} mode (for @samp{@{a \over b@}}). The argument may involve
15154 the composition functions described in this section.
15160 The @code{cheight} function measures the height of a composition.
15161 This is the total number of lines in the argument's printed form.
15171 The functions @code{cascent} and @code{cdescent} measure the amount
15172 of the height that is above (and including) the baseline, or below
15173 the baseline, respectively. Thus @samp{cascent(@var{x}) + cdescent(@var{x})}
15174 always equals @samp{cheight(@var{x})}. For a one-line formula like
15175 @samp{a + b}, @code{cascent} returns 1 and @code{cdescent} returns 0.
15176 For @samp{a / b} in Big mode, @code{cascent} returns 2 and @code{cdescent}
15177 returns 1. The only formula for which @code{cascent} will return zero
15178 is @samp{cvspace(0)} or equivalents.
15180 @node User-Defined Compositions, , Information about Compositions, Compositions
15181 @subsubsection User-Defined Compositions
15185 @pindex calc-user-define-composition
15186 The @kbd{Z C} (@code{calc-user-define-composition}) command lets you
15187 define the display format for any algebraic function. You provide a
15188 formula containing a certain number of argument variables on the stack.
15189 Any time Calc formats a call to the specified function in the current
15190 language mode and with that number of arguments, Calc effectively
15191 replaces the function call with that formula with the arguments
15194 Calc builds the default argument list by sorting all the variable names
15195 that appear in the formula into alphabetical order. You can edit this
15196 argument list before pressing @key{RET} if you wish. Any variables in
15197 the formula that do not appear in the argument list will be displayed
15198 literally; any arguments that do not appear in the formula will not
15199 affect the display at all.
15201 You can define formats for built-in functions, for functions you have
15202 defined with @kbd{Z F} (@pxref{Algebraic Definitions}), or for functions
15203 which have no definitions but are being used as purely syntactic objects.
15204 You can define different formats for each language mode, and for each
15205 number of arguments, using a succession of @kbd{Z C} commands. When
15206 Calc formats a function call, it first searches for a format defined
15207 for the current language mode (and number of arguments); if there is
15208 none, it uses the format defined for the Normal language mode. If
15209 neither format exists, Calc uses its built-in standard format for that
15210 function (usually just @samp{@var{func}(@var{args})}).
15212 If you execute @kbd{Z C} with the number 0 on the stack instead of a
15213 formula, any defined formats for the function in the current language
15214 mode will be removed. The function will revert to its standard format.
15216 For example, the default format for the binomial coefficient function
15217 @samp{choose(n, m)} in the Big language mode is
15228 You might prefer the notation,
15238 To define this notation, first make sure you are in Big mode,
15239 then put the formula
15242 choriz([cvert([cvspace(1), n]), C, cvert([cvspace(1), m])])
15246 on the stack and type @kbd{Z C}. Answer the first prompt with
15247 @code{choose}. The second prompt will be the default argument list
15248 of @samp{(C m n)}. Edit this list to be @samp{(n m)} and press
15249 @key{RET}. Now, try it out: For example, turn simplification
15250 off with @kbd{m O} and enter @samp{choose(a,b) + choose(7,3)}
15251 as an algebraic entry.
15260 As another example, let's define the usual notation for Stirling
15261 numbers of the first kind, @samp{stir1(n, m)}. This is just like
15262 the regular format for binomial coefficients but with square brackets
15263 instead of parentheses.
15266 choriz([string("["), cvert([n, cbase(cvspace(1)), m]), string("]")])
15269 Now type @kbd{Z C stir1 @key{RET}}, edit the argument list to
15270 @samp{(n m)}, and type @key{RET}.
15272 The formula provided to @kbd{Z C} usually will involve composition
15273 functions, but it doesn't have to. Putting the formula @samp{a + b + c}
15274 onto the stack and typing @kbd{Z C foo @key{RET} @key{RET}} would define
15275 the function @samp{foo(x,y,z)} to display like @samp{x + y + z}.
15276 This ``sum'' will act exactly like a real sum for all formatting
15277 purposes (it will be parenthesized the same, and so on). However
15278 it will be computationally unrelated to a sum. For example, the
15279 formula @samp{2 * foo(1, 2, 3)} will display as @samp{2 (1 + 2 + 3)}.
15280 Operator precedences have caused the ``sum'' to be written in
15281 parentheses, but the arguments have not actually been summed.
15282 (Generally a display format like this would be undesirable, since
15283 it can easily be confused with a real sum.)
15285 The special function @code{eval} can be used inside a @kbd{Z C}
15286 composition formula to cause all or part of the formula to be
15287 evaluated at display time. For example, if the formula is
15288 @samp{a + eval(b + c)}, then @samp{foo(1, 2, 3)} will be displayed
15289 as @samp{1 + 5}. Evaluation will use the default simplifications,
15290 regardless of the current simplification mode. There are also
15291 @code{evalsimp} and @code{evalextsimp} which simplify as if by
15292 @kbd{a s} and @kbd{a e} (respectively). Note that these ``functions''
15293 operate only in the context of composition formulas (and also in
15294 rewrite rules, where they serve a similar purpose; @pxref{Rewrite
15295 Rules}). On the stack, a call to @code{eval} will be left in
15298 It is not a good idea to use @code{eval} except as a last resort.
15299 It can cause the display of formulas to be extremely slow. For
15300 example, while @samp{eval(a + b)} might seem quite fast and simple,
15301 there are several situations where it could be slow. For example,
15302 @samp{a} and/or @samp{b} could be polar complex numbers, in which
15303 case doing the sum requires trigonometry. Or, @samp{a} could be
15304 the factorial @samp{fact(100)} which is unevaluated because you
15305 have typed @kbd{m O}; @code{eval} will evaluate it anyway to
15306 produce a large, unwieldy integer.
15308 You can save your display formats permanently using the @kbd{Z P}
15309 command (@pxref{Creating User Keys}).
15311 @node Syntax Tables, , Compositions, Language Modes
15312 @subsection Syntax Tables
15315 @cindex Syntax tables
15316 @cindex Parsing formulas, customized
15317 Syntax tables do for input what compositions do for output: They
15318 allow you to teach custom notations to Calc's formula parser.
15319 Calc keeps a separate syntax table for each language mode.
15321 (Note that the Calc ``syntax tables'' discussed here are completely
15322 unrelated to the syntax tables described in the Emacs manual.)
15325 @pindex calc-edit-user-syntax
15326 The @kbd{Z S} (@code{calc-edit-user-syntax}) command edits the
15327 syntax table for the current language mode. If you want your
15328 syntax to work in any language, define it in the Normal language
15329 mode. Type @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish editing the syntax table, or
15330 @kbd{C-x k} to cancel the edit. The @kbd{m m} command saves all
15331 the syntax tables along with the other mode settings;
15332 @pxref{General Mode Commands}.
15335 * Syntax Table Basics::
15336 * Precedence in Syntax Tables::
15337 * Advanced Syntax Patterns::
15338 * Conditional Syntax Rules::
15341 @node Syntax Table Basics, Precedence in Syntax Tables, Syntax Tables, Syntax Tables
15342 @subsubsection Syntax Table Basics
15345 @dfn{Parsing} is the process of converting a raw string of characters,
15346 such as you would type in during algebraic entry, into a Calc formula.
15347 Calc's parser works in two stages. First, the input is broken down
15348 into @dfn{tokens}, such as words, numbers, and punctuation symbols
15349 like @samp{+}, @samp{:=}, and @samp{+/-}. Space between tokens is
15350 ignored (except when it serves to separate adjacent words). Next,
15351 the parser matches this string of tokens against various built-in
15352 syntactic patterns, such as ``an expression followed by @samp{+}
15353 followed by another expression'' or ``a name followed by @samp{(},
15354 zero or more expressions separated by commas, and @samp{)}.''
15356 A @dfn{syntax table} is a list of user-defined @dfn{syntax rules},
15357 which allow you to specify new patterns to define your own
15358 favorite input notations. Calc's parser always checks the syntax
15359 table for the current language mode, then the table for the Normal
15360 language mode, before it uses its built-in rules to parse an
15361 algebraic formula you have entered. Each syntax rule should go on
15362 its own line; it consists of a @dfn{pattern}, a @samp{:=} symbol,
15363 and a Calc formula with an optional @dfn{condition}. (Syntax rules
15364 resemble algebraic rewrite rules, but the notation for patterns is
15365 completely different.)
15367 A syntax pattern is a list of tokens, separated by spaces.
15368 Except for a few special symbols, tokens in syntax patterns are
15369 matched literally, from left to right. For example, the rule,
15376 would cause Calc to parse the formula @samp{4+foo()*5} as if it
15377 were @samp{4+(2+3)*5}. Notice that the parentheses were written
15378 as two separate tokens in the rule. As a result, the rule works
15379 for both @samp{foo()} and @w{@samp{foo ( )}}. If we had written
15380 the rule as @samp{foo () := 2+3}, then Calc would treat @samp{()}
15381 as a single, indivisible token, so that @w{@samp{foo( )}} would
15382 not be recognized by the rule. (It would be parsed as a regular
15383 zero-argument function call instead.) In fact, this rule would
15384 also make trouble for the rest of Calc's parser: An unrelated
15385 formula like @samp{bar()} would now be tokenized into @samp{bar ()}
15386 instead of @samp{bar ( )}, so that the standard parser for function
15387 calls would no longer recognize it!
15389 While it is possible to make a token with a mixture of letters
15390 and punctuation symbols, this is not recommended. It is better to
15391 break it into several tokens, as we did with @samp{foo()} above.
15393 The symbol @samp{#} in a syntax pattern matches any Calc expression.
15394 On the righthand side, the things that matched the @samp{#}s can
15395 be referred to as @samp{#1}, @samp{#2}, and so on (where @samp{#1}
15396 matches the leftmost @samp{#} in the pattern). For example, these
15397 rules match a user-defined function, prefix operator, infix operator,
15398 and postfix operator, respectively:
15401 foo ( # ) := myfunc(#1)
15402 foo # := myprefix(#1)
15403 # foo # := myinfix(#1,#2)
15404 # foo := mypostfix(#1)
15407 Thus @samp{foo(3)} will parse as @samp{myfunc(3)}, and @samp{2+3 foo}
15408 will parse as @samp{mypostfix(2+3)}.
15410 It is important to write the first two rules in the order shown,
15411 because Calc tries rules in order from first to last. If the
15412 pattern @samp{foo #} came first, it would match anything that could
15413 match the @samp{foo ( # )} rule, since an expression in parentheses
15414 is itself a valid expression. Thus the @w{@samp{foo ( # )}} rule would
15415 never get to match anything. Likewise, the last two rules must be
15416 written in the order shown or else @samp{3 foo 4} will be parsed as
15417 @samp{mypostfix(3) * 4}. (Of course, the best way to avoid these
15418 ambiguities is not to use the same symbol in more than one way at
15419 the same time! In case you're not convinced, try the following
15420 exercise: How will the above rules parse the input @samp{foo(3,4)},
15421 if at all? Work it out for yourself, then try it in Calc and see.)
15423 Calc is quite flexible about what sorts of patterns are allowed.
15424 The only rule is that every pattern must begin with a literal
15425 token (like @samp{foo} in the first two patterns above), or with
15426 a @samp{#} followed by a literal token (as in the last two
15427 patterns). After that, any mixture is allowed, although putting
15428 two @samp{#}s in a row will not be very useful since two
15429 expressions with nothing between them will be parsed as one
15430 expression that uses implicit multiplication.
15432 As a more practical example, Maple uses the notation
15433 @samp{sum(a(i), i=1..10)} for sums, which Calc's Maple mode doesn't
15434 recognize at present. To handle this syntax, we simply add the
15438 sum ( # , # = # .. # ) := sum(#1,#2,#3,#4)
15442 to the Maple mode syntax table. As another example, C mode can't
15443 read assignment operators like @samp{++} and @samp{*=}. We can
15444 define these operators quite easily:
15447 # *= # := muleq(#1,#2)
15448 # ++ := postinc(#1)
15453 To complete the job, we would use corresponding composition functions
15454 and @kbd{Z C} to cause these functions to display in their respective
15455 Maple and C notations. (Note that the C example ignores issues of
15456 operator precedence, which are discussed in the next section.)
15458 You can enclose any token in quotes to prevent its usual
15459 interpretation in syntax patterns:
15462 # ":=" # := becomes(#1,#2)
15465 Quotes also allow you to include spaces in a token, although once
15466 again it is generally better to use two tokens than one token with
15467 an embedded space. To include an actual quotation mark in a quoted
15468 token, precede it with a backslash. (This also works to include
15469 backslashes in tokens.)
15472 # "bad token" # "/\"\\" # := silly(#1,#2,#3)
15476 This will parse @samp{3 bad token 4 /"\ 5} to @samp{silly(3,4,5)}.
15478 The token @kbd{#} has a predefined meaning in Calc's formula parser;
15479 it is not valid to use @samp{"#"} in a syntax rule. However, longer
15480 tokens that include the @samp{#} character are allowed. Also, while
15481 @samp{"$"} and @samp{"\""} are allowed as tokens, their presence in
15482 the syntax table will prevent those characters from working in their
15483 usual ways (referring to stack entries and quoting strings,
15486 Finally, the notation @samp{%%} anywhere in a syntax table causes
15487 the rest of the line to be ignored as a comment.
15489 @node Precedence in Syntax Tables, Advanced Syntax Patterns, Syntax Table Basics, Syntax Tables
15490 @subsubsection Precedence
15493 Different operators are generally assigned different @dfn{precedences}.
15494 By default, an operator defined by a rule like
15497 # foo # := foo(#1,#2)
15501 will have an extremely low precedence, so that @samp{2*3+4 foo 5 == 6}
15502 will be parsed as @samp{(2*3+4) foo (5 == 6)}. To change the
15503 precedence of an operator, use the notation @samp{#/@var{p}} in
15504 place of @samp{#}, where @var{p} is an integer precedence level.
15505 For example, 185 lies between the precedences for @samp{+} and
15506 @samp{*}, so if we change this rule to
15509 #/185 foo #/186 := foo(#1,#2)
15513 then @samp{2+3 foo 4*5} will be parsed as @samp{2+(3 foo (4*5))}.
15514 Also, because we've given the righthand expression slightly higher
15515 precedence, our new operator will be left-associative:
15516 @samp{1 foo 2 foo 3} will be parsed as @samp{(1 foo 2) foo 3}.
15517 By raising the precedence of the lefthand expression instead, we
15518 can create a right-associative operator.
15520 @xref{Composition Basics}, for a table of precedences of the
15521 standard Calc operators. For the precedences of operators in other
15522 language modes, look in the Calc source file @file{calc-lang.el}.
15524 @node Advanced Syntax Patterns, Conditional Syntax Rules, Precedence in Syntax Tables, Syntax Tables
15525 @subsubsection Advanced Syntax Patterns
15528 To match a function with a variable number of arguments, you could
15532 foo ( # ) := myfunc(#1)
15533 foo ( # , # ) := myfunc(#1,#2)
15534 foo ( # , # , # ) := myfunc(#1,#2,#3)
15538 but this isn't very elegant. To match variable numbers of items,
15539 Calc uses some notations inspired regular expressions and the
15540 ``extended BNF'' style used by some language designers.
15543 foo ( @{ # @}*, ) := apply(myfunc,#1)
15546 The token @samp{@{} introduces a repeated or optional portion.
15547 One of the three tokens @samp{@}*}, @samp{@}+}, or @samp{@}?}
15548 ends the portion. These will match zero or more, one or more,
15549 or zero or one copies of the enclosed pattern, respectively.
15550 In addition, @samp{@}*} and @samp{@}+} can be followed by a
15551 separator token (with no space in between, as shown above).
15552 Thus @samp{@{ # @}*,} matches nothing, or one expression, or
15553 several expressions separated by commas.
15555 A complete @samp{@{ ... @}} item matches as a vector of the
15556 items that matched inside it. For example, the above rule will
15557 match @samp{foo(1,2,3)} to get @samp{apply(myfunc,[1,2,3])}.
15558 The Calc @code{apply} function takes a function name and a vector
15559 of arguments and builds a call to the function with those
15560 arguments, so the net result is the formula @samp{myfunc(1,2,3)}.
15562 If the body of a @samp{@{ ... @}} contains several @samp{#}s
15563 (or nested @samp{@{ ... @}} constructs), then the items will be
15564 strung together into the resulting vector. If the body
15565 does not contain anything but literal tokens, the result will
15566 always be an empty vector.
15569 foo ( @{ # , # @}+, ) := bar(#1)
15570 foo ( @{ @{ # @}*, @}*; ) := matrix(#1)
15574 will parse @samp{foo(1, 2, 3, 4)} as @samp{bar([1, 2, 3, 4])}, and
15575 @samp{foo(1, 2; 3, 4)} as @samp{matrix([[1, 2], [3, 4]])}. Also, after
15576 some thought it's easy to see how this pair of rules will parse
15577 @samp{foo(1, 2, 3)} as @samp{matrix([[1, 2, 3]])}, since the first
15578 rule will only match an even number of arguments. The rule
15581 foo ( # @{ , # , # @}? ) := bar(#1,#2)
15585 will parse @samp{foo(2,3,4)} as @samp{bar(2,[3,4])}, and
15586 @samp{foo(2)} as @samp{bar(2,[])}.
15588 The notation @samp{@{ ... @}?.} (note the trailing period) works
15589 just the same as regular @samp{@{ ... @}?}, except that it does not
15590 count as an argument; the following two rules are equivalent:
15593 foo ( # , @{ also @}? # ) := bar(#1,#3)
15594 foo ( # , @{ also @}?. # ) := bar(#1,#2)
15598 Note that in the first case the optional text counts as @samp{#2},
15599 which will always be an empty vector, but in the second case no
15600 empty vector is produced.
15602 Another variant is @samp{@{ ... @}?$}, which means the body is
15603 optional only at the end of the input formula. All built-in syntax
15604 rules in Calc use this for closing delimiters, so that during
15605 algebraic entry you can type @kbd{[sqrt(2), sqrt(3 @key{RET}}, omitting
15606 the closing parenthesis and bracket. Calc does this automatically
15607 for trailing @samp{)}, @samp{]}, and @samp{>} tokens in syntax
15608 rules, but you can use @samp{@{ ... @}?$} explicitly to get
15609 this effect with any token (such as @samp{"@}"} or @samp{end}).
15610 Like @samp{@{ ... @}?.}, this notation does not count as an
15611 argument. Conversely, you can use quotes, as in @samp{")"}, to
15612 prevent a closing-delimiter token from being automatically treated
15615 Calc's parser does not have full backtracking, which means some
15616 patterns will not work as you might expect:
15619 foo ( @{ # , @}? # , # ) := bar(#1,#2,#3)
15623 Here we are trying to make the first argument optional, so that
15624 @samp{foo(2,3)} parses as @samp{bar([],2,3)}. Unfortunately, Calc
15625 first tries to match @samp{2,} against the optional part of the
15626 pattern, finds a match, and so goes ahead to match the rest of the
15627 pattern. Later on it will fail to match the second comma, but it
15628 doesn't know how to go back and try the other alternative at that
15629 point. One way to get around this would be to use two rules:
15632 foo ( # , # , # ) := bar([#1],#2,#3)
15633 foo ( # , # ) := bar([],#1,#2)
15636 More precisely, when Calc wants to match an optional or repeated
15637 part of a pattern, it scans forward attempting to match that part.
15638 If it reaches the end of the optional part without failing, it
15639 ``finalizes'' its choice and proceeds. If it fails, though, it
15640 backs up and tries the other alternative. Thus Calc has ``partial''
15641 backtracking. A fully backtracking parser would go on to make sure
15642 the rest of the pattern matched before finalizing the choice.
15644 @node Conditional Syntax Rules, , Advanced Syntax Patterns, Syntax Tables
15645 @subsubsection Conditional Syntax Rules
15648 It is possible to attach a @dfn{condition} to a syntax rule. For
15652 foo ( # ) := ifoo(#1) :: integer(#1)
15653 foo ( # ) := gfoo(#1)
15657 will parse @samp{foo(3)} as @samp{ifoo(3)}, but will parse
15658 @samp{foo(3.5)} and @samp{foo(x)} as calls to @code{gfoo}. Any
15659 number of conditions may be attached; all must be true for the
15660 rule to succeed. A condition is ``true'' if it evaluates to a
15661 nonzero number. @xref{Logical Operations}, for a list of Calc
15662 functions like @code{integer} that perform logical tests.
15664 The exact sequence of events is as follows: When Calc tries a
15665 rule, it first matches the pattern as usual. It then substitutes
15666 @samp{#1}, @samp{#2}, etc., in the conditions, if any. Next, the
15667 conditions are simplified and evaluated in order from left to right,
15668 as if by the @w{@kbd{a s}} algebra command (@pxref{Simplifying Formulas}).
15669 Each result is true if it is a nonzero number, or an expression
15670 that can be proven to be nonzero (@pxref{Declarations}). If the
15671 results of all conditions are true, the expression (such as
15672 @samp{ifoo(#1)}) has its @samp{#}s substituted, and that is the
15673 result of the parse. If the result of any condition is false, Calc
15674 goes on to try the next rule in the syntax table.
15676 Syntax rules also support @code{let} conditions, which operate in
15677 exactly the same way as they do in algebraic rewrite rules.
15678 @xref{Other Features of Rewrite Rules}, for details. A @code{let}
15679 condition is always true, but as a side effect it defines a
15680 variable which can be used in later conditions, and also in the
15681 expression after the @samp{:=} sign:
15684 foo ( # ) := hifoo(x) :: let(x := #1 + 0.5) :: dnumint(x)
15688 The @code{dnumint} function tests if a value is numerically an
15689 integer, i.e., either a true integer or an integer-valued float.
15690 This rule will parse @code{foo} with a half-integer argument,
15691 like @samp{foo(3.5)}, to a call like @samp{hifoo(4.)}.
15693 The lefthand side of a syntax rule @code{let} must be a simple
15694 variable, not the arbitrary pattern that is allowed in rewrite
15697 The @code{matches} function is also treated specially in syntax
15698 rule conditions (again, in the same way as in rewrite rules).
15699 @xref{Matching Commands}. If the matching pattern contains
15700 meta-variables, then those meta-variables may be used in later
15701 conditions and in the result expression. The arguments to
15702 @code{matches} are not evaluated in this situation.
15705 sum ( # , # ) := sum(#1,a,b,c) :: matches(#2, a=[b..c])
15709 This is another way to implement the Maple mode @code{sum} notation.
15710 In this approach, we allow @samp{#2} to equal the whole expression
15711 @samp{i=1..10}. Then, we use @code{matches} to break it apart into
15712 its components. If the expression turns out not to match the pattern,
15713 the syntax rule will fail. Note that @kbd{Z S} always uses Calc's
15714 Normal language mode for editing expressions in syntax rules, so we
15715 must use regular Calc notation for the interval @samp{[b..c]} that
15716 will correspond to the Maple mode interval @samp{1..10}.
15718 @node Modes Variable, Calc Mode Line, Language Modes, Mode Settings
15719 @section The @code{Modes} Variable
15723 @pindex calc-get-modes
15724 The @kbd{m g} (@code{calc-get-modes}) command pushes onto the stack
15725 a vector of numbers that describes the various mode settings that
15726 are in effect. With a numeric prefix argument, it pushes only the
15727 @var{n}th mode, i.e., the @var{n}th element of this vector. Keyboard
15728 macros can use the @kbd{m g} command to modify their behavior based
15729 on the current mode settings.
15731 @cindex @code{Modes} variable
15733 The modes vector is also available in the special variable
15734 @code{Modes}. In other words, @kbd{m g} is like @kbd{s r Modes @key{RET}}.
15735 It will not work to store into this variable; in fact, if you do,
15736 @code{Modes} will cease to track the current modes. (The @kbd{m g}
15737 command will continue to work, however.)
15739 In general, each number in this vector is suitable as a numeric
15740 prefix argument to the associated mode-setting command. (Recall
15741 that the @kbd{~} key takes a number from the stack and gives it as
15742 a numeric prefix to the next command.)
15744 The elements of the modes vector are as follows:
15748 Current precision. Default is 12; associated command is @kbd{p}.
15751 Binary word size. Default is 32; associated command is @kbd{b w}.
15754 Stack size (not counting the value about to be pushed by @kbd{m g}).
15755 This is zero if @kbd{m g} is executed with an empty stack.
15758 Number radix. Default is 10; command is @kbd{d r}.
15761 Floating-point format. This is the number of digits, plus the
15762 constant 0 for normal notation, 10000 for scientific notation,
15763 20000 for engineering notation, or 30000 for fixed-point notation.
15764 These codes are acceptable as prefix arguments to the @kbd{d n}
15765 command, but note that this may lose information: For example,
15766 @kbd{d s} and @kbd{C-u 12 d s} have similar (but not quite
15767 identical) effects if the current precision is 12, but they both
15768 produce a code of 10012, which will be treated by @kbd{d n} as
15769 @kbd{C-u 12 d s}. If the precision then changes, the float format
15770 will still be frozen at 12 significant figures.
15773 Angular mode. Default is 1 (degrees). Other values are 2 (radians)
15774 and 3 (HMS). The @kbd{m d} command accepts these prefixes.
15777 Symbolic mode. Value is 0 or 1; default is 0. Command is @kbd{m s}.
15780 Fraction mode. Value is 0 or 1; default is 0. Command is @kbd{m f}.
15783 Polar mode. Value is 0 (rectangular) or 1 (polar); default is 0.
15784 Command is @kbd{m p}.
15787 Matrix/Scalar mode. Default value is @mathit{-1}. Value is 0 for Scalar
15788 mode, @mathit{-2} for Matrix mode, @mathit{-3} for square Matrix mode,
15790 @texline @math{N\times N}
15791 @infoline @var{N}x@var{N}
15792 Matrix mode. Command is @kbd{m v}.
15795 Simplification mode. Default is 1. Value is @mathit{-1} for off (@kbd{m O}),
15796 0 for @kbd{m N}, 2 for @kbd{m B}, 3 for @kbd{m A}, 4 for @kbd{m E},
15797 or 5 for @w{@kbd{m U}}. The @kbd{m D} command accepts these prefixes.
15800 Infinite mode. Default is @mathit{-1} (off). Value is 1 if the mode is on,
15801 or 0 if the mode is on with positive zeros. Command is @kbd{m i}.
15804 For example, the sequence @kbd{M-1 m g @key{RET} 2 + ~ p} increases the
15805 precision by two, leaving a copy of the old precision on the stack.
15806 Later, @kbd{~ p} will restore the original precision using that
15807 stack value. (This sequence might be especially useful inside a
15810 As another example, @kbd{M-3 m g 1 - ~ @key{DEL}} deletes all but the
15811 oldest (bottommost) stack entry.
15813 Yet another example: The HP-48 ``round'' command rounds a number
15814 to the current displayed precision. You could roughly emulate this
15815 in Calc with the sequence @kbd{M-5 m g 10000 % ~ c c}. (This
15816 would not work for fixed-point mode, but it wouldn't be hard to
15817 do a full emulation with the help of the @kbd{Z [} and @kbd{Z ]}
15818 programming commands. @xref{Conditionals in Macros}.)
15820 @node Calc Mode Line, , Modes Variable, Mode Settings
15821 @section The Calc Mode Line
15824 @cindex Mode line indicators
15825 This section is a summary of all symbols that can appear on the
15826 Calc mode line, the highlighted bar that appears under the Calc
15827 stack window (or under an editing window in Embedded mode).
15829 The basic mode line format is:
15832 --%*-Calc: 12 Deg @var{other modes} (Calculator)
15835 The @samp{%*} indicates that the buffer is ``read-only''; it shows that
15836 regular Emacs commands are not allowed to edit the stack buffer
15837 as if it were text.
15839 The word @samp{Calc:} changes to @samp{CalcEmbed:} if Embedded mode
15840 is enabled. The words after this describe the various Calc modes
15841 that are in effect.
15843 The first mode is always the current precision, an integer.
15844 The second mode is always the angular mode, either @code{Deg},
15845 @code{Rad}, or @code{Hms}.
15847 Here is a complete list of the remaining symbols that can appear
15852 Algebraic mode (@kbd{m a}; @pxref{Algebraic Entry}).
15855 Incomplete algebraic mode (@kbd{C-u m a}).
15858 Total algebraic mode (@kbd{m t}).
15861 Symbolic mode (@kbd{m s}; @pxref{Symbolic Mode}).
15864 Matrix mode (@kbd{m v}; @pxref{Matrix Mode}).
15866 @item Matrix@var{n}
15867 Dimensioned Matrix mode (@kbd{C-u @var{n} m v}; @pxref{Matrix Mode}).
15870 Square Matrix mode (@kbd{C-u m v}; @pxref{Matrix Mode}).
15873 Scalar mode (@kbd{m v}; @pxref{Matrix Mode}).
15876 Polar complex mode (@kbd{m p}; @pxref{Polar Mode}).
15879 Fraction mode (@kbd{m f}; @pxref{Fraction Mode}).
15882 Infinite mode (@kbd{m i}; @pxref{Infinite Mode}).
15885 Positive Infinite mode (@kbd{C-u 0 m i}).
15888 Default simplifications off (@kbd{m O}; @pxref{Simplification Modes}).
15891 Default simplifications for numeric arguments only (@kbd{m N}).
15893 @item BinSimp@var{w}
15894 Binary-integer simplification mode; word size @var{w} (@kbd{m B}, @kbd{b w}).
15897 Algebraic simplification mode (@kbd{m A}).
15900 Extended algebraic simplification mode (@kbd{m E}).
15903 Units simplification mode (@kbd{m U}).
15906 Current radix is 2 (@kbd{d 2}; @pxref{Radix Modes}).
15909 Current radix is 8 (@kbd{d 8}).
15912 Current radix is 16 (@kbd{d 6}).
15915 Current radix is @var{n} (@kbd{d r}).
15918 Leading zeros (@kbd{d z}; @pxref{Radix Modes}).
15921 Big language mode (@kbd{d B}; @pxref{Normal Language Modes}).
15924 One-line normal language mode (@kbd{d O}).
15927 Unformatted language mode (@kbd{d U}).
15930 C language mode (@kbd{d C}; @pxref{C FORTRAN Pascal}).
15933 Pascal language mode (@kbd{d P}).
15936 FORTRAN language mode (@kbd{d F}).
15939 @TeX{} language mode (@kbd{d T}; @pxref{TeX and LaTeX Language Modes}).
15942 La@TeX{} language mode (@kbd{d L}; @pxref{TeX and LaTeX Language Modes}).
15945 @dfn{Eqn} language mode (@kbd{d E}; @pxref{Eqn Language Mode}).
15948 Mathematica language mode (@kbd{d M}; @pxref{Mathematica Language Mode}).
15951 Maple language mode (@kbd{d W}; @pxref{Maple Language Mode}).
15954 Normal float mode with @var{n} digits (@kbd{d n}; @pxref{Float Formats}).
15957 Fixed point mode with @var{n} digits after the point (@kbd{d f}).
15960 Scientific notation mode (@kbd{d s}).
15963 Scientific notation with @var{n} digits (@kbd{d s}).
15966 Engineering notation mode (@kbd{d e}).
15969 Engineering notation with @var{n} digits (@kbd{d e}).
15972 Left-justified display indented by @var{n} (@kbd{d <}; @pxref{Justification}).
15975 Right-justified display (@kbd{d >}).
15978 Right-justified display with width @var{n} (@kbd{d >}).
15981 Centered display (@kbd{d =}).
15983 @item Center@var{n}
15984 Centered display with center column @var{n} (@kbd{d =}).
15987 Line breaking with width @var{n} (@kbd{d b}; @pxref{Normal Language Modes}).
15990 No line breaking (@kbd{d b}).
15993 Selections show deep structure (@kbd{j b}; @pxref{Making Selections}).
15996 Record modes in @file{~/.emacs.d/calc.el} (@kbd{m R}; @pxref{General Mode Commands}).
15999 Record modes in Embedded buffer (@kbd{m R}).
16002 Record modes as editing-only in Embedded buffer (@kbd{m R}).
16005 Record modes as permanent-only in Embedded buffer (@kbd{m R}).
16008 Record modes as global in Embedded buffer (@kbd{m R}).
16011 Automatic recomputation turned off (@kbd{m C}; @pxref{Automatic
16015 GNUPLOT process is alive in background (@pxref{Graphics}).
16018 Top-of-stack has a selection (Embedded only; @pxref{Making Selections}).
16021 The stack display may not be up-to-date (@pxref{Display Modes}).
16024 ``Inverse'' prefix was pressed (@kbd{I}; @pxref{Inverse and Hyperbolic}).
16027 ``Hyperbolic'' prefix was pressed (@kbd{H}).
16030 ``Keep-arguments'' prefix was pressed (@kbd{K}).
16033 Stack is truncated (@kbd{d t}; @pxref{Truncating the Stack}).
16036 In addition, the symbols @code{Active} and @code{~Active} can appear
16037 as minor modes on an Embedded buffer's mode line. @xref{Embedded Mode}.
16039 @node Arithmetic, Scientific Functions, Mode Settings, Top
16040 @chapter Arithmetic Functions
16043 This chapter describes the Calc commands for doing simple calculations
16044 on numbers, such as addition, absolute value, and square roots. These
16045 commands work by removing the top one or two values from the stack,
16046 performing the desired operation, and pushing the result back onto the
16047 stack. If the operation cannot be performed, the result pushed is a
16048 formula instead of a number, such as @samp{2/0} (because division by zero
16049 is invalid) or @samp{sqrt(x)} (because the argument @samp{x} is a formula).
16051 Most of the commands described here can be invoked by a single keystroke.
16052 Some of the more obscure ones are two-letter sequences beginning with
16053 the @kbd{f} (``functions'') prefix key.
16055 @xref{Prefix Arguments}, for a discussion of the effect of numeric
16056 prefix arguments on commands in this chapter which do not otherwise
16057 interpret a prefix argument.
16060 * Basic Arithmetic::
16061 * Integer Truncation::
16062 * Complex Number Functions::
16064 * Date Arithmetic::
16065 * Financial Functions::
16066 * Binary Functions::
16069 @node Basic Arithmetic, Integer Truncation, Arithmetic, Arithmetic
16070 @section Basic Arithmetic
16079 The @kbd{+} (@code{calc-plus}) command adds two numbers. The numbers may
16080 be any of the standard Calc data types. The resulting sum is pushed back
16083 If both arguments of @kbd{+} are vectors or matrices (of matching dimensions),
16084 the result is a vector or matrix sum. If one argument is a vector and the
16085 other a scalar (i.e., a non-vector), the scalar is added to each of the
16086 elements of the vector to form a new vector. If the scalar is not a
16087 number, the operation is left in symbolic form: Suppose you added @samp{x}
16088 to the vector @samp{[1,2]}. You may want the result @samp{[1+x,2+x]}, or
16089 you may plan to substitute a 2-vector for @samp{x} in the future. Since
16090 the Calculator can't tell which interpretation you want, it makes the
16091 safest assumption. @xref{Reducing and Mapping}, for a way to add @samp{x}
16092 to every element of a vector.
16094 If either argument of @kbd{+} is a complex number, the result will in general
16095 be complex. If one argument is in rectangular form and the other polar,
16096 the current Polar mode determines the form of the result. If Symbolic
16097 mode is enabled, the sum may be left as a formula if the necessary
16098 conversions for polar addition are non-trivial.
16100 If both arguments of @kbd{+} are HMS forms, the forms are added according to
16101 the usual conventions of hours-minutes-seconds notation. If one argument
16102 is an HMS form and the other is a number, that number is converted from
16103 degrees or radians (depending on the current Angular mode) to HMS format
16104 and then the two HMS forms are added.
16106 If one argument of @kbd{+} is a date form, the other can be either a
16107 real number, which advances the date by a certain number of days, or
16108 an HMS form, which advances the date by a certain amount of time.
16109 Subtracting two date forms yields the number of days between them.
16110 Adding two date forms is meaningless, but Calc interprets it as the
16111 subtraction of one date form and the negative of the other. (The
16112 negative of a date form can be understood by remembering that dates
16113 are stored as the number of days before or after Jan 1, 1 AD.)
16115 If both arguments of @kbd{+} are error forms, the result is an error form
16116 with an appropriately computed standard deviation. If one argument is an
16117 error form and the other is a number, the number is taken to have zero error.
16118 Error forms may have symbolic formulas as their mean and/or error parts;
16119 adding these will produce a symbolic error form result. However, adding an
16120 error form to a plain symbolic formula (as in @samp{(a +/- b) + c}) will not
16121 work, for the same reasons just mentioned for vectors. Instead you must
16122 write @samp{(a +/- b) + (c +/- 0)}.
16124 If both arguments of @kbd{+} are modulo forms with equal values of @expr{M},
16125 or if one argument is a modulo form and the other a plain number, the
16126 result is a modulo form which represents the sum, modulo @expr{M}, of
16129 If both arguments of @kbd{+} are intervals, the result is an interval
16130 which describes all possible sums of the possible input values. If
16131 one argument is a plain number, it is treated as the interval
16132 @w{@samp{[x ..@: x]}}.
16134 If one argument of @kbd{+} is an infinity and the other is not, the
16135 result is that same infinity. If both arguments are infinite and in
16136 the same direction, the result is the same infinity, but if they are
16137 infinite in different directions the result is @code{nan}.
16145 The @kbd{-} (@code{calc-minus}) command subtracts two values. The top
16146 number on the stack is subtracted from the one behind it, so that the
16147 computation @kbd{5 @key{RET} 2 -} produces 3, not @mathit{-3}. All options
16148 available for @kbd{+} are available for @kbd{-} as well.
16156 The @kbd{*} (@code{calc-times}) command multiplies two numbers. If one
16157 argument is a vector and the other a scalar, the scalar is multiplied by
16158 the elements of the vector to produce a new vector. If both arguments
16159 are vectors, the interpretation depends on the dimensions of the
16160 vectors: If both arguments are matrices, a matrix multiplication is
16161 done. If one argument is a matrix and the other a plain vector, the
16162 vector is interpreted as a row vector or column vector, whichever is
16163 dimensionally correct. If both arguments are plain vectors, the result
16164 is a single scalar number which is the dot product of the two vectors.
16166 If one argument of @kbd{*} is an HMS form and the other a number, the
16167 HMS form is multiplied by that amount. It is an error to multiply two
16168 HMS forms together, or to attempt any multiplication involving date
16169 forms. Error forms, modulo forms, and intervals can be multiplied;
16170 see the comments for addition of those forms. When two error forms
16171 or intervals are multiplied they are considered to be statistically
16172 independent; thus, @samp{[-2 ..@: 3] * [-2 ..@: 3]} is @samp{[-6 ..@: 9]},
16173 whereas @w{@samp{[-2 ..@: 3] ^ 2}} is @samp{[0 ..@: 9]}.
16176 @pindex calc-divide
16181 The @kbd{/} (@code{calc-divide}) command divides two numbers.
16183 When combining multiplication and division in an algebraic formula, it
16184 is good style to use parentheses to distinguish between possible
16185 interpretations; the expression @samp{a/b*c} should be written
16186 @samp{(a/b)*c} or @samp{a/(b*c)}, as appropriate. Without the
16187 parentheses, Calc will interpret @samp{a/b*c} as @samp{a/(b*c)}, since
16188 in algebraic entry Calc gives division a lower precedence than
16189 multiplication. (This is not standard across all computer languages, and
16190 Calc may change the precedence depending on the language mode being used.
16191 @xref{Language Modes}.) This default ordering can be changed by setting
16192 the customizable variable @code{calc-multiplication-has-precedence} to
16193 @code{nil} (@pxref{Customizing Calc}); this will give multiplication and
16194 division equal precedences. Note that Calc's default choice of
16195 precedence allows @samp{a b / c d} to be used as a shortcut for
16204 When dividing a scalar @expr{B} by a square matrix @expr{A}, the
16205 computation performed is @expr{B} times the inverse of @expr{A}. This
16206 also occurs if @expr{B} is itself a vector or matrix, in which case the
16207 effect is to solve the set of linear equations represented by @expr{B}.
16208 If @expr{B} is a matrix with the same number of rows as @expr{A}, or a
16209 plain vector (which is interpreted here as a column vector), then the
16210 equation @expr{A X = B} is solved for the vector or matrix @expr{X}.
16211 Otherwise, if @expr{B} is a non-square matrix with the same number of
16212 @emph{columns} as @expr{A}, the equation @expr{X A = B} is solved. If
16213 you wish a vector @expr{B} to be interpreted as a row vector to be
16214 solved as @expr{X A = B}, make it into a one-row matrix with @kbd{C-u 1
16215 v p} first. To force a left-handed solution with a square matrix
16216 @expr{B}, transpose @expr{A} and @expr{B} before dividing, then
16217 transpose the result.
16219 HMS forms can be divided by real numbers or by other HMS forms. Error
16220 forms can be divided in any combination of ways. Modulo forms where both
16221 values and the modulo are integers can be divided to get an integer modulo
16222 form result. Intervals can be divided; dividing by an interval that
16223 encompasses zero or has zero as a limit will result in an infinite
16232 The @kbd{^} (@code{calc-power}) command raises a number to a power. If
16233 the power is an integer, an exact result is computed using repeated
16234 multiplications. For non-integer powers, Calc uses Newton's method or
16235 logarithms and exponentials. Square matrices can be raised to integer
16236 powers. If either argument is an error (or interval or modulo) form,
16237 the result is also an error (or interval or modulo) form.
16241 If you press the @kbd{I} (inverse) key first, the @kbd{I ^} command
16242 computes an Nth root: @kbd{125 @key{RET} 3 I ^} computes the number 5.
16243 (This is entirely equivalent to @kbd{125 @key{RET} 1:3 ^}.)
16252 The @kbd{\} (@code{calc-idiv}) command divides two numbers on the stack
16253 to produce an integer result. It is equivalent to dividing with
16254 @key{/}, then rounding down with @kbd{F} (@code{calc-floor}), only a bit
16255 more convenient and efficient. Also, since it is an all-integer
16256 operation when the arguments are integers, it avoids problems that
16257 @kbd{/ F} would have with floating-point roundoff.
16265 The @kbd{%} (@code{calc-mod}) command performs a ``modulo'' (or ``remainder'')
16266 operation. Mathematically, @samp{a%b = a - (a\b)*b}, and is defined
16267 for all real numbers @expr{a} and @expr{b} (except @expr{b=0}). For
16268 positive @expr{b}, the result will always be between 0 (inclusive) and
16269 @expr{b} (exclusive). Modulo does not work for HMS forms and error forms.
16270 If @expr{a} is a modulo form, its modulo is changed to @expr{b}, which
16271 must be positive real number.
16276 The @kbd{:} (@code{calc-fdiv}) [@code{fdiv}] command
16277 divides the two integers on the top of the stack to produce a fractional
16278 result. This is a convenient shorthand for enabling Fraction mode (with
16279 @kbd{m f}) temporarily and using @samp{/}. Note that during numeric entry
16280 the @kbd{:} key is interpreted as a fraction separator, so to divide 8 by 6
16281 you would have to type @kbd{8 @key{RET} 6 @key{RET} :}. (Of course, in
16282 this case, it would be much easier simply to enter the fraction directly
16283 as @kbd{8:6 @key{RET}}!)
16286 @pindex calc-change-sign
16287 The @kbd{n} (@code{calc-change-sign}) command negates the number on the top
16288 of the stack. It works on numbers, vectors and matrices, HMS forms, date
16289 forms, error forms, intervals, and modulo forms.
16294 The @kbd{A} (@code{calc-abs}) [@code{abs}] command computes the absolute
16295 value of a number. The result of @code{abs} is always a nonnegative
16296 real number: With a complex argument, it computes the complex magnitude.
16297 With a vector or matrix argument, it computes the Frobenius norm, i.e.,
16298 the square root of the sum of the squares of the absolute values of the
16299 elements. The absolute value of an error form is defined by replacing
16300 the mean part with its absolute value and leaving the error part the same.
16301 The absolute value of a modulo form is undefined. The absolute value of
16302 an interval is defined in the obvious way.
16305 @pindex calc-abssqr
16307 The @kbd{f A} (@code{calc-abssqr}) [@code{abssqr}] command computes the
16308 absolute value squared of a number, vector or matrix, or error form.
16313 The @kbd{f s} (@code{calc-sign}) [@code{sign}] command returns 1 if its
16314 argument is positive, @mathit{-1} if its argument is negative, or 0 if its
16315 argument is zero. In algebraic form, you can also write @samp{sign(a,x)}
16316 which evaluates to @samp{x * sign(a)}, i.e., either @samp{x}, @samp{-x}, or
16317 zero depending on the sign of @samp{a}.
16323 The @kbd{&} (@code{calc-inv}) [@code{inv}] command computes the
16324 reciprocal of a number, i.e., @expr{1 / x}. Operating on a square
16325 matrix, it computes the inverse of that matrix.
16330 The @kbd{Q} (@code{calc-sqrt}) [@code{sqrt}] command computes the square
16331 root of a number. For a negative real argument, the result will be a
16332 complex number whose form is determined by the current Polar mode.
16337 The @kbd{f h} (@code{calc-hypot}) [@code{hypot}] command computes the square
16338 root of the sum of the squares of two numbers. That is, @samp{hypot(a,b)}
16339 is the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle with sides @expr{a}
16340 and @expr{b}. If the arguments are complex numbers, their squared
16341 magnitudes are used.
16346 The @kbd{f Q} (@code{calc-isqrt}) [@code{isqrt}] command computes the
16347 integer square root of an integer. This is the true square root of the
16348 number, rounded down to an integer. For example, @samp{isqrt(10)}
16349 produces 3. Note that, like @kbd{\} [@code{idiv}], this uses exact
16350 integer arithmetic throughout to avoid roundoff problems. If the input
16351 is a floating-point number or other non-integer value, this is exactly
16352 the same as @samp{floor(sqrt(x))}.
16360 The @kbd{f n} (@code{calc-min}) [@code{min}] and @kbd{f x} (@code{calc-max})
16361 [@code{max}] commands take the minimum or maximum of two real numbers,
16362 respectively. These commands also work on HMS forms, date forms,
16363 intervals, and infinities. (In algebraic expressions, these functions
16364 take any number of arguments and return the maximum or minimum among
16365 all the arguments.)
16369 @pindex calc-mant-part
16371 @pindex calc-xpon-part
16373 The @kbd{f M} (@code{calc-mant-part}) [@code{mant}] function extracts
16374 the ``mantissa'' part @expr{m} of its floating-point argument; @kbd{f X}
16375 (@code{calc-xpon-part}) [@code{xpon}] extracts the ``exponent'' part
16376 @expr{e}. The original number is equal to
16377 @texline @math{m \times 10^e},
16378 @infoline @expr{m * 10^e},
16379 where @expr{m} is in the interval @samp{[1.0 ..@: 10.0)} except that
16380 @expr{m=e=0} if the original number is zero. For integers
16381 and fractions, @code{mant} returns the number unchanged and @code{xpon}
16382 returns zero. The @kbd{v u} (@code{calc-unpack}) command can also be
16383 used to ``unpack'' a floating-point number; this produces an integer
16384 mantissa and exponent, with the constraint that the mantissa is not
16385 a multiple of ten (again except for the @expr{m=e=0} case).
16388 @pindex calc-scale-float
16390 The @kbd{f S} (@code{calc-scale-float}) [@code{scf}] function scales a number
16391 by a given power of ten. Thus, @samp{scf(mant(x), xpon(x)) = x} for any
16392 real @samp{x}. The second argument must be an integer, but the first
16393 may actually be any numeric value. For example, @samp{scf(5,-2) = 0.05}
16394 or @samp{1:20} depending on the current Fraction mode.
16398 @pindex calc-decrement
16399 @pindex calc-increment
16402 The @kbd{f [} (@code{calc-decrement}) [@code{decr}] and @kbd{f ]}
16403 (@code{calc-increment}) [@code{incr}] functions decrease or increase
16404 a number by one unit. For integers, the effect is obvious. For
16405 floating-point numbers, the change is by one unit in the last place.
16406 For example, incrementing @samp{12.3456} when the current precision
16407 is 6 digits yields @samp{12.3457}. If the current precision had been
16408 8 digits, the result would have been @samp{12.345601}. Incrementing
16409 @samp{0.0} produces
16410 @texline @math{10^{-p}},
16411 @infoline @expr{10^-p},
16412 where @expr{p} is the current
16413 precision. These operations are defined only on integers and floats.
16414 With numeric prefix arguments, they change the number by @expr{n} units.
16416 Note that incrementing followed by decrementing, or vice-versa, will
16417 almost but not quite always cancel out. Suppose the precision is
16418 6 digits and the number @samp{9.99999} is on the stack. Incrementing
16419 will produce @samp{10.0000}; decrementing will produce @samp{9.9999}.
16420 One digit has been dropped. This is an unavoidable consequence of the
16421 way floating-point numbers work.
16423 Incrementing a date/time form adjusts it by a certain number of seconds.
16424 Incrementing a pure date form adjusts it by a certain number of days.
16426 @node Integer Truncation, Complex Number Functions, Basic Arithmetic, Arithmetic
16427 @section Integer Truncation
16430 There are four commands for truncating a real number to an integer,
16431 differing mainly in their treatment of negative numbers. All of these
16432 commands have the property that if the argument is an integer, the result
16433 is the same integer. An integer-valued floating-point argument is converted
16436 If you press @kbd{H} (@code{calc-hyperbolic}) first, the result will be
16437 expressed as an integer-valued floating-point number.
16439 @cindex Integer part of a number
16448 The @kbd{F} (@code{calc-floor}) [@code{floor} or @code{ffloor}] command
16449 truncates a real number to the next lower integer, i.e., toward minus
16450 infinity. Thus @kbd{3.6 F} produces 3, but @kbd{_3.6 F} produces
16454 @pindex calc-ceiling
16461 The @kbd{I F} (@code{calc-ceiling}) [@code{ceil} or @code{fceil}]
16462 command truncates toward positive infinity. Thus @kbd{3.6 I F} produces
16463 4, and @kbd{_3.6 I F} produces @mathit{-3}.
16473 The @kbd{R} (@code{calc-round}) [@code{round} or @code{fround}] command
16474 rounds to the nearest integer. When the fractional part is .5 exactly,
16475 this command rounds away from zero. (All other rounding in the
16476 Calculator uses this convention as well.) Thus @kbd{3.5 R} produces 4
16477 but @kbd{3.4 R} produces 3; @kbd{_3.5 R} produces @mathit{-4}.
16487 The @kbd{I R} (@code{calc-trunc}) [@code{trunc} or @code{ftrunc}]
16488 command truncates toward zero. In other words, it ``chops off''
16489 everything after the decimal point. Thus @kbd{3.6 I R} produces 3 and
16490 @kbd{_3.6 I R} produces @mathit{-3}.
16492 These functions may not be applied meaningfully to error forms, but they
16493 do work for intervals. As a convenience, applying @code{floor} to a
16494 modulo form floors the value part of the form. Applied to a vector,
16495 these functions operate on all elements of the vector one by one.
16496 Applied to a date form, they operate on the internal numerical
16497 representation of dates, converting a date/time form into a pure date.
16515 There are two more rounding functions which can only be entered in
16516 algebraic notation. The @code{roundu} function is like @code{round}
16517 except that it rounds up, toward plus infinity, when the fractional
16518 part is .5. This distinction matters only for negative arguments.
16519 Also, @code{rounde} rounds to an even number in the case of a tie,
16520 rounding up or down as necessary. For example, @samp{rounde(3.5)} and
16521 @samp{rounde(4.5)} both return 4, but @samp{rounde(5.5)} returns 6.
16522 The advantage of round-to-even is that the net error due to rounding
16523 after a long calculation tends to cancel out to zero. An important
16524 subtle point here is that the number being fed to @code{rounde} will
16525 already have been rounded to the current precision before @code{rounde}
16526 begins. For example, @samp{rounde(2.500001)} with a current precision
16527 of 6 will incorrectly, or at least surprisingly, yield 2 because the
16528 argument will first have been rounded down to @expr{2.5} (which
16529 @code{rounde} sees as an exact tie between 2 and 3).
16531 Each of these functions, when written in algebraic formulas, allows
16532 a second argument which specifies the number of digits after the
16533 decimal point to keep. For example, @samp{round(123.4567, 2)} will
16534 produce the answer 123.46, and @samp{round(123.4567, -1)} will
16535 produce 120 (i.e., the cutoff is one digit to the @emph{left} of
16536 the decimal point). A second argument of zero is equivalent to
16537 no second argument at all.
16539 @cindex Fractional part of a number
16540 To compute the fractional part of a number (i.e., the amount which, when
16541 added to `@tfn{floor(}@var{n}@tfn{)}', will produce @var{n}) just take @var{n}
16542 modulo 1 using the @code{%} command.
16544 Note also the @kbd{\} (integer quotient), @kbd{f I} (integer logarithm),
16545 and @kbd{f Q} (integer square root) commands, which are analogous to
16546 @kbd{/}, @kbd{B}, and @kbd{Q}, respectively, except that they take integer
16547 arguments and return the result rounded down to an integer.
16549 @node Complex Number Functions, Conversions, Integer Truncation, Arithmetic
16550 @section Complex Number Functions
16556 The @kbd{J} (@code{calc-conj}) [@code{conj}] command computes the
16557 complex conjugate of a number. For complex number @expr{a+bi}, the
16558 complex conjugate is @expr{a-bi}. If the argument is a real number,
16559 this command leaves it the same. If the argument is a vector or matrix,
16560 this command replaces each element by its complex conjugate.
16563 @pindex calc-argument
16565 The @kbd{G} (@code{calc-argument}) [@code{arg}] command computes the
16566 ``argument'' or polar angle of a complex number. For a number in polar
16567 notation, this is simply the second component of the pair
16568 @texline `@tfn{(}@var{r}@tfn{;}@math{\theta}@tfn{)}'.
16569 @infoline `@tfn{(}@var{r}@tfn{;}@var{theta}@tfn{)}'.
16570 The result is expressed according to the current angular mode and will
16571 be in the range @mathit{-180} degrees (exclusive) to @mathit{+180} degrees
16572 (inclusive), or the equivalent range in radians.
16574 @pindex calc-imaginary
16575 The @code{calc-imaginary} command multiplies the number on the
16576 top of the stack by the imaginary number @expr{i = (0,1)}. This
16577 command is not normally bound to a key in Calc, but it is available
16578 on the @key{IMAG} button in Keypad mode.
16583 The @kbd{f r} (@code{calc-re}) [@code{re}] command replaces a complex number
16584 by its real part. This command has no effect on real numbers. (As an
16585 added convenience, @code{re} applied to a modulo form extracts
16591 The @kbd{f i} (@code{calc-im}) [@code{im}] command replaces a complex number
16592 by its imaginary part; real numbers are converted to zero. With a vector
16593 or matrix argument, these functions operate element-wise.
16598 @kindex v p (complex)
16599 @kindex V p (complex)
16601 The @kbd{v p} (@code{calc-pack}) command can pack the top two numbers on
16602 the stack into a composite object such as a complex number. With
16603 a prefix argument of @mathit{-1}, it produces a rectangular complex number;
16604 with an argument of @mathit{-2}, it produces a polar complex number.
16605 (Also, @pxref{Building Vectors}.)
16610 @kindex v u (complex)
16611 @kindex V u (complex)
16612 @pindex calc-unpack
16613 The @kbd{v u} (@code{calc-unpack}) command takes the complex number
16614 (or other composite object) on the top of the stack and unpacks it
16615 into its separate components.
16617 @node Conversions, Date Arithmetic, Complex Number Functions, Arithmetic
16618 @section Conversions
16621 The commands described in this section convert numbers from one form
16622 to another; they are two-key sequences beginning with the letter @kbd{c}.
16627 The @kbd{c f} (@code{calc-float}) [@code{pfloat}] command converts the
16628 number on the top of the stack to floating-point form. For example,
16629 @expr{23} is converted to @expr{23.0}, @expr{3:2} is converted to
16630 @expr{1.5}, and @expr{2.3} is left the same. If the value is a composite
16631 object such as a complex number or vector, each of the components is
16632 converted to floating-point. If the value is a formula, all numbers
16633 in the formula are converted to floating-point. Note that depending
16634 on the current floating-point precision, conversion to floating-point
16635 format may lose information.
16637 As a special exception, integers which appear as powers or subscripts
16638 are not floated by @kbd{c f}. If you really want to float a power,
16639 you can use a @kbd{j s} command to select the power followed by @kbd{c f}.
16640 Because @kbd{c f} cannot examine the formula outside of the selection,
16641 it does not notice that the thing being floated is a power.
16642 @xref{Selecting Subformulas}.
16644 The normal @kbd{c f} command is ``pervasive'' in the sense that it
16645 applies to all numbers throughout the formula. The @code{pfloat}
16646 algebraic function never stays around in a formula; @samp{pfloat(a + 1)}
16647 changes to @samp{a + 1.0} as soon as it is evaluated.
16651 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H c f} [@code{float}] operates
16652 only on the number or vector of numbers at the top level of its
16653 argument. Thus, @samp{float(1)} is 1.0, but @samp{float(a + 1)}
16654 is left unevaluated because its argument is not a number.
16656 You should use @kbd{H c f} if you wish to guarantee that the final
16657 value, once all the variables have been assigned, is a float; you
16658 would use @kbd{c f} if you wish to do the conversion on the numbers
16659 that appear right now.
16662 @pindex calc-fraction
16664 The @kbd{c F} (@code{calc-fraction}) [@code{pfrac}] command converts a
16665 floating-point number into a fractional approximation. By default, it
16666 produces a fraction whose decimal representation is the same as the
16667 input number, to within the current precision. You can also give a
16668 numeric prefix argument to specify a tolerance, either directly, or,
16669 if the prefix argument is zero, by using the number on top of the stack
16670 as the tolerance. If the tolerance is a positive integer, the fraction
16671 is correct to within that many significant figures. If the tolerance is
16672 a non-positive integer, it specifies how many digits fewer than the current
16673 precision to use. If the tolerance is a floating-point number, the
16674 fraction is correct to within that absolute amount.
16678 The @code{pfrac} function is pervasive, like @code{pfloat}.
16679 There is also a non-pervasive version, @kbd{H c F} [@code{frac}],
16680 which is analogous to @kbd{H c f} discussed above.
16683 @pindex calc-to-degrees
16685 The @kbd{c d} (@code{calc-to-degrees}) [@code{deg}] command converts a
16686 number into degrees form. The value on the top of the stack may be an
16687 HMS form (interpreted as degrees-minutes-seconds), or a real number which
16688 will be interpreted in radians regardless of the current angular mode.
16691 @pindex calc-to-radians
16693 The @kbd{c r} (@code{calc-to-radians}) [@code{rad}] command converts an
16694 HMS form or angle in degrees into an angle in radians.
16697 @pindex calc-to-hms
16699 The @kbd{c h} (@code{calc-to-hms}) [@code{hms}] command converts a real
16700 number, interpreted according to the current angular mode, to an HMS
16701 form describing the same angle. In algebraic notation, the @code{hms}
16702 function also accepts three arguments: @samp{hms(@var{h}, @var{m}, @var{s})}.
16703 (The three-argument version is independent of the current angular mode.)
16705 @pindex calc-from-hms
16706 The @code{calc-from-hms} command converts the HMS form on the top of the
16707 stack into a real number according to the current angular mode.
16714 The @kbd{c p} (@code{calc-polar}) command converts the complex number on
16715 the top of the stack from polar to rectangular form, or from rectangular
16716 to polar form, whichever is appropriate. Real numbers are left the same.
16717 This command is equivalent to the @code{rect} or @code{polar}
16718 functions in algebraic formulas, depending on the direction of
16719 conversion. (It uses @code{polar}, except that if the argument is
16720 already a polar complex number, it uses @code{rect} instead. The
16721 @kbd{I c p} command always uses @code{rect}.)
16726 The @kbd{c c} (@code{calc-clean}) [@code{pclean}] command ``cleans'' the
16727 number on the top of the stack. Floating point numbers are re-rounded
16728 according to the current precision. Polar numbers whose angular
16729 components have strayed from the @mathit{-180} to @mathit{+180} degree range
16730 are normalized. (Note that results will be undesirable if the current
16731 angular mode is different from the one under which the number was
16732 produced!) Integers and fractions are generally unaffected by this
16733 operation. Vectors and formulas are cleaned by cleaning each component
16734 number (i.e., pervasively).
16736 If the simplification mode is set below the default level, it is raised
16737 to the default level for the purposes of this command. Thus, @kbd{c c}
16738 applies the default simplifications even if their automatic application
16739 is disabled. @xref{Simplification Modes}.
16741 @cindex Roundoff errors, correcting
16742 A numeric prefix argument to @kbd{c c} sets the floating-point precision
16743 to that value for the duration of the command. A positive prefix (of at
16744 least 3) sets the precision to the specified value; a negative or zero
16745 prefix decreases the precision by the specified amount.
16748 @pindex calc-clean-num
16749 The keystroke sequences @kbd{c 0} through @kbd{c 9} are equivalent
16750 to @kbd{c c} with the corresponding negative prefix argument. If roundoff
16751 errors have changed 2.0 into 1.999999, typing @kbd{c 1} to clip off one
16752 decimal place often conveniently does the trick.
16754 The @kbd{c c} command with a numeric prefix argument, and the @kbd{c 0}
16755 through @kbd{c 9} commands, also ``clip'' very small floating-point
16756 numbers to zero. If the exponent is less than or equal to the negative
16757 of the specified precision, the number is changed to 0.0. For example,
16758 if the current precision is 12, then @kbd{c 2} changes the vector
16759 @samp{[1e-8, 1e-9, 1e-10, 1e-11]} to @samp{[1e-8, 1e-9, 0, 0]}.
16760 Numbers this small generally arise from roundoff noise.
16762 If the numbers you are using really are legitimately this small,
16763 you should avoid using the @kbd{c 0} through @kbd{c 9} commands.
16764 (The plain @kbd{c c} command rounds to the current precision but
16765 does not clip small numbers.)
16767 One more property of @kbd{c 0} through @kbd{c 9}, and of @kbd{c c} with
16768 a prefix argument, is that integer-valued floats are converted to
16769 plain integers, so that @kbd{c 1} on @samp{[1., 1.5, 2., 2.5, 3.]}
16770 produces @samp{[1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3]}. This is not done for huge
16771 numbers (@samp{1e100} is technically an integer-valued float, but
16772 you wouldn't want it automatically converted to a 100-digit integer).
16777 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H c c} and @kbd{H c 0} through @kbd{H c 9}
16778 operate non-pervasively [@code{clean}].
16780 @node Date Arithmetic, Financial Functions, Conversions, Arithmetic
16781 @section Date Arithmetic
16784 @cindex Date arithmetic, additional functions
16785 The commands described in this section perform various conversions
16786 and calculations involving date forms (@pxref{Date Forms}). They
16787 use the @kbd{t} (for time/date) prefix key followed by shifted
16790 The simplest date arithmetic is done using the regular @kbd{+} and @kbd{-}
16791 commands. In particular, adding a number to a date form advances the
16792 date form by a certain number of days; adding an HMS form to a date
16793 form advances the date by a certain amount of time; and subtracting two
16794 date forms produces a difference measured in days. The commands
16795 described here provide additional, more specialized operations on dates.
16797 Many of these commands accept a numeric prefix argument; if you give
16798 plain @kbd{C-u} as the prefix, these commands will instead take the
16799 additional argument from the top of the stack.
16802 * Date Conversions::
16808 @node Date Conversions, Date Functions, Date Arithmetic, Date Arithmetic
16809 @subsection Date Conversions
16815 The @kbd{t D} (@code{calc-date}) [@code{date}] command converts a
16816 date form into a number, measured in days since Jan 1, 1 AD. The
16817 result will be an integer if @var{date} is a pure date form, or a
16818 fraction or float if @var{date} is a date/time form. Or, if its
16819 argument is a number, it converts this number into a date form.
16821 With a numeric prefix argument, @kbd{t D} takes that many objects
16822 (up to six) from the top of the stack and interprets them in one
16823 of the following ways:
16825 The @samp{date(@var{year}, @var{month}, @var{day})} function
16826 builds a pure date form out of the specified year, month, and
16827 day, which must all be integers. @var{Year} is a year number,
16828 such as 1991 (@emph{not} the same as 91!). @var{Month} must be
16829 an integer in the range 1 to 12; @var{day} must be in the range
16830 1 to 31. If the specified month has fewer than 31 days and
16831 @var{day} is too large, the equivalent day in the following
16832 month will be used.
16834 The @samp{date(@var{month}, @var{day})} function builds a
16835 pure date form using the current year, as determined by the
16838 The @samp{date(@var{year}, @var{month}, @var{day}, @var{hms})}
16839 function builds a date/time form using an @var{hms} form.
16841 The @samp{date(@var{year}, @var{month}, @var{day}, @var{hour},
16842 @var{minute}, @var{second})} function builds a date/time form.
16843 @var{hour} should be an integer in the range 0 to 23;
16844 @var{minute} should be an integer in the range 0 to 59;
16845 @var{second} should be any real number in the range @samp{[0 .. 60)}.
16846 The last two arguments default to zero if omitted.
16849 @pindex calc-julian
16851 @cindex Julian day counts, conversions
16852 The @kbd{t J} (@code{calc-julian}) [@code{julian}] command converts
16853 a date form into a Julian day count, which is the number of days
16854 since noon (GMT) on Jan 1, 4713 BC. A pure date is converted to an
16855 integer Julian count representing noon of that day. A date/time form
16856 is converted to an exact floating-point Julian count, adjusted to
16857 interpret the date form in the current time zone but the Julian
16858 day count in Greenwich Mean Time. A numeric prefix argument allows
16859 you to specify the time zone; @pxref{Time Zones}. Use a prefix of
16860 zero to suppress the time zone adjustment. Note that pure date forms
16861 are never time-zone adjusted.
16863 This command can also do the opposite conversion, from a Julian day
16864 count (either an integer day, or a floating-point day and time in
16865 the GMT zone), into a pure date form or a date/time form in the
16866 current or specified time zone.
16869 @pindex calc-unix-time
16871 @cindex Unix time format, conversions
16872 The @kbd{t U} (@code{calc-unix-time}) [@code{unixtime}] command
16873 converts a date form into a Unix time value, which is the number of
16874 seconds since midnight on Jan 1, 1970, or vice-versa. The numeric result
16875 will be an integer if the current precision is 12 or less; for higher
16876 precisions, the result may be a float with (@var{precision}@minus{}12)
16877 digits after the decimal. Just as for @kbd{t J}, the numeric time
16878 is interpreted in the GMT time zone and the date form is interpreted
16879 in the current or specified zone. Some systems use Unix-like
16880 numbering but with the local time zone; give a prefix of zero to
16881 suppress the adjustment if so.
16884 @pindex calc-convert-time-zones
16886 @cindex Time Zones, converting between
16887 The @kbd{t C} (@code{calc-convert-time-zones}) [@code{tzconv}]
16888 command converts a date form from one time zone to another. You
16889 are prompted for each time zone name in turn; you can answer with
16890 any suitable Calc time zone expression (@pxref{Time Zones}).
16891 If you answer either prompt with a blank line, the local time
16892 zone is used for that prompt. You can also answer the first
16893 prompt with @kbd{$} to take the two time zone names from the
16894 stack (and the date to be converted from the third stack level).
16896 @node Date Functions, Business Days, Date Conversions, Date Arithmetic
16897 @subsection Date Functions
16903 The @kbd{t N} (@code{calc-now}) [@code{now}] command pushes the
16904 current date and time on the stack as a date form. The time is
16905 reported in terms of the specified time zone; with no numeric prefix
16906 argument, @kbd{t N} reports for the current time zone.
16909 @pindex calc-date-part
16910 The @kbd{t P} (@code{calc-date-part}) command extracts one part
16911 of a date form. The prefix argument specifies the part; with no
16912 argument, this command prompts for a part code from 1 to 9.
16913 The various part codes are described in the following paragraphs.
16916 The @kbd{M-1 t P} [@code{year}] function extracts the year number
16917 from a date form as an integer, e.g., 1991. This and the
16918 following functions will also accept a real number for an
16919 argument, which is interpreted as a standard Calc day number.
16920 Note that this function will never return zero, since the year
16921 1 BC immediately precedes the year 1 AD.
16924 The @kbd{M-2 t P} [@code{month}] function extracts the month number
16925 from a date form as an integer in the range 1 to 12.
16928 The @kbd{M-3 t P} [@code{day}] function extracts the day number
16929 from a date form as an integer in the range 1 to 31.
16932 The @kbd{M-4 t P} [@code{hour}] function extracts the hour from
16933 a date form as an integer in the range 0 (midnight) to 23. Note
16934 that 24-hour time is always used. This returns zero for a pure
16935 date form. This function (and the following two) also accept
16936 HMS forms as input.
16939 The @kbd{M-5 t P} [@code{minute}] function extracts the minute
16940 from a date form as an integer in the range 0 to 59.
16943 The @kbd{M-6 t P} [@code{second}] function extracts the second
16944 from a date form. If the current precision is 12 or less,
16945 the result is an integer in the range 0 to 59. For higher
16946 precisions, the result may instead be a floating-point number.
16949 The @kbd{M-7 t P} [@code{weekday}] function extracts the weekday
16950 number from a date form as an integer in the range 0 (Sunday)
16954 The @kbd{M-8 t P} [@code{yearday}] function extracts the day-of-year
16955 number from a date form as an integer in the range 1 (January 1)
16956 to 366 (December 31 of a leap year).
16959 The @kbd{M-9 t P} [@code{time}] function extracts the time portion
16960 of a date form as an HMS form. This returns @samp{0@@ 0' 0"}
16961 for a pure date form.
16964 @pindex calc-new-month
16966 The @kbd{t M} (@code{calc-new-month}) [@code{newmonth}] command
16967 computes a new date form that represents the first day of the month
16968 specified by the input date. The result is always a pure date
16969 form; only the year and month numbers of the input are retained.
16970 With a numeric prefix argument @var{n} in the range from 1 to 31,
16971 @kbd{t M} computes the @var{n}th day of the month. (If @var{n}
16972 is greater than the actual number of days in the month, or if
16973 @var{n} is zero, the last day of the month is used.)
16976 @pindex calc-new-year
16978 The @kbd{t Y} (@code{calc-new-year}) [@code{newyear}] command
16979 computes a new pure date form that represents the first day of
16980 the year specified by the input. The month, day, and time
16981 of the input date form are lost. With a numeric prefix argument
16982 @var{n} in the range from 1 to 366, @kbd{t Y} computes the
16983 @var{n}th day of the year (366 is treated as 365 in non-leap
16984 years). A prefix argument of 0 computes the last day of the
16985 year (December 31). A negative prefix argument from @mathit{-1} to
16986 @mathit{-12} computes the first day of the @var{n}th month of the year.
16989 @pindex calc-new-week
16991 The @kbd{t W} (@code{calc-new-week}) [@code{newweek}] command
16992 computes a new pure date form that represents the Sunday on or before
16993 the input date. With a numeric prefix argument, it can be made to
16994 use any day of the week as the starting day; the argument must be in
16995 the range from 0 (Sunday) to 6 (Saturday). This function always
16996 subtracts between 0 and 6 days from the input date.
16998 Here's an example use of @code{newweek}: Find the date of the next
16999 Wednesday after a given date. Using @kbd{M-3 t W} or @samp{newweek(d, 3)}
17000 will give you the @emph{preceding} Wednesday, so @samp{newweek(d+7, 3)}
17001 will give you the following Wednesday. A further look at the definition
17002 of @code{newweek} shows that if the input date is itself a Wednesday,
17003 this formula will return the Wednesday one week in the future. An
17004 exercise for the reader is to modify this formula to yield the same day
17005 if the input is already a Wednesday. Another interesting exercise is
17006 to preserve the time-of-day portion of the input (@code{newweek} resets
17007 the time to midnight; hint:@: how can @code{newweek} be defined in terms
17008 of the @code{weekday} function?).
17014 The @samp{pwday(@var{date})} function (not on any key) computes the
17015 day-of-month number of the Sunday on or before @var{date}. With
17016 two arguments, @samp{pwday(@var{date}, @var{day})} computes the day
17017 number of the Sunday on or before day number @var{day} of the month
17018 specified by @var{date}. The @var{day} must be in the range from
17019 7 to 31; if the day number is greater than the actual number of days
17020 in the month, the true number of days is used instead. Thus
17021 @samp{pwday(@var{date}, 7)} finds the first Sunday of the month, and
17022 @samp{pwday(@var{date}, 31)} finds the last Sunday of the month.
17023 With a third @var{weekday} argument, @code{pwday} can be made to look
17024 for any day of the week instead of Sunday.
17027 @pindex calc-inc-month
17029 The @kbd{t I} (@code{calc-inc-month}) [@code{incmonth}] command
17030 increases a date form by one month, or by an arbitrary number of
17031 months specified by a numeric prefix argument. The time portion,
17032 if any, of the date form stays the same. The day also stays the
17033 same, except that if the new month has fewer days the day
17034 number may be reduced to lie in the valid range. For example,
17035 @samp{incmonth(<Jan 31, 1991>)} produces @samp{<Feb 28, 1991>}.
17036 Because of this, @kbd{t I t I} and @kbd{M-2 t I} do not always give
17037 the same results (@samp{<Mar 28, 1991>} versus @samp{<Mar 31, 1991>}
17044 The @samp{incyear(@var{date}, @var{step})} function increases
17045 a date form by the specified number of years, which may be
17046 any positive or negative integer. Note that @samp{incyear(d, n)}
17047 is equivalent to @w{@samp{incmonth(d, 12*n)}}, but these do not have
17048 simple equivalents in terms of day arithmetic because
17049 months and years have varying lengths. If the @var{step}
17050 argument is omitted, 1 year is assumed. There is no keyboard
17051 command for this function; use @kbd{C-u 12 t I} instead.
17053 There is no @code{newday} function at all because @kbd{F} [@code{floor}]
17054 serves this purpose. Similarly, instead of @code{incday} and
17055 @code{incweek} simply use @expr{d + n} or @expr{d + 7 n}.
17057 @xref{Basic Arithmetic}, for the @kbd{f ]} [@code{incr}] command
17058 which can adjust a date/time form by a certain number of seconds.
17060 @node Business Days, Time Zones, Date Functions, Date Arithmetic
17061 @subsection Business Days
17064 Often time is measured in ``business days'' or ``working days,''
17065 where weekends and holidays are skipped. Calc's normal date
17066 arithmetic functions use calendar days, so that subtracting two
17067 consecutive Mondays will yield a difference of 7 days. By contrast,
17068 subtracting two consecutive Mondays would yield 5 business days
17069 (assuming two-day weekends and the absence of holidays).
17075 @pindex calc-business-days-plus
17076 @pindex calc-business-days-minus
17077 The @kbd{t +} (@code{calc-business-days-plus}) [@code{badd}]
17078 and @kbd{t -} (@code{calc-business-days-minus}) [@code{bsub}]
17079 commands perform arithmetic using business days. For @kbd{t +},
17080 one argument must be a date form and the other must be a real
17081 number (positive or negative). If the number is not an integer,
17082 then a certain amount of time is added as well as a number of
17083 days; for example, adding 0.5 business days to a time in Friday
17084 evening will produce a time in Monday morning. It is also
17085 possible to add an HMS form; adding @samp{12@@ 0' 0"} also adds
17086 half a business day. For @kbd{t -}, the arguments are either a
17087 date form and a number or HMS form, or two date forms, in which
17088 case the result is the number of business days between the two
17091 @cindex @code{Holidays} variable
17093 By default, Calc considers any day that is not a Saturday or
17094 Sunday to be a business day. You can define any number of
17095 additional holidays by editing the variable @code{Holidays}.
17096 (There is an @w{@kbd{s H}} convenience command for editing this
17097 variable.) Initially, @code{Holidays} contains the vector
17098 @samp{[sat, sun]}. Entries in the @code{Holidays} vector may
17099 be any of the following kinds of objects:
17103 Date forms (pure dates, not date/time forms). These specify
17104 particular days which are to be treated as holidays.
17107 Intervals of date forms. These specify a range of days, all of
17108 which are holidays (e.g., Christmas week). @xref{Interval Forms}.
17111 Nested vectors of date forms. Each date form in the vector is
17112 considered to be a holiday.
17115 Any Calc formula which evaluates to one of the above three things.
17116 If the formula involves the variable @expr{y}, it stands for a
17117 yearly repeating holiday; @expr{y} will take on various year
17118 numbers like 1992. For example, @samp{date(y, 12, 25)} specifies
17119 Christmas day, and @samp{newweek(date(y, 11, 7), 4) + 21} specifies
17120 Thanksgiving (which is held on the fourth Thursday of November).
17121 If the formula involves the variable @expr{m}, that variable
17122 takes on month numbers from 1 to 12: @samp{date(y, m, 15)} is
17123 a holiday that takes place on the 15th of every month.
17126 A weekday name, such as @code{sat} or @code{sun}. This is really
17127 a variable whose name is a three-letter, lower-case day name.
17130 An interval of year numbers (integers). This specifies the span of
17131 years over which this holiday list is to be considered valid. Any
17132 business-day arithmetic that goes outside this range will result
17133 in an error message. Use this if you are including an explicit
17134 list of holidays, rather than a formula to generate them, and you
17135 want to make sure you don't accidentally go beyond the last point
17136 where the holidays you entered are complete. If there is no
17137 limiting interval in the @code{Holidays} vector, the default
17138 @samp{[1 .. 2737]} is used. (This is the absolute range of years
17139 for which Calc's business-day algorithms will operate.)
17142 An interval of HMS forms. This specifies the span of hours that
17143 are to be considered one business day. For example, if this
17144 range is @samp{[9@@ 0' 0" .. 17@@ 0' 0"]} (i.e., 9am to 5pm), then
17145 the business day is only eight hours long, so that @kbd{1.5 t +}
17146 on @samp{<4:00pm Fri Dec 13, 1991>} will add one business day and
17147 four business hours to produce @samp{<12:00pm Tue Dec 17, 1991>}.
17148 Likewise, @kbd{t -} will now express differences in time as
17149 fractions of an eight-hour day. Times before 9am will be treated
17150 as 9am by business date arithmetic, and times at or after 5pm will
17151 be treated as 4:59:59pm. If there is no HMS interval in @code{Holidays},
17152 the full 24-hour day @samp{[0@ 0' 0" .. 24@ 0' 0"]} is assumed.
17153 (Regardless of the type of bounds you specify, the interval is
17154 treated as inclusive on the low end and exclusive on the high end,
17155 so that the work day goes from 9am up to, but not including, 5pm.)
17158 If the @code{Holidays} vector is empty, then @kbd{t +} and
17159 @kbd{t -} will act just like @kbd{+} and @kbd{-} because there will
17160 then be no difference between business days and calendar days.
17162 Calc expands the intervals and formulas you give into a complete
17163 list of holidays for internal use. This is done mainly to make
17164 sure it can detect multiple holidays. (For example,
17165 @samp{<Jan 1, 1989>} is both New Year's Day and a Sunday, but
17166 Calc's algorithms take care to count it only once when figuring
17167 the number of holidays between two dates.)
17169 Since the complete list of holidays for all the years from 1 to
17170 2737 would be huge, Calc actually computes only the part of the
17171 list between the smallest and largest years that have been involved
17172 in business-day calculations so far. Normally, you won't have to
17173 worry about this. Keep in mind, however, that if you do one
17174 calculation for 1992, and another for 1792, even if both involve
17175 only a small range of years, Calc will still work out all the
17176 holidays that fall in that 200-year span.
17178 If you add a (positive) number of days to a date form that falls on a
17179 weekend or holiday, the date form is treated as if it were the most
17180 recent business day. (Thus adding one business day to a Friday,
17181 Saturday, or Sunday will all yield the following Monday.) If you
17182 subtract a number of days from a weekend or holiday, the date is
17183 effectively on the following business day. (So subtracting one business
17184 day from Saturday, Sunday, or Monday yields the preceding Friday.) The
17185 difference between two dates one or both of which fall on holidays
17186 equals the number of actual business days between them. These
17187 conventions are consistent in the sense that, if you add @var{n}
17188 business days to any date, the difference between the result and the
17189 original date will come out to @var{n} business days. (It can't be
17190 completely consistent though; a subtraction followed by an addition
17191 might come out a bit differently, since @kbd{t +} is incapable of
17192 producing a date that falls on a weekend or holiday.)
17198 There is a @code{holiday} function, not on any keys, that takes
17199 any date form and returns 1 if that date falls on a weekend or
17200 holiday, as defined in @code{Holidays}, or 0 if the date is a
17203 @node Time Zones, , Business Days, Date Arithmetic
17204 @subsection Time Zones
17208 @cindex Daylight saving time
17209 Time zones and daylight saving time are a complicated business.
17210 The conversions to and from Julian and Unix-style dates automatically
17211 compute the correct time zone and daylight saving adjustment to use,
17212 provided they can figure out this information. This section describes
17213 Calc's time zone adjustment algorithm in detail, in case you want to
17214 do conversions in different time zones or in case Calc's algorithms
17215 can't determine the right correction to use.
17217 Adjustments for time zones and daylight saving time are done by
17218 @kbd{t U}, @kbd{t J}, @kbd{t N}, and @kbd{t C}, but not by any other
17219 commands. In particular, @samp{<may 1 1991> - <apr 1 1991>} evaluates
17220 to exactly 30 days even though there is a daylight-saving
17221 transition in between. This is also true for Julian pure dates:
17222 @samp{julian(<may 1 1991>) - julian(<apr 1 1991>)}. But Julian
17223 and Unix date/times will adjust for daylight saving time: using Calc's
17224 default daylight saving time rule (see the explanation below),
17225 @samp{julian(<12am may 1 1991>) - julian(<12am apr 1 1991>)}
17226 evaluates to @samp{29.95833} (that's 29 days and 23 hours)
17227 because one hour was lost when daylight saving commenced on
17230 In brief, the idiom @samp{julian(@var{date1}) - julian(@var{date2})}
17231 computes the actual number of 24-hour periods between two dates, whereas
17232 @samp{@var{date1} - @var{date2}} computes the number of calendar
17233 days between two dates without taking daylight saving into account.
17235 @pindex calc-time-zone
17240 The @code{calc-time-zone} [@code{tzone}] command converts the time
17241 zone specified by its numeric prefix argument into a number of
17242 seconds difference from Greenwich mean time (GMT). If the argument
17243 is a number, the result is simply that value multiplied by 3600.
17244 Typical arguments for North America are 5 (Eastern) or 8 (Pacific). If
17245 Daylight Saving time is in effect, one hour should be subtracted from
17246 the normal difference.
17248 If you give a prefix of plain @kbd{C-u}, @code{calc-time-zone} (like other
17249 date arithmetic commands that include a time zone argument) takes the
17250 zone argument from the top of the stack. (In the case of @kbd{t J}
17251 and @kbd{t U}, the normal argument is then taken from the second-to-top
17252 stack position.) This allows you to give a non-integer time zone
17253 adjustment. The time-zone argument can also be an HMS form, or
17254 it can be a variable which is a time zone name in upper- or lower-case.
17255 For example @samp{tzone(PST) = tzone(8)} and @samp{tzone(pdt) = tzone(7)}
17256 (for Pacific standard and daylight saving times, respectively).
17258 North American and European time zone names are defined as follows;
17259 note that for each time zone there is one name for standard time,
17260 another for daylight saving time, and a third for ``generalized'' time
17261 in which the daylight saving adjustment is computed from context.
17265 YST PST MST CST EST AST NST GMT WET MET MEZ
17266 9 8 7 6 5 4 3.5 0 -1 -2 -2
17268 YDT PDT MDT CDT EDT ADT NDT BST WETDST METDST MESZ
17269 8 7 6 5 4 3 2.5 -1 -2 -3 -3
17271 YGT PGT MGT CGT EGT AGT NGT BGT WEGT MEGT MEGZ
17272 9/8 8/7 7/6 6/5 5/4 4/3 3.5/2.5 0/-1 -1/-2 -2/-3 -2/-3
17276 @vindex math-tzone-names
17277 To define time zone names that do not appear in the above table,
17278 you must modify the Lisp variable @code{math-tzone-names}. This
17279 is a list of lists describing the different time zone names; its
17280 structure is best explained by an example. The three entries for
17281 Pacific Time look like this:
17285 ( ( "PST" 8 0 ) ; Name as an upper-case string, then standard
17286 ( "PDT" 8 -1 ) ; adjustment, then daylight saving adjustment.
17287 ( "PGT" 8 "PST" "PDT" ) ) ; Generalized time zone.
17291 @cindex @code{TimeZone} variable
17293 With no arguments, @code{calc-time-zone} or @samp{tzone()} will by
17294 default get the time zone and daylight saving information from the
17295 calendar (@pxref{Daylight Saving,Calendar/Diary,The Calendar and the Diary,
17296 emacs,The GNU Emacs Manual}). To use a different time zone, or if the
17297 calendar does not give the desired result, you can set the Calc variable
17298 @code{TimeZone} (which is by default @code{nil}) to an appropriate
17299 time zone name. (The easiest way to do this is to edit the
17300 @code{TimeZone} variable using Calc's @kbd{s T} command, then use the
17301 @kbd{s p} (@code{calc-permanent-variable}) command to save the value of
17302 @code{TimeZone} permanently.)
17303 If the time zone given by @code{TimeZone} is a generalized time zone,
17304 e.g., @code{EGT}, Calc examines the date being converted to tell whether
17305 to use standard or daylight saving time. But if the current time zone
17306 is explicit, e.g., @code{EST} or @code{EDT}, then that adjustment is
17307 used exactly and Calc's daylight saving algorithm is not consulted.
17308 The special time zone name @code{local}
17309 is equivalent to no argument; i.e., it uses the information obtained
17312 The @kbd{t J} and @code{t U} commands with no numeric prefix
17313 arguments do the same thing as @samp{tzone()}; namely, use the
17314 information from the calendar if @code{TimeZone} is @code{nil},
17315 otherwise use the time zone given by @code{TimeZone}.
17317 @vindex math-daylight-savings-hook
17318 @findex math-std-daylight-savings
17319 When Calc computes the daylight saving information itself (i.e., when
17320 the @code{TimeZone} variable is set), it will by default consider
17321 daylight saving time to begin at 2 a.m.@: on the second Sunday of March
17322 (for years from 2007 on) or on the last Sunday in April (for years
17323 before 2007), and to end at 2 a.m.@: on the first Sunday of
17324 November. (for years from 2007 on) or the last Sunday in October (for
17325 years before 2007). These are the rules that have been in effect in
17326 much of North America since 1966 and take into account the rule change
17327 that began in 2007. If you are in a country that uses different rules
17328 for computing daylight saving time, you have two choices: Write your own
17329 daylight saving hook, or control time zones explicitly by setting the
17330 @code{TimeZone} variable and/or always giving a time-zone argument for
17331 the conversion functions.
17333 The Lisp variable @code{math-daylight-savings-hook} holds the
17334 name of a function that is used to compute the daylight saving
17335 adjustment for a given date. The default is
17336 @code{math-std-daylight-savings}, which computes an adjustment
17337 (either 0 or @mathit{-1}) using the North American rules given above.
17339 The daylight saving hook function is called with four arguments:
17340 The date, as a floating-point number in standard Calc format;
17341 a six-element list of the date decomposed into year, month, day,
17342 hour, minute, and second, respectively; a string which contains
17343 the generalized time zone name in upper-case, e.g., @code{"WEGT"};
17344 and a special adjustment to be applied to the hour value when
17345 converting into a generalized time zone (see below).
17347 @findex math-prev-weekday-in-month
17348 The Lisp function @code{math-prev-weekday-in-month} is useful for
17349 daylight saving computations. This is an internal version of
17350 the user-level @code{pwday} function described in the previous
17351 section. It takes four arguments: The floating-point date value,
17352 the corresponding six-element date list, the day-of-month number,
17353 and the weekday number (0-6).
17355 The default daylight saving hook ignores the time zone name, but a
17356 more sophisticated hook could use different algorithms for different
17357 time zones. It would also be possible to use different algorithms
17358 depending on the year number, but the default hook always uses the
17359 algorithm for 1987 and later. Here is a listing of the default
17360 daylight saving hook:
17363 (defun math-std-daylight-savings (date dt zone bump)
17364 (cond ((< (nth 1 dt) 4) 0)
17366 (let ((sunday (math-prev-weekday-in-month date dt 7 0)))
17367 (cond ((< (nth 2 dt) sunday) 0)
17368 ((= (nth 2 dt) sunday)
17369 (if (>= (nth 3 dt) (+ 3 bump)) -1 0))
17371 ((< (nth 1 dt) 10) -1)
17373 (let ((sunday (math-prev-weekday-in-month date dt 31 0)))
17374 (cond ((< (nth 2 dt) sunday) -1)
17375 ((= (nth 2 dt) sunday)
17376 (if (>= (nth 3 dt) (+ 2 bump)) 0 -1))
17383 The @code{bump} parameter is equal to zero when Calc is converting
17384 from a date form in a generalized time zone into a GMT date value.
17385 It is @mathit{-1} when Calc is converting in the other direction. The
17386 adjustments shown above ensure that the conversion behaves correctly
17387 and reasonably around the 2 a.m.@: transition in each direction.
17389 There is a ``missing'' hour between 2 a.m.@: and 3 a.m.@: at the
17390 beginning of daylight saving time; converting a date/time form that
17391 falls in this hour results in a time value for the following hour,
17392 from 3 a.m.@: to 4 a.m. At the end of daylight saving time, the
17393 hour from 1 a.m.@: to 2 a.m.@: repeats itself; converting a date/time
17394 form that falls in this hour results in a time value for the first
17395 manifestation of that time (@emph{not} the one that occurs one hour
17398 If @code{math-daylight-savings-hook} is @code{nil}, then the
17399 daylight saving adjustment is always taken to be zero.
17401 In algebraic formulas, @samp{tzone(@var{zone}, @var{date})}
17402 computes the time zone adjustment for a given zone name at a
17403 given date. The @var{date} is ignored unless @var{zone} is a
17404 generalized time zone. If @var{date} is a date form, the
17405 daylight saving computation is applied to it as it appears.
17406 If @var{date} is a numeric date value, it is adjusted for the
17407 daylight-saving version of @var{zone} before being given to
17408 the daylight saving hook. This odd-sounding rule ensures
17409 that the daylight-saving computation is always done in
17410 local time, not in the GMT time that a numeric @var{date}
17411 is typically represented in.
17417 The @samp{dsadj(@var{date}, @var{zone})} function computes the
17418 daylight saving adjustment that is appropriate for @var{date} in
17419 time zone @var{zone}. If @var{zone} is explicitly in or not in
17420 daylight saving time (e.g., @code{PDT} or @code{PST}) the
17421 @var{date} is ignored. If @var{zone} is a generalized time zone,
17422 the algorithms described above are used. If @var{zone} is omitted,
17423 the computation is done for the current time zone.
17425 @node Financial Functions, Binary Functions, Date Arithmetic, Arithmetic
17426 @section Financial Functions
17429 Calc's financial or business functions use the @kbd{b} prefix
17430 key followed by a shifted letter. (The @kbd{b} prefix followed by
17431 a lower-case letter is used for operations on binary numbers.)
17433 Note that the rate and the number of intervals given to these
17434 functions must be on the same time scale, e.g., both months or
17435 both years. Mixing an annual interest rate with a time expressed
17436 in months will give you very wrong answers!
17438 It is wise to compute these functions to a higher precision than
17439 you really need, just to make sure your answer is correct to the
17440 last penny; also, you may wish to check the definitions at the end
17441 of this section to make sure the functions have the meaning you expect.
17447 * Related Financial Functions::
17448 * Depreciation Functions::
17449 * Definitions of Financial Functions::
17452 @node Percentages, Future Value, Financial Functions, Financial Functions
17453 @subsection Percentages
17456 @pindex calc-percent
17459 The @kbd{M-%} (@code{calc-percent}) command takes a percentage value,
17460 say 5.4, and converts it to an equivalent actual number. For example,
17461 @kbd{5.4 M-%} enters 0.054 on the stack. (That's the @key{META} or
17462 @key{ESC} key combined with @kbd{%}.)
17464 Actually, @kbd{M-%} creates a formula of the form @samp{5.4%}.
17465 You can enter @samp{5.4%} yourself during algebraic entry. The
17466 @samp{%} operator simply means, ``the preceding value divided by
17467 100.'' The @samp{%} operator has very high precedence, so that
17468 @samp{1+8%} is interpreted as @samp{1+(8%)}, not as @samp{(1+8)%}.
17469 (The @samp{%} operator is just a postfix notation for the
17470 @code{percent} function, just like @samp{20!} is the notation for
17471 @samp{fact(20)}, or twenty-factorial.)
17473 The formula @samp{5.4%} would normally evaluate immediately to
17474 0.054, but the @kbd{M-%} command suppresses evaluation as it puts
17475 the formula onto the stack. However, the next Calc command that
17476 uses the formula @samp{5.4%} will evaluate it as its first step.
17477 The net effect is that you get to look at @samp{5.4%} on the stack,
17478 but Calc commands see it as @samp{0.054}, which is what they expect.
17480 In particular, @samp{5.4%} and @samp{0.054} are suitable values
17481 for the @var{rate} arguments of the various financial functions,
17482 but the number @samp{5.4} is probably @emph{not} suitable---it
17483 represents a rate of 540 percent!
17485 The key sequence @kbd{M-% *} effectively means ``percent-of.''
17486 For example, @kbd{68 @key{RET} 25 M-% *} computes 17, which is 25% of
17487 68 (and also 68% of 25, which comes out to the same thing).
17490 @pindex calc-convert-percent
17491 The @kbd{c %} (@code{calc-convert-percent}) command converts the
17492 value on the top of the stack from numeric to percentage form.
17493 For example, if 0.08 is on the stack, @kbd{c %} converts it to
17494 @samp{8%}. The quantity is the same, it's just represented
17495 differently. (Contrast this with @kbd{M-%}, which would convert
17496 this number to @samp{0.08%}.) The @kbd{=} key is a convenient way
17497 to convert a formula like @samp{8%} back to numeric form, 0.08.
17499 To compute what percentage one quantity is of another quantity,
17500 use @kbd{/ c %}. For example, @w{@kbd{17 @key{RET} 68 / c %}} displays
17504 @pindex calc-percent-change
17506 The @kbd{b %} (@code{calc-percent-change}) [@code{relch}] command
17507 calculates the percentage change from one number to another.
17508 For example, @kbd{40 @key{RET} 50 b %} produces the answer @samp{25%},
17509 since 50 is 25% larger than 40. A negative result represents a
17510 decrease: @kbd{50 @key{RET} 40 b %} produces @samp{-20%}, since 40 is
17511 20% smaller than 50. (The answers are different in magnitude
17512 because, in the first case, we're increasing by 25% of 40, but
17513 in the second case, we're decreasing by 20% of 50.) The effect
17514 of @kbd{40 @key{RET} 50 b %} is to compute @expr{(50-40)/40}, converting
17515 the answer to percentage form as if by @kbd{c %}.
17517 @node Future Value, Present Value, Percentages, Financial Functions
17518 @subsection Future Value
17522 @pindex calc-fin-fv
17524 The @kbd{b F} (@code{calc-fin-fv}) [@code{fv}] command computes
17525 the future value of an investment. It takes three arguments
17526 from the stack: @samp{fv(@var{rate}, @var{n}, @var{payment})}.
17527 If you give payments of @var{payment} every year for @var{n}
17528 years, and the money you have paid earns interest at @var{rate} per
17529 year, then this function tells you what your investment would be
17530 worth at the end of the period. (The actual interval doesn't
17531 have to be years, as long as @var{n} and @var{rate} are expressed
17532 in terms of the same intervals.) This function assumes payments
17533 occur at the @emph{end} of each interval.
17537 The @kbd{I b F} [@code{fvb}] command does the same computation,
17538 but assuming your payments are at the beginning of each interval.
17539 Suppose you plan to deposit $1000 per year in a savings account
17540 earning 5.4% interest, starting right now. How much will be
17541 in the account after five years? @code{fvb(5.4%, 5, 1000) = 5870.73}.
17542 Thus you will have earned $870 worth of interest over the years.
17543 Using the stack, this calculation would have been
17544 @kbd{5.4 M-% 5 @key{RET} 1000 I b F}. Note that the rate is expressed
17545 as a number between 0 and 1, @emph{not} as a percentage.
17549 The @kbd{H b F} [@code{fvl}] command computes the future value
17550 of an initial lump sum investment. Suppose you could deposit
17551 those five thousand dollars in the bank right now; how much would
17552 they be worth in five years? @code{fvl(5.4%, 5, 5000) = 6503.89}.
17554 The algebraic functions @code{fv} and @code{fvb} accept an optional
17555 fourth argument, which is used as an initial lump sum in the sense
17556 of @code{fvl}. In other words, @code{fv(@var{rate}, @var{n},
17557 @var{payment}, @var{initial}) = fv(@var{rate}, @var{n}, @var{payment})
17558 + fvl(@var{rate}, @var{n}, @var{initial})}.
17560 To illustrate the relationships between these functions, we could
17561 do the @code{fvb} calculation ``by hand'' using @code{fvl}. The
17562 final balance will be the sum of the contributions of our five
17563 deposits at various times. The first deposit earns interest for
17564 five years: @code{fvl(5.4%, 5, 1000) = 1300.78}. The second
17565 deposit only earns interest for four years: @code{fvl(5.4%, 4, 1000) =
17566 1234.13}. And so on down to the last deposit, which earns one
17567 year's interest: @code{fvl(5.4%, 1, 1000) = 1054.00}. The sum of
17568 these five values is, sure enough, $5870.73, just as was computed
17569 by @code{fvb} directly.
17571 What does @code{fv(5.4%, 5, 1000) = 5569.96} mean? The payments
17572 are now at the ends of the periods. The end of one year is the same
17573 as the beginning of the next, so what this really means is that we've
17574 lost the payment at year zero (which contributed $1300.78), but we're
17575 now counting the payment at year five (which, since it didn't have
17576 a chance to earn interest, counts as $1000). Indeed, @expr{5569.96 =
17577 5870.73 - 1300.78 + 1000} (give or take a bit of roundoff error).
17579 @node Present Value, Related Financial Functions, Future Value, Financial Functions
17580 @subsection Present Value
17584 @pindex calc-fin-pv
17586 The @kbd{b P} (@code{calc-fin-pv}) [@code{pv}] command computes
17587 the present value of an investment. Like @code{fv}, it takes
17588 three arguments: @code{pv(@var{rate}, @var{n}, @var{payment})}.
17589 It computes the present value of a series of regular payments.
17590 Suppose you have the chance to make an investment that will
17591 pay $2000 per year over the next four years; as you receive
17592 these payments you can put them in the bank at 9% interest.
17593 You want to know whether it is better to make the investment, or
17594 to keep the money in the bank where it earns 9% interest right
17595 from the start. The calculation @code{pv(9%, 4, 2000)} gives the
17596 result 6479.44. If your initial investment must be less than this,
17597 say, $6000, then the investment is worthwhile. But if you had to
17598 put up $7000, then it would be better just to leave it in the bank.
17600 Here is the interpretation of the result of @code{pv}: You are
17601 trying to compare the return from the investment you are
17602 considering, which is @code{fv(9%, 4, 2000) = 9146.26}, with
17603 the return from leaving the money in the bank, which is
17604 @code{fvl(9%, 4, @var{x})} where @var{x} is the amount of money
17605 you would have to put up in advance. The @code{pv} function
17606 finds the break-even point, @expr{x = 6479.44}, at which
17607 @code{fvl(9%, 4, 6479.44)} is also equal to 9146.26. This is
17608 the largest amount you should be willing to invest.
17612 The @kbd{I b P} [@code{pvb}] command solves the same problem,
17613 but with payments occurring at the beginning of each interval.
17614 It has the same relationship to @code{fvb} as @code{pv} has
17615 to @code{fv}. For example @code{pvb(9%, 4, 2000) = 7062.59},
17616 a larger number than @code{pv} produced because we get to start
17617 earning interest on the return from our investment sooner.
17621 The @kbd{H b P} [@code{pvl}] command computes the present value of
17622 an investment that will pay off in one lump sum at the end of the
17623 period. For example, if we get our $8000 all at the end of the
17624 four years, @code{pvl(9%, 4, 8000) = 5667.40}. This is much
17625 less than @code{pv} reported, because we don't earn any interest
17626 on the return from this investment. Note that @code{pvl} and
17627 @code{fvl} are simple inverses: @code{fvl(9%, 4, 5667.40) = 8000}.
17629 You can give an optional fourth lump-sum argument to @code{pv}
17630 and @code{pvb}; this is handled in exactly the same way as the
17631 fourth argument for @code{fv} and @code{fvb}.
17634 @pindex calc-fin-npv
17636 The @kbd{b N} (@code{calc-fin-npv}) [@code{npv}] command computes
17637 the net present value of a series of irregular investments.
17638 The first argument is the interest rate. The second argument is
17639 a vector which represents the expected return from the investment
17640 at the end of each interval. For example, if the rate represents
17641 a yearly interest rate, then the vector elements are the return
17642 from the first year, second year, and so on.
17644 Thus, @code{npv(9%, [2000,2000,2000,2000]) = pv(9%, 4, 2000) = 6479.44}.
17645 Obviously this function is more interesting when the payments are
17648 The @code{npv} function can actually have two or more arguments.
17649 Multiple arguments are interpreted in the same way as for the
17650 vector statistical functions like @code{vsum}.
17651 @xref{Single-Variable Statistics}. Basically, if there are several
17652 payment arguments, each either a vector or a plain number, all these
17653 values are collected left-to-right into the complete list of payments.
17654 A numeric prefix argument on the @kbd{b N} command says how many
17655 payment values or vectors to take from the stack.
17659 The @kbd{I b N} [@code{npvb}] command computes the net present
17660 value where payments occur at the beginning of each interval
17661 rather than at the end.
17663 @node Related Financial Functions, Depreciation Functions, Present Value, Financial Functions
17664 @subsection Related Financial Functions
17667 The functions in this section are basically inverses of the
17668 present value functions with respect to the various arguments.
17671 @pindex calc-fin-pmt
17673 The @kbd{b M} (@code{calc-fin-pmt}) [@code{pmt}] command computes
17674 the amount of periodic payment necessary to amortize a loan.
17675 Thus @code{pmt(@var{rate}, @var{n}, @var{amount})} equals the
17676 value of @var{payment} such that @code{pv(@var{rate}, @var{n},
17677 @var{payment}) = @var{amount}}.
17681 The @kbd{I b M} [@code{pmtb}] command does the same computation
17682 but using @code{pvb} instead of @code{pv}. Like @code{pv} and
17683 @code{pvb}, these functions can also take a fourth argument which
17684 represents an initial lump-sum investment.
17687 The @kbd{H b M} key just invokes the @code{fvl} function, which is
17688 the inverse of @code{pvl}. There is no explicit @code{pmtl} function.
17691 @pindex calc-fin-nper
17693 The @kbd{b #} (@code{calc-fin-nper}) [@code{nper}] command computes
17694 the number of regular payments necessary to amortize a loan.
17695 Thus @code{nper(@var{rate}, @var{payment}, @var{amount})} equals
17696 the value of @var{n} such that @code{pv(@var{rate}, @var{n},
17697 @var{payment}) = @var{amount}}. If @var{payment} is too small
17698 ever to amortize a loan for @var{amount} at interest rate @var{rate},
17699 the @code{nper} function is left in symbolic form.
17703 The @kbd{I b #} [@code{nperb}] command does the same computation
17704 but using @code{pvb} instead of @code{pv}. You can give a fourth
17705 lump-sum argument to these functions, but the computation will be
17706 rather slow in the four-argument case.
17710 The @kbd{H b #} [@code{nperl}] command does the same computation
17711 using @code{pvl}. By exchanging @var{payment} and @var{amount} you
17712 can also get the solution for @code{fvl}. For example,
17713 @code{nperl(8%, 2000, 1000) = 9.006}, so if you place $1000 in a
17714 bank account earning 8%, it will take nine years to grow to $2000.
17717 @pindex calc-fin-rate
17719 The @kbd{b T} (@code{calc-fin-rate}) [@code{rate}] command computes
17720 the rate of return on an investment. This is also an inverse of @code{pv}:
17721 @code{rate(@var{n}, @var{payment}, @var{amount})} computes the value of
17722 @var{rate} such that @code{pv(@var{rate}, @var{n}, @var{payment}) =
17723 @var{amount}}. The result is expressed as a formula like @samp{6.3%}.
17729 The @kbd{I b T} [@code{rateb}] and @kbd{H b T} [@code{ratel}]
17730 commands solve the analogous equations with @code{pvb} or @code{pvl}
17731 in place of @code{pv}. Also, @code{rate} and @code{rateb} can
17732 accept an optional fourth argument just like @code{pv} and @code{pvb}.
17733 To redo the above example from a different perspective,
17734 @code{ratel(9, 2000, 1000) = 8.00597%}, which says you will need an
17735 interest rate of 8% in order to double your account in nine years.
17738 @pindex calc-fin-irr
17740 The @kbd{b I} (@code{calc-fin-irr}) [@code{irr}] command is the
17741 analogous function to @code{rate} but for net present value.
17742 Its argument is a vector of payments. Thus @code{irr(@var{payments})}
17743 computes the @var{rate} such that @code{npv(@var{rate}, @var{payments}) = 0};
17744 this rate is known as the @dfn{internal rate of return}.
17748 The @kbd{I b I} [@code{irrb}] command computes the internal rate of
17749 return assuming payments occur at the beginning of each period.
17751 @node Depreciation Functions, Definitions of Financial Functions, Related Financial Functions, Financial Functions
17752 @subsection Depreciation Functions
17755 The functions in this section calculate @dfn{depreciation}, which is
17756 the amount of value that a possession loses over time. These functions
17757 are characterized by three parameters: @var{cost}, the original cost
17758 of the asset; @var{salvage}, the value the asset will have at the end
17759 of its expected ``useful life''; and @var{life}, the number of years
17760 (or other periods) of the expected useful life.
17762 There are several methods for calculating depreciation that differ in
17763 the way they spread the depreciation over the lifetime of the asset.
17766 @pindex calc-fin-sln
17768 The @kbd{b S} (@code{calc-fin-sln}) [@code{sln}] command computes the
17769 ``straight-line'' depreciation. In this method, the asset depreciates
17770 by the same amount every year (or period). For example,
17771 @samp{sln(12000, 2000, 5)} returns 2000. The asset costs $12000
17772 initially and will be worth $2000 after five years; it loses $2000
17776 @pindex calc-fin-syd
17778 The @kbd{b Y} (@code{calc-fin-syd}) [@code{syd}] command computes the
17779 accelerated ``sum-of-years'-digits'' depreciation. Here the depreciation
17780 is higher during the early years of the asset's life. Since the
17781 depreciation is different each year, @kbd{b Y} takes a fourth @var{period}
17782 parameter which specifies which year is requested, from 1 to @var{life}.
17783 If @var{period} is outside this range, the @code{syd} function will
17787 @pindex calc-fin-ddb
17789 The @kbd{b D} (@code{calc-fin-ddb}) [@code{ddb}] command computes an
17790 accelerated depreciation using the double-declining balance method.
17791 It also takes a fourth @var{period} parameter.
17793 For symmetry, the @code{sln} function will accept a @var{period}
17794 parameter as well, although it will ignore its value except that the
17795 return value will as usual be zero if @var{period} is out of range.
17797 For example, pushing the vector @expr{[1,2,3,4,5]} (perhaps with @kbd{v x 5})
17798 and then mapping @kbd{V M ' [sln(12000,2000,5,$), syd(12000,2000,5,$),
17799 ddb(12000,2000,5,$)] @key{RET}} produces a matrix that allows us to compare
17800 the three depreciation methods:
17804 [ [ 2000, 3333, 4800 ]
17805 [ 2000, 2667, 2880 ]
17806 [ 2000, 2000, 1728 ]
17807 [ 2000, 1333, 592 ]
17813 (Values have been rounded to nearest integers in this figure.)
17814 We see that @code{sln} depreciates by the same amount each year,
17815 @kbd{syd} depreciates more at the beginning and less at the end,
17816 and @kbd{ddb} weights the depreciation even more toward the beginning.
17818 Summing columns with @kbd{V R : +} yields @expr{[10000, 10000, 10000]};
17819 the total depreciation in any method is (by definition) the
17820 difference between the cost and the salvage value.
17822 @node Definitions of Financial Functions, , Depreciation Functions, Financial Functions
17823 @subsection Definitions
17826 For your reference, here are the actual formulas used to compute
17827 Calc's financial functions.
17829 Calc will not evaluate a financial function unless the @var{rate} or
17830 @var{n} argument is known. However, @var{payment} or @var{amount} can
17831 be a variable. Calc expands these functions according to the
17832 formulas below for symbolic arguments only when you use the @kbd{a "}
17833 (@code{calc-expand-formula}) command, or when taking derivatives or
17834 integrals or solving equations involving the functions.
17837 These formulas are shown using the conventions of Big display
17838 mode (@kbd{d B}); for example, the formula for @code{fv} written
17839 linearly is @samp{pmt * ((1 + rate)^n) - 1) / rate}.
17844 fv(rate, n, pmt) = pmt * ---------------
17848 ((1 + rate) - 1) (1 + rate)
17849 fvb(rate, n, pmt) = pmt * ----------------------------
17853 fvl(rate, n, pmt) = pmt * (1 + rate)
17857 pv(rate, n, pmt) = pmt * ----------------
17861 (1 - (1 + rate) ) (1 + rate)
17862 pvb(rate, n, pmt) = pmt * -----------------------------
17866 pvl(rate, n, pmt) = pmt * (1 + rate)
17869 npv(rate, [a, b, c]) = a*(1 + rate) + b*(1 + rate) + c*(1 + rate)
17872 npvb(rate, [a, b, c]) = a + b*(1 + rate) + c*(1 + rate)
17875 (amt - x * (1 + rate) ) * rate
17876 pmt(rate, n, amt, x) = -------------------------------
17881 (amt - x * (1 + rate) ) * rate
17882 pmtb(rate, n, amt, x) = -------------------------------
17884 (1 - (1 + rate) ) (1 + rate)
17887 nper(rate, pmt, amt) = - log(1 - ------------, 1 + rate)
17891 nperb(rate, pmt, amt) = - log(1 - ---------------, 1 + rate)
17895 nperl(rate, pmt, amt) = - log(---, 1 + rate)
17900 ratel(n, pmt, amt) = ------ - 1
17905 sln(cost, salv, life) = -----------
17908 (cost - salv) * (life - per + 1)
17909 syd(cost, salv, life, per) = --------------------------------
17910 life * (life + 1) / 2
17913 ddb(cost, salv, life, per) = --------, book = cost - depreciation so far
17918 $$ \code{fv}(r, n, p) = p { (1 + r)^n - 1 \over r } $$
17919 $$ \code{fvb}(r, n, p) = p { ((1 + r)^n - 1) (1 + r) \over r } $$
17920 $$ \code{fvl}(r, n, p) = p (1 + r)^n $$
17921 $$ \code{pv}(r, n, p) = p { 1 - (1 + r)^{-n} \over r } $$
17922 $$ \code{pvb}(r, n, p) = p { (1 - (1 + r)^{-n}) (1 + r) \over r } $$
17923 $$ \code{pvl}(r, n, p) = p (1 + r)^{-n} $$
17924 $$ \code{npv}(r, [a,b,c]) = a (1 + r)^{-1} + b (1 + r)^{-2} + c (1 + r)^{-3} $$
17925 $$ \code{npvb}(r, [a,b,c]) = a + b (1 + r)^{-1} + c (1 + r)^{-2} $$
17926 $$ \code{pmt}(r, n, a, x) = { (a - x (1 + r)^{-n}) r \over 1 - (1 + r)^{-n} }$$
17927 $$ \code{pmtb}(r, n, a, x) = { (a - x (1 + r)^{-n}) r \over
17928 (1 - (1 + r)^{-n}) (1 + r) } $$
17929 $$ \code{nper}(r, p, a) = -\code{log}(1 - { a r \over p }, 1 + r) $$
17930 $$ \code{nperb}(r, p, a) = -\code{log}(1 - { a r \over p (1 + r) }, 1 + r) $$
17931 $$ \code{nperl}(r, p, a) = -\code{log}({a \over p}, 1 + r) $$
17932 $$ \code{ratel}(n, p, a) = { p^{1/n} \over a^{1/n} } - 1 $$
17933 $$ \code{sln}(c, s, l) = { c - s \over l } $$
17934 $$ \code{syd}(c, s, l, p) = { (c - s) (l - p + 1) \over l (l+1) / 2 } $$
17935 $$ \code{ddb}(c, s, l, p) = { 2 (c - \hbox{depreciation so far}) \over l } $$
17939 In @code{pmt} and @code{pmtb}, @expr{x=0} if omitted.
17941 These functions accept any numeric objects, including error forms,
17942 intervals, and even (though not very usefully) complex numbers. The
17943 above formulas specify exactly the behavior of these functions with
17944 all sorts of inputs.
17946 Note that if the first argument to the @code{log} in @code{nper} is
17947 negative, @code{nper} leaves itself in symbolic form rather than
17948 returning a (financially meaningless) complex number.
17950 @samp{rate(num, pmt, amt)} solves the equation
17951 @samp{pv(rate, num, pmt) = amt} for @samp{rate} using @kbd{H a R}
17952 (@code{calc-find-root}), with the interval @samp{[.01% .. 100%]}
17953 for an initial guess. The @code{rateb} function is the same except
17954 that it uses @code{pvb}. Note that @code{ratel} can be solved
17955 directly; its formula is shown in the above list.
17957 Similarly, @samp{irr(pmts)} solves the equation @samp{npv(rate, pmts) = 0}
17960 If you give a fourth argument to @code{nper} or @code{nperb}, Calc
17961 will also use @kbd{H a R} to solve the equation using an initial
17962 guess interval of @samp{[0 .. 100]}.
17964 A fourth argument to @code{fv} simply sums the two components
17965 calculated from the above formulas for @code{fv} and @code{fvl}.
17966 The same is true of @code{fvb}, @code{pv}, and @code{pvb}.
17968 The @kbd{ddb} function is computed iteratively; the ``book'' value
17969 starts out equal to @var{cost}, and decreases according to the above
17970 formula for the specified number of periods. If the book value
17971 would decrease below @var{salvage}, it only decreases to @var{salvage}
17972 and the depreciation is zero for all subsequent periods. The @code{ddb}
17973 function returns the amount the book value decreased in the specified
17976 @node Binary Functions, , Financial Functions, Arithmetic
17977 @section Binary Number Functions
17980 The commands in this chapter all use two-letter sequences beginning with
17981 the @kbd{b} prefix.
17983 @cindex Binary numbers
17984 The ``binary'' operations actually work regardless of the currently
17985 displayed radix, although their results make the most sense in a radix
17986 like 2, 8, or 16 (as obtained by the @kbd{d 2}, @kbd{d 8}, or @w{@kbd{d 6}}
17987 commands, respectively). You may also wish to enable display of leading
17988 zeros with @kbd{d z}. @xref{Radix Modes}.
17990 @cindex Word size for binary operations
17991 The Calculator maintains a current @dfn{word size} @expr{w}, an
17992 arbitrary positive or negative integer. For a positive word size, all
17993 of the binary operations described here operate modulo @expr{2^w}. In
17994 particular, negative arguments are converted to positive integers modulo
17995 @expr{2^w} by all binary functions.
17997 If the word size is negative, binary operations produce twos-complement
17999 @texline @math{-2^{-w-1}}
18000 @infoline @expr{-(2^(-w-1))}
18002 @texline @math{2^{-w-1}-1}
18003 @infoline @expr{2^(-w-1)-1}
18004 inclusive. Either mode accepts inputs in any range; the sign of
18005 @expr{w} affects only the results produced.
18010 The @kbd{b c} (@code{calc-clip})
18011 [@code{clip}] command can be used to clip a number by reducing it modulo
18012 @expr{2^w}. The commands described in this chapter automatically clip
18013 their results to the current word size. Note that other operations like
18014 addition do not use the current word size, since integer addition
18015 generally is not ``binary.'' (However, @pxref{Simplification Modes},
18016 @code{calc-bin-simplify-mode}.) For example, with a word size of 8
18017 bits @kbd{b c} converts a number to the range 0 to 255; with a word
18018 size of @mathit{-8} @kbd{b c} converts to the range @mathit{-128} to 127.
18021 @pindex calc-word-size
18022 The default word size is 32 bits. All operations except the shifts and
18023 rotates allow you to specify a different word size for that one
18024 operation by giving a numeric prefix argument: @kbd{C-u 8 b c} clips the
18025 top of stack to the range 0 to 255 regardless of the current word size.
18026 To set the word size permanently, use @kbd{b w} (@code{calc-word-size}).
18027 This command displays a prompt with the current word size; press @key{RET}
18028 immediately to keep this word size, or type a new word size at the prompt.
18030 When the binary operations are written in symbolic form, they take an
18031 optional second (or third) word-size parameter. When a formula like
18032 @samp{and(a,b)} is finally evaluated, the word size current at that time
18033 will be used, but when @samp{and(a,b,-8)} is evaluated, a word size of
18034 @mathit{-8} will always be used. A symbolic binary function will be left
18035 in symbolic form unless the all of its argument(s) are integers or
18036 integer-valued floats.
18038 If either or both arguments are modulo forms for which @expr{M} is a
18039 power of two, that power of two is taken as the word size unless a
18040 numeric prefix argument overrides it. The current word size is never
18041 consulted when modulo-power-of-two forms are involved.
18046 The @kbd{b a} (@code{calc-and}) [@code{and}] command computes the bitwise
18047 AND of the two numbers on the top of the stack. In other words, for each
18048 of the @expr{w} binary digits of the two numbers (pairwise), the corresponding
18049 bit of the result is 1 if and only if both input bits are 1:
18050 @samp{and(2#1100, 2#1010) = 2#1000}.
18055 The @kbd{b o} (@code{calc-or}) [@code{or}] command computes the bitwise
18056 inclusive OR of two numbers. A bit is 1 if either of the input bits, or
18057 both, are 1: @samp{or(2#1100, 2#1010) = 2#1110}.
18062 The @kbd{b x} (@code{calc-xor}) [@code{xor}] command computes the bitwise
18063 exclusive OR of two numbers. A bit is 1 if exactly one of the input bits
18064 is 1: @samp{xor(2#1100, 2#1010) = 2#0110}.
18069 The @kbd{b d} (@code{calc-diff}) [@code{diff}] command computes the bitwise
18070 difference of two numbers; this is defined by @samp{diff(a,b) = and(a,not(b))},
18071 so that @samp{diff(2#1100, 2#1010) = 2#0100}.
18076 The @kbd{b n} (@code{calc-not}) [@code{not}] command computes the bitwise
18077 NOT of a number. A bit is 1 if the input bit is 0 and vice-versa.
18080 @pindex calc-lshift-binary
18082 The @kbd{b l} (@code{calc-lshift-binary}) [@code{lsh}] command shifts a
18083 number left by one bit, or by the number of bits specified in the numeric
18084 prefix argument. A negative prefix argument performs a logical right shift,
18085 in which zeros are shifted in on the left. In symbolic form, @samp{lsh(a)}
18086 is short for @samp{lsh(a,1)}, which in turn is short for @samp{lsh(a,n,w)}.
18087 Bits shifted ``off the end,'' according to the current word size, are lost.
18103 The @kbd{H b l} command also does a left shift, but it takes two arguments
18104 from the stack (the value to shift, and, at top-of-stack, the number of
18105 bits to shift). This version interprets the prefix argument just like
18106 the regular binary operations, i.e., as a word size. The Hyperbolic flag
18107 has a similar effect on the rest of the binary shift and rotate commands.
18110 @pindex calc-rshift-binary
18112 The @kbd{b r} (@code{calc-rshift-binary}) [@code{rsh}] command shifts a
18113 number right by one bit, or by the number of bits specified in the numeric
18114 prefix argument: @samp{rsh(a,n) = lsh(a,-n)}.
18117 @pindex calc-lshift-arith
18119 The @kbd{b L} (@code{calc-lshift-arith}) [@code{ash}] command shifts a
18120 number left. It is analogous to @code{lsh}, except that if the shift
18121 is rightward (the prefix argument is negative), an arithmetic shift
18122 is performed as described below.
18125 @pindex calc-rshift-arith
18127 The @kbd{b R} (@code{calc-rshift-arith}) [@code{rash}] command performs
18128 an ``arithmetic'' shift to the right, in which the leftmost bit (according
18129 to the current word size) is duplicated rather than shifting in zeros.
18130 This corresponds to dividing by a power of two where the input is interpreted
18131 as a signed, twos-complement number. (The distinction between the @samp{rsh}
18132 and @samp{rash} operations is totally independent from whether the word
18133 size is positive or negative.) With a negative prefix argument, this
18134 performs a standard left shift.
18137 @pindex calc-rotate-binary
18139 The @kbd{b t} (@code{calc-rotate-binary}) [@code{rot}] command rotates a
18140 number one bit to the left. The leftmost bit (according to the current
18141 word size) is dropped off the left and shifted in on the right. With a
18142 numeric prefix argument, the number is rotated that many bits to the left
18145 @xref{Set Operations}, for the @kbd{b p} and @kbd{b u} commands that
18146 pack and unpack binary integers into sets. (For example, @kbd{b u}
18147 unpacks the number @samp{2#11001} to the set of bit-numbers
18148 @samp{[0, 3, 4]}.) Type @kbd{b u V #} to count the number of ``1''
18149 bits in a binary integer.
18151 Another interesting use of the set representation of binary integers
18152 is to reverse the bits in, say, a 32-bit integer. Type @kbd{b u} to
18153 unpack; type @kbd{31 @key{TAB} -} to replace each bit-number in the set
18154 with 31 minus that bit-number; type @kbd{b p} to pack the set back
18155 into a binary integer.
18157 @node Scientific Functions, Matrix Functions, Arithmetic, Top
18158 @chapter Scientific Functions
18161 The functions described here perform trigonometric and other transcendental
18162 calculations. They generally produce floating-point answers correct to the
18163 full current precision. The @kbd{H} (Hyperbolic) and @kbd{I} (Inverse)
18164 flag keys must be used to get some of these functions from the keyboard.
18168 @cindex @code{pi} variable
18171 @cindex @code{e} variable
18174 @cindex @code{gamma} variable
18176 @cindex Gamma constant, Euler's
18177 @cindex Euler's gamma constant
18179 @cindex @code{phi} variable
18180 @cindex Phi, golden ratio
18181 @cindex Golden ratio
18182 One miscellaneous command is shift-@kbd{P} (@code{calc-pi}), which pushes
18183 the value of @cpi{} (at the current precision) onto the stack. With the
18184 Hyperbolic flag, it pushes the value @expr{e}, the base of natural logarithms.
18185 With the Inverse flag, it pushes Euler's constant
18186 @texline @math{\gamma}
18187 @infoline @expr{gamma}
18188 (about 0.5772). With both Inverse and Hyperbolic, it
18189 pushes the ``golden ratio''
18190 @texline @math{\phi}
18191 @infoline @expr{phi}
18192 (about 1.618). (At present, Euler's constant is not available
18193 to unlimited precision; Calc knows only the first 100 digits.)
18194 In Symbolic mode, these commands push the
18195 actual variables @samp{pi}, @samp{e}, @samp{gamma}, and @samp{phi},
18196 respectively, instead of their values; @pxref{Symbolic Mode}.
18206 The @kbd{Q} (@code{calc-sqrt}) [@code{sqrt}] function is described elsewhere;
18207 @pxref{Basic Arithmetic}. With the Inverse flag [@code{sqr}], this command
18208 computes the square of the argument.
18210 @xref{Prefix Arguments}, for a discussion of the effect of numeric
18211 prefix arguments on commands in this chapter which do not otherwise
18212 interpret a prefix argument.
18215 * Logarithmic Functions::
18216 * Trigonometric and Hyperbolic Functions::
18217 * Advanced Math Functions::
18220 * Combinatorial Functions::
18221 * Probability Distribution Functions::
18224 @node Logarithmic Functions, Trigonometric and Hyperbolic Functions, Scientific Functions, Scientific Functions
18225 @section Logarithmic Functions
18235 The shift-@kbd{L} (@code{calc-ln}) [@code{ln}] command computes the natural
18236 logarithm of the real or complex number on the top of the stack. With
18237 the Inverse flag it computes the exponential function instead, although
18238 this is redundant with the @kbd{E} command.
18247 The shift-@kbd{E} (@code{calc-exp}) [@code{exp}] command computes the
18248 exponential, i.e., @expr{e} raised to the power of the number on the stack.
18249 The meanings of the Inverse and Hyperbolic flags follow from those for
18250 the @code{calc-ln} command.
18265 The @kbd{H L} (@code{calc-log10}) [@code{log10}] command computes the common
18266 (base-10) logarithm of a number. (With the Inverse flag [@code{exp10}],
18267 it raises ten to a given power.) Note that the common logarithm of a
18268 complex number is computed by taking the natural logarithm and dividing
18270 @texline @math{\ln10}.
18271 @infoline @expr{ln(10)}.
18278 The @kbd{B} (@code{calc-log}) [@code{log}] command computes a logarithm
18279 to any base. For example, @kbd{1024 @key{RET} 2 B} produces 10, since
18280 @texline @math{2^{10} = 1024}.
18281 @infoline @expr{2^10 = 1024}.
18282 In certain cases like @samp{log(3,9)}, the result
18283 will be either @expr{1:2} or @expr{0.5} depending on the current Fraction
18284 mode setting. With the Inverse flag [@code{alog}], this command is
18285 similar to @kbd{^} except that the order of the arguments is reversed.
18290 The @kbd{f I} (@code{calc-ilog}) [@code{ilog}] command computes the
18291 integer logarithm of a number to any base. The number and the base must
18292 themselves be positive integers. This is the true logarithm, rounded
18293 down to an integer. Thus @kbd{ilog(x,10)} is 3 for all @expr{x} in the
18294 range from 1000 to 9999. If both arguments are positive integers, exact
18295 integer arithmetic is used; otherwise, this is equivalent to
18296 @samp{floor(log(x,b))}.
18301 The @kbd{f E} (@code{calc-expm1}) [@code{expm1}] command computes
18302 @texline @math{e^x - 1},
18303 @infoline @expr{exp(x)-1},
18304 but using an algorithm that produces a more accurate
18305 answer when the result is close to zero, i.e., when
18306 @texline @math{e^x}
18307 @infoline @expr{exp(x)}
18313 The @kbd{f L} (@code{calc-lnp1}) [@code{lnp1}] command computes
18314 @texline @math{\ln(x+1)},
18315 @infoline @expr{ln(x+1)},
18316 producing a more accurate answer when @expr{x} is close to zero.
18318 @node Trigonometric and Hyperbolic Functions, Advanced Math Functions, Logarithmic Functions, Scientific Functions
18319 @section Trigonometric/Hyperbolic Functions
18325 The shift-@kbd{S} (@code{calc-sin}) [@code{sin}] command computes the sine
18326 of an angle or complex number. If the input is an HMS form, it is interpreted
18327 as degrees-minutes-seconds; otherwise, the input is interpreted according
18328 to the current angular mode. It is best to use Radians mode when operating
18329 on complex numbers.
18331 Calc's ``units'' mechanism includes angular units like @code{deg},
18332 @code{rad}, and @code{grad}. While @samp{sin(45 deg)} is not evaluated
18333 all the time, the @kbd{u s} (@code{calc-simplify-units}) command will
18334 simplify @samp{sin(45 deg)} by taking the sine of 45 degrees, regardless
18335 of the current angular mode. @xref{Basic Operations on Units}.
18337 Also, the symbolic variable @code{pi} is not ordinarily recognized in
18338 arguments to trigonometric functions, as in @samp{sin(3 pi / 4)}, but
18339 the @kbd{a s} (@code{calc-simplify}) command recognizes many such
18340 formulas when the current angular mode is Radians @emph{and} Symbolic
18341 mode is enabled; this example would be replaced by @samp{sqrt(2) / 2}.
18342 @xref{Symbolic Mode}. Beware, this simplification occurs even if you
18343 have stored a different value in the variable @samp{pi}; this is one
18344 reason why changing built-in variables is a bad idea. Arguments of
18345 the form @expr{x} plus a multiple of @cpiover{2} are also simplified.
18346 Calc includes similar formulas for @code{cos} and @code{tan}.
18348 The @kbd{a s} command knows all angles which are integer multiples of
18349 @cpiover{12}, @cpiover{10}, or @cpiover{8} radians. In Degrees mode,
18350 analogous simplifications occur for integer multiples of 15 or 18
18351 degrees, and for arguments plus multiples of 90 degrees.
18354 @pindex calc-arcsin
18356 With the Inverse flag, @code{calc-sin} computes an arcsine. This is also
18357 available as the @code{calc-arcsin} command or @code{arcsin} algebraic
18358 function. The returned argument is converted to degrees, radians, or HMS
18359 notation depending on the current angular mode.
18365 @pindex calc-arcsinh
18367 With the Hyperbolic flag, @code{calc-sin} computes the hyperbolic
18368 sine, also available as @code{calc-sinh} [@code{sinh}]. With the
18369 Hyperbolic and Inverse flags, it computes the hyperbolic arcsine
18370 (@code{calc-arcsinh}) [@code{arcsinh}].
18379 @pindex calc-arccos
18397 @pindex calc-arccosh
18415 @pindex calc-arctan
18433 @pindex calc-arctanh
18438 The shift-@kbd{C} (@code{calc-cos}) [@code{cos}] command computes the cosine
18439 of an angle or complex number, and shift-@kbd{T} (@code{calc-tan}) [@code{tan}]
18440 computes the tangent, along with all the various inverse and hyperbolic
18441 variants of these functions.
18444 @pindex calc-arctan2
18446 The @kbd{f T} (@code{calc-arctan2}) [@code{arctan2}] command takes two
18447 numbers from the stack and computes the arc tangent of their ratio. The
18448 result is in the full range from @mathit{-180} (exclusive) to @mathit{+180}
18449 (inclusive) degrees, or the analogous range in radians. A similar
18450 result would be obtained with @kbd{/} followed by @kbd{I T}, but the
18451 value would only be in the range from @mathit{-90} to @mathit{+90} degrees
18452 since the division loses information about the signs of the two
18453 components, and an error might result from an explicit division by zero
18454 which @code{arctan2} would avoid. By (arbitrary) definition,
18455 @samp{arctan2(0,0)=0}.
18457 @pindex calc-sincos
18469 The @code{calc-sincos} [@code{sincos}] command computes the sine and
18470 cosine of a number, returning them as a vector of the form
18471 @samp{[@var{cos}, @var{sin}]}.
18472 With the Inverse flag [@code{arcsincos}], this command takes a two-element
18473 vector as an argument and computes @code{arctan2} of the elements.
18474 (This command does not accept the Hyperbolic flag.)
18488 The remaining trigonometric functions, @code{calc-sec} [@code{sec}],
18489 @code{calc-csc} [@code{csc}] and @code{calc-cot} [@code{cot}], are also
18490 available. With the Hyperbolic flag, these compute their hyperbolic
18491 counterparts, which are also available separately as @code{calc-sech}
18492 [@code{sech}], @code{calc-csch} [@code{csch}] and @code{calc-coth}
18493 [@code{coth}]. (These commands do not accept the Inverse flag.)
18495 @node Advanced Math Functions, Branch Cuts, Trigonometric and Hyperbolic Functions, Scientific Functions
18496 @section Advanced Mathematical Functions
18499 Calc can compute a variety of less common functions that arise in
18500 various branches of mathematics. All of the functions described in
18501 this section allow arbitrary complex arguments and, except as noted,
18502 will work to arbitrarily large precisions. They can not at present
18503 handle error forms or intervals as arguments.
18505 NOTE: These functions are still experimental. In particular, their
18506 accuracy is not guaranteed in all domains. It is advisable to set the
18507 current precision comfortably higher than you actually need when
18508 using these functions. Also, these functions may be impractically
18509 slow for some values of the arguments.
18514 The @kbd{f g} (@code{calc-gamma}) [@code{gamma}] command computes the Euler
18515 gamma function. For positive integer arguments, this is related to the
18516 factorial function: @samp{gamma(n+1) = fact(n)}. For general complex
18517 arguments the gamma function can be defined by the following definite
18519 @texline @math{\Gamma(a) = \int_0^\infty t^{a-1} e^t dt}.
18520 @infoline @expr{gamma(a) = integ(t^(a-1) exp(t), t, 0, inf)}.
18521 (The actual implementation uses far more efficient computational methods.)
18537 @pindex calc-inc-gamma
18550 The @kbd{f G} (@code{calc-inc-gamma}) [@code{gammaP}] command computes
18551 the incomplete gamma function, denoted @samp{P(a,x)}. This is defined by
18553 @texline @math{P(a,x) = \left( \int_0^x t^{a-1} e^t dt \right) / \Gamma(a)}.
18554 @infoline @expr{gammaP(a,x) = integ(t^(a-1) exp(t), t, 0, x) / gamma(a)}.
18555 This implies that @samp{gammaP(a,inf) = 1} for any @expr{a} (see the
18556 definition of the normal gamma function).
18558 Several other varieties of incomplete gamma function are defined.
18559 The complement of @expr{P(a,x)}, called @expr{Q(a,x) = 1-P(a,x)} by
18560 some authors, is computed by the @kbd{I f G} [@code{gammaQ}] command.
18561 You can think of this as taking the other half of the integral, from
18562 @expr{x} to infinity.
18565 The functions corresponding to the integrals that define @expr{P(a,x)}
18566 and @expr{Q(a,x)} but without the normalizing @expr{1/gamma(a)}
18567 factor are called @expr{g(a,x)} and @expr{G(a,x)}, respectively
18568 (where @expr{g} and @expr{G} represent the lower- and upper-case Greek
18569 letter gamma). You can obtain these using the @kbd{H f G} [@code{gammag}]
18570 and @kbd{H I f G} [@code{gammaG}] commands.
18573 The functions corresponding to the integrals that define $P(a,x)$
18574 and $Q(a,x)$ but without the normalizing $1/\Gamma(a)$
18575 factor are called $\gamma(a,x)$ and $\Gamma(a,x)$, respectively.
18576 You can obtain these using the \kbd{H f G} [\code{gammag}] and
18577 \kbd{I H f G} [\code{gammaG}] commands.
18583 The @kbd{f b} (@code{calc-beta}) [@code{beta}] command computes the
18584 Euler beta function, which is defined in terms of the gamma function as
18585 @texline @math{B(a,b) = \Gamma(a) \Gamma(b) / \Gamma(a+b)},
18586 @infoline @expr{beta(a,b) = gamma(a) gamma(b) / gamma(a+b)},
18588 @texline @math{B(a,b) = \int_0^1 t^{a-1} (1-t)^{b-1} dt}.
18589 @infoline @expr{beta(a,b) = integ(t^(a-1) (1-t)^(b-1), t, 0, 1)}.
18593 @pindex calc-inc-beta
18596 The @kbd{f B} (@code{calc-inc-beta}) [@code{betaI}] command computes
18597 the incomplete beta function @expr{I(x,a,b)}. It is defined by
18598 @texline @math{I(x,a,b) = \left( \int_0^x t^{a-1} (1-t)^{b-1} dt \right) / B(a,b)}.
18599 @infoline @expr{betaI(x,a,b) = integ(t^(a-1) (1-t)^(b-1), t, 0, x) / beta(a,b)}.
18600 Once again, the @kbd{H} (hyperbolic) prefix gives the corresponding
18601 un-normalized version [@code{betaB}].
18608 The @kbd{f e} (@code{calc-erf}) [@code{erf}] command computes the
18610 @texline @math{\hbox{erf}(x) = {2 \over \sqrt{\pi}} \int_0^x e^{-t^2} dt}.
18611 @infoline @expr{erf(x) = 2 integ(exp(-(t^2)), t, 0, x) / sqrt(pi)}.
18612 The complementary error function @kbd{I f e} (@code{calc-erfc}) [@code{erfc}]
18613 is the corresponding integral from @samp{x} to infinity; the sum
18614 @texline @math{\hbox{erf}(x) + \hbox{erfc}(x) = 1}.
18615 @infoline @expr{erf(x) + erfc(x) = 1}.
18619 @pindex calc-bessel-J
18620 @pindex calc-bessel-Y
18623 The @kbd{f j} (@code{calc-bessel-J}) [@code{besJ}] and @kbd{f y}
18624 (@code{calc-bessel-Y}) [@code{besY}] commands compute the Bessel
18625 functions of the first and second kinds, respectively.
18626 In @samp{besJ(n,x)} and @samp{besY(n,x)} the ``order'' parameter
18627 @expr{n} is often an integer, but is not required to be one.
18628 Calc's implementation of the Bessel functions currently limits the
18629 precision to 8 digits, and may not be exact even to that precision.
18632 @node Branch Cuts, Random Numbers, Advanced Math Functions, Scientific Functions
18633 @section Branch Cuts and Principal Values
18636 @cindex Branch cuts
18637 @cindex Principal values
18638 All of the logarithmic, trigonometric, and other scientific functions are
18639 defined for complex numbers as well as for reals.
18640 This section describes the values
18641 returned in cases where the general result is a family of possible values.
18642 Calc follows section 12.5.3 of Steele's @dfn{Common Lisp, the Language},
18643 second edition, in these matters. This section will describe each
18644 function briefly; for a more detailed discussion (including some nifty
18645 diagrams), consult Steele's book.
18647 Note that the branch cuts for @code{arctan} and @code{arctanh} were
18648 changed between the first and second editions of Steele. Recent
18649 versions of Calc follow the second edition.
18651 The new branch cuts exactly match those of the HP-28/48 calculators.
18652 They also match those of Mathematica 1.2, except that Mathematica's
18653 @code{arctan} cut is always in the right half of the complex plane,
18654 and its @code{arctanh} cut is always in the top half of the plane.
18655 Calc's cuts are continuous with quadrants I and III for @code{arctan},
18656 or II and IV for @code{arctanh}.
18658 Note: The current implementations of these functions with complex arguments
18659 are designed with proper behavior around the branch cuts in mind, @emph{not}
18660 efficiency or accuracy. You may need to increase the floating precision
18661 and wait a while to get suitable answers from them.
18663 For @samp{sqrt(a+bi)}: When @expr{a<0} and @expr{b} is small but positive
18664 or zero, the result is close to the @expr{+i} axis. For @expr{b} small and
18665 negative, the result is close to the @expr{-i} axis. The result always lies
18666 in the right half of the complex plane.
18668 For @samp{ln(a+bi)}: The real part is defined as @samp{ln(abs(a+bi))}.
18669 The imaginary part is defined as @samp{arg(a+bi) = arctan2(b,a)}.
18670 Thus the branch cuts for @code{sqrt} and @code{ln} both lie on the
18671 negative real axis.
18673 The following table describes these branch cuts in another way.
18674 If the real and imaginary parts of @expr{z} are as shown, then
18675 the real and imaginary parts of @expr{f(z)} will be as shown.
18676 Here @code{eps} stands for a small positive value; each
18677 occurrence of @code{eps} may stand for a different small value.
18681 ----------------------------------------
18684 -, +eps +eps, + +eps, +
18685 -, -eps +eps, - +eps, -
18688 For @samp{z1^z2}: This is defined by @samp{exp(ln(z1)*z2)}.
18689 One interesting consequence of this is that @samp{(-8)^1:3} does
18690 not evaluate to @mathit{-2} as you might expect, but to the complex
18691 number @expr{(1., 1.732)}. Both of these are valid cube roots
18692 of @mathit{-8} (as is @expr{(1., -1.732)}); Calc chooses a perhaps
18693 less-obvious root for the sake of mathematical consistency.
18695 For @samp{arcsin(z)}: This is defined by @samp{-i*ln(i*z + sqrt(1-z^2))}.
18696 The branch cuts are on the real axis, less than @mathit{-1} and greater than 1.
18698 For @samp{arccos(z)}: This is defined by @samp{-i*ln(z + i*sqrt(1-z^2))},
18699 or equivalently by @samp{pi/2 - arcsin(z)}. The branch cuts are on
18700 the real axis, less than @mathit{-1} and greater than 1.
18702 For @samp{arctan(z)}: This is defined by
18703 @samp{(ln(1+i*z) - ln(1-i*z)) / (2*i)}. The branch cuts are on the
18704 imaginary axis, below @expr{-i} and above @expr{i}.
18706 For @samp{arcsinh(z)}: This is defined by @samp{ln(z + sqrt(1+z^2))}.
18707 The branch cuts are on the imaginary axis, below @expr{-i} and
18710 For @samp{arccosh(z)}: This is defined by
18711 @samp{ln(z + (z+1)*sqrt((z-1)/(z+1)))}. The branch cut is on the
18712 real axis less than 1.
18714 For @samp{arctanh(z)}: This is defined by @samp{(ln(1+z) - ln(1-z)) / 2}.
18715 The branch cuts are on the real axis, less than @mathit{-1} and greater than 1.
18717 The following tables for @code{arcsin}, @code{arccos}, and
18718 @code{arctan} assume the current angular mode is Radians. The
18719 hyperbolic functions operate independently of the angular mode.
18722 z arcsin(z) arccos(z)
18723 -------------------------------------------------------
18724 (-1..1), 0 (-pi/2..pi/2), 0 (0..pi), 0
18725 (-1..1), +eps (-pi/2..pi/2), +eps (0..pi), -eps
18726 (-1..1), -eps (-pi/2..pi/2), -eps (0..pi), +eps
18727 <-1, 0 -pi/2, + pi, -
18728 <-1, +eps -pi/2 + eps, + pi - eps, -
18729 <-1, -eps -pi/2 + eps, - pi - eps, +
18731 >1, +eps pi/2 - eps, + +eps, -
18732 >1, -eps pi/2 - eps, - +eps, +
18736 z arccosh(z) arctanh(z)
18737 -----------------------------------------------------
18738 (-1..1), 0 0, (0..pi) any, 0
18739 (-1..1), +eps +eps, (0..pi) any, +eps
18740 (-1..1), -eps +eps, (-pi..0) any, -eps
18741 <-1, 0 +, pi -, pi/2
18742 <-1, +eps +, pi - eps -, pi/2 - eps
18743 <-1, -eps +, -pi + eps -, -pi/2 + eps
18744 >1, 0 +, 0 +, -pi/2
18745 >1, +eps +, +eps +, pi/2 - eps
18746 >1, -eps +, -eps +, -pi/2 + eps
18750 z arcsinh(z) arctan(z)
18751 -----------------------------------------------------
18752 0, (-1..1) 0, (-pi/2..pi/2) 0, any
18753 0, <-1 -, -pi/2 -pi/2, -
18754 +eps, <-1 +, -pi/2 + eps pi/2 - eps, -
18755 -eps, <-1 -, -pi/2 + eps -pi/2 + eps, -
18756 0, >1 +, pi/2 pi/2, +
18757 +eps, >1 +, pi/2 - eps pi/2 - eps, +
18758 -eps, >1 -, pi/2 - eps -pi/2 + eps, +
18761 Finally, the following identities help to illustrate the relationship
18762 between the complex trigonometric and hyperbolic functions. They
18763 are valid everywhere, including on the branch cuts.
18766 sin(i*z) = i*sinh(z) arcsin(i*z) = i*arcsinh(z)
18767 cos(i*z) = cosh(z) arcsinh(i*z) = i*arcsin(z)
18768 tan(i*z) = i*tanh(z) arctan(i*z) = i*arctanh(z)
18769 sinh(i*z) = i*sin(z) cosh(i*z) = cos(z)
18772 The ``advanced math'' functions (gamma, Bessel, etc.@:) are also defined
18773 for general complex arguments, but their branch cuts and principal values
18774 are not rigorously specified at present.
18776 @node Random Numbers, Combinatorial Functions, Branch Cuts, Scientific Functions
18777 @section Random Numbers
18781 @pindex calc-random
18783 The @kbd{k r} (@code{calc-random}) [@code{random}] command produces
18784 random numbers of various sorts.
18786 Given a positive numeric prefix argument @expr{M}, it produces a random
18787 integer @expr{N} in the range
18788 @texline @math{0 \le N < M}.
18789 @infoline @expr{0 <= N < M}.
18790 Each possible value @expr{N} appears with equal probability.
18792 With no numeric prefix argument, the @kbd{k r} command takes its argument
18793 from the stack instead. Once again, if this is a positive integer @expr{M}
18794 the result is a random integer less than @expr{M}. However, note that
18795 while numeric prefix arguments are limited to six digits or so, an @expr{M}
18796 taken from the stack can be arbitrarily large. If @expr{M} is negative,
18797 the result is a random integer in the range
18798 @texline @math{M < N \le 0}.
18799 @infoline @expr{M < N <= 0}.
18801 If the value on the stack is a floating-point number @expr{M}, the result
18802 is a random floating-point number @expr{N} in the range
18803 @texline @math{0 \le N < M}
18804 @infoline @expr{0 <= N < M}
18806 @texline @math{M < N \le 0},
18807 @infoline @expr{M < N <= 0},
18808 according to the sign of @expr{M}.
18810 If @expr{M} is zero, the result is a Gaussian-distributed random real
18811 number; the distribution has a mean of zero and a standard deviation
18812 of one. The algorithm used generates random numbers in pairs; thus,
18813 every other call to this function will be especially fast.
18815 If @expr{M} is an error form
18816 @texline @math{m} @code{+/-} @math{\sigma}
18817 @infoline @samp{m +/- s}
18819 @texline @math{\sigma}
18821 are both real numbers, the result uses a Gaussian distribution with mean
18822 @var{m} and standard deviation
18823 @texline @math{\sigma}.
18826 If @expr{M} is an interval form, the lower and upper bounds specify the
18827 acceptable limits of the random numbers. If both bounds are integers,
18828 the result is a random integer in the specified range. If either bound
18829 is floating-point, the result is a random real number in the specified
18830 range. If the interval is open at either end, the result will be sure
18831 not to equal that end value. (This makes a big difference for integer
18832 intervals, but for floating-point intervals it's relatively minor:
18833 with a precision of 6, @samp{random([1.0..2.0))} will return any of one
18834 million numbers from 1.00000 to 1.99999; @samp{random([1.0..2.0])} may
18835 additionally return 2.00000, but the probability of this happening is
18838 If @expr{M} is a vector, the result is one element taken at random from
18839 the vector. All elements of the vector are given equal probabilities.
18842 The sequence of numbers produced by @kbd{k r} is completely random by
18843 default, i.e., the sequence is seeded each time you start Calc using
18844 the current time and other information. You can get a reproducible
18845 sequence by storing a particular ``seed value'' in the Calc variable
18846 @code{RandSeed}. Any integer will do for a seed; integers of from 1
18847 to 12 digits are good. If you later store a different integer into
18848 @code{RandSeed}, Calc will switch to a different pseudo-random
18849 sequence. If you ``unstore'' @code{RandSeed}, Calc will re-seed itself
18850 from the current time. If you store the same integer that you used
18851 before back into @code{RandSeed}, you will get the exact same sequence
18852 of random numbers as before.
18854 @pindex calc-rrandom
18855 The @code{calc-rrandom} command (not on any key) produces a random real
18856 number between zero and one. It is equivalent to @samp{random(1.0)}.
18859 @pindex calc-random-again
18860 The @kbd{k a} (@code{calc-random-again}) command produces another random
18861 number, re-using the most recent value of @expr{M}. With a numeric
18862 prefix argument @var{n}, it produces @var{n} more random numbers using
18863 that value of @expr{M}.
18866 @pindex calc-shuffle
18868 The @kbd{k h} (@code{calc-shuffle}) command produces a vector of several
18869 random values with no duplicates. The value on the top of the stack
18870 specifies the set from which the random values are drawn, and may be any
18871 of the @expr{M} formats described above. The numeric prefix argument
18872 gives the length of the desired list. (If you do not provide a numeric
18873 prefix argument, the length of the list is taken from the top of the
18874 stack, and @expr{M} from second-to-top.)
18876 If @expr{M} is a floating-point number, zero, or an error form (so
18877 that the random values are being drawn from the set of real numbers)
18878 there is little practical difference between using @kbd{k h} and using
18879 @kbd{k r} several times. But if the set of possible values consists
18880 of just a few integers, or the elements of a vector, then there is
18881 a very real chance that multiple @kbd{k r}'s will produce the same
18882 number more than once. The @kbd{k h} command produces a vector whose
18883 elements are always distinct. (Actually, there is a slight exception:
18884 If @expr{M} is a vector, no given vector element will be drawn more
18885 than once, but if several elements of @expr{M} are equal, they may
18886 each make it into the result vector.)
18888 One use of @kbd{k h} is to rearrange a list at random. This happens
18889 if the prefix argument is equal to the number of values in the list:
18890 @kbd{[1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3] 5 k h} might produce the permuted list
18891 @samp{[2.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 2]}. As a convenient feature, if the argument
18892 @var{n} is negative it is replaced by the size of the set represented
18893 by @expr{M}. Naturally, this is allowed only when @expr{M} specifies
18894 a small discrete set of possibilities.
18896 To do the equivalent of @kbd{k h} but with duplications allowed,
18897 given @expr{M} on the stack and with @var{n} just entered as a numeric
18898 prefix, use @kbd{v b} to build a vector of copies of @expr{M}, then use
18899 @kbd{V M k r} to ``map'' the normal @kbd{k r} function over the
18900 elements of this vector. @xref{Matrix Functions}.
18903 * Random Number Generator:: (Complete description of Calc's algorithm)
18906 @node Random Number Generator, , Random Numbers, Random Numbers
18907 @subsection Random Number Generator
18909 Calc's random number generator uses several methods to ensure that
18910 the numbers it produces are highly random. Knuth's @emph{Art of
18911 Computer Programming}, Volume II, contains a thorough description
18912 of the theory of random number generators and their measurement and
18915 If @code{RandSeed} has no stored value, Calc calls Emacs' built-in
18916 @code{random} function to get a stream of random numbers, which it
18917 then treats in various ways to avoid problems inherent in the simple
18918 random number generators that many systems use to implement @code{random}.
18920 When Calc's random number generator is first invoked, it ``seeds''
18921 the low-level random sequence using the time of day, so that the
18922 random number sequence will be different every time you use Calc.
18924 Since Emacs Lisp doesn't specify the range of values that will be
18925 returned by its @code{random} function, Calc exercises the function
18926 several times to estimate the range. When Calc subsequently uses
18927 the @code{random} function, it takes only 10 bits of the result
18928 near the most-significant end. (It avoids at least the bottom
18929 four bits, preferably more, and also tries to avoid the top two
18930 bits.) This strategy works well with the linear congruential
18931 generators that are typically used to implement @code{random}.
18933 If @code{RandSeed} contains an integer, Calc uses this integer to
18934 seed an ``additive congruential'' method (Knuth's algorithm 3.2.2A,
18936 @texline @math{X_{n-55} - X_{n-24}}.
18937 @infoline @expr{X_n-55 - X_n-24}).
18938 This method expands the seed
18939 value into a large table which is maintained internally; the variable
18940 @code{RandSeed} is changed from, e.g., 42 to the vector @expr{[42]}
18941 to indicate that the seed has been absorbed into this table. When
18942 @code{RandSeed} contains a vector, @kbd{k r} and related commands
18943 continue to use the same internal table as last time. There is no
18944 way to extract the complete state of the random number generator
18945 so that you can restart it from any point; you can only restart it
18946 from the same initial seed value. A simple way to restart from the
18947 same seed is to type @kbd{s r RandSeed} to get the seed vector,
18948 @kbd{v u} to unpack it back into a number, then @kbd{s t RandSeed}
18949 to reseed the generator with that number.
18951 Calc uses a ``shuffling'' method as described in algorithm 3.2.2B
18952 of Knuth. It fills a table with 13 random 10-bit numbers. Then,
18953 to generate a new random number, it uses the previous number to
18954 index into the table, picks the value it finds there as the new
18955 random number, then replaces that table entry with a new value
18956 obtained from a call to the base random number generator (either
18957 the additive congruential generator or the @code{random} function
18958 supplied by the system). If there are any flaws in the base
18959 generator, shuffling will tend to even them out. But if the system
18960 provides an excellent @code{random} function, shuffling will not
18961 damage its randomness.
18963 To create a random integer of a certain number of digits, Calc
18964 builds the integer three decimal digits at a time. For each group
18965 of three digits, Calc calls its 10-bit shuffling random number generator
18966 (which returns a value from 0 to 1023); if the random value is 1000
18967 or more, Calc throws it out and tries again until it gets a suitable
18970 To create a random floating-point number with precision @var{p}, Calc
18971 simply creates a random @var{p}-digit integer and multiplies by
18972 @texline @math{10^{-p}}.
18973 @infoline @expr{10^-p}.
18974 The resulting random numbers should be very clean, but note
18975 that relatively small numbers will have few significant random digits.
18976 In other words, with a precision of 12, you will occasionally get
18977 numbers on the order of
18978 @texline @math{10^{-9}}
18979 @infoline @expr{10^-9}
18981 @texline @math{10^{-10}},
18982 @infoline @expr{10^-10},
18983 but those numbers will only have two or three random digits since they
18984 correspond to small integers times
18985 @texline @math{10^{-12}}.
18986 @infoline @expr{10^-12}.
18988 To create a random integer in the interval @samp{[0 .. @var{m})}, Calc
18989 counts the digits in @var{m}, creates a random integer with three
18990 additional digits, then reduces modulo @var{m}. Unless @var{m} is a
18991 power of ten the resulting values will be very slightly biased toward
18992 the lower numbers, but this bias will be less than 0.1%. (For example,
18993 if @var{m} is 42, Calc will reduce a random integer less than 100000
18994 modulo 42 to get a result less than 42. It is easy to show that the
18995 numbers 40 and 41 will be only 2380/2381 as likely to result from this
18996 modulo operation as numbers 39 and below.) If @var{m} is a power of
18997 ten, however, the numbers should be completely unbiased.
18999 The Gaussian random numbers generated by @samp{random(0.0)} use the
19000 ``polar'' method described in Knuth section 3.4.1C. This method
19001 generates a pair of Gaussian random numbers at a time, so only every
19002 other call to @samp{random(0.0)} will require significant calculations.
19004 @node Combinatorial Functions, Probability Distribution Functions, Random Numbers, Scientific Functions
19005 @section Combinatorial Functions
19008 Commands relating to combinatorics and number theory begin with the
19009 @kbd{k} key prefix.
19014 The @kbd{k g} (@code{calc-gcd}) [@code{gcd}] command computes the
19015 Greatest Common Divisor of two integers. It also accepts fractions;
19016 the GCD of two fractions is defined by taking the GCD of the
19017 numerators, and the LCM of the denominators. This definition is
19018 consistent with the idea that @samp{a / gcd(a,x)} should yield an
19019 integer for any @samp{a} and @samp{x}. For other types of arguments,
19020 the operation is left in symbolic form.
19025 The @kbd{k l} (@code{calc-lcm}) [@code{lcm}] command computes the
19026 Least Common Multiple of two integers or fractions. The product of
19027 the LCM and GCD of two numbers is equal to the product of the
19031 @pindex calc-extended-gcd
19033 The @kbd{k E} (@code{calc-extended-gcd}) [@code{egcd}] command computes
19034 the GCD of two integers @expr{x} and @expr{y} and returns a vector
19035 @expr{[g, a, b]} where
19036 @texline @math{g = \gcd(x,y) = a x + b y}.
19037 @infoline @expr{g = gcd(x,y) = a x + b y}.
19040 @pindex calc-factorial
19046 The @kbd{!} (@code{calc-factorial}) [@code{fact}] command computes the
19047 factorial of the number at the top of the stack. If the number is an
19048 integer, the result is an exact integer. If the number is an
19049 integer-valued float, the result is a floating-point approximation. If
19050 the number is a non-integral real number, the generalized factorial is used,
19051 as defined by the Euler Gamma function. Please note that computation of
19052 large factorials can be slow; using floating-point format will help
19053 since fewer digits must be maintained. The same is true of many of
19054 the commands in this section.
19057 @pindex calc-double-factorial
19063 The @kbd{k d} (@code{calc-double-factorial}) [@code{dfact}] command
19064 computes the ``double factorial'' of an integer. For an even integer,
19065 this is the product of even integers from 2 to @expr{N}. For an odd
19066 integer, this is the product of odd integers from 3 to @expr{N}. If
19067 the argument is an integer-valued float, the result is a floating-point
19068 approximation. This function is undefined for negative even integers.
19069 The notation @expr{N!!} is also recognized for double factorials.
19072 @pindex calc-choose
19074 The @kbd{k c} (@code{calc-choose}) [@code{choose}] command computes the
19075 binomial coefficient @expr{N}-choose-@expr{M}, where @expr{M} is the number
19076 on the top of the stack and @expr{N} is second-to-top. If both arguments
19077 are integers, the result is an exact integer. Otherwise, the result is a
19078 floating-point approximation. The binomial coefficient is defined for all
19080 @texline @math{N! \over M! (N-M)!\,}.
19081 @infoline @expr{N! / M! (N-M)!}.
19087 The @kbd{H k c} (@code{calc-perm}) [@code{perm}] command computes the
19088 number-of-permutations function @expr{N! / (N-M)!}.
19091 The \kbd{H k c} (\code{calc-perm}) [\code{perm}] command computes the
19092 number-of-perm\-utations function $N! \over (N-M)!\,$.
19097 @pindex calc-bernoulli-number
19099 The @kbd{k b} (@code{calc-bernoulli-number}) [@code{bern}] command
19100 computes a given Bernoulli number. The value at the top of the stack
19101 is a nonnegative integer @expr{n} that specifies which Bernoulli number
19102 is desired. The @kbd{H k b} command computes a Bernoulli polynomial,
19103 taking @expr{n} from the second-to-top position and @expr{x} from the
19104 top of the stack. If @expr{x} is a variable or formula the result is
19105 a polynomial in @expr{x}; if @expr{x} is a number the result is a number.
19109 @pindex calc-euler-number
19111 The @kbd{k e} (@code{calc-euler-number}) [@code{euler}] command similarly
19112 computes an Euler number, and @w{@kbd{H k e}} computes an Euler polynomial.
19113 Bernoulli and Euler numbers occur in the Taylor expansions of several
19118 @pindex calc-stirling-number
19121 The @kbd{k s} (@code{calc-stirling-number}) [@code{stir1}] command
19122 computes a Stirling number of the first
19123 @texline kind@tie{}@math{n \brack m},
19125 given two integers @expr{n} and @expr{m} on the stack. The @kbd{H k s}
19126 [@code{stir2}] command computes a Stirling number of the second
19127 @texline kind@tie{}@math{n \brace m}.
19129 These are the number of @expr{m}-cycle permutations of @expr{n} objects,
19130 and the number of ways to partition @expr{n} objects into @expr{m}
19131 non-empty sets, respectively.
19134 @pindex calc-prime-test
19136 The @kbd{k p} (@code{calc-prime-test}) command checks if the integer on
19137 the top of the stack is prime. For integers less than eight million, the
19138 answer is always exact and reasonably fast. For larger integers, a
19139 probabilistic method is used (see Knuth vol. II, section 4.5.4, algorithm P).
19140 The number is first checked against small prime factors (up to 13). Then,
19141 any number of iterations of the algorithm are performed. Each step either
19142 discovers that the number is non-prime, or substantially increases the
19143 certainty that the number is prime. After a few steps, the chance that
19144 a number was mistakenly described as prime will be less than one percent.
19145 (Indeed, this is a worst-case estimate of the probability; in practice
19146 even a single iteration is quite reliable.) After the @kbd{k p} command,
19147 the number will be reported as definitely prime or non-prime if possible,
19148 or otherwise ``probably'' prime with a certain probability of error.
19154 The normal @kbd{k p} command performs one iteration of the primality
19155 test. Pressing @kbd{k p} repeatedly for the same integer will perform
19156 additional iterations. Also, @kbd{k p} with a numeric prefix performs
19157 the specified number of iterations. There is also an algebraic function
19158 @samp{prime(n)} or @samp{prime(n,iters)} which returns 1 if @expr{n}
19159 is (probably) prime and 0 if not.
19162 @pindex calc-prime-factors
19164 The @kbd{k f} (@code{calc-prime-factors}) [@code{prfac}] command
19165 attempts to decompose an integer into its prime factors. For numbers up
19166 to 25 million, the answer is exact although it may take some time. The
19167 result is a vector of the prime factors in increasing order. For larger
19168 inputs, prime factors above 5000 may not be found, in which case the
19169 last number in the vector will be an unfactored integer greater than 25
19170 million (with a warning message). For negative integers, the first
19171 element of the list will be @mathit{-1}. For inputs @mathit{-1}, @mathit{0}, and
19172 @mathit{1}, the result is a list of the same number.
19175 @pindex calc-next-prime
19177 @mindex nextpr@idots
19180 The @kbd{k n} (@code{calc-next-prime}) [@code{nextprime}] command finds
19181 the next prime above a given number. Essentially, it searches by calling
19182 @code{calc-prime-test} on successive integers until it finds one that
19183 passes the test. This is quite fast for integers less than eight million,
19184 but once the probabilistic test comes into play the search may be rather
19185 slow. Ordinarily this command stops for any prime that passes one iteration
19186 of the primality test. With a numeric prefix argument, a number must pass
19187 the specified number of iterations before the search stops. (This only
19188 matters when searching above eight million.) You can always use additional
19189 @kbd{k p} commands to increase your certainty that the number is indeed
19193 @pindex calc-prev-prime
19195 @mindex prevpr@idots
19198 The @kbd{I k n} (@code{calc-prev-prime}) [@code{prevprime}] command
19199 analogously finds the next prime less than a given number.
19202 @pindex calc-totient
19204 The @kbd{k t} (@code{calc-totient}) [@code{totient}] command computes the
19206 @texline function@tie{}@math{\phi(n)},
19207 @infoline function,
19208 the number of integers less than @expr{n} which
19209 are relatively prime to @expr{n}.
19212 @pindex calc-moebius
19214 The @kbd{k m} (@code{calc-moebius}) [@code{moebius}] command computes the
19215 @texline M@"obius @math{\mu}
19216 @infoline Moebius ``mu''
19217 function. If the input number is a product of @expr{k}
19218 distinct factors, this is @expr{(-1)^k}. If the input number has any
19219 duplicate factors (i.e., can be divided by the same prime more than once),
19220 the result is zero.
19222 @node Probability Distribution Functions, , Combinatorial Functions, Scientific Functions
19223 @section Probability Distribution Functions
19226 The functions in this section compute various probability distributions.
19227 For continuous distributions, this is the integral of the probability
19228 density function from @expr{x} to infinity. (These are the ``upper
19229 tail'' distribution functions; there are also corresponding ``lower
19230 tail'' functions which integrate from minus infinity to @expr{x}.)
19231 For discrete distributions, the upper tail function gives the sum
19232 from @expr{x} to infinity; the lower tail function gives the sum
19233 from minus infinity up to, but not including,@w{ }@expr{x}.
19235 To integrate from @expr{x} to @expr{y}, just use the distribution
19236 function twice and subtract. For example, the probability that a
19237 Gaussian random variable with mean 2 and standard deviation 1 will
19238 lie in the range from 2.5 to 2.8 is @samp{utpn(2.5,2,1) - utpn(2.8,2,1)}
19239 (``the probability that it is greater than 2.5, but not greater than 2.8''),
19240 or equivalently @samp{ltpn(2.8,2,1) - ltpn(2.5,2,1)}.
19247 The @kbd{k B} (@code{calc-utpb}) [@code{utpb}] function uses the
19248 binomial distribution. Push the parameters @var{n}, @var{p}, and
19249 then @var{x} onto the stack; the result (@samp{utpb(x,n,p)}) is the
19250 probability that an event will occur @var{x} or more times out
19251 of @var{n} trials, if its probability of occurring in any given
19252 trial is @var{p}. The @kbd{I k B} [@code{ltpb}] function is
19253 the probability that the event will occur fewer than @var{x} times.
19255 The other probability distribution functions similarly take the
19256 form @kbd{k @var{X}} (@code{calc-utp@var{x}}) [@code{utp@var{x}}]
19257 and @kbd{I k @var{X}} [@code{ltp@var{x}}], for various letters
19258 @var{x}. The arguments to the algebraic functions are the value of
19259 the random variable first, then whatever other parameters define the
19260 distribution. Note these are among the few Calc functions where the
19261 order of the arguments in algebraic form differs from the order of
19262 arguments as found on the stack. (The random variable comes last on
19263 the stack, so that you can type, e.g., @kbd{2 @key{RET} 1 @key{RET} 2.5
19264 k N M-@key{RET} @key{DEL} 2.8 k N -}, using @kbd{M-@key{RET} @key{DEL}} to
19265 recover the original arguments but substitute a new value for @expr{x}.)
19278 The @samp{utpc(x,v)} function uses the chi-square distribution with
19279 @texline @math{\nu}
19281 degrees of freedom. It is the probability that a model is
19282 correct if its chi-square statistic is @expr{x}.
19295 The @samp{utpf(F,v1,v2)} function uses the F distribution, used in
19296 various statistical tests. The parameters
19297 @texline @math{\nu_1}
19298 @infoline @expr{v1}
19300 @texline @math{\nu_2}
19301 @infoline @expr{v2}
19302 are the degrees of freedom in the numerator and denominator,
19303 respectively, used in computing the statistic @expr{F}.
19316 The @samp{utpn(x,m,s)} function uses a normal (Gaussian) distribution
19317 with mean @expr{m} and standard deviation
19318 @texline @math{\sigma}.
19319 @infoline @expr{s}.
19320 It is the probability that such a normal-distributed random variable
19321 would exceed @expr{x}.
19334 The @samp{utpp(n,x)} function uses a Poisson distribution with
19335 mean @expr{x}. It is the probability that @expr{n} or more such
19336 Poisson random events will occur.
19349 The @samp{utpt(t,v)} function uses the Student's ``t'' distribution
19351 @texline @math{\nu}
19353 degrees of freedom. It is the probability that a
19354 t-distributed random variable will be greater than @expr{t}.
19355 (Note: This computes the distribution function
19356 @texline @math{A(t|\nu)}
19357 @infoline @expr{A(t|v)}
19359 @texline @math{A(0|\nu) = 1}
19360 @infoline @expr{A(0|v) = 1}
19362 @texline @math{A(\infty|\nu) \to 0}.
19363 @infoline @expr{A(inf|v) -> 0}.
19364 The @code{UTPT} operation on the HP-48 uses a different definition which
19365 returns half of Calc's value: @samp{UTPT(t,v) = .5*utpt(t,v)}.)
19367 While Calc does not provide inverses of the probability distribution
19368 functions, the @kbd{a R} command can be used to solve for the inverse.
19369 Since the distribution functions are monotonic, @kbd{a R} is guaranteed
19370 to be able to find a solution given any initial guess.
19371 @xref{Numerical Solutions}.
19373 @node Matrix Functions, Algebra, Scientific Functions, Top
19374 @chapter Vector/Matrix Functions
19377 Many of the commands described here begin with the @kbd{v} prefix.
19378 (For convenience, the shift-@kbd{V} prefix is equivalent to @kbd{v}.)
19379 The commands usually apply to both plain vectors and matrices; some
19380 apply only to matrices or only to square matrices. If the argument
19381 has the wrong dimensions the operation is left in symbolic form.
19383 Vectors are entered and displayed using @samp{[a,b,c]} notation.
19384 Matrices are vectors of which all elements are vectors of equal length.
19385 (Though none of the standard Calc commands use this concept, a
19386 three-dimensional matrix or rank-3 tensor could be defined as a
19387 vector of matrices, and so on.)
19390 * Packing and Unpacking::
19391 * Building Vectors::
19392 * Extracting Elements::
19393 * Manipulating Vectors::
19394 * Vector and Matrix Arithmetic::
19396 * Statistical Operations::
19397 * Reducing and Mapping::
19398 * Vector and Matrix Formats::
19401 @node Packing and Unpacking, Building Vectors, Matrix Functions, Matrix Functions
19402 @section Packing and Unpacking
19405 Calc's ``pack'' and ``unpack'' commands collect stack entries to build
19406 composite objects such as vectors and complex numbers. They are
19407 described in this chapter because they are most often used to build
19413 The @kbd{v p} (@code{calc-pack}) [@code{pack}] command collects several
19414 elements from the stack into a matrix, complex number, HMS form, error
19415 form, etc. It uses a numeric prefix argument to specify the kind of
19416 object to be built; this argument is referred to as the ``packing mode.''
19417 If the packing mode is a nonnegative integer, a vector of that
19418 length is created. For example, @kbd{C-u 5 v p} will pop the top
19419 five stack elements and push back a single vector of those five
19420 elements. (@kbd{C-u 0 v p} simply creates an empty vector.)
19422 The same effect can be had by pressing @kbd{[} to push an incomplete
19423 vector on the stack, using @key{TAB} (@code{calc-roll-down}) to sneak
19424 the incomplete object up past a certain number of elements, and
19425 then pressing @kbd{]} to complete the vector.
19427 Negative packing modes create other kinds of composite objects:
19431 Two values are collected to build a complex number. For example,
19432 @kbd{5 @key{RET} 7 C-u -1 v p} creates the complex number
19433 @expr{(5, 7)}. The result is always a rectangular complex
19434 number. The two input values must both be real numbers,
19435 i.e., integers, fractions, or floats. If they are not, Calc
19436 will instead build a formula like @samp{a + (0, 1) b}. (The
19437 other packing modes also create a symbolic answer if the
19438 components are not suitable.)
19441 Two values are collected to build a polar complex number.
19442 The first is the magnitude; the second is the phase expressed
19443 in either degrees or radians according to the current angular
19447 Three values are collected into an HMS form. The first
19448 two values (hours and minutes) must be integers or
19449 integer-valued floats. The third value may be any real
19453 Two values are collected into an error form. The inputs
19454 may be real numbers or formulas.
19457 Two values are collected into a modulo form. The inputs
19458 must be real numbers.
19461 Two values are collected into the interval @samp{[a .. b]}.
19462 The inputs may be real numbers, HMS or date forms, or formulas.
19465 Two values are collected into the interval @samp{[a .. b)}.
19468 Two values are collected into the interval @samp{(a .. b]}.
19471 Two values are collected into the interval @samp{(a .. b)}.
19474 Two integer values are collected into a fraction.
19477 Two values are collected into a floating-point number.
19478 The first is the mantissa; the second, which must be an
19479 integer, is the exponent. The result is the mantissa
19480 times ten to the power of the exponent.
19483 This is treated the same as @mathit{-11} by the @kbd{v p} command.
19484 When unpacking, @mathit{-12} specifies that a floating-point mantissa
19488 A real number is converted into a date form.
19491 Three numbers (year, month, day) are packed into a pure date form.
19494 Six numbers are packed into a date/time form.
19497 With any of the two-input negative packing modes, either or both
19498 of the inputs may be vectors. If both are vectors of the same
19499 length, the result is another vector made by packing corresponding
19500 elements of the input vectors. If one input is a vector and the
19501 other is a plain number, the number is packed along with each vector
19502 element to produce a new vector. For example, @kbd{C-u -4 v p}
19503 could be used to convert a vector of numbers and a vector of errors
19504 into a single vector of error forms; @kbd{C-u -5 v p} could convert
19505 a vector of numbers and a single number @var{M} into a vector of
19506 numbers modulo @var{M}.
19508 If you don't give a prefix argument to @kbd{v p}, it takes
19509 the packing mode from the top of the stack. The elements to
19510 be packed then begin at stack level 2. Thus
19511 @kbd{1 @key{RET} 2 @key{RET} 4 n v p} is another way to
19512 enter the error form @samp{1 +/- 2}.
19514 If the packing mode taken from the stack is a vector, the result is a
19515 matrix with the dimensions specified by the elements of the vector,
19516 which must each be integers. For example, if the packing mode is
19517 @samp{[2, 3]}, then six numbers will be taken from the stack and
19518 returned in the form @samp{[@w{[a, b, c]}, [d, e, f]]}.
19520 If any elements of the vector are negative, other kinds of
19521 packing are done at that level as described above. For
19522 example, @samp{[2, 3, -4]} takes 12 objects and creates a
19523 @texline @math{2\times3}
19525 matrix of error forms: @samp{[[a +/- b, c +/- d ... ]]}.
19526 Also, @samp{[-4, -10]} will convert four integers into an
19527 error form consisting of two fractions: @samp{a:b +/- c:d}.
19533 There is an equivalent algebraic function,
19534 @samp{pack(@var{mode}, @var{items})} where @var{mode} is a
19535 packing mode (an integer or a vector of integers) and @var{items}
19536 is a vector of objects to be packed (re-packed, really) according
19537 to that mode. For example, @samp{pack([3, -4], [a,b,c,d,e,f])}
19538 yields @samp{[a +/- b, @w{c +/- d}, e +/- f]}. The function is
19539 left in symbolic form if the packing mode is invalid, or if the
19540 number of data items does not match the number of items required
19545 @pindex calc-unpack
19546 The @kbd{v u} (@code{calc-unpack}) command takes the vector, complex
19547 number, HMS form, or other composite object on the top of the stack and
19548 ``unpacks'' it, pushing each of its elements onto the stack as separate
19549 objects. Thus, it is the ``inverse'' of @kbd{v p}. If the value
19550 at the top of the stack is a formula, @kbd{v u} unpacks it by pushing
19551 each of the arguments of the top-level operator onto the stack.
19553 You can optionally give a numeric prefix argument to @kbd{v u}
19554 to specify an explicit (un)packing mode. If the packing mode is
19555 negative and the input is actually a vector or matrix, the result
19556 will be two or more similar vectors or matrices of the elements.
19557 For example, given the vector @samp{[@w{a +/- b}, c^2, d +/- 7]},
19558 the result of @kbd{C-u -4 v u} will be the two vectors
19559 @samp{[a, c^2, d]} and @w{@samp{[b, 0, 7]}}.
19561 Note that the prefix argument can have an effect even when the input is
19562 not a vector. For example, if the input is the number @mathit{-5}, then
19563 @kbd{c-u -1 v u} yields @mathit{-5} and 0 (the components of @mathit{-5}
19564 when viewed as a rectangular complex number); @kbd{C-u -2 v u} yields 5
19565 and 180 (assuming Degrees mode); and @kbd{C-u -10 v u} yields @mathit{-5}
19566 and 1 (the numerator and denominator of @mathit{-5}, viewed as a rational
19567 number). Plain @kbd{v u} with this input would complain that the input
19568 is not a composite object.
19570 Unpacking mode @mathit{-11} converts a float into an integer mantissa and
19571 an integer exponent, where the mantissa is not divisible by 10
19572 (except that 0.0 is represented by a mantissa and exponent of 0).
19573 Unpacking mode @mathit{-12} converts a float into a floating-point mantissa
19574 and integer exponent, where the mantissa (for non-zero numbers)
19575 is guaranteed to lie in the range [1 .. 10). In both cases,
19576 the mantissa is shifted left or right (and the exponent adjusted
19577 to compensate) in order to satisfy these constraints.
19579 Positive unpacking modes are treated differently than for @kbd{v p}.
19580 A mode of 1 is much like plain @kbd{v u} with no prefix argument,
19581 except that in addition to the components of the input object,
19582 a suitable packing mode to re-pack the object is also pushed.
19583 Thus, @kbd{C-u 1 v u} followed by @kbd{v p} will re-build the
19586 A mode of 2 unpacks two levels of the object; the resulting
19587 re-packing mode will be a vector of length 2. This might be used
19588 to unpack a matrix, say, or a vector of error forms. Higher
19589 unpacking modes unpack the input even more deeply.
19595 There are two algebraic functions analogous to @kbd{v u}.
19596 The @samp{unpack(@var{mode}, @var{item})} function unpacks the
19597 @var{item} using the given @var{mode}, returning the result as
19598 a vector of components. Here the @var{mode} must be an
19599 integer, not a vector. For example, @samp{unpack(-4, a +/- b)}
19600 returns @samp{[a, b]}, as does @samp{unpack(1, a +/- b)}.
19606 The @code{unpackt} function is like @code{unpack} but instead
19607 of returning a simple vector of items, it returns a vector of
19608 two things: The mode, and the vector of items. For example,
19609 @samp{unpackt(1, 2:3 +/- 1:4)} returns @samp{[-4, [2:3, 1:4]]},
19610 and @samp{unpackt(2, 2:3 +/- 1:4)} returns @samp{[[-4, -10], [2, 3, 1, 4]]}.
19611 The identity for re-building the original object is
19612 @samp{apply(pack, unpackt(@var{n}, @var{x})) = @var{x}}. (The
19613 @code{apply} function builds a function call given the function
19614 name and a vector of arguments.)
19616 @cindex Numerator of a fraction, extracting
19617 Subscript notation is a useful way to extract a particular part
19618 of an object. For example, to get the numerator of a rational
19619 number, you can use @samp{unpack(-10, @var{x})_1}.
19621 @node Building Vectors, Extracting Elements, Packing and Unpacking, Matrix Functions
19622 @section Building Vectors
19625 Vectors and matrices can be added,
19626 subtracted, multiplied, and divided; @pxref{Basic Arithmetic}.
19629 @pindex calc-concat
19634 The @kbd{|} (@code{calc-concat}) [@code{vconcat}] command ``concatenates'' two vectors
19635 into one. For example, after @kbd{@w{[ 1 , 2 ]} [ 3 , 4 ] |}, the stack
19636 will contain the single vector @samp{[1, 2, 3, 4]}. If the arguments
19637 are matrices, the rows of the first matrix are concatenated with the
19638 rows of the second. (In other words, two matrices are just two vectors
19639 of row-vectors as far as @kbd{|} is concerned.)
19641 If either argument to @kbd{|} is a scalar (a non-vector), it is treated
19642 like a one-element vector for purposes of concatenation: @kbd{1 [ 2 , 3 ] |}
19643 produces the vector @samp{[1, 2, 3]}. Likewise, if one argument is a
19644 matrix and the other is a plain vector, the vector is treated as a
19649 The @kbd{H |} (@code{calc-append}) [@code{append}] command concatenates
19650 two vectors without any special cases. Both inputs must be vectors.
19651 Whether or not they are matrices is not taken into account. If either
19652 argument is a scalar, the @code{append} function is left in symbolic form.
19653 See also @code{cons} and @code{rcons} below.
19657 The @kbd{I |} and @kbd{H I |} commands are similar, but they use their
19658 two stack arguments in the opposite order. Thus @kbd{I |} is equivalent
19659 to @kbd{@key{TAB} |}, but possibly more convenient and also a bit faster.
19665 The @kbd{v d} (@code{calc-diag}) [@code{diag}] function builds a diagonal
19666 square matrix. The optional numeric prefix gives the number of rows
19667 and columns in the matrix. If the value at the top of the stack is a
19668 vector, the elements of the vector are used as the diagonal elements; the
19669 prefix, if specified, must match the size of the vector. If the value on
19670 the stack is a scalar, it is used for each element on the diagonal, and
19671 the prefix argument is required.
19673 To build a constant square matrix, e.g., a
19674 @texline @math{3\times3}
19676 matrix filled with ones, use @kbd{0 M-3 v d 1 +}, i.e., build a zero
19677 matrix first and then add a constant value to that matrix. (Another
19678 alternative would be to use @kbd{v b} and @kbd{v a}; see below.)
19684 The @kbd{v i} (@code{calc-ident}) [@code{idn}] function builds an identity
19685 matrix of the specified size. It is a convenient form of @kbd{v d}
19686 where the diagonal element is always one. If no prefix argument is given,
19687 this command prompts for one.
19689 In algebraic notation, @samp{idn(a,n)} acts much like @samp{diag(a,n)},
19690 except that @expr{a} is required to be a scalar (non-vector) quantity.
19691 If @expr{n} is omitted, @samp{idn(a)} represents @expr{a} times an
19692 identity matrix of unknown size. Calc can operate algebraically on
19693 such generic identity matrices, and if one is combined with a matrix
19694 whose size is known, it is converted automatically to an identity
19695 matrix of a suitable matching size. The @kbd{v i} command with an
19696 argument of zero creates a generic identity matrix, @samp{idn(1)}.
19697 Note that in dimensioned Matrix mode (@pxref{Matrix Mode}), generic
19698 identity matrices are immediately expanded to the current default
19705 The @kbd{v x} (@code{calc-index}) [@code{index}] function builds a vector
19706 of consecutive integers from 1 to @var{n}, where @var{n} is the numeric
19707 prefix argument. If you do not provide a prefix argument, you will be
19708 prompted to enter a suitable number. If @var{n} is negative, the result
19709 is a vector of negative integers from @var{n} to @mathit{-1}.
19711 With a prefix argument of just @kbd{C-u}, the @kbd{v x} command takes
19712 three values from the stack: @var{n}, @var{start}, and @var{incr} (with
19713 @var{incr} at top-of-stack). Counting starts at @var{start} and increases
19714 by @var{incr} for successive vector elements. If @var{start} or @var{n}
19715 is in floating-point format, the resulting vector elements will also be
19716 floats. Note that @var{start} and @var{incr} may in fact be any kind
19717 of numbers or formulas.
19719 When @var{start} and @var{incr} are specified, a negative @var{n} has a
19720 different interpretation: It causes a geometric instead of arithmetic
19721 sequence to be generated. For example, @samp{index(-3, a, b)} produces
19722 @samp{[a, a b, a b^2]}. If you omit @var{incr} in the algebraic form,
19723 @samp{index(@var{n}, @var{start})}, the default value for @var{incr}
19724 is one for positive @var{n} or two for negative @var{n}.
19728 @pindex calc-build-vector
19730 The @kbd{v b} (@code{calc-build-vector}) [@code{cvec}] function builds a
19731 vector of @var{n} copies of the value on the top of the stack, where @var{n}
19732 is the numeric prefix argument. In algebraic formulas, @samp{cvec(x,n,m)}
19733 can also be used to build an @var{n}-by-@var{m} matrix of copies of @var{x}.
19734 (Interactively, just use @kbd{v b} twice: once to build a row, then again
19735 to build a matrix of copies of that row.)
19745 The @kbd{v h} (@code{calc-head}) [@code{head}] function returns the first
19746 element of a vector. The @kbd{I v h} (@code{calc-tail}) [@code{tail}]
19747 function returns the vector with its first element removed. In both
19748 cases, the argument must be a non-empty vector.
19754 The @kbd{v k} (@code{calc-cons}) [@code{cons}] function takes a value @var{h}
19755 and a vector @var{t} from the stack, and produces the vector whose head is
19756 @var{h} and whose tail is @var{t}. This is similar to @kbd{|}, except
19757 if @var{h} is itself a vector, @kbd{|} will concatenate the two vectors
19758 whereas @code{cons} will insert @var{h} at the front of the vector @var{t}.
19781 Each of these three functions also accepts the Hyperbolic flag [@code{rhead},
19782 @code{rtail}, @code{rcons}] in which case @var{t} instead represents
19783 the @emph{last} single element of the vector, with @var{h}
19784 representing the remainder of the vector. Thus the vector
19785 @samp{[a, b, c, d] = cons(a, [b, c, d]) = rcons([a, b, c], d)}.
19786 Also, @samp{head([a, b, c, d]) = a}, @samp{tail([a, b, c, d]) = [b, c, d]},
19787 @samp{rhead([a, b, c, d]) = [a, b, c]}, and @samp{rtail([a, b, c, d]) = d}.
19789 @node Extracting Elements, Manipulating Vectors, Building Vectors, Matrix Functions
19790 @section Extracting Vector Elements
19797 The @kbd{v r} (@code{calc-mrow}) [@code{mrow}] command extracts one row of
19798 the matrix on the top of the stack, or one element of the plain vector on
19799 the top of the stack. The row or element is specified by the numeric
19800 prefix argument; the default is to prompt for the row or element number.
19801 The matrix or vector is replaced by the specified row or element in the
19802 form of a vector or scalar, respectively.
19804 @cindex Permutations, applying
19805 With a prefix argument of @kbd{C-u} only, @kbd{v r} takes the index of
19806 the element or row from the top of the stack, and the vector or matrix
19807 from the second-to-top position. If the index is itself a vector of
19808 integers, the result is a vector of the corresponding elements of the
19809 input vector, or a matrix of the corresponding rows of the input matrix.
19810 This command can be used to obtain any permutation of a vector.
19812 With @kbd{C-u}, if the index is an interval form with integer components,
19813 it is interpreted as a range of indices and the corresponding subvector or
19814 submatrix is returned.
19816 @cindex Subscript notation
19818 @pindex calc-subscript
19821 Subscript notation in algebraic formulas (@samp{a_b}) stands for the
19822 Calc function @code{subscr}, which is synonymous with @code{mrow}.
19823 Thus, @samp{[x, y, z]_k} produces @expr{x}, @expr{y}, or @expr{z} if
19824 @expr{k} is one, two, or three, respectively. A double subscript
19825 (@samp{M_i_j}, equivalent to @samp{subscr(subscr(M, i), j)}) will
19826 access the element at row @expr{i}, column @expr{j} of a matrix.
19827 The @kbd{a _} (@code{calc-subscript}) command creates a subscript
19828 formula @samp{a_b} out of two stack entries. (It is on the @kbd{a}
19829 ``algebra'' prefix because subscripted variables are often used
19830 purely as an algebraic notation.)
19833 Given a negative prefix argument, @kbd{v r} instead deletes one row or
19834 element from the matrix or vector on the top of the stack. Thus
19835 @kbd{C-u 2 v r} replaces a matrix with its second row, but @kbd{C-u -2 v r}
19836 replaces the matrix with the same matrix with its second row removed.
19837 In algebraic form this function is called @code{mrrow}.
19840 Given a prefix argument of zero, @kbd{v r} extracts the diagonal elements
19841 of a square matrix in the form of a vector. In algebraic form this
19842 function is called @code{getdiag}.
19849 The @kbd{v c} (@code{calc-mcol}) [@code{mcol} or @code{mrcol}] command is
19850 the analogous operation on columns of a matrix. Given a plain vector
19851 it extracts (or removes) one element, just like @kbd{v r}. If the
19852 index in @kbd{C-u v c} is an interval or vector and the argument is a
19853 matrix, the result is a submatrix with only the specified columns
19854 retained (and possibly permuted in the case of a vector index).
19856 To extract a matrix element at a given row and column, use @kbd{v r} to
19857 extract the row as a vector, then @kbd{v c} to extract the column element
19858 from that vector. In algebraic formulas, it is often more convenient to
19859 use subscript notation: @samp{m_i_j} gives row @expr{i}, column @expr{j}
19860 of matrix @expr{m}.
19864 @pindex calc-subvector
19866 The @kbd{v s} (@code{calc-subvector}) [@code{subvec}] command extracts
19867 a subvector of a vector. The arguments are the vector, the starting
19868 index, and the ending index, with the ending index in the top-of-stack
19869 position. The starting index indicates the first element of the vector
19870 to take. The ending index indicates the first element @emph{past} the
19871 range to be taken. Thus, @samp{subvec([a, b, c, d, e], 2, 4)} produces
19872 the subvector @samp{[b, c]}. You could get the same result using
19873 @samp{mrow([a, b, c, d, e], @w{[2 .. 4)})}.
19875 If either the start or the end index is zero or negative, it is
19876 interpreted as relative to the end of the vector. Thus
19877 @samp{subvec([a, b, c, d, e], 2, -2)} also produces @samp{[b, c]}. In
19878 the algebraic form, the end index can be omitted in which case it
19879 is taken as zero, i.e., elements from the starting element to the
19880 end of the vector are used. The infinity symbol, @code{inf}, also
19881 has this effect when used as the ending index.
19886 With the Inverse flag, @kbd{I v s} [@code{rsubvec}] removes a subvector
19887 from a vector. The arguments are interpreted the same as for the
19888 normal @kbd{v s} command. Thus, @samp{rsubvec([a, b, c, d, e], 2, 4)}
19889 produces @samp{[a, d, e]}. It is always true that @code{subvec} and
19890 @code{rsubvec} return complementary parts of the input vector.
19892 @xref{Selecting Subformulas}, for an alternative way to operate on
19893 vectors one element at a time.
19895 @node Manipulating Vectors, Vector and Matrix Arithmetic, Extracting Elements, Matrix Functions
19896 @section Manipulating Vectors
19901 @pindex calc-vlength
19903 The @kbd{v l} (@code{calc-vlength}) [@code{vlen}] command computes the
19904 length of a vector. The length of a non-vector is considered to be zero.
19905 Note that matrices are just vectors of vectors for the purposes of this
19911 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H v l} [@code{mdims}] computes a vector
19912 of the dimensions of a vector, matrix, or higher-order object. For
19913 example, @samp{mdims([[a,b,c],[d,e,f]])} returns @samp{[2, 3]} since
19915 @texline @math{2\times3}
19921 @pindex calc-vector-find
19923 The @kbd{v f} (@code{calc-vector-find}) [@code{find}] command searches
19924 along a vector for the first element equal to a given target. The target
19925 is on the top of the stack; the vector is in the second-to-top position.
19926 If a match is found, the result is the index of the matching element.
19927 Otherwise, the result is zero. The numeric prefix argument, if given,
19928 allows you to select any starting index for the search.
19932 @pindex calc-arrange-vector
19934 @cindex Arranging a matrix
19935 @cindex Reshaping a matrix
19936 @cindex Flattening a matrix
19937 The @kbd{v a} (@code{calc-arrange-vector}) [@code{arrange}] command
19938 rearranges a vector to have a certain number of columns and rows. The
19939 numeric prefix argument specifies the number of columns; if you do not
19940 provide an argument, you will be prompted for the number of columns.
19941 The vector or matrix on the top of the stack is @dfn{flattened} into a
19942 plain vector. If the number of columns is nonzero, this vector is
19943 then formed into a matrix by taking successive groups of @var{n} elements.
19944 If the number of columns does not evenly divide the number of elements
19945 in the vector, the last row will be short and the result will not be
19946 suitable for use as a matrix. For example, with the matrix
19947 @samp{[[1, 2], @w{[3, 4]}]} on the stack, @kbd{v a 4} produces
19948 @samp{[[1, 2, 3, 4]]} (a
19949 @texline @math{1\times4}
19951 matrix), @kbd{v a 1} produces @samp{[[1], [2], [3], [4]]} (a
19952 @texline @math{4\times1}
19954 matrix), @kbd{v a 2} produces @samp{[[1, 2], [3, 4]]} (the original
19955 @texline @math{2\times2}
19957 matrix), @w{@kbd{v a 3}} produces @samp{[[1, 2, 3], [4]]} (not a
19958 matrix), and @kbd{v a 0} produces the flattened list
19959 @samp{[1, 2, @w{3, 4}]}.
19961 @cindex Sorting data
19969 The @kbd{V S} (@code{calc-sort}) [@code{sort}] command sorts the elements of
19970 a vector into increasing order. Real numbers, real infinities, and
19971 constant interval forms come first in this ordering; next come other
19972 kinds of numbers, then variables (in alphabetical order), then finally
19973 come formulas and other kinds of objects; these are sorted according
19974 to a kind of lexicographic ordering with the useful property that
19975 one vector is less or greater than another if the first corresponding
19976 unequal elements are less or greater, respectively. Since quoted strings
19977 are stored by Calc internally as vectors of ASCII character codes
19978 (@pxref{Strings}), this means vectors of strings are also sorted into
19979 alphabetical order by this command.
19981 The @kbd{I V S} [@code{rsort}] command sorts a vector into decreasing order.
19983 @cindex Permutation, inverse of
19984 @cindex Inverse of permutation
19985 @cindex Index tables
19986 @cindex Rank tables
19994 The @kbd{V G} (@code{calc-grade}) [@code{grade}, @code{rgrade}] command
19995 produces an index table or permutation vector which, if applied to the
19996 input vector (as the index of @kbd{C-u v r}, say), would sort the vector.
19997 A permutation vector is just a vector of integers from 1 to @var{n}, where
19998 each integer occurs exactly once. One application of this is to sort a
19999 matrix of data rows using one column as the sort key; extract that column,
20000 grade it with @kbd{V G}, then use the result to reorder the original matrix
20001 with @kbd{C-u v r}. Another interesting property of the @code{V G} command
20002 is that, if the input is itself a permutation vector, the result will
20003 be the inverse of the permutation. The inverse of an index table is
20004 a rank table, whose @var{k}th element says where the @var{k}th original
20005 vector element will rest when the vector is sorted. To get a rank
20006 table, just use @kbd{V G V G}.
20008 With the Inverse flag, @kbd{I V G} produces an index table that would
20009 sort the input into decreasing order. Note that @kbd{V S} and @kbd{V G}
20010 use a ``stable'' sorting algorithm, i.e., any two elements which are equal
20011 will not be moved out of their original order. Generally there is no way
20012 to tell with @kbd{V S}, since two elements which are equal look the same,
20013 but with @kbd{V G} this can be an important issue. In the matrix-of-rows
20014 example, suppose you have names and telephone numbers as two columns and
20015 you wish to sort by phone number primarily, and by name when the numbers
20016 are equal. You can sort the data matrix by names first, and then again
20017 by phone numbers. Because the sort is stable, any two rows with equal
20018 phone numbers will remain sorted by name even after the second sort.
20023 @pindex calc-histogram
20025 @mindex histo@idots
20028 The @kbd{V H} (@code{calc-histogram}) [@code{histogram}] command builds a
20029 histogram of a vector of numbers. Vector elements are assumed to be
20030 integers or real numbers in the range [0..@var{n}) for some ``number of
20031 bins'' @var{n}, which is the numeric prefix argument given to the
20032 command. The result is a vector of @var{n} counts of how many times
20033 each value appeared in the original vector. Non-integers in the input
20034 are rounded down to integers. Any vector elements outside the specified
20035 range are ignored. (You can tell if elements have been ignored by noting
20036 that the counts in the result vector don't add up to the length of the
20039 If no prefix is given, then you will be prompted for a vector which
20040 will be used to determine the bins. (If a positive integer is given at
20041 this prompt, it will be still treated as if it were given as a
20042 prefix.) Each bin will consist of the interval of numbers closest to
20043 the corresponding number of this new vector; if the vector
20044 @expr{[a, b, c, ...]} is entered at the prompt, the bins will be
20045 @expr{(-inf, (a+b)/2]}, @expr{((a+b)/2, (b+c)/2]}, etc. The result of
20046 this command will be a vector counting how many elements of the
20047 original vector are in each bin.
20049 The result will then be a vector with the same length as this new vector;
20050 each element of the new vector will be replaced by the number of
20051 elements of the original vector which are closest to it.
20055 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H V H} pulls two vectors from the stack.
20056 The second-to-top vector is the list of numbers as before. The top
20057 vector is an equal-sized list of ``weights'' to attach to the elements
20058 of the data vector. For example, if the first data element is 4.2 and
20059 the first weight is 10, then 10 will be added to bin 4 of the result
20060 vector. Without the hyperbolic flag, every element has a weight of one.
20064 @pindex calc-transpose
20066 The @kbd{v t} (@code{calc-transpose}) [@code{trn}] command computes
20067 the transpose of the matrix at the top of the stack. If the argument
20068 is a plain vector, it is treated as a row vector and transposed into
20069 a one-column matrix.
20073 @pindex calc-reverse-vector
20075 The @kbd{v v} (@code{calc-reverse-vector}) [@code{rev}] command reverses
20076 a vector end-for-end. Given a matrix, it reverses the order of the rows.
20077 (To reverse the columns instead, just use @kbd{v t v v v t}. The same
20078 principle can be used to apply other vector commands to the columns of
20083 @pindex calc-mask-vector
20085 The @kbd{v m} (@code{calc-mask-vector}) [@code{vmask}] command uses
20086 one vector as a mask to extract elements of another vector. The mask
20087 is in the second-to-top position; the target vector is on the top of
20088 the stack. These vectors must have the same length. The result is
20089 the same as the target vector, but with all elements which correspond
20090 to zeros in the mask vector deleted. Thus, for example,
20091 @samp{vmask([1, 0, 1, 0, 1], [a, b, c, d, e])} produces @samp{[a, c, e]}.
20092 @xref{Logical Operations}.
20096 @pindex calc-expand-vector
20098 The @kbd{v e} (@code{calc-expand-vector}) [@code{vexp}] command
20099 expands a vector according to another mask vector. The result is a
20100 vector the same length as the mask, but with nonzero elements replaced
20101 by successive elements from the target vector. The length of the target
20102 vector is normally the number of nonzero elements in the mask. If the
20103 target vector is longer, its last few elements are lost. If the target
20104 vector is shorter, the last few nonzero mask elements are left
20105 unreplaced in the result. Thus @samp{vexp([2, 0, 3, 0, 7], [a, b])}
20106 produces @samp{[a, 0, b, 0, 7]}.
20110 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H v e} takes a filler value from the
20111 top of the stack; the mask and target vectors come from the third and
20112 second elements of the stack. This filler is used where the mask is
20113 zero: @samp{vexp([2, 0, 3, 0, 7], [a, b], z)} produces
20114 @samp{[a, z, c, z, 7]}. If the filler value is itself a vector,
20115 then successive values are taken from it, so that the effect is to
20116 interleave two vectors according to the mask:
20117 @samp{vexp([2, 0, 3, 7, 0, 0], [a, b], [x, y])} produces
20118 @samp{[a, x, b, 7, y, 0]}.
20120 Another variation on the masking idea is to combine @samp{[a, b, c, d, e]}
20121 with the mask @samp{[1, 0, 1, 0, 1]} to produce @samp{[a, 0, c, 0, e]}.
20122 You can accomplish this with @kbd{V M a &}, mapping the logical ``and''
20123 operation across the two vectors. @xref{Logical Operations}. Note that
20124 the @code{? :} operation also discussed there allows other types of
20125 masking using vectors.
20127 @node Vector and Matrix Arithmetic, Set Operations, Manipulating Vectors, Matrix Functions
20128 @section Vector and Matrix Arithmetic
20131 Basic arithmetic operations like addition and multiplication are defined
20132 for vectors and matrices as well as for numbers. Division of matrices, in
20133 the sense of multiplying by the inverse, is supported. (Division by a
20134 matrix actually uses LU-decomposition for greater accuracy and speed.)
20135 @xref{Basic Arithmetic}.
20137 The following functions are applied element-wise if their arguments are
20138 vectors or matrices: @code{change-sign}, @code{conj}, @code{arg},
20139 @code{re}, @code{im}, @code{polar}, @code{rect}, @code{clean},
20140 @code{float}, @code{frac}. @xref{Function Index}.
20144 @pindex calc-conj-transpose
20146 The @kbd{V J} (@code{calc-conj-transpose}) [@code{ctrn}] command computes
20147 the conjugate transpose of its argument, i.e., @samp{conj(trn(x))}.
20152 @kindex A (vectors)
20153 @pindex calc-abs (vectors)
20157 @tindex abs (vectors)
20158 The @kbd{A} (@code{calc-abs}) [@code{abs}] command computes the
20159 Frobenius norm of a vector or matrix argument. This is the square
20160 root of the sum of the squares of the absolute values of the
20161 elements of the vector or matrix. If the vector is interpreted as
20162 a point in two- or three-dimensional space, this is the distance
20163 from that point to the origin.
20169 The @kbd{v n} (@code{calc-rnorm}) [@code{rnorm}] command computes the
20170 infinity-norm of a vector, or the row norm of a matrix. For a plain
20171 vector, this is the maximum of the absolute values of the elements. For
20172 a matrix, this is the maximum of the row-absolute-value-sums, i.e., of
20173 the sums of the absolute values of the elements along the various rows.
20179 The @kbd{V N} (@code{calc-cnorm}) [@code{cnorm}] command computes
20180 the one-norm of a vector, or column norm of a matrix. For a plain
20181 vector, this is the sum of the absolute values of the elements.
20182 For a matrix, this is the maximum of the column-absolute-value-sums.
20183 General @expr{k}-norms for @expr{k} other than one or infinity are
20184 not provided. However, the 2-norm (or Frobenius norm) is provided for
20185 vectors by the @kbd{A} (@code{calc-abs}) command.
20191 The @kbd{V C} (@code{calc-cross}) [@code{cross}] command computes the
20192 right-handed cross product of two vectors, each of which must have
20193 exactly three elements.
20198 @kindex & (matrices)
20199 @pindex calc-inv (matrices)
20203 @tindex inv (matrices)
20204 The @kbd{&} (@code{calc-inv}) [@code{inv}] command computes the
20205 inverse of a square matrix. If the matrix is singular, the inverse
20206 operation is left in symbolic form. Matrix inverses are recorded so
20207 that once an inverse (or determinant) of a particular matrix has been
20208 computed, the inverse and determinant of the matrix can be recomputed
20209 quickly in the future.
20211 If the argument to @kbd{&} is a plain number @expr{x}, this
20212 command simply computes @expr{1/x}. This is okay, because the
20213 @samp{/} operator also does a matrix inversion when dividing one
20220 The @kbd{V D} (@code{calc-mdet}) [@code{det}] command computes the
20221 determinant of a square matrix.
20227 The @kbd{V L} (@code{calc-mlud}) [@code{lud}] command computes the
20228 LU decomposition of a matrix. The result is a list of three matrices
20229 which, when multiplied together left-to-right, form the original matrix.
20230 The first is a permutation matrix that arises from pivoting in the
20231 algorithm, the second is lower-triangular with ones on the diagonal,
20232 and the third is upper-triangular.
20236 @pindex calc-mtrace
20238 The @kbd{V T} (@code{calc-mtrace}) [@code{tr}] command computes the
20239 trace of a square matrix. This is defined as the sum of the diagonal
20240 elements of the matrix.
20246 The @kbd{V K} (@code{calc-kron}) [@code{kron}] command computes
20247 the Kronecker product of two matrices.
20249 @node Set Operations, Statistical Operations, Vector and Matrix Arithmetic, Matrix Functions
20250 @section Set Operations using Vectors
20253 @cindex Sets, as vectors
20254 Calc includes several commands which interpret vectors as @dfn{sets} of
20255 objects. A set is a collection of objects; any given object can appear
20256 only once in the set. Calc stores sets as vectors of objects in
20257 sorted order. Objects in a Calc set can be any of the usual things,
20258 such as numbers, variables, or formulas. Two set elements are considered
20259 equal if they are identical, except that numerically equal numbers like
20260 the integer 4 and the float 4.0 are considered equal even though they
20261 are not ``identical.'' Variables are treated like plain symbols without
20262 attached values by the set operations; subtracting the set @samp{[b]}
20263 from @samp{[a, b]} always yields the set @samp{[a]} even though if
20264 the variables @samp{a} and @samp{b} both equaled 17, you might
20265 expect the answer @samp{[]}.
20267 If a set contains interval forms, then it is assumed to be a set of
20268 real numbers. In this case, all set operations require the elements
20269 of the set to be only things that are allowed in intervals: Real
20270 numbers, plus and minus infinity, HMS forms, and date forms. If
20271 there are variables or other non-real objects present in a real set,
20272 all set operations on it will be left in unevaluated form.
20274 If the input to a set operation is a plain number or interval form
20275 @var{a}, it is treated like the one-element vector @samp{[@var{a}]}.
20276 The result is always a vector, except that if the set consists of a
20277 single interval, the interval itself is returned instead.
20279 @xref{Logical Operations}, for the @code{in} function which tests if
20280 a certain value is a member of a given set. To test if the set @expr{A}
20281 is a subset of the set @expr{B}, use @samp{vdiff(A, B) = []}.
20285 @pindex calc-remove-duplicates
20287 The @kbd{V +} (@code{calc-remove-duplicates}) [@code{rdup}] command
20288 converts an arbitrary vector into set notation. It works by sorting
20289 the vector as if by @kbd{V S}, then removing duplicates. (For example,
20290 @kbd{[a, 5, 4, a, 4.0]} is sorted to @samp{[4, 4.0, 5, a, a]} and then
20291 reduced to @samp{[4, 5, a]}). Overlapping intervals are merged as
20292 necessary. You rarely need to use @kbd{V +} explicitly, since all the
20293 other set-based commands apply @kbd{V +} to their inputs before using
20298 @pindex calc-set-union
20300 The @kbd{V V} (@code{calc-set-union}) [@code{vunion}] command computes
20301 the union of two sets. An object is in the union of two sets if and
20302 only if it is in either (or both) of the input sets. (You could
20303 accomplish the same thing by concatenating the sets with @kbd{|},
20304 then using @kbd{V +}.)
20308 @pindex calc-set-intersect
20310 The @kbd{V ^} (@code{calc-set-intersect}) [@code{vint}] command computes
20311 the intersection of two sets. An object is in the intersection if
20312 and only if it is in both of the input sets. Thus if the input
20313 sets are disjoint, i.e., if they share no common elements, the result
20314 will be the empty vector @samp{[]}. Note that the characters @kbd{V}
20315 and @kbd{^} were chosen to be close to the conventional mathematical
20317 @texline union@tie{}(@math{A \cup B})
20320 @texline intersection@tie{}(@math{A \cap B}).
20321 @infoline intersection.
20325 @pindex calc-set-difference
20327 The @kbd{V -} (@code{calc-set-difference}) [@code{vdiff}] command computes
20328 the difference between two sets. An object is in the difference
20329 @expr{A - B} if and only if it is in @expr{A} but not in @expr{B}.
20330 Thus subtracting @samp{[y,z]} from a set will remove the elements
20331 @samp{y} and @samp{z} if they are present. You can also think of this
20332 as a general @dfn{set complement} operator; if @expr{A} is the set of
20333 all possible values, then @expr{A - B} is the ``complement'' of @expr{B}.
20334 Obviously this is only practical if the set of all possible values in
20335 your problem is small enough to list in a Calc vector (or simple
20336 enough to express in a few intervals).
20340 @pindex calc-set-xor
20342 The @kbd{V X} (@code{calc-set-xor}) [@code{vxor}] command computes
20343 the ``exclusive-or,'' or ``symmetric difference'' of two sets.
20344 An object is in the symmetric difference of two sets if and only
20345 if it is in one, but @emph{not} both, of the sets. Objects that
20346 occur in both sets ``cancel out.''
20350 @pindex calc-set-complement
20352 The @kbd{V ~} (@code{calc-set-complement}) [@code{vcompl}] command
20353 computes the complement of a set with respect to the real numbers.
20354 Thus @samp{vcompl(x)} is equivalent to @samp{vdiff([-inf .. inf], x)}.
20355 For example, @samp{vcompl([2, (3 .. 4]])} evaluates to
20356 @samp{[[-inf .. 2), (2 .. 3], (4 .. inf]]}.
20360 @pindex calc-set-floor
20362 The @kbd{V F} (@code{calc-set-floor}) [@code{vfloor}] command
20363 reinterprets a set as a set of integers. Any non-integer values,
20364 and intervals that do not enclose any integers, are removed. Open
20365 intervals are converted to equivalent closed intervals. Successive
20366 integers are converted into intervals of integers. For example, the
20367 complement of the set @samp{[2, 6, 7, 8]} is messy, but if you wanted
20368 the complement with respect to the set of integers you could type
20369 @kbd{V ~ V F} to get @samp{[[-inf .. 1], [3 .. 5], [9 .. inf]]}.
20373 @pindex calc-set-enumerate
20375 The @kbd{V E} (@code{calc-set-enumerate}) [@code{venum}] command
20376 converts a set of integers into an explicit vector. Intervals in
20377 the set are expanded out to lists of all integers encompassed by
20378 the intervals. This only works for finite sets (i.e., sets which
20379 do not involve @samp{-inf} or @samp{inf}).
20383 @pindex calc-set-span
20385 The @kbd{V :} (@code{calc-set-span}) [@code{vspan}] command converts any
20386 set of reals into an interval form that encompasses all its elements.
20387 The lower limit will be the smallest element in the set; the upper
20388 limit will be the largest element. For an empty set, @samp{vspan([])}
20389 returns the empty interval @w{@samp{[0 .. 0)}}.
20393 @pindex calc-set-cardinality
20395 The @kbd{V #} (@code{calc-set-cardinality}) [@code{vcard}] command counts
20396 the number of integers in a set. The result is the length of the vector
20397 that would be produced by @kbd{V E}, although the computation is much
20398 more efficient than actually producing that vector.
20400 @cindex Sets, as binary numbers
20401 Another representation for sets that may be more appropriate in some
20402 cases is binary numbers. If you are dealing with sets of integers
20403 in the range 0 to 49, you can use a 50-bit binary number where a
20404 particular bit is 1 if the corresponding element is in the set.
20405 @xref{Binary Functions}, for a list of commands that operate on
20406 binary numbers. Note that many of the above set operations have
20407 direct equivalents in binary arithmetic: @kbd{b o} (@code{calc-or}),
20408 @kbd{b a} (@code{calc-and}), @kbd{b d} (@code{calc-diff}),
20409 @kbd{b x} (@code{calc-xor}), and @kbd{b n} (@code{calc-not}),
20410 respectively. You can use whatever representation for sets is most
20415 @pindex calc-pack-bits
20416 @pindex calc-unpack-bits
20419 The @kbd{b u} (@code{calc-unpack-bits}) [@code{vunpack}] command
20420 converts an integer that represents a set in binary into a set
20421 in vector/interval notation. For example, @samp{vunpack(67)}
20422 returns @samp{[[0 .. 1], 6]}. If the input is negative, the set
20423 it represents is semi-infinite: @samp{vunpack(-4) = [2 .. inf)}.
20424 Use @kbd{V E} afterwards to expand intervals to individual
20425 values if you wish. Note that this command uses the @kbd{b}
20426 (binary) prefix key.
20428 The @kbd{b p} (@code{calc-pack-bits}) [@code{vpack}] command
20429 converts the other way, from a vector or interval representing
20430 a set of nonnegative integers into a binary integer describing
20431 the same set. The set may include positive infinity, but must
20432 not include any negative numbers. The input is interpreted as a
20433 set of integers in the sense of @kbd{V F} (@code{vfloor}). Beware
20434 that a simple input like @samp{[100]} can result in a huge integer
20436 @texline (@math{2^{100}}, a 31-digit integer, in this case).
20437 @infoline (@expr{2^100}, a 31-digit integer, in this case).
20439 @node Statistical Operations, Reducing and Mapping, Set Operations, Matrix Functions
20440 @section Statistical Operations on Vectors
20443 @cindex Statistical functions
20444 The commands in this section take vectors as arguments and compute
20445 various statistical measures on the data stored in the vectors. The
20446 references used in the definitions of these functions are Bevington's
20447 @emph{Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences},
20448 and @emph{Numerical Recipes} by Press, Flannery, Teukolsky and
20451 The statistical commands use the @kbd{u} prefix key followed by
20452 a shifted letter or other character.
20454 @xref{Manipulating Vectors}, for a description of @kbd{V H}
20455 (@code{calc-histogram}).
20457 @xref{Curve Fitting}, for the @kbd{a F} command for doing
20458 least-squares fits to statistical data.
20460 @xref{Probability Distribution Functions}, for several common
20461 probability distribution functions.
20464 * Single-Variable Statistics::
20465 * Paired-Sample Statistics::
20468 @node Single-Variable Statistics, Paired-Sample Statistics, Statistical Operations, Statistical Operations
20469 @subsection Single-Variable Statistics
20472 These functions do various statistical computations on single
20473 vectors. Given a numeric prefix argument, they actually pop
20474 @var{n} objects from the stack and combine them into a data
20475 vector. Each object may be either a number or a vector; if a
20476 vector, any sub-vectors inside it are ``flattened'' as if by
20477 @kbd{v a 0}; @pxref{Manipulating Vectors}. By default one object
20478 is popped, which (in order to be useful) is usually a vector.
20480 If an argument is a variable name, and the value stored in that
20481 variable is a vector, then the stored vector is used. This method
20482 has the advantage that if your data vector is large, you can avoid
20483 the slow process of manipulating it directly on the stack.
20485 These functions are left in symbolic form if any of their arguments
20486 are not numbers or vectors, e.g., if an argument is a formula, or
20487 a non-vector variable. However, formulas embedded within vector
20488 arguments are accepted; the result is a symbolic representation
20489 of the computation, based on the assumption that the formula does
20490 not itself represent a vector. All varieties of numbers such as
20491 error forms and interval forms are acceptable.
20493 Some of the functions in this section also accept a single error form
20494 or interval as an argument. They then describe a property of the
20495 normal or uniform (respectively) statistical distribution described
20496 by the argument. The arguments are interpreted in the same way as
20497 the @var{M} argument of the random number function @kbd{k r}. In
20498 particular, an interval with integer limits is considered an integer
20499 distribution, so that @samp{[2 .. 6)} is the same as @samp{[2 .. 5]}.
20500 An interval with at least one floating-point limit is a continuous
20501 distribution: @samp{[2.0 .. 6.0)} is @emph{not} the same as
20502 @samp{[2.0 .. 5.0]}!
20505 @pindex calc-vector-count
20507 The @kbd{u #} (@code{calc-vector-count}) [@code{vcount}] command
20508 computes the number of data values represented by the inputs.
20509 For example, @samp{vcount(1, [2, 3], [[4, 5], [], x, y])} returns 7.
20510 If the argument is a single vector with no sub-vectors, this
20511 simply computes the length of the vector.
20515 @pindex calc-vector-sum
20516 @pindex calc-vector-prod
20519 @cindex Summations (statistical)
20520 The @kbd{u +} (@code{calc-vector-sum}) [@code{vsum}] command
20521 computes the sum of the data values. The @kbd{u *}
20522 (@code{calc-vector-prod}) [@code{vprod}] command computes the
20523 product of the data values. If the input is a single flat vector,
20524 these are the same as @kbd{V R +} and @kbd{V R *}
20525 (@pxref{Reducing and Mapping}).
20529 @pindex calc-vector-max
20530 @pindex calc-vector-min
20533 The @kbd{u X} (@code{calc-vector-max}) [@code{vmax}] command
20534 computes the maximum of the data values, and the @kbd{u N}
20535 (@code{calc-vector-min}) [@code{vmin}] command computes the minimum.
20536 If the argument is an interval, this finds the minimum or maximum
20537 value in the interval. (Note that @samp{vmax([2..6)) = 5} as
20538 described above.) If the argument is an error form, this returns
20539 plus or minus infinity.
20542 @pindex calc-vector-mean
20544 @cindex Mean of data values
20545 The @kbd{u M} (@code{calc-vector-mean}) [@code{vmean}] command
20546 computes the average (arithmetic mean) of the data values.
20547 If the inputs are error forms
20548 @texline @math{x \pm \sigma},
20549 @infoline @samp{x +/- s},
20550 this is the weighted mean of the @expr{x} values with weights
20551 @texline @math{1 /\sigma^2}.
20552 @infoline @expr{1 / s^2}.
20554 $$ \mu = { \displaystyle \sum { x_i \over \sigma_i^2 } \over
20555 \displaystyle \sum { 1 \over \sigma_i^2 } } $$
20557 If the inputs are not error forms, this is simply the sum of the
20558 values divided by the count of the values.
20560 Note that a plain number can be considered an error form with
20562 @texline @math{\sigma = 0}.
20563 @infoline @expr{s = 0}.
20564 If the input to @kbd{u M} is a mixture of
20565 plain numbers and error forms, the result is the mean of the
20566 plain numbers, ignoring all values with non-zero errors. (By the
20567 above definitions it's clear that a plain number effectively
20568 has an infinite weight, next to which an error form with a finite
20569 weight is completely negligible.)
20571 This function also works for distributions (error forms or
20572 intervals). The mean of an error form `@var{a} @tfn{+/-} @var{b}' is simply
20573 @expr{a}. The mean of an interval is the mean of the minimum
20574 and maximum values of the interval.
20577 @pindex calc-vector-mean-error
20579 The @kbd{I u M} (@code{calc-vector-mean-error}) [@code{vmeane}]
20580 command computes the mean of the data points expressed as an
20581 error form. This includes the estimated error associated with
20582 the mean. If the inputs are error forms, the error is the square
20583 root of the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the squares
20584 of the input errors. (I.e., the variance is the reciprocal of the
20585 sum of the reciprocals of the variances.)
20587 $$ \sigma_\mu^2 = {1 \over \displaystyle \sum {1 \over \sigma_i^2}} $$
20589 If the inputs are plain
20590 numbers, the error is equal to the standard deviation of the values
20591 divided by the square root of the number of values. (This works
20592 out to be equivalent to calculating the standard deviation and
20593 then assuming each value's error is equal to this standard
20596 $$ \sigma_\mu^2 = {\sigma^2 \over N} $$
20600 @pindex calc-vector-median
20602 @cindex Median of data values
20603 The @kbd{H u M} (@code{calc-vector-median}) [@code{vmedian}]
20604 command computes the median of the data values. The values are
20605 first sorted into numerical order; the median is the middle
20606 value after sorting. (If the number of data values is even,
20607 the median is taken to be the average of the two middle values.)
20608 The median function is different from the other functions in
20609 this section in that the arguments must all be real numbers;
20610 variables are not accepted even when nested inside vectors.
20611 (Otherwise it is not possible to sort the data values.) If
20612 any of the input values are error forms, their error parts are
20615 The median function also accepts distributions. For both normal
20616 (error form) and uniform (interval) distributions, the median is
20617 the same as the mean.
20620 @pindex calc-vector-harmonic-mean
20622 @cindex Harmonic mean
20623 The @kbd{H I u M} (@code{calc-vector-harmonic-mean}) [@code{vhmean}]
20624 command computes the harmonic mean of the data values. This is
20625 defined as the reciprocal of the arithmetic mean of the reciprocals
20628 $$ { N \over \displaystyle \sum {1 \over x_i} } $$
20632 @pindex calc-vector-geometric-mean
20634 @cindex Geometric mean
20635 The @kbd{u G} (@code{calc-vector-geometric-mean}) [@code{vgmean}]
20636 command computes the geometric mean of the data values. This
20637 is the @var{n}th root of the product of the values. This is also
20638 equal to the @code{exp} of the arithmetic mean of the logarithms
20639 of the data values.
20641 $$ \exp \left ( \sum { \ln x_i } \right ) =
20642 \left ( \prod { x_i } \right)^{1 / N} $$
20647 The @kbd{H u G} [@code{agmean}] command computes the ``arithmetic-geometric
20648 mean'' of two numbers taken from the stack. This is computed by
20649 replacing the two numbers with their arithmetic mean and geometric
20650 mean, then repeating until the two values converge.
20652 $$ a_{i+1} = { a_i + b_i \over 2 } , \qquad b_{i+1} = \sqrt{a_i b_i} $$
20655 @cindex Root-mean-square
20656 Another commonly used mean, the RMS (root-mean-square), can be computed
20657 for a vector of numbers simply by using the @kbd{A} command.
20660 @pindex calc-vector-sdev
20662 @cindex Standard deviation
20663 @cindex Sample statistics
20664 The @kbd{u S} (@code{calc-vector-sdev}) [@code{vsdev}] command
20665 computes the standard
20666 @texline deviation@tie{}@math{\sigma}
20667 @infoline deviation
20668 of the data values. If the values are error forms, the errors are used
20669 as weights just as for @kbd{u M}. This is the @emph{sample} standard
20670 deviation, whose value is the square root of the sum of the squares of
20671 the differences between the values and the mean of the @expr{N} values,
20672 divided by @expr{N-1}.
20674 $$ \sigma^2 = {1 \over N - 1} \sum (x_i - \mu)^2 $$
20677 This function also applies to distributions. The standard deviation
20678 of a single error form is simply the error part. The standard deviation
20679 of a continuous interval happens to equal the difference between the
20681 @texline @math{\sqrt{12}}.
20682 @infoline @expr{sqrt(12)}.
20683 The standard deviation of an integer interval is the same as the
20684 standard deviation of a vector of those integers.
20687 @pindex calc-vector-pop-sdev
20689 @cindex Population statistics
20690 The @kbd{I u S} (@code{calc-vector-pop-sdev}) [@code{vpsdev}]
20691 command computes the @emph{population} standard deviation.
20692 It is defined by the same formula as above but dividing
20693 by @expr{N} instead of by @expr{N-1}. The population standard
20694 deviation is used when the input represents the entire set of
20695 data values in the distribution; the sample standard deviation
20696 is used when the input represents a sample of the set of all
20697 data values, so that the mean computed from the input is itself
20698 only an estimate of the true mean.
20700 $$ \sigma^2 = {1 \over N} \sum (x_i - \mu)^2 $$
20703 For error forms and continuous intervals, @code{vpsdev} works
20704 exactly like @code{vsdev}. For integer intervals, it computes the
20705 population standard deviation of the equivalent vector of integers.
20709 @pindex calc-vector-variance
20710 @pindex calc-vector-pop-variance
20713 @cindex Variance of data values
20714 The @kbd{H u S} (@code{calc-vector-variance}) [@code{vvar}] and
20715 @kbd{H I u S} (@code{calc-vector-pop-variance}) [@code{vpvar}]
20716 commands compute the variance of the data values. The variance
20718 @texline square@tie{}@math{\sigma^2}
20720 of the standard deviation, i.e., the sum of the
20721 squares of the deviations of the data values from the mean.
20722 (This definition also applies when the argument is a distribution.)
20728 The @code{vflat} algebraic function returns a vector of its
20729 arguments, interpreted in the same way as the other functions
20730 in this section. For example, @samp{vflat(1, [2, [3, 4]], 5)}
20731 returns @samp{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.
20733 @node Paired-Sample Statistics, , Single-Variable Statistics, Statistical Operations
20734 @subsection Paired-Sample Statistics
20737 The functions in this section take two arguments, which must be
20738 vectors of equal size. The vectors are each flattened in the same
20739 way as by the single-variable statistical functions. Given a numeric
20740 prefix argument of 1, these functions instead take one object from
20741 the stack, which must be an
20742 @texline @math{N\times2}
20744 matrix of data values. Once again, variable names can be used in place
20745 of actual vectors and matrices.
20748 @pindex calc-vector-covariance
20751 The @kbd{u C} (@code{calc-vector-covariance}) [@code{vcov}] command
20752 computes the sample covariance of two vectors. The covariance
20753 of vectors @var{x} and @var{y} is the sum of the products of the
20754 differences between the elements of @var{x} and the mean of @var{x}
20755 times the differences between the corresponding elements of @var{y}
20756 and the mean of @var{y}, all divided by @expr{N-1}. Note that
20757 the variance of a vector is just the covariance of the vector
20758 with itself. Once again, if the inputs are error forms the
20759 errors are used as weight factors. If both @var{x} and @var{y}
20760 are composed of error forms, the error for a given data point
20761 is taken as the square root of the sum of the squares of the two
20764 $$ \sigma_{x\!y}^2 = {1 \over N-1} \sum (x_i - \mu_x) (y_i - \mu_y) $$
20765 $$ \sigma_{x\!y}^2 =
20766 {\displaystyle {1 \over N-1}
20767 \sum {(x_i - \mu_x) (y_i - \mu_y) \over \sigma_i^2}
20768 \over \displaystyle {1 \over N} \sum {1 \over \sigma_i^2}}
20773 @pindex calc-vector-pop-covariance
20775 The @kbd{I u C} (@code{calc-vector-pop-covariance}) [@code{vpcov}]
20776 command computes the population covariance, which is the same as the
20777 sample covariance computed by @kbd{u C} except dividing by @expr{N}
20778 instead of @expr{N-1}.
20781 @pindex calc-vector-correlation
20783 @cindex Correlation coefficient
20784 @cindex Linear correlation
20785 The @kbd{H u C} (@code{calc-vector-correlation}) [@code{vcorr}]
20786 command computes the linear correlation coefficient of two vectors.
20787 This is defined by the covariance of the vectors divided by the
20788 product of their standard deviations. (There is no difference
20789 between sample or population statistics here.)
20791 $$ r_{x\!y} = { \sigma_{x\!y}^2 \over \sigma_x^2 \sigma_y^2 } $$
20794 @node Reducing and Mapping, Vector and Matrix Formats, Statistical Operations, Matrix Functions
20795 @section Reducing and Mapping Vectors
20798 The commands in this section allow for more general operations on the
20799 elements of vectors.
20805 The simplest of these operations is @kbd{V A} (@code{calc-apply})
20806 [@code{apply}], which applies a given operator to the elements of a vector.
20807 For example, applying the hypothetical function @code{f} to the vector
20808 @w{@samp{[1, 2, 3]}} would produce the function call @samp{f(1, 2, 3)}.
20809 Applying the @code{+} function to the vector @samp{[a, b]} gives
20810 @samp{a + b}. Applying @code{+} to the vector @samp{[a, b, c]} is an
20811 error, since the @code{+} function expects exactly two arguments.
20813 While @kbd{V A} is useful in some cases, you will usually find that either
20814 @kbd{V R} or @kbd{V M}, described below, is closer to what you want.
20817 * Specifying Operators::
20820 * Nesting and Fixed Points::
20821 * Generalized Products::
20824 @node Specifying Operators, Mapping, Reducing and Mapping, Reducing and Mapping
20825 @subsection Specifying Operators
20828 Commands in this section (like @kbd{V A}) prompt you to press the key
20829 corresponding to the desired operator. Press @kbd{?} for a partial
20830 list of the available operators. Generally, an operator is any key or
20831 sequence of keys that would normally take one or more arguments from
20832 the stack and replace them with a result. For example, @kbd{V A H C}
20833 uses the hyperbolic cosine operator, @code{cosh}. (Since @code{cosh}
20834 expects one argument, @kbd{V A H C} requires a vector with a single
20835 element as its argument.)
20837 You can press @kbd{x} at the operator prompt to select any algebraic
20838 function by name to use as the operator. This includes functions you
20839 have defined yourself using the @kbd{Z F} command. (@xref{Algebraic
20840 Definitions}.) If you give a name for which no function has been
20841 defined, the result is left in symbolic form, as in @samp{f(1, 2, 3)}.
20842 Calc will prompt for the number of arguments the function takes if it
20843 can't figure it out on its own (say, because you named a function that
20844 is currently undefined). It is also possible to type a digit key before
20845 the function name to specify the number of arguments, e.g.,
20846 @kbd{V M 3 x f @key{RET}} calls @code{f} with three arguments even if it
20847 looks like it ought to have only two. This technique may be necessary
20848 if the function allows a variable number of arguments. For example,
20849 the @kbd{v e} [@code{vexp}] function accepts two or three arguments;
20850 if you want to map with the three-argument version, you will have to
20851 type @kbd{V M 3 v e}.
20853 It is also possible to apply any formula to a vector by treating that
20854 formula as a function. When prompted for the operator to use, press
20855 @kbd{'} (the apostrophe) and type your formula as an algebraic entry.
20856 You will then be prompted for the argument list, which defaults to a
20857 list of all variables that appear in the formula, sorted into alphabetic
20858 order. For example, suppose you enter the formula @w{@samp{x + 2y^x}}.
20859 The default argument list would be @samp{(x y)}, which means that if
20860 this function is applied to the arguments @samp{[3, 10]} the result will
20861 be @samp{3 + 2*10^3}. (If you plan to use a certain formula in this
20862 way often, you might consider defining it as a function with @kbd{Z F}.)
20864 Another way to specify the arguments to the formula you enter is with
20865 @kbd{$}, @kbd{$$}, and so on. For example, @kbd{V A ' $$ + 2$^$$}
20866 has the same effect as the previous example. The argument list is
20867 automatically taken to be @samp{($$ $)}. (The order of the arguments
20868 may seem backwards, but it is analogous to the way normal algebraic
20869 entry interacts with the stack.)
20871 If you press @kbd{$} at the operator prompt, the effect is similar to
20872 the apostrophe except that the relevant formula is taken from top-of-stack
20873 instead. The actual vector arguments of the @kbd{V A $} or related command
20874 then start at the second-to-top stack position. You will still be
20875 prompted for an argument list.
20877 @cindex Nameless functions
20878 @cindex Generic functions
20879 A function can be written without a name using the notation @samp{<#1 - #2>},
20880 which means ``a function of two arguments that computes the first
20881 argument minus the second argument.'' The symbols @samp{#1} and @samp{#2}
20882 are placeholders for the arguments. You can use any names for these
20883 placeholders if you wish, by including an argument list followed by a
20884 colon: @samp{<x, y : x - y>}. When you type @kbd{V A ' $$ + 2$^$$ @key{RET}},
20885 Calc builds the nameless function @samp{<#1 + 2 #2^#1>} as the function
20886 to map across the vectors. When you type @kbd{V A ' x + 2y^x @key{RET} @key{RET}},
20887 Calc builds the nameless function @w{@samp{<x, y : x + 2 y^x>}}. In both
20888 cases, Calc also writes the nameless function to the Trail so that you
20889 can get it back later if you wish.
20891 If there is only one argument, you can write @samp{#} in place of @samp{#1}.
20892 (Note that @samp{< >} notation is also used for date forms. Calc tells
20893 that @samp{<@var{stuff}>} is a nameless function by the presence of
20894 @samp{#} signs inside @var{stuff}, or by the fact that @var{stuff}
20895 begins with a list of variables followed by a colon.)
20897 You can type a nameless function directly to @kbd{V A '}, or put one on
20898 the stack and use it with @w{@kbd{V A $}}. Calc will not prompt for an
20899 argument list in this case, since the nameless function specifies the
20900 argument list as well as the function itself. In @kbd{V A '}, you can
20901 omit the @samp{< >} marks if you use @samp{#} notation for the arguments,
20902 so that @kbd{V A ' #1+#2 @key{RET}} is the same as @kbd{V A ' <#1+#2> @key{RET}},
20903 which in turn is the same as @kbd{V A ' $$+$ @key{RET}}.
20905 @cindex Lambda expressions
20910 The internal format for @samp{<x, y : x + y>} is @samp{lambda(x, y, x + y)}.
20911 (The word @code{lambda} derives from Lisp notation and the theory of
20912 functions.) The internal format for @samp{<#1 + #2>} is @samp{lambda(ArgA,
20913 ArgB, ArgA + ArgB)}. Note that there is no actual Calc function called
20914 @code{lambda}; the whole point is that the @code{lambda} expression is
20915 used in its symbolic form, not evaluated for an answer until it is applied
20916 to specific arguments by a command like @kbd{V A} or @kbd{V M}.
20918 (Actually, @code{lambda} does have one special property: Its arguments
20919 are never evaluated; for example, putting @samp{<(2/3) #>} on the stack
20920 will not simplify the @samp{2/3} until the nameless function is actually
20949 As usual, commands like @kbd{V A} have algebraic function name equivalents.
20950 For example, @kbd{V A k g} with an argument of @samp{v} is equivalent to
20951 @samp{apply(gcd, v)}. The first argument specifies the operator name,
20952 and is either a variable whose name is the same as the function name,
20953 or a nameless function like @samp{<#^3+1>}. Operators that are normally
20954 written as algebraic symbols have the names @code{add}, @code{sub},
20955 @code{mul}, @code{div}, @code{pow}, @code{neg}, @code{mod}, and
20962 The @code{call} function builds a function call out of several arguments:
20963 @samp{call(gcd, x, y)} is the same as @samp{apply(gcd, [x, y])}, which
20964 in turn is the same as @samp{gcd(x, y)}. The first argument of @code{call},
20965 like the other functions described here, may be either a variable naming a
20966 function, or a nameless function (@samp{call(<#1+2#2>, x, y)} is the same
20969 (Experts will notice that it's not quite proper to use a variable to name
20970 a function, since the name @code{gcd} corresponds to the Lisp variable
20971 @code{var-gcd} but to the Lisp function @code{calcFunc-gcd}. Calc
20972 automatically makes this translation, so you don't have to worry
20975 @node Mapping, Reducing, Specifying Operators, Reducing and Mapping
20976 @subsection Mapping
20983 The @kbd{V M} (@code{calc-map}) [@code{map}] command applies a given
20984 operator elementwise to one or more vectors. For example, mapping
20985 @code{A} [@code{abs}] produces a vector of the absolute values of the
20986 elements in the input vector. Mapping @code{+} pops two vectors from
20987 the stack, which must be of equal length, and produces a vector of the
20988 pairwise sums of the elements. If either argument is a non-vector, it
20989 is duplicated for each element of the other vector. For example,
20990 @kbd{[1,2,3] 2 V M ^} squares the elements of the specified vector.
20991 With the 2 listed first, it would have computed a vector of powers of
20992 two. Mapping a user-defined function pops as many arguments from the
20993 stack as the function requires. If you give an undefined name, you will
20994 be prompted for the number of arguments to use.
20996 If any argument to @kbd{V M} is a matrix, the operator is normally mapped
20997 across all elements of the matrix. For example, given the matrix
20998 @expr{[[1, -2, 3], [-4, 5, -6]]}, @kbd{V M A} takes six absolute values to
21000 @texline @math{3\times2}
21002 matrix, @expr{[[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6]]}.
21005 The command @kbd{V M _} [@code{mapr}] (i.e., type an underscore at the
21006 operator prompt) maps by rows instead. For example, @kbd{V M _ A} views
21007 the above matrix as a vector of two 3-element row vectors. It produces
21008 a new vector which contains the absolute values of those row vectors,
21009 namely @expr{[3.74, 8.77]}. (Recall, the absolute value of a vector is
21010 defined as the square root of the sum of the squares of the elements.)
21011 Some operators accept vectors and return new vectors; for example,
21012 @kbd{v v} reverses a vector, so @kbd{V M _ v v} would reverse each row
21013 of the matrix to get a new matrix, @expr{[[3, -2, 1], [-6, 5, -4]]}.
21015 Sometimes a vector of vectors (representing, say, strings, sets, or lists)
21016 happens to look like a matrix. If so, remember to use @kbd{V M _} if you
21017 want to map a function across the whole strings or sets rather than across
21018 their individual elements.
21021 The command @kbd{V M :} [@code{mapc}] maps by columns. Basically, it
21022 transposes the input matrix, maps by rows, and then, if the result is a
21023 matrix, transposes again. For example, @kbd{V M : A} takes the absolute
21024 values of the three columns of the matrix, treating each as a 2-vector,
21025 and @kbd{V M : v v} reverses the columns to get the matrix
21026 @expr{[[-4, 5, -6], [1, -2, 3]]}.
21028 (The symbols @kbd{_} and @kbd{:} were chosen because they had row-like
21029 and column-like appearances, and were not already taken by useful
21030 operators. Also, they appear shifted on most keyboards so they are easy
21031 to type after @kbd{V M}.)
21033 The @kbd{_} and @kbd{:} modifiers have no effect on arguments that are
21034 not matrices (so if none of the arguments are matrices, they have no
21035 effect at all). If some of the arguments are matrices and others are
21036 plain numbers, the plain numbers are held constant for all rows of the
21037 matrix (so that @kbd{2 V M _ ^} squares every row of a matrix; squaring
21038 a vector takes a dot product of the vector with itself).
21040 If some of the arguments are vectors with the same lengths as the
21041 rows (for @kbd{V M _}) or columns (for @kbd{V M :}) of the matrix
21042 arguments, those vectors are also held constant for every row or
21045 Sometimes it is useful to specify another mapping command as the operator
21046 to use with @kbd{V M}. For example, @kbd{V M _ V A +} applies @kbd{V A +}
21047 to each row of the input matrix, which in turn adds the two values on that
21048 row. If you give another vector-operator command as the operator for
21049 @kbd{V M}, it automatically uses map-by-rows mode if you don't specify
21050 otherwise; thus @kbd{V M V A +} is equivalent to @kbd{V M _ V A +}. (If
21051 you really want to map-by-elements another mapping command, you can use
21052 a triple-nested mapping command: @kbd{V M V M V A +} means to map
21053 @kbd{V M V A +} over the rows of the matrix; in turn, @kbd{V A +} is
21054 mapped over the elements of each row.)
21058 Previous versions of Calc had ``map across'' and ``map down'' modes
21059 that are now considered obsolete; the old ``map across'' is now simply
21060 @kbd{V M V A}, and ``map down'' is now @kbd{V M : V A}. The algebraic
21061 functions @code{mapa} and @code{mapd} are still supported, though.
21062 Note also that, while the old mapping modes were persistent (once you
21063 set the mode, it would apply to later mapping commands until you reset
21064 it), the new @kbd{:} and @kbd{_} modifiers apply only to the current
21065 mapping command. The default @kbd{V M} always means map-by-elements.
21067 @xref{Algebraic Manipulation}, for the @kbd{a M} command, which is like
21068 @kbd{V M} but for equations and inequalities instead of vectors.
21069 @xref{Storing Variables}, for the @kbd{s m} command which modifies a
21070 variable's stored value using a @kbd{V M}-like operator.
21072 @node Reducing, Nesting and Fixed Points, Mapping, Reducing and Mapping
21073 @subsection Reducing
21078 @pindex calc-reduce
21080 The @kbd{V R} (@code{calc-reduce}) [@code{reduce}] command applies a given
21081 binary operator across all the elements of a vector. A binary operator is
21082 a function such as @code{+} or @code{max} which takes two arguments. For
21083 example, reducing @code{+} over a vector computes the sum of the elements
21084 of the vector. Reducing @code{-} computes the first element minus each of
21085 the remaining elements. Reducing @code{max} computes the maximum element
21086 and so on. In general, reducing @code{f} over the vector @samp{[a, b, c, d]}
21087 produces @samp{f(f(f(a, b), c), d)}.
21092 The @kbd{I V R} [@code{rreduce}] command is similar to @kbd{V R} except
21093 that works from right to left through the vector. For example, plain
21094 @kbd{V R -} on the vector @samp{[a, b, c, d]} produces @samp{a - b - c - d}
21095 but @kbd{I V R -} on the same vector produces @samp{a - (b - (c - d))},
21096 or @samp{a - b + c - d}. This ``alternating sum'' occurs frequently
21097 in power series expansions.
21102 The @kbd{V U} (@code{calc-accumulate}) [@code{accum}] command does an
21103 accumulation operation. Here Calc does the corresponding reduction
21104 operation, but instead of producing only the final result, it produces
21105 a vector of all the intermediate results. Accumulating @code{+} over
21106 the vector @samp{[a, b, c, d]} produces the vector
21107 @samp{[a, a + b, a + b + c, a + b + c + d]}.
21112 The @kbd{I V U} [@code{raccum}] command does a right-to-left accumulation.
21113 For example, @kbd{I V U -} on the vector @samp{[a, b, c, d]} produces the
21114 vector @samp{[a - b + c - d, b - c + d, c - d, d]}.
21120 As for @kbd{V M}, @kbd{V R} normally reduces a matrix elementwise. For
21121 example, given the matrix @expr{[[a, b, c], [d, e, f]]}, @kbd{V R +} will
21122 compute @expr{a + b + c + d + e + f}. You can type @kbd{V R _} or
21123 @kbd{V R :} to modify this behavior. The @kbd{V R _} [@code{reducea}]
21124 command reduces ``across'' the matrix; it reduces each row of the matrix
21125 as a vector, then collects the results. Thus @kbd{V R _ +} of this
21126 matrix would produce @expr{[a + b + c, d + e + f]}. Similarly, @kbd{V R :}
21127 [@code{reduced}] reduces down; @kbd{V R : +} would produce @expr{[a + d,
21132 There is a third ``by rows'' mode for reduction that is occasionally
21133 useful; @kbd{V R =} [@code{reducer}] simply reduces the operator over
21134 the rows of the matrix themselves. Thus @kbd{V R = +} on the above
21135 matrix would get the same result as @kbd{V R : +}, since adding two
21136 row vectors is equivalent to adding their elements. But @kbd{V R = *}
21137 would multiply the two rows (to get a single number, their dot product),
21138 while @kbd{V R : *} would produce a vector of the products of the columns.
21140 These three matrix reduction modes work with @kbd{V R} and @kbd{I V R},
21141 but they are not currently supported with @kbd{V U} or @kbd{I V U}.
21145 The obsolete reduce-by-columns function, @code{reducec}, is still
21146 supported but there is no way to get it through the @kbd{V R} command.
21148 The commands @kbd{C-x * :} and @kbd{C-x * _} are equivalent to typing
21149 @kbd{C-x * r} to grab a rectangle of data into Calc, and then typing
21150 @kbd{V R : +} or @kbd{V R _ +}, respectively, to sum the columns or
21151 rows of the matrix. @xref{Grabbing From Buffers}.
21153 @node Nesting and Fixed Points, Generalized Products, Reducing, Reducing and Mapping
21154 @subsection Nesting and Fixed Points
21160 The @kbd{H V R} [@code{nest}] command applies a function to a given
21161 argument repeatedly. It takes two values, @samp{a} and @samp{n}, from
21162 the stack, where @samp{n} must be an integer. It then applies the
21163 function nested @samp{n} times; if the function is @samp{f} and @samp{n}
21164 is 3, the result is @samp{f(f(f(a)))}. The number @samp{n} may be
21165 negative if Calc knows an inverse for the function @samp{f}; for
21166 example, @samp{nest(sin, a, -2)} returns @samp{arcsin(arcsin(a))}.
21171 The @kbd{H V U} [@code{anest}] command is an accumulating version of
21172 @code{nest}: It returns a vector of @samp{n+1} values, e.g.,
21173 @samp{[a, f(a), f(f(a)), f(f(f(a)))]}. If @samp{n} is negative and
21174 @samp{F} is the inverse of @samp{f}, then the result is of the
21175 form @samp{[a, F(a), F(F(a)), F(F(F(a)))]}.
21180 @cindex Fixed points
21181 The @kbd{H I V R} [@code{fixp}] command is like @kbd{H V R}, except
21182 that it takes only an @samp{a} value from the stack; the function is
21183 applied until it reaches a ``fixed point,'' i.e., until the result
21189 The @kbd{H I V U} [@code{afixp}] command is an accumulating @code{fixp}.
21190 The first element of the return vector will be the initial value @samp{a};
21191 the last element will be the final result that would have been returned
21194 For example, 0.739085 is a fixed point of the cosine function (in radians):
21195 @samp{cos(0.739085) = 0.739085}. You can find this value by putting, say,
21196 1.0 on the stack and typing @kbd{H I V U C}. (We use the accumulating
21197 version so we can see the intermediate results: @samp{[1, 0.540302, 0.857553,
21198 0.65329, ...]}. With a precision of six, this command will take 36 steps
21199 to converge to 0.739085.)
21201 Newton's method for finding roots is a classic example of iteration
21202 to a fixed point. To find the square root of five starting with an
21203 initial guess, Newton's method would look for a fixed point of the
21204 function @samp{(x + 5/x) / 2}. Putting a guess of 1 on the stack
21205 and typing @kbd{H I V R ' ($ + 5/$)/2 @key{RET}} quickly yields the result
21206 2.23607. This is equivalent to using the @kbd{a R} (@code{calc-find-root})
21207 command to find a root of the equation @samp{x^2 = 5}.
21209 These examples used numbers for @samp{a} values. Calc keeps applying
21210 the function until two successive results are equal to within the
21211 current precision. For complex numbers, both the real parts and the
21212 imaginary parts must be equal to within the current precision. If
21213 @samp{a} is a formula (say, a variable name), then the function is
21214 applied until two successive results are exactly the same formula.
21215 It is up to you to ensure that the function will eventually converge;
21216 if it doesn't, you may have to press @kbd{C-g} to stop the Calculator.
21218 The algebraic @code{fixp} function takes two optional arguments, @samp{n}
21219 and @samp{tol}. The first is the maximum number of steps to be allowed,
21220 and must be either an integer or the symbol @samp{inf} (infinity, the
21221 default). The second is a convergence tolerance. If a tolerance is
21222 specified, all results during the calculation must be numbers, not
21223 formulas, and the iteration stops when the magnitude of the difference
21224 between two successive results is less than or equal to the tolerance.
21225 (This implies that a tolerance of zero iterates until the results are
21228 Putting it all together, @samp{fixp(<(# + A/#)/2>, B, 20, 1e-10)}
21229 computes the square root of @samp{A} given the initial guess @samp{B},
21230 stopping when the result is correct within the specified tolerance, or
21231 when 20 steps have been taken, whichever is sooner.
21233 @node Generalized Products, , Nesting and Fixed Points, Reducing and Mapping
21234 @subsection Generalized Products
21238 @pindex calc-outer-product
21240 The @kbd{V O} (@code{calc-outer-product}) [@code{outer}] command applies
21241 a given binary operator to all possible pairs of elements from two
21242 vectors, to produce a matrix. For example, @kbd{V O *} with @samp{[a, b]}
21243 and @samp{[x, y, z]} on the stack produces a multiplication table:
21244 @samp{[[a x, a y, a z], [b x, b y, b z]]}. Element @var{r},@var{c} of
21245 the result matrix is obtained by applying the operator to element @var{r}
21246 of the lefthand vector and element @var{c} of the righthand vector.
21250 @pindex calc-inner-product
21252 The @kbd{V I} (@code{calc-inner-product}) [@code{inner}] command computes
21253 the generalized inner product of two vectors or matrices, given a
21254 ``multiplicative'' operator and an ``additive'' operator. These can each
21255 actually be any binary operators; if they are @samp{*} and @samp{+},
21256 respectively, the result is a standard matrix multiplication. Element
21257 @var{r},@var{c} of the result matrix is obtained by mapping the
21258 multiplicative operator across row @var{r} of the lefthand matrix and
21259 column @var{c} of the righthand matrix, and then reducing with the additive
21260 operator. Just as for the standard @kbd{*} command, this can also do a
21261 vector-matrix or matrix-vector inner product, or a vector-vector
21262 generalized dot product.
21264 Since @kbd{V I} requires two operators, it prompts twice. In each case,
21265 you can use any of the usual methods for entering the operator. If you
21266 use @kbd{$} twice to take both operator formulas from the stack, the
21267 first (multiplicative) operator is taken from the top of the stack
21268 and the second (additive) operator is taken from second-to-top.
21270 @node Vector and Matrix Formats, , Reducing and Mapping, Matrix Functions
21271 @section Vector and Matrix Display Formats
21274 Commands for controlling vector and matrix display use the @kbd{v} prefix
21275 instead of the usual @kbd{d} prefix. But they are display modes; in
21276 particular, they are influenced by the @kbd{I} and @kbd{H} prefix keys
21277 in the same way (@pxref{Display Modes}). Matrix display is also
21278 influenced by the @kbd{d O} (@code{calc-flat-language}) mode;
21279 @pxref{Normal Language Modes}.
21283 @pindex calc-matrix-left-justify
21286 @pindex calc-matrix-center-justify
21289 @pindex calc-matrix-right-justify
21290 The commands @kbd{v <} (@code{calc-matrix-left-justify}), @kbd{v >}
21291 (@code{calc-matrix-right-justify}), and @w{@kbd{v =}}
21292 (@code{calc-matrix-center-justify}) control whether matrix elements
21293 are justified to the left, right, or center of their columns.
21297 @pindex calc-vector-brackets
21300 @pindex calc-vector-braces
21303 @pindex calc-vector-parens
21304 The @kbd{v [} (@code{calc-vector-brackets}) command turns the square
21305 brackets that surround vectors and matrices displayed in the stack on
21306 and off. The @kbd{v @{} (@code{calc-vector-braces}) and @kbd{v (}
21307 (@code{calc-vector-parens}) commands use curly braces or parentheses,
21308 respectively, instead of square brackets. For example, @kbd{v @{} might
21309 be used in preparation for yanking a matrix into a buffer running
21310 Mathematica. (In fact, the Mathematica language mode uses this mode;
21311 @pxref{Mathematica Language Mode}.) Note that, regardless of the
21312 display mode, either brackets or braces may be used to enter vectors,
21313 and parentheses may never be used for this purpose.
21321 @pindex calc-matrix-brackets
21322 The @kbd{v ]} (@code{calc-matrix-brackets}) command controls the
21323 ``big'' style display of matrices, for matrices which have more than
21324 one row. It prompts for a string of code letters; currently
21325 implemented letters are @code{R}, which enables brackets on each row
21326 of the matrix; @code{O}, which enables outer brackets in opposite
21327 corners of the matrix; and @code{C}, which enables commas or
21328 semicolons at the ends of all rows but the last. The default format
21329 is @samp{RO}. (Before Calc 2.00, the format was fixed at @samp{ROC}.)
21330 Here are some example matrices:
21334 [ [ 123, 0, 0 ] [ [ 123, 0, 0 ],
21335 [ 0, 123, 0 ] [ 0, 123, 0 ],
21336 [ 0, 0, 123 ] ] [ 0, 0, 123 ] ]
21345 [ 123, 0, 0 [ 123, 0, 0 ;
21346 0, 123, 0 0, 123, 0 ;
21347 0, 0, 123 ] 0, 0, 123 ]
21356 [ 123, 0, 0 ] 123, 0, 0
21357 [ 0, 123, 0 ] 0, 123, 0
21358 [ 0, 0, 123 ] 0, 0, 123
21365 Note that of the formats shown here, @samp{RO}, @samp{ROC}, and
21366 @samp{OC} are all recognized as matrices during reading, while
21367 the others are useful for display only.
21371 @pindex calc-vector-commas
21372 The @kbd{v ,} (@code{calc-vector-commas}) command turns commas on and
21373 off in vector and matrix display.
21375 In vectors of length one, and in all vectors when commas have been
21376 turned off, Calc adds extra parentheses around formulas that might
21377 otherwise be ambiguous. For example, @samp{[a b]} could be a vector
21378 of the one formula @samp{a b}, or it could be a vector of two
21379 variables with commas turned off. Calc will display the former
21380 case as @samp{[(a b)]}. You can disable these extra parentheses
21381 (to make the output less cluttered at the expense of allowing some
21382 ambiguity) by adding the letter @code{P} to the control string you
21383 give to @kbd{v ]} (as described above).
21387 @pindex calc-full-vectors
21388 The @kbd{v .} (@code{calc-full-vectors}) command turns abbreviated
21389 display of long vectors on and off. In this mode, vectors of six
21390 or more elements, or matrices of six or more rows or columns, will
21391 be displayed in an abbreviated form that displays only the first
21392 three elements and the last element: @samp{[a, b, c, ..., z]}.
21393 When very large vectors are involved this will substantially
21394 improve Calc's display speed.
21397 @pindex calc-full-trail-vectors
21398 The @kbd{t .} (@code{calc-full-trail-vectors}) command controls a
21399 similar mode for recording vectors in the Trail. If you turn on
21400 this mode, vectors of six or more elements and matrices of six or
21401 more rows or columns will be abbreviated when they are put in the
21402 Trail. The @kbd{t y} (@code{calc-trail-yank}) command will be
21403 unable to recover those vectors. If you are working with very
21404 large vectors, this mode will improve the speed of all operations
21405 that involve the trail.
21409 @pindex calc-break-vectors
21410 The @kbd{v /} (@code{calc-break-vectors}) command turns multi-line
21411 vector display on and off. Normally, matrices are displayed with one
21412 row per line but all other types of vectors are displayed in a single
21413 line. This mode causes all vectors, whether matrices or not, to be
21414 displayed with a single element per line. Sub-vectors within the
21415 vectors will still use the normal linear form.
21417 @node Algebra, Units, Matrix Functions, Top
21421 This section covers the Calc features that help you work with
21422 algebraic formulas. First, the general sub-formula selection
21423 mechanism is described; this works in conjunction with any Calc
21424 commands. Then, commands for specific algebraic operations are
21425 described. Finally, the flexible @dfn{rewrite rule} mechanism
21428 The algebraic commands use the @kbd{a} key prefix; selection
21429 commands use the @kbd{j} (for ``just a letter that wasn't used
21430 for anything else'') prefix.
21432 @xref{Editing Stack Entries}, to see how to manipulate formulas
21433 using regular Emacs editing commands.
21435 When doing algebraic work, you may find several of the Calculator's
21436 modes to be helpful, including Algebraic Simplification mode (@kbd{m A})
21437 or No-Simplification mode (@kbd{m O}),
21438 Algebraic entry mode (@kbd{m a}), Fraction mode (@kbd{m f}), and
21439 Symbolic mode (@kbd{m s}). @xref{Mode Settings}, for discussions
21440 of these modes. You may also wish to select Big display mode (@kbd{d B}).
21441 @xref{Normal Language Modes}.
21444 * Selecting Subformulas::
21445 * Algebraic Manipulation::
21446 * Simplifying Formulas::
21449 * Solving Equations::
21450 * Numerical Solutions::
21453 * Logical Operations::
21457 @node Selecting Subformulas, Algebraic Manipulation, Algebra, Algebra
21458 @section Selecting Sub-Formulas
21462 @cindex Sub-formulas
21463 @cindex Parts of formulas
21464 When working with an algebraic formula it is often necessary to
21465 manipulate a portion of the formula rather than the formula as a
21466 whole. Calc allows you to ``select'' a portion of any formula on
21467 the stack. Commands which would normally operate on that stack
21468 entry will now operate only on the sub-formula, leaving the
21469 surrounding part of the stack entry alone.
21471 One common non-algebraic use for selection involves vectors. To work
21472 on one element of a vector in-place, simply select that element as a
21473 ``sub-formula'' of the vector.
21476 * Making Selections::
21477 * Changing Selections::
21478 * Displaying Selections::
21479 * Operating on Selections::
21480 * Rearranging with Selections::
21483 @node Making Selections, Changing Selections, Selecting Subformulas, Selecting Subformulas
21484 @subsection Making Selections
21488 @pindex calc-select-here
21489 To select a sub-formula, move the Emacs cursor to any character in that
21490 sub-formula, and press @w{@kbd{j s}} (@code{calc-select-here}). Calc will
21491 highlight the smallest portion of the formula that contains that
21492 character. By default the sub-formula is highlighted by blanking out
21493 all of the rest of the formula with dots. Selection works in any
21494 display mode but is perhaps easiest in Big mode (@kbd{d B}).
21495 Suppose you enter the following formula:
21507 (by typing @kbd{' ((a+b)^3 + sqrt(c)) / (2x+1)}). If you move the
21508 cursor to the letter @samp{b} and press @w{@kbd{j s}}, the display changes
21521 Every character not part of the sub-formula @samp{b} has been changed
21522 to a dot. (If the customizable variable
21523 @code{calc-highlight-selections-with-faces} is non-nil, then the characters
21524 not part of the sub-formula are de-emphasized by using a less
21525 noticeable face instead of using dots. @pxref{Displaying Selections}.)
21526 The @samp{*} next to the line number is to remind you that
21527 the formula has a portion of it selected. (In this case, it's very
21528 obvious, but it might not always be. If Embedded mode is enabled,
21529 the word @samp{Sel} also appears in the mode line because the stack
21530 may not be visible. @pxref{Embedded Mode}.)
21532 If you had instead placed the cursor on the parenthesis immediately to
21533 the right of the @samp{b}, the selection would have been:
21545 The portion selected is always large enough to be considered a complete
21546 formula all by itself, so selecting the parenthesis selects the whole
21547 formula that it encloses. Putting the cursor on the @samp{+} sign
21548 would have had the same effect.
21550 (Strictly speaking, the Emacs cursor is really the manifestation of
21551 the Emacs ``point,'' which is a position @emph{between} two characters
21552 in the buffer. So purists would say that Calc selects the smallest
21553 sub-formula which contains the character to the right of ``point.'')
21555 If you supply a numeric prefix argument @var{n}, the selection is
21556 expanded to the @var{n}th enclosing sub-formula. Thus, positioning
21557 the cursor on the @samp{b} and typing @kbd{C-u 1 j s} will select
21558 @samp{a + b}; typing @kbd{C-u 2 j s} will select @samp{(a + b)^3},
21561 If the cursor is not on any part of the formula, or if you give a
21562 numeric prefix that is too large, the entire formula is selected.
21564 If the cursor is on the @samp{.} line that marks the top of the stack
21565 (i.e., its normal ``rest position''), this command selects the entire
21566 formula at stack level 1. Most selection commands similarly operate
21567 on the formula at the top of the stack if you haven't positioned the
21568 cursor on any stack entry.
21571 @pindex calc-select-additional
21572 The @kbd{j a} (@code{calc-select-additional}) command enlarges the
21573 current selection to encompass the cursor. To select the smallest
21574 sub-formula defined by two different points, move to the first and
21575 press @kbd{j s}, then move to the other and press @kbd{j a}. This
21576 is roughly analogous to using @kbd{C-@@} (@code{set-mark-command}) to
21577 select the two ends of a region of text during normal Emacs editing.
21580 @pindex calc-select-once
21581 The @kbd{j o} (@code{calc-select-once}) command selects a formula in
21582 exactly the same way as @kbd{j s}, except that the selection will
21583 last only as long as the next command that uses it. For example,
21584 @kbd{j o 1 +} is a handy way to add one to the sub-formula indicated
21587 (A somewhat more precise definition: The @kbd{j o} command sets a flag
21588 such that the next command involving selected stack entries will clear
21589 the selections on those stack entries afterwards. All other selection
21590 commands except @kbd{j a} and @kbd{j O} clear this flag.)
21594 @pindex calc-select-here-maybe
21595 @pindex calc-select-once-maybe
21596 The @kbd{j S} (@code{calc-select-here-maybe}) and @kbd{j O}
21597 (@code{calc-select-once-maybe}) commands are equivalent to @kbd{j s}
21598 and @kbd{j o}, respectively, except that if the formula already
21599 has a selection they have no effect. This is analogous to the
21600 behavior of some commands such as @kbd{j r} (@code{calc-rewrite-selection};
21601 @pxref{Selections with Rewrite Rules}) and is mainly intended to be
21602 used in keyboard macros that implement your own selection-oriented
21605 Selection of sub-formulas normally treats associative terms like
21606 @samp{a + b - c + d} and @samp{x * y * z} as single levels of the formula.
21607 If you place the cursor anywhere inside @samp{a + b - c + d} except
21608 on one of the variable names and use @kbd{j s}, you will select the
21609 entire four-term sum.
21612 @pindex calc-break-selections
21613 The @kbd{j b} (@code{calc-break-selections}) command controls a mode
21614 in which the ``deep structure'' of these associative formulas shows
21615 through. Calc actually stores the above formulas as
21616 @samp{((a + b) - c) + d} and @samp{x * (y * z)}. (Note that for certain
21617 obscure reasons, by default Calc treats multiplication as
21618 right-associative.) Once you have enabled @kbd{j b} mode, selecting
21619 with the cursor on the @samp{-} sign would only select the @samp{a + b -
21620 c} portion, which makes sense when the deep structure of the sum is
21621 considered. There is no way to select the @samp{b - c + d} portion;
21622 although this might initially look like just as legitimate a sub-formula
21623 as @samp{a + b - c}, the deep structure shows that it isn't. The @kbd{d
21624 U} command can be used to view the deep structure of any formula
21625 (@pxref{Normal Language Modes}).
21627 When @kbd{j b} mode has not been enabled, the deep structure is
21628 generally hidden by the selection commands---what you see is what
21632 @pindex calc-unselect
21633 The @kbd{j u} (@code{calc-unselect}) command unselects the formula
21634 that the cursor is on. If there was no selection in the formula,
21635 this command has no effect. With a numeric prefix argument, it
21636 unselects the @var{n}th stack element rather than using the cursor
21640 @pindex calc-clear-selections
21641 The @kbd{j c} (@code{calc-clear-selections}) command unselects all
21644 @node Changing Selections, Displaying Selections, Making Selections, Selecting Subformulas
21645 @subsection Changing Selections
21649 @pindex calc-select-more
21650 Once you have selected a sub-formula, you can expand it using the
21651 @w{@kbd{j m}} (@code{calc-select-more}) command. If @samp{a + b} is
21652 selected, pressing @w{@kbd{j m}} repeatedly works as follows:
21657 (a + b) . . . (a + b) + V c (a + b) + V c
21658 1* ............... 1* ............... 1* ---------------
21659 . . . . . . . . 2 x + 1
21664 In the last example, the entire formula is selected. This is roughly
21665 the same as having no selection at all, but because there are subtle
21666 differences the @samp{*} character is still there on the line number.
21668 With a numeric prefix argument @var{n}, @kbd{j m} expands @var{n}
21669 times (or until the entire formula is selected). Note that @kbd{j s}
21670 with argument @var{n} is equivalent to plain @kbd{j s} followed by
21671 @kbd{j m} with argument @var{n}. If @w{@kbd{j m}} is used when there
21672 is no current selection, it is equivalent to @w{@kbd{j s}}.
21674 Even though @kbd{j m} does not explicitly use the location of the
21675 cursor within the formula, it nevertheless uses the cursor to determine
21676 which stack element to operate on. As usual, @kbd{j m} when the cursor
21677 is not on any stack element operates on the top stack element.
21680 @pindex calc-select-less
21681 The @kbd{j l} (@code{calc-select-less}) command reduces the current
21682 selection around the cursor position. That is, it selects the
21683 immediate sub-formula of the current selection which contains the
21684 cursor, the opposite of @kbd{j m}. If the cursor is not inside the
21685 current selection, the command de-selects the formula.
21688 @pindex calc-select-part
21689 The @kbd{j 1} through @kbd{j 9} (@code{calc-select-part}) commands
21690 select the @var{n}th sub-formula of the current selection. They are
21691 like @kbd{j l} (@code{calc-select-less}) except they use counting
21692 rather than the cursor position to decide which sub-formula to select.
21693 For example, if the current selection is @kbd{a + b + c} or
21694 @kbd{f(a, b, c)} or @kbd{[a, b, c]}, then @kbd{j 1} selects @samp{a},
21695 @kbd{j 2} selects @samp{b}, and @kbd{j 3} selects @samp{c}; in each of
21696 these cases, @kbd{j 4} through @kbd{j 9} would be errors.
21698 If there is no current selection, @kbd{j 1} through @kbd{j 9} select
21699 the @var{n}th top-level sub-formula. (In other words, they act as if
21700 the entire stack entry were selected first.) To select the @var{n}th
21701 sub-formula where @var{n} is greater than nine, you must instead invoke
21702 @w{@kbd{j 1}} with @var{n} as a numeric prefix argument.
21706 @pindex calc-select-next
21707 @pindex calc-select-previous
21708 The @kbd{j n} (@code{calc-select-next}) and @kbd{j p}
21709 (@code{calc-select-previous}) commands change the current selection
21710 to the next or previous sub-formula at the same level. For example,
21711 if @samp{b} is selected in @w{@samp{2 + a*b*c + x}}, then @kbd{j n}
21712 selects @samp{c}. Further @kbd{j n} commands would be in error because,
21713 even though there is something to the right of @samp{c} (namely, @samp{x}),
21714 it is not at the same level; in this case, it is not a term of the
21715 same product as @samp{b} and @samp{c}. However, @kbd{j m} (to select
21716 the whole product @samp{a*b*c} as a term of the sum) followed by
21717 @w{@kbd{j n}} would successfully select the @samp{x}.
21719 Similarly, @kbd{j p} moves the selection from the @samp{b} in this
21720 sample formula to the @samp{a}. Both commands accept numeric prefix
21721 arguments to move several steps at a time.
21723 It is interesting to compare Calc's selection commands with the
21724 Emacs Info system's commands for navigating through hierarchically
21725 organized documentation. Calc's @kbd{j n} command is completely
21726 analogous to Info's @kbd{n} command. Likewise, @kbd{j p} maps to
21727 @kbd{p}, @kbd{j 2} maps to @kbd{2}, and Info's @kbd{u} is like @kbd{j m}.
21728 (Note that @kbd{j u} stands for @code{calc-unselect}, not ``up''.)
21729 The Info @kbd{m} command is somewhat similar to Calc's @kbd{j s} and
21730 @kbd{j l}; in each case, you can jump directly to a sub-component
21731 of the hierarchy simply by pointing to it with the cursor.
21733 @node Displaying Selections, Operating on Selections, Changing Selections, Selecting Subformulas
21734 @subsection Displaying Selections
21738 @pindex calc-show-selections
21739 @vindex calc-highlight-selections-with-faces
21740 @vindex calc-selected-face
21741 @vindex calc-nonselected-face
21742 The @kbd{j d} (@code{calc-show-selections}) command controls how
21743 selected sub-formulas are displayed. One of the alternatives is
21744 illustrated in the above examples; if we press @kbd{j d} we switch
21745 to the other style in which the selected portion itself is obscured
21751 (a + b) . . . ## # ## + V c
21752 1* ............... 1* ---------------
21756 If the customizable variable
21757 @code{calc-highlight-selections-with-faces} is non-nil, then the
21758 non-selected portion of the formula will be de-emphasized by using a
21759 less noticeable face (@code{calc-nonselected-face}) instead of dots
21760 and the selected sub-formula will be highlighted by using a more
21761 noticeable face (@code{calc-selected-face}) instead of @samp{#}
21762 signs. (@pxref{Customizing Calc}.)
21764 @node Operating on Selections, Rearranging with Selections, Displaying Selections, Selecting Subformulas
21765 @subsection Operating on Selections
21768 Once a selection is made, all Calc commands that manipulate items
21769 on the stack will operate on the selected portions of the items
21770 instead. (Note that several stack elements may have selections
21771 at once, though there can be only one selection at a time in any
21772 given stack element.)
21775 @pindex calc-enable-selections
21776 The @kbd{j e} (@code{calc-enable-selections}) command disables the
21777 effect that selections have on Calc commands. The current selections
21778 still exist, but Calc commands operate on whole stack elements anyway.
21779 This mode can be identified by the fact that the @samp{*} markers on
21780 the line numbers are gone, even though selections are visible. To
21781 reactivate the selections, press @kbd{j e} again.
21783 To extract a sub-formula as a new formula, simply select the
21784 sub-formula and press @key{RET}. This normally duplicates the top
21785 stack element; here it duplicates only the selected portion of that
21788 To replace a sub-formula with something different, you can enter the
21789 new value onto the stack and press @key{TAB}. This normally exchanges
21790 the top two stack elements; here it swaps the value you entered into
21791 the selected portion of the formula, returning the old selected
21792 portion to the top of the stack.
21797 (a + b) . . . 17 x y . . . 17 x y + V c
21798 2* ............... 2* ............. 2: -------------
21799 . . . . . . . . 2 x + 1
21802 1: 17 x y 1: (a + b) 1: (a + b)
21806 In this example we select a sub-formula of our original example,
21807 enter a new formula, @key{TAB} it into place, then deselect to see
21808 the complete, edited formula.
21810 If you want to swap whole formulas around even though they contain
21811 selections, just use @kbd{j e} before and after.
21814 @pindex calc-enter-selection
21815 The @kbd{j '} (@code{calc-enter-selection}) command is another way
21816 to replace a selected sub-formula. This command does an algebraic
21817 entry just like the regular @kbd{'} key. When you press @key{RET},
21818 the formula you type replaces the original selection. You can use
21819 the @samp{$} symbol in the formula to refer to the original
21820 selection. If there is no selection in the formula under the cursor,
21821 the cursor is used to make a temporary selection for the purposes of
21822 the command. Thus, to change a term of a formula, all you have to
21823 do is move the Emacs cursor to that term and press @kbd{j '}.
21826 @pindex calc-edit-selection
21827 The @kbd{j `} (@code{calc-edit-selection}) command is a similar
21828 analogue of the @kbd{`} (@code{calc-edit}) command. It edits the
21829 selected sub-formula in a separate buffer. If there is no
21830 selection, it edits the sub-formula indicated by the cursor.
21832 To delete a sub-formula, press @key{DEL}. This generally replaces
21833 the sub-formula with the constant zero, but in a few suitable contexts
21834 it uses the constant one instead. The @key{DEL} key automatically
21835 deselects and re-simplifies the entire formula afterwards. Thus:
21840 17 x y + # # 17 x y 17 # y 17 y
21841 1* ------------- 1: ------- 1* ------- 1: -------
21842 2 x + 1 2 x + 1 2 x + 1 2 x + 1
21846 In this example, we first delete the @samp{sqrt(c)} term; Calc
21847 accomplishes this by replacing @samp{sqrt(c)} with zero and
21848 resimplifying. We then delete the @kbd{x} in the numerator;
21849 since this is part of a product, Calc replaces it with @samp{1}
21852 If you select an element of a vector and press @key{DEL}, that
21853 element is deleted from the vector. If you delete one side of
21854 an equation or inequality, only the opposite side remains.
21856 @kindex j @key{DEL}
21857 @pindex calc-del-selection
21858 The @kbd{j @key{DEL}} (@code{calc-del-selection}) command is like
21859 @key{DEL} but with the auto-selecting behavior of @kbd{j '} and
21860 @kbd{j `}. It deletes the selected portion of the formula
21861 indicated by the cursor, or, in the absence of a selection, it
21862 deletes the sub-formula indicated by the cursor position.
21864 @kindex j @key{RET}
21865 @pindex calc-grab-selection
21866 (There is also an auto-selecting @kbd{j @key{RET}} (@code{calc-copy-selection})
21869 Normal arithmetic operations also apply to sub-formulas. Here we
21870 select the denominator, press @kbd{5 -} to subtract five from the
21871 denominator, press @kbd{n} to negate the denominator, then
21872 press @kbd{Q} to take the square root.
21876 .. . .. . .. . .. .
21877 1* ....... 1* ....... 1* ....... 1* ..........
21878 2 x + 1 2 x - 4 4 - 2 x _________
21883 Certain types of operations on selections are not allowed. For
21884 example, for an arithmetic function like @kbd{-} no more than one of
21885 the arguments may be a selected sub-formula. (As the above example
21886 shows, the result of the subtraction is spliced back into the argument
21887 which had the selection; if there were more than one selection involved,
21888 this would not be well-defined.) If you try to subtract two selections,
21889 the command will abort with an error message.
21891 Operations on sub-formulas sometimes leave the formula as a whole
21892 in an ``un-natural'' state. Consider negating the @samp{2 x} term
21893 of our sample formula by selecting it and pressing @kbd{n}
21894 (@code{calc-change-sign}).
21899 1* .......... 1* ...........
21900 ......... ..........
21901 . . . 2 x . . . -2 x
21905 Unselecting the sub-formula reveals that the minus sign, which would
21906 normally have cancelled out with the subtraction automatically, has
21907 not been able to do so because the subtraction was not part of the
21908 selected portion. Pressing @kbd{=} (@code{calc-evaluate}) or doing
21909 any other mathematical operation on the whole formula will cause it
21915 1: ----------- 1: ----------
21916 __________ _________
21917 V 4 - -2 x V 4 + 2 x
21921 @node Rearranging with Selections, , Operating on Selections, Selecting Subformulas
21922 @subsection Rearranging Formulas using Selections
21926 @pindex calc-commute-right
21927 The @kbd{j R} (@code{calc-commute-right}) command moves the selected
21928 sub-formula to the right in its surrounding formula. Generally the
21929 selection is one term of a sum or product; the sum or product is
21930 rearranged according to the commutative laws of algebra.
21932 As with @kbd{j '} and @kbd{j @key{DEL}}, the term under the cursor is used
21933 if there is no selection in the current formula. All commands described
21934 in this section share this property. In this example, we place the
21935 cursor on the @samp{a} and type @kbd{j R}, then repeat.
21938 1: a + b - c 1: b + a - c 1: b - c + a
21942 Note that in the final step above, the @samp{a} is switched with
21943 the @samp{c} but the signs are adjusted accordingly. When moving
21944 terms of sums and products, @kbd{j R} will never change the
21945 mathematical meaning of the formula.
21947 The selected term may also be an element of a vector or an argument
21948 of a function. The term is exchanged with the one to its right.
21949 In this case, the ``meaning'' of the vector or function may of
21950 course be drastically changed.
21953 1: [a, b, c] 1: [b, a, c] 1: [b, c, a]
21955 1: f(a, b, c) 1: f(b, a, c) 1: f(b, c, a)
21959 @pindex calc-commute-left
21960 The @kbd{j L} (@code{calc-commute-left}) command is like @kbd{j R}
21961 except that it swaps the selected term with the one to its left.
21963 With numeric prefix arguments, these commands move the selected
21964 term several steps at a time. It is an error to try to move a
21965 term left or right past the end of its enclosing formula.
21966 With numeric prefix arguments of zero, these commands move the
21967 selected term as far as possible in the given direction.
21970 @pindex calc-sel-distribute
21971 The @kbd{j D} (@code{calc-sel-distribute}) command mixes the selected
21972 sum or product into the surrounding formula using the distributive
21973 law. For example, in @samp{a * (b - c)} with the @samp{b - c}
21974 selected, the result is @samp{a b - a c}. This also distributes
21975 products or quotients into surrounding powers, and can also do
21976 transformations like @samp{exp(a + b)} to @samp{exp(a) exp(b)},
21977 where @samp{a + b} is the selected term, and @samp{ln(a ^ b)}
21978 to @samp{ln(a) b}, where @samp{a ^ b} is the selected term.
21980 For multiple-term sums or products, @kbd{j D} takes off one term
21981 at a time: @samp{a * (b + c - d)} goes to @samp{a * (c - d) + a b}
21982 with the @samp{c - d} selected so that you can type @kbd{j D}
21983 repeatedly to expand completely. The @kbd{j D} command allows a
21984 numeric prefix argument which specifies the maximum number of
21985 times to expand at once; the default is one time only.
21987 @vindex DistribRules
21988 The @kbd{j D} command is implemented using rewrite rules.
21989 @xref{Selections with Rewrite Rules}. The rules are stored in
21990 the Calc variable @code{DistribRules}. A convenient way to view
21991 these rules is to use @kbd{s e} (@code{calc-edit-variable}) which
21992 displays and edits the stored value of a variable. Press @kbd{C-c C-c}
21993 to return from editing mode; be careful not to make any actual changes
21994 or else you will affect the behavior of future @kbd{j D} commands!
21996 To extend @kbd{j D} to handle new cases, just edit @code{DistribRules}
21997 as described above. You can then use the @kbd{s p} command to save
21998 this variable's value permanently for future Calc sessions.
21999 @xref{Operations on Variables}.
22002 @pindex calc-sel-merge
22004 The @kbd{j M} (@code{calc-sel-merge}) command is the complement
22005 of @kbd{j D}; given @samp{a b - a c} with either @samp{a b} or
22006 @samp{a c} selected, the result is @samp{a * (b - c)}. Once
22007 again, @kbd{j M} can also merge calls to functions like @code{exp}
22008 and @code{ln}; examine the variable @code{MergeRules} to see all
22009 the relevant rules.
22012 @pindex calc-sel-commute
22013 @vindex CommuteRules
22014 The @kbd{j C} (@code{calc-sel-commute}) command swaps the arguments
22015 of the selected sum, product, or equation. It always behaves as
22016 if @kbd{j b} mode were in effect, i.e., the sum @samp{a + b + c} is
22017 treated as the nested sums @samp{(a + b) + c} by this command.
22018 If you put the cursor on the first @samp{+}, the result is
22019 @samp{(b + a) + c}; if you put the cursor on the second @samp{+}, the
22020 result is @samp{c + (a + b)} (which the default simplifications
22021 will rearrange to @samp{(c + a) + b}). The relevant rules are stored
22022 in the variable @code{CommuteRules}.
22024 You may need to turn default simplifications off (with the @kbd{m O}
22025 command) in order to get the full benefit of @kbd{j C}. For example,
22026 commuting @samp{a - b} produces @samp{-b + a}, but the default
22027 simplifications will ``simplify'' this right back to @samp{a - b} if
22028 you don't turn them off. The same is true of some of the other
22029 manipulations described in this section.
22032 @pindex calc-sel-negate
22033 @vindex NegateRules
22034 The @kbd{j N} (@code{calc-sel-negate}) command replaces the selected
22035 term with the negative of that term, then adjusts the surrounding
22036 formula in order to preserve the meaning. For example, given
22037 @samp{exp(a - b)} where @samp{a - b} is selected, the result is
22038 @samp{1 / exp(b - a)}. By contrast, selecting a term and using the
22039 regular @kbd{n} (@code{calc-change-sign}) command negates the
22040 term without adjusting the surroundings, thus changing the meaning
22041 of the formula as a whole. The rules variable is @code{NegateRules}.
22044 @pindex calc-sel-invert
22045 @vindex InvertRules
22046 The @kbd{j &} (@code{calc-sel-invert}) command is similar to @kbd{j N}
22047 except it takes the reciprocal of the selected term. For example,
22048 given @samp{a - ln(b)} with @samp{b} selected, the result is
22049 @samp{a + ln(1/b)}. The rules variable is @code{InvertRules}.
22052 @pindex calc-sel-jump-equals
22054 The @kbd{j E} (@code{calc-sel-jump-equals}) command moves the
22055 selected term from one side of an equation to the other. Given
22056 @samp{a + b = c + d} with @samp{c} selected, the result is
22057 @samp{a + b - c = d}. This command also works if the selected
22058 term is part of a @samp{*}, @samp{/}, or @samp{^} formula. The
22059 relevant rules variable is @code{JumpRules}.
22063 @pindex calc-sel-isolate
22064 The @kbd{j I} (@code{calc-sel-isolate}) command isolates the
22065 selected term on its side of an equation. It uses the @kbd{a S}
22066 (@code{calc-solve-for}) command to solve the equation, and the
22067 Hyperbolic flag affects it in the same way. @xref{Solving Equations}.
22068 When it applies, @kbd{j I} is often easier to use than @kbd{j E}.
22069 It understands more rules of algebra, and works for inequalities
22070 as well as equations.
22074 @pindex calc-sel-mult-both-sides
22075 @pindex calc-sel-div-both-sides
22076 The @kbd{j *} (@code{calc-sel-mult-both-sides}) command prompts for a
22077 formula using algebraic entry, then multiplies both sides of the
22078 selected quotient or equation by that formula. It simplifies each
22079 side with @kbd{a s} (@code{calc-simplify}) before re-forming the
22080 quotient or equation. You can suppress this simplification by
22081 providing a prefix argument: @kbd{C-u j *}. There is also a @kbd{j /}
22082 (@code{calc-sel-div-both-sides}) which is similar to @kbd{j *} but
22083 dividing instead of multiplying by the factor you enter.
22085 If the selection is a quotient with numerator 1, then Calc's default
22086 simplifications would normally cancel the new factors. To prevent
22087 this, when the @kbd{j *} command is used on a selection whose numerator is
22088 1 or -1, the denominator is expanded at the top level using the
22089 distributive law (as if using the @kbd{C-u 1 a x} command). Suppose the
22090 formula on the stack is @samp{1 / (a + 1)} and you wish to multiplying the
22091 top and bottom by @samp{a - 1}. Calc's default simplifications would
22092 normally change the result @samp{(a - 1) /(a + 1) (a - 1)} back
22093 to the original form by cancellation; when @kbd{j *} is used, Calc
22094 expands the denominator to @samp{a (a - 1) + a - 1} to prevent this.
22096 If you wish the @kbd{j *} command to completely expand the denominator
22097 of a quotient you can call it with a zero prefix: @kbd{C-u 0 j *}. For
22098 example, if the formula on the stack is @samp{1 / (sqrt(a) + 1)}, you may
22099 wish to eliminate the square root in the denominator by multiplying
22100 the top and bottom by @samp{sqrt(a) - 1}. If you did this simply by using
22101 a simple @kbd{j *} command, you would get
22102 @samp{(sqrt(a)-1)/ (sqrt(a) (sqrt(a) - 1) + sqrt(a) - 1)}. Instead,
22103 you would probably want to use @kbd{C-u 0 j *}, which would expand the
22104 bottom and give you the desired result @samp{(sqrt(a)-1)/(a-1)}. More
22105 generally, if @kbd{j *} is called with an argument of a positive
22106 integer @var{n}, then the denominator of the expression will be
22107 expanded @var{n} times (as if with the @kbd{C-u @var{n} a x} command).
22109 If the selection is an inequality, @kbd{j *} and @kbd{j /} will
22110 accept any factor, but will warn unless they can prove the factor
22111 is either positive or negative. (In the latter case the direction
22112 of the inequality will be switched appropriately.) @xref{Declarations},
22113 for ways to inform Calc that a given variable is positive or
22114 negative. If Calc can't tell for sure what the sign of the factor
22115 will be, it will assume it is positive and display a warning
22118 For selections that are not quotients, equations, or inequalities,
22119 these commands pull out a multiplicative factor: They divide (or
22120 multiply) by the entered formula, simplify, then multiply (or divide)
22121 back by the formula.
22125 @pindex calc-sel-add-both-sides
22126 @pindex calc-sel-sub-both-sides
22127 The @kbd{j +} (@code{calc-sel-add-both-sides}) and @kbd{j -}
22128 (@code{calc-sel-sub-both-sides}) commands analogously add to or
22129 subtract from both sides of an equation or inequality. For other
22130 types of selections, they extract an additive factor. A numeric
22131 prefix argument suppresses simplification of the intermediate
22135 @pindex calc-sel-unpack
22136 The @kbd{j U} (@code{calc-sel-unpack}) command replaces the
22137 selected function call with its argument. For example, given
22138 @samp{a + sin(x^2)} with @samp{sin(x^2)} selected, the result
22139 is @samp{a + x^2}. (The @samp{x^2} will remain selected; if you
22140 wanted to change the @code{sin} to @code{cos}, just press @kbd{C}
22141 now to take the cosine of the selected part.)
22144 @pindex calc-sel-evaluate
22145 The @kbd{j v} (@code{calc-sel-evaluate}) command performs the
22146 normal default simplifications on the selected sub-formula.
22147 These are the simplifications that are normally done automatically
22148 on all results, but which may have been partially inhibited by
22149 previous selection-related operations, or turned off altogether
22150 by the @kbd{m O} command. This command is just an auto-selecting
22151 version of the @w{@kbd{a v}} command (@pxref{Algebraic Manipulation}).
22153 With a numeric prefix argument of 2, @kbd{C-u 2 j v} applies
22154 the @kbd{a s} (@code{calc-simplify}) command to the selected
22155 sub-formula. With a prefix argument of 3 or more, e.g., @kbd{C-u j v}
22156 applies the @kbd{a e} (@code{calc-simplify-extended}) command.
22157 @xref{Simplifying Formulas}. With a negative prefix argument
22158 it simplifies at the top level only, just as with @kbd{a v}.
22159 Here the ``top'' level refers to the top level of the selected
22163 @pindex calc-sel-expand-formula
22164 The @kbd{j "} (@code{calc-sel-expand-formula}) command is to @kbd{a "}
22165 (@pxref{Algebraic Manipulation}) what @kbd{j v} is to @kbd{a v}.
22167 You can use the @kbd{j r} (@code{calc-rewrite-selection}) command
22168 to define other algebraic operations on sub-formulas. @xref{Rewrite Rules}.
22170 @node Algebraic Manipulation, Simplifying Formulas, Selecting Subformulas, Algebra
22171 @section Algebraic Manipulation
22174 The commands in this section perform general-purpose algebraic
22175 manipulations. They work on the whole formula at the top of the
22176 stack (unless, of course, you have made a selection in that
22179 Many algebra commands prompt for a variable name or formula. If you
22180 answer the prompt with a blank line, the variable or formula is taken
22181 from top-of-stack, and the normal argument for the command is taken
22182 from the second-to-top stack level.
22185 @pindex calc-alg-evaluate
22186 The @kbd{a v} (@code{calc-alg-evaluate}) command performs the normal
22187 default simplifications on a formula; for example, @samp{a - -b} is
22188 changed to @samp{a + b}. These simplifications are normally done
22189 automatically on all Calc results, so this command is useful only if
22190 you have turned default simplifications off with an @kbd{m O}
22191 command. @xref{Simplification Modes}.
22193 It is often more convenient to type @kbd{=}, which is like @kbd{a v}
22194 but which also substitutes stored values for variables in the formula.
22195 Use @kbd{a v} if you want the variables to ignore their stored values.
22197 If you give a numeric prefix argument of 2 to @kbd{a v}, it simplifies
22198 as if in Algebraic Simplification mode. This is equivalent to typing
22199 @kbd{a s}; @pxref{Simplifying Formulas}. If you give a numeric prefix
22200 of 3 or more, it uses Extended Simplification mode (@kbd{a e}).
22202 If you give a negative prefix argument @mathit{-1}, @mathit{-2}, or @mathit{-3},
22203 it simplifies in the corresponding mode but only works on the top-level
22204 function call of the formula. For example, @samp{(2 + 3) * (2 + 3)} will
22205 simplify to @samp{(2 + 3)^2}, without simplifying the sub-formulas
22206 @samp{2 + 3}. As another example, typing @kbd{V R +} to sum the vector
22207 @samp{[1, 2, 3, 4]} produces the formula @samp{reduce(add, [1, 2, 3, 4])}
22208 in No-Simplify mode. Using @kbd{a v} will evaluate this all the way to
22209 10; using @kbd{C-u - a v} will evaluate it only to @samp{1 + 2 + 3 + 4}.
22210 (@xref{Reducing and Mapping}.)
22214 The @kbd{=} command corresponds to the @code{evalv} function, and
22215 the related @kbd{N} command, which is like @kbd{=} but temporarily
22216 disables Symbolic mode (@kbd{m s}) during the evaluation, corresponds
22217 to the @code{evalvn} function. (These commands interpret their prefix
22218 arguments differently than @kbd{a v}; @kbd{=} treats the prefix as
22219 the number of stack elements to evaluate at once, and @kbd{N} treats
22220 it as a temporary different working precision.)
22222 The @code{evalvn} function can take an alternate working precision
22223 as an optional second argument. This argument can be either an
22224 integer, to set the precision absolutely, or a vector containing
22225 a single integer, to adjust the precision relative to the current
22226 precision. Note that @code{evalvn} with a larger than current
22227 precision will do the calculation at this higher precision, but the
22228 result will as usual be rounded back down to the current precision
22229 afterward. For example, @samp{evalvn(pi - 3.1415)} at a precision
22230 of 12 will return @samp{9.265359e-5}; @samp{evalvn(pi - 3.1415, 30)}
22231 will return @samp{9.26535897932e-5} (computing a 25-digit result which
22232 is then rounded down to 12); and @samp{evalvn(pi - 3.1415, [-2])}
22233 will return @samp{9.2654e-5}.
22236 @pindex calc-expand-formula
22237 The @kbd{a "} (@code{calc-expand-formula}) command expands functions
22238 into their defining formulas wherever possible. For example,
22239 @samp{deg(x^2)} is changed to @samp{180 x^2 / pi}. Most functions,
22240 like @code{sin} and @code{gcd}, are not defined by simple formulas
22241 and so are unaffected by this command. One important class of
22242 functions which @emph{can} be expanded is the user-defined functions
22243 created by the @kbd{Z F} command. @xref{Algebraic Definitions}.
22244 Other functions which @kbd{a "} can expand include the probability
22245 distribution functions, most of the financial functions, and the
22246 hyperbolic and inverse hyperbolic functions. A numeric prefix argument
22247 affects @kbd{a "} in the same way as it does @kbd{a v}: A positive
22248 argument expands all functions in the formula and then simplifies in
22249 various ways; a negative argument expands and simplifies only the
22250 top-level function call.
22253 @pindex calc-map-equation
22255 The @kbd{a M} (@code{calc-map-equation}) [@code{mapeq}] command applies
22256 a given function or operator to one or more equations. It is analogous
22257 to @kbd{V M}, which operates on vectors instead of equations.
22258 @pxref{Reducing and Mapping}. For example, @kbd{a M S} changes
22259 @samp{x = y+1} to @samp{sin(x) = sin(y+1)}, and @kbd{a M +} with
22260 @samp{x = y+1} and @expr{6} on the stack produces @samp{x+6 = y+7}.
22261 With two equations on the stack, @kbd{a M +} would add the lefthand
22262 sides together and the righthand sides together to get the two
22263 respective sides of a new equation.
22265 Mapping also works on inequalities. Mapping two similar inequalities
22266 produces another inequality of the same type. Mapping an inequality
22267 with an equation produces an inequality of the same type. Mapping a
22268 @samp{<=} with a @samp{<} or @samp{!=} (not-equal) produces a @samp{<}.
22269 If inequalities with opposite direction (e.g., @samp{<} and @samp{>})
22270 are mapped, the direction of the second inequality is reversed to
22271 match the first: Using @kbd{a M +} on @samp{a < b} and @samp{a > 2}
22272 reverses the latter to get @samp{2 < a}, which then allows the
22273 combination @samp{a + 2 < b + a}, which the @kbd{a s} command can
22274 then simplify to get @samp{2 < b}.
22276 Using @kbd{a M *}, @kbd{a M /}, @kbd{a M n}, or @kbd{a M &} to negate
22277 or invert an inequality will reverse the direction of the inequality.
22278 Other adjustments to inequalities are @emph{not} done automatically;
22279 @kbd{a M S} will change @w{@samp{x < y}} to @samp{sin(x) < sin(y)} even
22280 though this is not true for all values of the variables.
22284 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H a M} [@code{mapeqp}] does a plain
22285 mapping operation without reversing the direction of any inequalities.
22286 Thus, @kbd{H a M &} would change @kbd{x > 2} to @kbd{1/x > 0.5}.
22287 (This change is mathematically incorrect, but perhaps you were
22288 fixing an inequality which was already incorrect.)
22292 With the Inverse flag, @kbd{I a M} [@code{mapeqr}] always reverses
22293 the direction of the inequality. You might use @kbd{I a M C} to
22294 change @samp{x < y} to @samp{cos(x) > cos(y)} if you know you are
22295 working with small positive angles.
22298 @pindex calc-substitute
22300 The @kbd{a b} (@code{calc-substitute}) [@code{subst}] command substitutes
22302 of some variable or sub-expression of an expression with a new
22303 sub-expression. For example, substituting @samp{sin(x)} with @samp{cos(y)}
22304 in @samp{2 sin(x)^2 + x sin(x) + sin(2 x)} produces
22305 @samp{2 cos(y)^2 + x cos(y) + @w{sin(2 x)}}.
22306 Note that this is a purely structural substitution; the lone @samp{x} and
22307 the @samp{sin(2 x)} stayed the same because they did not look like
22308 @samp{sin(x)}. @xref{Rewrite Rules}, for a more general method for
22309 doing substitutions.
22311 The @kbd{a b} command normally prompts for two formulas, the old
22312 one and the new one. If you enter a blank line for the first
22313 prompt, all three arguments are taken from the stack (new, then old,
22314 then target expression). If you type an old formula but then enter a
22315 blank line for the new one, the new formula is taken from top-of-stack
22316 and the target from second-to-top. If you answer both prompts, the
22317 target is taken from top-of-stack as usual.
22319 Note that @kbd{a b} has no understanding of commutativity or
22320 associativity. The pattern @samp{x+y} will not match the formula
22321 @samp{y+x}. Also, @samp{y+z} will not match inside the formula @samp{x+y+z}
22322 because the @samp{+} operator is left-associative, so the ``deep
22323 structure'' of that formula is @samp{(x+y) + z}. Use @kbd{d U}
22324 (@code{calc-unformatted-language}) mode to see the true structure of
22325 a formula. The rewrite rule mechanism, discussed later, does not have
22328 As an algebraic function, @code{subst} takes three arguments:
22329 Target expression, old, new. Note that @code{subst} is always
22330 evaluated immediately, even if its arguments are variables, so if
22331 you wish to put a call to @code{subst} onto the stack you must
22332 turn the default simplifications off first (with @kbd{m O}).
22334 @node Simplifying Formulas, Polynomials, Algebraic Manipulation, Algebra
22335 @section Simplifying Formulas
22341 @pindex calc-simplify
22343 The @kbd{a s} (@code{calc-simplify}) [@code{simplify}] command applies
22344 various algebraic rules to simplify a formula. This includes rules which
22345 are not part of the default simplifications because they may be too slow
22346 to apply all the time, or may not be desirable all of the time. For
22347 example, non-adjacent terms of sums are combined, as in @samp{a + b + 2 a}
22348 to @samp{b + 3 a}, and some formulas like @samp{sin(arcsin(x))} are
22349 simplified to @samp{x}.
22351 The sections below describe all the various kinds of algebraic
22352 simplifications Calc provides in full detail. None of Calc's
22353 simplification commands are designed to pull rabbits out of hats;
22354 they simply apply certain specific rules to put formulas into
22355 less redundant or more pleasing forms. Serious algebra in Calc
22356 must be done manually, usually with a combination of selections
22357 and rewrite rules. @xref{Rearranging with Selections}.
22358 @xref{Rewrite Rules}.
22360 @xref{Simplification Modes}, for commands to control what level of
22361 simplification occurs automatically. Normally only the ``default
22362 simplifications'' occur.
22364 There are some simplifications that, while sometimes useful, are never
22365 done automatically. For example, the @kbd{I} prefix can be given to
22366 @kbd{a s}; the @kbd{I a s} command will change any trigonometric
22367 function to the appropriate combination of @samp{sin}s and @samp{cos}s
22368 before simplifying. This can be useful in simplifying even mildly
22369 complicated trigonometric expressions. For example, while @kbd{a s}
22370 can reduce @samp{sin(x) csc(x)} to @samp{1}, it will not simplify
22371 @samp{sin(x)^2 csc(x)}. The command @kbd{I a s} can be used to
22372 simplify this latter expression; it will transform @samp{sin(x)^2
22373 csc(x)} into @samp{sin(x)}. However, @kbd{I a s} will also perform
22374 some ``simplifications'' which may not be desired; for example, it
22375 will transform @samp{tan(x)^2} into @samp{sin(x)^2 / cos(x)^2}. The
22376 Hyperbolic prefix @kbd{H} can be used similarly; the @kbd{H a s} will
22377 replace any hyperbolic functions in the formula with the appropriate
22378 combinations of @samp{sinh}s and @samp{cosh}s before simplifying.
22382 * Default Simplifications::
22383 * Algebraic Simplifications::
22384 * Unsafe Simplifications::
22385 * Simplification of Units::
22388 @node Default Simplifications, Algebraic Simplifications, Simplifying Formulas, Simplifying Formulas
22389 @subsection Default Simplifications
22392 @cindex Default simplifications
22393 This section describes the ``default simplifications,'' those which are
22394 normally applied to all results. For example, if you enter the variable
22395 @expr{x} on the stack twice and push @kbd{+}, Calc's default
22396 simplifications automatically change @expr{x + x} to @expr{2 x}.
22398 The @kbd{m O} command turns off the default simplifications, so that
22399 @expr{x + x} will remain in this form unless you give an explicit
22400 ``simplify'' command like @kbd{=} or @kbd{a v}. @xref{Algebraic
22401 Manipulation}. The @kbd{m D} command turns the default simplifications
22404 The most basic default simplification is the evaluation of functions.
22405 For example, @expr{2 + 3} is evaluated to @expr{5}, and @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(9)}
22406 is evaluated to @expr{3}. Evaluation does not occur if the arguments
22407 to a function are somehow of the wrong type @expr{@tfn{tan}([2,3,4])}),
22408 range (@expr{@tfn{tan}(90)}), or number (@expr{@tfn{tan}(3,5)}),
22409 or if the function name is not recognized (@expr{@tfn{f}(5)}), or if
22410 Symbolic mode (@pxref{Symbolic Mode}) prevents evaluation
22411 (@expr{@tfn{sqrt}(2)}).
22413 Calc simplifies (evaluates) the arguments to a function before it
22414 simplifies the function itself. Thus @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(5+4)} is
22415 simplified to @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(9)} before the @code{sqrt} function
22416 itself is applied. There are very few exceptions to this rule:
22417 @code{quote}, @code{lambda}, and @code{condition} (the @code{::}
22418 operator) do not evaluate their arguments, @code{if} (the @code{? :}
22419 operator) does not evaluate all of its arguments, and @code{evalto}
22420 does not evaluate its lefthand argument.
22422 Most commands apply the default simplifications to all arguments they
22423 take from the stack, perform a particular operation, then simplify
22424 the result before pushing it back on the stack. In the common special
22425 case of regular arithmetic commands like @kbd{+} and @kbd{Q} [@code{sqrt}],
22426 the arguments are simply popped from the stack and collected into a
22427 suitable function call, which is then simplified (the arguments being
22428 simplified first as part of the process, as described above).
22430 The default simplifications are too numerous to describe completely
22431 here, but this section will describe the ones that apply to the
22432 major arithmetic operators. This list will be rather technical in
22433 nature, and will probably be interesting to you only if you are
22434 a serious user of Calc's algebra facilities.
22440 As well as the simplifications described here, if you have stored
22441 any rewrite rules in the variable @code{EvalRules} then these rules
22442 will also be applied before any built-in default simplifications.
22443 @xref{Automatic Rewrites}, for details.
22449 And now, on with the default simplifications:
22451 Arithmetic operators like @kbd{+} and @kbd{*} always take two
22452 arguments in Calc's internal form. Sums and products of three or
22453 more terms are arranged by the associative law of algebra into
22454 a left-associative form for sums, @expr{((a + b) + c) + d}, and
22455 (by default) a right-associative form for products,
22456 @expr{a * (b * (c * d))}. Formulas like @expr{(a + b) + (c + d)} are
22457 rearranged to left-associative form, though this rarely matters since
22458 Calc's algebra commands are designed to hide the inner structure of sums
22459 and products as much as possible. Sums and products in their proper
22460 associative form will be written without parentheses in the examples
22463 Sums and products are @emph{not} rearranged according to the
22464 commutative law (@expr{a + b} to @expr{b + a}) except in a few
22465 special cases described below. Some algebra programs always
22466 rearrange terms into a canonical order, which enables them to
22467 see that @expr{a b + b a} can be simplified to @expr{2 a b}.
22468 Calc assumes you have put the terms into the order you want
22469 and generally leaves that order alone, with the consequence
22470 that formulas like the above will only be simplified if you
22471 explicitly give the @kbd{a s} command. @xref{Algebraic
22474 Differences @expr{a - b} are treated like sums @expr{a + (-b)}
22475 for purposes of simplification; one of the default simplifications
22476 is to rewrite @expr{a + (-b)} or @expr{(-b) + a}, where @expr{-b}
22477 represents a ``negative-looking'' term, into @expr{a - b} form.
22478 ``Negative-looking'' means negative numbers, negated formulas like
22479 @expr{-x}, and products or quotients in which either term is
22482 Other simplifications involving negation are @expr{-(-x)} to @expr{x};
22483 @expr{-(a b)} or @expr{-(a/b)} where either @expr{a} or @expr{b} is
22484 negative-looking, simplified by negating that term, or else where
22485 @expr{a} or @expr{b} is any number, by negating that number;
22486 @expr{-(a + b)} to @expr{-a - b}, and @expr{-(b - a)} to @expr{a - b}.
22487 (This, and rewriting @expr{(-b) + a} to @expr{a - b}, are the only
22488 cases where the order of terms in a sum is changed by the default
22491 The distributive law is used to simplify sums in some cases:
22492 @expr{a x + b x} to @expr{(a + b) x}, where @expr{a} represents
22493 a number or an implicit 1 or @mathit{-1} (as in @expr{x} or @expr{-x})
22494 and similarly for @expr{b}. Use the @kbd{a c}, @w{@kbd{a f}}, or
22495 @kbd{j M} commands to merge sums with non-numeric coefficients
22496 using the distributive law.
22498 The distributive law is only used for sums of two terms, or
22499 for adjacent terms in a larger sum. Thus @expr{a + b + b + c}
22500 is simplified to @expr{a + 2 b + c}, but @expr{a + b + c + b}
22501 is not simplified. The reason is that comparing all terms of a
22502 sum with one another would require time proportional to the
22503 square of the number of terms; Calc relegates potentially slow
22504 operations like this to commands that have to be invoked
22505 explicitly, like @kbd{a s}.
22507 Finally, @expr{a + 0} and @expr{0 + a} are simplified to @expr{a}.
22508 A consequence of the above rules is that @expr{0 - a} is simplified
22515 The products @expr{1 a} and @expr{a 1} are simplified to @expr{a};
22516 @expr{(-1) a} and @expr{a (-1)} are simplified to @expr{-a};
22517 @expr{0 a} and @expr{a 0} are simplified to @expr{0}, except that
22518 in Matrix mode where @expr{a} is not provably scalar the result
22519 is the generic zero matrix @samp{idn(0)}, and that if @expr{a} is
22520 infinite the result is @samp{nan}.
22522 Also, @expr{(-a) b} and @expr{a (-b)} are simplified to @expr{-(a b)},
22523 where this occurs for negated formulas but not for regular negative
22526 Products are commuted only to move numbers to the front:
22527 @expr{a b 2} is commuted to @expr{2 a b}.
22529 The product @expr{a (b + c)} is distributed over the sum only if
22530 @expr{a} and at least one of @expr{b} and @expr{c} are numbers:
22531 @expr{2 (x + 3)} goes to @expr{2 x + 6}. The formula
22532 @expr{(-a) (b - c)}, where @expr{-a} is a negative number, is
22533 rewritten to @expr{a (c - b)}.
22535 The distributive law of products and powers is used for adjacent
22536 terms of the product: @expr{x^a x^b} goes to
22537 @texline @math{x^{a+b}}
22538 @infoline @expr{x^(a+b)}
22539 where @expr{a} is a number, or an implicit 1 (as in @expr{x}),
22540 or the implicit one-half of @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(x)}, and similarly for
22541 @expr{b}. The result is written using @samp{sqrt} or @samp{1/sqrt}
22542 if the sum of the powers is @expr{1/2} or @expr{-1/2}, respectively.
22543 If the sum of the powers is zero, the product is simplified to
22544 @expr{1} or to @samp{idn(1)} if Matrix mode is enabled.
22546 The product of a negative power times anything but another negative
22547 power is changed to use division:
22548 @texline @math{x^{-2} y}
22549 @infoline @expr{x^(-2) y}
22550 goes to @expr{y / x^2} unless Matrix mode is
22551 in effect and neither @expr{x} nor @expr{y} are scalar (in which
22552 case it is considered unsafe to rearrange the order of the terms).
22554 Finally, @expr{a (b/c)} is rewritten to @expr{(a b)/c}, and also
22555 @expr{(a/b) c} is changed to @expr{(a c)/b} unless in Matrix mode.
22561 Simplifications for quotients are analogous to those for products.
22562 The quotient @expr{0 / x} is simplified to @expr{0}, with the same
22563 exceptions that were noted for @expr{0 x}. Likewise, @expr{x / 1}
22564 and @expr{x / (-1)} are simplified to @expr{x} and @expr{-x},
22567 The quotient @expr{x / 0} is left unsimplified or changed to an
22568 infinite quantity, as directed by the current infinite mode.
22569 @xref{Infinite Mode}.
22572 @texline @math{a / b^{-c}}
22573 @infoline @expr{a / b^(-c)}
22574 is changed to @expr{a b^c}, where @expr{-c} is any negative-looking
22575 power. Also, @expr{1 / b^c} is changed to
22576 @texline @math{b^{-c}}
22577 @infoline @expr{b^(-c)}
22578 for any power @expr{c}.
22580 Also, @expr{(-a) / b} and @expr{a / (-b)} go to @expr{-(a/b)};
22581 @expr{(a/b) / c} goes to @expr{a / (b c)}; and @expr{a / (b/c)}
22582 goes to @expr{(a c) / b} unless Matrix mode prevents this
22583 rearrangement. Similarly, @expr{a / (b:c)} is simplified to
22584 @expr{(c:b) a} for any fraction @expr{b:c}.
22586 The distributive law is applied to @expr{(a + b) / c} only if
22587 @expr{c} and at least one of @expr{a} and @expr{b} are numbers.
22588 Quotients of powers and square roots are distributed just as
22589 described for multiplication.
22591 Quotients of products cancel only in the leading terms of the
22592 numerator and denominator. In other words, @expr{a x b / a y b}
22593 is cancelled to @expr{x b / y b} but not to @expr{x / y}. Once
22594 again this is because full cancellation can be slow; use @kbd{a s}
22595 to cancel all terms of the quotient.
22597 Quotients of negative-looking values are simplified according
22598 to @expr{(-a) / (-b)} to @expr{a / b}, @expr{(-a) / (b - c)}
22599 to @expr{a / (c - b)}, and @expr{(a - b) / (-c)} to @expr{(b - a) / c}.
22605 The formula @expr{x^0} is simplified to @expr{1}, or to @samp{idn(1)}
22606 in Matrix mode. The formula @expr{0^x} is simplified to @expr{0}
22607 unless @expr{x} is a negative number, complex number or zero.
22608 If @expr{x} is negative, complex or @expr{0.0}, @expr{0^x} is an
22609 infinity or an unsimplified formula according to the current infinite
22610 mode. The expression @expr{0^0} is simplified to @expr{1}.
22612 Powers of products or quotients @expr{(a b)^c}, @expr{(a/b)^c}
22613 are distributed to @expr{a^c b^c}, @expr{a^c / b^c} only if @expr{c}
22614 is an integer, or if either @expr{a} or @expr{b} are nonnegative
22615 real numbers. Powers of powers @expr{(a^b)^c} are simplified to
22616 @texline @math{a^{b c}}
22617 @infoline @expr{a^(b c)}
22618 only when @expr{c} is an integer and @expr{b c} also
22619 evaluates to an integer. Without these restrictions these simplifications
22620 would not be safe because of problems with principal values.
22622 @texline @math{((-3)^{1/2})^2}
22623 @infoline @expr{((-3)^1:2)^2}
22624 is safe to simplify, but
22625 @texline @math{((-3)^2)^{1/2}}
22626 @infoline @expr{((-3)^2)^1:2}
22627 is not.) @xref{Declarations}, for ways to inform Calc that your
22628 variables satisfy these requirements.
22630 As a special case of this rule, @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(x)^n} is simplified to
22631 @texline @math{x^{n/2}}
22632 @infoline @expr{x^(n/2)}
22633 only for even integers @expr{n}.
22635 If @expr{a} is known to be real, @expr{b} is an even integer, and
22636 @expr{c} is a half- or quarter-integer, then @expr{(a^b)^c} is
22637 simplified to @expr{@tfn{abs}(a^(b c))}.
22639 Also, @expr{(-a)^b} is simplified to @expr{a^b} if @expr{b} is an
22640 even integer, or to @expr{-(a^b)} if @expr{b} is an odd integer,
22641 for any negative-looking expression @expr{-a}.
22643 Square roots @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(x)} generally act like one-half powers
22644 @texline @math{x^{1:2}}
22645 @infoline @expr{x^1:2}
22646 for the purposes of the above-listed simplifications.
22649 @texline @math{1 / x^{1:2}}
22650 @infoline @expr{1 / x^1:2}
22652 @texline @math{x^{-1:2}},
22653 @infoline @expr{x^(-1:2)},
22654 but @expr{1 / @tfn{sqrt}(x)} is left alone.
22660 Generic identity matrices (@pxref{Matrix Mode}) are simplified by the
22661 following rules: @expr{@tfn{idn}(a) + b} to @expr{a + b} if @expr{b}
22662 is provably scalar, or expanded out if @expr{b} is a matrix;
22663 @expr{@tfn{idn}(a) + @tfn{idn}(b)} to @expr{@tfn{idn}(a + b)};
22664 @expr{-@tfn{idn}(a)} to @expr{@tfn{idn}(-a)}; @expr{a @tfn{idn}(b)} to
22665 @expr{@tfn{idn}(a b)} if @expr{a} is provably scalar, or to @expr{a b}
22666 if @expr{a} is provably non-scalar; @expr{@tfn{idn}(a) @tfn{idn}(b)} to
22667 @expr{@tfn{idn}(a b)}; analogous simplifications for quotients involving
22668 @code{idn}; and @expr{@tfn{idn}(a)^n} to @expr{@tfn{idn}(a^n)} where
22669 @expr{n} is an integer.
22675 The @code{floor} function and other integer truncation functions
22676 vanish if the argument is provably integer-valued, so that
22677 @expr{@tfn{floor}(@tfn{round}(x))} simplifies to @expr{@tfn{round}(x)}.
22678 Also, combinations of @code{float}, @code{floor} and its friends,
22679 and @code{ffloor} and its friends, are simplified in appropriate
22680 ways. @xref{Integer Truncation}.
22682 The expression @expr{@tfn{abs}(-x)} changes to @expr{@tfn{abs}(x)}.
22683 The expression @expr{@tfn{abs}(@tfn{abs}(x))} changes to
22684 @expr{@tfn{abs}(x)}; in fact, @expr{@tfn{abs}(x)} changes to @expr{x} or
22685 @expr{-x} if @expr{x} is provably nonnegative or nonpositive
22686 (@pxref{Declarations}).
22688 While most functions do not recognize the variable @code{i} as an
22689 imaginary number, the @code{arg} function does handle the two cases
22690 @expr{@tfn{arg}(@tfn{i})} and @expr{@tfn{arg}(-@tfn{i})} just for convenience.
22692 The expression @expr{@tfn{conj}(@tfn{conj}(x))} simplifies to @expr{x}.
22693 Various other expressions involving @code{conj}, @code{re}, and
22694 @code{im} are simplified, especially if some of the arguments are
22695 provably real or involve the constant @code{i}. For example,
22696 @expr{@tfn{conj}(a + b i)} is changed to
22697 @expr{@tfn{conj}(a) - @tfn{conj}(b) i}, or to @expr{a - b i} if @expr{a}
22698 and @expr{b} are known to be real.
22700 Functions like @code{sin} and @code{arctan} generally don't have
22701 any default simplifications beyond simply evaluating the functions
22702 for suitable numeric arguments and infinity. The @kbd{a s} command
22703 described in the next section does provide some simplifications for
22704 these functions, though.
22706 One important simplification that does occur is that
22707 @expr{@tfn{ln}(@tfn{e})} is simplified to 1, and @expr{@tfn{ln}(@tfn{e}^x)} is
22708 simplified to @expr{x} for any @expr{x}. This occurs even if you have
22709 stored a different value in the Calc variable @samp{e}; but this would
22710 be a bad idea in any case if you were also using natural logarithms!
22712 Among the logical functions, @tfn{!(@var{a} <= @var{b})} changes to
22713 @tfn{@var{a} > @var{b}} and so on. Equations and inequalities where both sides
22714 are either negative-looking or zero are simplified by negating both sides
22715 and reversing the inequality. While it might seem reasonable to simplify
22716 @expr{!!x} to @expr{x}, this would not be valid in general because
22717 @expr{!!2} is 1, not 2.
22719 Most other Calc functions have few if any default simplifications
22720 defined, aside of course from evaluation when the arguments are
22723 @node Algebraic Simplifications, Unsafe Simplifications, Default Simplifications, Simplifying Formulas
22724 @subsection Algebraic Simplifications
22727 @cindex Algebraic simplifications
22728 The @kbd{a s} command makes simplifications that may be too slow to
22729 do all the time, or that may not be desirable all of the time.
22730 If you find these simplifications are worthwhile, you can type
22731 @kbd{m A} to have Calc apply them automatically.
22733 This section describes all simplifications that are performed by
22734 the @kbd{a s} command. Note that these occur in addition to the
22735 default simplifications; even if the default simplifications have
22736 been turned off by an @kbd{m O} command, @kbd{a s} will turn them
22737 back on temporarily while it simplifies the formula.
22739 There is a variable, @code{AlgSimpRules}, in which you can put rewrites
22740 to be applied by @kbd{a s}. Its use is analogous to @code{EvalRules},
22741 but without the special restrictions. Basically, the simplifier does
22742 @samp{@w{a r} AlgSimpRules} with an infinite repeat count on the whole
22743 expression being simplified, then it traverses the expression applying
22744 the built-in rules described below. If the result is different from
22745 the original expression, the process repeats with the default
22746 simplifications (including @code{EvalRules}), then @code{AlgSimpRules},
22747 then the built-in simplifications, and so on.
22753 Sums are simplified in two ways. Constant terms are commuted to the
22754 end of the sum, so that @expr{a + 2 + b} changes to @expr{a + b + 2}.
22755 The only exception is that a constant will not be commuted away
22756 from the first position of a difference, i.e., @expr{2 - x} is not
22757 commuted to @expr{-x + 2}.
22759 Also, terms of sums are combined by the distributive law, as in
22760 @expr{x + y + 2 x} to @expr{y + 3 x}. This always occurs for
22761 adjacent terms, but @kbd{a s} compares all pairs of terms including
22768 Products are sorted into a canonical order using the commutative
22769 law. For example, @expr{b c a} is commuted to @expr{a b c}.
22770 This allows easier comparison of products; for example, the default
22771 simplifications will not change @expr{x y + y x} to @expr{2 x y},
22772 but @kbd{a s} will; it first rewrites the sum to @expr{x y + x y},
22773 and then the default simplifications are able to recognize a sum
22774 of identical terms.
22776 The canonical ordering used to sort terms of products has the
22777 property that real-valued numbers, interval forms and infinities
22778 come first, and are sorted into increasing order. The @kbd{V S}
22779 command uses the same ordering when sorting a vector.
22781 Sorting of terms of products is inhibited when Matrix mode is
22782 turned on; in this case, Calc will never exchange the order of
22783 two terms unless it knows at least one of the terms is a scalar.
22785 Products of powers are distributed by comparing all pairs of
22786 terms, using the same method that the default simplifications
22787 use for adjacent terms of products.
22789 Even though sums are not sorted, the commutative law is still
22790 taken into account when terms of a product are being compared.
22791 Thus @expr{(x + y) (y + x)} will be simplified to @expr{(x + y)^2}.
22792 A subtle point is that @expr{(x - y) (y - x)} will @emph{not}
22793 be simplified to @expr{-(x - y)^2}; Calc does not notice that
22794 one term can be written as a constant times the other, even if
22795 that constant is @mathit{-1}.
22797 A fraction times any expression, @expr{(a:b) x}, is changed to
22798 a quotient involving integers: @expr{a x / b}. This is not
22799 done for floating-point numbers like @expr{0.5}, however. This
22800 is one reason why you may find it convenient to turn Fraction mode
22801 on while doing algebra; @pxref{Fraction Mode}.
22807 Quotients are simplified by comparing all terms in the numerator
22808 with all terms in the denominator for possible cancellation using
22809 the distributive law. For example, @expr{a x^2 b / c x^3 d} will
22810 cancel @expr{x^2} from the top and bottom to get @expr{a b / c x d}.
22811 (The terms in the denominator will then be rearranged to @expr{c d x}
22812 as described above.) If there is any common integer or fractional
22813 factor in the numerator and denominator, it is cancelled out;
22814 for example, @expr{(4 x + 6) / 8 x} simplifies to @expr{(2 x + 3) / 4 x}.
22816 Non-constant common factors are not found even by @kbd{a s}. To
22817 cancel the factor @expr{a} in @expr{(a x + a) / a^2} you could first
22818 use @kbd{j M} on the product @expr{a x} to Merge the numerator to
22819 @expr{a (1+x)}, which can then be simplified successfully.
22825 Integer powers of the variable @code{i} are simplified according
22826 to the identity @expr{i^2 = -1}. If you store a new value other
22827 than the complex number @expr{(0,1)} in @code{i}, this simplification
22828 will no longer occur. This is done by @kbd{a s} instead of by default
22829 in case someone (unwisely) uses the name @code{i} for a variable
22830 unrelated to complex numbers; it would be unfortunate if Calc
22831 quietly and automatically changed this formula for reasons the
22832 user might not have been thinking of.
22834 Square roots of integer or rational arguments are simplified in
22835 several ways. (Note that these will be left unevaluated only in
22836 Symbolic mode.) First, square integer or rational factors are
22837 pulled out so that @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(8)} is rewritten as
22838 @texline @math{2\,@tfn{sqrt}(2)}.
22839 @infoline @expr{2 sqrt(2)}.
22840 Conceptually speaking this implies factoring the argument into primes
22841 and moving pairs of primes out of the square root, but for reasons of
22842 efficiency Calc only looks for primes up to 29.
22844 Square roots in the denominator of a quotient are moved to the
22845 numerator: @expr{1 / @tfn{sqrt}(3)} changes to @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(3) / 3}.
22846 The same effect occurs for the square root of a fraction:
22847 @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(2:3)} changes to @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(6) / 3}.
22853 The @code{%} (modulo) operator is simplified in several ways
22854 when the modulus @expr{M} is a positive real number. First, if
22855 the argument is of the form @expr{x + n} for some real number
22856 @expr{n}, then @expr{n} is itself reduced modulo @expr{M}. For
22857 example, @samp{(x - 23) % 10} is simplified to @samp{(x + 7) % 10}.
22859 If the argument is multiplied by a constant, and this constant
22860 has a common integer divisor with the modulus, then this factor is
22861 cancelled out. For example, @samp{12 x % 15} is changed to
22862 @samp{3 (4 x % 5)} by factoring out 3. Also, @samp{(12 x + 1) % 15}
22863 is changed to @samp{3 ((4 x + 1:3) % 5)}. While these forms may
22864 not seem ``simpler,'' they allow Calc to discover useful information
22865 about modulo forms in the presence of declarations.
22867 If the modulus is 1, then Calc can use @code{int} declarations to
22868 evaluate the expression. For example, the idiom @samp{x % 2} is
22869 often used to check whether a number is odd or even. As described
22870 above, @w{@samp{2 n % 2}} and @samp{(2 n + 1) % 2} are simplified to
22871 @samp{2 (n % 1)} and @samp{2 ((n + 1:2) % 1)}, respectively; Calc
22872 can simplify these to 0 and 1 (respectively) if @code{n} has been
22873 declared to be an integer.
22879 Trigonometric functions are simplified in several ways. Whenever a
22880 products of two trigonometric functions can be replaced by a single
22881 function, the replacement is made; for example,
22882 @expr{@tfn{tan}(x) @tfn{cos}(x)} is simplified to @expr{@tfn{sin}(x)}.
22883 Reciprocals of trigonometric functions are replaced by their reciprocal
22884 function; for example, @expr{1/@tfn{sec}(x)} is simplified to
22885 @expr{@tfn{cos}(x)}. The corresponding simplifications for the
22886 hyperbolic functions are also handled.
22888 Trigonometric functions of their inverse functions are
22889 simplified. The expression @expr{@tfn{sin}(@tfn{arcsin}(x))} is
22890 simplified to @expr{x}, and similarly for @code{cos} and @code{tan}.
22891 Trigonometric functions of inverses of different trigonometric
22892 functions can also be simplified, as in @expr{@tfn{sin}(@tfn{arccos}(x))}
22893 to @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(1 - x^2)}.
22895 If the argument to @code{sin} is negative-looking, it is simplified to
22896 @expr{-@tfn{sin}(x)}, and similarly for @code{cos} and @code{tan}.
22897 Finally, certain special values of the argument are recognized;
22898 @pxref{Trigonometric and Hyperbolic Functions}.
22900 Hyperbolic functions of their inverses and of negative-looking
22901 arguments are also handled, as are exponentials of inverse
22902 hyperbolic functions.
22904 No simplifications for inverse trigonometric and hyperbolic
22905 functions are known, except for negative arguments of @code{arcsin},
22906 @code{arctan}, @code{arcsinh}, and @code{arctanh}. Note that
22907 @expr{@tfn{arcsin}(@tfn{sin}(x))} can @emph{not} safely change to
22908 @expr{x}, since this only correct within an integer multiple of
22909 @texline @math{2 \pi}
22910 @infoline @expr{2 pi}
22911 radians or 360 degrees. However, @expr{@tfn{arcsinh}(@tfn{sinh}(x))} is
22912 simplified to @expr{x} if @expr{x} is known to be real.
22914 Several simplifications that apply to logarithms and exponentials
22915 are that @expr{@tfn{exp}(@tfn{ln}(x))},
22916 @texline @tfn{e}@math{^{\ln(x)}},
22917 @infoline @expr{e^@tfn{ln}(x)},
22919 @texline @math{10^{{\rm log10}(x)}}
22920 @infoline @expr{10^@tfn{log10}(x)}
22921 all reduce to @expr{x}. Also, @expr{@tfn{ln}(@tfn{exp}(x))}, etc., can
22922 reduce to @expr{x} if @expr{x} is provably real. The form
22923 @expr{@tfn{exp}(x)^y} is simplified to @expr{@tfn{exp}(x y)}. If @expr{x}
22924 is a suitable multiple of
22925 @texline @math{\pi i}
22926 @infoline @expr{pi i}
22927 (as described above for the trigonometric functions), then
22928 @expr{@tfn{exp}(x)} or @expr{e^x} will be expanded. Finally,
22929 @expr{@tfn{ln}(x)} is simplified to a form involving @code{pi} and
22930 @code{i} where @expr{x} is provably negative, positive imaginary, or
22931 negative imaginary.
22933 The error functions @code{erf} and @code{erfc} are simplified when
22934 their arguments are negative-looking or are calls to the @code{conj}
22941 Equations and inequalities are simplified by cancelling factors
22942 of products, quotients, or sums on both sides. Inequalities
22943 change sign if a negative multiplicative factor is cancelled.
22944 Non-constant multiplicative factors as in @expr{a b = a c} are
22945 cancelled from equations only if they are provably nonzero (generally
22946 because they were declared so; @pxref{Declarations}). Factors
22947 are cancelled from inequalities only if they are nonzero and their
22950 Simplification also replaces an equation or inequality with
22951 1 or 0 (``true'' or ``false'') if it can through the use of
22952 declarations. If @expr{x} is declared to be an integer greater
22953 than 5, then @expr{x < 3}, @expr{x = 3}, and @expr{x = 7.5} are
22954 all simplified to 0, but @expr{x > 3} is simplified to 1.
22955 By a similar analysis, @expr{abs(x) >= 0} is simplified to 1,
22956 as is @expr{x^2 >= 0} if @expr{x} is known to be real.
22958 @node Unsafe Simplifications, Simplification of Units, Algebraic Simplifications, Simplifying Formulas
22959 @subsection ``Unsafe'' Simplifications
22962 @cindex Unsafe simplifications
22963 @cindex Extended simplification
22965 @pindex calc-simplify-extended
22967 @mindex esimpl@idots
22970 The @kbd{a e} (@code{calc-simplify-extended}) [@code{esimplify}] command
22972 except that it applies some additional simplifications which are not
22973 ``safe'' in all cases. Use this only if you know the values in your
22974 formula lie in the restricted ranges for which these simplifications
22975 are valid. The symbolic integrator uses @kbd{a e};
22976 one effect of this is that the integrator's results must be used with
22977 caution. Where an integral table will often attach conditions like
22978 ``for positive @expr{a} only,'' Calc (like most other symbolic
22979 integration programs) will simply produce an unqualified result.
22981 Because @kbd{a e}'s simplifications are unsafe, it is sometimes better
22982 to type @kbd{C-u -3 a v}, which does extended simplification only
22983 on the top level of the formula without affecting the sub-formulas.
22984 In fact, @kbd{C-u -3 j v} allows you to target extended simplification
22985 to any specific part of a formula.
22987 The variable @code{ExtSimpRules} contains rewrites to be applied by
22988 the @kbd{a e} command. These are applied in addition to
22989 @code{EvalRules} and @code{AlgSimpRules}. (The @kbd{a r AlgSimpRules}
22990 step described above is simply followed by an @kbd{a r ExtSimpRules} step.)
22992 Following is a complete list of ``unsafe'' simplifications performed
22999 Inverse trigonometric or hyperbolic functions, called with their
23000 corresponding non-inverse functions as arguments, are simplified
23001 by @kbd{a e}. For example, @expr{@tfn{arcsin}(@tfn{sin}(x))} changes
23002 to @expr{x}. Also, @expr{@tfn{arcsin}(@tfn{cos}(x))} and
23003 @expr{@tfn{arccos}(@tfn{sin}(x))} both change to @expr{@tfn{pi}/2 - x}.
23004 These simplifications are unsafe because they are valid only for
23005 values of @expr{x} in a certain range; outside that range, values
23006 are folded down to the 360-degree range that the inverse trigonometric
23007 functions always produce.
23009 Powers of powers @expr{(x^a)^b} are simplified to
23010 @texline @math{x^{a b}}
23011 @infoline @expr{x^(a b)}
23012 for all @expr{a} and @expr{b}. These results will be valid only
23013 in a restricted range of @expr{x}; for example, in
23014 @texline @math{(x^2)^{1:2}}
23015 @infoline @expr{(x^2)^1:2}
23016 the powers cancel to get @expr{x}, which is valid for positive values
23017 of @expr{x} but not for negative or complex values.
23019 Similarly, @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(x^a)} and @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(x)^a} are both
23020 simplified (possibly unsafely) to
23021 @texline @math{x^{a/2}}.
23022 @infoline @expr{x^(a/2)}.
23024 Forms like @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(1 - sin(x)^2)} are simplified to, e.g.,
23025 @expr{@tfn{cos}(x)}. Calc has identities of this sort for @code{sin},
23026 @code{cos}, @code{tan}, @code{sinh}, and @code{cosh}.
23028 Arguments of square roots are partially factored to look for
23029 squared terms that can be extracted. For example,
23030 @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(a^2 b^3 + a^3 b^2)} simplifies to
23031 @expr{a b @tfn{sqrt}(a+b)}.
23033 The simplifications of @expr{@tfn{ln}(@tfn{exp}(x))},
23034 @expr{@tfn{ln}(@tfn{e}^x)}, and @expr{@tfn{log10}(10^x)} to @expr{x} are also
23035 unsafe because of problems with principal values (although these
23036 simplifications are safe if @expr{x} is known to be real).
23038 Common factors are cancelled from products on both sides of an
23039 equation, even if those factors may be zero: @expr{a x / b x}
23040 to @expr{a / b}. Such factors are never cancelled from
23041 inequalities: Even @kbd{a e} is not bold enough to reduce
23042 @expr{a x < b x} to @expr{a < b} (or @expr{a > b}, depending
23043 on whether you believe @expr{x} is positive or negative).
23044 The @kbd{a M /} command can be used to divide a factor out of
23045 both sides of an inequality.
23047 @node Simplification of Units, , Unsafe Simplifications, Simplifying Formulas
23048 @subsection Simplification of Units
23051 The simplifications described in this section are applied by the
23052 @kbd{u s} (@code{calc-simplify-units}) command. These are in addition
23053 to the regular @kbd{a s} (but not @kbd{a e}) simplifications described
23054 earlier. @xref{Basic Operations on Units}.
23056 The variable @code{UnitSimpRules} contains rewrites to be applied by
23057 the @kbd{u s} command. These are applied in addition to @code{EvalRules}
23058 and @code{AlgSimpRules}.
23060 Scalar mode is automatically put into effect when simplifying units.
23061 @xref{Matrix Mode}.
23063 Sums @expr{a + b} involving units are simplified by extracting the
23064 units of @expr{a} as if by the @kbd{u x} command (call the result
23065 @expr{u_a}), then simplifying the expression @expr{b / u_a}
23066 using @kbd{u b} and @kbd{u s}. If the result has units then the sum
23067 is inconsistent and is left alone. Otherwise, it is rewritten
23068 in terms of the units @expr{u_a}.
23070 If units auto-ranging mode is enabled, products or quotients in
23071 which the first argument is a number which is out of range for the
23072 leading unit are modified accordingly.
23074 When cancelling and combining units in products and quotients,
23075 Calc accounts for unit names that differ only in the prefix letter.
23076 For example, @samp{2 km m} is simplified to @samp{2000 m^2}.
23077 However, compatible but different units like @code{ft} and @code{in}
23078 are not combined in this way.
23080 Quotients @expr{a / b} are simplified in three additional ways. First,
23081 if @expr{b} is a number or a product beginning with a number, Calc
23082 computes the reciprocal of this number and moves it to the numerator.
23084 Second, for each pair of unit names from the numerator and denominator
23085 of a quotient, if the units are compatible (e.g., they are both
23086 units of area) then they are replaced by the ratio between those
23087 units. For example, in @samp{3 s in N / kg cm} the units
23088 @samp{in / cm} will be replaced by @expr{2.54}.
23090 Third, if the units in the quotient exactly cancel out, so that
23091 a @kbd{u b} command on the quotient would produce a dimensionless
23092 number for an answer, then the quotient simplifies to that number.
23094 For powers and square roots, the ``unsafe'' simplifications
23095 @expr{(a b)^c} to @expr{a^c b^c}, @expr{(a/b)^c} to @expr{a^c / b^c},
23096 and @expr{(a^b)^c} to
23097 @texline @math{a^{b c}}
23098 @infoline @expr{a^(b c)}
23099 are done if the powers are real numbers. (These are safe in the context
23100 of units because all numbers involved can reasonably be assumed to be
23103 Also, if a unit name is raised to a fractional power, and the
23104 base units in that unit name all occur to powers which are a
23105 multiple of the denominator of the power, then the unit name
23106 is expanded out into its base units, which can then be simplified
23107 according to the previous paragraph. For example, @samp{acre^1.5}
23108 is simplified by noting that @expr{1.5 = 3:2}, that @samp{acre}
23109 is defined in terms of @samp{m^2}, and that the 2 in the power of
23110 @code{m} is a multiple of 2 in @expr{3:2}. Thus, @code{acre^1.5} is
23111 replaced by approximately
23112 @texline @math{(4046 m^2)^{1.5}}
23113 @infoline @expr{(4046 m^2)^1.5},
23114 which is then changed to
23115 @texline @math{4046^{1.5} \, (m^2)^{1.5}},
23116 @infoline @expr{4046^1.5 (m^2)^1.5},
23117 then to @expr{257440 m^3}.
23119 The functions @code{float}, @code{frac}, @code{clean}, @code{abs},
23120 as well as @code{floor} and the other integer truncation functions,
23121 applied to unit names or products or quotients involving units, are
23122 simplified. For example, @samp{round(1.6 in)} is changed to
23123 @samp{round(1.6) round(in)}; the lefthand term evaluates to 2,
23124 and the righthand term simplifies to @code{in}.
23126 The functions @code{sin}, @code{cos}, and @code{tan} with arguments
23127 that have angular units like @code{rad} or @code{arcmin} are
23128 simplified by converting to base units (radians), then evaluating
23129 with the angular mode temporarily set to radians.
23131 @node Polynomials, Calculus, Simplifying Formulas, Algebra
23132 @section Polynomials
23134 A @dfn{polynomial} is a sum of terms which are coefficients times
23135 various powers of a ``base'' variable. For example, @expr{2 x^2 + 3 x - 4}
23136 is a polynomial in @expr{x}. Some formulas can be considered
23137 polynomials in several different variables: @expr{1 + 2 x + 3 y + 4 x y^2}
23138 is a polynomial in both @expr{x} and @expr{y}. Polynomial coefficients
23139 are often numbers, but they may in general be any formulas not
23140 involving the base variable.
23143 @pindex calc-factor
23145 The @kbd{a f} (@code{calc-factor}) [@code{factor}] command factors a
23146 polynomial into a product of terms. For example, the polynomial
23147 @expr{x^3 + 2 x^2 + x} is factored into @samp{x*(x+1)^2}. As another
23148 example, @expr{a c + b d + b c + a d} is factored into the product
23149 @expr{(a + b) (c + d)}.
23151 Calc currently has three algorithms for factoring. Formulas which are
23152 linear in several variables, such as the second example above, are
23153 merged according to the distributive law. Formulas which are
23154 polynomials in a single variable, with constant integer or fractional
23155 coefficients, are factored into irreducible linear and/or quadratic
23156 terms. The first example above factors into three linear terms
23157 (@expr{x}, @expr{x+1}, and @expr{x+1} again). Finally, formulas
23158 which do not fit the above criteria are handled by the algebraic
23161 Calc's polynomial factorization algorithm works by using the general
23162 root-finding command (@w{@kbd{a P}}) to solve for the roots of the
23163 polynomial. It then looks for roots which are rational numbers
23164 or complex-conjugate pairs, and converts these into linear and
23165 quadratic terms, respectively. Because it uses floating-point
23166 arithmetic, it may be unable to find terms that involve large
23167 integers (whose number of digits approaches the current precision).
23168 Also, irreducible factors of degree higher than quadratic are not
23169 found, and polynomials in more than one variable are not treated.
23170 (A more robust factorization algorithm may be included in a future
23173 @vindex FactorRules
23185 The rewrite-based factorization method uses rules stored in the variable
23186 @code{FactorRules}. @xref{Rewrite Rules}, for a discussion of the
23187 operation of rewrite rules. The default @code{FactorRules} are able
23188 to factor quadratic forms symbolically into two linear terms,
23189 @expr{(a x + b) (c x + d)}. You can edit these rules to include other
23190 cases if you wish. To use the rules, Calc builds the formula
23191 @samp{thecoefs(x, [a, b, c, ...])} where @code{x} is the polynomial
23192 base variable and @code{a}, @code{b}, etc., are polynomial coefficients
23193 (which may be numbers or formulas). The constant term is written first,
23194 i.e., in the @code{a} position. When the rules complete, they should have
23195 changed the formula into the form @samp{thefactors(x, [f1, f2, f3, ...])}
23196 where each @code{fi} should be a factored term, e.g., @samp{x - ai}.
23197 Calc then multiplies these terms together to get the complete
23198 factored form of the polynomial. If the rules do not change the
23199 @code{thecoefs} call to a @code{thefactors} call, @kbd{a f} leaves the
23200 polynomial alone on the assumption that it is unfactorable. (Note that
23201 the function names @code{thecoefs} and @code{thefactors} are used only
23202 as placeholders; there are no actual Calc functions by those names.)
23206 The @kbd{H a f} [@code{factors}] command also factors a polynomial,
23207 but it returns a list of factors instead of an expression which is the
23208 product of the factors. Each factor is represented by a sub-vector
23209 of the factor, and the power with which it appears. For example,
23210 @expr{x^5 + x^4 - 33 x^3 + 63 x^2} factors to @expr{(x + 7) x^2 (x - 3)^2}
23211 in @kbd{a f}, or to @expr{[ [x, 2], [x+7, 1], [x-3, 2] ]} in @kbd{H a f}.
23212 If there is an overall numeric factor, it always comes first in the list.
23213 The functions @code{factor} and @code{factors} allow a second argument
23214 when written in algebraic form; @samp{factor(x,v)} factors @expr{x} with
23215 respect to the specific variable @expr{v}. The default is to factor with
23216 respect to all the variables that appear in @expr{x}.
23219 @pindex calc-collect
23221 The @kbd{a c} (@code{calc-collect}) [@code{collect}] command rearranges a
23223 polynomial in a given variable, ordered in decreasing powers of that
23224 variable. For example, given @expr{1 + 2 x + 3 y + 4 x y^2} on
23225 the stack, @kbd{a c x} would produce @expr{(2 + 4 y^2) x + (1 + 3 y)},
23226 and @kbd{a c y} would produce @expr{(4 x) y^2 + 3 y + (1 + 2 x)}.
23227 The polynomial will be expanded out using the distributive law as
23228 necessary: Collecting @expr{x} in @expr{(x - 1)^3} produces
23229 @expr{x^3 - 3 x^2 + 3 x - 1}. Terms not involving @expr{x} will
23232 The ``variable'' you specify at the prompt can actually be any
23233 expression: @kbd{a c ln(x+1)} will collect together all terms multiplied
23234 by @samp{ln(x+1)} or integer powers thereof. If @samp{x} also appears
23235 in the formula in a context other than @samp{ln(x+1)}, @kbd{a c} will
23236 treat those occurrences as unrelated to @samp{ln(x+1)}, i.e., as constants.
23239 @pindex calc-expand
23241 The @kbd{a x} (@code{calc-expand}) [@code{expand}] command expands an
23242 expression by applying the distributive law everywhere. It applies to
23243 products, quotients, and powers involving sums. By default, it fully
23244 distributes all parts of the expression. With a numeric prefix argument,
23245 the distributive law is applied only the specified number of times, then
23246 the partially expanded expression is left on the stack.
23248 The @kbd{a x} and @kbd{j D} commands are somewhat redundant. Use
23249 @kbd{a x} if you want to expand all products of sums in your formula.
23250 Use @kbd{j D} if you want to expand a particular specified term of
23251 the formula. There is an exactly analogous correspondence between
23252 @kbd{a f} and @kbd{j M}. (The @kbd{j D} and @kbd{j M} commands
23253 also know many other kinds of expansions, such as
23254 @samp{exp(a + b) = exp(a) exp(b)}, which @kbd{a x} and @kbd{a f}
23257 Calc's automatic simplifications will sometimes reverse a partial
23258 expansion. For example, the first step in expanding @expr{(x+1)^3} is
23259 to write @expr{(x+1) (x+1)^2}. If @kbd{a x} stops there and tries
23260 to put this formula onto the stack, though, Calc will automatically
23261 simplify it back to @expr{(x+1)^3} form. The solution is to turn
23262 simplification off first (@pxref{Simplification Modes}), or to run
23263 @kbd{a x} without a numeric prefix argument so that it expands all
23264 the way in one step.
23269 The @kbd{a a} (@code{calc-apart}) [@code{apart}] command expands a
23270 rational function by partial fractions. A rational function is the
23271 quotient of two polynomials; @code{apart} pulls this apart into a
23272 sum of rational functions with simple denominators. In algebraic
23273 notation, the @code{apart} function allows a second argument that
23274 specifies which variable to use as the ``base''; by default, Calc
23275 chooses the base variable automatically.
23278 @pindex calc-normalize-rat
23280 The @kbd{a n} (@code{calc-normalize-rat}) [@code{nrat}] command
23281 attempts to arrange a formula into a quotient of two polynomials.
23282 For example, given @expr{1 + (a + b/c) / d}, the result would be
23283 @expr{(b + a c + c d) / c d}. The quotient is reduced, so that
23284 @kbd{a n} will simplify @expr{(x^2 + 2x + 1) / (x^2 - 1)} by dividing
23285 out the common factor @expr{x + 1}, yielding @expr{(x + 1) / (x - 1)}.
23288 @pindex calc-poly-div
23290 The @kbd{a \} (@code{calc-poly-div}) [@code{pdiv}] command divides
23291 two polynomials @expr{u} and @expr{v}, yielding a new polynomial
23292 @expr{q}. If several variables occur in the inputs, the inputs are
23293 considered multivariate polynomials. (Calc divides by the variable
23294 with the largest power in @expr{u} first, or, in the case of equal
23295 powers, chooses the variables in alphabetical order.) For example,
23296 dividing @expr{x^2 + 3 x + 2} by @expr{x + 2} yields @expr{x + 1}.
23297 The remainder from the division, if any, is reported at the bottom
23298 of the screen and is also placed in the Trail along with the quotient.
23300 Using @code{pdiv} in algebraic notation, you can specify the particular
23301 variable to be used as the base: @code{pdiv(@var{a},@var{b},@var{x})}.
23302 If @code{pdiv} is given only two arguments (as is always the case with
23303 the @kbd{a \} command), then it does a multivariate division as outlined
23307 @pindex calc-poly-rem
23309 The @kbd{a %} (@code{calc-poly-rem}) [@code{prem}] command divides
23310 two polynomials and keeps the remainder @expr{r}. The quotient
23311 @expr{q} is discarded. For any formulas @expr{a} and @expr{b}, the
23312 results of @kbd{a \} and @kbd{a %} satisfy @expr{a = q b + r}.
23313 (This is analogous to plain @kbd{\} and @kbd{%}, which compute the
23314 integer quotient and remainder from dividing two numbers.)
23318 @pindex calc-poly-div-rem
23321 The @kbd{a /} (@code{calc-poly-div-rem}) [@code{pdivrem}] command
23322 divides two polynomials and reports both the quotient and the
23323 remainder as a vector @expr{[q, r]}. The @kbd{H a /} [@code{pdivide}]
23324 command divides two polynomials and constructs the formula
23325 @expr{q + r/b} on the stack. (Naturally if the remainder is zero,
23326 this will immediately simplify to @expr{q}.)
23329 @pindex calc-poly-gcd
23331 The @kbd{a g} (@code{calc-poly-gcd}) [@code{pgcd}] command computes
23332 the greatest common divisor of two polynomials. (The GCD actually
23333 is unique only to within a constant multiplier; Calc attempts to
23334 choose a GCD which will be unsurprising.) For example, the @kbd{a n}
23335 command uses @kbd{a g} to take the GCD of the numerator and denominator
23336 of a quotient, then divides each by the result using @kbd{a \}. (The
23337 definition of GCD ensures that this division can take place without
23338 leaving a remainder.)
23340 While the polynomials used in operations like @kbd{a /} and @kbd{a g}
23341 often have integer coefficients, this is not required. Calc can also
23342 deal with polynomials over the rationals or floating-point reals.
23343 Polynomials with modulo-form coefficients are also useful in many
23344 applications; if you enter @samp{(x^2 + 3 x - 1) mod 5}, Calc
23345 automatically transforms this into a polynomial over the field of
23346 integers mod 5: @samp{(1 mod 5) x^2 + (3 mod 5) x + (4 mod 5)}.
23348 Congratulations and thanks go to Ove Ewerlid
23349 (@code{ewerlid@@mizar.DoCS.UU.SE}), who contributed many of the
23350 polynomial routines used in the above commands.
23352 @xref{Decomposing Polynomials}, for several useful functions for
23353 extracting the individual coefficients of a polynomial.
23355 @node Calculus, Solving Equations, Polynomials, Algebra
23359 The following calculus commands do not automatically simplify their
23360 inputs or outputs using @code{calc-simplify}. You may find it helps
23361 to do this by hand by typing @kbd{a s} or @kbd{a e}. It may also help
23362 to use @kbd{a x} and/or @kbd{a c} to arrange a result in the most
23366 * Differentiation::
23368 * Customizing the Integrator::
23369 * Numerical Integration::
23373 @node Differentiation, Integration, Calculus, Calculus
23374 @subsection Differentiation
23379 @pindex calc-derivative
23382 The @kbd{a d} (@code{calc-derivative}) [@code{deriv}] command computes
23383 the derivative of the expression on the top of the stack with respect to
23384 some variable, which it will prompt you to enter. Normally, variables
23385 in the formula other than the specified differentiation variable are
23386 considered constant, i.e., @samp{deriv(y,x)} is reduced to zero. With
23387 the Hyperbolic flag, the @code{tderiv} (total derivative) operation is used
23388 instead, in which derivatives of variables are not reduced to zero
23389 unless those variables are known to be ``constant,'' i.e., independent
23390 of any other variables. (The built-in special variables like @code{pi}
23391 are considered constant, as are variables that have been declared
23392 @code{const}; @pxref{Declarations}.)
23394 With a numeric prefix argument @var{n}, this command computes the
23395 @var{n}th derivative.
23397 When working with trigonometric functions, it is best to switch to
23398 Radians mode first (with @w{@kbd{m r}}). The derivative of @samp{sin(x)}
23399 in degrees is @samp{(pi/180) cos(x)}, probably not the expected
23402 If you use the @code{deriv} function directly in an algebraic formula,
23403 you can write @samp{deriv(f,x,x0)} which represents the derivative
23404 of @expr{f} with respect to @expr{x}, evaluated at the point
23405 @texline @math{x=x_0}.
23406 @infoline @expr{x=x0}.
23408 If the formula being differentiated contains functions which Calc does
23409 not know, the derivatives of those functions are produced by adding
23410 primes (apostrophe characters). For example, @samp{deriv(f(2x), x)}
23411 produces @samp{2 f'(2 x)}, where the function @code{f'} represents the
23412 derivative of @code{f}.
23414 For functions you have defined with the @kbd{Z F} command, Calc expands
23415 the functions according to their defining formulas unless you have
23416 also defined @code{f'} suitably. For example, suppose we define
23417 @samp{sinc(x) = sin(x)/x} using @kbd{Z F}. If we then differentiate
23418 the formula @samp{sinc(2 x)}, the formula will be expanded to
23419 @samp{sin(2 x) / (2 x)} and differentiated. However, if we also
23420 define @samp{sinc'(x) = dsinc(x)}, say, then Calc will write the
23421 result as @samp{2 dsinc(2 x)}. @xref{Algebraic Definitions}.
23423 For multi-argument functions @samp{f(x,y,z)}, the derivative with respect
23424 to the first argument is written @samp{f'(x,y,z)}; derivatives with
23425 respect to the other arguments are @samp{f'2(x,y,z)} and @samp{f'3(x,y,z)}.
23426 Various higher-order derivatives can be formed in the obvious way, e.g.,
23427 @samp{f'@var{}'(x)} (the second derivative of @code{f}) or
23428 @samp{f'@var{}'2'3(x,y,z)} (@code{f} differentiated with respect to each
23431 @node Integration, Customizing the Integrator, Differentiation, Calculus
23432 @subsection Integration
23436 @pindex calc-integral
23438 The @kbd{a i} (@code{calc-integral}) [@code{integ}] command computes the
23439 indefinite integral of the expression on the top of the stack with
23440 respect to a prompted-for variable. The integrator is not guaranteed to
23441 work for all integrable functions, but it is able to integrate several
23442 large classes of formulas. In particular, any polynomial or rational
23443 function (a polynomial divided by a polynomial) is acceptable.
23444 (Rational functions don't have to be in explicit quotient form, however;
23445 @texline @math{x/(1+x^{-2})}
23446 @infoline @expr{x/(1+x^-2)}
23447 is not strictly a quotient of polynomials, but it is equivalent to
23448 @expr{x^3/(x^2+1)}, which is.) Also, square roots of terms involving
23449 @expr{x} and @expr{x^2} may appear in rational functions being
23450 integrated. Finally, rational functions involving trigonometric or
23451 hyperbolic functions can be integrated.
23453 With an argument (@kbd{C-u a i}), this command will compute the definite
23454 integral of the expression on top of the stack. In this case, the
23455 command will again prompt for an integration variable, then prompt for a
23456 lower limit and an upper limit.
23459 If you use the @code{integ} function directly in an algebraic formula,
23460 you can also write @samp{integ(f,x,v)} which expresses the resulting
23461 indefinite integral in terms of variable @code{v} instead of @code{x}.
23462 With four arguments, @samp{integ(f(x),x,a,b)} represents a definite
23463 integral from @code{a} to @code{b}.
23466 If you use the @code{integ} function directly in an algebraic formula,
23467 you can also write @samp{integ(f,x,v)} which expresses the resulting
23468 indefinite integral in terms of variable @code{v} instead of @code{x}.
23469 With four arguments, @samp{integ(f(x),x,a,b)} represents a definite
23470 integral $\int_a^b f(x) \, dx$.
23473 Please note that the current implementation of Calc's integrator sometimes
23474 produces results that are significantly more complex than they need to
23475 be. For example, the integral Calc finds for
23476 @texline @math{1/(x+\sqrt{x^2+1})}
23477 @infoline @expr{1/(x+sqrt(x^2+1))}
23478 is several times more complicated than the answer Mathematica
23479 returns for the same input, although the two forms are numerically
23480 equivalent. Also, any indefinite integral should be considered to have
23481 an arbitrary constant of integration added to it, although Calc does not
23482 write an explicit constant of integration in its result. For example,
23483 Calc's solution for
23484 @texline @math{1/(1+\tan x)}
23485 @infoline @expr{1/(1+tan(x))}
23486 differs from the solution given in the @emph{CRC Math Tables} by a
23488 @texline @math{\pi i / 2}
23489 @infoline @expr{pi i / 2},
23490 due to a different choice of constant of integration.
23492 The Calculator remembers all the integrals it has done. If conditions
23493 change in a way that would invalidate the old integrals, say, a switch
23494 from Degrees to Radians mode, then they will be thrown out. If you
23495 suspect this is not happening when it should, use the
23496 @code{calc-flush-caches} command; @pxref{Caches}.
23499 Calc normally will pursue integration by substitution or integration by
23500 parts up to 3 nested times before abandoning an approach as fruitless.
23501 If the integrator is taking too long, you can lower this limit by storing
23502 a number (like 2) in the variable @code{IntegLimit}. (The @kbd{s I}
23503 command is a convenient way to edit @code{IntegLimit}.) If this variable
23504 has no stored value or does not contain a nonnegative integer, a limit
23505 of 3 is used. The lower this limit is, the greater the chance that Calc
23506 will be unable to integrate a function it could otherwise handle. Raising
23507 this limit allows the Calculator to solve more integrals, though the time
23508 it takes may grow exponentially. You can monitor the integrator's actions
23509 by creating an Emacs buffer called @code{*Trace*}. If such a buffer
23510 exists, the @kbd{a i} command will write a log of its actions there.
23512 If you want to manipulate integrals in a purely symbolic way, you can
23513 set the integration nesting limit to 0 to prevent all but fast
23514 table-lookup solutions of integrals. You might then wish to define
23515 rewrite rules for integration by parts, various kinds of substitutions,
23516 and so on. @xref{Rewrite Rules}.
23518 @node Customizing the Integrator, Numerical Integration, Integration, Calculus
23519 @subsection Customizing the Integrator
23523 Calc has two built-in rewrite rules called @code{IntegRules} and
23524 @code{IntegAfterRules} which you can edit to define new integration
23525 methods. @xref{Rewrite Rules}. At each step of the integration process,
23526 Calc wraps the current integrand in a call to the fictitious function
23527 @samp{integtry(@var{expr},@var{var})}, where @var{expr} is the
23528 integrand and @var{var} is the integration variable. If your rules
23529 rewrite this to be a plain formula (not a call to @code{integtry}), then
23530 Calc will use this formula as the integral of @var{expr}. For example,
23531 the rule @samp{integtry(mysin(x),x) := -mycos(x)} would define a rule to
23532 integrate a function @code{mysin} that acts like the sine function.
23533 Then, putting @samp{4 mysin(2y+1)} on the stack and typing @kbd{a i y}
23534 will produce the integral @samp{-2 mycos(2y+1)}. Note that Calc has
23535 automatically made various transformations on the integral to allow it
23536 to use your rule; integral tables generally give rules for
23537 @samp{mysin(a x + b)}, but you don't need to use this much generality
23538 in your @code{IntegRules}.
23540 @cindex Exponential integral Ei(x)
23545 As a more serious example, the expression @samp{exp(x)/x} cannot be
23546 integrated in terms of the standard functions, so the ``exponential
23547 integral'' function
23548 @texline @math{{\rm Ei}(x)}
23549 @infoline @expr{Ei(x)}
23550 was invented to describe it.
23551 We can get Calc to do this integral in terms of a made-up @code{Ei}
23552 function by adding the rule @samp{[integtry(exp(x)/x, x) := Ei(x)]}
23553 to @code{IntegRules}. Now entering @samp{exp(2x)/x} on the stack
23554 and typing @kbd{a i x} yields @samp{Ei(2 x)}. This new rule will
23555 work with Calc's various built-in integration methods (such as
23556 integration by substitution) to solve a variety of other problems
23557 involving @code{Ei}: For example, now Calc will also be able to
23558 integrate @samp{exp(exp(x))} and @samp{ln(ln(x))} (to get @samp{Ei(exp(x))}
23559 and @samp{x ln(ln(x)) - Ei(ln(x))}, respectively).
23561 Your rule may do further integration by calling @code{integ}. For
23562 example, @samp{integtry(twice(u),x) := twice(integ(u))} allows Calc
23563 to integrate @samp{twice(sin(x))} to get @samp{twice(-cos(x))}.
23564 Note that @code{integ} was called with only one argument. This notation
23565 is allowed only within @code{IntegRules}; it means ``integrate this
23566 with respect to the same integration variable.'' If Calc is unable
23567 to integrate @code{u}, the integration that invoked @code{IntegRules}
23568 also fails. Thus integrating @samp{twice(f(x))} fails, returning the
23569 unevaluated integral @samp{integ(twice(f(x)), x)}. It is still valid
23570 to call @code{integ} with two or more arguments, however; in this case,
23571 if @code{u} is not integrable, @code{twice} itself will still be
23572 integrated: If the above rule is changed to @samp{... := twice(integ(u,x))},
23573 then integrating @samp{twice(f(x))} will yield @samp{twice(integ(f(x),x))}.
23575 If a rule instead produces the formula @samp{integsubst(@var{sexpr},
23576 @var{svar})}, either replacing the top-level @code{integtry} call or
23577 nested anywhere inside the expression, then Calc will apply the
23578 substitution @samp{@var{u} = @var{sexpr}(@var{svar})} to try to
23579 integrate the original @var{expr}. For example, the rule
23580 @samp{sqrt(a) := integsubst(sqrt(x),x)} says that if Calc ever finds
23581 a square root in the integrand, it should attempt the substitution
23582 @samp{u = sqrt(x)}. (This particular rule is unnecessary because
23583 Calc always tries ``obvious'' substitutions where @var{sexpr} actually
23584 appears in the integrand.) The variable @var{svar} may be the same
23585 as the @var{var} that appeared in the call to @code{integtry}, but
23588 When integrating according to an @code{integsubst}, Calc uses the
23589 equation solver to find the inverse of @var{sexpr} (if the integrand
23590 refers to @var{var} anywhere except in subexpressions that exactly
23591 match @var{sexpr}). It uses the differentiator to find the derivative
23592 of @var{sexpr} and/or its inverse (it has two methods that use one
23593 derivative or the other). You can also specify these items by adding
23594 extra arguments to the @code{integsubst} your rules construct; the
23595 general form is @samp{integsubst(@var{sexpr}, @var{svar}, @var{sinv},
23596 @var{sprime})}, where @var{sinv} is the inverse of @var{sexpr} (still
23597 written as a function of @var{svar}), and @var{sprime} is the
23598 derivative of @var{sexpr} with respect to @var{svar}. If you don't
23599 specify these things, and Calc is not able to work them out on its
23600 own with the information it knows, then your substitution rule will
23601 work only in very specific, simple cases.
23603 Calc applies @code{IntegRules} as if by @kbd{C-u 1 a r IntegRules};
23604 in other words, Calc stops rewriting as soon as any rule in your rule
23605 set succeeds. (If it weren't for this, the @samp{integsubst(sqrt(x),x)}
23606 example above would keep on adding layers of @code{integsubst} calls
23609 @vindex IntegSimpRules
23610 Another set of rules, stored in @code{IntegSimpRules}, are applied
23611 every time the integrator uses @kbd{a s} to simplify an intermediate
23612 result. For example, putting the rule @samp{twice(x) := 2 x} into
23613 @code{IntegSimpRules} would tell Calc to convert the @code{twice}
23614 function into a form it knows whenever integration is attempted.
23616 One more way to influence the integrator is to define a function with
23617 the @kbd{Z F} command (@pxref{Algebraic Definitions}). Calc's
23618 integrator automatically expands such functions according to their
23619 defining formulas, even if you originally asked for the function to
23620 be left unevaluated for symbolic arguments. (Certain other Calc
23621 systems, such as the differentiator and the equation solver, also
23624 @vindex IntegAfterRules
23625 Sometimes Calc is able to find a solution to your integral, but it
23626 expresses the result in a way that is unnecessarily complicated. If
23627 this happens, you can either use @code{integsubst} as described
23628 above to try to hint at a more direct path to the desired result, or
23629 you can use @code{IntegAfterRules}. This is an extra rule set that
23630 runs after the main integrator returns its result; basically, Calc does
23631 an @kbd{a r IntegAfterRules} on the result before showing it to you.
23632 (It also does an @kbd{a s}, without @code{IntegSimpRules}, after that
23633 to further simplify the result.) For example, Calc's integrator
23634 sometimes produces expressions of the form @samp{ln(1+x) - ln(1-x)};
23635 the default @code{IntegAfterRules} rewrite this into the more readable
23636 form @samp{2 arctanh(x)}. Note that, unlike @code{IntegRules},
23637 @code{IntegSimpRules} and @code{IntegAfterRules} are applied any number
23638 of times until no further changes are possible. Rewriting by
23639 @code{IntegAfterRules} occurs only after the main integrator has
23640 finished, not at every step as for @code{IntegRules} and
23641 @code{IntegSimpRules}.
23643 @node Numerical Integration, Taylor Series, Customizing the Integrator, Calculus
23644 @subsection Numerical Integration
23648 @pindex calc-num-integral
23650 If you want a purely numerical answer to an integration problem, you can
23651 use the @kbd{a I} (@code{calc-num-integral}) [@code{ninteg}] command. This
23652 command prompts for an integration variable, a lower limit, and an
23653 upper limit. Except for the integration variable, all other variables
23654 that appear in the integrand formula must have stored values. (A stored
23655 value, if any, for the integration variable itself is ignored.)
23657 Numerical integration works by evaluating your formula at many points in
23658 the specified interval. Calc uses an ``open Romberg'' method; this means
23659 that it does not evaluate the formula actually at the endpoints (so that
23660 it is safe to integrate @samp{sin(x)/x} from zero, for example). Also,
23661 the Romberg method works especially well when the function being
23662 integrated is fairly smooth. If the function is not smooth, Calc will
23663 have to evaluate it at quite a few points before it can accurately
23664 determine the value of the integral.
23666 Integration is much faster when the current precision is small. It is
23667 best to set the precision to the smallest acceptable number of digits
23668 before you use @kbd{a I}. If Calc appears to be taking too long, press
23669 @kbd{C-g} to halt it and try a lower precision. If Calc still appears
23670 to need hundreds of evaluations, check to make sure your function is
23671 well-behaved in the specified interval.
23673 It is possible for the lower integration limit to be @samp{-inf} (minus
23674 infinity). Likewise, the upper limit may be plus infinity. Calc
23675 internally transforms the integral into an equivalent one with finite
23676 limits. However, integration to or across singularities is not supported:
23677 The integral of @samp{1/sqrt(x)} from 0 to 1 exists (it can be found
23678 by Calc's symbolic integrator, for example), but @kbd{a I} will fail
23679 because the integrand goes to infinity at one of the endpoints.
23681 @node Taylor Series, , Numerical Integration, Calculus
23682 @subsection Taylor Series
23686 @pindex calc-taylor
23688 The @kbd{a t} (@code{calc-taylor}) [@code{taylor}] command computes a
23689 power series expansion or Taylor series of a function. You specify the
23690 variable and the desired number of terms. You may give an expression of
23691 the form @samp{@var{var} = @var{a}} or @samp{@var{var} - @var{a}} instead
23692 of just a variable to produce a Taylor expansion about the point @var{a}.
23693 You may specify the number of terms with a numeric prefix argument;
23694 otherwise the command will prompt you for the number of terms. Note that
23695 many series expansions have coefficients of zero for some terms, so you
23696 may appear to get fewer terms than you asked for.
23698 If the @kbd{a i} command is unable to find a symbolic integral for a
23699 function, you can get an approximation by integrating the function's
23702 @node Solving Equations, Numerical Solutions, Calculus, Algebra
23703 @section Solving Equations
23707 @pindex calc-solve-for
23709 @cindex Equations, solving
23710 @cindex Solving equations
23711 The @kbd{a S} (@code{calc-solve-for}) [@code{solve}] command rearranges
23712 an equation to solve for a specific variable. An equation is an
23713 expression of the form @expr{L = R}. For example, the command @kbd{a S x}
23714 will rearrange @expr{y = 3x + 6} to the form, @expr{x = y/3 - 2}. If the
23715 input is not an equation, it is treated like an equation of the
23718 This command also works for inequalities, as in @expr{y < 3x + 6}.
23719 Some inequalities cannot be solved where the analogous equation could
23720 be; for example, solving
23721 @texline @math{a < b \, c}
23722 @infoline @expr{a < b c}
23723 for @expr{b} is impossible
23724 without knowing the sign of @expr{c}. In this case, @kbd{a S} will
23726 @texline @math{b \mathbin{\hbox{\code{!=}}} a/c}
23727 @infoline @expr{b != a/c}
23728 (using the not-equal-to operator) to signify that the direction of the
23729 inequality is now unknown. The inequality
23730 @texline @math{a \le b \, c}
23731 @infoline @expr{a <= b c}
23732 is not even partially solved. @xref{Declarations}, for a way to tell
23733 Calc that the signs of the variables in a formula are in fact known.
23735 Two useful commands for working with the result of @kbd{a S} are
23736 @kbd{a .} (@pxref{Logical Operations}), which converts @expr{x = y/3 - 2}
23737 to @expr{y/3 - 2}, and @kbd{s l} (@pxref{Let Command}) which evaluates
23738 another formula with @expr{x} set equal to @expr{y/3 - 2}.
23741 * Multiple Solutions::
23742 * Solving Systems of Equations::
23743 * Decomposing Polynomials::
23746 @node Multiple Solutions, Solving Systems of Equations, Solving Equations, Solving Equations
23747 @subsection Multiple Solutions
23752 Some equations have more than one solution. The Hyperbolic flag
23753 (@code{H a S}) [@code{fsolve}] tells the solver to report the fully
23754 general family of solutions. It will invent variables @code{n1},
23755 @code{n2}, @dots{}, which represent independent arbitrary integers, and
23756 @code{s1}, @code{s2}, @dots{}, which represent independent arbitrary
23757 signs (either @mathit{+1} or @mathit{-1}). If you don't use the Hyperbolic
23758 flag, Calc will use zero in place of all arbitrary integers, and plus
23759 one in place of all arbitrary signs. Note that variables like @code{n1}
23760 and @code{s1} are not given any special interpretation in Calc except by
23761 the equation solver itself. As usual, you can use the @w{@kbd{s l}}
23762 (@code{calc-let}) command to obtain solutions for various actual values
23763 of these variables.
23765 For example, @kbd{' x^2 = y @key{RET} H a S x @key{RET}} solves to
23766 get @samp{x = s1 sqrt(y)}, indicating that the two solutions to the
23767 equation are @samp{sqrt(y)} and @samp{-sqrt(y)}. Another way to
23768 think about it is that the square-root operation is really a
23769 two-valued function; since every Calc function must return a
23770 single result, @code{sqrt} chooses to return the positive result.
23771 Then @kbd{H a S} doctors this result using @code{s1} to indicate
23772 the full set of possible values of the mathematical square-root.
23774 There is a similar phenomenon going the other direction: Suppose
23775 we solve @samp{sqrt(y) = x} for @code{y}. Calc squares both sides
23776 to get @samp{y = x^2}. This is correct, except that it introduces
23777 some dubious solutions. Consider solving @samp{sqrt(y) = -3}:
23778 Calc will report @expr{y = 9} as a valid solution, which is true
23779 in the mathematical sense of square-root, but false (there is no
23780 solution) for the actual Calc positive-valued @code{sqrt}. This
23781 happens for both @kbd{a S} and @kbd{H a S}.
23783 @cindex @code{GenCount} variable
23793 If you store a positive integer in the Calc variable @code{GenCount},
23794 then Calc will generate formulas of the form @samp{as(@var{n})} for
23795 arbitrary signs, and @samp{an(@var{n})} for arbitrary integers,
23796 where @var{n} represents successive values taken by incrementing
23797 @code{GenCount} by one. While the normal arbitrary sign and
23798 integer symbols start over at @code{s1} and @code{n1} with each
23799 new Calc command, the @code{GenCount} approach will give each
23800 arbitrary value a name that is unique throughout the entire Calc
23801 session. Also, the arbitrary values are function calls instead
23802 of variables, which is advantageous in some cases. For example,
23803 you can make a rewrite rule that recognizes all arbitrary signs
23804 using a pattern like @samp{as(n)}. The @kbd{s l} command only works
23805 on variables, but you can use the @kbd{a b} (@code{calc-substitute})
23806 command to substitute actual values for function calls like @samp{as(3)}.
23808 The @kbd{s G} (@code{calc-edit-GenCount}) command is a convenient
23809 way to create or edit this variable. Press @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish.
23811 If you have not stored a value in @code{GenCount}, or if the value
23812 in that variable is not a positive integer, the regular
23813 @code{s1}/@code{n1} notation is used.
23819 With the Inverse flag, @kbd{I a S} [@code{finv}] treats the expression
23820 on top of the stack as a function of the specified variable and solves
23821 to find the inverse function, written in terms of the same variable.
23822 For example, @kbd{I a S x} inverts @expr{2x + 6} to @expr{x/2 - 3}.
23823 You can use both Inverse and Hyperbolic [@code{ffinv}] to obtain a
23824 fully general inverse, as described above.
23827 @pindex calc-poly-roots
23829 Some equations, specifically polynomials, have a known, finite number
23830 of solutions. The @kbd{a P} (@code{calc-poly-roots}) [@code{roots}]
23831 command uses @kbd{H a S} to solve an equation in general form, then, for
23832 all arbitrary-sign variables like @code{s1}, and all arbitrary-integer
23833 variables like @code{n1} for which @code{n1} only usefully varies over
23834 a finite range, it expands these variables out to all their possible
23835 values. The results are collected into a vector, which is returned.
23836 For example, @samp{roots(x^4 = 1, x)} returns the four solutions
23837 @samp{[1, -1, (0, 1), (0, -1)]}. Generally an @var{n}th degree
23838 polynomial will always have @var{n} roots on the complex plane.
23839 (If you have given a @code{real} declaration for the solution
23840 variable, then only the real-valued solutions, if any, will be
23841 reported; @pxref{Declarations}.)
23843 Note that because @kbd{a P} uses @kbd{H a S}, it is able to deliver
23844 symbolic solutions if the polynomial has symbolic coefficients. Also
23845 note that Calc's solver is not able to get exact symbolic solutions
23846 to all polynomials. Polynomials containing powers up to @expr{x^4}
23847 can always be solved exactly; polynomials of higher degree sometimes
23848 can be: @expr{x^6 + x^3 + 1} is converted to @expr{(x^3)^2 + (x^3) + 1},
23849 which can be solved for @expr{x^3} using the quadratic equation, and then
23850 for @expr{x} by taking cube roots. But in many cases, like
23851 @expr{x^6 + x + 1}, Calc does not know how to rewrite the polynomial
23852 into a form it can solve. The @kbd{a P} command can still deliver a
23853 list of numerical roots, however, provided that Symbolic mode (@kbd{m s})
23854 is not turned on. (If you work with Symbolic mode on, recall that the
23855 @kbd{N} (@code{calc-eval-num}) key is a handy way to reevaluate the
23856 formula on the stack with Symbolic mode temporarily off.) Naturally,
23857 @kbd{a P} can only provide numerical roots if the polynomial coefficients
23858 are all numbers (real or complex).
23860 @node Solving Systems of Equations, Decomposing Polynomials, Multiple Solutions, Solving Equations
23861 @subsection Solving Systems of Equations
23864 @cindex Systems of equations, symbolic
23865 You can also use the commands described above to solve systems of
23866 simultaneous equations. Just create a vector of equations, then
23867 specify a vector of variables for which to solve. (You can omit
23868 the surrounding brackets when entering the vector of variables
23871 For example, putting @samp{[x + y = a, x - y = b]} on the stack
23872 and typing @kbd{a S x,y @key{RET}} produces the vector of solutions
23873 @samp{[x = a - (a-b)/2, y = (a-b)/2]}. The result vector will
23874 have the same length as the variables vector, and the variables
23875 will be listed in the same order there. Note that the solutions
23876 are not always simplified as far as possible; the solution for
23877 @expr{x} here could be improved by an application of the @kbd{a n}
23880 Calc's algorithm works by trying to eliminate one variable at a
23881 time by solving one of the equations for that variable and then
23882 substituting into the other equations. Calc will try all the
23883 possibilities, but you can speed things up by noting that Calc
23884 first tries to eliminate the first variable with the first
23885 equation, then the second variable with the second equation,
23886 and so on. It also helps to put the simpler (e.g., more linear)
23887 equations toward the front of the list. Calc's algorithm will
23888 solve any system of linear equations, and also many kinds of
23895 Normally there will be as many variables as equations. If you
23896 give fewer variables than equations (an ``over-determined'' system
23897 of equations), Calc will find a partial solution. For example,
23898 typing @kbd{a S y @key{RET}} with the above system of equations
23899 would produce @samp{[y = a - x]}. There are now several ways to
23900 express this solution in terms of the original variables; Calc uses
23901 the first one that it finds. You can control the choice by adding
23902 variable specifiers of the form @samp{elim(@var{v})} to the
23903 variables list. This says that @var{v} should be eliminated from
23904 the equations; the variable will not appear at all in the solution.
23905 For example, typing @kbd{a S y,elim(x)} would yield
23906 @samp{[y = a - (b+a)/2]}.
23908 If the variables list contains only @code{elim} specifiers,
23909 Calc simply eliminates those variables from the equations
23910 and then returns the resulting set of equations. For example,
23911 @kbd{a S elim(x)} produces @samp{[a - 2 y = b]}. Every variable
23912 eliminated will reduce the number of equations in the system
23915 Again, @kbd{a S} gives you one solution to the system of
23916 equations. If there are several solutions, you can use @kbd{H a S}
23917 to get a general family of solutions, or, if there is a finite
23918 number of solutions, you can use @kbd{a P} to get a list. (In
23919 the latter case, the result will take the form of a matrix where
23920 the rows are different solutions and the columns correspond to the
23921 variables you requested.)
23923 Another way to deal with certain kinds of overdetermined systems of
23924 equations is the @kbd{a F} command, which does least-squares fitting
23925 to satisfy the equations. @xref{Curve Fitting}.
23927 @node Decomposing Polynomials, , Solving Systems of Equations, Solving Equations
23928 @subsection Decomposing Polynomials
23935 The @code{poly} function takes a polynomial and a variable as
23936 arguments, and returns a vector of polynomial coefficients (constant
23937 coefficient first). For example, @samp{poly(x^3 + 2 x, x)} returns
23938 @expr{[0, 2, 0, 1]}. If the input is not a polynomial in @expr{x},
23939 the call to @code{poly} is left in symbolic form. If the input does
23940 not involve the variable @expr{x}, the input is returned in a list
23941 of length one, representing a polynomial with only a constant
23942 coefficient. The call @samp{poly(x, x)} returns the vector @expr{[0, 1]}.
23943 The last element of the returned vector is guaranteed to be nonzero;
23944 note that @samp{poly(0, x)} returns the empty vector @expr{[]}.
23945 Note also that @expr{x} may actually be any formula; for example,
23946 @samp{poly(sin(x)^2 - sin(x) + 3, sin(x))} returns @expr{[3, -1, 1]}.
23948 @cindex Coefficients of polynomial
23949 @cindex Degree of polynomial
23950 To get the @expr{x^k} coefficient of polynomial @expr{p}, use
23951 @samp{poly(p, x)_(k+1)}. To get the degree of polynomial @expr{p},
23952 use @samp{vlen(poly(p, x)) - 1}. For example, @samp{poly((x+1)^4, x)}
23953 returns @samp{[1, 4, 6, 4, 1]}, so @samp{poly((x+1)^4, x)_(2+1)}
23954 gives the @expr{x^2} coefficient of this polynomial, 6.
23960 One important feature of the solver is its ability to recognize
23961 formulas which are ``essentially'' polynomials. This ability is
23962 made available to the user through the @code{gpoly} function, which
23963 is used just like @code{poly}: @samp{gpoly(@var{expr}, @var{var})}.
23964 If @var{expr} is a polynomial in some term which includes @var{var}, then
23965 this function will return a vector @samp{[@var{x}, @var{c}, @var{a}]}
23966 where @var{x} is the term that depends on @var{var}, @var{c} is a
23967 vector of polynomial coefficients (like the one returned by @code{poly}),
23968 and @var{a} is a multiplier which is usually 1. Basically,
23969 @samp{@var{expr} = @var{a}*(@var{c}_1 + @var{c}_2 @var{x} +
23970 @var{c}_3 @var{x}^2 + ...)}. The last element of @var{c} is
23971 guaranteed to be non-zero, and @var{c} will not equal @samp{[1]}
23972 (i.e., the trivial decomposition @var{expr} = @var{x} is not
23973 considered a polynomial). One side effect is that @samp{gpoly(x, x)}
23974 and @samp{gpoly(6, x)}, both of which might be expected to recognize
23975 their arguments as polynomials, will not because the decomposition
23976 is considered trivial.
23978 For example, @samp{gpoly((x-2)^2, x)} returns @samp{[x, [4, -4, 1], 1]},
23979 since the expanded form of this polynomial is @expr{4 - 4 x + x^2}.
23981 The term @var{x} may itself be a polynomial in @var{var}. This is
23982 done to reduce the size of the @var{c} vector. For example,
23983 @samp{gpoly(x^4 + x^2 - 1, x)} returns @samp{[x^2, [-1, 1, 1], 1]},
23984 since a quadratic polynomial in @expr{x^2} is easier to solve than
23985 a quartic polynomial in @expr{x}.
23987 A few more examples of the kinds of polynomials @code{gpoly} can
23991 sin(x) - 1 [sin(x), [-1, 1], 1]
23992 x + 1/x - 1 [x, [1, -1, 1], 1/x]
23993 x + 1/x [x^2, [1, 1], 1/x]
23994 x^3 + 2 x [x^2, [2, 1], x]
23995 x + x^2:3 + sqrt(x) [x^1:6, [1, 1, 0, 1], x^1:2]
23996 x^(2a) + 2 x^a + 5 [x^a, [5, 2, 1], 1]
23997 (exp(-x) + exp(x)) / 2 [e^(2 x), [0.5, 0.5], e^-x]
24000 The @code{poly} and @code{gpoly} functions accept a third integer argument
24001 which specifies the largest degree of polynomial that is acceptable.
24002 If this is @expr{n}, then only @var{c} vectors of length @expr{n+1}
24003 or less will be returned. Otherwise, the @code{poly} or @code{gpoly}
24004 call will remain in symbolic form. For example, the equation solver
24005 can handle quartics and smaller polynomials, so it calls
24006 @samp{gpoly(@var{expr}, @var{var}, 4)} to discover whether @var{expr}
24007 can be treated by its linear, quadratic, cubic, or quartic formulas.
24013 The @code{pdeg} function computes the degree of a polynomial;
24014 @samp{pdeg(p,x)} is the highest power of @code{x} that appears in
24015 @code{p}. This is the same as @samp{vlen(poly(p,x))-1}, but is
24016 much more efficient. If @code{p} is constant with respect to @code{x},
24017 then @samp{pdeg(p,x) = 0}. If @code{p} is not a polynomial in @code{x}
24018 (e.g., @samp{pdeg(2 cos(x), x)}, the function remains unevaluated.
24019 It is possible to omit the second argument @code{x}, in which case
24020 @samp{pdeg(p)} returns the highest total degree of any term of the
24021 polynomial, counting all variables that appear in @code{p}. Note
24022 that @code{pdeg(c) = pdeg(c,x) = 0} for any nonzero constant @code{c};
24023 the degree of the constant zero is considered to be @code{-inf}
24030 The @code{plead} function finds the leading term of a polynomial.
24031 Thus @samp{plead(p,x)} is equivalent to @samp{poly(p,x)_vlen(poly(p,x))},
24032 though again more efficient. In particular, @samp{plead((2x+1)^10, x)}
24033 returns 1024 without expanding out the list of coefficients. The
24034 value of @code{plead(p,x)} will be zero only if @expr{p = 0}.
24040 The @code{pcont} function finds the @dfn{content} of a polynomial. This
24041 is the greatest common divisor of all the coefficients of the polynomial.
24042 With two arguments, @code{pcont(p,x)} effectively uses @samp{poly(p,x)}
24043 to get a list of coefficients, then uses @code{pgcd} (the polynomial
24044 GCD function) to combine these into an answer. For example,
24045 @samp{pcont(4 x y^2 + 6 x^2 y, x)} is @samp{2 y}. The content is
24046 basically the ``biggest'' polynomial that can be divided into @code{p}
24047 exactly. The sign of the content is the same as the sign of the leading
24050 With only one argument, @samp{pcont(p)} computes the numerical
24051 content of the polynomial, i.e., the @code{gcd} of the numerical
24052 coefficients of all the terms in the formula. Note that @code{gcd}
24053 is defined on rational numbers as well as integers; it computes
24054 the @code{gcd} of the numerators and the @code{lcm} of the
24055 denominators. Thus @samp{pcont(4:3 x y^2 + 6 x^2 y)} returns 2:3.
24056 Dividing the polynomial by this number will clear all the
24057 denominators, as well as dividing by any common content in the
24058 numerators. The numerical content of a polynomial is negative only
24059 if all the coefficients in the polynomial are negative.
24065 The @code{pprim} function finds the @dfn{primitive part} of a
24066 polynomial, which is simply the polynomial divided (using @code{pdiv}
24067 if necessary) by its content. If the input polynomial has rational
24068 coefficients, the result will have integer coefficients in simplest
24071 @node Numerical Solutions, Curve Fitting, Solving Equations, Algebra
24072 @section Numerical Solutions
24075 Not all equations can be solved symbolically. The commands in this
24076 section use numerical algorithms that can find a solution to a specific
24077 instance of an equation to any desired accuracy. Note that the
24078 numerical commands are slower than their algebraic cousins; it is a
24079 good idea to try @kbd{a S} before resorting to these commands.
24081 (@xref{Curve Fitting}, for some other, more specialized, operations
24082 on numerical data.)
24087 * Numerical Systems of Equations::
24090 @node Root Finding, Minimization, Numerical Solutions, Numerical Solutions
24091 @subsection Root Finding
24095 @pindex calc-find-root
24097 @cindex Newton's method
24098 @cindex Roots of equations
24099 @cindex Numerical root-finding
24100 The @kbd{a R} (@code{calc-find-root}) [@code{root}] command finds a
24101 numerical solution (or @dfn{root}) of an equation. (This command treats
24102 inequalities the same as equations. If the input is any other kind
24103 of formula, it is interpreted as an equation of the form @expr{X = 0}.)
24105 The @kbd{a R} command requires an initial guess on the top of the
24106 stack, and a formula in the second-to-top position. It prompts for a
24107 solution variable, which must appear in the formula. All other variables
24108 that appear in the formula must have assigned values, i.e., when
24109 a value is assigned to the solution variable and the formula is
24110 evaluated with @kbd{=}, it should evaluate to a number. Any assigned
24111 value for the solution variable itself is ignored and unaffected by
24114 When the command completes, the initial guess is replaced on the stack
24115 by a vector of two numbers: The value of the solution variable that
24116 solves the equation, and the difference between the lefthand and
24117 righthand sides of the equation at that value. Ordinarily, the second
24118 number will be zero or very nearly zero. (Note that Calc uses a
24119 slightly higher precision while finding the root, and thus the second
24120 number may be slightly different from the value you would compute from
24121 the equation yourself.)
24123 The @kbd{v h} (@code{calc-head}) command is a handy way to extract
24124 the first element of the result vector, discarding the error term.
24126 The initial guess can be a real number, in which case Calc searches
24127 for a real solution near that number, or a complex number, in which
24128 case Calc searches the whole complex plane near that number for a
24129 solution, or it can be an interval form which restricts the search
24130 to real numbers inside that interval.
24132 Calc tries to use @kbd{a d} to take the derivative of the equation.
24133 If this succeeds, it uses Newton's method. If the equation is not
24134 differentiable Calc uses a bisection method. (If Newton's method
24135 appears to be going astray, Calc switches over to bisection if it
24136 can, or otherwise gives up. In this case it may help to try again
24137 with a slightly different initial guess.) If the initial guess is a
24138 complex number, the function must be differentiable.
24140 If the formula (or the difference between the sides of an equation)
24141 is negative at one end of the interval you specify and positive at
24142 the other end, the root finder is guaranteed to find a root.
24143 Otherwise, Calc subdivides the interval into small parts looking for
24144 positive and negative values to bracket the root. When your guess is
24145 an interval, Calc will not look outside that interval for a root.
24149 The @kbd{H a R} [@code{wroot}] command is similar to @kbd{a R}, except
24150 that if the initial guess is an interval for which the function has
24151 the same sign at both ends, then rather than subdividing the interval
24152 Calc attempts to widen it to enclose a root. Use this mode if
24153 you are not sure if the function has a root in your interval.
24155 If the function is not differentiable, and you give a simple number
24156 instead of an interval as your initial guess, Calc uses this widening
24157 process even if you did not type the Hyperbolic flag. (If the function
24158 @emph{is} differentiable, Calc uses Newton's method which does not
24159 require a bounding interval in order to work.)
24161 If Calc leaves the @code{root} or @code{wroot} function in symbolic
24162 form on the stack, it will normally display an explanation for why
24163 no root was found. If you miss this explanation, press @kbd{w}
24164 (@code{calc-why}) to get it back.
24166 @node Minimization, Numerical Systems of Equations, Root Finding, Numerical Solutions
24167 @subsection Minimization
24174 @pindex calc-find-minimum
24175 @pindex calc-find-maximum
24178 @cindex Minimization, numerical
24179 The @kbd{a N} (@code{calc-find-minimum}) [@code{minimize}] command
24180 finds a minimum value for a formula. It is very similar in operation
24181 to @kbd{a R} (@code{calc-find-root}): You give the formula and an initial
24182 guess on the stack, and are prompted for the name of a variable. The guess
24183 may be either a number near the desired minimum, or an interval enclosing
24184 the desired minimum. The function returns a vector containing the
24185 value of the variable which minimizes the formula's value, along
24186 with the minimum value itself.
24188 Note that this command looks for a @emph{local} minimum. Many functions
24189 have more than one minimum; some, like
24190 @texline @math{x \sin x},
24191 @infoline @expr{x sin(x)},
24192 have infinitely many. In fact, there is no easy way to define the
24193 ``global'' minimum of
24194 @texline @math{x \sin x}
24195 @infoline @expr{x sin(x)}
24196 but Calc can still locate any particular local minimum
24197 for you. Calc basically goes downhill from the initial guess until it
24198 finds a point at which the function's value is greater both to the left
24199 and to the right. Calc does not use derivatives when minimizing a function.
24201 If your initial guess is an interval and it looks like the minimum
24202 occurs at one or the other endpoint of the interval, Calc will return
24203 that endpoint only if that endpoint is closed; thus, minimizing @expr{17 x}
24204 over @expr{[2..3]} will return @expr{[2, 38]}, but minimizing over
24205 @expr{(2..3]} would report no minimum found. In general, you should
24206 use closed intervals to find literally the minimum value in that
24207 range of @expr{x}, or open intervals to find the local minimum, if
24208 any, that happens to lie in that range.
24210 Most functions are smooth and flat near their minimum values. Because
24211 of this flatness, if the current precision is, say, 12 digits, the
24212 variable can only be determined meaningfully to about six digits. Thus
24213 you should set the precision to twice as many digits as you need in your
24224 The @kbd{H a N} [@code{wminimize}] command, analogously to @kbd{H a R},
24225 expands the guess interval to enclose a minimum rather than requiring
24226 that the minimum lie inside the interval you supply.
24228 The @kbd{a X} (@code{calc-find-maximum}) [@code{maximize}] and
24229 @kbd{H a X} [@code{wmaximize}] commands effectively minimize the
24230 negative of the formula you supply.
24232 The formula must evaluate to a real number at all points inside the
24233 interval (or near the initial guess if the guess is a number). If
24234 the initial guess is a complex number the variable will be minimized
24235 over the complex numbers; if it is real or an interval it will
24236 be minimized over the reals.
24238 @node Numerical Systems of Equations, , Minimization, Numerical Solutions
24239 @subsection Systems of Equations
24242 @cindex Systems of equations, numerical
24243 The @kbd{a R} command can also solve systems of equations. In this
24244 case, the equation should instead be a vector of equations, the
24245 guess should instead be a vector of numbers (intervals are not
24246 supported), and the variable should be a vector of variables. You
24247 can omit the brackets while entering the list of variables. Each
24248 equation must be differentiable by each variable for this mode to
24249 work. The result will be a vector of two vectors: The variable
24250 values that solved the system of equations, and the differences
24251 between the sides of the equations with those variable values.
24252 There must be the same number of equations as variables. Since
24253 only plain numbers are allowed as guesses, the Hyperbolic flag has
24254 no effect when solving a system of equations.
24256 It is also possible to minimize over many variables with @kbd{a N}
24257 (or maximize with @kbd{a X}). Once again the variable name should
24258 be replaced by a vector of variables, and the initial guess should
24259 be an equal-sized vector of initial guesses. But, unlike the case of
24260 multidimensional @kbd{a R}, the formula being minimized should
24261 still be a single formula, @emph{not} a vector. Beware that
24262 multidimensional minimization is currently @emph{very} slow.
24264 @node Curve Fitting, Summations, Numerical Solutions, Algebra
24265 @section Curve Fitting
24268 The @kbd{a F} command fits a set of data to a @dfn{model formula},
24269 such as @expr{y = m x + b} where @expr{m} and @expr{b} are parameters
24270 to be determined. For a typical set of measured data there will be
24271 no single @expr{m} and @expr{b} that exactly fit the data; in this
24272 case, Calc chooses values of the parameters that provide the closest
24273 possible fit. The model formula can be entered in various ways after
24274 the key sequence @kbd{a F} is pressed.
24276 If the letter @kbd{P} is pressed after @kbd{a F} but before the model
24277 description is entered, the data as well as the model formula will be
24278 plotted after the formula is determined. This will be indicated by a
24279 ``P'' in the minibuffer after the help message.
24283 * Polynomial and Multilinear Fits::
24284 * Error Estimates for Fits::
24285 * Standard Nonlinear Models::
24286 * Curve Fitting Details::
24290 @node Linear Fits, Polynomial and Multilinear Fits, Curve Fitting, Curve Fitting
24291 @subsection Linear Fits
24295 @pindex calc-curve-fit
24297 @cindex Linear regression
24298 @cindex Least-squares fits
24299 The @kbd{a F} (@code{calc-curve-fit}) [@code{fit}] command attempts
24300 to fit a set of data (@expr{x} and @expr{y} vectors of numbers) to a
24301 straight line, polynomial, or other function of @expr{x}. For the
24302 moment we will consider only the case of fitting to a line, and we
24303 will ignore the issue of whether or not the model was in fact a good
24306 In a standard linear least-squares fit, we have a set of @expr{(x,y)}
24307 data points that we wish to fit to the model @expr{y = m x + b}
24308 by adjusting the parameters @expr{m} and @expr{b} to make the @expr{y}
24309 values calculated from the formula be as close as possible to the actual
24310 @expr{y} values in the data set. (In a polynomial fit, the model is
24311 instead, say, @expr{y = a x^3 + b x^2 + c x + d}. In a multilinear fit,
24312 we have data points of the form @expr{(x_1,x_2,x_3,y)} and our model is
24313 @expr{y = a x_1 + b x_2 + c x_3 + d}. These will be discussed later.)
24315 In the model formula, variables like @expr{x} and @expr{x_2} are called
24316 the @dfn{independent variables}, and @expr{y} is the @dfn{dependent
24317 variable}. Variables like @expr{m}, @expr{a}, and @expr{b} are called
24318 the @dfn{parameters} of the model.
24320 The @kbd{a F} command takes the data set to be fitted from the stack.
24321 By default, it expects the data in the form of a matrix. For example,
24322 for a linear or polynomial fit, this would be a
24323 @texline @math{2\times N}
24325 matrix where the first row is a list of @expr{x} values and the second
24326 row has the corresponding @expr{y} values. For the multilinear fit
24327 shown above, the matrix would have four rows (@expr{x_1}, @expr{x_2},
24328 @expr{x_3}, and @expr{y}, respectively).
24330 If you happen to have an
24331 @texline @math{N\times2}
24333 matrix instead of a
24334 @texline @math{2\times N}
24336 matrix, just press @kbd{v t} first to transpose the matrix.
24338 After you type @kbd{a F}, Calc prompts you to select a model. For a
24339 linear fit, press the digit @kbd{1}.
24341 Calc then prompts for you to name the variables. By default it chooses
24342 high letters like @expr{x} and @expr{y} for independent variables and
24343 low letters like @expr{a} and @expr{b} for parameters. (The dependent
24344 variable doesn't need a name.) The two kinds of variables are separated
24345 by a semicolon. Since you generally care more about the names of the
24346 independent variables than of the parameters, Calc also allows you to
24347 name only those and let the parameters use default names.
24349 For example, suppose the data matrix
24354 [ [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ]
24355 [ 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 ] ]
24361 $$ \pmatrix{ 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 \cr
24362 5 & 7 & 9 & 11 & 13 }
24368 is on the stack and we wish to do a simple linear fit. Type
24369 @kbd{a F}, then @kbd{1} for the model, then @key{RET} to use
24370 the default names. The result will be the formula @expr{3. + 2. x}
24371 on the stack. Calc has created the model expression @kbd{a + b x},
24372 then found the optimal values of @expr{a} and @expr{b} to fit the
24373 data. (In this case, it was able to find an exact fit.) Calc then
24374 substituted those values for @expr{a} and @expr{b} in the model
24377 The @kbd{a F} command puts two entries in the trail. One is, as
24378 always, a copy of the result that went to the stack; the other is
24379 a vector of the actual parameter values, written as equations:
24380 @expr{[a = 3, b = 2]}, in case you'd rather read them in a list
24381 than pick them out of the formula. (You can type @kbd{t y}
24382 to move this vector to the stack; see @ref{Trail Commands}.
24384 Specifying a different independent variable name will affect the
24385 resulting formula: @kbd{a F 1 k @key{RET}} produces @kbd{3 + 2 k}.
24386 Changing the parameter names (say, @kbd{a F 1 k;b,m @key{RET}}) will affect
24387 the equations that go into the trail.
24393 To see what happens when the fit is not exact, we could change
24394 the number 13 in the data matrix to 14 and try the fit again.
24401 Evaluating this formula, say with @kbd{v x 5 @key{RET} @key{TAB} V M $ @key{RET}}, shows
24402 a reasonably close match to the y-values in the data.
24405 [4.8, 7., 9.2, 11.4, 13.6]
24408 Since there is no line which passes through all the @var{n} data points,
24409 Calc has chosen a line that best approximates the data points using
24410 the method of least squares. The idea is to define the @dfn{chi-square}
24415 chi^2 = sum((y_i - (a + b x_i))^2, i, 1, N)
24420 $$ \chi^2 = \sum_{i=1}^N (y_i - (a + b x_i))^2 $$
24425 which is clearly zero if @expr{a + b x} exactly fits all data points,
24426 and increases as various @expr{a + b x_i} values fail to match the
24427 corresponding @expr{y_i} values. There are several reasons why the
24428 summand is squared, one of them being to ensure that
24429 @texline @math{\chi^2 \ge 0}.
24430 @infoline @expr{chi^2 >= 0}.
24431 Least-squares fitting simply chooses the values of @expr{a} and @expr{b}
24432 for which the error
24433 @texline @math{\chi^2}
24434 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
24435 is as small as possible.
24437 Other kinds of models do the same thing but with a different model
24438 formula in place of @expr{a + b x_i}.
24444 A numeric prefix argument causes the @kbd{a F} command to take the
24445 data in some other form than one big matrix. A positive argument @var{n}
24446 will take @var{N} items from the stack, corresponding to the @var{n} rows
24447 of a data matrix. In the linear case, @var{n} must be 2 since there
24448 is always one independent variable and one dependent variable.
24450 A prefix of zero or plain @kbd{C-u} is a compromise; Calc takes two
24451 items from the stack, an @var{n}-row matrix of @expr{x} values, and a
24452 vector of @expr{y} values. If there is only one independent variable,
24453 the @expr{x} values can be either a one-row matrix or a plain vector,
24454 in which case the @kbd{C-u} prefix is the same as a @w{@kbd{C-u 2}} prefix.
24456 @node Polynomial and Multilinear Fits, Error Estimates for Fits, Linear Fits, Curve Fitting
24457 @subsection Polynomial and Multilinear Fits
24460 To fit the data to higher-order polynomials, just type one of the
24461 digits @kbd{2} through @kbd{9} when prompted for a model. For example,
24462 we could fit the original data matrix from the previous section
24463 (with 13, not 14) to a parabola instead of a line by typing
24464 @kbd{a F 2 @key{RET}}.
24467 2.00000000001 x - 1.5e-12 x^2 + 2.99999999999
24470 Note that since the constant and linear terms are enough to fit the
24471 data exactly, it's no surprise that Calc chose a tiny contribution
24472 for @expr{x^2}. (The fact that it's not exactly zero is due only
24473 to roundoff error. Since our data are exact integers, we could get
24474 an exact answer by typing @kbd{m f} first to get Fraction mode.
24475 Then the @expr{x^2} term would vanish altogether. Usually, though,
24476 the data being fitted will be approximate floats so Fraction mode
24479 Doing the @kbd{a F 2} fit on the data set with 14 instead of 13
24480 gives a much larger @expr{x^2} contribution, as Calc bends the
24481 line slightly to improve the fit.
24484 0.142857142855 x^2 + 1.34285714287 x + 3.59999999998
24487 An important result from the theory of polynomial fitting is that it
24488 is always possible to fit @var{n} data points exactly using a polynomial
24489 of degree @mathit{@var{n}-1}, sometimes called an @dfn{interpolating polynomial}.
24490 Using the modified (14) data matrix, a model number of 4 gives
24491 a polynomial that exactly matches all five data points:
24494 0.04167 x^4 - 0.4167 x^3 + 1.458 x^2 - 0.08333 x + 4.
24497 The actual coefficients we get with a precision of 12, like
24498 @expr{0.0416666663588}, clearly suffer from loss of precision.
24499 It is a good idea to increase the working precision to several
24500 digits beyond what you need when you do a fitting operation.
24501 Or, if your data are exact, use Fraction mode to get exact
24504 You can type @kbd{i} instead of a digit at the model prompt to fit
24505 the data exactly to a polynomial. This just counts the number of
24506 columns of the data matrix to choose the degree of the polynomial
24509 Fitting data ``exactly'' to high-degree polynomials is not always
24510 a good idea, though. High-degree polynomials have a tendency to
24511 wiggle uncontrollably in between the fitting data points. Also,
24512 if the exact-fit polynomial is going to be used to interpolate or
24513 extrapolate the data, it is numerically better to use the @kbd{a p}
24514 command described below. @xref{Interpolation}.
24520 Another generalization of the linear model is to assume the
24521 @expr{y} values are a sum of linear contributions from several
24522 @expr{x} values. This is a @dfn{multilinear} fit, and it is also
24523 selected by the @kbd{1} digit key. (Calc decides whether the fit
24524 is linear or multilinear by counting the rows in the data matrix.)
24526 Given the data matrix,
24530 [ [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ]
24532 [ 14.5, 15, 18.5, 22.5, 24 ] ]
24537 the command @kbd{a F 1 @key{RET}} will call the first row @expr{x} and the
24538 second row @expr{y}, and will fit the values in the third row to the
24539 model @expr{a + b x + c y}.
24545 Calc can do multilinear fits with any number of independent variables
24546 (i.e., with any number of data rows).
24552 Yet another variation is @dfn{homogeneous} linear models, in which
24553 the constant term is known to be zero. In the linear case, this
24554 means the model formula is simply @expr{a x}; in the multilinear
24555 case, the model might be @expr{a x + b y + c z}; and in the polynomial
24556 case, the model could be @expr{a x + b x^2 + c x^3}. You can get
24557 a homogeneous linear or multilinear model by pressing the letter
24558 @kbd{h} followed by a regular model key, like @kbd{1} or @kbd{2}.
24559 This will be indicated by an ``h'' in the minibuffer after the help
24562 It is certainly possible to have other constrained linear models,
24563 like @expr{2.3 + a x} or @expr{a - 4 x}. While there is no single
24564 key to select models like these, a later section shows how to enter
24565 any desired model by hand. In the first case, for example, you
24566 would enter @kbd{a F ' 2.3 + a x}.
24568 Another class of models that will work but must be entered by hand
24569 are multinomial fits, e.g., @expr{a + b x + c y + d x^2 + e y^2 + f x y}.
24571 @node Error Estimates for Fits, Standard Nonlinear Models, Polynomial and Multilinear Fits, Curve Fitting
24572 @subsection Error Estimates for Fits
24577 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H a F} [@code{efit}] performs the same
24578 fitting operation as @kbd{a F}, but reports the coefficients as error
24579 forms instead of plain numbers. Fitting our two data matrices (first
24580 with 13, then with 14) to a line with @kbd{H a F} gives the results,
24584 2.6 +/- 0.382970843103 + 2.2 +/- 0.115470053838 x
24587 In the first case the estimated errors are zero because the linear
24588 fit is perfect. In the second case, the errors are nonzero but
24589 moderately small, because the data are still very close to linear.
24591 It is also possible for the @emph{input} to a fitting operation to
24592 contain error forms. The data values must either all include errors
24593 or all be plain numbers. Error forms can go anywhere but generally
24594 go on the numbers in the last row of the data matrix. If the last
24595 row contains error forms
24596 @texline `@var{y_i}@w{ @tfn{+/-} }@math{\sigma_i}',
24597 @infoline `@var{y_i}@w{ @tfn{+/-} }@var{sigma_i}',
24599 @texline @math{\chi^2}
24600 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
24605 chi^2 = sum(((y_i - (a + b x_i)) / sigma_i)^2, i, 1, N)
24610 $$ \chi^2 = \sum_{i=1}^N \left(y_i - (a + b x_i) \over \sigma_i\right)^2 $$
24615 so that data points with larger error estimates contribute less to
24616 the fitting operation.
24618 If there are error forms on other rows of the data matrix, all the
24619 errors for a given data point are combined; the square root of the
24620 sum of the squares of the errors forms the
24621 @texline @math{\sigma_i}
24622 @infoline @expr{sigma_i}
24623 used for the data point.
24625 Both @kbd{a F} and @kbd{H a F} can accept error forms in the input
24626 matrix, although if you are concerned about error analysis you will
24627 probably use @kbd{H a F} so that the output also contains error
24630 If the input contains error forms but all the
24631 @texline @math{\sigma_i}
24632 @infoline @expr{sigma_i}
24633 values are the same, it is easy to see that the resulting fitted model
24634 will be the same as if the input did not have error forms at all
24635 @texline (@math{\chi^2}
24636 @infoline (@expr{chi^2}
24637 is simply scaled uniformly by
24638 @texline @math{1 / \sigma^2},
24639 @infoline @expr{1 / sigma^2},
24640 which doesn't affect where it has a minimum). But there @emph{will} be
24641 a difference in the estimated errors of the coefficients reported by
24644 Consult any text on statistical modeling of data for a discussion
24645 of where these error estimates come from and how they should be
24654 With the Inverse flag, @kbd{I a F} [@code{xfit}] produces even more
24655 information. The result is a vector of six items:
24659 The model formula with error forms for its coefficients or
24660 parameters. This is the result that @kbd{H a F} would have
24664 A vector of ``raw'' parameter values for the model. These are the
24665 polynomial coefficients or other parameters as plain numbers, in the
24666 same order as the parameters appeared in the final prompt of the
24667 @kbd{I a F} command. For polynomials of degree @expr{d}, this vector
24668 will have length @expr{M = d+1} with the constant term first.
24671 The covariance matrix @expr{C} computed from the fit. This is
24672 an @var{m}x@var{m} symmetric matrix; the diagonal elements
24673 @texline @math{C_{jj}}
24674 @infoline @expr{C_j_j}
24676 @texline @math{\sigma_j^2}
24677 @infoline @expr{sigma_j^2}
24678 of the parameters. The other elements are covariances
24679 @texline @math{\sigma_{ij}^2}
24680 @infoline @expr{sigma_i_j^2}
24681 that describe the correlation between pairs of parameters. (A related
24682 set of numbers, the @dfn{linear correlation coefficients}
24683 @texline @math{r_{ij}},
24684 @infoline @expr{r_i_j},
24686 @texline @math{\sigma_{ij}^2 / \sigma_i \, \sigma_j}.)
24687 @infoline @expr{sigma_i_j^2 / sigma_i sigma_j}.)
24690 A vector of @expr{M} ``parameter filter'' functions whose
24691 meanings are described below. If no filters are necessary this
24692 will instead be an empty vector; this is always the case for the
24693 polynomial and multilinear fits described so far.
24697 @texline @math{\chi^2}
24698 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
24699 for the fit, calculated by the formulas shown above. This gives a
24700 measure of the quality of the fit; statisticians consider
24701 @texline @math{\chi^2 \approx N - M}
24702 @infoline @expr{chi^2 = N - M}
24703 to indicate a moderately good fit (where again @expr{N} is the number of
24704 data points and @expr{M} is the number of parameters).
24707 A measure of goodness of fit expressed as a probability @expr{Q}.
24708 This is computed from the @code{utpc} probability distribution
24710 @texline @math{\chi^2}
24711 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
24712 with @expr{N - M} degrees of freedom. A
24713 value of 0.5 implies a good fit; some texts recommend that often
24714 @expr{Q = 0.1} or even 0.001 can signify an acceptable fit. In
24716 @texline @math{\chi^2}
24717 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
24718 statistics assume the errors in your inputs
24719 follow a normal (Gaussian) distribution; if they don't, you may
24720 have to accept smaller values of @expr{Q}.
24722 The @expr{Q} value is computed only if the input included error
24723 estimates. Otherwise, Calc will report the symbol @code{nan}
24724 for @expr{Q}. The reason is that in this case the
24725 @texline @math{\chi^2}
24726 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
24727 value has effectively been used to estimate the original errors
24728 in the input, and thus there is no redundant information left
24729 over to use for a confidence test.
24732 @node Standard Nonlinear Models, Curve Fitting Details, Error Estimates for Fits, Curve Fitting
24733 @subsection Standard Nonlinear Models
24736 The @kbd{a F} command also accepts other kinds of models besides
24737 lines and polynomials. Some common models have quick single-key
24738 abbreviations; others must be entered by hand as algebraic formulas.
24740 Here is a complete list of the standard models recognized by @kbd{a F}:
24744 Linear or multilinear. @mathit{a + b x + c y + d z}.
24746 Polynomials. @mathit{a + b x + c x^2 + d x^3}.
24748 Exponential. @mathit{a} @tfn{exp}@mathit{(b x)} @tfn{exp}@mathit{(c y)}.
24750 Base-10 exponential. @mathit{a} @tfn{10^}@mathit{(b x)} @tfn{10^}@mathit{(c y)}.
24752 Exponential (alternate notation). @tfn{exp}@mathit{(a + b x + c y)}.
24754 Base-10 exponential (alternate). @tfn{10^}@mathit{(a + b x + c y)}.
24756 Logarithmic. @mathit{a + b} @tfn{ln}@mathit{(x) + c} @tfn{ln}@mathit{(y)}.
24758 Base-10 logarithmic. @mathit{a + b} @tfn{log10}@mathit{(x) + c} @tfn{log10}@mathit{(y)}.
24760 General exponential. @mathit{a b^x c^y}.
24762 Power law. @mathit{a x^b y^c}.
24764 Quadratic. @mathit{a + b (x-c)^2 + d (x-e)^2}.
24767 @texline @math{{a \over b \sqrt{2 \pi}} \exp\left( -{1 \over 2} \left( x - c \over b \right)^2 \right)}.
24768 @infoline @mathit{(a / b sqrt(2 pi)) exp(-0.5*((x-c)/b)^2)}.
24770 Logistic @emph{s} curve.
24771 @texline @math{a/(1+e^{b(x-c)})}.
24772 @infoline @mathit{a/(1 + exp(b (x - c)))}.
24774 Logistic bell curve.
24775 @texline @math{ae^{b(x-c)}/(1+e^{b(x-c)})^2}.
24776 @infoline @mathit{a exp(b (x - c))/(1 + exp(b (x - c)))^2}.
24778 Hubbert linearization.
24779 @texline @math{{y \over x} = a(1-x/b)}.
24780 @infoline @mathit{(y/x) = a (1 - x/b)}.
24783 All of these models are used in the usual way; just press the appropriate
24784 letter at the model prompt, and choose variable names if you wish. The
24785 result will be a formula as shown in the above table, with the best-fit
24786 values of the parameters substituted. (You may find it easier to read
24787 the parameter values from the vector that is placed in the trail.)
24789 All models except Gaussian, logistics, Hubbert and polynomials can
24790 generalize as shown to any number of independent variables. Also, all
24791 the built-in models except for the logistic and Hubbert curves have an
24792 additive or multiplicative parameter shown as @expr{a} in the above table
24793 which can be replaced by zero or one, as appropriate, by typing @kbd{h}
24794 before the model key.
24796 Note that many of these models are essentially equivalent, but express
24797 the parameters slightly differently. For example, @expr{a b^x} and
24798 the other two exponential models are all algebraic rearrangements of
24799 each other. Also, the ``quadratic'' model is just a degree-2 polynomial
24800 with the parameters expressed differently. Use whichever form best
24801 matches the problem.
24803 The HP-28/48 calculators support four different models for curve
24804 fitting, called @code{LIN}, @code{LOG}, @code{EXP}, and @code{PWR}.
24805 These correspond to Calc models @samp{a + b x}, @samp{a + b ln(x)},
24806 @samp{a exp(b x)}, and @samp{a x^b}, respectively. In each case,
24807 @expr{a} is what the HP-48 identifies as the ``intercept,'' and
24808 @expr{b} is what it calls the ``slope.''
24814 If the model you want doesn't appear on this list, press @kbd{'}
24815 (the apostrophe key) at the model prompt to enter any algebraic
24816 formula, such as @kbd{m x - b}, as the model. (Not all models
24817 will work, though---see the next section for details.)
24819 The model can also be an equation like @expr{y = m x + b}.
24820 In this case, Calc thinks of all the rows of the data matrix on
24821 equal terms; this model effectively has two parameters
24822 (@expr{m} and @expr{b}) and two independent variables (@expr{x}
24823 and @expr{y}), with no ``dependent'' variables. Model equations
24824 do not need to take this @expr{y =} form. For example, the
24825 implicit line equation @expr{a x + b y = 1} works fine as a
24828 When you enter a model, Calc makes an alphabetical list of all
24829 the variables that appear in the model. These are used for the
24830 default parameters, independent variables, and dependent variable
24831 (in that order). If you enter a plain formula (not an equation),
24832 Calc assumes the dependent variable does not appear in the formula
24833 and thus does not need a name.
24835 For example, if the model formula has the variables @expr{a,mu,sigma,t,x},
24836 and the data matrix has three rows (meaning two independent variables),
24837 Calc will use @expr{a,mu,sigma} as the default parameters, and the
24838 data rows will be named @expr{t} and @expr{x}, respectively. If you
24839 enter an equation instead of a plain formula, Calc will use @expr{a,mu}
24840 as the parameters, and @expr{sigma,t,x} as the three independent
24843 You can, of course, override these choices by entering something
24844 different at the prompt. If you leave some variables out of the list,
24845 those variables must have stored values and those stored values will
24846 be used as constants in the model. (Stored values for the parameters
24847 and independent variables are ignored by the @kbd{a F} command.)
24848 If you list only independent variables, all the remaining variables
24849 in the model formula will become parameters.
24851 If there are @kbd{$} signs in the model you type, they will stand
24852 for parameters and all other variables (in alphabetical order)
24853 will be independent. Use @kbd{$} for one parameter, @kbd{$$} for
24854 another, and so on. Thus @kbd{$ x + $$} is another way to describe
24857 If you type a @kbd{$} instead of @kbd{'} at the model prompt itself,
24858 Calc will take the model formula from the stack. (The data must then
24859 appear at the second stack level.) The same conventions are used to
24860 choose which variables in the formula are independent by default and
24861 which are parameters.
24863 Models taken from the stack can also be expressed as vectors of
24864 two or three elements, @expr{[@var{model}, @var{vars}]} or
24865 @expr{[@var{model}, @var{vars}, @var{params}]}. Each of @var{vars}
24866 and @var{params} may be either a variable or a vector of variables.
24867 (If @var{params} is omitted, all variables in @var{model} except
24868 those listed as @var{vars} are parameters.)
24870 When you enter a model manually with @kbd{'}, Calc puts a 3-vector
24871 describing the model in the trail so you can get it back if you wish.
24879 Finally, you can store a model in one of the Calc variables
24880 @code{Model1} or @code{Model2}, then use this model by typing
24881 @kbd{a F u} or @kbd{a F U} (respectively). The value stored in
24882 the variable can be any of the formats that @kbd{a F $} would
24883 accept for a model on the stack.
24889 Calc uses the principal values of inverse functions like @code{ln}
24890 and @code{arcsin} when doing fits. For example, when you enter
24891 the model @samp{y = sin(a t + b)} Calc actually uses the easier
24892 form @samp{arcsin(y) = a t + b}. The @code{arcsin} function always
24893 returns results in the range from @mathit{-90} to 90 degrees (or the
24894 equivalent range in radians). Suppose you had data that you
24895 believed to represent roughly three oscillations of a sine wave,
24896 so that the argument of the sine might go from zero to
24897 @texline @math{3\times360}
24898 @infoline @mathit{3*360}
24900 The above model would appear to be a good way to determine the
24901 true frequency and phase of the sine wave, but in practice it
24902 would fail utterly. The righthand side of the actual model
24903 @samp{arcsin(y) = a t + b} will grow smoothly with @expr{t}, but
24904 the lefthand side will bounce back and forth between @mathit{-90} and 90.
24905 No values of @expr{a} and @expr{b} can make the two sides match,
24906 even approximately.
24908 There is no good solution to this problem at present. You could
24909 restrict your data to small enough ranges so that the above problem
24910 doesn't occur (i.e., not straddling any peaks in the sine wave).
24911 Or, in this case, you could use a totally different method such as
24912 Fourier analysis, which is beyond the scope of the @kbd{a F} command.
24913 (Unfortunately, Calc does not currently have any facilities for
24914 taking Fourier and related transforms.)
24916 @node Curve Fitting Details, Interpolation, Standard Nonlinear Models, Curve Fitting
24917 @subsection Curve Fitting Details
24920 Calc's internal least-squares fitter can only handle multilinear
24921 models. More precisely, it can handle any model of the form
24922 @expr{a f(x,y,z) + b g(x,y,z) + c h(x,y,z)}, where @expr{a,b,c}
24923 are the parameters and @expr{x,y,z} are the independent variables
24924 (of course there can be any number of each, not just three).
24926 In a simple multilinear or polynomial fit, it is easy to see how
24927 to convert the model into this form. For example, if the model
24928 is @expr{a + b x + c x^2}, then @expr{f(x) = 1}, @expr{g(x) = x},
24929 and @expr{h(x) = x^2} are suitable functions.
24931 For most other models, Calc uses a variety of algebraic manipulations
24932 to try to put the problem into the form
24935 Y(x,y,z) = A(a,b,c) F(x,y,z) + B(a,b,c) G(x,y,z) + C(a,b,c) H(x,y,z)
24939 where @expr{Y,A,B,C,F,G,H} are arbitrary functions. It computes
24940 @expr{Y}, @expr{F}, @expr{G}, and @expr{H} for all the data points,
24941 does a standard linear fit to find the values of @expr{A}, @expr{B},
24942 and @expr{C}, then uses the equation solver to solve for @expr{a,b,c}
24943 in terms of @expr{A,B,C}.
24945 A remarkable number of models can be cast into this general form.
24946 We'll look at two examples here to see how it works. The power-law
24947 model @expr{y = a x^b} with two independent variables and two parameters
24948 can be rewritten as follows:
24953 y = exp(ln(a) + b ln(x))
24954 ln(y) = ln(a) + b ln(x)
24958 which matches the desired form with
24959 @texline @math{Y = \ln(y)},
24960 @infoline @expr{Y = ln(y)},
24961 @texline @math{A = \ln(a)},
24962 @infoline @expr{A = ln(a)},
24963 @expr{F = 1}, @expr{B = b}, and
24964 @texline @math{G = \ln(x)}.
24965 @infoline @expr{G = ln(x)}.
24966 Calc thus computes the logarithms of your @expr{y} and @expr{x} values,
24967 does a linear fit for @expr{A} and @expr{B}, then solves to get
24968 @texline @math{a = \exp(A)}
24969 @infoline @expr{a = exp(A)}
24972 Another interesting example is the ``quadratic'' model, which can
24973 be handled by expanding according to the distributive law.
24976 y = a + b*(x - c)^2
24977 y = a + b c^2 - 2 b c x + b x^2
24981 which matches with @expr{Y = y}, @expr{A = a + b c^2}, @expr{F = 1},
24982 @expr{B = -2 b c}, @expr{G = x} (the @mathit{-2} factor could just as easily
24983 have been put into @expr{G} instead of @expr{B}), @expr{C = b}, and
24986 The Gaussian model looks quite complicated, but a closer examination
24987 shows that it's actually similar to the quadratic model but with an
24988 exponential that can be brought to the top and moved into @expr{Y}.
24990 The logistic models cannot be put into general linear form. For these
24991 models, and the Hubbert linearization, Calc computes a rough
24992 approximation for the parameters, then uses the Levenberg-Marquardt
24993 iterative method to refine the approximations.
24995 Another model that cannot be put into general linear
24996 form is a Gaussian with a constant background added on, i.e.,
24997 @expr{d} + the regular Gaussian formula. If you have a model like
24998 this, your best bet is to replace enough of your parameters with
24999 constants to make the model linearizable, then adjust the constants
25000 manually by doing a series of fits. You can compare the fits by
25001 graphing them, by examining the goodness-of-fit measures returned by
25002 @kbd{I a F}, or by some other method suitable to your application.
25003 Note that some models can be linearized in several ways. The
25004 Gaussian-plus-@var{d} model can be linearized by setting @expr{d}
25005 (the background) to a constant, or by setting @expr{b} (the standard
25006 deviation) and @expr{c} (the mean) to constants.
25008 To fit a model with constants substituted for some parameters, just
25009 store suitable values in those parameter variables, then omit them
25010 from the list of parameters when you answer the variables prompt.
25016 A last desperate step would be to use the general-purpose
25017 @code{minimize} function rather than @code{fit}. After all, both
25018 functions solve the problem of minimizing an expression (the
25019 @texline @math{\chi^2}
25020 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
25021 sum) by adjusting certain parameters in the expression. The @kbd{a F}
25022 command is able to use a vastly more efficient algorithm due to its
25023 special knowledge about linear chi-square sums, but the @kbd{a N}
25024 command can do the same thing by brute force.
25026 A compromise would be to pick out a few parameters without which the
25027 fit is linearizable, and use @code{minimize} on a call to @code{fit}
25028 which efficiently takes care of the rest of the parameters. The thing
25029 to be minimized would be the value of
25030 @texline @math{\chi^2}
25031 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
25032 returned as the fifth result of the @code{xfit} function:
25035 minimize(xfit(gaus(a,b,c,d,x), x, [a,b,c], data)_5, d, guess)
25039 where @code{gaus} represents the Gaussian model with background,
25040 @code{data} represents the data matrix, and @code{guess} represents
25041 the initial guess for @expr{d} that @code{minimize} requires.
25042 This operation will only be, shall we say, extraordinarily slow
25043 rather than astronomically slow (as would be the case if @code{minimize}
25044 were used by itself to solve the problem).
25050 The @kbd{I a F} [@code{xfit}] command is somewhat trickier when
25051 nonlinear models are used. The second item in the result is the
25052 vector of ``raw'' parameters @expr{A}, @expr{B}, @expr{C}. The
25053 covariance matrix is written in terms of those raw parameters.
25054 The fifth item is a vector of @dfn{filter} expressions. This
25055 is the empty vector @samp{[]} if the raw parameters were the same
25056 as the requested parameters, i.e., if @expr{A = a}, @expr{B = b},
25057 and so on (which is always true if the model is already linear
25058 in the parameters as written, e.g., for polynomial fits). If the
25059 parameters had to be rearranged, the fifth item is instead a vector
25060 of one formula per parameter in the original model. The raw
25061 parameters are expressed in these ``filter'' formulas as
25062 @samp{fitdummy(1)} for @expr{A}, @samp{fitdummy(2)} for @expr{B},
25065 When Calc needs to modify the model to return the result, it replaces
25066 @samp{fitdummy(1)} in all the filters with the first item in the raw
25067 parameters list, and so on for the other raw parameters, then
25068 evaluates the resulting filter formulas to get the actual parameter
25069 values to be substituted into the original model. In the case of
25070 @kbd{H a F} and @kbd{I a F} where the parameters must be error forms,
25071 Calc uses the square roots of the diagonal entries of the covariance
25072 matrix as error values for the raw parameters, then lets Calc's
25073 standard error-form arithmetic take it from there.
25075 If you use @kbd{I a F} with a nonlinear model, be sure to remember
25076 that the covariance matrix is in terms of the raw parameters,
25077 @emph{not} the actual requested parameters. It's up to you to
25078 figure out how to interpret the covariances in the presence of
25079 nontrivial filter functions.
25081 Things are also complicated when the input contains error forms.
25082 Suppose there are three independent and dependent variables, @expr{x},
25083 @expr{y}, and @expr{z}, one or more of which are error forms in the
25084 data. Calc combines all the error values by taking the square root
25085 of the sum of the squares of the errors. It then changes @expr{x}
25086 and @expr{y} to be plain numbers, and makes @expr{z} into an error
25087 form with this combined error. The @expr{Y(x,y,z)} part of the
25088 linearized model is evaluated, and the result should be an error
25089 form. The error part of that result is used for
25090 @texline @math{\sigma_i}
25091 @infoline @expr{sigma_i}
25092 for the data point. If for some reason @expr{Y(x,y,z)} does not return
25093 an error form, the combined error from @expr{z} is used directly for
25094 @texline @math{\sigma_i}.
25095 @infoline @expr{sigma_i}.
25096 Finally, @expr{z} is also stripped of its error
25097 for use in computing @expr{F(x,y,z)}, @expr{G(x,y,z)} and so on;
25098 the righthand side of the linearized model is computed in regular
25099 arithmetic with no error forms.
25101 (While these rules may seem complicated, they are designed to do
25102 the most reasonable thing in the typical case that @expr{Y(x,y,z)}
25103 depends only on the dependent variable @expr{z}, and in fact is
25104 often simply equal to @expr{z}. For common cases like polynomials
25105 and multilinear models, the combined error is simply used as the
25106 @texline @math{\sigma}
25107 @infoline @expr{sigma}
25108 for the data point with no further ado.)
25115 It may be the case that the model you wish to use is linearizable,
25116 but Calc's built-in rules are unable to figure it out. Calc uses
25117 its algebraic rewrite mechanism to linearize a model. The rewrite
25118 rules are kept in the variable @code{FitRules}. You can edit this
25119 variable using the @kbd{s e FitRules} command; in fact, there is
25120 a special @kbd{s F} command just for editing @code{FitRules}.
25121 @xref{Operations on Variables}.
25123 @xref{Rewrite Rules}, for a discussion of rewrite rules.
25157 Calc uses @code{FitRules} as follows. First, it converts the model
25158 to an equation if necessary and encloses the model equation in a
25159 call to the function @code{fitmodel} (which is not actually a defined
25160 function in Calc; it is only used as a placeholder by the rewrite rules).
25161 Parameter variables are renamed to function calls @samp{fitparam(1)},
25162 @samp{fitparam(2)}, and so on, and independent variables are renamed
25163 to @samp{fitvar(1)}, @samp{fitvar(2)}, etc. The dependent variable
25164 is the highest-numbered @code{fitvar}. For example, the power law
25165 model @expr{a x^b} is converted to @expr{y = a x^b}, then to
25169 fitmodel(fitvar(2) = fitparam(1) fitvar(1)^fitparam(2))
25173 Calc then applies the rewrites as if by @samp{C-u 0 a r FitRules}.
25174 (The zero prefix means that rewriting should continue until no further
25175 changes are possible.)
25177 When rewriting is complete, the @code{fitmodel} call should have
25178 been replaced by a @code{fitsystem} call that looks like this:
25181 fitsystem(@var{Y}, @var{FGH}, @var{abc})
25185 where @var{Y} is a formula that describes the function @expr{Y(x,y,z)},
25186 @var{FGH} is the vector of formulas @expr{[F(x,y,z), G(x,y,z), H(x,y,z)]},
25187 and @var{abc} is the vector of parameter filters which refer to the
25188 raw parameters as @samp{fitdummy(1)} for @expr{A}, @samp{fitdummy(2)}
25189 for @expr{B}, etc. While the number of raw parameters (the length of
25190 the @var{FGH} vector) is usually the same as the number of original
25191 parameters (the length of the @var{abc} vector), this is not required.
25193 The power law model eventually boils down to
25197 fitsystem(ln(fitvar(2)),
25198 [1, ln(fitvar(1))],
25199 [exp(fitdummy(1)), fitdummy(2)])
25203 The actual implementation of @code{FitRules} is complicated; it
25204 proceeds in four phases. First, common rearrangements are done
25205 to try to bring linear terms together and to isolate functions like
25206 @code{exp} and @code{ln} either all the way ``out'' (so that they
25207 can be put into @var{Y}) or all the way ``in'' (so that they can
25208 be put into @var{abc} or @var{FGH}). In particular, all
25209 non-constant powers are converted to logs-and-exponentials form,
25210 and the distributive law is used to expand products of sums.
25211 Quotients are rewritten to use the @samp{fitinv} function, where
25212 @samp{fitinv(x)} represents @expr{1/x} while the @code{FitRules}
25213 are operating. (The use of @code{fitinv} makes recognition of
25214 linear-looking forms easier.) If you modify @code{FitRules}, you
25215 will probably only need to modify the rules for this phase.
25217 Phase two, whose rules can actually also apply during phases one
25218 and three, first rewrites @code{fitmodel} to a two-argument
25219 form @samp{fitmodel(@var{Y}, @var{model})}, where @var{Y} is
25220 initially zero and @var{model} has been changed from @expr{a=b}
25221 to @expr{a-b} form. It then tries to peel off invertible functions
25222 from the outside of @var{model} and put them into @var{Y} instead,
25223 calling the equation solver to invert the functions. Finally, when
25224 this is no longer possible, the @code{fitmodel} is changed to a
25225 four-argument @code{fitsystem}, where the fourth argument is
25226 @var{model} and the @var{FGH} and @var{abc} vectors are initially
25227 empty. (The last vector is really @var{ABC}, corresponding to
25228 raw parameters, for now.)
25230 Phase three converts a sum of items in the @var{model} to a sum
25231 of @samp{fitpart(@var{a}, @var{b}, @var{c})} terms which represent
25232 terms @samp{@var{a}*@var{b}*@var{c}} of the sum, where @var{a}
25233 is all factors that do not involve any variables, @var{b} is all
25234 factors that involve only parameters, and @var{c} is the factors
25235 that involve only independent variables. (If this decomposition
25236 is not possible, the rule set will not complete and Calc will
25237 complain that the model is too complex.) Then @code{fitpart}s
25238 with equal @var{b} or @var{c} components are merged back together
25239 using the distributive law in order to minimize the number of
25240 raw parameters needed.
25242 Phase four moves the @code{fitpart} terms into the @var{FGH} and
25243 @var{ABC} vectors. Also, some of the algebraic expansions that
25244 were done in phase 1 are undone now to make the formulas more
25245 computationally efficient. Finally, it calls the solver one more
25246 time to convert the @var{ABC} vector to an @var{abc} vector, and
25247 removes the fourth @var{model} argument (which by now will be zero)
25248 to obtain the three-argument @code{fitsystem} that the linear
25249 least-squares solver wants to see.
25255 @mindex hasfit@idots
25257 @tindex hasfitparams
25265 Two functions which are useful in connection with @code{FitRules}
25266 are @samp{hasfitparams(x)} and @samp{hasfitvars(x)}, which check
25267 whether @expr{x} refers to any parameters or independent variables,
25268 respectively. Specifically, these functions return ``true'' if the
25269 argument contains any @code{fitparam} (or @code{fitvar}) function
25270 calls, and ``false'' otherwise. (Recall that ``true'' means a
25271 nonzero number, and ``false'' means zero. The actual nonzero number
25272 returned is the largest @var{n} from all the @samp{fitparam(@var{n})}s
25273 or @samp{fitvar(@var{n})}s, respectively, that appear in the formula.)
25279 The @code{fit} function in algebraic notation normally takes four
25280 arguments, @samp{fit(@var{model}, @var{vars}, @var{params}, @var{data})},
25281 where @var{model} is the model formula as it would be typed after
25282 @kbd{a F '}, @var{vars} is the independent variable or a vector of
25283 independent variables, @var{params} likewise gives the parameter(s),
25284 and @var{data} is the data matrix. Note that the length of @var{vars}
25285 must be equal to the number of rows in @var{data} if @var{model} is
25286 an equation, or one less than the number of rows if @var{model} is
25287 a plain formula. (Actually, a name for the dependent variable is
25288 allowed but will be ignored in the plain-formula case.)
25290 If @var{params} is omitted, the parameters are all variables in
25291 @var{model} except those that appear in @var{vars}. If @var{vars}
25292 is also omitted, Calc sorts all the variables that appear in
25293 @var{model} alphabetically and uses the higher ones for @var{vars}
25294 and the lower ones for @var{params}.
25296 Alternatively, @samp{fit(@var{modelvec}, @var{data})} is allowed
25297 where @var{modelvec} is a 2- or 3-vector describing the model
25298 and variables, as discussed previously.
25300 If Calc is unable to do the fit, the @code{fit} function is left
25301 in symbolic form, ordinarily with an explanatory message. The
25302 message will be ``Model expression is too complex'' if the
25303 linearizer was unable to put the model into the required form.
25305 The @code{efit} (corresponding to @kbd{H a F}) and @code{xfit}
25306 (for @kbd{I a F}) functions are completely analogous.
25308 @node Interpolation, , Curve Fitting Details, Curve Fitting
25309 @subsection Polynomial Interpolation
25312 @pindex calc-poly-interp
25314 The @kbd{a p} (@code{calc-poly-interp}) [@code{polint}] command does
25315 a polynomial interpolation at a particular @expr{x} value. It takes
25316 two arguments from the stack: A data matrix of the sort used by
25317 @kbd{a F}, and a single number which represents the desired @expr{x}
25318 value. Calc effectively does an exact polynomial fit as if by @kbd{a F i},
25319 then substitutes the @expr{x} value into the result in order to get an
25320 approximate @expr{y} value based on the fit. (Calc does not actually
25321 use @kbd{a F i}, however; it uses a direct method which is both more
25322 efficient and more numerically stable.)
25324 The result of @kbd{a p} is actually a vector of two values: The @expr{y}
25325 value approximation, and an error measure @expr{dy} that reflects Calc's
25326 estimation of the probable error of the approximation at that value of
25327 @expr{x}. If the input @expr{x} is equal to any of the @expr{x} values
25328 in the data matrix, the output @expr{y} will be the corresponding @expr{y}
25329 value from the matrix, and the output @expr{dy} will be exactly zero.
25331 A prefix argument of 2 causes @kbd{a p} to take separate x- and
25332 y-vectors from the stack instead of one data matrix.
25334 If @expr{x} is a vector of numbers, @kbd{a p} will return a matrix of
25335 interpolated results for each of those @expr{x} values. (The matrix will
25336 have two columns, the @expr{y} values and the @expr{dy} values.)
25337 If @expr{x} is a formula instead of a number, the @code{polint} function
25338 remains in symbolic form; use the @kbd{a "} command to expand it out to
25339 a formula that describes the fit in symbolic terms.
25341 In all cases, the @kbd{a p} command leaves the data vectors or matrix
25342 on the stack. Only the @expr{x} value is replaced by the result.
25346 The @kbd{H a p} [@code{ratint}] command does a rational function
25347 interpolation. It is used exactly like @kbd{a p}, except that it
25348 uses as its model the quotient of two polynomials. If there are
25349 @expr{N} data points, the numerator and denominator polynomials will
25350 each have degree @expr{N/2} (if @expr{N} is odd, the denominator will
25351 have degree one higher than the numerator).
25353 Rational approximations have the advantage that they can accurately
25354 describe functions that have poles (points at which the function's value
25355 goes to infinity, so that the denominator polynomial of the approximation
25356 goes to zero). If @expr{x} corresponds to a pole of the fitted rational
25357 function, then the result will be a division by zero. If Infinite mode
25358 is enabled, the result will be @samp{[uinf, uinf]}.
25360 There is no way to get the actual coefficients of the rational function
25361 used by @kbd{H a p}. (The algorithm never generates these coefficients
25362 explicitly, and quotients of polynomials are beyond @w{@kbd{a F}}'s
25363 capabilities to fit.)
25365 @node Summations, Logical Operations, Curve Fitting, Algebra
25366 @section Summations
25369 @cindex Summation of a series
25371 @pindex calc-summation
25373 The @kbd{a +} (@code{calc-summation}) [@code{sum}] command computes
25374 the sum of a formula over a certain range of index values. The formula
25375 is taken from the top of the stack; the command prompts for the
25376 name of the summation index variable, the lower limit of the
25377 sum (any formula), and the upper limit of the sum. If you
25378 enter a blank line at any of these prompts, that prompt and
25379 any later ones are answered by reading additional elements from
25380 the stack. Thus, @kbd{' k^2 @key{RET} ' k @key{RET} 1 @key{RET} 5 @key{RET} a + @key{RET}}
25381 produces the result 55.
25383 $$ \sum_{k=1}^5 k^2 = 55 $$
25386 The choice of index variable is arbitrary, but it's best not to
25387 use a variable with a stored value. In particular, while
25388 @code{i} is often a favorite index variable, it should be avoided
25389 in Calc because @code{i} has the imaginary constant @expr{(0, 1)}
25390 as a value. If you pressed @kbd{=} on a sum over @code{i}, it would
25391 be changed to a nonsensical sum over the ``variable'' @expr{(0, 1)}!
25392 If you really want to use @code{i} as an index variable, use
25393 @w{@kbd{s u i @key{RET}}} first to ``unstore'' this variable.
25394 (@xref{Storing Variables}.)
25396 A numeric prefix argument steps the index by that amount rather
25397 than by one. Thus @kbd{' a_k @key{RET} C-u -2 a + k @key{RET} 10 @key{RET} 0 @key{RET}}
25398 yields @samp{a_10 + a_8 + a_6 + a_4 + a_2 + a_0}. A prefix
25399 argument of plain @kbd{C-u} causes @kbd{a +} to prompt for the
25400 step value, in which case you can enter any formula or enter
25401 a blank line to take the step value from the stack. With the
25402 @kbd{C-u} prefix, @kbd{a +} can take up to five arguments from
25403 the stack: The formula, the variable, the lower limit, the
25404 upper limit, and (at the top of the stack), the step value.
25406 Calc knows how to do certain sums in closed form. For example,
25407 @samp{sum(6 k^2, k, 1, n) = @w{2 n^3} + 3 n^2 + n}. In particular,
25408 this is possible if the formula being summed is polynomial or
25409 exponential in the index variable. Sums of logarithms are
25410 transformed into logarithms of products. Sums of trigonometric
25411 and hyperbolic functions are transformed to sums of exponentials
25412 and then done in closed form. Also, of course, sums in which the
25413 lower and upper limits are both numbers can always be evaluated
25414 just by grinding them out, although Calc will use closed forms
25415 whenever it can for the sake of efficiency.
25417 The notation for sums in algebraic formulas is
25418 @samp{sum(@var{expr}, @var{var}, @var{low}, @var{high}, @var{step})}.
25419 If @var{step} is omitted, it defaults to one. If @var{high} is
25420 omitted, @var{low} is actually the upper limit and the lower limit
25421 is one. If @var{low} is also omitted, the limits are @samp{-inf}
25422 and @samp{inf}, respectively.
25424 Infinite sums can sometimes be evaluated: @samp{sum(.5^k, k, 1, inf)}
25425 returns @expr{1}. This is done by evaluating the sum in closed
25426 form (to @samp{1. - 0.5^n} in this case), then evaluating this
25427 formula with @code{n} set to @code{inf}. Calc's usual rules
25428 for ``infinite'' arithmetic can find the answer from there. If
25429 infinite arithmetic yields a @samp{nan}, or if the sum cannot be
25430 solved in closed form, Calc leaves the @code{sum} function in
25431 symbolic form. @xref{Infinities}.
25433 As a special feature, if the limits are infinite (or omitted, as
25434 described above) but the formula includes vectors subscripted by
25435 expressions that involve the iteration variable, Calc narrows
25436 the limits to include only the range of integers which result in
25437 valid subscripts for the vector. For example, the sum
25438 @samp{sum(k [a,b,c,d,e,f,g]_(2k),k)} evaluates to @samp{b + 2 d + 3 f}.
25440 The limits of a sum do not need to be integers. For example,
25441 @samp{sum(a_k, k, 0, 2 n, n)} produces @samp{a_0 + a_n + a_(2 n)}.
25442 Calc computes the number of iterations using the formula
25443 @samp{1 + (@var{high} - @var{low}) / @var{step}}, which must,
25444 after simplification as if by @kbd{a s}, evaluate to an integer.
25446 If the number of iterations according to the above formula does
25447 not come out to an integer, the sum is invalid and will be left
25448 in symbolic form. However, closed forms are still supplied, and
25449 you are on your honor not to misuse the resulting formulas by
25450 substituting mismatched bounds into them. For example,
25451 @samp{sum(k, k, 1, 10, 2)} is invalid, but Calc will go ahead and
25452 evaluate the closed form solution for the limits 1 and 10 to get
25453 the rather dubious answer, 29.25.
25455 If the lower limit is greater than the upper limit (assuming a
25456 positive step size), the result is generally zero. However,
25457 Calc only guarantees a zero result when the upper limit is
25458 exactly one step less than the lower limit, i.e., if the number
25459 of iterations is @mathit{-1}. Thus @samp{sum(f(k), k, n, n-1)} is zero
25460 but the sum from @samp{n} to @samp{n-2} may report a nonzero value
25461 if Calc used a closed form solution.
25463 Calc's logical predicates like @expr{a < b} return 1 for ``true''
25464 and 0 for ``false.'' @xref{Logical Operations}. This can be
25465 used to advantage for building conditional sums. For example,
25466 @samp{sum(prime(k)*k^2, k, 1, 20)} is the sum of the squares of all
25467 prime numbers from 1 to 20; the @code{prime} predicate returns 1 if
25468 its argument is prime and 0 otherwise. You can read this expression
25469 as ``the sum of @expr{k^2}, where @expr{k} is prime.'' Indeed,
25470 @samp{sum(prime(k)*k^2, k)} would represent the sum of @emph{all} primes
25471 squared, since the limits default to plus and minus infinity, but
25472 there are no such sums that Calc's built-in rules can do in
25475 As another example, @samp{sum((k != k_0) * f(k), k, 1, n)} is the
25476 sum of @expr{f(k)} for all @expr{k} from 1 to @expr{n}, excluding
25477 one value @expr{k_0}. Slightly more tricky is the summand
25478 @samp{(k != k_0) / (k - k_0)}, which is an attempt to describe
25479 the sum of all @expr{1/(k-k_0)} except at @expr{k = k_0}, where
25480 this would be a division by zero. But at @expr{k = k_0}, this
25481 formula works out to the indeterminate form @expr{0 / 0}, which
25482 Calc will not assume is zero. Better would be to use
25483 @samp{(k != k_0) ? 1/(k-k_0) : 0}; the @samp{? :} operator does
25484 an ``if-then-else'' test: This expression says, ``if
25485 @texline @math{k \ne k_0},
25486 @infoline @expr{k != k_0},
25487 then @expr{1/(k-k_0)}, else zero.'' Now the formula @expr{1/(k-k_0)}
25488 will not even be evaluated by Calc when @expr{k = k_0}.
25490 @cindex Alternating sums
25492 @pindex calc-alt-summation
25494 The @kbd{a -} (@code{calc-alt-summation}) [@code{asum}] command
25495 computes an alternating sum. Successive terms of the sequence
25496 are given alternating signs, with the first term (corresponding
25497 to the lower index value) being positive. Alternating sums
25498 are converted to normal sums with an extra term of the form
25499 @samp{(-1)^(k-@var{low})}. This formula is adjusted appropriately
25500 if the step value is other than one. For example, the Taylor
25501 series for the sine function is @samp{asum(x^k / k!, k, 1, inf, 2)}.
25502 (Calc cannot evaluate this infinite series, but it can approximate
25503 it if you replace @code{inf} with any particular odd number.)
25504 Calc converts this series to a regular sum with a step of one,
25505 namely @samp{sum((-1)^k x^(2k+1) / (2k+1)!, k, 0, inf)}.
25507 @cindex Product of a sequence
25509 @pindex calc-product
25511 The @kbd{a *} (@code{calc-product}) [@code{prod}] command is
25512 the analogous way to take a product of many terms. Calc also knows
25513 some closed forms for products, such as @samp{prod(k, k, 1, n) = n!}.
25514 Conditional products can be written @samp{prod(k^prime(k), k, 1, n)}
25515 or @samp{prod(prime(k) ? k : 1, k, 1, n)}.
25518 @pindex calc-tabulate
25520 The @kbd{a T} (@code{calc-tabulate}) [@code{table}] command
25521 evaluates a formula at a series of iterated index values, just
25522 like @code{sum} and @code{prod}, but its result is simply a
25523 vector of the results. For example, @samp{table(a_i, i, 1, 7, 2)}
25524 produces @samp{[a_1, a_3, a_5, a_7]}.
25526 @node Logical Operations, Rewrite Rules, Summations, Algebra
25527 @section Logical Operations
25530 The following commands and algebraic functions return true/false values,
25531 where 1 represents ``true'' and 0 represents ``false.'' In cases where
25532 a truth value is required (such as for the condition part of a rewrite
25533 rule, or as the condition for a @w{@kbd{Z [ Z ]}} control structure), any
25534 nonzero value is accepted to mean ``true.'' (Specifically, anything
25535 for which @code{dnonzero} returns 1 is ``true,'' and anything for
25536 which @code{dnonzero} returns 0 or cannot decide is assumed ``false.''
25537 Note that this means that @w{@kbd{Z [ Z ]}} will execute the ``then''
25538 portion if its condition is provably true, but it will execute the
25539 ``else'' portion for any condition like @expr{a = b} that is not
25540 provably true, even if it might be true. Algebraic functions that
25541 have conditions as arguments, like @code{? :} and @code{&&}, remain
25542 unevaluated if the condition is neither provably true nor provably
25543 false. @xref{Declarations}.)
25546 @pindex calc-equal-to
25550 The @kbd{a =} (@code{calc-equal-to}) command, or @samp{eq(a,b)} function
25551 (which can also be written @samp{a = b} or @samp{a == b} in an algebraic
25552 formula) is true if @expr{a} and @expr{b} are equal, either because they
25553 are identical expressions, or because they are numbers which are
25554 numerically equal. (Thus the integer 1 is considered equal to the float
25555 1.0.) If the equality of @expr{a} and @expr{b} cannot be determined,
25556 the comparison is left in symbolic form. Note that as a command, this
25557 operation pops two values from the stack and pushes back either a 1 or
25558 a 0, or a formula @samp{a = b} if the values' equality cannot be determined.
25560 Many Calc commands use @samp{=} formulas to represent @dfn{equations}.
25561 For example, the @kbd{a S} (@code{calc-solve-for}) command rearranges
25562 an equation to solve for a given variable. The @kbd{a M}
25563 (@code{calc-map-equation}) command can be used to apply any
25564 function to both sides of an equation; for example, @kbd{2 a M *}
25565 multiplies both sides of the equation by two. Note that just
25566 @kbd{2 *} would not do the same thing; it would produce the formula
25567 @samp{2 (a = b)} which represents 2 if the equality is true or
25570 The @code{eq} function with more than two arguments (e.g., @kbd{C-u 3 a =}
25571 or @samp{a = b = c}) tests if all of its arguments are equal. In
25572 algebraic notation, the @samp{=} operator is unusual in that it is
25573 neither left- nor right-associative: @samp{a = b = c} is not the
25574 same as @samp{(a = b) = c} or @samp{a = (b = c)} (which each compare
25575 one variable with the 1 or 0 that results from comparing two other
25579 @pindex calc-not-equal-to
25582 The @kbd{a #} (@code{calc-not-equal-to}) command, or @samp{neq(a,b)} or
25583 @samp{a != b} function, is true if @expr{a} and @expr{b} are not equal.
25584 This also works with more than two arguments; @samp{a != b != c != d}
25585 tests that all four of @expr{a}, @expr{b}, @expr{c}, and @expr{d} are
25602 @pindex calc-less-than
25603 @pindex calc-greater-than
25604 @pindex calc-less-equal
25605 @pindex calc-greater-equal
25634 The @kbd{a <} (@code{calc-less-than}) [@samp{lt(a,b)} or @samp{a < b}]
25635 operation is true if @expr{a} is less than @expr{b}. Similar functions
25636 are @kbd{a >} (@code{calc-greater-than}) [@samp{gt(a,b)} or @samp{a > b}],
25637 @kbd{a [} (@code{calc-less-equal}) [@samp{leq(a,b)} or @samp{a <= b}], and
25638 @kbd{a ]} (@code{calc-greater-equal}) [@samp{geq(a,b)} or @samp{a >= b}].
25640 While the inequality functions like @code{lt} do not accept more
25641 than two arguments, the syntax @w{@samp{a <= b < c}} is translated to an
25642 equivalent expression involving intervals: @samp{b in [a .. c)}.
25643 (See the description of @code{in} below.) All four combinations
25644 of @samp{<} and @samp{<=} are allowed, or any of the four combinations
25645 of @samp{>} and @samp{>=}. Four-argument constructions like
25646 @samp{a < b < c < d}, and mixtures like @w{@samp{a < b = c}} that
25647 involve both equalities and inequalities, are not allowed.
25650 @pindex calc-remove-equal
25652 The @kbd{a .} (@code{calc-remove-equal}) [@code{rmeq}] command extracts
25653 the righthand side of the equation or inequality on the top of the
25654 stack. It also works elementwise on vectors. For example, if
25655 @samp{[x = 2.34, y = z / 2]} is on the stack, then @kbd{a .} produces
25656 @samp{[2.34, z / 2]}. As a special case, if the righthand side is a
25657 variable and the lefthand side is a number (as in @samp{2.34 = x}), then
25658 Calc keeps the lefthand side instead. Finally, this command works with
25659 assignments @samp{x := 2.34} as well as equations, always taking the
25660 righthand side, and for @samp{=>} (evaluates-to) operators, always
25661 taking the lefthand side.
25664 @pindex calc-logical-and
25667 The @kbd{a &} (@code{calc-logical-and}) [@samp{land(a,b)} or @samp{a && b}]
25668 function is true if both of its arguments are true, i.e., are
25669 non-zero numbers. In this case, the result will be either @expr{a} or
25670 @expr{b}, chosen arbitrarily. If either argument is zero, the result is
25671 zero. Otherwise, the formula is left in symbolic form.
25674 @pindex calc-logical-or
25677 The @kbd{a |} (@code{calc-logical-or}) [@samp{lor(a,b)} or @samp{a || b}]
25678 function is true if either or both of its arguments are true (nonzero).
25679 The result is whichever argument was nonzero, choosing arbitrarily if both
25680 are nonzero. If both @expr{a} and @expr{b} are zero, the result is
25684 @pindex calc-logical-not
25687 The @kbd{a !} (@code{calc-logical-not}) [@samp{lnot(a)} or @samp{!@: a}]
25688 function is true if @expr{a} is false (zero), or false if @expr{a} is
25689 true (nonzero). It is left in symbolic form if @expr{a} is not a
25693 @pindex calc-logical-if
25703 @cindex Arguments, not evaluated
25704 The @kbd{a :} (@code{calc-logical-if}) [@samp{if(a,b,c)} or @samp{a ? b :@: c}]
25705 function is equal to either @expr{b} or @expr{c} if @expr{a} is a nonzero
25706 number or zero, respectively. If @expr{a} is not a number, the test is
25707 left in symbolic form and neither @expr{b} nor @expr{c} is evaluated in
25708 any way. In algebraic formulas, this is one of the few Calc functions
25709 whose arguments are not automatically evaluated when the function itself
25710 is evaluated. The others are @code{lambda}, @code{quote}, and
25713 One minor surprise to watch out for is that the formula @samp{a?3:4}
25714 will not work because the @samp{3:4} is parsed as a fraction instead of
25715 as three separate symbols. Type something like @samp{a ? 3 : 4} or
25716 @samp{a?(3):4} instead.
25718 As a special case, if @expr{a} evaluates to a vector, then both @expr{b}
25719 and @expr{c} are evaluated; the result is a vector of the same length
25720 as @expr{a} whose elements are chosen from corresponding elements of
25721 @expr{b} and @expr{c} according to whether each element of @expr{a}
25722 is zero or nonzero. Each of @expr{b} and @expr{c} must be either a
25723 vector of the same length as @expr{a}, or a non-vector which is matched
25724 with all elements of @expr{a}.
25727 @pindex calc-in-set
25729 The @kbd{a @{} (@code{calc-in-set}) [@samp{in(a,b)}] function is true if
25730 the number @expr{a} is in the set of numbers represented by @expr{b}.
25731 If @expr{b} is an interval form, @expr{a} must be one of the values
25732 encompassed by the interval. If @expr{b} is a vector, @expr{a} must be
25733 equal to one of the elements of the vector. (If any vector elements are
25734 intervals, @expr{a} must be in any of the intervals.) If @expr{b} is a
25735 plain number, @expr{a} must be numerically equal to @expr{b}.
25736 @xref{Set Operations}, for a group of commands that manipulate sets
25743 The @samp{typeof(a)} function produces an integer or variable which
25744 characterizes @expr{a}. If @expr{a} is a number, vector, or variable,
25745 the result will be one of the following numbers:
25750 3 Floating-point number
25752 5 Rectangular complex number
25753 6 Polar complex number
25759 12 Infinity (inf, uinf, or nan)
25761 101 Vector (but not a matrix)
25765 Otherwise, @expr{a} is a formula, and the result is a variable which
25766 represents the name of the top-level function call.
25780 The @samp{integer(a)} function returns true if @expr{a} is an integer.
25781 The @samp{real(a)} function
25782 is true if @expr{a} is a real number, either integer, fraction, or
25783 float. The @samp{constant(a)} function returns true if @expr{a} is
25784 any of the objects for which @code{typeof} would produce an integer
25785 code result except for variables, and provided that the components of
25786 an object like a vector or error form are themselves constant.
25787 Note that infinities do not satisfy any of these tests, nor do
25788 special constants like @code{pi} and @code{e}.
25790 @xref{Declarations}, for a set of similar functions that recognize
25791 formulas as well as actual numbers. For example, @samp{dint(floor(x))}
25792 is true because @samp{floor(x)} is provably integer-valued, but
25793 @samp{integer(floor(x))} does not because @samp{floor(x)} is not
25794 literally an integer constant.
25800 The @samp{refers(a,b)} function is true if the variable (or sub-expression)
25801 @expr{b} appears in @expr{a}, or false otherwise. Unlike the other
25802 tests described here, this function returns a definite ``no'' answer
25803 even if its arguments are still in symbolic form. The only case where
25804 @code{refers} will be left unevaluated is if @expr{a} is a plain
25805 variable (different from @expr{b}).
25811 The @samp{negative(a)} function returns true if @expr{a} ``looks'' negative,
25812 because it is a negative number, because it is of the form @expr{-x},
25813 or because it is a product or quotient with a term that looks negative.
25814 This is most useful in rewrite rules. Beware that @samp{negative(a)}
25815 evaluates to 1 or 0 for @emph{any} argument @expr{a}, so it can only
25816 be stored in a formula if the default simplifications are turned off
25817 first with @kbd{m O} (or if it appears in an unevaluated context such
25818 as a rewrite rule condition).
25824 The @samp{variable(a)} function is true if @expr{a} is a variable,
25825 or false if not. If @expr{a} is a function call, this test is left
25826 in symbolic form. Built-in variables like @code{pi} and @code{inf}
25827 are considered variables like any others by this test.
25833 The @samp{nonvar(a)} function is true if @expr{a} is a non-variable.
25834 If its argument is a variable it is left unsimplified; it never
25835 actually returns zero. However, since Calc's condition-testing
25836 commands consider ``false'' anything not provably true, this is
25855 @cindex Linearity testing
25856 The functions @code{lin}, @code{linnt}, @code{islin}, and @code{islinnt}
25857 check if an expression is ``linear,'' i.e., can be written in the form
25858 @expr{a + b x} for some constants @expr{a} and @expr{b}, and some
25859 variable or subformula @expr{x}. The function @samp{islin(f,x)} checks
25860 if formula @expr{f} is linear in @expr{x}, returning 1 if so. For
25861 example, @samp{islin(x,x)}, @samp{islin(-x,x)}, @samp{islin(3,x)}, and
25862 @samp{islin(x y / 3 - 2, x)} all return 1. The @samp{lin(f,x)} function
25863 is similar, except that instead of returning 1 it returns the vector
25864 @expr{[a, b, x]}. For the above examples, this vector would be
25865 @expr{[0, 1, x]}, @expr{[0, -1, x]}, @expr{[3, 0, x]}, and
25866 @expr{[-2, y/3, x]}, respectively. Both @code{lin} and @code{islin}
25867 generally remain unevaluated for expressions which are not linear,
25868 e.g., @samp{lin(2 x^2, x)} and @samp{lin(sin(x), x)}. The second
25869 argument can also be a formula; @samp{islin(2 + 3 sin(x), sin(x))}
25872 The @code{linnt} and @code{islinnt} functions perform a similar check,
25873 but require a ``non-trivial'' linear form, which means that the
25874 @expr{b} coefficient must be non-zero. For example, @samp{lin(2,x)}
25875 returns @expr{[2, 0, x]} and @samp{lin(y,x)} returns @expr{[y, 0, x]},
25876 but @samp{linnt(2,x)} and @samp{linnt(y,x)} are left unevaluated
25877 (in other words, these formulas are considered to be only ``trivially''
25878 linear in @expr{x}).
25880 All four linearity-testing functions allow you to omit the second
25881 argument, in which case the input may be linear in any non-constant
25882 formula. Here, the @expr{a=0}, @expr{b=1} case is also considered
25883 trivial, and only constant values for @expr{a} and @expr{b} are
25884 recognized. Thus, @samp{lin(2 x y)} returns @expr{[0, 2, x y]},
25885 @samp{lin(2 - x y)} returns @expr{[2, -1, x y]}, and @samp{lin(x y)}
25886 returns @expr{[0, 1, x y]}. The @code{linnt} function would allow the
25887 first two cases but not the third. Also, neither @code{lin} nor
25888 @code{linnt} accept plain constants as linear in the one-argument
25889 case: @samp{islin(2,x)} is true, but @samp{islin(2)} is false.
25895 The @samp{istrue(a)} function returns 1 if @expr{a} is a nonzero
25896 number or provably nonzero formula, or 0 if @expr{a} is anything else.
25897 Calls to @code{istrue} can only be manipulated if @kbd{m O} mode is
25898 used to make sure they are not evaluated prematurely. (Note that
25899 declarations are used when deciding whether a formula is true;
25900 @code{istrue} returns 1 when @code{dnonzero} would return 1, and
25901 it returns 0 when @code{dnonzero} would return 0 or leave itself
25904 @node Rewrite Rules, , Logical Operations, Algebra
25905 @section Rewrite Rules
25908 @cindex Rewrite rules
25909 @cindex Transformations
25910 @cindex Pattern matching
25912 @pindex calc-rewrite
25914 The @kbd{a r} (@code{calc-rewrite}) [@code{rewrite}] command makes
25915 substitutions in a formula according to a specified pattern or patterns
25916 known as @dfn{rewrite rules}. Whereas @kbd{a b} (@code{calc-substitute})
25917 matches literally, so that substituting @samp{sin(x)} with @samp{cos(x)}
25918 matches only the @code{sin} function applied to the variable @code{x},
25919 rewrite rules match general kinds of formulas; rewriting using the rule
25920 @samp{sin(x) := cos(x)} matches @code{sin} of any argument and replaces
25921 it with @code{cos} of that same argument. The only significance of the
25922 name @code{x} is that the same name is used on both sides of the rule.
25924 Rewrite rules rearrange formulas already in Calc's memory.
25925 @xref{Syntax Tables}, to read about @dfn{syntax rules}, which are
25926 similar to algebraic rewrite rules but operate when new algebraic
25927 entries are being parsed, converting strings of characters into
25931 * Entering Rewrite Rules::
25932 * Basic Rewrite Rules::
25933 * Conditional Rewrite Rules::
25934 * Algebraic Properties of Rewrite Rules::
25935 * Other Features of Rewrite Rules::
25936 * Composing Patterns in Rewrite Rules::
25937 * Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules::
25938 * Multi-Phase Rewrite Rules::
25939 * Selections with Rewrite Rules::
25940 * Matching Commands::
25941 * Automatic Rewrites::
25942 * Debugging Rewrites::
25943 * Examples of Rewrite Rules::
25946 @node Entering Rewrite Rules, Basic Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
25947 @subsection Entering Rewrite Rules
25950 Rewrite rules normally use the ``assignment'' operator
25951 @samp{@var{old} := @var{new}}.
25952 This operator is equivalent to the function call @samp{assign(old, new)}.
25953 The @code{assign} function is undefined by itself in Calc, so an
25954 assignment formula such as a rewrite rule will be left alone by ordinary
25955 Calc commands. But certain commands, like the rewrite system, interpret
25956 assignments in special ways.
25958 For example, the rule @samp{sin(x)^2 := 1-cos(x)^2} says to replace
25959 every occurrence of the sine of something, squared, with one minus the
25960 square of the cosine of that same thing. All by itself as a formula
25961 on the stack it does nothing, but when given to the @kbd{a r} command
25962 it turns that command into a sine-squared-to-cosine-squared converter.
25964 To specify a set of rules to be applied all at once, make a vector of
25967 When @kbd{a r} prompts you to enter the rewrite rules, you can answer
25972 With a rule: @kbd{f(x) := g(x) @key{RET}}.
25974 With a vector of rules: @kbd{[f1(x) := g1(x), f2(x) := g2(x)] @key{RET}}.
25975 (You can omit the enclosing square brackets if you wish.)
25977 With the name of a variable that contains the rule or rules vector:
25978 @kbd{myrules @key{RET}}.
25980 With any formula except a rule, a vector, or a variable name; this
25981 will be interpreted as the @var{old} half of a rewrite rule,
25982 and you will be prompted a second time for the @var{new} half:
25983 @kbd{f(x) @key{RET} g(x) @key{RET}}.
25985 With a blank line, in which case the rule, rules vector, or variable
25986 will be taken from the top of the stack (and the formula to be
25987 rewritten will come from the second-to-top position).
25990 If you enter the rules directly (as opposed to using rules stored
25991 in a variable), those rules will be put into the Trail so that you
25992 can retrieve them later. @xref{Trail Commands}.
25994 It is most convenient to store rules you use often in a variable and
25995 invoke them by giving the variable name. The @kbd{s e}
25996 (@code{calc-edit-variable}) command is an easy way to create or edit a
25997 rule set stored in a variable. You may also wish to use @kbd{s p}
25998 (@code{calc-permanent-variable}) to save your rules permanently;
25999 @pxref{Operations on Variables}.
26001 Rewrite rules are compiled into a special internal form for faster
26002 matching. If you enter a rule set directly it must be recompiled
26003 every time. If you store the rules in a variable and refer to them
26004 through that variable, they will be compiled once and saved away
26005 along with the variable for later reference. This is another good
26006 reason to store your rules in a variable.
26008 Calc also accepts an obsolete notation for rules, as vectors
26009 @samp{[@var{old}, @var{new}]}. But because it is easily confused with a
26010 vector of two rules, the use of this notation is no longer recommended.
26012 @node Basic Rewrite Rules, Conditional Rewrite Rules, Entering Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
26013 @subsection Basic Rewrite Rules
26016 To match a particular formula @expr{x} with a particular rewrite rule
26017 @samp{@var{old} := @var{new}}, Calc compares the structure of @expr{x} with
26018 the structure of @var{old}. Variables that appear in @var{old} are
26019 treated as @dfn{meta-variables}; the corresponding positions in @expr{x}
26020 may contain any sub-formulas. For example, the pattern @samp{f(x,y)}
26021 would match the expression @samp{f(12, a+1)} with the meta-variable
26022 @samp{x} corresponding to 12 and with @samp{y} corresponding to
26023 @samp{a+1}. However, this pattern would not match @samp{f(12)} or
26024 @samp{g(12, a+1)}, since there is no assignment of the meta-variables
26025 that will make the pattern match these expressions. Notice that if
26026 the pattern is a single meta-variable, it will match any expression.
26028 If a given meta-variable appears more than once in @var{old}, the
26029 corresponding sub-formulas of @expr{x} must be identical. Thus
26030 the pattern @samp{f(x,x)} would match @samp{f(12, 12)} and
26031 @samp{f(a+1, a+1)} but not @samp{f(12, a+1)} or @samp{f(a+b, b+a)}.
26032 (@xref{Conditional Rewrite Rules}, for a way to match the latter.)
26034 Things other than variables must match exactly between the pattern
26035 and the target formula. To match a particular variable exactly, use
26036 the pseudo-function @samp{quote(v)} in the pattern. For example, the
26037 pattern @samp{x+quote(y)} matches @samp{x+y}, @samp{2+y}, or
26040 The special variable names @samp{e}, @samp{pi}, @samp{i}, @samp{phi},
26041 @samp{gamma}, @samp{inf}, @samp{uinf}, and @samp{nan} always match
26042 literally. Thus the pattern @samp{sin(d + e + f)} acts exactly like
26043 @samp{sin(d + quote(e) + f)}.
26045 If the @var{old} pattern is found to match a given formula, that
26046 formula is replaced by @var{new}, where any occurrences in @var{new}
26047 of meta-variables from the pattern are replaced with the sub-formulas
26048 that they matched. Thus, applying the rule @samp{f(x,y) := g(y+x,x)}
26049 to @samp{f(12, a+1)} would produce @samp{g(a+13, 12)}.
26051 The normal @kbd{a r} command applies rewrite rules over and over
26052 throughout the target formula until no further changes are possible
26053 (up to a limit of 100 times). Use @kbd{C-u 1 a r} to make only one
26056 @node Conditional Rewrite Rules, Algebraic Properties of Rewrite Rules, Basic Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
26057 @subsection Conditional Rewrite Rules
26060 A rewrite rule can also be @dfn{conditional}, written in the form
26061 @samp{@var{old} := @var{new} :: @var{cond}}. (There is also the obsolete
26062 form @samp{[@var{old}, @var{new}, @var{cond}]}.) If a @var{cond} part
26064 rule, this is an additional condition that must be satisfied before
26065 the rule is accepted. Once @var{old} has been successfully matched
26066 to the target expression, @var{cond} is evaluated (with all the
26067 meta-variables substituted for the values they matched) and simplified
26068 with @kbd{a s} (@code{calc-simplify}). If the result is a nonzero
26069 number or any other object known to be nonzero (@pxref{Declarations}),
26070 the rule is accepted. If the result is zero or if it is a symbolic
26071 formula that is not known to be nonzero, the rule is rejected.
26072 @xref{Logical Operations}, for a number of functions that return
26073 1 or 0 according to the results of various tests.
26075 For example, the formula @samp{n > 0} simplifies to 1 or 0 if @expr{n}
26076 is replaced by a positive or nonpositive number, respectively (or if
26077 @expr{n} has been declared to be positive or nonpositive). Thus,
26078 the rule @samp{f(x,y) := g(y+x,x) :: x+y > 0} would apply to
26079 @samp{f(0, 4)} but not to @samp{f(-3, 2)} or @samp{f(12, a+1)}
26080 (assuming no outstanding declarations for @expr{a}). In the case of
26081 @samp{f(-3, 2)}, the condition can be shown not to be satisfied; in
26082 the case of @samp{f(12, a+1)}, the condition merely cannot be shown
26083 to be satisfied, but that is enough to reject the rule.
26085 While Calc will use declarations to reason about variables in the
26086 formula being rewritten, declarations do not apply to meta-variables.
26087 For example, the rule @samp{f(a) := g(a+1)} will match for any values
26088 of @samp{a}, such as complex numbers, vectors, or formulas, even if
26089 @samp{a} has been declared to be real or scalar. If you want the
26090 meta-variable @samp{a} to match only literal real numbers, use
26091 @samp{f(a) := g(a+1) :: real(a)}. If you want @samp{a} to match only
26092 reals and formulas which are provably real, use @samp{dreal(a)} as
26095 The @samp{::} operator is a shorthand for the @code{condition}
26096 function; @samp{@var{old} := @var{new} :: @var{cond}} is equivalent to
26097 the formula @samp{condition(assign(@var{old}, @var{new}), @var{cond})}.
26099 If you have several conditions, you can use @samp{... :: c1 :: c2 :: c3}
26100 or @samp{... :: c1 && c2 && c3}. The two are entirely equivalent.
26102 It is also possible to embed conditions inside the pattern:
26103 @samp{f(x :: x>0, y) := g(y+x, x)}. This is purely a notational
26104 convenience, though; where a condition appears in a rule has no
26105 effect on when it is tested. The rewrite-rule compiler automatically
26106 decides when it is best to test each condition while a rule is being
26109 Certain conditions are handled as special cases by the rewrite rule
26110 system and are tested very efficiently: Where @expr{x} is any
26111 meta-variable, these conditions are @samp{integer(x)}, @samp{real(x)},
26112 @samp{constant(x)}, @samp{negative(x)}, @samp{x >= y} where @expr{y}
26113 is either a constant or another meta-variable and @samp{>=} may be
26114 replaced by any of the six relational operators, and @samp{x % a = b}
26115 where @expr{a} and @expr{b} are constants. Other conditions, like
26116 @samp{x >= y+1} or @samp{dreal(x)}, will be less efficient to check
26117 since Calc must bring the whole evaluator and simplifier into play.
26119 An interesting property of @samp{::} is that neither of its arguments
26120 will be touched by Calc's default simplifications. This is important
26121 because conditions often are expressions that cannot safely be
26122 evaluated early. For example, the @code{typeof} function never
26123 remains in symbolic form; entering @samp{typeof(a)} will put the
26124 number 100 (the type code for variables like @samp{a}) on the stack.
26125 But putting the condition @samp{... :: typeof(a) = 6} on the stack
26126 is safe since @samp{::} prevents the @code{typeof} from being
26127 evaluated until the condition is actually used by the rewrite system.
26129 Since @samp{::} protects its lefthand side, too, you can use a dummy
26130 condition to protect a rule that must itself not evaluate early.
26131 For example, it's not safe to put @samp{a(f,x) := apply(f, [x])} on
26132 the stack because it will immediately evaluate to @samp{a(f,x) := f(x)},
26133 where the meta-variable-ness of @code{f} on the righthand side has been
26134 lost. But @samp{a(f,x) := apply(f, [x]) :: 1} is safe, and of course
26135 the condition @samp{1} is always true (nonzero) so it has no effect on
26136 the functioning of the rule. (The rewrite compiler will ensure that
26137 it doesn't even impact the speed of matching the rule.)
26139 @node Algebraic Properties of Rewrite Rules, Other Features of Rewrite Rules, Conditional Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
26140 @subsection Algebraic Properties of Rewrite Rules
26143 The rewrite mechanism understands the algebraic properties of functions
26144 like @samp{+} and @samp{*}. In particular, pattern matching takes
26145 the associativity and commutativity of the following functions into
26149 + - * = != && || and or xor vint vunion vxor gcd lcm max min beta
26152 For example, the rewrite rule:
26155 a x + b x := (a + b) x
26159 will match formulas of the form,
26162 a x + b x, x a + x b, a x + x b, x a + b x
26165 Rewrites also understand the relationship between the @samp{+} and @samp{-}
26166 operators. The above rewrite rule will also match the formulas,
26169 a x - b x, x a - x b, a x - x b, x a - b x
26173 by matching @samp{b} in the pattern to @samp{-b} from the formula.
26175 Applied to a sum of many terms like @samp{r + a x + s + b x + t}, this
26176 pattern will check all pairs of terms for possible matches. The rewrite
26177 will take whichever suitable pair it discovers first.
26179 In general, a pattern using an associative operator like @samp{a + b}
26180 will try @var{2 n} different ways to match a sum of @var{n} terms
26181 like @samp{x + y + z - w}. First, @samp{a} is matched against each
26182 of @samp{x}, @samp{y}, @samp{z}, and @samp{-w} in turn, with @samp{b}
26183 being matched to the remainders @samp{y + z - w}, @samp{x + z - w}, etc.
26184 If none of these succeed, then @samp{b} is matched against each of the
26185 four terms with @samp{a} matching the remainder. Half-and-half matches,
26186 like @samp{(x + y) + (z - w)}, are not tried.
26188 Note that @samp{*} is not commutative when applied to matrices, but
26189 rewrite rules pretend that it is. If you type @kbd{m v} to enable
26190 Matrix mode (@pxref{Matrix Mode}), rewrite rules will match @samp{*}
26191 literally, ignoring its usual commutativity property. (In the
26192 current implementation, the associativity also vanishes---it is as
26193 if the pattern had been enclosed in a @code{plain} marker; see below.)
26194 If you are applying rewrites to formulas with matrices, it's best to
26195 enable Matrix mode first to prevent algebraically incorrect rewrites
26198 The pattern @samp{-x} will actually match any expression. For example,
26206 will rewrite @samp{f(a)} to @samp{-f(-a)}. To avoid this, either use
26207 a @code{plain} marker as described below, or add a @samp{negative(x)}
26208 condition. The @code{negative} function is true if its argument
26209 ``looks'' negative, for example, because it is a negative number or
26210 because it is a formula like @samp{-x}. The new rule using this
26214 f(x) := -f(-x) :: negative(x) @r{or, equivalently,}
26215 f(-x) := -f(x) :: negative(-x)
26218 In the same way, the pattern @samp{x - y} will match the sum @samp{a + b}
26219 by matching @samp{y} to @samp{-b}.
26221 The pattern @samp{a b} will also match the formula @samp{x/y} if
26222 @samp{y} is a number. Thus the rule @samp{a x + @w{b x} := (a+b) x}
26223 will also convert @samp{a x + x / 2} to @samp{(a + 0.5) x} (or
26224 @samp{(a + 1:2) x}, depending on the current fraction mode).
26226 Calc will @emph{not} take other liberties with @samp{*}, @samp{/}, and
26227 @samp{^}. For example, the pattern @samp{f(a b)} will not match
26228 @samp{f(x^2)}, and @samp{f(a + b)} will not match @samp{f(2 x)}, even
26229 though conceivably these patterns could match with @samp{a = b = x}.
26230 Nor will @samp{f(a b)} match @samp{f(x / y)} if @samp{y} is not a
26231 constant, even though it could be considered to match with @samp{a = x}
26232 and @samp{b = 1/y}. The reasons are partly for efficiency, and partly
26233 because while few mathematical operations are substantively different
26234 for addition and subtraction, often it is preferable to treat the cases
26235 of multiplication, division, and integer powers separately.
26237 Even more subtle is the rule set
26240 [ f(a) + f(b) := f(a + b), -f(a) := f(-a) ]
26244 attempting to match @samp{f(x) - f(y)}. You might think that Calc
26245 will view this subtraction as @samp{f(x) + (-f(y))} and then apply
26246 the above two rules in turn, but actually this will not work because
26247 Calc only does this when considering rules for @samp{+} (like the
26248 first rule in this set). So it will see first that @samp{f(x) + (-f(y))}
26249 does not match @samp{f(a) + f(b)} for any assignments of the
26250 meta-variables, and then it will see that @samp{f(x) - f(y)} does
26251 not match @samp{-f(a)} for any assignment of @samp{a}. Because Calc
26252 tries only one rule at a time, it will not be able to rewrite
26253 @samp{f(x) - f(y)} with this rule set. An explicit @samp{f(a) - f(b)}
26254 rule will have to be added.
26256 Another thing patterns will @emph{not} do is break up complex numbers.
26257 The pattern @samp{myconj(a + @w{b i)} := a - b i} will work for formulas
26258 involving the special constant @samp{i} (such as @samp{3 - 4 i}), but
26259 it will not match actual complex numbers like @samp{(3, -4)}. A version
26260 of the above rule for complex numbers would be
26263 myconj(a) := re(a) - im(a) (0,1) :: im(a) != 0
26267 (Because the @code{re} and @code{im} functions understand the properties
26268 of the special constant @samp{i}, this rule will also work for
26269 @samp{3 - 4 i}. In fact, this particular rule would probably be better
26270 without the @samp{im(a) != 0} condition, since if @samp{im(a) = 0} the
26271 righthand side of the rule will still give the correct answer for the
26272 conjugate of a real number.)
26274 It is also possible to specify optional arguments in patterns. The rule
26277 opt(a) x + opt(b) (x^opt(c) + opt(d)) := f(a, b, c, d)
26281 will match the formula
26288 in a fairly straightforward manner, but it will also match reduced
26292 x + x^2, 2(x + 1) - x, x + x
26296 producing, respectively,
26299 f(1, 1, 2, 0), f(-1, 2, 1, 1), f(1, 1, 1, 0)
26302 (The latter two formulas can be entered only if default simplifications
26303 have been turned off with @kbd{m O}.)
26305 The default value for a term of a sum is zero. The default value
26306 for a part of a product, for a power, or for the denominator of a
26307 quotient, is one. Also, @samp{-x} matches the pattern @samp{opt(a) b}
26308 with @samp{a = -1}.
26310 In particular, the distributive-law rule can be refined to
26313 opt(a) x + opt(b) x := (a + b) x
26317 so that it will convert, e.g., @samp{a x - x}, to @samp{(a - 1) x}.
26319 The pattern @samp{opt(a) + opt(b) x} matches almost any formulas which
26320 are linear in @samp{x}. You can also use the @code{lin} and @code{islin}
26321 functions with rewrite conditions to test for this; @pxref{Logical
26322 Operations}. These functions are not as convenient to use in rewrite
26323 rules, but they recognize more kinds of formulas as linear:
26324 @samp{x/z} is considered linear with @expr{b = 1/z} by @code{lin},
26325 but it will not match the above pattern because that pattern calls
26326 for a multiplication, not a division.
26328 As another example, the obvious rule to replace @samp{sin(x)^2 + cos(x)^2}
26332 sin(x)^2 + cos(x)^2 := 1
26336 misses many cases because the sine and cosine may both be multiplied by
26337 an equal factor. Here's a more successful rule:
26340 opt(a) sin(x)^2 + opt(a) cos(x)^2 := a
26343 Note that this rule will @emph{not} match @samp{sin(x)^2 + 6 cos(x)^2}
26344 because one @expr{a} would have ``matched'' 1 while the other matched 6.
26346 Calc automatically converts a rule like
26356 f(temp, x) := g(x) :: temp = x-1
26360 (where @code{temp} stands for a new, invented meta-variable that
26361 doesn't actually have a name). This modified rule will successfully
26362 match @samp{f(6, 7)}, binding @samp{temp} and @samp{x} to 6 and 7,
26363 respectively, then verifying that they differ by one even though
26364 @samp{6} does not superficially look like @samp{x-1}.
26366 However, Calc does not solve equations to interpret a rule. The
26370 f(x-1, x+1) := g(x)
26374 will not work. That is, it will match @samp{f(a - 1 + b, a + 1 + b)}
26375 but not @samp{f(6, 8)}. Calc always interprets at least one occurrence
26376 of a variable by literal matching. If the variable appears ``isolated''
26377 then Calc is smart enough to use it for literal matching. But in this
26378 last example, Calc is forced to rewrite the rule to @samp{f(x-1, temp)
26379 := g(x) :: temp = x+1} where the @samp{x-1} term must correspond to an
26380 actual ``something-minus-one'' in the target formula.
26382 A successful way to write this would be @samp{f(x, x+2) := g(x+1)}.
26383 You could make this resemble the original form more closely by using
26384 @code{let} notation, which is described in the next section:
26387 f(xm1, x+1) := g(x) :: let(x := xm1+1)
26390 Calc does this rewriting or ``conditionalizing'' for any sub-pattern
26391 which involves only the functions in the following list, operating
26392 only on constants and meta-variables which have already been matched
26393 elsewhere in the pattern. When matching a function call, Calc is
26394 careful to match arguments which are plain variables before arguments
26395 which are calls to any of the functions below, so that a pattern like
26396 @samp{f(x-1, x)} can be conditionalized even though the isolated
26397 @samp{x} comes after the @samp{x-1}.
26400 + - * / \ % ^ abs sign round rounde roundu trunc floor ceil
26401 max min re im conj arg
26404 You can suppress all of the special treatments described in this
26405 section by surrounding a function call with a @code{plain} marker.
26406 This marker causes the function call which is its argument to be
26407 matched literally, without regard to commutativity, associativity,
26408 negation, or conditionalization. When you use @code{plain}, the
26409 ``deep structure'' of the formula being matched can show through.
26413 plain(a - a b) := f(a, b)
26417 will match only literal subtractions. However, the @code{plain}
26418 marker does not affect its arguments' arguments. In this case,
26419 commutativity and associativity is still considered while matching
26420 the @w{@samp{a b}} sub-pattern, so the whole pattern will match
26421 @samp{x - y x} as well as @samp{x - x y}. We could go still
26425 plain(a - plain(a b)) := f(a, b)
26429 which would do a completely strict match for the pattern.
26431 By contrast, the @code{quote} marker means that not only the
26432 function name but also the arguments must be literally the same.
26433 The above pattern will match @samp{x - x y} but
26436 quote(a - a b) := f(a, b)
26440 will match only the single formula @samp{a - a b}. Also,
26443 quote(a - quote(a b)) := f(a, b)
26447 will match only @samp{a - quote(a b)}---probably not the desired
26450 A certain amount of algebra is also done when substituting the
26451 meta-variables on the righthand side of a rule. For example,
26455 a + f(b) := f(a + b)
26459 matching @samp{f(x) - y} would produce @samp{f((-y) + x)} if
26460 taken literally, but the rewrite mechanism will simplify the
26461 righthand side to @samp{f(x - y)} automatically. (Of course,
26462 the default simplifications would do this anyway, so this
26463 special simplification is only noticeable if you have turned the
26464 default simplifications off.) This rewriting is done only when
26465 a meta-variable expands to a ``negative-looking'' expression.
26466 If this simplification is not desirable, you can use a @code{plain}
26467 marker on the righthand side:
26470 a + f(b) := f(plain(a + b))
26474 In this example, we are still allowing the pattern-matcher to
26475 use all the algebra it can muster, but the righthand side will
26476 always simplify to a literal addition like @samp{f((-y) + x)}.
26478 @node Other Features of Rewrite Rules, Composing Patterns in Rewrite Rules, Algebraic Properties of Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
26479 @subsection Other Features of Rewrite Rules
26482 Certain ``function names'' serve as markers in rewrite rules.
26483 Here is a complete list of these markers. First are listed the
26484 markers that work inside a pattern; then come the markers that
26485 work in the righthand side of a rule.
26491 One kind of marker, @samp{import(x)}, takes the place of a whole
26492 rule. Here @expr{x} is the name of a variable containing another
26493 rule set; those rules are ``spliced into'' the rule set that
26494 imports them. For example, if @samp{[f(a+b) := f(a) + f(b),
26495 f(a b) := a f(b) :: real(a)]} is stored in variable @samp{linearF},
26496 then the rule set @samp{[f(0) := 0, import(linearF)]} will apply
26497 all three rules. It is possible to modify the imported rules
26498 slightly: @samp{import(x, v1, x1, v2, x2, @dots{})} imports
26499 the rule set @expr{x} with all occurrences of
26500 @texline @math{v_1},
26501 @infoline @expr{v1},
26502 as either a variable name or a function name, replaced with
26503 @texline @math{x_1}
26504 @infoline @expr{x1}
26506 @texline @math{v_1}
26507 @infoline @expr{v1}
26508 is used as a function name, then
26509 @texline @math{x_1}
26510 @infoline @expr{x1}
26511 must be either a function name itself or a @w{@samp{< >}} nameless
26512 function; @pxref{Specifying Operators}.) For example, @samp{[g(0) := 0,
26513 import(linearF, f, g)]} applies the linearity rules to the function
26514 @samp{g} instead of @samp{f}. Imports can be nested, but the
26515 import-with-renaming feature may fail to rename sub-imports properly.
26517 The special functions allowed in patterns are:
26525 This pattern matches exactly @expr{x}; variable names in @expr{x} are
26526 not interpreted as meta-variables. The only flexibility is that
26527 numbers are compared for numeric equality, so that the pattern
26528 @samp{f(quote(12))} will match both @samp{f(12)} and @samp{f(12.0)}.
26529 (Numbers are always treated this way by the rewrite mechanism:
26530 The rule @samp{f(x,x) := g(x)} will match @samp{f(12, 12.0)}.
26531 The rewrite may produce either @samp{g(12)} or @samp{g(12.0)}
26532 as a result in this case.)
26539 Here @expr{x} must be a function call @samp{f(x1,x2,@dots{})}. This
26540 pattern matches a call to function @expr{f} with the specified
26541 argument patterns. No special knowledge of the properties of the
26542 function @expr{f} is used in this case; @samp{+} is not commutative or
26543 associative. Unlike @code{quote}, the arguments @samp{x1,x2,@dots{}}
26544 are treated as patterns. If you wish them to be treated ``plainly''
26545 as well, you must enclose them with more @code{plain} markers:
26546 @samp{plain(plain(@w{-a}) + plain(b c))}.
26553 Here @expr{x} must be a variable name. This must appear as an
26554 argument to a function or an element of a vector; it specifies that
26555 the argument or element is optional.
26556 As an argument to @samp{+}, @samp{-}, @samp{*}, @samp{&&}, or @samp{||},
26557 or as the second argument to @samp{/} or @samp{^}, the value @var{def}
26558 may be omitted. The pattern @samp{x + opt(y)} matches a sum by
26559 binding one summand to @expr{x} and the other to @expr{y}, and it
26560 matches anything else by binding the whole expression to @expr{x} and
26561 zero to @expr{y}. The other operators above work similarly.
26563 For general miscellaneous functions, the default value @code{def}
26564 must be specified. Optional arguments are dropped starting with
26565 the rightmost one during matching. For example, the pattern
26566 @samp{f(opt(a,0), b, opt(c,b))} will match @samp{f(b)}, @samp{f(a,b)},
26567 or @samp{f(a,b,c)}. Default values of zero and @expr{b} are
26568 supplied in this example for the omitted arguments. Note that
26569 the literal variable @expr{b} will be the default in the latter
26570 case, @emph{not} the value that matched the meta-variable @expr{b}.
26571 In other words, the default @var{def} is effectively quoted.
26573 @item condition(x,c)
26579 This matches the pattern @expr{x}, with the attached condition
26580 @expr{c}. It is the same as @samp{x :: c}.
26588 This matches anything that matches both pattern @expr{x} and
26589 pattern @expr{y}. It is the same as @samp{x &&& y}.
26590 @pxref{Composing Patterns in Rewrite Rules}.
26598 This matches anything that matches either pattern @expr{x} or
26599 pattern @expr{y}. It is the same as @w{@samp{x ||| y}}.
26607 This matches anything that does not match pattern @expr{x}.
26608 It is the same as @samp{!!! x}.
26614 @tindex cons (rewrites)
26615 This matches any vector of one or more elements. The first
26616 element is matched to @expr{h}; a vector of the remaining
26617 elements is matched to @expr{t}. Note that vectors of fixed
26618 length can also be matched as actual vectors: The rule
26619 @samp{cons(a,cons(b,[])) := cons(a+b,[])} is equivalent
26620 to the rule @samp{[a,b] := [a+b]}.
26626 @tindex rcons (rewrites)
26627 This is like @code{cons}, except that the @emph{last} element
26628 is matched to @expr{h}, with the remaining elements matched
26631 @item apply(f,args)
26635 @tindex apply (rewrites)
26636 This matches any function call. The name of the function, in
26637 the form of a variable, is matched to @expr{f}. The arguments
26638 of the function, as a vector of zero or more objects, are
26639 matched to @samp{args}. Constants, variables, and vectors
26640 do @emph{not} match an @code{apply} pattern. For example,
26641 @samp{apply(f,x)} matches any function call, @samp{apply(quote(f),x)}
26642 matches any call to the function @samp{f}, @samp{apply(f,[a,b])}
26643 matches any function call with exactly two arguments, and
26644 @samp{apply(quote(f), cons(a,cons(b,x)))} matches any call
26645 to the function @samp{f} with two or more arguments. Another
26646 way to implement the latter, if the rest of the rule does not
26647 need to refer to the first two arguments of @samp{f} by name,
26648 would be @samp{apply(quote(f), x :: vlen(x) >= 2)}.
26649 Here's a more interesting sample use of @code{apply}:
26652 apply(f,[x+n]) := n + apply(f,[x])
26653 :: in(f, [floor,ceil,round,trunc]) :: integer(n)
26656 Note, however, that this will be slower to match than a rule
26657 set with four separate rules. The reason is that Calc sorts
26658 the rules of a rule set according to top-level function name;
26659 if the top-level function is @code{apply}, Calc must try the
26660 rule for every single formula and sub-formula. If the top-level
26661 function in the pattern is, say, @code{floor}, then Calc invokes
26662 the rule only for sub-formulas which are calls to @code{floor}.
26664 Formulas normally written with operators like @code{+} are still
26665 considered function calls: @code{apply(f,x)} matches @samp{a+b}
26666 with @samp{f = add}, @samp{x = [a,b]}.
26668 You must use @code{apply} for meta-variables with function names
26669 on both sides of a rewrite rule: @samp{apply(f, [x]) := f(x+1)}
26670 is @emph{not} correct, because it rewrites @samp{spam(6)} into
26671 @samp{f(7)}. The righthand side should be @samp{apply(f, [x+1])}.
26672 Also note that you will have to use No-Simplify mode (@kbd{m O})
26673 when entering this rule so that the @code{apply} isn't
26674 evaluated immediately to get the new rule @samp{f(x) := f(x+1)}.
26675 Or, use @kbd{s e} to enter the rule without going through the stack,
26676 or enter the rule as @samp{apply(f, [x]) := apply(f, [x+1]) @w{:: 1}}.
26677 @xref{Conditional Rewrite Rules}.
26684 This is used for applying rules to formulas with selections;
26685 @pxref{Selections with Rewrite Rules}.
26688 Special functions for the righthand sides of rules are:
26692 The notation @samp{quote(x)} is changed to @samp{x} when the
26693 righthand side is used. As far as the rewrite rule is concerned,
26694 @code{quote} is invisible. However, @code{quote} has the special
26695 property in Calc that its argument is not evaluated. Thus,
26696 while it will not work to put the rule @samp{t(a) := typeof(a)}
26697 on the stack because @samp{typeof(a)} is evaluated immediately
26698 to produce @samp{t(a) := 100}, you can use @code{quote} to
26699 protect the righthand side: @samp{t(a) := quote(typeof(a))}.
26700 (@xref{Conditional Rewrite Rules}, for another trick for
26701 protecting rules from evaluation.)
26704 Special properties of and simplifications for the function call
26705 @expr{x} are not used. One interesting case where @code{plain}
26706 is useful is the rule, @samp{q(x) := quote(x)}, trying to expand a
26707 shorthand notation for the @code{quote} function. This rule will
26708 not work as shown; instead of replacing @samp{q(foo)} with
26709 @samp{quote(foo)}, it will replace it with @samp{foo}! The correct
26710 rule would be @samp{q(x) := plain(quote(x))}.
26713 Where @expr{t} is a vector, this is converted into an expanded
26714 vector during rewrite processing. Note that @code{cons} is a regular
26715 Calc function which normally does this anyway; the only way @code{cons}
26716 is treated specially by rewrites is that @code{cons} on the righthand
26717 side of a rule will be evaluated even if default simplifications
26718 have been turned off.
26721 Analogous to @code{cons} except putting @expr{h} at the @emph{end} of
26722 the vector @expr{t}.
26724 @item apply(f,args)
26725 Where @expr{f} is a variable and @var{args} is a vector, this
26726 is converted to a function call. Once again, note that @code{apply}
26727 is also a regular Calc function.
26734 The formula @expr{x} is handled in the usual way, then the
26735 default simplifications are applied to it even if they have
26736 been turned off normally. This allows you to treat any function
26737 similarly to the way @code{cons} and @code{apply} are always
26738 treated. However, there is a slight difference: @samp{cons(2+3, [])}
26739 with default simplifications off will be converted to @samp{[2+3]},
26740 whereas @samp{eval(cons(2+3, []))} will be converted to @samp{[5]}.
26747 The formula @expr{x} has meta-variables substituted in the usual
26748 way, then algebraically simplified as if by the @kbd{a s} command.
26750 @item evalextsimp(x)
26754 @tindex evalextsimp
26755 The formula @expr{x} has meta-variables substituted in the normal
26756 way, then ``extendedly'' simplified as if by the @kbd{a e} command.
26759 @xref{Selections with Rewrite Rules}.
26762 There are also some special functions you can use in conditions.
26770 The expression @expr{x} is evaluated with meta-variables substituted.
26771 The @kbd{a s} command's simplifications are @emph{not} applied by
26772 default, but @expr{x} can include calls to @code{evalsimp} or
26773 @code{evalextsimp} as described above to invoke higher levels
26774 of simplification. The
26775 result of @expr{x} is then bound to the meta-variable @expr{v}. As
26776 usual, if this meta-variable has already been matched to something
26777 else the two values must be equal; if the meta-variable is new then
26778 it is bound to the result of the expression. This variable can then
26779 appear in later conditions, and on the righthand side of the rule.
26780 In fact, @expr{v} may be any pattern in which case the result of
26781 evaluating @expr{x} is matched to that pattern, binding any
26782 meta-variables that appear in that pattern. Note that @code{let}
26783 can only appear by itself as a condition, or as one term of an
26784 @samp{&&} which is a whole condition: It cannot be inside
26785 an @samp{||} term or otherwise buried.
26787 The alternate, equivalent form @samp{let(v, x)} is also recognized.
26788 Note that the use of @samp{:=} by @code{let}, while still being
26789 assignment-like in character, is unrelated to the use of @samp{:=}
26790 in the main part of a rewrite rule.
26792 As an example, @samp{f(a) := g(ia) :: let(ia := 1/a) :: constant(ia)}
26793 replaces @samp{f(a)} with @samp{g} of the inverse of @samp{a}, if
26794 that inverse exists and is constant. For example, if @samp{a} is a
26795 singular matrix the operation @samp{1/a} is left unsimplified and
26796 @samp{constant(ia)} fails, but if @samp{a} is an invertible matrix
26797 then the rule succeeds. Without @code{let} there would be no way
26798 to express this rule that didn't have to invert the matrix twice.
26799 Note that, because the meta-variable @samp{ia} is otherwise unbound
26800 in this rule, the @code{let} condition itself always ``succeeds''
26801 because no matter what @samp{1/a} evaluates to, it can successfully
26802 be bound to @code{ia}.
26804 Here's another example, for integrating cosines of linear
26805 terms: @samp{myint(cos(y),x) := sin(y)/b :: let([a,b,x] := lin(y,x))}.
26806 The @code{lin} function returns a 3-vector if its argument is linear,
26807 or leaves itself unevaluated if not. But an unevaluated @code{lin}
26808 call will not match the 3-vector on the lefthand side of the @code{let},
26809 so this @code{let} both verifies that @code{y} is linear, and binds
26810 the coefficients @code{a} and @code{b} for use elsewhere in the rule.
26811 (It would have been possible to use @samp{sin(a x + b)/b} for the
26812 righthand side instead, but using @samp{sin(y)/b} avoids gratuitous
26813 rearrangement of the argument of the sine.)
26819 Similarly, here is a rule that implements an inverse-@code{erf}
26820 function. It uses @code{root} to search for a solution. If
26821 @code{root} succeeds, it will return a vector of two numbers
26822 where the first number is the desired solution. If no solution
26823 is found, @code{root} remains in symbolic form. So we use
26824 @code{let} to check that the result was indeed a vector.
26827 ierf(x) := y :: let([y,z] := root(erf(a) = x, a, .5))
26831 The meta-variable @var{v}, which must already have been matched
26832 to something elsewhere in the rule, is compared against pattern
26833 @var{p}. Since @code{matches} is a standard Calc function, it
26834 can appear anywhere in a condition. But if it appears alone or
26835 as a term of a top-level @samp{&&}, then you get the special
26836 extra feature that meta-variables which are bound to things
26837 inside @var{p} can be used elsewhere in the surrounding rewrite
26840 The only real difference between @samp{let(p := v)} and
26841 @samp{matches(v, p)} is that the former evaluates @samp{v} using
26842 the default simplifications, while the latter does not.
26846 This is actually a variable, not a function. If @code{remember}
26847 appears as a condition in a rule, then when that rule succeeds
26848 the original expression and rewritten expression are added to the
26849 front of the rule set that contained the rule. If the rule set
26850 was not stored in a variable, @code{remember} is ignored. The
26851 lefthand side is enclosed in @code{quote} in the added rule if it
26852 contains any variables.
26854 For example, the rule @samp{f(n) := n f(n-1) :: remember} applied
26855 to @samp{f(7)} will add the rule @samp{f(7) := 7 f(6)} to the front
26856 of the rule set. The rule set @code{EvalRules} works slightly
26857 differently: There, the evaluation of @samp{f(6)} will complete before
26858 the result is added to the rule set, in this case as @samp{f(7) := 5040}.
26859 Thus @code{remember} is most useful inside @code{EvalRules}.
26861 It is up to you to ensure that the optimization performed by
26862 @code{remember} is safe. For example, the rule @samp{foo(n) := n
26863 :: evalv(eatfoo) > 0 :: remember} is a bad idea (@code{evalv} is
26864 the function equivalent of the @kbd{=} command); if the variable
26865 @code{eatfoo} ever contains 1, rules like @samp{foo(7) := 7} will
26866 be added to the rule set and will continue to operate even if
26867 @code{eatfoo} is later changed to 0.
26874 Remember the match as described above, but only if condition @expr{c}
26875 is true. For example, @samp{remember(n % 4 = 0)} in the above factorial
26876 rule remembers only every fourth result. Note that @samp{remember(1)}
26877 is equivalent to @samp{remember}, and @samp{remember(0)} has no effect.
26880 @node Composing Patterns in Rewrite Rules, Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules, Other Features of Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
26881 @subsection Composing Patterns in Rewrite Rules
26884 There are three operators, @samp{&&&}, @samp{|||}, and @samp{!!!},
26885 that combine rewrite patterns to make larger patterns. The
26886 combinations are ``and,'' ``or,'' and ``not,'' respectively, and
26887 these operators are the pattern equivalents of @samp{&&}, @samp{||}
26888 and @samp{!} (which operate on zero-or-nonzero logical values).
26890 Note that @samp{&&&}, @samp{|||}, and @samp{!!!} are left in symbolic
26891 form by all regular Calc features; they have special meaning only in
26892 the context of rewrite rule patterns.
26894 The pattern @samp{@var{p1} &&& @var{p2}} matches anything that
26895 matches both @var{p1} and @var{p2}. One especially useful case is
26896 when one of @var{p1} or @var{p2} is a meta-variable. For example,
26897 here is a rule that operates on error forms:
26900 f(x &&& a +/- b, x) := g(x)
26903 This does the same thing, but is arguably simpler than, the rule
26906 f(a +/- b, a +/- b) := g(a +/- b)
26913 Here's another interesting example:
26916 ends(cons(a, x) &&& rcons(y, b)) := [a, b]
26920 which effectively clips out the middle of a vector leaving just
26921 the first and last elements. This rule will change a one-element
26922 vector @samp{[a]} to @samp{[a, a]}. The similar rule
26925 ends(cons(a, rcons(y, b))) := [a, b]
26929 would do the same thing except that it would fail to match a
26930 one-element vector.
26936 The pattern @samp{@var{p1} ||| @var{p2}} matches anything that
26937 matches either @var{p1} or @var{p2}. Calc first tries matching
26938 against @var{p1}; if that fails, it goes on to try @var{p2}.
26944 A simple example of @samp{|||} is
26947 curve(inf ||| -inf) := 0
26951 which converts both @samp{curve(inf)} and @samp{curve(-inf)} to zero.
26953 Here is a larger example:
26956 log(a, b) ||| (ln(a) :: let(b := e)) := mylog(a, b)
26959 This matches both generalized and natural logarithms in a single rule.
26960 Note that the @samp{::} term must be enclosed in parentheses because
26961 that operator has lower precedence than @samp{|||} or @samp{:=}.
26963 (In practice this rule would probably include a third alternative,
26964 omitted here for brevity, to take care of @code{log10}.)
26966 While Calc generally treats interior conditions exactly the same as
26967 conditions on the outside of a rule, it does guarantee that if all the
26968 variables in the condition are special names like @code{e}, or already
26969 bound in the pattern to which the condition is attached (say, if
26970 @samp{a} had appeared in this condition), then Calc will process this
26971 condition right after matching the pattern to the left of the @samp{::}.
26972 Thus, we know that @samp{b} will be bound to @samp{e} only if the
26973 @code{ln} branch of the @samp{|||} was taken.
26975 Note that this rule was careful to bind the same set of meta-variables
26976 on both sides of the @samp{|||}. Calc does not check this, but if
26977 you bind a certain meta-variable only in one branch and then use that
26978 meta-variable elsewhere in the rule, results are unpredictable:
26981 f(a,b) ||| g(b) := h(a,b)
26984 Here if the pattern matches @samp{g(17)}, Calc makes no promises about
26985 the value that will be substituted for @samp{a} on the righthand side.
26991 The pattern @samp{!!! @var{pat}} matches anything that does not
26992 match @var{pat}. Any meta-variables that are bound while matching
26993 @var{pat} remain unbound outside of @var{pat}.
26998 f(x &&& !!! a +/- b, !!![]) := g(x)
27002 converts @code{f} whose first argument is anything @emph{except} an
27003 error form, and whose second argument is not the empty vector, into
27004 a similar call to @code{g} (but without the second argument).
27006 If we know that the second argument will be a vector (empty or not),
27007 then an equivalent rule would be:
27010 f(x, y) := g(x) :: typeof(x) != 7 :: vlen(y) > 0
27014 where of course 7 is the @code{typeof} code for error forms.
27015 Another final condition, that works for any kind of @samp{y},
27016 would be @samp{!istrue(y == [])}. (The @code{istrue} function
27017 returns an explicit 0 if its argument was left in symbolic form;
27018 plain @samp{!(y == [])} or @samp{y != []} would not work to replace
27019 @samp{!!![]} since these would be left unsimplified, and thus cause
27020 the rule to fail, if @samp{y} was something like a variable name.)
27022 It is possible for a @samp{!!!} to refer to meta-variables bound
27023 elsewhere in the pattern. For example,
27030 matches any call to @code{f} with different arguments, changing
27031 this to @code{g} with only the first argument.
27033 If a function call is to be matched and one of the argument patterns
27034 contains a @samp{!!!} somewhere inside it, that argument will be
27042 will be careful to bind @samp{a} to the second argument of @code{f}
27043 before testing the first argument. If Calc had tried to match the
27044 first argument of @code{f} first, the results would have been
27045 disastrous: since @code{a} was unbound so far, the pattern @samp{a}
27046 would have matched anything at all, and the pattern @samp{!!!a}
27047 therefore would @emph{not} have matched anything at all!
27049 @node Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules, Multi-Phase Rewrite Rules, Composing Patterns in Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
27050 @subsection Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules
27053 When @kbd{a r} (@code{calc-rewrite}) is used, it takes an expression from
27054 the top of the stack and attempts to match any of the specified rules
27055 to any part of the expression, starting with the whole expression
27056 and then, if that fails, trying deeper and deeper sub-expressions.
27057 For each part of the expression, the rules are tried in the order
27058 they appear in the rules vector. The first rule to match the first
27059 sub-expression wins; it replaces the matched sub-expression according
27060 to the @var{new} part of the rule.
27062 Often, the rule set will match and change the formula several times.
27063 The top-level formula is first matched and substituted repeatedly until
27064 it no longer matches the pattern; then, sub-formulas are tried, and
27065 so on. Once every part of the formula has gotten its chance, the
27066 rewrite mechanism starts over again with the top-level formula
27067 (in case a substitution of one of its arguments has caused it again
27068 to match). This continues until no further matches can be made
27069 anywhere in the formula.
27071 It is possible for a rule set to get into an infinite loop. The
27072 most obvious case, replacing a formula with itself, is not a problem
27073 because a rule is not considered to ``succeed'' unless the righthand
27074 side actually comes out to something different than the original
27075 formula or sub-formula that was matched. But if you accidentally
27076 had both @samp{ln(a b) := ln(a) + ln(b)} and the reverse
27077 @samp{ln(a) + ln(b) := ln(a b)} in your rule set, Calc would
27078 run forever switching a formula back and forth between the two
27081 To avoid disaster, Calc normally stops after 100 changes have been
27082 made to the formula. This will be enough for most multiple rewrites,
27083 but it will keep an endless loop of rewrites from locking up the
27084 computer forever. (On most systems, you can also type @kbd{C-g} to
27085 halt any Emacs command prematurely.)
27087 To change this limit, give a positive numeric prefix argument.
27088 In particular, @kbd{M-1 a r} applies only one rewrite at a time,
27089 useful when you are first testing your rule (or just if repeated
27090 rewriting is not what is called for by your application).
27099 You can also put a ``function call'' @samp{iterations(@var{n})}
27100 in place of a rule anywhere in your rules vector (but usually at
27101 the top). Then, @var{n} will be used instead of 100 as the default
27102 number of iterations for this rule set. You can use
27103 @samp{iterations(inf)} if you want no iteration limit by default.
27104 A prefix argument will override the @code{iterations} limit in the
27112 More precisely, the limit controls the number of ``iterations,''
27113 where each iteration is a successful matching of a rule pattern whose
27114 righthand side, after substituting meta-variables and applying the
27115 default simplifications, is different from the original sub-formula
27118 A prefix argument of zero sets the limit to infinity. Use with caution!
27120 Given a negative numeric prefix argument, @kbd{a r} will match and
27121 substitute the top-level expression up to that many times, but
27122 will not attempt to match the rules to any sub-expressions.
27124 In a formula, @code{rewrite(@var{expr}, @var{rules}, @var{n})}
27125 does a rewriting operation. Here @var{expr} is the expression
27126 being rewritten, @var{rules} is the rule, vector of rules, or
27127 variable containing the rules, and @var{n} is the optional
27128 iteration limit, which may be a positive integer, a negative
27129 integer, or @samp{inf} or @samp{-inf}. If @var{n} is omitted
27130 the @code{iterations} value from the rule set is used; if both
27131 are omitted, 100 is used.
27133 @node Multi-Phase Rewrite Rules, Selections with Rewrite Rules, Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
27134 @subsection Multi-Phase Rewrite Rules
27137 It is possible to separate a rewrite rule set into several @dfn{phases}.
27138 During each phase, certain rules will be enabled while certain others
27139 will be disabled. A @dfn{phase schedule} controls the order in which
27140 phases occur during the rewriting process.
27147 If a call to the marker function @code{phase} appears in the rules
27148 vector in place of a rule, all rules following that point will be
27149 members of the phase(s) identified in the arguments to @code{phase}.
27150 Phases are given integer numbers. The markers @samp{phase()} and
27151 @samp{phase(all)} both mean the following rules belong to all phases;
27152 this is the default at the start of the rule set.
27154 If you do not explicitly schedule the phases, Calc sorts all phase
27155 numbers that appear in the rule set and executes the phases in
27156 ascending order. For example, the rule set
27173 has three phases, 1 through 3. Phase 1 consists of the @code{f0},
27174 @code{f1}, and @code{f4} rules (in that order). Phase 2 consists of
27175 @code{f0}, @code{f2}, and @code{f4}. Phase 3 consists of @code{f0}
27178 When Calc rewrites a formula using this rule set, it first rewrites
27179 the formula using only the phase 1 rules until no further changes are
27180 possible. Then it switches to the phase 2 rule set and continues
27181 until no further changes occur, then finally rewrites with phase 3.
27182 When no more phase 3 rules apply, rewriting finishes. (This is
27183 assuming @kbd{a r} with a large enough prefix argument to allow the
27184 rewriting to run to completion; the sequence just described stops
27185 early if the number of iterations specified in the prefix argument,
27186 100 by default, is reached.)
27188 During each phase, Calc descends through the nested levels of the
27189 formula as described previously. (@xref{Nested Formulas with Rewrite
27190 Rules}.) Rewriting starts at the top of the formula, then works its
27191 way down to the parts, then goes back to the top and works down again.
27192 The phase 2 rules do not begin until no phase 1 rules apply anywhere
27199 A @code{schedule} marker appearing in the rule set (anywhere, but
27200 conventionally at the top) changes the default schedule of phases.
27201 In the simplest case, @code{schedule} has a sequence of phase numbers
27202 for arguments; each phase number is invoked in turn until the
27203 arguments to @code{schedule} are exhausted. Thus adding
27204 @samp{schedule(3,2,1)} at the top of the above rule set would
27205 reverse the order of the phases; @samp{schedule(1,2,3)} would have
27206 no effect since this is the default schedule; and @samp{schedule(1,2,1,3)}
27207 would give phase 1 a second chance after phase 2 has completed, before
27208 moving on to phase 3.
27210 Any argument to @code{schedule} can instead be a vector of phase
27211 numbers (or even of sub-vectors). Then the sub-sequence of phases
27212 described by the vector are tried repeatedly until no change occurs
27213 in any phase in the sequence. For example, @samp{schedule([1, 2], 3)}
27214 tries phase 1, then phase 2, then, if either phase made any changes
27215 to the formula, repeats these two phases until they can make no
27216 further progress. Finally, it goes on to phase 3 for finishing
27219 Also, items in @code{schedule} can be variable names as well as
27220 numbers. A variable name is interpreted as the name of a function
27221 to call on the whole formula. For example, @samp{schedule(1, simplify)}
27222 says to apply the phase-1 rules (presumably, all of them), then to
27223 call @code{simplify} which is the function name equivalent of @kbd{a s}.
27224 Likewise, @samp{schedule([1, simplify])} says to alternate between
27225 phase 1 and @kbd{a s} until no further changes occur.
27227 Phases can be used purely to improve efficiency; if it is known that
27228 a certain group of rules will apply only at the beginning of rewriting,
27229 and a certain other group will apply only at the end, then rewriting
27230 will be faster if these groups are identified as separate phases.
27231 Once the phase 1 rules are done, Calc can put them aside and no longer
27232 spend any time on them while it works on phase 2.
27234 There are also some problems that can only be solved with several
27235 rewrite phases. For a real-world example of a multi-phase rule set,
27236 examine the set @code{FitRules}, which is used by the curve-fitting
27237 command to convert a model expression to linear form.
27238 @xref{Curve Fitting Details}. This set is divided into four phases.
27239 The first phase rewrites certain kinds of expressions to be more
27240 easily linearizable, but less computationally efficient. After the
27241 linear components have been picked out, the final phase includes the
27242 opposite rewrites to put each component back into an efficient form.
27243 If both sets of rules were included in one big phase, Calc could get
27244 into an infinite loop going back and forth between the two forms.
27246 Elsewhere in @code{FitRules}, the components are first isolated,
27247 then recombined where possible to reduce the complexity of the linear
27248 fit, then finally packaged one component at a time into vectors.
27249 If the packaging rules were allowed to begin before the recombining
27250 rules were finished, some components might be put away into vectors
27251 before they had a chance to recombine. By putting these rules in
27252 two separate phases, this problem is neatly avoided.
27254 @node Selections with Rewrite Rules, Matching Commands, Multi-Phase Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
27255 @subsection Selections with Rewrite Rules
27258 If a sub-formula of the current formula is selected (as by @kbd{j s};
27259 @pxref{Selecting Subformulas}), the @kbd{a r} (@code{calc-rewrite})
27260 command applies only to that sub-formula. Together with a negative
27261 prefix argument, you can use this fact to apply a rewrite to one
27262 specific part of a formula without affecting any other parts.
27265 @pindex calc-rewrite-selection
27266 The @kbd{j r} (@code{calc-rewrite-selection}) command allows more
27267 sophisticated operations on selections. This command prompts for
27268 the rules in the same way as @kbd{a r}, but it then applies those
27269 rules to the whole formula in question even though a sub-formula
27270 of it has been selected. However, the selected sub-formula will
27271 first have been surrounded by a @samp{select( )} function call.
27272 (Calc's evaluator does not understand the function name @code{select};
27273 this is only a tag used by the @kbd{j r} command.)
27275 For example, suppose the formula on the stack is @samp{2 (a + b)^2}
27276 and the sub-formula @samp{a + b} is selected. This formula will
27277 be rewritten to @samp{2 select(a + b)^2} and then the rewrite
27278 rules will be applied in the usual way. The rewrite rules can
27279 include references to @code{select} to tell where in the pattern
27280 the selected sub-formula should appear.
27282 If there is still exactly one @samp{select( )} function call in
27283 the formula after rewriting is done, it indicates which part of
27284 the formula should be selected afterwards. Otherwise, the
27285 formula will be unselected.
27287 You can make @kbd{j r} act much like @kbd{a r} by enclosing both parts
27288 of the rewrite rule with @samp{select()}. However, @kbd{j r}
27289 allows you to use the current selection in more flexible ways.
27290 Suppose you wished to make a rule which removed the exponent from
27291 the selected term; the rule @samp{select(a)^x := select(a)} would
27292 work. In the above example, it would rewrite @samp{2 select(a + b)^2}
27293 to @samp{2 select(a + b)}. This would then be returned to the
27294 stack as @samp{2 (a + b)} with the @samp{a + b} selected.
27296 The @kbd{j r} command uses one iteration by default, unlike
27297 @kbd{a r} which defaults to 100 iterations. A numeric prefix
27298 argument affects @kbd{j r} in the same way as @kbd{a r}.
27299 @xref{Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules}.
27301 As with other selection commands, @kbd{j r} operates on the stack
27302 entry that contains the cursor. (If the cursor is on the top-of-stack
27303 @samp{.} marker, it works as if the cursor were on the formula
27306 If you don't specify a set of rules, the rules are taken from the
27307 top of the stack, just as with @kbd{a r}. In this case, the
27308 cursor must indicate stack entry 2 or above as the formula to be
27309 rewritten (otherwise the same formula would be used as both the
27310 target and the rewrite rules).
27312 If the indicated formula has no selection, the cursor position within
27313 the formula temporarily selects a sub-formula for the purposes of this
27314 command. If the cursor is not on any sub-formula (e.g., it is in
27315 the line-number area to the left of the formula), the @samp{select( )}
27316 markers are ignored by the rewrite mechanism and the rules are allowed
27317 to apply anywhere in the formula.
27319 As a special feature, the normal @kbd{a r} command also ignores
27320 @samp{select( )} calls in rewrite rules. For example, if you used the
27321 above rule @samp{select(a)^x := select(a)} with @kbd{a r}, it would apply
27322 the rule as if it were @samp{a^x := a}. Thus, you can write general
27323 purpose rules with @samp{select( )} hints inside them so that they
27324 will ``do the right thing'' in both @kbd{a r} and @kbd{j r},
27325 both with and without selections.
27327 @node Matching Commands, Automatic Rewrites, Selections with Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
27328 @subsection Matching Commands
27334 The @kbd{a m} (@code{calc-match}) [@code{match}] function takes a
27335 vector of formulas and a rewrite-rule-style pattern, and produces
27336 a vector of all formulas which match the pattern. The command
27337 prompts you to enter the pattern; as for @kbd{a r}, you can enter
27338 a single pattern (i.e., a formula with meta-variables), or a
27339 vector of patterns, or a variable which contains patterns, or
27340 you can give a blank response in which case the patterns are taken
27341 from the top of the stack. The pattern set will be compiled once
27342 and saved if it is stored in a variable. If there are several
27343 patterns in the set, vector elements are kept if they match any
27346 For example, @samp{match(a+b, [x, x+y, x-y, 7, x+y+z])}
27347 will return @samp{[x+y, x-y, x+y+z]}.
27349 The @code{import} mechanism is not available for pattern sets.
27351 The @kbd{a m} command can also be used to extract all vector elements
27352 which satisfy any condition: The pattern @samp{x :: x>0} will select
27353 all the positive vector elements.
27357 With the Inverse flag [@code{matchnot}], this command extracts all
27358 vector elements which do @emph{not} match the given pattern.
27364 There is also a function @samp{matches(@var{x}, @var{p})} which
27365 evaluates to 1 if expression @var{x} matches pattern @var{p}, or
27366 to 0 otherwise. This is sometimes useful for including into the
27367 conditional clauses of other rewrite rules.
27373 The function @code{vmatches} is just like @code{matches}, except
27374 that if the match succeeds it returns a vector of assignments to
27375 the meta-variables instead of the number 1. For example,
27376 @samp{vmatches(f(1,2), f(a,b))} returns @samp{[a := 1, b := 2]}.
27377 If the match fails, the function returns the number 0.
27379 @node Automatic Rewrites, Debugging Rewrites, Matching Commands, Rewrite Rules
27380 @subsection Automatic Rewrites
27383 @cindex @code{EvalRules} variable
27385 It is possible to get Calc to apply a set of rewrite rules on all
27386 results, effectively adding to the built-in set of default
27387 simplifications. To do this, simply store your rule set in the
27388 variable @code{EvalRules}. There is a convenient @kbd{s E} command
27389 for editing @code{EvalRules}; @pxref{Operations on Variables}.
27391 For example, suppose you want @samp{sin(a + b)} to be expanded out
27392 to @samp{sin(b) cos(a) + cos(b) sin(a)} wherever it appears, and
27393 similarly for @samp{cos(a + b)}. The corresponding rewrite rule
27398 [ sin(a + b) := cos(a) sin(b) + sin(a) cos(b),
27399 cos(a + b) := cos(a) cos(b) - sin(a) sin(b) ]
27403 To apply these manually, you could put them in a variable called
27404 @code{trigexp} and then use @kbd{a r trigexp} every time you wanted
27405 to expand trig functions. But if instead you store them in the
27406 variable @code{EvalRules}, they will automatically be applied to all
27407 sines and cosines of sums. Then, with @samp{2 x} and @samp{45} on
27408 the stack, typing @kbd{+ S} will (assuming Degrees mode) result in
27409 @samp{0.7071 sin(2 x) + 0.7071 cos(2 x)} automatically.
27411 As each level of a formula is evaluated, the rules from
27412 @code{EvalRules} are applied before the default simplifications.
27413 Rewriting continues until no further @code{EvalRules} apply.
27414 Note that this is different from the usual order of application of
27415 rewrite rules: @code{EvalRules} works from the bottom up, simplifying
27416 the arguments to a function before the function itself, while @kbd{a r}
27417 applies rules from the top down.
27419 Because the @code{EvalRules} are tried first, you can use them to
27420 override the normal behavior of any built-in Calc function.
27422 It is important not to write a rule that will get into an infinite
27423 loop. For example, the rule set @samp{[f(0) := 1, f(n) := n f(n-1)]}
27424 appears to be a good definition of a factorial function, but it is
27425 unsafe. Imagine what happens if @samp{f(2.5)} is simplified. Calc
27426 will continue to subtract 1 from this argument forever without reaching
27427 zero. A safer second rule would be @samp{f(n) := n f(n-1) :: n>0}.
27428 Another dangerous rule is @samp{g(x, y) := g(y, x)}. Rewriting
27429 @samp{g(2, 4)}, this would bounce back and forth between that and
27430 @samp{g(4, 2)} forever. If an infinite loop in @code{EvalRules}
27431 occurs, Emacs will eventually stop with a ``Computation got stuck
27432 or ran too long'' message.
27434 Another subtle difference between @code{EvalRules} and regular rewrites
27435 concerns rules that rewrite a formula into an identical formula. For
27436 example, @samp{f(n) := f(floor(n))} ``fails to match'' when @expr{n} is
27437 already an integer. But in @code{EvalRules} this case is detected only
27438 if the righthand side literally becomes the original formula before any
27439 further simplification. This means that @samp{f(n) := f(floor(n))} will
27440 get into an infinite loop if it occurs in @code{EvalRules}. Calc will
27441 replace @samp{f(6)} with @samp{f(floor(6))}, which is different from
27442 @samp{f(6)}, so it will consider the rule to have matched and will
27443 continue simplifying that formula; first the argument is simplified
27444 to get @samp{f(6)}, then the rule matches again to get @samp{f(floor(6))}
27445 again, ad infinitum. A much safer rule would check its argument first,
27446 say, with @samp{f(n) := f(floor(n)) :: !dint(n)}.
27448 (What really happens is that the rewrite mechanism substitutes the
27449 meta-variables in the righthand side of a rule, compares to see if the
27450 result is the same as the original formula and fails if so, then uses
27451 the default simplifications to simplify the result and compares again
27452 (and again fails if the formula has simplified back to its original
27453 form). The only special wrinkle for the @code{EvalRules} is that the
27454 same rules will come back into play when the default simplifications
27455 are used. What Calc wants to do is build @samp{f(floor(6))}, see that
27456 this is different from the original formula, simplify to @samp{f(6)},
27457 see that this is the same as the original formula, and thus halt the
27458 rewriting. But while simplifying, @samp{f(6)} will again trigger
27459 the same @code{EvalRules} rule and Calc will get into a loop inside
27460 the rewrite mechanism itself.)
27462 The @code{phase}, @code{schedule}, and @code{iterations} markers do
27463 not work in @code{EvalRules}. If the rule set is divided into phases,
27464 only the phase 1 rules are applied, and the schedule is ignored.
27465 The rules are always repeated as many times as possible.
27467 The @code{EvalRules} are applied to all function calls in a formula,
27468 but not to numbers (and other number-like objects like error forms),
27469 nor to vectors or individual variable names. (Though they will apply
27470 to @emph{components} of vectors and error forms when appropriate.) You
27471 might try to make a variable @code{phihat} which automatically expands
27472 to its definition without the need to press @kbd{=} by writing the
27473 rule @samp{quote(phihat) := (1-sqrt(5))/2}, but unfortunately this rule
27474 will not work as part of @code{EvalRules}.
27476 Finally, another limitation is that Calc sometimes calls its built-in
27477 functions directly rather than going through the default simplifications.
27478 When it does this, @code{EvalRules} will not be able to override those
27479 functions. For example, when you take the absolute value of the complex
27480 number @expr{(2, 3)}, Calc computes @samp{sqrt(2*2 + 3*3)} by calling
27481 the multiplication, addition, and square root functions directly rather
27482 than applying the default simplifications to this formula. So an
27483 @code{EvalRules} rule that (perversely) rewrites @samp{sqrt(13) := 6}
27484 would not apply. (However, if you put Calc into Symbolic mode so that
27485 @samp{sqrt(13)} will be left in symbolic form by the built-in square
27486 root function, your rule will be able to apply. But if the complex
27487 number were @expr{(3,4)}, so that @samp{sqrt(25)} must be calculated,
27488 then Symbolic mode will not help because @samp{sqrt(25)} can be
27489 evaluated exactly to 5.)
27491 One subtle restriction that normally only manifests itself with
27492 @code{EvalRules} is that while a given rewrite rule is in the process
27493 of being checked, that same rule cannot be recursively applied. Calc
27494 effectively removes the rule from its rule set while checking the rule,
27495 then puts it back once the match succeeds or fails. (The technical
27496 reason for this is that compiled pattern programs are not reentrant.)
27497 For example, consider the rule @samp{foo(x) := x :: foo(x/2) > 0}
27498 attempting to match @samp{foo(8)}. This rule will be inactive while
27499 the condition @samp{foo(4) > 0} is checked, even though it might be
27500 an integral part of evaluating that condition. Note that this is not
27501 a problem for the more usual recursive type of rule, such as
27502 @samp{foo(x) := foo(x/2)}, because there the rule has succeeded and
27503 been reactivated by the time the righthand side is evaluated.
27505 If @code{EvalRules} has no stored value (its default state), or if
27506 anything but a vector is stored in it, then it is ignored.
27508 Even though Calc's rewrite mechanism is designed to compare rewrite
27509 rules to formulas as quickly as possible, storing rules in
27510 @code{EvalRules} may make Calc run substantially slower. This is
27511 particularly true of rules where the top-level call is a commonly used
27512 function, or is not fixed. The rule @samp{f(n) := n f(n-1) :: n>0} will
27513 only activate the rewrite mechanism for calls to the function @code{f},
27514 but @samp{lg(n) + lg(m) := lg(n m)} will check every @samp{+} operator.
27517 apply(f, [a*b]) := apply(f, [a]) + apply(f, [b]) :: in(f, [ln, log10])
27521 may seem more ``efficient'' than two separate rules for @code{ln} and
27522 @code{log10}, but actually it is vastly less efficient because rules
27523 with @code{apply} as the top-level pattern must be tested against
27524 @emph{every} function call that is simplified.
27526 @cindex @code{AlgSimpRules} variable
27527 @vindex AlgSimpRules
27528 Suppose you want @samp{sin(a + b)} to be expanded out not all the time,
27529 but only when @kbd{a s} is used to simplify the formula. The variable
27530 @code{AlgSimpRules} holds rules for this purpose. The @kbd{a s} command
27531 will apply @code{EvalRules} and @code{AlgSimpRules} to the formula, as
27532 well as all of its built-in simplifications.
27534 Most of the special limitations for @code{EvalRules} don't apply to
27535 @code{AlgSimpRules}. Calc simply does an @kbd{a r AlgSimpRules}
27536 command with an infinite repeat count as the first step of @kbd{a s}.
27537 It then applies its own built-in simplifications throughout the
27538 formula, and then repeats these two steps (along with applying the
27539 default simplifications) until no further changes are possible.
27541 @cindex @code{ExtSimpRules} variable
27542 @cindex @code{UnitSimpRules} variable
27543 @vindex ExtSimpRules
27544 @vindex UnitSimpRules
27545 There are also @code{ExtSimpRules} and @code{UnitSimpRules} variables
27546 that are used by @kbd{a e} and @kbd{u s}, respectively; these commands
27547 also apply @code{EvalRules} and @code{AlgSimpRules}. The variable
27548 @code{IntegSimpRules} contains simplification rules that are used
27549 only during integration by @kbd{a i}.
27551 @node Debugging Rewrites, Examples of Rewrite Rules, Automatic Rewrites, Rewrite Rules
27552 @subsection Debugging Rewrites
27555 If a buffer named @samp{*Trace*} exists, the rewrite mechanism will
27556 record some useful information there as it operates. The original
27557 formula is written there, as is the result of each successful rewrite,
27558 and the final result of the rewriting. All phase changes are also
27561 Calc always appends to @samp{*Trace*}. You must empty this buffer
27562 yourself periodically if it is in danger of growing unwieldy.
27564 Note that the rewriting mechanism is substantially slower when the
27565 @samp{*Trace*} buffer exists, even if the buffer is not visible on
27566 the screen. Once you are done, you will probably want to kill this
27567 buffer (with @kbd{C-x k *Trace* @key{RET}}). If you leave it in
27568 existence and forget about it, all your future rewrite commands will
27569 be needlessly slow.
27571 @node Examples of Rewrite Rules, , Debugging Rewrites, Rewrite Rules
27572 @subsection Examples of Rewrite Rules
27575 Returning to the example of substituting the pattern
27576 @samp{sin(x)^2 + cos(x)^2} with 1, we saw that the rule
27577 @samp{opt(a) sin(x)^2 + opt(a) cos(x)^2 := a} does a good job of
27578 finding suitable cases. Another solution would be to use the rule
27579 @samp{cos(x)^2 := 1 - sin(x)^2}, followed by algebraic simplification
27580 if necessary. This rule will be the most effective way to do the job,
27581 but at the expense of making some changes that you might not desire.
27583 Another algebraic rewrite rule is @samp{exp(x+y) := exp(x) exp(y)}.
27584 To make this work with the @w{@kbd{j r}} command so that it can be
27585 easily targeted to a particular exponential in a large formula,
27586 you might wish to write the rule as @samp{select(exp(x+y)) :=
27587 select(exp(x) exp(y))}. The @samp{select} markers will be
27588 ignored by the regular @kbd{a r} command
27589 (@pxref{Selections with Rewrite Rules}).
27591 A surprisingly useful rewrite rule is @samp{a/(b-c) := a*(b+c)/(b^2-c^2)}.
27592 This will simplify the formula whenever @expr{b} and/or @expr{c} can
27593 be made simpler by squaring. For example, applying this rule to
27594 @samp{2 / (sqrt(2) + 3)} yields @samp{6:7 - 2:7 sqrt(2)} (assuming
27595 Symbolic mode has been enabled to keep the square root from being
27596 evaluated to a floating-point approximation). This rule is also
27597 useful when working with symbolic complex numbers, e.g.,
27598 @samp{(a + b i) / (c + d i)}.
27600 As another example, we could define our own ``triangular numbers'' function
27601 with the rules @samp{[tri(0) := 0, tri(n) := n + tri(n-1) :: n>0]}. Enter
27602 this vector and store it in a variable: @kbd{@w{s t} trirules}. Now, given
27603 a suitable formula like @samp{tri(5)} on the stack, type @samp{a r trirules}
27604 to apply these rules repeatedly. After six applications, @kbd{a r} will
27605 stop with 15 on the stack. Once these rules are debugged, it would probably
27606 be most useful to add them to @code{EvalRules} so that Calc will evaluate
27607 the new @code{tri} function automatically. We could then use @kbd{Z K} on
27608 the keyboard macro @kbd{' tri($) @key{RET}} to make a command that applies
27609 @code{tri} to the value on the top of the stack. @xref{Programming}.
27611 @cindex Quaternions
27612 The following rule set, contributed by
27613 @texline Fran\c cois
27615 Pinard, implements @dfn{quaternions}, a generalization of the concept of
27616 complex numbers. Quaternions have four components, and are here
27617 represented by function calls @samp{quat(@var{w}, [@var{x}, @var{y},
27618 @var{z}])} with ``real part'' @var{w} and the three ``imaginary'' parts
27619 collected into a vector. Various arithmetical operations on quaternions
27620 are supported. To use these rules, either add them to @code{EvalRules},
27621 or create a command based on @kbd{a r} for simplifying quaternion
27622 formulas. A convenient way to enter quaternions would be a command
27623 defined by a keyboard macro containing: @kbd{' quat($$$$, [$$$, $$, $])
27627 [ quat(w, x, y, z) := quat(w, [x, y, z]),
27628 quat(w, [0, 0, 0]) := w,
27629 abs(quat(w, v)) := hypot(w, v),
27630 -quat(w, v) := quat(-w, -v),
27631 r + quat(w, v) := quat(r + w, v) :: real(r),
27632 r - quat(w, v) := quat(r - w, -v) :: real(r),
27633 quat(w1, v1) + quat(w2, v2) := quat(w1 + w2, v1 + v2),
27634 r * quat(w, v) := quat(r * w, r * v) :: real(r),
27635 plain(quat(w1, v1) * quat(w2, v2))
27636 := quat(w1 * w2 - v1 * v2, w1 * v2 + w2 * v1 + cross(v1, v2)),
27637 quat(w1, v1) / r := quat(w1 / r, v1 / r) :: real(r),
27638 z / quat(w, v) := z * quatinv(quat(w, v)),
27639 quatinv(quat(w, v)) := quat(w, -v) / (w^2 + v^2),
27640 quatsqr(quat(w, v)) := quat(w^2 - v^2, 2 * w * v),
27641 quat(w, v)^k := quatsqr(quat(w, v)^(k / 2))
27642 :: integer(k) :: k > 0 :: k % 2 = 0,
27643 quat(w, v)^k := quatsqr(quat(w, v)^((k - 1) / 2)) * quat(w, v)
27644 :: integer(k) :: k > 2,
27645 quat(w, v)^-k := quatinv(quat(w, v)^k) :: integer(k) :: k > 0 ]
27648 Quaternions, like matrices, have non-commutative multiplication.
27649 In other words, @expr{q1 * q2 = q2 * q1} is not necessarily true if
27650 @expr{q1} and @expr{q2} are @code{quat} forms. The @samp{quat*quat}
27651 rule above uses @code{plain} to prevent Calc from rearranging the
27652 product. It may also be wise to add the line @samp{[quat(), matrix]}
27653 to the @code{Decls} matrix, to ensure that Calc's other algebraic
27654 operations will not rearrange a quaternion product. @xref{Declarations}.
27656 These rules also accept a four-argument @code{quat} form, converting
27657 it to the preferred form in the first rule. If you would rather see
27658 results in the four-argument form, just append the two items
27659 @samp{phase(2), quat(w, [x, y, z]) := quat(w, x, y, z)} to the end
27660 of the rule set. (But remember that multi-phase rule sets don't work
27661 in @code{EvalRules}.)
27663 @node Units, Store and Recall, Algebra, Top
27664 @chapter Operating on Units
27667 One special interpretation of algebraic formulas is as numbers with units.
27668 For example, the formula @samp{5 m / s^2} can be read ``five meters
27669 per second squared.'' The commands in this chapter help you
27670 manipulate units expressions in this form. Units-related commands
27671 begin with the @kbd{u} prefix key.
27674 * Basic Operations on Units::
27675 * The Units Table::
27676 * Predefined Units::
27677 * User-Defined Units::
27678 * Logarithmic Units::
27682 @node Basic Operations on Units, The Units Table, Units, Units
27683 @section Basic Operations on Units
27686 A @dfn{units expression} is a formula which is basically a number
27687 multiplied and/or divided by one or more @dfn{unit names}, which may
27688 optionally be raised to integer powers. Actually, the value part need not
27689 be a number; any product or quotient involving unit names is a units
27690 expression. Many of the units commands will also accept any formula,
27691 where the command applies to all units expressions which appear in the
27694 A unit name is a variable whose name appears in the @dfn{unit table},
27695 or a variable whose name is a prefix character like @samp{k} (for ``kilo'')
27696 or @samp{u} (for ``micro'') followed by a name in the unit table.
27697 A substantial table of built-in units is provided with Calc;
27698 @pxref{Predefined Units}. You can also define your own unit names;
27699 @pxref{User-Defined Units}.
27701 Note that if the value part of a units expression is exactly @samp{1},
27702 it will be removed by the Calculator's automatic algebra routines: The
27703 formula @samp{1 mm} is ``simplified'' to @samp{mm}. This is only a
27704 display anomaly, however; @samp{mm} will work just fine as a
27705 representation of one millimeter.
27707 You may find that Algebraic mode (@pxref{Algebraic Entry}) makes working
27708 with units expressions easier. Otherwise, you will have to remember
27709 to hit the apostrophe key every time you wish to enter units.
27712 @pindex calc-simplify-units
27714 @mindex usimpl@idots
27717 The @kbd{u s} (@code{calc-simplify-units}) [@code{usimplify}] command
27719 expression. It uses @kbd{a s} (@code{calc-simplify}) to simplify the
27720 expression first as a regular algebraic formula; it then looks for
27721 features that can be further simplified by converting one object's units
27722 to be compatible with another's. For example, @samp{5 m + 23 mm} will
27723 simplify to @samp{5.023 m}. When different but compatible units are
27724 added, the righthand term's units are converted to match those of the
27725 lefthand term. @xref{Simplification Modes}, for a way to have this done
27726 automatically at all times.
27728 Units simplification also handles quotients of two units with the same
27729 dimensionality, as in @w{@samp{2 in s/L cm}} to @samp{5.08 s/L}; fractional
27730 powers of unit expressions, as in @samp{sqrt(9 mm^2)} to @samp{3 mm} and
27731 @samp{sqrt(9 acre)} to a quantity in meters; and @code{floor},
27732 @code{ceil}, @code{round}, @code{rounde}, @code{roundu}, @code{trunc},
27733 @code{float}, @code{frac}, @code{abs}, and @code{clean}
27734 applied to units expressions, in which case
27735 the operation in question is applied only to the numeric part of the
27736 expression. Finally, trigonometric functions of quantities with units
27737 of angle are evaluated, regardless of the current angular mode.
27740 @pindex calc-convert-units
27741 The @kbd{u c} (@code{calc-convert-units}) command converts a units
27742 expression to new, compatible units. For example, given the units
27743 expression @samp{55 mph}, typing @kbd{u c m/s @key{RET}} produces
27744 @samp{24.5872 m/s}. If you have previously converted a units expression
27745 with the same type of units (in this case, distance over time), you will
27746 be offered the previous choice of new units as a default. Continuing
27747 the above example, entering the units expression @samp{100 km/hr} and
27748 typing @kbd{u c @key{RET}} (without specifying new units) produces
27749 @samp{27.7777777778 m/s}.
27752 @pindex calc-convert-temperature
27753 @cindex Temperature conversion
27754 The @kbd{u c} command treats temperature units (like @samp{degC} and
27755 @samp{K}) as relative temperatures. For example, @kbd{u c} converts
27756 @samp{10 degC} to @samp{18 degF}: A change of 10 degrees Celsius
27757 corresponds to a change of 18 degrees Fahrenheit. To convert absolute
27758 temperatures, you can use the @kbd{u t}
27759 (@code{calc-convert-temperature}) command. The value on the stack
27760 must be a simple units expression with units of temperature only.
27761 This command would convert @samp{10 degC} to @samp{50 degF}, the
27762 equivalent temperature on the Fahrenheit scale.
27764 While many of Calc's conversion factors are exact, some are necessarily
27765 approximate. If Calc is in fraction mode (@pxref{Fraction Mode}), then
27766 unit conversions will try to give exact, rational conversions, but it
27767 isn't always possible. Given @samp{55 mph} in fraction mode, typing
27768 @kbd{u c m/s @key{RET}} produces @samp{15367:625 m/s}, for example,
27769 while typing @kbd{u c au/yr @key{RET}} produces
27770 @samp{5.18665819999e-3 au/yr}.
27772 If the units you request are inconsistent with the original units, the
27773 number will be converted into your units times whatever ``remainder''
27774 units are left over. For example, converting @samp{55 mph} into acres
27775 produces @samp{6.08e-3 acre / m s}. (Recall that multiplication binds
27776 more strongly than division in Calc formulas, so the units here are
27777 acres per meter-second.) Remainder units are expressed in terms of
27778 ``fundamental'' units like @samp{m} and @samp{s}, regardless of the
27781 One special exception is that if you specify a single unit name, and
27782 a compatible unit appears somewhere in the units expression, then
27783 that compatible unit will be converted to the new unit and the
27784 remaining units in the expression will be left alone. For example,
27785 given the input @samp{980 cm/s^2}, the command @kbd{u c ms} will
27786 change the @samp{s} to @samp{ms} to get @samp{9.8e-4 cm/ms^2}.
27787 The ``remainder unit'' @samp{cm} is left alone rather than being
27788 changed to the base unit @samp{m}.
27790 You can use explicit unit conversion instead of the @kbd{u s} command
27791 to gain more control over the units of the result of an expression.
27792 For example, given @samp{5 m + 23 mm}, you can type @kbd{u c m} or
27793 @kbd{u c mm} to express the result in either meters or millimeters.
27794 (For that matter, you could type @kbd{u c fath} to express the result
27795 in fathoms, if you preferred!)
27797 In place of a specific set of units, you can also enter one of the
27798 units system names @code{si}, @code{mks} (equivalent), or @code{cgs}.
27799 For example, @kbd{u c si @key{RET}} converts the expression into
27800 International System of Units (SI) base units. Also, @kbd{u c base}
27801 converts to Calc's base units, which are the same as @code{si} units
27802 except that @code{base} uses @samp{g} as the fundamental unit of mass
27803 whereas @code{si} uses @samp{kg}.
27805 @cindex Composite units
27806 The @kbd{u c} command also accepts @dfn{composite units}, which
27807 are expressed as the sum of several compatible unit names. For
27808 example, converting @samp{30.5 in} to units @samp{mi+ft+in} (miles,
27809 feet, and inches) produces @samp{2 ft + 6.5 in}. Calc first
27810 sorts the unit names into order of decreasing relative size.
27811 It then accounts for as much of the input quantity as it can
27812 using an integer number times the largest unit, then moves on
27813 to the next smaller unit, and so on. Only the smallest unit
27814 may have a non-integer amount attached in the result. A few
27815 standard unit names exist for common combinations, such as
27816 @code{mfi} for @samp{mi+ft+in}, and @code{tpo} for @samp{ton+lb+oz}.
27817 Composite units are expanded as if by @kbd{a x}, so that
27818 @samp{(ft+in)/hr} is first converted to @samp{ft/hr+in/hr}.
27820 If the value on the stack does not contain any units, @kbd{u c} will
27821 prompt first for the old units which this value should be considered
27822 to have, then for the new units. Assuming the old and new units you
27823 give are consistent with each other, the result also will not contain
27824 any units. For example, @kbd{@w{u c} cm @key{RET} in @key{RET}}
27825 converts the number 2 on the stack to 5.08.
27828 @pindex calc-base-units
27829 The @kbd{u b} (@code{calc-base-units}) command is shorthand for
27830 @kbd{u c base}; it converts the units expression on the top of the
27831 stack into @code{base} units. If @kbd{u s} does not simplify a
27832 units expression as far as you would like, try @kbd{u b}.
27834 Like the @kbd{u c} command, the @kbd{u b} command treats temperature
27835 units as relative temperatures.
27838 @pindex calc-remove-units
27840 @pindex calc-extract-units
27841 The @kbd{u r} (@code{calc-remove-units}) command removes units from the
27842 formula at the top of the stack. The @kbd{u x}
27843 (@code{calc-extract-units}) command extracts only the units portion of a
27844 formula. These commands essentially replace every term of the formula
27845 that does or doesn't (respectively) look like a unit name by the
27846 constant 1, then resimplify the formula.
27849 @pindex calc-autorange-units
27850 The @kbd{u a} (@code{calc-autorange-units}) command turns on and off a
27851 mode in which unit prefixes like @code{k} (``kilo'') are automatically
27852 applied to keep the numeric part of a units expression in a reasonable
27853 range. This mode affects @kbd{u s} and all units conversion commands
27854 except @kbd{u b}. For example, with autoranging on, @samp{12345 Hz}
27855 will be simplified to @samp{12.345 kHz}. Autoranging is useful for
27856 some kinds of units (like @code{Hz} and @code{m}), but is probably
27857 undesirable for non-metric units like @code{ft} and @code{tbsp}.
27858 (Composite units are more appropriate for those; see above.)
27860 Autoranging always applies the prefix to the leftmost unit name.
27861 Calc chooses the largest prefix that causes the number to be greater
27862 than or equal to 1.0. Thus an increasing sequence of adjusted times
27863 would be @samp{1 ms, 10 ms, 100 ms, 1 s, 10 s, 100 s, 1 ks}.
27864 Generally the rule of thumb is that the number will be adjusted
27865 to be in the interval @samp{[1 .. 1000)}, although there are several
27866 exceptions to this rule. First, if the unit has a power then this
27867 is not possible; @samp{0.1 s^2} simplifies to @samp{100000 ms^2}.
27868 Second, the ``centi-'' prefix is allowed to form @code{cm} (centimeters),
27869 but will not apply to other units. The ``deci-,'' ``deka-,'' and
27870 ``hecto-'' prefixes are never used. Thus the allowable interval is
27871 @samp{[1 .. 10)} for millimeters and @samp{[1 .. 100)} for centimeters.
27872 Finally, a prefix will not be added to a unit if the resulting name
27873 is also the actual name of another unit; @samp{1e-15 t} would normally
27874 be considered a ``femto-ton,'' but it is written as @samp{1000 at}
27875 (1000 atto-tons) instead because @code{ft} would be confused with feet.
27877 @node The Units Table, Predefined Units, Basic Operations on Units, Units
27878 @section The Units Table
27882 @pindex calc-enter-units-table
27883 The @kbd{u v} (@code{calc-enter-units-table}) command displays the units table
27884 in another buffer called @code{*Units Table*}. Each entry in this table
27885 gives the unit name as it would appear in an expression, the definition
27886 of the unit in terms of simpler units, and a full name or description of
27887 the unit. Fundamental units are defined as themselves; these are the
27888 units produced by the @kbd{u b} command. The fundamental units are
27889 meters, seconds, grams, kelvins, amperes, candelas, moles, radians,
27892 The Units Table buffer also displays the Unit Prefix Table. Note that
27893 two prefixes, ``kilo'' and ``hecto,'' accept either upper- or lower-case
27894 prefix letters. @samp{Meg} is also accepted as a synonym for the @samp{M}
27895 prefix. Whenever a unit name can be interpreted as either a built-in name
27896 or a prefix followed by another built-in name, the former interpretation
27897 wins. For example, @samp{2 pt} means two pints, not two pico-tons.
27899 The Units Table buffer, once created, is not rebuilt unless you define
27900 new units. To force the buffer to be rebuilt, give any numeric prefix
27901 argument to @kbd{u v}.
27904 @pindex calc-view-units-table
27905 The @kbd{u V} (@code{calc-view-units-table}) command is like @kbd{u v} except
27906 that the cursor is not moved into the Units Table buffer. You can
27907 type @kbd{u V} again to remove the Units Table from the display. To
27908 return from the Units Table buffer after a @kbd{u v}, type @kbd{C-x * c}
27909 again or use the regular Emacs @w{@kbd{C-x o}} (@code{other-window})
27910 command. You can also kill the buffer with @kbd{C-x k} if you wish;
27911 the actual units table is safely stored inside the Calculator.
27914 @pindex calc-get-unit-definition
27915 The @kbd{u g} (@code{calc-get-unit-definition}) command retrieves a unit's
27916 defining expression and pushes it onto the Calculator stack. For example,
27917 @kbd{u g in} will produce the expression @samp{2.54 cm}. This is the
27918 same definition for the unit that would appear in the Units Table buffer.
27919 Note that this command works only for actual unit names; @kbd{u g km}
27920 will report that no such unit exists, for example, because @code{km} is
27921 really the unit @code{m} with a @code{k} (``kilo'') prefix. To see a
27922 definition of a unit in terms of base units, it is easier to push the
27923 unit name on the stack and then reduce it to base units with @kbd{u b}.
27926 @pindex calc-explain-units
27927 The @kbd{u e} (@code{calc-explain-units}) command displays an English
27928 description of the units of the expression on the stack. For example,
27929 for the expression @samp{62 km^2 g / s^2 mol K}, the description is
27930 ``Square-Kilometer Gram per (Second-squared Mole Degree-Kelvin).'' This
27931 command uses the English descriptions that appear in the righthand
27932 column of the Units Table.
27934 @node Predefined Units, User-Defined Units, The Units Table, Units
27935 @section Predefined Units
27938 The definitions of many units have changed over the years. For example,
27939 the meter was originally defined in 1791 as one ten-millionth of the
27940 distance from the equator to the north pole. In order to be more
27941 precise, the definition was adjusted several times, and now a meter is
27942 defined as the distance that light will travel in a vacuum in
27943 1/299792458 of a second; consequently, the speed of light in a
27944 vacuum is exactly 299792458 m/s. Many other units have been
27945 redefined in terms of fundamental physical processes; a second, for
27946 example, is currently defined as 9192631770 periods of a certain
27947 radiation related to the cesium-133 atom. The only SI unit that is not
27948 based on a fundamental physical process (although there are efforts to
27949 change this) is the kilogram, which was originally defined as the mass
27950 of one liter of water, but is now defined as the mass of the
27951 International Prototype Kilogram (IPK), a cylinder of platinum-iridium
27952 kept at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures in S@`evres,
27953 France. (There are several copies of the IPK throughout the world.)
27954 The British imperial units, once defined in terms of physical objects,
27955 were redefined in 1963 in terms of SI units. The US customary units,
27956 which were the same as British units until the British imperial system
27957 was created in 1824, were also defined in terms of the SI units in 1893.
27958 Because of these redefinitions, conversions between metric, British
27959 Imperial, and US customary units can often be done precisely.
27961 Since the exact definitions of many kinds of units have evolved over the
27962 years, and since certain countries sometimes have local differences in
27963 their definitions, it is a good idea to examine Calc's definition of a
27964 unit before depending on its exact value. For example, there are three
27965 different units for gallons, corresponding to the US (@code{gal}),
27966 Canadian (@code{galC}), and British (@code{galUK}) definitions. Also,
27967 note that @code{oz} is a standard ounce of mass, @code{ozt} is a Troy
27968 ounce, and @code{ozfl} is a fluid ounce.
27970 The temperature units corresponding to degrees Kelvin and Centigrade
27971 (Celsius) are the same in this table, since most units commands treat
27972 temperatures as being relative. The @code{calc-convert-temperature}
27973 command has special rules for handling the different absolute magnitudes
27974 of the various temperature scales.
27976 The unit of volume ``liters'' can be referred to by either the lower-case
27977 @code{l} or the upper-case @code{L}.
27979 The unit @code{A} stands for Amperes; the name @code{Ang} is used
27987 The unit @code{pt} stands for pints; the name @code{point} stands for
27988 a typographical point, defined by @samp{72 point = 1 in}. This is
27989 slightly different than the point defined by the American Typefounder's
27990 Association in 1886, but the point used by Calc has become standard
27991 largely due to its use by the PostScript page description language.
27992 There is also @code{texpt}, which stands for a printer's point as
27993 defined by the @TeX{} typesetting system: @samp{72.27 texpt = 1 in}.
27994 Other units used by @TeX{} are available; they are @code{texpc} (a pica),
27995 @code{texbp} (a ``big point'', equal to a standard point which is larger
27996 than the point used by @TeX{}), @code{texdd} (a Didot point),
27997 @code{texcc} (a Cicero) and @code{texsp} (a scaled @TeX{} point,
27998 all dimensions representable in @TeX{} are multiples of this value).
28000 When Calc is using the @TeX{} or La@TeX{} language mode (@pxref{TeX
28001 and LaTeX Language Modes}), the @TeX{} specific unit names will not
28002 use the @samp{tex} prefix; the unit name for a @TeX{} point will be
28003 @samp{pt} instead of @samp{texpt}, for example. To avoid conflicts,
28004 the unit names for pint and parsec will simply be @samp{pint} and
28005 @samp{parsec} instead of @samp{pt} and @samp{pc}.
28008 The unit @code{e} stands for the elementary (electron) unit of charge;
28009 because algebra command could mistake this for the special constant
28010 @expr{e}, Calc provides the alternate unit name @code{ech} which is
28011 preferable to @code{e}.
28013 The name @code{g} stands for one gram of mass; there is also @code{gf},
28014 one gram of force. (Likewise for @kbd{lb}, pounds, and @kbd{lbf}.)
28015 Meanwhile, one ``@expr{g}'' of acceleration is denoted @code{ga}.
28017 The unit @code{ton} is a U.S. ton of @samp{2000 lb}, and @code{t} is
28018 a metric ton of @samp{1000 kg}.
28020 The names @code{s} (or @code{sec}) and @code{min} refer to units of
28021 time; @code{arcsec} and @code{arcmin} are units of angle.
28023 Some ``units'' are really physical constants; for example, @code{c}
28024 represents the speed of light, and @code{h} represents Planck's
28025 constant. You can use these just like other units: converting
28026 @samp{.5 c} to @samp{m/s} expresses one-half the speed of light in
28027 meters per second. You can also use this merely as a handy reference;
28028 the @kbd{u g} command gets the definition of one of these constants
28029 in its normal terms, and @kbd{u b} expresses the definition in base
28032 Two units, @code{pi} and @code{alpha} (the fine structure constant,
28033 approximately @mathit{1/137}) are dimensionless. The units simplification
28034 commands simply treat these names as equivalent to their corresponding
28035 values. However you can, for example, use @kbd{u c} to convert a pure
28036 number into multiples of the fine structure constant, or @kbd{u b} to
28037 convert this back into a pure number. (When @kbd{u c} prompts for the
28038 ``old units,'' just enter a blank line to signify that the value
28039 really is unitless.)
28041 @c Describe angular units, luminosity vs. steradians problem.
28043 @node User-Defined Units, Logarithmic Units, Predefined Units, Units
28044 @section User-Defined Units
28047 Calc provides ways to get quick access to your selected ``favorite''
28048 units, as well as ways to define your own new units.
28051 @pindex calc-quick-units
28053 @cindex @code{Units} variable
28054 @cindex Quick units
28055 To select your favorite units, store a vector of unit names or
28056 expressions in the Calc variable @code{Units}. The @kbd{u 1}
28057 through @kbd{u 9} commands (@code{calc-quick-units}) provide access
28058 to these units. If the value on the top of the stack is a plain
28059 number (with no units attached), then @kbd{u 1} gives it the
28060 specified units. (Basically, it multiplies the number by the
28061 first item in the @code{Units} vector.) If the number on the
28062 stack @emph{does} have units, then @kbd{u 1} converts that number
28063 to the new units. For example, suppose the vector @samp{[in, ft]}
28064 is stored in @code{Units}. Then @kbd{30 u 1} will create the
28065 expression @samp{30 in}, and @kbd{u 2} will convert that expression
28068 The @kbd{u 0} command accesses the tenth element of @code{Units}.
28069 Only ten quick units may be defined at a time. If the @code{Units}
28070 variable has no stored value (the default), or if its value is not
28071 a vector, then the quick-units commands will not function. The
28072 @kbd{s U} command is a convenient way to edit the @code{Units}
28073 variable; @pxref{Operations on Variables}.
28076 @pindex calc-define-unit
28077 @cindex User-defined units
28078 The @kbd{u d} (@code{calc-define-unit}) command records the units
28079 expression on the top of the stack as the definition for a new,
28080 user-defined unit. For example, putting @samp{16.5 ft} on the stack and
28081 typing @kbd{u d rod} defines the new unit @samp{rod} to be equivalent to
28082 16.5 feet. The unit conversion and simplification commands will now
28083 treat @code{rod} just like any other unit of length. You will also be
28084 prompted for an optional English description of the unit, which will
28085 appear in the Units Table. If you wish the definition of this unit to
28086 be displayed in a special way in the Units Table buffer (such as with an
28087 asterisk to indicate an approximate value), then you can call this
28088 command with an argument, @kbd{C-u u d}; you will then also be prompted
28089 for a string that will be used to display the definition.
28092 @pindex calc-undefine-unit
28093 The @kbd{u u} (@code{calc-undefine-unit}) command removes a user-defined
28094 unit. It is not possible to remove one of the predefined units,
28097 If you define a unit with an existing unit name, your new definition
28098 will replace the original definition of that unit. If the unit was a
28099 predefined unit, the old definition will not be replaced, only
28100 ``shadowed.'' The built-in definition will reappear if you later use
28101 @kbd{u u} to remove the shadowing definition.
28103 To create a new fundamental unit, use either 1 or the unit name itself
28104 as the defining expression. Otherwise the expression can involve any
28105 other units that you like (except for composite units like @samp{mfi}).
28106 You can create a new composite unit with a sum of other units as the
28107 defining expression. The next unit operation like @kbd{u c} or @kbd{u v}
28108 will rebuild the internal unit table incorporating your modifications.
28109 Note that erroneous definitions (such as two units defined in terms of
28110 each other) will not be detected until the unit table is next rebuilt;
28111 @kbd{u v} is a convenient way to force this to happen.
28113 Temperature units are treated specially inside the Calculator; it is not
28114 possible to create user-defined temperature units.
28117 @pindex calc-permanent-units
28118 @cindex Calc init file, user-defined units
28119 The @kbd{u p} (@code{calc-permanent-units}) command stores the user-defined
28120 units in your Calc init file (the file given by the variable
28121 @code{calc-settings-file}, typically @file{~/.emacs.d/calc.el}), so that the
28122 units will still be available in subsequent Emacs sessions. If there
28123 was already a set of user-defined units in your Calc init file, it
28124 is replaced by the new set. (@xref{General Mode Commands}, for a way to
28125 tell Calc to use a different file for the Calc init file.)
28127 @node Logarithmic Units, Musical Notes, User-Defined Units, Units
28128 @section Logarithmic Units
28130 The units @code{dB} (decibels) and @code{Np} (nepers) are logarithmic
28131 units which are manipulated differently than standard units. Calc
28132 provides commands to work with these logarithmic units.
28134 Decibels and nepers are used to measure power quantities as well as
28135 field quantities (quantities whose squares are proportional to power);
28136 these two types of quantities are handled slightly different from each
28137 other. By default the Calc commands work as if power quantities are
28138 being used; with the @kbd{H} prefix the Calc commands work as if field
28139 quantities are being used.
28141 The decibel level of a power
28142 @infoline @math{P1},
28143 @texline @math{P_1},
28144 relative to a reference power
28145 @infoline @math{P0},
28146 @texline @math{P_0},
28148 @infoline @math{10 log10(P1/P0) dB}.
28149 @texline @math{10 \log_{10}(P_{1}/P_{0}) {\rm dB}}.
28150 (The factor of 10 is because a decibel, as its name implies, is
28151 one-tenth of a bel. The bel, named after Alexander Graham Bell, was
28152 considered to be too large of a unit and was effectively replaced by
28153 the decibel.) If @math{F} is a field quantity with power
28154 @math{P=k F^2}, then a reference quantity of
28155 @infoline @math{F0}
28156 @texline @math{F_0}
28157 would correspond to a power of
28158 @infoline @math{P0=k F0^2}.
28159 @texline @math{P_{0}=kF_{0}^2}.
28161 @infoline @math{P1=k F1^2},
28162 @texline @math{P_{1}=kF_{1}^2},
28167 10 log10(P1/P0) = 10 log10(F1^2/F0^2) = 20 log10(F1/F0).
28171 $$ 10 \log_{10}(P_1/P_0) = 10 \log_{10}(F_1^2/F_0^2) = 20
28172 \log_{10}(F_1/F_0)$$
28176 In order to get the same decibel level regardless of whether a field
28177 quantity or the corresponding power quantity is used, the decibel
28178 level of a field quantity
28179 @infoline @math{F1},
28180 @texline @math{F_1},
28181 relative to a reference
28182 @infoline @math{F0},
28183 @texline @math{F_0},
28185 @infoline @math{20 log10(F1/F0) dB}.
28186 @texline @math{20 \log_{10}(F_{1}/F_{0}) {\rm dB}}.
28187 For example, the decibel value of a sound pressure level of
28188 @infoline @math{60 uPa}
28189 @texline @math{60 \mu{\rm Pa}}
28191 @infoline @math{20 uPa}
28192 @texline @math{20 \mu{\rm Pa}}
28193 (the threshhold of human hearing) is
28194 @infoline @math{20 log10(60 uPa/ 20 uPa) dB = 20 log10(3) dB},
28195 @texline @math{20 \log_{10}(60 \mu{\rm Pa}/20 \mu{\rm Pa}) {\rm dB} = 20 \log_{10}(3) {\rm dB}},
28197 @infoline @math{9.54 dB}.
28198 @texline @math{9.54 {\rm dB}}.
28199 Note that in taking the ratio, the original units cancel and so these
28200 logarithmic units are dimensionless.
28202 Nepers (named after John Napier, who is credited with inventing the
28203 logarithm) are similar to bels except they use natural logarithms instead
28204 of common logarithms. The neper level of a power
28205 @infoline @math{P1},
28206 @texline @math{P_1},
28207 relative to a reference power
28208 @infoline @math{P0},
28209 @texline @math{P_0},
28211 @infoline @math{(1/2) ln(P1/P0) Np}.
28212 @texline @math{(1/2) \ln(P_1/P_0) {\rm Np}}.
28213 The neper level of a field
28214 @infoline @math{F1},
28215 @texline @math{F_1},
28216 relative to a reference field
28217 @infoline @math{F0},
28218 @texline @math{F_0},
28220 @infoline @math{ln(F1/F0) Np}.
28221 @texline @math{\ln(F_1/F_0) {\rm Np}}.
28223 @vindex calc-lu-power-reference
28224 @vindex calc-lu-field-reference
28225 For power quantities, Calc uses
28226 @infoline @math{1 mW}
28227 @texline @math{1 {\rm mW}}
28228 as the default reference quantity; this default can be changed by changing
28229 the value of the customizable variable
28230 @code{calc-lu-power-reference} (@pxref{Customizing Calc}).
28231 For field quantities, Calc uses
28232 @infoline @math{20 uPa}
28233 @texline @math{20 \mu{\rm Pa}}
28234 as the default reference quantity; this is the value used in acoustics
28235 which is where decibels are commonly encountered. This default can be
28236 changed by changing the value of the customizable variable
28237 @code{calc-lu-field-reference} (@pxref{Customizing Calc}). A
28238 non-default reference quantity will be read from the stack if the
28239 capital @kbd{O} prefix is used.
28242 @pindex calc-lu-quant
28245 The @kbd{l q} (@code{calc-lu-quant}) [@code{lupquant}]
28246 command computes the power quantity corresponding to a given number of
28247 logarithmic units. With the capital @kbd{O} prefix, @kbd{O l q}, the
28248 reference level will be read from the top of the stack. (In an
28249 algebraic formula, @code{lupquant} can be given an optional second
28250 argument which will be used for the reference level.) For example,
28251 @code{20 dB @key{RET} l q} will return @code{100 mW};
28252 @code{20 dB @key{RET} 4 W @key{RET} O l q} will return @code{400 W}.
28253 The @kbd{H l q} [@code{lufquant}] command behaves like @kbd{l q} but
28254 computes field quantities instead of power quantities.
28264 The @kbd{l d} (@code{calc-db}) [@code{dbpower}] command will compute
28265 the decibel level of a power quantity using the default reference
28266 level; @kbd{H l d} [@code{dbfield}] will compute the decibel level of
28267 a field quantity. The commands @kbd{l n} (@code{calc-np})
28268 [@code{nppower}] and @kbd{H l n} [@code{npfield}] will similarly
28269 compute neper levels. With the capital @kbd{O} prefix these commands
28270 will read a reference level from the stack; in an algebraic formula
28271 the reference level can be given as an optional second argument.
28274 @pindex calc-lu-plus
28278 @pindex calc-lu-minus
28282 @pindex calc-lu-times
28286 @pindex calc-lu-divide
28289 The sum of two power or field quantities doesn't correspond to the sum
28290 of the corresponding decibel or neper levels. If the powers
28291 corresponding to decibel levels
28292 @infoline @math{D1}
28293 @texline @math{D_1}
28295 @infoline @math{D2}
28296 @texline @math{D_2}
28297 are added, the corresponding decibel level ``sum'' will be
28301 10 log10(10^(D1/10) + 10^(D2/10)) dB.
28305 $$ 10 \log_{10}(10^{D_1/10} + 10^{D_2/10}) {\rm dB}.$$
28309 When field quantities are combined, it often means the corresponding
28310 powers are added and so the above formula might be used. In
28311 acoustics, for example, the sound pressure level is a field quantity
28312 and so the decibels are often defined using the field formula, but the
28313 sound pressure levels are combined as the sound power levels, and so
28314 the above formula should be used. If two field quantities themselves
28315 are added, the new decibel level will be
28319 20 log10(10^(D1/20) + 10^(D2/20)) dB.
28323 $$ 20 \log_{10}(10^{D_1/20} + 10^{D_2/20}) {\rm dB}.$$
28327 If the power corresponding to @math{D} dB is multiplied by a number @math{N},
28328 then the corresponding decibel level will be
28332 D + 10 log10(N) dB,
28336 $$ D + 10 \log_{10}(N) {\rm dB},$$
28340 if a field quantity is multiplied by @math{N} the corresponding decibel level
28345 D + 20 log10(N) dB.
28349 $$ D + 20 \log_{10}(N) {\rm dB}.$$
28353 There are similar formulas for combining nepers. The @kbd{l +}
28354 (@code{calc-lu-plus}) [@code{lupadd}] command will ``add'' two
28355 logarithmic unit power levels this way; with the @kbd{H} prefix,
28356 @kbd{H l +} [@code{lufadd}] will add logarithmic unit field levels.
28357 Similarly, logarithmic units can be ``subtracted'' with @kbd{l -}
28358 (@code{calc-lu-minus}) [@code{lupsub}] or @kbd{H l -} [@code{lufsub}].
28359 The @kbd{l *} (@code{calc-lu-times}) [@code{lupmul}] and @kbd{H l *}
28360 [@code{lufmul}] commands will ``multiply'' a logarithmic unit by a
28361 number; the @kbd{l /} (@code{calc-lu-divide}) [@code{lupdiv}] and
28362 @kbd{H l /} [@code{lufdiv}] commands will ``divide'' a logarithmic
28363 unit by a number. Note that the reference quantities don't play a role
28364 in this arithmetic.
28366 @node Musical Notes, , Logarithmic Units, Units
28367 @section Musical Notes
28369 Calc can convert between musical notes and their associated
28370 frequencies. Notes can be given using either scientific pitch
28371 notation or midi numbers. Since these note systems are basically
28372 logarithmic scales, Calc uses the @kbd{l} prefix for functions
28373 operating on notes.
28375 Scientific pitch notation refers to a note by giving a letter
28376 A through G, possibly followed by a flat or sharp) with a subscript
28377 indicating an octave number. Each octave starts with C and ends with
28379 @c increasing each note by a semitone will result
28380 @c in the sequence @expr{C}, @expr{C} sharp, @expr{D}, @expr{E} flat, @expr{E},
28381 @c @expr{F}, @expr{F} sharp, @expr{G}, @expr{A} flat, @expr{A}, @expr{B}
28382 @c flat and @expr{B}.
28383 the octave numbered 0 was chosen to correspond to the lowest
28384 audible frequency. Using this system, middle C (about 261.625 Hz)
28385 corresponds to the note @expr{C} in octave 4 and is denoted
28386 @expr{C_4}. Any frequency can be described by giving a note plus an
28387 offset in cents (where a cent is a ratio of frequencies so that a
28388 semitone consists of 100 cents).
28390 The midi note number system assigns numbers to notes so that
28391 @expr{C_(-1)} corresponds to the midi note number 0 and @expr{G_9}
28392 corresponds to the midi note number 127. A midi controller can have
28393 up to 128 keys and each midi note number from 0 to 127 corresponds to
28399 The @kbd{l s} (@code{calc-spn}) [@code{spn}] command converts either
28400 a frequency or a midi number to scientific pitch notation. For
28401 example, @code{500 Hz} gets converted to
28402 @code{B_4 + 21.3094853649 cents} and @code{84} to @code{C_6}.
28408 The @kbd{l m} (@code{calc-midi}) [@code{midi}] command converts either
28409 a frequency or a note given in scientific pitch notation to the
28410 corresponding midi number. For example, @code{C_6} gets converted to 84
28411 and @code{440 Hz} to 69.
28416 The @kbd{l f} (@code{calc-freq}) [@code{freq}] command converts either
28417 either a midi number or a note given in scientific pitch notation to
28418 the corresponding frequency. For example, @code{Asharp_2 + 30 cents}
28419 gets converted to @code{118.578040134 Hz} and @code{55} to
28420 @code{195.99771799 Hz}.
28422 Since the frequencies of notes are not usually given exactly (and are
28423 typically irrational), the customizable variable
28424 @code{calc-note-threshold} determines how close (in cents) a frequency
28425 needs to be to a note to be recognized as that note
28426 (@pxref{Customizing Calc}). This variable has a default value of
28427 @code{1}. For example, middle @var{C} is approximately
28428 @expr{261.625565302 Hz}; this frequency is often shortened to
28429 @expr{261.625 Hz}. Without @code{calc-note-threshold} (or a value of
28430 @expr{0}), Calc would convert @code{261.625 Hz} to scientific pitch
28431 notation @code{B_3 + 99.9962592773 cents}; with the default value of
28432 @code{1}, Calc converts @code{261.625 Hz} to @code{C_4}.
28436 @node Store and Recall, Graphics, Units, Top
28437 @chapter Storing and Recalling
28440 Calculator variables are really just Lisp variables that contain numbers
28441 or formulas in a form that Calc can understand. The commands in this
28442 section allow you to manipulate variables conveniently. Commands related
28443 to variables use the @kbd{s} prefix key.
28446 * Storing Variables::
28447 * Recalling Variables::
28448 * Operations on Variables::
28450 * Evaluates-To Operator::
28453 @node Storing Variables, Recalling Variables, Store and Recall, Store and Recall
28454 @section Storing Variables
28459 @cindex Storing variables
28460 @cindex Quick variables
28463 The @kbd{s s} (@code{calc-store}) command stores the value at the top of
28464 the stack into a specified variable. It prompts you to enter the
28465 name of the variable. If you press a single digit, the value is stored
28466 immediately in one of the ``quick'' variables @code{q0} through
28467 @code{q9}. Or you can enter any variable name.
28470 @pindex calc-store-into
28471 The @kbd{s s} command leaves the stored value on the stack. There is
28472 also an @kbd{s t} (@code{calc-store-into}) command, which removes a
28473 value from the stack and stores it in a variable.
28475 If the top of stack value is an equation @samp{a = 7} or assignment
28476 @samp{a := 7} with a variable on the lefthand side, then Calc will
28477 assign that variable with that value by default, i.e., if you type
28478 @kbd{s s @key{RET}} or @kbd{s t @key{RET}}. In this example, the
28479 value 7 would be stored in the variable @samp{a}. (If you do type
28480 a variable name at the prompt, the top-of-stack value is stored in
28481 its entirety, even if it is an equation: @samp{s s b @key{RET}}
28482 with @samp{a := 7} on the stack stores @samp{a := 7} in @code{b}.)
28484 In fact, the top of stack value can be a vector of equations or
28485 assignments with different variables on their lefthand sides; the
28486 default will be to store all the variables with their corresponding
28487 righthand sides simultaneously.
28489 It is also possible to type an equation or assignment directly at
28490 the prompt for the @kbd{s s} or @kbd{s t} command: @kbd{s s foo = 7}.
28491 In this case the expression to the right of the @kbd{=} or @kbd{:=}
28492 symbol is evaluated as if by the @kbd{=} command, and that value is
28493 stored in the variable. No value is taken from the stack; @kbd{s s}
28494 and @kbd{s t} are equivalent when used in this way.
28498 The prefix keys @kbd{s} and @kbd{t} may be followed immediately by a
28499 digit; @kbd{s 9} is equivalent to @kbd{s s 9}, and @kbd{t 9} is
28500 equivalent to @kbd{s t 9}. (The @kbd{t} prefix is otherwise used
28501 for trail and time/date commands.)
28537 @pindex calc-store-plus
28538 @pindex calc-store-minus
28539 @pindex calc-store-times
28540 @pindex calc-store-div
28541 @pindex calc-store-power
28542 @pindex calc-store-concat
28543 @pindex calc-store-neg
28544 @pindex calc-store-inv
28545 @pindex calc-store-decr
28546 @pindex calc-store-incr
28547 There are also several ``arithmetic store'' commands. For example,
28548 @kbd{s +} removes a value from the stack and adds it to the specified
28549 variable. The other arithmetic stores are @kbd{s -}, @kbd{s *}, @kbd{s /},
28550 @kbd{s ^}, and @w{@kbd{s |}} (vector concatenation), plus @kbd{s n} and
28551 @kbd{s &} which negate or invert the value in a variable, and @w{@kbd{s [}}
28552 and @kbd{s ]} which decrease or increase a variable by one.
28554 All the arithmetic stores accept the Inverse prefix to reverse the
28555 order of the operands. If @expr{v} represents the contents of the
28556 variable, and @expr{a} is the value drawn from the stack, then regular
28557 @w{@kbd{s -}} assigns
28558 @texline @math{v \coloneq v - a},
28559 @infoline @expr{v := v - a},
28560 but @kbd{I s -} assigns
28561 @texline @math{v \coloneq a - v}.
28562 @infoline @expr{v := a - v}.
28563 While @kbd{I s *} might seem pointless, it is
28564 useful if matrix multiplication is involved. Actually, all the
28565 arithmetic stores use formulas designed to behave usefully both
28566 forwards and backwards:
28570 s + v := v + a v := a + v
28571 s - v := v - a v := a - v
28572 s * v := v * a v := a * v
28573 s / v := v / a v := a / v
28574 s ^ v := v ^ a v := a ^ v
28575 s | v := v | a v := a | v
28576 s n v := v / (-1) v := (-1) / v
28577 s & v := v ^ (-1) v := (-1) ^ v
28578 s [ v := v - 1 v := 1 - v
28579 s ] v := v - (-1) v := (-1) - v
28583 In the last four cases, a numeric prefix argument will be used in
28584 place of the number one. (For example, @kbd{M-2 s ]} increases
28585 a variable by 2, and @kbd{M-2 I s ]} replaces a variable by
28586 minus-two minus the variable.
28588 The first six arithmetic stores can also be typed @kbd{s t +}, @kbd{s t -},
28589 etc. The commands @kbd{s s +}, @kbd{s s -}, and so on are analogous
28590 arithmetic stores that don't remove the value @expr{a} from the stack.
28592 All arithmetic stores report the new value of the variable in the
28593 Trail for your information. They signal an error if the variable
28594 previously had no stored value. If default simplifications have been
28595 turned off, the arithmetic stores temporarily turn them on for numeric
28596 arguments only (i.e., they temporarily do an @kbd{m N} command).
28597 @xref{Simplification Modes}. Large vectors put in the trail by
28598 these commands always use abbreviated (@kbd{t .}) mode.
28601 @pindex calc-store-map
28602 The @kbd{s m} command is a general way to adjust a variable's value
28603 using any Calc function. It is a ``mapping'' command analogous to
28604 @kbd{V M}, @kbd{V R}, etc. @xref{Reducing and Mapping}, to see
28605 how to specify a function for a mapping command. Basically,
28606 all you do is type the Calc command key that would invoke that
28607 function normally. For example, @kbd{s m n} applies the @kbd{n}
28608 key to negate the contents of the variable, so @kbd{s m n} is
28609 equivalent to @kbd{s n}. Also, @kbd{s m Q} takes the square root
28610 of the value stored in a variable, @kbd{s m v v} uses @kbd{v v} to
28611 reverse the vector stored in the variable, and @kbd{s m H I S}
28612 takes the hyperbolic arcsine of the variable contents.
28614 If the mapping function takes two or more arguments, the additional
28615 arguments are taken from the stack; the old value of the variable
28616 is provided as the first argument. Thus @kbd{s m -} with @expr{a}
28617 on the stack computes @expr{v - a}, just like @kbd{s -}. With the
28618 Inverse prefix, the variable's original value becomes the @emph{last}
28619 argument instead of the first. Thus @kbd{I s m -} is also
28620 equivalent to @kbd{I s -}.
28623 @pindex calc-store-exchange
28624 The @kbd{s x} (@code{calc-store-exchange}) command exchanges the value
28625 of a variable with the value on the top of the stack. Naturally, the
28626 variable must already have a stored value for this to work.
28628 You can type an equation or assignment at the @kbd{s x} prompt. The
28629 command @kbd{s x a=6} takes no values from the stack; instead, it
28630 pushes the old value of @samp{a} on the stack and stores @samp{a = 6}.
28633 @pindex calc-unstore
28634 @cindex Void variables
28635 @cindex Un-storing variables
28636 Until you store something in them, most variables are ``void,'' that is,
28637 they contain no value at all. If they appear in an algebraic formula
28638 they will be left alone even if you press @kbd{=} (@code{calc-evaluate}).
28639 The @kbd{s u} (@code{calc-unstore}) command returns a variable to the
28643 @pindex calc-copy-variable
28644 The @kbd{s c} (@code{calc-copy-variable}) command copies the stored
28645 value of one variable to another. One way it differs from a simple
28646 @kbd{s r} followed by an @kbd{s t} (aside from saving keystrokes) is
28647 that the value never goes on the stack and thus is never rounded,
28648 evaluated, or simplified in any way; it is not even rounded down to the
28651 The only variables with predefined values are the ``special constants''
28652 @code{pi}, @code{e}, @code{i}, @code{phi}, and @code{gamma}. You are free
28653 to unstore these variables or to store new values into them if you like,
28654 although some of the algebraic-manipulation functions may assume these
28655 variables represent their standard values. Calc displays a warning if
28656 you change the value of one of these variables, or of one of the other
28657 special variables @code{inf}, @code{uinf}, and @code{nan} (which are
28660 Note that @code{pi} doesn't actually have 3.14159265359 stored in it,
28661 but rather a special magic value that evaluates to @cpi{} at the current
28662 precision. Likewise @code{e}, @code{i}, and @code{phi} evaluate
28663 according to the current precision or polar mode. If you recall a value
28664 from @code{pi} and store it back, this magic property will be lost. The
28665 magic property is preserved, however, when a variable is copied with
28669 @pindex calc-copy-special-constant
28670 If one of the ``special constants'' is redefined (or undefined) so that
28671 it no longer has its magic property, the property can be restored with
28672 @kbd{s k} (@code{calc-copy-special-constant}). This command will prompt
28673 for a special constant and a variable to store it in, and so a special
28674 constant can be stored in any variable. Here, the special constant that
28675 you enter doesn't depend on the value of the corresponding variable;
28676 @code{pi} will represent 3.14159@dots{} regardless of what is currently
28677 stored in the Calc variable @code{pi}. If one of the other special
28678 variables, @code{inf}, @code{uinf} or @code{nan}, is given a value, its
28679 original behavior can be restored by voiding it with @kbd{s u}.
28681 @node Recalling Variables, Operations on Variables, Storing Variables, Store and Recall
28682 @section Recalling Variables
28686 @pindex calc-recall
28687 @cindex Recalling variables
28688 The most straightforward way to extract the stored value from a variable
28689 is to use the @kbd{s r} (@code{calc-recall}) command. This command prompts
28690 for a variable name (similarly to @code{calc-store}), looks up the value
28691 of the specified variable, and pushes that value onto the stack. It is
28692 an error to try to recall a void variable.
28694 It is also possible to recall the value from a variable by evaluating a
28695 formula containing that variable. For example, @kbd{' a @key{RET} =} is
28696 the same as @kbd{s r a @key{RET}} except that if the variable is void, the
28697 former will simply leave the formula @samp{a} on the stack whereas the
28698 latter will produce an error message.
28701 The @kbd{r} prefix may be followed by a digit, so that @kbd{r 9} is
28702 equivalent to @kbd{s r 9}.
28704 @node Operations on Variables, Let Command, Recalling Variables, Store and Recall
28705 @section Other Operations on Variables
28709 @pindex calc-edit-variable
28710 The @kbd{s e} (@code{calc-edit-variable}) command edits the stored
28711 value of a variable without ever putting that value on the stack
28712 or simplifying or evaluating the value. It prompts for the name of
28713 the variable to edit. If the variable has no stored value, the
28714 editing buffer will start out empty. If the editing buffer is
28715 empty when you press @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish, the variable will
28716 be made void. @xref{Editing Stack Entries}, for a general
28717 description of editing.
28719 The @kbd{s e} command is especially useful for creating and editing
28720 rewrite rules which are stored in variables. Sometimes these rules
28721 contain formulas which must not be evaluated until the rules are
28722 actually used. (For example, they may refer to @samp{deriv(x,y)},
28723 where @code{x} will someday become some expression involving @code{y};
28724 if you let Calc evaluate the rule while you are defining it, Calc will
28725 replace @samp{deriv(x,y)} with 0 because the formula @code{x} does
28726 not itself refer to @code{y}.) By contrast, recalling the variable,
28727 editing with @kbd{`}, and storing will evaluate the variable's value
28728 as a side effect of putting the value on the stack.
28776 @pindex calc-store-AlgSimpRules
28777 @pindex calc-store-Decls
28778 @pindex calc-store-EvalRules
28779 @pindex calc-store-FitRules
28780 @pindex calc-store-GenCount
28781 @pindex calc-store-Holidays
28782 @pindex calc-store-IntegLimit
28783 @pindex calc-store-LineStyles
28784 @pindex calc-store-PointStyles
28785 @pindex calc-store-PlotRejects
28786 @pindex calc-store-TimeZone
28787 @pindex calc-store-Units
28788 @pindex calc-store-ExtSimpRules
28789 There are several special-purpose variable-editing commands that
28790 use the @kbd{s} prefix followed by a shifted letter:
28794 Edit @code{AlgSimpRules}. @xref{Algebraic Simplifications}.
28796 Edit @code{Decls}. @xref{Declarations}.
28798 Edit @code{EvalRules}. @xref{Default Simplifications}.
28800 Edit @code{FitRules}. @xref{Curve Fitting}.
28802 Edit @code{GenCount}. @xref{Solving Equations}.
28804 Edit @code{Holidays}. @xref{Business Days}.
28806 Edit @code{IntegLimit}. @xref{Calculus}.
28808 Edit @code{LineStyles}. @xref{Graphics}.
28810 Edit @code{PointStyles}. @xref{Graphics}.
28812 Edit @code{PlotRejects}. @xref{Graphics}.
28814 Edit @code{TimeZone}. @xref{Time Zones}.
28816 Edit @code{Units}. @xref{User-Defined Units}.
28818 Edit @code{ExtSimpRules}. @xref{Unsafe Simplifications}.
28821 These commands are just versions of @kbd{s e} that use fixed variable
28822 names rather than prompting for the variable name.
28825 @pindex calc-permanent-variable
28826 @cindex Storing variables
28827 @cindex Permanent variables
28828 @cindex Calc init file, variables
28829 The @kbd{s p} (@code{calc-permanent-variable}) command saves a
28830 variable's value permanently in your Calc init file (the file given by
28831 the variable @code{calc-settings-file}, typically @file{~/.emacs.d/calc.el}), so
28832 that its value will still be available in future Emacs sessions. You
28833 can re-execute @w{@kbd{s p}} later on to update the saved value, but the
28834 only way to remove a saved variable is to edit your calc init file
28835 by hand. (@xref{General Mode Commands}, for a way to tell Calc to
28836 use a different file for the Calc init file.)
28838 If you do not specify the name of a variable to save (i.e.,
28839 @kbd{s p @key{RET}}), all Calc variables with defined values
28840 are saved except for the special constants @code{pi}, @code{e},
28841 @code{i}, @code{phi}, and @code{gamma}; the variables @code{TimeZone}
28842 and @code{PlotRejects};
28843 @code{FitRules}, @code{DistribRules}, and other built-in rewrite
28844 rules; and @code{PlotData@var{n}} variables generated
28845 by the graphics commands. (You can still save these variables by
28846 explicitly naming them in an @kbd{s p} command.)
28849 @pindex calc-insert-variables
28850 The @kbd{s i} (@code{calc-insert-variables}) command writes
28851 the values of all Calc variables into a specified buffer.
28852 The variables are written with the prefix @code{var-} in the form of
28853 Lisp @code{setq} commands
28854 which store the values in string form. You can place these commands
28855 in your Calc init file (or @file{.emacs}) if you wish, though in this case it
28856 would be easier to use @kbd{s p @key{RET}}. (Note that @kbd{s i}
28857 omits the same set of variables as @w{@kbd{s p @key{RET}}}; the difference
28858 is that @kbd{s i} will store the variables in any buffer, and it also
28859 stores in a more human-readable format.)
28861 @node Let Command, Evaluates-To Operator, Operations on Variables, Store and Recall
28862 @section The Let Command
28867 @cindex Variables, temporary assignment
28868 @cindex Temporary assignment to variables
28869 If you have an expression like @samp{a+b^2} on the stack and you wish to
28870 compute its value where @expr{b=3}, you can simply store 3 in @expr{b} and
28871 then press @kbd{=} to reevaluate the formula. This has the side-effect
28872 of leaving the stored value of 3 in @expr{b} for future operations.
28874 The @kbd{s l} (@code{calc-let}) command evaluates a formula under a
28875 @emph{temporary} assignment of a variable. It stores the value on the
28876 top of the stack into the specified variable, then evaluates the
28877 second-to-top stack entry, then restores the original value (or lack of one)
28878 in the variable. Thus after @kbd{'@w{ }a+b^2 @key{RET} 3 s l b @key{RET}},
28879 the stack will contain the formula @samp{a + 9}. The subsequent command
28880 @kbd{@w{5 s l a} @key{RET}} will replace this formula with the number 14.
28881 The variables @samp{a} and @samp{b} are not permanently affected in any way
28884 The value on the top of the stack may be an equation or assignment, or
28885 a vector of equations or assignments, in which case the default will be
28886 analogous to the case of @kbd{s t @key{RET}}. @xref{Storing Variables}.
28888 Also, you can answer the variable-name prompt with an equation or
28889 assignment: @kbd{s l b=3 @key{RET}} is the same as storing 3 on the stack
28890 and typing @kbd{s l b @key{RET}}.
28892 The @kbd{a b} (@code{calc-substitute}) command is another way to substitute
28893 a variable with a value in a formula. It does an actual substitution
28894 rather than temporarily assigning the variable and evaluating. For
28895 example, letting @expr{n=2} in @samp{f(n pi)} with @kbd{a b} will
28896 produce @samp{f(2 pi)}, whereas @kbd{s l} would give @samp{f(6.28)}
28897 since the evaluation step will also evaluate @code{pi}.
28899 @node Evaluates-To Operator, , Let Command, Store and Recall
28900 @section The Evaluates-To Operator
28905 @cindex Evaluates-to operator
28906 @cindex @samp{=>} operator
28907 The special algebraic symbol @samp{=>} is known as the @dfn{evaluates-to
28908 operator}. (It will show up as an @code{evalto} function call in
28909 other language modes like Pascal and La@TeX{}.) This is a binary
28910 operator, that is, it has a lefthand and a righthand argument,
28911 although it can be entered with the righthand argument omitted.
28913 A formula like @samp{@var{a} => @var{b}} is evaluated by Calc as
28914 follows: First, @var{a} is not simplified or modified in any
28915 way. The previous value of argument @var{b} is thrown away; the
28916 formula @var{a} is then copied and evaluated as if by the @kbd{=}
28917 command according to all current modes and stored variable values,
28918 and the result is installed as the new value of @var{b}.
28920 For example, suppose you enter the algebraic formula @samp{2 + 3 => 17}.
28921 The number 17 is ignored, and the lefthand argument is left in its
28922 unevaluated form; the result is the formula @samp{2 + 3 => 5}.
28925 @pindex calc-evalto
28926 You can enter an @samp{=>} formula either directly using algebraic
28927 entry (in which case the righthand side may be omitted since it is
28928 going to be replaced right away anyhow), or by using the @kbd{s =}
28929 (@code{calc-evalto}) command, which takes @var{a} from the stack
28930 and replaces it with @samp{@var{a} => @var{b}}.
28932 Calc keeps track of all @samp{=>} operators on the stack, and
28933 recomputes them whenever anything changes that might affect their
28934 values, i.e., a mode setting or variable value. This occurs only
28935 if the @samp{=>} operator is at the top level of the formula, or
28936 if it is part of a top-level vector. In other words, pushing
28937 @samp{2 + (a => 17)} will change the 17 to the actual value of
28938 @samp{a} when you enter the formula, but the result will not be
28939 dynamically updated when @samp{a} is changed later because the
28940 @samp{=>} operator is buried inside a sum. However, a vector
28941 of @samp{=>} operators will be recomputed, since it is convenient
28942 to push a vector like @samp{[a =>, b =>, c =>]} on the stack to
28943 make a concise display of all the variables in your problem.
28944 (Another way to do this would be to use @samp{[a, b, c] =>},
28945 which provides a slightly different format of display. You
28946 can use whichever you find easiest to read.)
28949 @pindex calc-auto-recompute
28950 The @kbd{m C} (@code{calc-auto-recompute}) command allows you to
28951 turn this automatic recomputation on or off. If you turn
28952 recomputation off, you must explicitly recompute an @samp{=>}
28953 operator on the stack in one of the usual ways, such as by
28954 pressing @kbd{=}. Turning recomputation off temporarily can save
28955 a lot of time if you will be changing several modes or variables
28956 before you look at the @samp{=>} entries again.
28958 Most commands are not especially useful with @samp{=>} operators
28959 as arguments. For example, given @samp{x + 2 => 17}, it won't
28960 work to type @kbd{1 +} to get @samp{x + 3 => 18}. If you want
28961 to operate on the lefthand side of the @samp{=>} operator on
28962 the top of the stack, type @kbd{j 1} (that's the digit ``one'')
28963 to select the lefthand side, execute your commands, then type
28964 @kbd{j u} to unselect.
28966 All current modes apply when an @samp{=>} operator is computed,
28967 including the current simplification mode. Recall that the
28968 formula @samp{x + y + x} is not handled by Calc's default
28969 simplifications, but the @kbd{a s} command will reduce it to
28970 the simpler form @samp{y + 2 x}. You can also type @kbd{m A}
28971 to enable an Algebraic Simplification mode in which the
28972 equivalent of @kbd{a s} is used on all of Calc's results.
28973 If you enter @samp{x + y + x =>} normally, the result will
28974 be @samp{x + y + x => x + y + x}. If you change to
28975 Algebraic Simplification mode, the result will be
28976 @samp{x + y + x => y + 2 x}. However, just pressing @kbd{a s}
28977 once will have no effect on @samp{x + y + x => x + y + x},
28978 because the righthand side depends only on the lefthand side
28979 and the current mode settings, and the lefthand side is not
28980 affected by commands like @kbd{a s}.
28982 The ``let'' command (@kbd{s l}) has an interesting interaction
28983 with the @samp{=>} operator. The @kbd{s l} command evaluates the
28984 second-to-top stack entry with the top stack entry supplying
28985 a temporary value for a given variable. As you might expect,
28986 if that stack entry is an @samp{=>} operator its righthand
28987 side will temporarily show this value for the variable. In
28988 fact, all @samp{=>}s on the stack will be updated if they refer
28989 to that variable. But this change is temporary in the sense
28990 that the next command that causes Calc to look at those stack
28991 entries will make them revert to the old variable value.
28995 2: a => a 2: a => 17 2: a => a
28996 1: a + 1 => a + 1 1: a + 1 => 18 1: a + 1 => a + 1
28999 17 s l a @key{RET} p 8 @key{RET}
29003 Here the @kbd{p 8} command changes the current precision,
29004 thus causing the @samp{=>} forms to be recomputed after the
29005 influence of the ``let'' is gone. The @kbd{d @key{SPC}} command
29006 (@code{calc-refresh}) is a handy way to force the @samp{=>}
29007 operators on the stack to be recomputed without any other
29011 @pindex calc-assign
29014 Embedded mode also uses @samp{=>} operators. In Embedded mode,
29015 the lefthand side of an @samp{=>} operator can refer to variables
29016 assigned elsewhere in the file by @samp{:=} operators. The
29017 assignment operator @samp{a := 17} does not actually do anything
29018 by itself. But Embedded mode recognizes it and marks it as a sort
29019 of file-local definition of the variable. You can enter @samp{:=}
29020 operators in Algebraic mode, or by using the @kbd{s :}
29021 (@code{calc-assign}) [@code{assign}] command which takes a variable
29022 and value from the stack and replaces them with an assignment.
29024 @xref{TeX and LaTeX Language Modes}, for the way @samp{=>} appears in
29025 @TeX{} language output. The @dfn{eqn} mode gives similar
29026 treatment to @samp{=>}.
29028 @node Graphics, Kill and Yank, Store and Recall, Top
29032 The commands for graphing data begin with the @kbd{g} prefix key. Calc
29033 uses GNUPLOT 2.0 or later to do graphics. These commands will only work
29034 if GNUPLOT is available on your system. (While GNUPLOT sounds like
29035 a relative of GNU Emacs, it is actually completely unrelated.
29036 However, it is free software. It can be obtained from
29037 @samp{http://www.gnuplot.info}.)
29039 @vindex calc-gnuplot-name
29040 If you have GNUPLOT installed on your system but Calc is unable to
29041 find it, you may need to set the @code{calc-gnuplot-name} variable in
29042 your Calc init file or @file{.emacs}. You may also need to set some
29043 Lisp variables to show Calc how to run GNUPLOT on your system; these
29044 are described under @kbd{g D} and @kbd{g O} below. If you are using
29045 the X window system or MS-Windows, Calc will configure GNUPLOT for you
29046 automatically. If you have GNUPLOT 3.0 or later and you are using a
29047 Unix or GNU system without X, Calc will configure GNUPLOT to display
29048 graphs using simple character graphics that will work on any
29049 Posix-compatible terminal.
29053 * Three Dimensional Graphics::
29054 * Managing Curves::
29055 * Graphics Options::
29059 @node Basic Graphics, Three Dimensional Graphics, Graphics, Graphics
29060 @section Basic Graphics
29064 @pindex calc-graph-fast
29065 The easiest graphics command is @kbd{g f} (@code{calc-graph-fast}).
29066 This command takes two vectors of equal length from the stack.
29067 The vector at the top of the stack represents the ``y'' values of
29068 the various data points. The vector in the second-to-top position
29069 represents the corresponding ``x'' values. This command runs
29070 GNUPLOT (if it has not already been started by previous graphing
29071 commands) and displays the set of data points. The points will
29072 be connected by lines, and there will also be some kind of symbol
29073 to indicate the points themselves.
29075 The ``x'' entry may instead be an interval form, in which case suitable
29076 ``x'' values are interpolated between the minimum and maximum values of
29077 the interval (whether the interval is open or closed is ignored).
29079 The ``x'' entry may also be a number, in which case Calc uses the
29080 sequence of ``x'' values @expr{x}, @expr{x+1}, @expr{x+2}, etc.
29081 (Generally the number 0 or 1 would be used for @expr{x} in this case.)
29083 The ``y'' entry may be any formula instead of a vector. Calc effectively
29084 uses @kbd{N} (@code{calc-eval-num}) to evaluate variables in the formula;
29085 the result of this must be a formula in a single (unassigned) variable.
29086 The formula is plotted with this variable taking on the various ``x''
29087 values. Graphs of formulas by default use lines without symbols at the
29088 computed data points. Note that if neither ``x'' nor ``y'' is a vector,
29089 Calc guesses at a reasonable number of data points to use. See the
29090 @kbd{g N} command below. (The ``x'' values must be either a vector
29091 or an interval if ``y'' is a formula.)
29097 If ``y'' is (or evaluates to) a formula of the form
29098 @samp{xy(@var{x}, @var{y})} then the result is a
29099 parametric plot. The two arguments of the fictitious @code{xy} function
29100 are used as the ``x'' and ``y'' coordinates of the curve, respectively.
29101 In this case the ``x'' vector or interval you specified is not directly
29102 visible in the graph. For example, if ``x'' is the interval @samp{[0..360]}
29103 and ``y'' is the formula @samp{xy(sin(t), cos(t))}, the resulting graph
29106 Also, ``x'' and ``y'' may each be variable names, in which case Calc
29107 looks for suitable vectors, intervals, or formulas stored in those
29110 The ``x'' and ``y'' values for the data points (as pulled from the vectors,
29111 calculated from the formulas, or interpolated from the intervals) should
29112 be real numbers (integers, fractions, or floats). One exception to this
29113 is that the ``y'' entry can consist of a vector of numbers combined with
29114 error forms, in which case the points will be plotted with the
29115 appropriate error bars. Other than this, if either the ``x''
29116 value or the ``y'' value of a given data point is not a real number, that
29117 data point will be omitted from the graph. The points on either side
29118 of the invalid point will @emph{not} be connected by a line.
29120 See the documentation for @kbd{g a} below for a description of the way
29121 numeric prefix arguments affect @kbd{g f}.
29123 @cindex @code{PlotRejects} variable
29124 @vindex PlotRejects
29125 If you store an empty vector in the variable @code{PlotRejects}
29126 (i.e., @kbd{[ ] s t PlotRejects}), Calc will append information to
29127 this vector for every data point which was rejected because its
29128 ``x'' or ``y'' values were not real numbers. The result will be
29129 a matrix where each row holds the curve number, data point number,
29130 ``x'' value, and ``y'' value for a rejected data point.
29131 @xref{Evaluates-To Operator}, for a handy way to keep tabs on the
29132 current value of @code{PlotRejects}. @xref{Operations on Variables},
29133 for the @kbd{s R} command which is another easy way to examine
29134 @code{PlotRejects}.
29137 @pindex calc-graph-clear
29138 To clear the graphics display, type @kbd{g c} (@code{calc-graph-clear}).
29139 If the GNUPLOT output device is an X window, the window will go away.
29140 Effects on other kinds of output devices will vary. You don't need
29141 to use @kbd{g c} if you don't want to---if you give another @kbd{g f}
29142 or @kbd{g p} command later on, it will reuse the existing graphics
29143 window if there is one.
29145 @node Three Dimensional Graphics, Managing Curves, Basic Graphics, Graphics
29146 @section Three-Dimensional Graphics
29149 @pindex calc-graph-fast-3d
29150 The @kbd{g F} (@code{calc-graph-fast-3d}) command makes a three-dimensional
29151 graph. It works only if you have GNUPLOT 3.0 or later; with GNUPLOT 2.0,
29152 you will see a GNUPLOT error message if you try this command.
29154 The @kbd{g F} command takes three values from the stack, called ``x'',
29155 ``y'', and ``z'', respectively. As was the case for 2D graphs, there
29156 are several options for these values.
29158 In the first case, ``x'' and ``y'' are each vectors (not necessarily of
29159 the same length); either or both may instead be interval forms. The
29160 ``z'' value must be a matrix with the same number of rows as elements
29161 in ``x'', and the same number of columns as elements in ``y''. The
29162 result is a surface plot where
29163 @texline @math{z_{ij}}
29164 @infoline @expr{z_ij}
29165 is the height of the point
29166 at coordinate @expr{(x_i, y_j)} on the surface. The 3D graph will
29167 be displayed from a certain default viewpoint; you can change this
29168 viewpoint by adding a @samp{set view} to the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*}
29169 buffer as described later. See the GNUPLOT documentation for a
29170 description of the @samp{set view} command.
29172 Each point in the matrix will be displayed as a dot in the graph,
29173 and these points will be connected by a grid of lines (@dfn{isolines}).
29175 In the second case, ``x'', ``y'', and ``z'' are all vectors of equal
29176 length. The resulting graph displays a 3D line instead of a surface,
29177 where the coordinates of points along the line are successive triplets
29178 of values from the input vectors.
29180 In the third case, ``x'' and ``y'' are vectors or interval forms, and
29181 ``z'' is any formula involving two variables (not counting variables
29182 with assigned values). These variables are sorted into alphabetical
29183 order; the first takes on values from ``x'' and the second takes on
29184 values from ``y'' to form a matrix of results that are graphed as a
29191 If the ``z'' formula evaluates to a call to the fictitious function
29192 @samp{xyz(@var{x}, @var{y}, @var{z})}, then the result is a
29193 ``parametric surface.'' In this case, the axes of the graph are
29194 taken from the @var{x} and @var{y} values in these calls, and the
29195 ``x'' and ``y'' values from the input vectors or intervals are used only
29196 to specify the range of inputs to the formula. For example, plotting
29197 @samp{[0..360], [0..180], xyz(sin(x)*sin(y), cos(x)*sin(y), cos(y))}
29198 will draw a sphere. (Since the default resolution for 3D plots is
29199 5 steps in each of ``x'' and ``y'', this will draw a very crude
29200 sphere. You could use the @kbd{g N} command, described below, to
29201 increase this resolution, or specify the ``x'' and ``y'' values as
29202 vectors with more than 5 elements.
29204 It is also possible to have a function in a regular @kbd{g f} plot
29205 evaluate to an @code{xyz} call. Since @kbd{g f} plots a line, not
29206 a surface, the result will be a 3D parametric line. For example,
29207 @samp{[[0..720], xyz(sin(x), cos(x), x)]} will plot two turns of a
29208 helix (a three-dimensional spiral).
29210 As for @kbd{g f}, each of ``x'', ``y'', and ``z'' may instead be
29211 variables containing the relevant data.
29213 @node Managing Curves, Graphics Options, Three Dimensional Graphics, Graphics
29214 @section Managing Curves
29217 The @kbd{g f} command is really shorthand for the following commands:
29218 @kbd{C-u g d g a g p}. Likewise, @w{@kbd{g F}} is shorthand for
29219 @kbd{C-u g d g A g p}. You can gain more control over your graph
29220 by using these commands directly.
29223 @pindex calc-graph-add
29224 The @kbd{g a} (@code{calc-graph-add}) command adds the ``curve''
29225 represented by the two values on the top of the stack to the current
29226 graph. You can have any number of curves in the same graph. When
29227 you give the @kbd{g p} command, all the curves will be drawn superimposed
29230 The @kbd{g a} command (and many others that affect the current graph)
29231 will cause a special buffer, @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*}, to be displayed
29232 in another window. This buffer is a template of the commands that will
29233 be sent to GNUPLOT when it is time to draw the graph. The first
29234 @kbd{g a} command adds a @code{plot} command to this buffer. Succeeding
29235 @kbd{g a} commands add extra curves onto that @code{plot} command.
29236 Other graph-related commands put other GNUPLOT commands into this
29237 buffer. In normal usage you never need to work with this buffer
29238 directly, but you can if you wish. The only constraint is that there
29239 must be only one @code{plot} command, and it must be the last command
29240 in the buffer. If you want to save and later restore a complete graph
29241 configuration, you can use regular Emacs commands to save and restore
29242 the contents of the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer.
29246 If the values on the stack are not variable names, @kbd{g a} will invent
29247 variable names for them (of the form @samp{PlotData@var{n}}) and store
29248 the values in those variables. The ``x'' and ``y'' variables are what
29249 go into the @code{plot} command in the template. If you add a curve
29250 that uses a certain variable and then later change that variable, you
29251 can replot the graph without having to delete and re-add the curve.
29252 That's because the variable name, not the vector, interval or formula
29253 itself, is what was added by @kbd{g a}.
29255 A numeric prefix argument on @kbd{g a} or @kbd{g f} changes the way
29256 stack entries are interpreted as curves. With a positive prefix
29257 argument @expr{n}, the top @expr{n} stack entries are ``y'' values
29258 for @expr{n} different curves which share a common ``x'' value in
29259 the @expr{n+1}st stack entry. (Thus @kbd{g a} with no prefix
29260 argument is equivalent to @kbd{C-u 1 g a}.)
29262 A prefix of zero or plain @kbd{C-u} means to take two stack entries,
29263 ``x'' and ``y'' as usual, but to interpret ``y'' as a vector of
29264 ``y'' values for several curves that share a common ``x''.
29266 A negative prefix argument tells Calc to read @expr{n} vectors from
29267 the stack; each vector @expr{[x, y]} describes an independent curve.
29268 This is the only form of @kbd{g a} that creates several curves at once
29269 that don't have common ``x'' values. (Of course, the range of ``x''
29270 values covered by all the curves ought to be roughly the same if
29271 they are to look nice on the same graph.)
29273 For example, to plot
29274 @texline @math{\sin n x}
29275 @infoline @expr{sin(n x)}
29276 for integers @expr{n}
29277 from 1 to 5, you could use @kbd{v x} to create a vector of integers
29278 (@expr{n}), then @kbd{V M '} or @kbd{V M $} to map @samp{sin(n x)}
29279 across this vector. The resulting vector of formulas is suitable
29280 for use as the ``y'' argument to a @kbd{C-u g a} or @kbd{C-u g f}
29284 @pindex calc-graph-add-3d
29285 The @kbd{g A} (@code{calc-graph-add-3d}) command adds a 3D curve
29286 to the graph. It is not valid to intermix 2D and 3D curves in a
29287 single graph. This command takes three arguments, ``x'', ``y'',
29288 and ``z'', from the stack. With a positive prefix @expr{n}, it
29289 takes @expr{n+2} arguments (common ``x'' and ``y'', plus @expr{n}
29290 separate ``z''s). With a zero prefix, it takes three stack entries
29291 but the ``z'' entry is a vector of curve values. With a negative
29292 prefix @expr{-n}, it takes @expr{n} vectors of the form @expr{[x, y, z]}.
29293 The @kbd{g A} command works by adding a @code{splot} (surface-plot)
29294 command to the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer.
29296 (Although @kbd{g a} adds a 2D @code{plot} command to the
29297 @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer, Calc changes this to @code{splot}
29298 before sending it to GNUPLOT if it notices that the data points are
29299 evaluating to @code{xyz} calls. It will not work to mix 2D and 3D
29300 @kbd{g a} curves in a single graph, although Calc does not currently
29304 @pindex calc-graph-delete
29305 The @kbd{g d} (@code{calc-graph-delete}) command deletes the most
29306 recently added curve from the graph. It has no effect if there are
29307 no curves in the graph. With a numeric prefix argument of any kind,
29308 it deletes all of the curves from the graph.
29311 @pindex calc-graph-hide
29312 The @kbd{g H} (@code{calc-graph-hide}) command ``hides'' or ``unhides''
29313 the most recently added curve. A hidden curve will not appear in
29314 the actual plot, but information about it such as its name and line and
29315 point styles will be retained.
29318 @pindex calc-graph-juggle
29319 The @kbd{g j} (@code{calc-graph-juggle}) command moves the curve
29320 at the end of the list (the ``most recently added curve'') to the
29321 front of the list. The next-most-recent curve is thus exposed for
29322 @w{@kbd{g d}} or similar commands to use. With @kbd{g j} you can work
29323 with any curve in the graph even though curve-related commands only
29324 affect the last curve in the list.
29327 @pindex calc-graph-plot
29328 The @kbd{g p} (@code{calc-graph-plot}) command uses GNUPLOT to draw
29329 the graph described in the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer. Any
29330 GNUPLOT parameters which are not defined by commands in this buffer
29331 are reset to their default values. The variables named in the @code{plot}
29332 command are written to a temporary data file and the variable names
29333 are then replaced by the file name in the template. The resulting
29334 plotting commands are fed to the GNUPLOT program. See the documentation
29335 for the GNUPLOT program for more specific information. All temporary
29336 files are removed when Emacs or GNUPLOT exits.
29338 If you give a formula for ``y'', Calc will remember all the values that
29339 it calculates for the formula so that later plots can reuse these values.
29340 Calc throws out these saved values when you change any circumstances
29341 that may affect the data, such as switching from Degrees to Radians
29342 mode, or changing the value of a parameter in the formula. You can
29343 force Calc to recompute the data from scratch by giving a negative
29344 numeric prefix argument to @kbd{g p}.
29346 Calc uses a fairly rough step size when graphing formulas over intervals.
29347 This is to ensure quick response. You can ``refine'' a plot by giving
29348 a positive numeric prefix argument to @kbd{g p}. Calc goes through
29349 the data points it has computed and saved from previous plots of the
29350 function, and computes and inserts a new data point midway between
29351 each of the existing points. You can refine a plot any number of times,
29352 but beware that the amount of calculation involved doubles each time.
29354 Calc does not remember computed values for 3D graphs. This means the
29355 numerix prefix argument, if any, to @kbd{g p} is effectively ignored if
29356 the current graph is three-dimensional.
29359 @pindex calc-graph-print
29360 The @kbd{g P} (@code{calc-graph-print}) command is like @kbd{g p},
29361 except that it sends the output to a printer instead of to the
29362 screen. More precisely, @kbd{g p} looks for @samp{set terminal}
29363 or @samp{set output} commands in the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer;
29364 lacking these it uses the default settings. However, @kbd{g P}
29365 ignores @samp{set terminal} and @samp{set output} commands and
29366 uses a different set of default values. All of these values are
29367 controlled by the @kbd{g D} and @kbd{g O} commands discussed below.
29368 Provided everything is set up properly, @kbd{g p} will plot to
29369 the screen unless you have specified otherwise and @kbd{g P} will
29370 always plot to the printer.
29372 @node Graphics Options, Devices, Managing Curves, Graphics
29373 @section Graphics Options
29377 @pindex calc-graph-grid
29378 The @kbd{g g} (@code{calc-graph-grid}) command turns the ``grid''
29379 on and off. It is off by default; tick marks appear only at the
29380 edges of the graph. With the grid turned on, dotted lines appear
29381 across the graph at each tick mark. Note that this command only
29382 changes the setting in @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*}; to see the effects
29383 of the change you must give another @kbd{g p} command.
29386 @pindex calc-graph-border
29387 The @kbd{g b} (@code{calc-graph-border}) command turns the border
29388 (the box that surrounds the graph) on and off. It is on by default.
29389 This command will only work with GNUPLOT 3.0 and later versions.
29392 @pindex calc-graph-key
29393 The @kbd{g k} (@code{calc-graph-key}) command turns the ``key''
29394 on and off. The key is a chart in the corner of the graph that
29395 shows the correspondence between curves and line styles. It is
29396 off by default, and is only really useful if you have several
29397 curves on the same graph.
29400 @pindex calc-graph-num-points
29401 The @kbd{g N} (@code{calc-graph-num-points}) command allows you
29402 to select the number of data points in the graph. This only affects
29403 curves where neither ``x'' nor ``y'' is specified as a vector.
29404 Enter a blank line to revert to the default value (initially 15).
29405 With no prefix argument, this command affects only the current graph.
29406 With a positive prefix argument this command changes or, if you enter
29407 a blank line, displays the default number of points used for all
29408 graphs created by @kbd{g a} that don't specify the resolution explicitly.
29409 With a negative prefix argument, this command changes or displays
29410 the default value (initially 5) used for 3D graphs created by @kbd{g A}.
29411 Note that a 3D setting of 5 means that a total of @expr{5^2 = 25} points
29412 will be computed for the surface.
29414 Data values in the graph of a function are normally computed to a
29415 precision of five digits, regardless of the current precision at the
29416 time. This is usually more than adequate, but there are cases where
29417 it will not be. For example, plotting @expr{1 + x} with @expr{x} in the
29418 interval @samp{[0 ..@: 1e-6]} will round all the data points down
29419 to 1.0! Putting the command @samp{set precision @var{n}} in the
29420 @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer will cause the data to be computed
29421 at precision @var{n} instead of 5. Since this is such a rare case,
29422 there is no keystroke-based command to set the precision.
29425 @pindex calc-graph-header
29426 The @kbd{g h} (@code{calc-graph-header}) command sets the title
29427 for the graph. This will show up centered above the graph.
29428 The default title is blank (no title).
29431 @pindex calc-graph-name
29432 The @kbd{g n} (@code{calc-graph-name}) command sets the title of an
29433 individual curve. Like the other curve-manipulating commands, it
29434 affects the most recently added curve, i.e., the last curve on the
29435 list in the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer. To set the title of
29436 the other curves you must first juggle them to the end of the list
29437 with @kbd{g j}, or edit the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer by hand.
29438 Curve titles appear in the key; if the key is turned off they are
29443 @pindex calc-graph-title-x
29444 @pindex calc-graph-title-y
29445 The @kbd{g t} (@code{calc-graph-title-x}) and @kbd{g T}
29446 (@code{calc-graph-title-y}) commands set the titles on the ``x''
29447 and ``y'' axes, respectively. These titles appear next to the
29448 tick marks on the left and bottom edges of the graph, respectively.
29449 Calc does not have commands to control the tick marks themselves,
29450 but you can edit them into the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer if
29451 you wish. See the GNUPLOT documentation for details.
29455 @pindex calc-graph-range-x
29456 @pindex calc-graph-range-y
29457 The @kbd{g r} (@code{calc-graph-range-x}) and @kbd{g R}
29458 (@code{calc-graph-range-y}) commands set the range of values on the
29459 ``x'' and ``y'' axes, respectively. You are prompted to enter a
29460 suitable range. This should be either a pair of numbers of the
29461 form, @samp{@var{min}:@var{max}}, or a blank line to revert to the
29462 default behavior of setting the range based on the range of values
29463 in the data, or @samp{$} to take the range from the top of the stack.
29464 Ranges on the stack can be represented as either interval forms or
29465 vectors: @samp{[@var{min} ..@: @var{max}]} or @samp{[@var{min}, @var{max}]}.
29469 @pindex calc-graph-log-x
29470 @pindex calc-graph-log-y
29471 The @kbd{g l} (@code{calc-graph-log-x}) and @kbd{g L} (@code{calc-graph-log-y})
29472 commands allow you to set either or both of the axes of the graph to
29473 be logarithmic instead of linear.
29478 @pindex calc-graph-log-z
29479 @pindex calc-graph-range-z
29480 @pindex calc-graph-title-z
29481 For 3D plots, @kbd{g C-t}, @kbd{g C-r}, and @kbd{g C-l} (those are
29482 letters with the Control key held down) are the corresponding commands
29483 for the ``z'' axis.
29487 @pindex calc-graph-zero-x
29488 @pindex calc-graph-zero-y
29489 The @kbd{g z} (@code{calc-graph-zero-x}) and @kbd{g Z}
29490 (@code{calc-graph-zero-y}) commands control whether a dotted line is
29491 drawn to indicate the ``x'' and/or ``y'' zero axes. (These are the same
29492 dotted lines that would be drawn there anyway if you used @kbd{g g} to
29493 turn the ``grid'' feature on.) Zero-axis lines are on by default, and
29494 may be turned off only in GNUPLOT 3.0 and later versions. They are
29495 not available for 3D plots.
29498 @pindex calc-graph-line-style
29499 The @kbd{g s} (@code{calc-graph-line-style}) command turns the connecting
29500 lines on or off for the most recently added curve, and optionally selects
29501 the style of lines to be used for that curve. Plain @kbd{g s} simply
29502 toggles the lines on and off. With a numeric prefix argument, @kbd{g s}
29503 turns lines on and sets a particular line style. Line style numbers
29504 start at one and their meanings vary depending on the output device.
29505 GNUPLOT guarantees that there will be at least six different line styles
29506 available for any device.
29509 @pindex calc-graph-point-style
29510 The @kbd{g S} (@code{calc-graph-point-style}) command similarly turns
29511 the symbols at the data points on or off, or sets the point style.
29512 If you turn both lines and points off, the data points will show as
29513 tiny dots. If the ``y'' values being plotted contain error forms and
29514 the connecting lines are turned off, then this command will also turn
29515 the error bars on or off.
29517 @cindex @code{LineStyles} variable
29518 @cindex @code{PointStyles} variable
29520 @vindex PointStyles
29521 Another way to specify curve styles is with the @code{LineStyles} and
29522 @code{PointStyles} variables. These variables initially have no stored
29523 values, but if you store a vector of integers in one of these variables,
29524 the @kbd{g a} and @kbd{g f} commands will use those style numbers
29525 instead of the defaults for new curves that are added to the graph.
29526 An entry should be a positive integer for a specific style, or 0 to let
29527 the style be chosen automatically, or @mathit{-1} to turn off lines or points
29528 altogether. If there are more curves than elements in the vector, the
29529 last few curves will continue to have the default styles. Of course,
29530 you can later use @kbd{g s} and @kbd{g S} to change any of these styles.
29532 For example, @kbd{'[2 -1 3] @key{RET} s t LineStyles} causes the first curve
29533 to have lines in style number 2, the second curve to have no connecting
29534 lines, and the third curve to have lines in style 3. Point styles will
29535 still be assigned automatically, but you could store another vector in
29536 @code{PointStyles} to define them, too.
29538 @node Devices, , Graphics Options, Graphics
29539 @section Graphical Devices
29543 @pindex calc-graph-device
29544 The @kbd{g D} (@code{calc-graph-device}) command sets the device name
29545 (or ``terminal name'' in GNUPLOT lingo) to be used by @kbd{g p} commands
29546 on this graph. It does not affect the permanent default device name.
29547 If you enter a blank name, the device name reverts to the default.
29548 Enter @samp{?} to see a list of supported devices.
29550 With a positive numeric prefix argument, @kbd{g D} instead sets
29551 the default device name, used by all plots in the future which do
29552 not override it with a plain @kbd{g D} command. If you enter a
29553 blank line this command shows you the current default. The special
29554 name @code{default} signifies that Calc should choose @code{x11} if
29555 the X window system is in use (as indicated by the presence of a
29556 @code{DISPLAY} environment variable), @code{windows} on MS-Windows, or
29557 otherwise @code{dumb} under GNUPLOT 3.0 and later, or
29558 @code{postscript} under GNUPLOT 2.0. This is the initial default
29561 The @code{dumb} device is an interface to ``dumb terminals,'' i.e.,
29562 terminals with no special graphics facilities. It writes a crude
29563 picture of the graph composed of characters like @code{-} and @code{|}
29564 to a buffer called @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*}, which Calc then displays.
29565 The graph is made the same size as the Emacs screen, which on most
29566 dumb terminals will be
29567 @texline @math{80\times24}
29569 characters. The graph is displayed in
29570 an Emacs ``recursive edit''; type @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-c C-c} to exit
29571 the recursive edit and return to Calc. Note that the @code{dumb}
29572 device is present only in GNUPLOT 3.0 and later versions.
29574 The word @code{dumb} may be followed by two numbers separated by
29575 spaces. These are the desired width and height of the graph in
29576 characters. Also, the device name @code{big} is like @code{dumb}
29577 but creates a graph four times the width and height of the Emacs
29578 screen. You will then have to scroll around to view the entire
29579 graph. In the @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*} buffer, @key{SPC}, @key{DEL},
29580 @kbd{<}, and @kbd{>} are defined to scroll by one screenful in each
29581 of the four directions.
29583 With a negative numeric prefix argument, @kbd{g D} sets or displays
29584 the device name used by @kbd{g P} (@code{calc-graph-print}). This
29585 is initially @code{postscript}. If you don't have a PostScript
29586 printer, you may decide once again to use @code{dumb} to create a
29587 plot on any text-only printer.
29590 @pindex calc-graph-output
29591 The @kbd{g O} (@code{calc-graph-output}) command sets the name of the
29592 output file used by GNUPLOT. For some devices, notably @code{x11} and
29593 @code{windows}, there is no output file and this information is not
29594 used. Many other ``devices'' are really file formats like
29595 @code{postscript}; in these cases the output in the desired format
29596 goes into the file you name with @kbd{g O}. Type @kbd{g O stdout
29597 @key{RET}} to set GNUPLOT to write to its standard output stream,
29598 i.e., to @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*}. This is the default setting.
29600 Another special output name is @code{tty}, which means that GNUPLOT
29601 is going to write graphics commands directly to its standard output,
29602 which you wish Emacs to pass through to your terminal. Tektronix
29603 graphics terminals, among other devices, operate this way. Calc does
29604 this by telling GNUPLOT to write to a temporary file, then running a
29605 sub-shell executing the command @samp{cat tempfile >/dev/tty}. On
29606 typical Unix systems, this will copy the temporary file directly to
29607 the terminal, bypassing Emacs entirely. You will have to type @kbd{C-l}
29608 to Emacs afterwards to refresh the screen.
29610 Once again, @kbd{g O} with a positive or negative prefix argument
29611 sets the default or printer output file names, respectively. In each
29612 case you can specify @code{auto}, which causes Calc to invent a temporary
29613 file name for each @kbd{g p} (or @kbd{g P}) command. This temporary file
29614 will be deleted once it has been displayed or printed. If the output file
29615 name is not @code{auto}, the file is not automatically deleted.
29617 The default and printer devices and output files can be saved
29618 permanently by the @kbd{m m} (@code{calc-save-modes}) command. The
29619 default number of data points (see @kbd{g N}) and the X geometry
29620 (see @kbd{g X}) are also saved. Other graph information is @emph{not}
29621 saved; you can save a graph's configuration simply by saving the contents
29622 of the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer.
29624 @vindex calc-gnuplot-plot-command
29625 @vindex calc-gnuplot-default-device
29626 @vindex calc-gnuplot-default-output
29627 @vindex calc-gnuplot-print-command
29628 @vindex calc-gnuplot-print-device
29629 @vindex calc-gnuplot-print-output
29630 You may wish to configure the default and
29631 printer devices and output files for the whole system. The relevant
29632 Lisp variables are @code{calc-gnuplot-default-device} and @code{-output},
29633 and @code{calc-gnuplot-print-device} and @code{-output}. The output
29634 file names must be either strings as described above, or Lisp
29635 expressions which are evaluated on the fly to get the output file names.
29637 Other important Lisp variables are @code{calc-gnuplot-plot-command} and
29638 @code{calc-gnuplot-print-command}, which give the system commands to
29639 display or print the output of GNUPLOT, respectively. These may be
29640 @code{nil} if no command is necessary, or strings which can include
29641 @samp{%s} to signify the name of the file to be displayed or printed.
29642 Or, these variables may contain Lisp expressions which are evaluated
29643 to display or print the output. These variables are customizable
29644 (@pxref{Customizing Calc}).
29647 @pindex calc-graph-display
29648 The @kbd{g x} (@code{calc-graph-display}) command lets you specify
29649 on which X window system display your graphs should be drawn. Enter
29650 a blank line to see the current display name. This command has no
29651 effect unless the current device is @code{x11}.
29654 @pindex calc-graph-geometry
29655 The @kbd{g X} (@code{calc-graph-geometry}) command is a similar
29656 command for specifying the position and size of the X window.
29657 The normal value is @code{default}, which generally means your
29658 window manager will let you place the window interactively.
29659 Entering @samp{800x500+0+0} would create an 800-by-500 pixel
29660 window in the upper-left corner of the screen. This command has no
29661 effect if the current device is @code{windows}.
29663 The buffer called @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*} holds a transcript of the
29664 session with GNUPLOT. This shows the commands Calc has ``typed'' to
29665 GNUPLOT and the responses it has received. Calc tries to notice when an
29666 error message has appeared here and display the buffer for you when
29667 this happens. You can check this buffer yourself if you suspect
29668 something has gone wrong@footnote{
29669 On MS-Windows, due to the peculiarities of how the Windows version of
29670 GNUPLOT (called @command{wgnuplot}) works, the GNUPLOT responses are
29671 not communicated back to Calc. Instead, you need to look them up in
29672 the GNUPLOT command window that is displayed as in normal interactive
29677 @pindex calc-graph-command
29678 The @kbd{g C} (@code{calc-graph-command}) command prompts you to
29679 enter any line of text, then simply sends that line to the current
29680 GNUPLOT process. The @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*} buffer looks deceptively
29681 like a Shell buffer but you can't type commands in it yourself.
29682 Instead, you must use @kbd{g C} for this purpose.
29686 @pindex calc-graph-view-commands
29687 @pindex calc-graph-view-trail
29688 The @kbd{g v} (@code{calc-graph-view-commands}) and @kbd{g V}
29689 (@code{calc-graph-view-trail}) commands display the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*}
29690 and @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*} buffers, respectively, in another window.
29691 This happens automatically when Calc thinks there is something you
29692 will want to see in either of these buffers. If you type @kbd{g v}
29693 or @kbd{g V} when the relevant buffer is already displayed, the
29694 buffer is hidden again. (Note that on MS-Windows, the @samp{*Gnuplot
29695 Trail*} buffer will usually show nothing of interest, because
29696 GNUPLOT's responses are not communicated back to Calc.)
29698 One reason to use @kbd{g v} is to add your own commands to the
29699 @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer. Press @kbd{g v}, then use
29700 @kbd{C-x o} to switch into that window. For example, GNUPLOT has
29701 @samp{set label} and @samp{set arrow} commands that allow you to
29702 annotate your plots. Since Calc doesn't understand these commands,
29703 you have to add them to the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer
29704 yourself, then use @w{@kbd{g p}} to replot using these new commands. Note
29705 that your commands must appear @emph{before} the @code{plot} command.
29706 To get help on any GNUPLOT feature, type, e.g., @kbd{g C help set label}.
29707 You may have to type @kbd{g C @key{RET}} a few times to clear the
29708 ``press return for more'' or ``subtopic of @dots{}'' requests.
29709 Note that Calc always sends commands (like @samp{set nolabel}) to
29710 reset all plotting parameters to the defaults before each plot, so
29711 to delete a label all you need to do is delete the @samp{set label}
29712 line you added (or comment it out with @samp{#}) and then replot
29716 @pindex calc-graph-quit
29717 You can use @kbd{g q} (@code{calc-graph-quit}) to kill the GNUPLOT
29718 process that is running. The next graphing command you give will
29719 start a fresh GNUPLOT process. The word @samp{Graph} appears in
29720 the Calc window's mode line whenever a GNUPLOT process is currently
29721 running. The GNUPLOT process is automatically killed when you
29722 exit Emacs if you haven't killed it manually by then.
29725 @pindex calc-graph-kill
29726 The @kbd{g K} (@code{calc-graph-kill}) command is like @kbd{g q}
29727 except that it also views the @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*} buffer so that
29728 you can see the process being killed. This is better if you are
29729 killing GNUPLOT because you think it has gotten stuck.
29731 @node Kill and Yank, Keypad Mode, Graphics, Top
29732 @chapter Kill and Yank Functions
29735 The commands in this chapter move information between the Calculator and
29736 other Emacs editing buffers.
29738 In many cases Embedded mode is an easier and more natural way to
29739 work with Calc from a regular editing buffer. @xref{Embedded Mode}.
29742 * Killing From Stack::
29743 * Yanking Into Stack::
29744 * Saving Into Registers::
29745 * Inserting From Registers::
29746 * Grabbing From Buffers::
29747 * Yanking Into Buffers::
29748 * X Cut and Paste::
29751 @node Killing From Stack, Yanking Into Stack, Kill and Yank, Kill and Yank
29752 @section Killing from the Stack
29758 @pindex calc-copy-as-kill
29760 @pindex calc-kill-region
29762 @pindex calc-copy-region-as-kill
29765 @dfn{Kill} commands are Emacs commands that insert text into the ``kill
29766 ring,'' from which it can later be ``yanked'' by a @kbd{C-y} command.
29767 Three common kill commands in normal Emacs are @kbd{C-k}, which kills
29768 one line, @kbd{C-w}, which kills the region between mark and point, and
29769 @kbd{M-w}, which puts the region into the kill ring without actually
29770 deleting it. All of these commands work in the Calculator, too,
29771 although in the Calculator they operate on whole stack entries, so they
29772 ``round up'' the specified region to encompass full lines. (To copy
29773 only parts of lines, the @kbd{M-C-w} command in the Calculator will copy
29774 the region to the kill ring without any ``rounding up'', just like the
29775 @kbd{M-w} command in normal Emacs.) Also, @kbd{M-k} has been provided
29776 to complete the set; it puts the current line into the kill ring without
29779 The kill commands are unusual in that they pay attention to the location
29780 of the cursor in the Calculator buffer. If the cursor is on or below
29781 the bottom line, the kill commands operate on the top of the stack.
29782 Otherwise, they operate on whatever stack element the cursor is on. The
29783 text is copied into the kill ring exactly as it appears on the screen,
29784 including line numbers if they are enabled.
29786 A numeric prefix argument to @kbd{C-k} or @kbd{M-k} affects the number
29787 of lines killed. A positive argument kills the current line and @expr{n-1}
29788 lines below it. A negative argument kills the @expr{-n} lines above the
29789 current line. Again this mirrors the behavior of the standard Emacs
29790 @kbd{C-k} command. Although a whole line is always deleted, @kbd{C-k}
29791 with no argument copies only the number itself into the kill ring, whereas
29792 @kbd{C-k} with a prefix argument of 1 copies the number with its trailing
29795 @node Yanking Into Stack, Saving Into Registers, Killing From Stack, Kill and Yank
29796 @section Yanking into the Stack
29801 The @kbd{C-y} command yanks the most recently killed text back into the
29802 Calculator. It pushes this value onto the top of the stack regardless of
29803 the cursor position. In general it re-parses the killed text as a number
29804 or formula (or a list of these separated by commas or newlines). However if
29805 the thing being yanked is something that was just killed from the Calculator
29806 itself, its full internal structure is yanked. For example, if you have
29807 set the floating-point display mode to show only four significant digits,
29808 then killing and re-yanking 3.14159 (which displays as 3.142) will yank the
29809 full 3.14159, even though yanking it into any other buffer would yank the
29810 number in its displayed form, 3.142. (Since the default display modes
29811 show all objects to their full precision, this feature normally makes no
29814 @node Saving Into Registers, Inserting From Registers, Yanking Into Stack, Kill and Yank
29815 @section Saving into Registers
29819 @pindex calc-copy-to-register
29820 @pindex calc-prepend-to-register
29821 @pindex calc-append-to-register
29823 An alternative to killing and yanking stack entries is using
29824 registers in Calc. Saving stack entries in registers is like
29825 saving text in normal Emacs registers; although, like Calc's kill
29826 commands, register commands always operate on whole stack
29829 Registers in Calc are places to store stack entries for later use;
29830 each register is indexed by a single character. To store the current
29831 region (rounded up, of course, to include full stack entries) into a
29832 register, use the command @kbd{r s} (@code{calc-copy-to-register}).
29833 You will then be prompted for a register to use, the next character
29834 you type will be the index for the register. To store the region in
29835 register @var{r}, the full command will be @kbd{r s @var{r}}. With an
29836 argument, @kbd{C-u r s @var{r}}, the region being copied to the
29837 register will be deleted from the Calc buffer.
29839 It is possible to add additional stack entries to a register. The
29840 command @kbd{M-x calc-append-to-register} will prompt for a register,
29841 then add the stack entries in the region to the end of the register
29842 contents. The command @kbd{M-x calc-prepend-to-register} will
29843 similarly prompt for a register and add the stack entries in the
29844 region to the beginning of the register contents. Both commands take
29845 @kbd{C-u} arguments, which will cause the region to be deleted after being
29846 added to the register.
29848 @node Inserting From Registers, Grabbing From Buffers, Saving Into Registers, Kill and Yank
29849 @section Inserting from Registers
29852 @pindex calc-insert-register
29853 The command @kbd{r i} (@code{calc-insert-register}) will prompt for a
29854 register, then insert the contents of that register into the
29855 Calculator. If the contents of the register were placed there from
29856 within Calc, then the full internal structure of the contents will be
29857 inserted into the Calculator, otherwise whatever text is in the
29858 register is reparsed and then inserted into the Calculator.
29860 @node Grabbing From Buffers, Yanking Into Buffers, Inserting From Registers, Kill and Yank
29861 @section Grabbing from Other Buffers
29865 @pindex calc-grab-region
29866 The @kbd{C-x * g} (@code{calc-grab-region}) command takes the text between
29867 point and mark in the current buffer and attempts to parse it as a
29868 vector of values. Basically, it wraps the text in vector brackets
29869 @samp{[ ]} unless the text already is enclosed in vector brackets,
29870 then reads the text as if it were an algebraic entry. The contents
29871 of the vector may be numbers, formulas, or any other Calc objects.
29872 If the @kbd{C-x * g} command works successfully, it does an automatic
29873 @kbd{C-x * c} to enter the Calculator buffer.
29875 A numeric prefix argument grabs the specified number of lines around
29876 point, ignoring the mark. A positive prefix grabs from point to the
29877 @expr{n}th following newline (so that @kbd{M-1 C-x * g} grabs from point
29878 to the end of the current line); a negative prefix grabs from point
29879 back to the @expr{n+1}st preceding newline. In these cases the text
29880 that is grabbed is exactly the same as the text that @kbd{C-k} would
29881 delete given that prefix argument.
29883 A prefix of zero grabs the current line; point may be anywhere on the
29886 A plain @kbd{C-u} prefix interprets the region between point and mark
29887 as a single number or formula rather than a vector. For example,
29888 @kbd{C-x * g} on the text @samp{2 a b} produces the vector of three
29889 values @samp{[2, a, b]}, but @kbd{C-u C-x * g} on the same region
29890 reads a formula which is a product of three things: @samp{2 a b}.
29891 (The text @samp{a + b}, on the other hand, will be grabbed as a
29892 vector of one element by plain @kbd{C-x * g} because the interpretation
29893 @samp{[a, +, b]} would be a syntax error.)
29895 If a different language has been specified (@pxref{Language Modes}),
29896 the grabbed text will be interpreted according to that language.
29899 @pindex calc-grab-rectangle
29900 The @kbd{C-x * r} (@code{calc-grab-rectangle}) command takes the text between
29901 point and mark and attempts to parse it as a matrix. If point and mark
29902 are both in the leftmost column, the lines in between are parsed in their
29903 entirety. Otherwise, point and mark define the corners of a rectangle
29904 whose contents are parsed.
29906 Each line of the grabbed area becomes a row of the matrix. The result
29907 will actually be a vector of vectors, which Calc will treat as a matrix
29908 only if every row contains the same number of values.
29910 If a line contains a portion surrounded by square brackets (or curly
29911 braces), that portion is interpreted as a vector which becomes a row
29912 of the matrix. Any text surrounding the bracketed portion on the line
29915 Otherwise, the entire line is interpreted as a row vector as if it
29916 were surrounded by square brackets. Leading line numbers (in the
29917 format used in the Calc stack buffer) are ignored. If you wish to
29918 force this interpretation (even if the line contains bracketed
29919 portions), give a negative numeric prefix argument to the
29920 @kbd{C-x * r} command.
29922 If you give a numeric prefix argument of zero or plain @kbd{C-u}, each
29923 line is instead interpreted as a single formula which is converted into
29924 a one-element vector. Thus the result of @kbd{C-u C-x * r} will be a
29925 one-column matrix. For example, suppose one line of the data is the
29926 expression @samp{2 a}. A plain @w{@kbd{C-x * r}} will interpret this as
29927 @samp{[2 a]}, which in turn is read as a two-element vector that forms
29928 one row of the matrix. But a @kbd{C-u C-x * r} will interpret this row
29931 If you give a positive numeric prefix argument @var{n}, then each line
29932 will be split up into columns of width @var{n}; each column is parsed
29933 separately as a matrix element. If a line contained
29934 @w{@samp{2 +/- 3 4 +/- 5}}, then grabbing with a prefix argument of 8
29935 would correctly split the line into two error forms.
29937 @xref{Matrix Functions}, to see how to pull the matrix apart into its
29938 constituent rows and columns. (If it is a
29939 @texline @math{1\times1}
29941 matrix, just hit @kbd{v u} (@code{calc-unpack}) twice.)
29945 @pindex calc-grab-sum-across
29946 @pindex calc-grab-sum-down
29947 @cindex Summing rows and columns of data
29948 The @kbd{C-x * :} (@code{calc-grab-sum-down}) command is a handy way to
29949 grab a rectangle of data and sum its columns. It is equivalent to
29950 typing @kbd{C-x * r}, followed by @kbd{V R : +} (the vector reduction
29951 command that sums the columns of a matrix; @pxref{Reducing}). The
29952 result of the command will be a vector of numbers, one for each column
29953 in the input data. The @kbd{C-x * _} (@code{calc-grab-sum-across}) command
29954 similarly grabs a rectangle and sums its rows by executing @w{@kbd{V R _ +}}.
29956 As well as being more convenient, @kbd{C-x * :} and @kbd{C-x * _} are also
29957 much faster because they don't actually place the grabbed vector on
29958 the stack. In a @kbd{C-x * r V R : +} sequence, formatting the vector
29959 for display on the stack takes a large fraction of the total time
29960 (unless you have planned ahead and used @kbd{v .} and @kbd{t .} modes).
29962 For example, suppose we have a column of numbers in a file which we
29963 wish to sum. Go to one corner of the column and press @kbd{C-@@} to
29964 set the mark; go to the other corner and type @kbd{C-x * :}. Since there
29965 is only one column, the result will be a vector of one number, the sum.
29966 (You can type @kbd{v u} to unpack this vector into a plain number if
29967 you want to do further arithmetic with it.)
29969 To compute the product of the column of numbers, we would have to do
29970 it ``by hand'' since there's no special grab-and-multiply command.
29971 Use @kbd{C-x * r} to grab the column of numbers into the calculator in
29972 the form of a column matrix. The statistics command @kbd{u *} is a
29973 handy way to find the product of a vector or matrix of numbers.
29974 @xref{Statistical Operations}. Another approach would be to use
29975 an explicit column reduction command, @kbd{V R : *}.
29977 @node Yanking Into Buffers, X Cut and Paste, Grabbing From Buffers, Kill and Yank
29978 @section Yanking into Other Buffers
29982 @pindex calc-copy-to-buffer
29983 The plain @kbd{y} (@code{calc-copy-to-buffer}) command inserts the number
29984 at the top of the stack into the most recently used normal editing buffer.
29985 (More specifically, this is the most recently used buffer which is displayed
29986 in a window and whose name does not begin with @samp{*}. If there is no
29987 such buffer, this is the most recently used buffer except for Calculator
29988 and Calc Trail buffers.) The number is inserted exactly as it appears and
29989 without a newline. (If line-numbering is enabled, the line number is
29990 normally not included.) The number is @emph{not} removed from the stack.
29992 With a prefix argument, @kbd{y} inserts several numbers, one per line.
29993 A positive argument inserts the specified number of values from the top
29994 of the stack. A negative argument inserts the @expr{n}th value from the
29995 top of the stack. An argument of zero inserts the entire stack. Note
29996 that @kbd{y} with an argument of 1 is slightly different from @kbd{y}
29997 with no argument; the former always copies full lines, whereas the
29998 latter strips off the trailing newline.
30000 With a lone @kbd{C-u} as a prefix argument, @kbd{y} @emph{replaces} the
30001 region in the other buffer with the yanked text, then quits the
30002 Calculator, leaving you in that buffer. A typical use would be to use
30003 @kbd{C-x * g} to read a region of data into the Calculator, operate on the
30004 data to produce a new matrix, then type @kbd{C-u y} to replace the
30005 original data with the new data. One might wish to alter the matrix
30006 display style (@pxref{Vector and Matrix Formats}) or change the current
30007 display language (@pxref{Language Modes}) before doing this. Also, note
30008 that this command replaces a linear region of text (as grabbed by
30009 @kbd{C-x * g}), not a rectangle (as grabbed by @kbd{C-x * r}).
30011 If the editing buffer is in overwrite (as opposed to insert) mode,
30012 and the @kbd{C-u} prefix was not used, then the yanked number will
30013 overwrite the characters following point rather than being inserted
30014 before those characters. The usual conventions of overwrite mode
30015 are observed; for example, characters will be inserted at the end of
30016 a line rather than overflowing onto the next line. Yanking a multi-line
30017 object such as a matrix in overwrite mode overwrites the next @var{n}
30018 lines in the buffer, lengthening or shortening each line as necessary.
30019 Finally, if the thing being yanked is a simple integer or floating-point
30020 number (like @samp{-1.2345e-3}) and the characters following point also
30021 make up such a number, then Calc will replace that number with the new
30022 number, lengthening or shortening as necessary. The concept of
30023 ``overwrite mode'' has thus been generalized from overwriting characters
30024 to overwriting one complete number with another.
30027 The @kbd{C-x * y} key sequence is equivalent to @kbd{y} except that
30028 it can be typed anywhere, not just in Calc. This provides an easy
30029 way to guarantee that Calc knows which editing buffer you want to use!
30031 @node X Cut and Paste, , Yanking Into Buffers, Kill and Yank
30032 @section X Cut and Paste
30035 If you are using Emacs with the X window system, there is an easier
30036 way to move small amounts of data into and out of the calculator:
30037 Use the mouse-oriented cut and paste facilities of X.
30039 The default bindings for a three-button mouse cause the left button
30040 to move the Emacs cursor to the given place, the right button to
30041 select the text between the cursor and the clicked location, and
30042 the middle button to yank the selection into the buffer at the
30043 clicked location. So, if you have a Calc window and an editing
30044 window on your Emacs screen, you can use left-click/right-click
30045 to select a number, vector, or formula from one window, then
30046 middle-click to paste that value into the other window. When you
30047 paste text into the Calc window, Calc interprets it as an algebraic
30048 entry. It doesn't matter where you click in the Calc window; the
30049 new value is always pushed onto the top of the stack.
30051 The @code{xterm} program that is typically used for general-purpose
30052 shell windows in X interprets the mouse buttons in the same way.
30053 So you can use the mouse to move data between Calc and any other
30054 Unix program. One nice feature of @code{xterm} is that a double
30055 left-click selects one word, and a triple left-click selects a
30056 whole line. So you can usually transfer a single number into Calc
30057 just by double-clicking on it in the shell, then middle-clicking
30058 in the Calc window.
30060 @node Keypad Mode, Embedded Mode, Kill and Yank, Top
30061 @chapter Keypad Mode
30065 @pindex calc-keypad
30066 The @kbd{C-x * k} (@code{calc-keypad}) command starts the Calculator
30067 and displays a picture of a calculator-style keypad. If you are using
30068 the X window system, you can click on any of the ``keys'' in the
30069 keypad using the left mouse button to operate the calculator.
30070 The original window remains the selected window; in Keypad mode
30071 you can type in your file while simultaneously performing
30072 calculations with the mouse.
30074 @pindex full-calc-keypad
30075 If you have used @kbd{C-x * b} first, @kbd{C-x * k} instead invokes
30076 the @code{full-calc-keypad} command, which takes over the whole
30077 Emacs screen and displays the keypad, the Calc stack, and the Calc
30078 trail all at once. This mode would normally be used when running
30079 Calc standalone (@pxref{Standalone Operation}).
30081 If you aren't using the X window system, you must switch into
30082 the @samp{*Calc Keypad*} window, place the cursor on the desired
30083 ``key,'' and type @key{SPC} or @key{RET}. If you think this
30084 is easier than using Calc normally, go right ahead.
30086 Calc commands are more or less the same in Keypad mode. Certain
30087 keypad keys differ slightly from the corresponding normal Calc
30088 keystrokes; all such deviations are described below.
30090 Keypad mode includes many more commands than will fit on the keypad
30091 at once. Click the right mouse button [@code{calc-keypad-menu}]
30092 to switch to the next menu. The bottom five rows of the keypad
30093 stay the same; the top three rows change to a new set of commands.
30094 To return to earlier menus, click the middle mouse button
30095 [@code{calc-keypad-menu-back}] or simply advance through the menus
30096 until you wrap around. Typing @key{TAB} inside the keypad window
30097 is equivalent to clicking the right mouse button there.
30099 You can always click the @key{EXEC} button and type any normal
30100 Calc key sequence. This is equivalent to switching into the
30101 Calc buffer, typing the keys, then switching back to your
30105 * Keypad Main Menu::
30106 * Keypad Functions Menu::
30107 * Keypad Binary Menu::
30108 * Keypad Vectors Menu::
30109 * Keypad Modes Menu::
30112 @node Keypad Main Menu, Keypad Functions Menu, Keypad Mode, Keypad Mode
30117 |----+----+--Calc---+----+----1
30118 |FLR |CEIL|RND |TRNC|CLN2|FLT |
30119 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30120 | LN |EXP | |ABS |IDIV|MOD |
30121 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30122 |SIN |COS |TAN |SQRT|y^x |1/x |
30123 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30124 | ENTER |+/- |EEX |UNDO| <- |
30125 |-----+---+-+--+--+-+---++----|
30126 | INV | 7 | 8 | 9 | / |
30127 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----|
30128 | HYP | 4 | 5 | 6 | * |
30129 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----|
30130 |EXEC | 1 | 2 | 3 | - |
30131 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----|
30132 | OFF | 0 | . | PI | + |
30133 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
30138 This is the menu that appears the first time you start Keypad mode.
30139 It will show up in a vertical window on the right side of your screen.
30140 Above this menu is the traditional Calc stack display. On a 24-line
30141 screen you will be able to see the top three stack entries.
30143 The ten digit keys, decimal point, and @key{EEX} key are used for
30144 entering numbers in the obvious way. @key{EEX} begins entry of an
30145 exponent in scientific notation. Just as with regular Calc, the
30146 number is pushed onto the stack as soon as you press @key{ENTER}
30147 or any other function key.
30149 The @key{+/-} key corresponds to normal Calc's @kbd{n} key. During
30150 numeric entry it changes the sign of the number or of the exponent.
30151 At other times it changes the sign of the number on the top of the
30154 The @key{INV} and @key{HYP} keys modify other keys. As well as
30155 having the effects described elsewhere in this manual, Keypad mode
30156 defines several other ``inverse'' operations. These are described
30157 below and in the following sections.
30159 The @key{ENTER} key finishes the current numeric entry, or otherwise
30160 duplicates the top entry on the stack.
30162 The @key{UNDO} key undoes the most recent Calc operation.
30163 @kbd{INV UNDO} is the ``redo'' command, and @kbd{HYP UNDO} is
30164 ``last arguments'' (@kbd{M-@key{RET}}).
30166 The @key{<-} key acts as a ``backspace'' during numeric entry.
30167 At other times it removes the top stack entry. @kbd{INV <-}
30168 clears the entire stack. @kbd{HYP <-} takes an integer from
30169 the stack, then removes that many additional stack elements.
30171 The @key{EXEC} key prompts you to enter any keystroke sequence
30172 that would normally work in Calc mode. This can include a
30173 numeric prefix if you wish. It is also possible simply to
30174 switch into the Calc window and type commands in it; there is
30175 nothing ``magic'' about this window when Keypad mode is active.
30177 The other keys in this display perform their obvious calculator
30178 functions. @key{CLN2} rounds the top-of-stack by temporarily
30179 reducing the precision by 2 digits. @key{FLT} converts an
30180 integer or fraction on the top of the stack to floating-point.
30182 The @key{INV} and @key{HYP} keys combined with several of these keys
30183 give you access to some common functions even if the appropriate menu
30184 is not displayed. Obviously you don't need to learn these keys
30185 unless you find yourself wasting time switching among the menus.
30189 is the same as @key{1/x}.
30191 is the same as @key{SQRT}.
30193 is the same as @key{CONJ}.
30195 is the same as @key{y^x}.
30197 is the same as @key{INV y^x} (the @expr{x}th root of @expr{y}).
30199 are the same as @key{SIN} / @kbd{INV SIN}.
30201 are the same as @key{COS} / @kbd{INV COS}.
30203 are the same as @key{TAN} / @kbd{INV TAN}.
30205 are the same as @key{LN} / @kbd{HYP LN}.
30207 are the same as @key{EXP} / @kbd{HYP EXP}.
30209 is the same as @key{ABS}.
30211 is the same as @key{RND} (@code{calc-round}).
30213 is the same as @key{CLN2}.
30215 is the same as @key{FLT} (@code{calc-float}).
30217 is the same as @key{IMAG}.
30219 is the same as @key{PREC}.
30221 is the same as @key{SWAP}.
30223 is the same as @key{RLL3}.
30224 @item INV HYP ENTER
30225 is the same as @key{OVER}.
30227 packs the top two stack entries as an error form.
30229 packs the top two stack entries as a modulo form.
30231 creates an interval form; this removes an integer which is one
30232 of 0 @samp{[]}, 1 @samp{[)}, 2 @samp{(]} or 3 @samp{()}, followed
30233 by the two limits of the interval.
30236 The @kbd{OFF} key turns Calc off; typing @kbd{C-x * k} or @kbd{C-x * *}
30237 again has the same effect. This is analogous to typing @kbd{q} or
30238 hitting @kbd{C-x * c} again in the normal calculator. If Calc is
30239 running standalone (the @code{full-calc-keypad} command appeared in the
30240 command line that started Emacs), then @kbd{OFF} is replaced with
30241 @kbd{EXIT}; clicking on this actually exits Emacs itself.
30243 @node Keypad Functions Menu, Keypad Binary Menu, Keypad Main Menu, Keypad Mode
30244 @section Functions Menu
30248 |----+----+----+----+----+----2
30249 |IGAM|BETA|IBET|ERF |BESJ|BESY|
30250 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30251 |IMAG|CONJ| RE |ATN2|RAND|RAGN|
30252 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30253 |GCD |FACT|DFCT|BNOM|PERM|NXTP|
30254 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30259 This menu provides various operations from the @kbd{f} and @kbd{k}
30262 @key{IMAG} multiplies the number on the stack by the imaginary
30263 number @expr{i = (0, 1)}.
30265 @key{RE} extracts the real part a complex number. @kbd{INV RE}
30266 extracts the imaginary part.
30268 @key{RAND} takes a number from the top of the stack and computes
30269 a random number greater than or equal to zero but less than that
30270 number. (@xref{Random Numbers}.) @key{RAGN} is the ``random
30271 again'' command; it computes another random number using the
30272 same limit as last time.
30274 @key{INV GCD} computes the LCM (least common multiple) function.
30276 @key{INV FACT} is the gamma function.
30277 @texline @math{\Gamma(x) = (x-1)!}.
30278 @infoline @expr{gamma(x) = (x-1)!}.
30280 @key{PERM} is the number-of-permutations function, which is on the
30281 @kbd{H k c} key in normal Calc.
30283 @key{NXTP} finds the next prime after a number. @kbd{INV NXTP}
30284 finds the previous prime.
30286 @node Keypad Binary Menu, Keypad Vectors Menu, Keypad Functions Menu, Keypad Mode
30287 @section Binary Menu
30291 |----+----+----+----+----+----3
30292 |AND | OR |XOR |NOT |LSH |RSH |
30293 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30294 |DEC |HEX |OCT |BIN |WSIZ|ARSH|
30295 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30296 | A | B | C | D | E | F |
30297 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30302 The keys in this menu perform operations on binary integers.
30303 Note that both logical and arithmetic right-shifts are provided.
30304 @key{INV LSH} rotates one bit to the left.
30306 The ``difference'' function (normally on @kbd{b d}) is on @key{INV AND}.
30307 The ``clip'' function (normally on @w{@kbd{b c}}) is on @key{INV NOT}.
30309 The @key{DEC}, @key{HEX}, @key{OCT}, and @key{BIN} keys select the
30310 current radix for display and entry of numbers: Decimal, hexadecimal,
30311 octal, or binary. The six letter keys @key{A} through @key{F} are used
30312 for entering hexadecimal numbers.
30314 The @key{WSIZ} key displays the current word size for binary operations
30315 and allows you to enter a new word size. You can respond to the prompt
30316 using either the keyboard or the digits and @key{ENTER} from the keypad.
30317 The initial word size is 32 bits.
30319 @node Keypad Vectors Menu, Keypad Modes Menu, Keypad Binary Menu, Keypad Mode
30320 @section Vectors Menu
30324 |----+----+----+----+----+----4
30325 |SUM |PROD|MAX |MAP*|MAP^|MAP$|
30326 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30327 |MINV|MDET|MTRN|IDNT|CRSS|"x" |
30328 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30329 |PACK|UNPK|INDX|BLD |LEN |... |
30330 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30335 The keys in this menu operate on vectors and matrices.
30337 @key{PACK} removes an integer @var{n} from the top of the stack;
30338 the next @var{n} stack elements are removed and packed into a vector,
30339 which is replaced onto the stack. Thus the sequence
30340 @kbd{1 ENTER 3 ENTER 5 ENTER 3 PACK} enters the vector
30341 @samp{[1, 3, 5]} onto the stack. To enter a matrix, build each row
30342 on the stack as a vector, then use a final @key{PACK} to collect the
30343 rows into a matrix.
30345 @key{UNPK} unpacks the vector on the stack, pushing each of its
30346 components separately.
30348 @key{INDX} removes an integer @var{n}, then builds a vector of
30349 integers from 1 to @var{n}. @kbd{INV INDX} takes three numbers
30350 from the stack: The vector size @var{n}, the starting number,
30351 and the increment. @kbd{BLD} takes an integer @var{n} and any
30352 value @var{x} and builds a vector of @var{n} copies of @var{x}.
30354 @key{IDNT} removes an integer @var{n}, then builds an @var{n}-by-@var{n}
30357 @key{LEN} replaces a vector by its length, an integer.
30359 @key{...} turns on or off ``abbreviated'' display mode for large vectors.
30361 @key{MINV}, @key{MDET}, @key{MTRN}, and @key{CROSS} are the matrix
30362 inverse, determinant, and transpose, and vector cross product.
30364 @key{SUM} replaces a vector by the sum of its elements. It is
30365 equivalent to @kbd{u +} in normal Calc (@pxref{Statistical Operations}).
30366 @key{PROD} computes the product of the elements of a vector, and
30367 @key{MAX} computes the maximum of all the elements of a vector.
30369 @key{INV SUM} computes the alternating sum of the first element
30370 minus the second, plus the third, minus the fourth, and so on.
30371 @key{INV MAX} computes the minimum of the vector elements.
30373 @key{HYP SUM} computes the mean of the vector elements.
30374 @key{HYP PROD} computes the sample standard deviation.
30375 @key{HYP MAX} computes the median.
30377 @key{MAP*} multiplies two vectors elementwise. It is equivalent
30378 to the @kbd{V M *} command. @key{MAP^} computes powers elementwise.
30379 The arguments must be vectors of equal length, or one must be a vector
30380 and the other must be a plain number. For example, @kbd{2 MAP^} squares
30381 all the elements of a vector.
30383 @key{MAP$} maps the formula on the top of the stack across the
30384 vector in the second-to-top position. If the formula contains
30385 several variables, Calc takes that many vectors starting at the
30386 second-to-top position and matches them to the variables in
30387 alphabetical order. The result is a vector of the same size as
30388 the input vectors, whose elements are the formula evaluated with
30389 the variables set to the various sets of numbers in those vectors.
30390 For example, you could simulate @key{MAP^} using @key{MAP$} with
30391 the formula @samp{x^y}.
30393 The @kbd{"x"} key pushes the variable name @expr{x} onto the
30394 stack. To build the formula @expr{x^2 + 6}, you would use the
30395 key sequence @kbd{"x" 2 y^x 6 +}. This formula would then be
30396 suitable for use with the @key{MAP$} key described above.
30397 With @key{INV}, @key{HYP}, or @key{INV} and @key{HYP}, the
30398 @kbd{"x"} key pushes the variable names @expr{y}, @expr{z}, and
30399 @expr{t}, respectively.
30401 @node Keypad Modes Menu, , Keypad Vectors Menu, Keypad Mode
30402 @section Modes Menu
30406 |----+----+----+----+----+----5
30407 |FLT |FIX |SCI |ENG |GRP | |
30408 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30409 |RAD |DEG |FRAC|POLR|SYMB|PREC|
30410 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30411 |SWAP|RLL3|RLL4|OVER|STO |RCL |
30412 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30417 The keys in this menu manipulate modes, variables, and the stack.
30419 The @key{FLT}, @key{FIX}, @key{SCI}, and @key{ENG} keys select
30420 floating-point, fixed-point, scientific, or engineering notation.
30421 @key{FIX} displays two digits after the decimal by default; the
30422 others display full precision. With the @key{INV} prefix, these
30423 keys pop a number-of-digits argument from the stack.
30425 The @key{GRP} key turns grouping of digits with commas on or off.
30426 @kbd{INV GRP} enables grouping to the right of the decimal point as
30427 well as to the left.
30429 The @key{RAD} and @key{DEG} keys switch between radians and degrees
30430 for trigonometric functions.
30432 The @key{FRAC} key turns Fraction mode on or off. This affects
30433 whether commands like @kbd{/} with integer arguments produce
30434 fractional or floating-point results.
30436 The @key{POLR} key turns Polar mode on or off, determining whether
30437 polar or rectangular complex numbers are used by default.
30439 The @key{SYMB} key turns Symbolic mode on or off, in which
30440 operations that would produce inexact floating-point results
30441 are left unevaluated as algebraic formulas.
30443 The @key{PREC} key selects the current precision. Answer with
30444 the keyboard or with the keypad digit and @key{ENTER} keys.
30446 The @key{SWAP} key exchanges the top two stack elements.
30447 The @key{RLL3} key rotates the top three stack elements upwards.
30448 The @key{RLL4} key rotates the top four stack elements upwards.
30449 The @key{OVER} key duplicates the second-to-top stack element.
30451 The @key{STO} and @key{RCL} keys are analogous to @kbd{s t} and
30452 @kbd{s r} in regular Calc. @xref{Store and Recall}. Click the
30453 @key{STO} or @key{RCL} key, then one of the ten digits. (Named
30454 variables are not available in Keypad mode.) You can also use,
30455 for example, @kbd{STO + 3} to add to register 3.
30457 @node Embedded Mode, Programming, Keypad Mode, Top
30458 @chapter Embedded Mode
30461 Embedded mode in Calc provides an alternative to copying numbers
30462 and formulas back and forth between editing buffers and the Calc
30463 stack. In Embedded mode, your editing buffer becomes temporarily
30464 linked to the stack and this copying is taken care of automatically.
30467 * Basic Embedded Mode::
30468 * More About Embedded Mode::
30469 * Assignments in Embedded Mode::
30470 * Mode Settings in Embedded Mode::
30471 * Customizing Embedded Mode::
30474 @node Basic Embedded Mode, More About Embedded Mode, Embedded Mode, Embedded Mode
30475 @section Basic Embedded Mode
30479 @pindex calc-embedded
30480 To enter Embedded mode, position the Emacs point (cursor) on a
30481 formula in any buffer and press @kbd{C-x * e} (@code{calc-embedded}).
30482 Note that @kbd{C-x * e} is not to be used in the Calc stack buffer
30483 like most Calc commands, but rather in regular editing buffers that
30484 are visiting your own files.
30486 Calc will try to guess an appropriate language based on the major mode
30487 of the editing buffer. (@xref{Language Modes}.) If the current buffer is
30488 in @code{latex-mode}, for example, Calc will set its language to La@TeX{}.
30489 Similarly, Calc will use @TeX{} language for @code{tex-mode},
30490 @code{plain-tex-mode} and @code{context-mode}, C language for
30491 @code{c-mode} and @code{c++-mode}, FORTRAN language for
30492 @code{fortran-mode} and @code{f90-mode}, Pascal for @code{pascal-mode},
30493 and eqn for @code{nroff-mode} (@pxref{Customizing Calc}).
30494 These can be overridden with Calc's mode
30495 changing commands (@pxref{Mode Settings in Embedded Mode}). If no
30496 suitable language is available, Calc will continue with its current language.
30498 Calc normally scans backward and forward in the buffer for the
30499 nearest opening and closing @dfn{formula delimiters}. The simplest
30500 delimiters are blank lines. Other delimiters that Embedded mode
30505 The @TeX{} and La@TeX{} math delimiters @samp{$ $}, @samp{$$ $$},
30506 @samp{\[ \]}, and @samp{\( \)};
30508 Lines beginning with @samp{\begin} and @samp{\end} (except matrix delimiters);
30510 Lines beginning with @samp{@@} (Texinfo delimiters).
30512 Lines beginning with @samp{.EQ} and @samp{.EN} (@dfn{eqn} delimiters);
30514 Lines containing a single @samp{%} or @samp{.\"} symbol and nothing else.
30517 @xref{Customizing Embedded Mode}, to see how to make Calc recognize
30518 your own favorite delimiters. Delimiters like @samp{$ $} can appear
30519 on their own separate lines or in-line with the formula.
30521 If you give a positive or negative numeric prefix argument, Calc
30522 instead uses the current point as one end of the formula, and includes
30523 that many lines forward or backward (respectively, including the current
30524 line). Explicit delimiters are not necessary in this case.
30526 With a prefix argument of zero, Calc uses the current region (delimited
30527 by point and mark) instead of formula delimiters. With a prefix
30528 argument of @kbd{C-u} only, Calc uses the current line as the formula.
30531 @pindex calc-embedded-word
30532 The @kbd{C-x * w} (@code{calc-embedded-word}) command will start Embedded
30533 mode on the current ``word''; in this case Calc will scan for the first
30534 non-numeric character (i.e., the first character that is not a digit,
30535 sign, decimal point, or upper- or lower-case @samp{e}) forward and
30536 backward to delimit the formula.
30538 When you enable Embedded mode for a formula, Calc reads the text
30539 between the delimiters and tries to interpret it as a Calc formula.
30540 Calc can generally identify @TeX{} formulas and
30541 Big-style formulas even if the language mode is wrong. If Calc
30542 can't make sense of the formula, it beeps and refuses to enter
30543 Embedded mode. But if the current language is wrong, Calc can
30544 sometimes parse the formula successfully (but incorrectly);
30545 for example, the C expression @samp{atan(a[1])} can be parsed
30546 in Normal language mode, but the @code{atan} won't correspond to
30547 the built-in @code{arctan} function, and the @samp{a[1]} will be
30548 interpreted as @samp{a} times the vector @samp{[1]}!
30550 If you press @kbd{C-x * e} or @kbd{C-x * w} to activate an embedded
30551 formula which is blank, say with the cursor on the space between
30552 the two delimiters @samp{$ $}, Calc will immediately prompt for
30553 an algebraic entry.
30555 Only one formula in one buffer can be enabled at a time. If you
30556 move to another area of the current buffer and give Calc commands,
30557 Calc turns Embedded mode off for the old formula and then tries
30558 to restart Embedded mode at the new position. Other buffers are
30559 not affected by Embedded mode.
30561 When Embedded mode begins, Calc pushes the current formula onto
30562 the stack. No Calc stack window is created; however, Calc copies
30563 the top-of-stack position into the original buffer at all times.
30564 You can create a Calc window by hand with @kbd{C-x * o} if you
30565 find you need to see the entire stack.
30567 For example, typing @kbd{C-x * e} while somewhere in the formula
30568 @samp{n>2} in the following line enables Embedded mode on that
30572 We define $F_n = F_(n-1)+F_(n-2)$ for all $n>2$.
30576 The formula @expr{n>2} will be pushed onto the Calc stack, and
30577 the top of stack will be copied back into the editing buffer.
30578 This means that spaces will appear around the @samp{>} symbol
30579 to match Calc's usual display style:
30582 We define $F_n = F_(n-1)+F_(n-2)$ for all $n > 2$.
30586 No spaces have appeared around the @samp{+} sign because it's
30587 in a different formula, one which we have not yet touched with
30590 Now that Embedded mode is enabled, keys you type in this buffer
30591 are interpreted as Calc commands. At this point we might use
30592 the ``commute'' command @kbd{j C} to reverse the inequality.
30593 This is a selection-based command for which we first need to
30594 move the cursor onto the operator (@samp{>} in this case) that
30595 needs to be commuted.
30598 We define $F_n = F_(n-1)+F_(n-2)$ for all $2 < n$.
30601 The @kbd{C-x * o} command is a useful way to open a Calc window
30602 without actually selecting that window. Giving this command
30603 verifies that @samp{2 < n} is also on the Calc stack. Typing
30604 @kbd{17 @key{RET}} would produce:
30607 We define $F_n = F_(n-1)+F_(n-2)$ for all $17$.
30611 with @samp{2 < n} and @samp{17} on the stack; typing @key{TAB}
30612 at this point will exchange the two stack values and restore
30613 @samp{2 < n} to the embedded formula. Even though you can't
30614 normally see the stack in Embedded mode, it is still there and
30615 it still operates in the same way. But, as with old-fashioned
30616 RPN calculators, you can only see the value at the top of the
30617 stack at any given time (unless you use @kbd{C-x * o}).
30619 Typing @kbd{C-x * e} again turns Embedded mode off. The Calc
30620 window reveals that the formula @w{@samp{2 < n}} is automatically
30621 removed from the stack, but the @samp{17} is not. Entering
30622 Embedded mode always pushes one thing onto the stack, and
30623 leaving Embedded mode always removes one thing. Anything else
30624 that happens on the stack is entirely your business as far as
30625 Embedded mode is concerned.
30627 If you press @kbd{C-x * e} in the wrong place by accident, it is
30628 possible that Calc will be able to parse the nearby text as a
30629 formula and will mangle that text in an attempt to redisplay it
30630 ``properly'' in the current language mode. If this happens,
30631 press @kbd{C-x * e} again to exit Embedded mode, then give the
30632 regular Emacs ``undo'' command (@kbd{C-_} or @kbd{C-x u}) to put
30633 the text back the way it was before Calc edited it. Note that Calc's
30634 own Undo command (typed before you turn Embedded mode back off)
30635 will not do you any good, because as far as Calc is concerned
30636 you haven't done anything with this formula yet.
30638 @node More About Embedded Mode, Assignments in Embedded Mode, Basic Embedded Mode, Embedded Mode
30639 @section More About Embedded Mode
30642 When Embedded mode ``activates'' a formula, i.e., when it examines
30643 the formula for the first time since the buffer was created or
30644 loaded, Calc tries to sense the language in which the formula was
30645 written. If the formula contains any La@TeX{}-like @samp{\} sequences,
30646 it is parsed (i.e., read) in La@TeX{} mode. If the formula appears to
30647 be written in multi-line Big mode, it is parsed in Big mode. Otherwise,
30648 it is parsed according to the current language mode.
30650 Note that Calc does not change the current language mode according
30651 the formula it reads in. Even though it can read a La@TeX{} formula when
30652 not in La@TeX{} mode, it will immediately rewrite this formula using
30653 whatever language mode is in effect.
30660 @pindex calc-show-plain
30661 Calc's parser is unable to read certain kinds of formulas. For
30662 example, with @kbd{v ]} (@code{calc-matrix-brackets}) you can
30663 specify matrix display styles which the parser is unable to
30664 recognize as matrices. The @kbd{d p} (@code{calc-show-plain})
30665 command turns on a mode in which a ``plain'' version of a
30666 formula is placed in front of the fully-formatted version.
30667 When Calc reads a formula that has such a plain version in
30668 front, it reads the plain version and ignores the formatted
30671 Plain formulas are preceded and followed by @samp{%%%} signs
30672 by default. This notation has the advantage that the @samp{%}
30673 character begins a comment in @TeX{} and La@TeX{}, so if your formula is
30674 embedded in a @TeX{} or La@TeX{} document its plain version will be
30675 invisible in the final printed copy. Certain major modes have different
30676 delimiters to ensure that the ``plain'' version will be
30677 in a comment for those modes, also.
30678 See @ref{Customizing Embedded Mode} to see how to change the ``plain''
30679 formula delimiters.
30681 There are several notations which Calc's parser for ``big''
30682 formatted formulas can't yet recognize. In particular, it can't
30683 read the large symbols for @code{sum}, @code{prod}, and @code{integ},
30684 and it can't handle @samp{=>} with the righthand argument omitted.
30685 Also, Calc won't recognize special formats you have defined with
30686 the @kbd{Z C} command (@pxref{User-Defined Compositions}). In
30687 these cases it is important to use ``plain'' mode to make sure
30688 Calc will be able to read your formula later.
30690 Another example where ``plain'' mode is important is if you have
30691 specified a float mode with few digits of precision. Normally
30692 any digits that are computed but not displayed will simply be
30693 lost when you save and re-load your embedded buffer, but ``plain''
30694 mode allows you to make sure that the complete number is present
30695 in the file as well as the rounded-down number.
30701 Embedded buffers remember active formulas for as long as they
30702 exist in Emacs memory. Suppose you have an embedded formula
30703 which is @cpi{} to the normal 12 decimal places, and then
30704 type @w{@kbd{C-u 5 d n}} to display only five decimal places.
30705 If you then type @kbd{d n}, all 12 places reappear because the
30706 full number is still there on the Calc stack. More surprisingly,
30707 even if you exit Embedded mode and later re-enter it for that
30708 formula, typing @kbd{d n} will restore all 12 places because
30709 each buffer remembers all its active formulas. However, if you
30710 save the buffer in a file and reload it in a new Emacs session,
30711 all non-displayed digits will have been lost unless you used
30718 In some applications of Embedded mode, you will want to have a
30719 sequence of copies of a formula that show its evolution as you
30720 work on it. For example, you might want to have a sequence
30721 like this in your file (elaborating here on the example from
30722 the ``Getting Started'' chapter):
30731 @r{(the derivative of }ln(ln(x))@r{)}
30733 whose value at x = 2 is
30743 @pindex calc-embedded-duplicate
30744 The @kbd{C-x * d} (@code{calc-embedded-duplicate}) command is a
30745 handy way to make sequences like this. If you type @kbd{C-x * d},
30746 the formula under the cursor (which may or may not have Embedded
30747 mode enabled for it at the time) is copied immediately below and
30748 Embedded mode is then enabled for that copy.
30750 For this example, you would start with just
30759 and press @kbd{C-x * d} with the cursor on this formula. The result
30772 with the second copy of the formula enabled in Embedded mode.
30773 You can now press @kbd{a d x @key{RET}} to take the derivative, and
30774 @kbd{C-x * d C-x * d} to make two more copies of the derivative.
30775 To complete the computations, type @kbd{3 s l x @key{RET}} to evaluate
30776 the last formula, then move up to the second-to-last formula
30777 and type @kbd{2 s l x @key{RET}}.
30779 Finally, you would want to press @kbd{C-x * e} to exit Embedded
30780 mode, then go up and insert the necessary text in between the
30781 various formulas and numbers.
30789 @pindex calc-embedded-new-formula
30790 The @kbd{C-x * f} (@code{calc-embedded-new-formula}) command
30791 creates a new embedded formula at the current point. It inserts
30792 some default delimiters, which are usually just blank lines,
30793 and then does an algebraic entry to get the formula (which is
30794 then enabled for Embedded mode). This is just shorthand for
30795 typing the delimiters yourself, positioning the cursor between
30796 the new delimiters, and pressing @kbd{C-x * e}. The key sequence
30797 @kbd{C-x * '} is equivalent to @kbd{C-x * f}.
30801 @pindex calc-embedded-next
30802 @pindex calc-embedded-previous
30803 The @kbd{C-x * n} (@code{calc-embedded-next}) and @kbd{C-x * p}
30804 (@code{calc-embedded-previous}) commands move the cursor to the
30805 next or previous active embedded formula in the buffer. They
30806 can take positive or negative prefix arguments to move by several
30807 formulas. Note that these commands do not actually examine the
30808 text of the buffer looking for formulas; they only see formulas
30809 which have previously been activated in Embedded mode. In fact,
30810 @kbd{C-x * n} and @kbd{C-x * p} are a useful way to tell which
30811 embedded formulas are currently active. Also, note that these
30812 commands do not enable Embedded mode on the next or previous
30813 formula, they just move the cursor.
30816 @pindex calc-embedded-edit
30817 The @kbd{C-x * `} (@code{calc-embedded-edit}) command edits the
30818 embedded formula at the current point as if by @kbd{`} (@code{calc-edit}).
30819 Embedded mode does not have to be enabled for this to work. Press
30820 @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish the edit, or @kbd{C-x k} to cancel.
30822 @node Assignments in Embedded Mode, Mode Settings in Embedded Mode, More About Embedded Mode, Embedded Mode
30823 @section Assignments in Embedded Mode
30826 The @samp{:=} (assignment) and @samp{=>} (``evaluates-to'') operators
30827 are especially useful in Embedded mode. They allow you to make
30828 a definition in one formula, then refer to that definition in
30829 other formulas embedded in the same buffer.
30831 An embedded formula which is an assignment to a variable, as in
30838 records @expr{5} as the stored value of @code{foo} for the
30839 purposes of Embedded mode operations in the current buffer. It
30840 does @emph{not} actually store @expr{5} as the ``global'' value
30841 of @code{foo}, however. Regular Calc operations, and Embedded
30842 formulas in other buffers, will not see this assignment.
30844 One way to use this assigned value is simply to create an
30845 Embedded formula elsewhere that refers to @code{foo}, and to press
30846 @kbd{=} in that formula. However, this permanently replaces the
30847 @code{foo} in the formula with its current value. More interesting
30848 is to use @samp{=>} elsewhere:
30854 @xref{Evaluates-To Operator}, for a general discussion of @samp{=>}.
30856 If you move back and change the assignment to @code{foo}, any
30857 @samp{=>} formulas which refer to it are automatically updated.
30865 The obvious question then is, @emph{how} can one easily change the
30866 assignment to @code{foo}? If you simply select the formula in
30867 Embedded mode and type 17, the assignment itself will be replaced
30868 by the 17. The effect on the other formula will be that the
30869 variable @code{foo} becomes unassigned:
30877 The right thing to do is first to use a selection command (@kbd{j 2}
30878 will do the trick) to select the righthand side of the assignment.
30879 Then, @kbd{17 @key{TAB} @key{DEL}} will swap the 17 into place (@pxref{Selecting
30880 Subformulas}, to see how this works).
30883 @pindex calc-embedded-select
30884 The @kbd{C-x * j} (@code{calc-embedded-select}) command provides an
30885 easy way to operate on assignments. It is just like @kbd{C-x * e},
30886 except that if the enabled formula is an assignment, it uses
30887 @kbd{j 2} to select the righthand side. If the enabled formula
30888 is an evaluates-to, it uses @kbd{j 1} to select the lefthand side.
30889 A formula can also be a combination of both:
30892 bar := foo + 3 => 20
30896 in which case @kbd{C-x * j} will select the middle part (@samp{foo + 3}).
30898 The formula is automatically deselected when you leave Embedded
30902 @pindex calc-embedded-update-formula
30903 Another way to change the assignment to @code{foo} would simply be
30904 to edit the number using regular Emacs editing rather than Embedded
30905 mode. Then, we have to find a way to get Embedded mode to notice
30906 the change. The @kbd{C-x * u} (@code{calc-embedded-update-formula})
30907 command is a convenient way to do this.
30915 Pressing @kbd{C-x * u} is much like pressing @kbd{C-x * e = C-x * e}, that
30916 is, temporarily enabling Embedded mode for the formula under the
30917 cursor and then evaluating it with @kbd{=}. But @kbd{C-x * u} does
30918 not actually use @kbd{C-x * e}, and in fact another formula somewhere
30919 else can be enabled in Embedded mode while you use @kbd{C-x * u} and
30920 that formula will not be disturbed.
30922 With a numeric prefix argument, @kbd{C-x * u} updates all active
30923 @samp{=>} formulas in the buffer. Formulas which have not yet
30924 been activated in Embedded mode, and formulas which do not have
30925 @samp{=>} as their top-level operator, are not affected by this.
30926 (This is useful only if you have used @kbd{m C}; see below.)
30928 With a plain @kbd{C-u} prefix, @kbd{C-u C-x * u} updates only in the
30929 region between mark and point rather than in the whole buffer.
30931 @kbd{C-x * u} is also a handy way to activate a formula, such as an
30932 @samp{=>} formula that has freshly been typed in or loaded from a
30936 @pindex calc-embedded-activate
30937 The @kbd{C-x * a} (@code{calc-embedded-activate}) command scans
30938 through the current buffer and activates all embedded formulas
30939 that contain @samp{:=} or @samp{=>} symbols. This does not mean
30940 that Embedded mode is actually turned on, but only that the
30941 formulas' positions are registered with Embedded mode so that
30942 the @samp{=>} values can be properly updated as assignments are
30945 It is a good idea to type @kbd{C-x * a} right after loading a file
30946 that uses embedded @samp{=>} operators. Emacs includes a nifty
30947 ``buffer-local variables'' feature that you can use to do this
30948 automatically. The idea is to place near the end of your file
30949 a few lines that look like this:
30952 --- Local Variables: ---
30953 --- eval:(calc-embedded-activate) ---
30958 where the leading and trailing @samp{---} can be replaced by
30959 any suitable strings (which must be the same on all three lines)
30960 or omitted altogether; in a @TeX{} or La@TeX{} file, @samp{%} would be a good
30961 leading string and no trailing string would be necessary. In a
30962 C program, @samp{/*} and @samp{*/} would be good leading and
30965 When Emacs loads a file into memory, it checks for a Local Variables
30966 section like this one at the end of the file. If it finds this
30967 section, it does the specified things (in this case, running
30968 @kbd{C-x * a} automatically) before editing of the file begins.
30969 The Local Variables section must be within 3000 characters of the
30970 end of the file for Emacs to find it, and it must be in the last
30971 page of the file if the file has any page separators.
30972 @xref{File Variables, , Local Variables in Files, emacs, the
30975 Note that @kbd{C-x * a} does not update the formulas it finds.
30976 To do this, type, say, @kbd{M-1 C-x * u} after @w{@kbd{C-x * a}}.
30977 Generally this should not be a problem, though, because the
30978 formulas will have been up-to-date already when the file was
30981 Normally, @kbd{C-x * a} activates all the formulas it finds, but
30982 any previous active formulas remain active as well. With a
30983 positive numeric prefix argument, @kbd{C-x * a} first deactivates
30984 all current active formulas, then actives the ones it finds in
30985 its scan of the buffer. With a negative prefix argument,
30986 @kbd{C-x * a} simply deactivates all formulas.
30988 Embedded mode has two symbols, @samp{Active} and @samp{~Active},
30989 which it puts next to the major mode name in a buffer's mode line.
30990 It puts @samp{Active} if it has reason to believe that all
30991 formulas in the buffer are active, because you have typed @kbd{C-x * a}
30992 and Calc has not since had to deactivate any formulas (which can
30993 happen if Calc goes to update an @samp{=>} formula somewhere because
30994 a variable changed, and finds that the formula is no longer there
30995 due to some kind of editing outside of Embedded mode). Calc puts
30996 @samp{~Active} in the mode line if some, but probably not all,
30997 formulas in the buffer are active. This happens if you activate
30998 a few formulas one at a time but never use @kbd{C-x * a}, or if you
30999 used @kbd{C-x * a} but then Calc had to deactivate a formula
31000 because it lost track of it. If neither of these symbols appears
31001 in the mode line, no embedded formulas are active in the buffer
31002 (e.g., before Embedded mode has been used, or after a @kbd{M-- C-x * a}).
31004 Embedded formulas can refer to assignments both before and after them
31005 in the buffer. If there are several assignments to a variable, the
31006 nearest preceding assignment is used if there is one, otherwise the
31007 following assignment is used.
31021 As well as simple variables, you can also assign to subscript
31022 expressions of the form @samp{@var{var}_@var{number}} (as in
31023 @code{x_0}), or @samp{@var{var}_@var{var}} (as in @code{x_max}).
31024 Assignments to other kinds of objects can be represented by Calc,
31025 but the automatic linkage between assignments and references works
31026 only for plain variables and these two kinds of subscript expressions.
31028 If there are no assignments to a given variable, the global
31029 stored value for the variable is used (@pxref{Storing Variables}),
31030 or, if no value is stored, the variable is left in symbolic form.
31031 Note that global stored values will be lost when the file is saved
31032 and loaded in a later Emacs session, unless you have used the
31033 @kbd{s p} (@code{calc-permanent-variable}) command to save them;
31034 @pxref{Operations on Variables}.
31036 The @kbd{m C} (@code{calc-auto-recompute}) command turns automatic
31037 recomputation of @samp{=>} forms on and off. If you turn automatic
31038 recomputation off, you will have to use @kbd{C-x * u} to update these
31039 formulas manually after an assignment has been changed. If you
31040 plan to change several assignments at once, it may be more efficient
31041 to type @kbd{m C}, change all the assignments, then use @kbd{M-1 C-x * u}
31042 to update the entire buffer afterwards. The @kbd{m C} command also
31043 controls @samp{=>} formulas on the stack; @pxref{Evaluates-To
31044 Operator}. When you turn automatic recomputation back on, the
31045 stack will be updated but the Embedded buffer will not; you must
31046 use @kbd{C-x * u} to update the buffer by hand.
31048 @node Mode Settings in Embedded Mode, Customizing Embedded Mode, Assignments in Embedded Mode, Embedded Mode
31049 @section Mode Settings in Embedded Mode
31052 @pindex calc-embedded-preserve-modes
31054 The mode settings can be changed while Calc is in embedded mode, but
31055 by default they will revert to their original values when embedded mode
31056 is ended. However, the modes saved when the mode-recording mode is
31057 @code{Save} (see below) and the modes in effect when the @kbd{m e}
31058 (@code{calc-embedded-preserve-modes}) command is given
31059 will be preserved when embedded mode is ended.
31061 Embedded mode has a rather complicated mechanism for handling mode
31062 settings in Embedded formulas. It is possible to put annotations
31063 in the file that specify mode settings either global to the entire
31064 file or local to a particular formula or formulas. In the latter
31065 case, different modes can be specified for use when a formula
31066 is the enabled Embedded mode formula.
31068 When you give any mode-setting command, like @kbd{m f} (for Fraction
31069 mode) or @kbd{d s} (for scientific notation), Embedded mode adds
31070 a line like the following one to the file just before the opening
31071 delimiter of the formula.
31074 % [calc-mode: fractions: t]
31075 % [calc-mode: float-format: (sci 0)]
31078 When Calc interprets an embedded formula, it scans the text before
31079 the formula for mode-setting annotations like these and sets the
31080 Calc buffer to match these modes. Modes not explicitly described
31081 in the file are not changed. Calc scans all the way to the top of
31082 the file, or up to a line of the form
31089 which you can insert at strategic places in the file if this backward
31090 scan is getting too slow, or just to provide a barrier between one
31091 ``zone'' of mode settings and another.
31093 If the file contains several annotations for the same mode, the
31094 closest one before the formula is used. Annotations after the
31095 formula are never used (except for global annotations, described
31098 The scan does not look for the leading @samp{% }, only for the
31099 square brackets and the text they enclose. In fact, the leading
31100 characters are different for different major modes. You can edit the
31101 mode annotations to a style that works better in context if you wish.
31102 @xref{Customizing Embedded Mode}, to see how to change the style
31103 that Calc uses when it generates the annotations. You can write
31104 mode annotations into the file yourself if you know the syntax;
31105 the easiest way to find the syntax for a given mode is to let
31106 Calc write the annotation for it once and see what it does.
31108 If you give a mode-changing command for a mode that already has
31109 a suitable annotation just above the current formula, Calc will
31110 modify that annotation rather than generating a new, conflicting
31113 Mode annotations have three parts, separated by colons. (Spaces
31114 after the colons are optional.) The first identifies the kind
31115 of mode setting, the second is a name for the mode itself, and
31116 the third is the value in the form of a Lisp symbol, number,
31117 or list. Annotations with unrecognizable text in the first or
31118 second parts are ignored. The third part is not checked to make
31119 sure the value is of a valid type or range; if you write an
31120 annotation by hand, be sure to give a proper value or results
31121 will be unpredictable. Mode-setting annotations are case-sensitive.
31123 While Embedded mode is enabled, the word @code{Local} appears in
31124 the mode line. This is to show that mode setting commands generate
31125 annotations that are ``local'' to the current formula or set of
31126 formulas. The @kbd{m R} (@code{calc-mode-record-mode}) command
31127 causes Calc to generate different kinds of annotations. Pressing
31128 @kbd{m R} repeatedly cycles through the possible modes.
31130 @code{LocEdit} and @code{LocPerm} modes generate annotations
31131 that look like this, respectively:
31134 % [calc-edit-mode: float-format: (sci 0)]
31135 % [calc-perm-mode: float-format: (sci 5)]
31138 The first kind of annotation will be used only while a formula
31139 is enabled in Embedded mode. The second kind will be used only
31140 when the formula is @emph{not} enabled. (Whether the formula
31141 is ``active'' or not, i.e., whether Calc has seen this formula
31142 yet, is not relevant here.)
31144 @code{Global} mode generates an annotation like this at the end
31148 % [calc-global-mode: fractions t]
31151 Global mode annotations affect all formulas throughout the file,
31152 and may appear anywhere in the file. This allows you to tuck your
31153 mode annotations somewhere out of the way, say, on a new page of
31154 the file, as long as those mode settings are suitable for all
31155 formulas in the file.
31157 Enabling a formula with @kbd{C-x * e} causes a fresh scan for local
31158 mode annotations; you will have to use this after adding annotations
31159 above a formula by hand to get the formula to notice them. Updating
31160 a formula with @kbd{C-x * u} will also re-scan the local modes, but
31161 global modes are only re-scanned by @kbd{C-x * a}.
31163 Another way that modes can get out of date is if you add a local
31164 mode annotation to a formula that has another formula after it.
31165 In this example, we have used the @kbd{d s} command while the
31166 first of the two embedded formulas is active. But the second
31167 formula has not changed its style to match, even though by the
31168 rules of reading annotations the @samp{(sci 0)} applies to it, too.
31171 % [calc-mode: float-format: (sci 0)]
31177 We would have to go down to the other formula and press @kbd{C-x * u}
31178 on it in order to get it to notice the new annotation.
31180 Two more mode-recording modes selectable by @kbd{m R} are available
31181 which are also available outside of Embedded mode.
31182 (@pxref{General Mode Commands}.) They are @code{Save}, in which mode
31183 settings are recorded permanently in your Calc init file (the file given
31184 by the variable @code{calc-settings-file}, typically @file{~/.emacs.d/calc.el})
31185 rather than by annotating the current document, and no-recording
31186 mode (where there is no symbol like @code{Save} or @code{Local} in
31187 the mode line), in which mode-changing commands do not leave any
31188 annotations at all.
31190 When Embedded mode is not enabled, mode-recording modes except
31191 for @code{Save} have no effect.
31193 @node Customizing Embedded Mode, , Mode Settings in Embedded Mode, Embedded Mode
31194 @section Customizing Embedded Mode
31197 You can modify Embedded mode's behavior by setting various Lisp
31198 variables described here. These variables are customizable
31199 (@pxref{Customizing Calc}), or you can use @kbd{M-x set-variable}
31200 or @kbd{M-x edit-options} to adjust a variable on the fly.
31201 (Another possibility would be to use a file-local variable annotation at
31202 the end of the file;
31203 @pxref{File Variables, , Local Variables in Files, emacs, the Emacs manual}.)
31204 Many of the variables given mentioned here can be set to depend on the
31205 major mode of the editing buffer (@pxref{Customizing Calc}).
31207 @vindex calc-embedded-open-formula
31208 The @code{calc-embedded-open-formula} variable holds a regular
31209 expression for the opening delimiter of a formula. @xref{Regexp Search,
31210 , Regular Expression Search, emacs, the Emacs manual}, to see
31211 how regular expressions work. Basically, a regular expression is a
31212 pattern that Calc can search for. A regular expression that considers
31213 blank lines, @samp{$}, and @samp{$$} to be opening delimiters is
31214 @code{"\\`\\|^\n\\|\\$\\$?"}. Just in case the meaning of this
31215 regular expression is not completely plain, let's go through it
31218 The surrounding @samp{" "} marks quote the text between them as a
31219 Lisp string. If you left them off, @code{set-variable} or
31220 @code{edit-options} would try to read the regular expression as a
31223 The most obvious property of this regular expression is that it
31224 contains indecently many backslashes. There are actually two levels
31225 of backslash usage going on here. First, when Lisp reads a quoted
31226 string, all pairs of characters beginning with a backslash are
31227 interpreted as special characters. Here, @code{\n} changes to a
31228 new-line character, and @code{\\} changes to a single backslash.
31229 So the actual regular expression seen by Calc is
31230 @samp{\`\|^ @r{(newline)} \|\$\$?}.
31232 Regular expressions also consider pairs beginning with backslash
31233 to have special meanings. Sometimes the backslash is used to quote
31234 a character that otherwise would have a special meaning in a regular
31235 expression, like @samp{$}, which normally means ``end-of-line,''
31236 or @samp{?}, which means that the preceding item is optional. So
31237 @samp{\$\$?} matches either one or two dollar signs.
31239 The other codes in this regular expression are @samp{^}, which matches
31240 ``beginning-of-line,'' @samp{\|}, which means ``or,'' and @samp{\`},
31241 which matches ``beginning-of-buffer.'' So the whole pattern means
31242 that a formula begins at the beginning of the buffer, or on a newline
31243 that occurs at the beginning of a line (i.e., a blank line), or at
31244 one or two dollar signs.
31246 The default value of @code{calc-embedded-open-formula} looks just
31247 like this example, with several more alternatives added on to
31248 recognize various other common kinds of delimiters.
31250 By the way, the reason to use @samp{^\n} rather than @samp{^$}
31251 or @samp{\n\n}, which also would appear to match blank lines,
31252 is that the former expression actually ``consumes'' only one
31253 newline character as @emph{part of} the delimiter, whereas the
31254 latter expressions consume zero or two newlines, respectively.
31255 The former choice gives the most natural behavior when Calc
31256 must operate on a whole formula including its delimiters.
31258 See the Emacs manual for complete details on regular expressions.
31259 But just for your convenience, here is a list of all characters
31260 which must be quoted with backslash (like @samp{\$}) to avoid
31261 some special interpretation: @samp{. * + ? [ ] ^ $ \}. (Note
31262 the backslash in this list; for example, to match @samp{\[} you
31263 must use @code{"\\\\\\["}. An exercise for the reader is to
31264 account for each of these six backslashes!)
31266 @vindex calc-embedded-close-formula
31267 The @code{calc-embedded-close-formula} variable holds a regular
31268 expression for the closing delimiter of a formula. A closing
31269 regular expression to match the above example would be
31270 @code{"\\'\\|\n$\\|\\$\\$?"}. This is almost the same as the
31271 other one, except it now uses @samp{\'} (``end-of-buffer'') and
31272 @samp{\n$} (newline occurring at end of line, yet another way
31273 of describing a blank line that is more appropriate for this
31276 @vindex calc-embedded-word-regexp
31277 The @code{calc-embedded-word-regexp} variable holds a regular expression
31278 used to define an expression to look for (a ``word'') when you type
31279 @kbd{C-x * w} to enable Embedded mode.
31281 @vindex calc-embedded-open-plain
31282 The @code{calc-embedded-open-plain} variable is a string which
31283 begins a ``plain'' formula written in front of the formatted
31284 formula when @kbd{d p} mode is turned on. Note that this is an
31285 actual string, not a regular expression, because Calc must be able
31286 to write this string into a buffer as well as to recognize it.
31287 The default string is @code{"%%% "} (note the trailing space), but may
31288 be different for certain major modes.
31290 @vindex calc-embedded-close-plain
31291 The @code{calc-embedded-close-plain} variable is a string which
31292 ends a ``plain'' formula. The default is @code{" %%%\n"}, but may be
31293 different for different major modes. Without
31294 the trailing newline here, the first line of a Big mode formula
31295 that followed might be shifted over with respect to the other lines.
31297 @vindex calc-embedded-open-new-formula
31298 The @code{calc-embedded-open-new-formula} variable is a string
31299 which is inserted at the front of a new formula when you type
31300 @kbd{C-x * f}. Its default value is @code{"\n\n"}. If this
31301 string begins with a newline character and the @kbd{C-x * f} is
31302 typed at the beginning of a line, @kbd{C-x * f} will skip this
31303 first newline to avoid introducing unnecessary blank lines in
31306 @vindex calc-embedded-close-new-formula
31307 The @code{calc-embedded-close-new-formula} variable is the corresponding
31308 string which is inserted at the end of a new formula. Its default
31309 value is also @code{"\n\n"}. The final newline is omitted by
31310 @w{@kbd{C-x * f}} if typed at the end of a line. (It follows that if
31311 @kbd{C-x * f} is typed on a blank line, both a leading opening
31312 newline and a trailing closing newline are omitted.)
31314 @vindex calc-embedded-announce-formula
31315 The @code{calc-embedded-announce-formula} variable is a regular
31316 expression which is sure to be followed by an embedded formula.
31317 The @kbd{C-x * a} command searches for this pattern as well as for
31318 @samp{=>} and @samp{:=} operators. Note that @kbd{C-x * a} will
31319 not activate just anything surrounded by formula delimiters; after
31320 all, blank lines are considered formula delimiters by default!
31321 But if your language includes a delimiter which can only occur
31322 actually in front of a formula, you can take advantage of it here.
31323 The default pattern is @code{"%Embed\n\\(% .*\n\\)*"}, but may be
31324 different for different major modes.
31325 This pattern will check for @samp{%Embed} followed by any number of
31326 lines beginning with @samp{%} and a space. This last is important to
31327 make Calc consider mode annotations part of the pattern, so that the
31328 formula's opening delimiter really is sure to follow the pattern.
31330 @vindex calc-embedded-open-mode
31331 The @code{calc-embedded-open-mode} variable is a string (not a
31332 regular expression) which should precede a mode annotation.
31333 Calc never scans for this string; Calc always looks for the
31334 annotation itself. But this is the string that is inserted before
31335 the opening bracket when Calc adds an annotation on its own.
31336 The default is @code{"% "}, but may be different for different major
31339 @vindex calc-embedded-close-mode
31340 The @code{calc-embedded-close-mode} variable is a string which
31341 follows a mode annotation written by Calc. Its default value
31342 is simply a newline, @code{"\n"}, but may be different for different
31343 major modes. If you change this, it is a good idea still to end with a
31344 newline so that mode annotations will appear on lines by themselves.
31346 @node Programming, Copying, Embedded Mode, Top
31347 @chapter Programming
31350 There are several ways to ``program'' the Emacs Calculator, depending
31351 on the nature of the problem you need to solve.
31355 @dfn{Keyboard macros} allow you to record a sequence of keystrokes
31356 and play them back at a later time. This is just the standard Emacs
31357 keyboard macro mechanism, dressed up with a few more features such
31358 as loops and conditionals.
31361 @dfn{Algebraic definitions} allow you to use any formula to define a
31362 new function. This function can then be used in algebraic formulas or
31363 as an interactive command.
31366 @dfn{Rewrite rules} are discussed in the section on algebra commands.
31367 @xref{Rewrite Rules}. If you put your rewrite rules in the variable
31368 @code{EvalRules}, they will be applied automatically to all Calc
31369 results in just the same way as an internal ``rule'' is applied to
31370 evaluate @samp{sqrt(9)} to 3 and so on. @xref{Automatic Rewrites}.
31373 @dfn{Lisp} is the programming language that Calc (and most of Emacs)
31374 is written in. If the above techniques aren't powerful enough, you
31375 can write Lisp functions to do anything that built-in Calc commands
31376 can do. Lisp code is also somewhat faster than keyboard macros or
31381 Programming features are available through the @kbd{z} and @kbd{Z}
31382 prefix keys. New commands that you define are two-key sequences
31383 beginning with @kbd{z}. Commands for managing these definitions
31384 use the shift-@kbd{Z} prefix. (The @kbd{Z T} (@code{calc-timing})
31385 command is described elsewhere; @pxref{Troubleshooting Commands}.
31386 The @kbd{Z C} (@code{calc-user-define-composition}) command is also
31387 described elsewhere; @pxref{User-Defined Compositions}.)
31390 * Creating User Keys::
31391 * Keyboard Macros::
31392 * Invocation Macros::
31393 * Algebraic Definitions::
31394 * Lisp Definitions::
31397 @node Creating User Keys, Keyboard Macros, Programming, Programming
31398 @section Creating User Keys
31402 @pindex calc-user-define
31403 Any Calculator command may be bound to a key using the @kbd{Z D}
31404 (@code{calc-user-define}) command. Actually, it is bound to a two-key
31405 sequence beginning with the lower-case @kbd{z} prefix.
31407 The @kbd{Z D} command first prompts for the key to define. For example,
31408 press @kbd{Z D a} to define the new key sequence @kbd{z a}. You are then
31409 prompted for the name of the Calculator command that this key should
31410 run. For example, the @code{calc-sincos} command is not normally
31411 available on a key. Typing @kbd{Z D s sincos @key{RET}} programs the
31412 @kbd{z s} key sequence to run @code{calc-sincos}. This definition will remain
31413 in effect for the rest of this Emacs session, or until you redefine
31414 @kbd{z s} to be something else.
31416 You can actually bind any Emacs command to a @kbd{z} key sequence by
31417 backspacing over the @samp{calc-} when you are prompted for the command name.
31419 As with any other prefix key, you can type @kbd{z ?} to see a list of
31420 all the two-key sequences you have defined that start with @kbd{z}.
31421 Initially, no @kbd{z} sequences (except @kbd{z ?} itself) are defined.
31423 User keys are typically letters, but may in fact be any key.
31424 (@key{META}-keys are not permitted, nor are a terminal's special
31425 function keys which generate multi-character sequences when pressed.)
31426 You can define different commands on the shifted and unshifted versions
31427 of a letter if you wish.
31430 @pindex calc-user-undefine
31431 The @kbd{Z U} (@code{calc-user-undefine}) command unbinds a user key.
31432 For example, the key sequence @kbd{Z U s} will undefine the @code{sincos}
31433 key we defined above.
31436 @pindex calc-user-define-permanent
31437 @cindex Storing user definitions
31438 @cindex Permanent user definitions
31439 @cindex Calc init file, user-defined commands
31440 The @kbd{Z P} (@code{calc-user-define-permanent}) command makes a key
31441 binding permanent so that it will remain in effect even in future Emacs
31442 sessions. (It does this by adding a suitable bit of Lisp code into
31443 your Calc init file; that is, the file given by the variable
31444 @code{calc-settings-file}, typically @file{~/.emacs.d/calc.el}.) For example,
31445 @kbd{Z P s} would register our @code{sincos} command permanently. If
31446 you later wish to unregister this command you must edit your Calc init
31447 file by hand. (@xref{General Mode Commands}, for a way to tell Calc to
31448 use a different file for the Calc init file.)
31450 The @kbd{Z P} command also saves the user definition, if any, for the
31451 command bound to the key. After @kbd{Z F} and @kbd{Z C}, a given user
31452 key could invoke a command, which in turn calls an algebraic function,
31453 which might have one or more special display formats. A single @kbd{Z P}
31454 command will save all of these definitions.
31455 To save an algebraic function, type @kbd{'} (the apostrophe)
31456 when prompted for a key, and type the function name. To save a command
31457 without its key binding, type @kbd{M-x} and enter a function name. (The
31458 @samp{calc-} prefix will automatically be inserted for you.)
31459 (If the command you give implies a function, the function will be saved,
31460 and if the function has any display formats, those will be saved, but
31461 not the other way around: Saving a function will not save any commands
31462 or key bindings associated with the function.)
31465 @pindex calc-user-define-edit
31466 @cindex Editing user definitions
31467 The @kbd{Z E} (@code{calc-user-define-edit}) command edits the definition
31468 of a user key. This works for keys that have been defined by either
31469 keyboard macros or formulas; further details are contained in the relevant
31470 following sections.
31472 @node Keyboard Macros, Invocation Macros, Creating User Keys, Programming
31473 @section Programming with Keyboard Macros
31477 @cindex Programming with keyboard macros
31478 @cindex Keyboard macros
31479 The easiest way to ``program'' the Emacs Calculator is to use standard
31480 keyboard macros. Press @w{@kbd{C-x (}} to begin recording a macro. From
31481 this point on, keystrokes you type will be saved away as well as
31482 performing their usual functions. Press @kbd{C-x )} to end recording.
31483 Press shift-@kbd{X} (or the standard Emacs key sequence @kbd{C-x e}) to
31484 execute your keyboard macro by replaying the recorded keystrokes.
31485 @xref{Keyboard Macros, , , emacs, the Emacs Manual}, for further
31488 When you use @kbd{X} to invoke a keyboard macro, the entire macro is
31489 treated as a single command by the undo and trail features. The stack
31490 display buffer is not updated during macro execution, but is instead
31491 fixed up once the macro completes. Thus, commands defined with keyboard
31492 macros are convenient and efficient. The @kbd{C-x e} command, on the
31493 other hand, invokes the keyboard macro with no special treatment: Each
31494 command in the macro will record its own undo information and trail entry,
31495 and update the stack buffer accordingly. If your macro uses features
31496 outside of Calc's control to operate on the contents of the Calc stack
31497 buffer, or if it includes Undo, Redo, or last-arguments commands, you
31498 must use @kbd{C-x e} to make sure the buffer and undo list are up-to-date
31499 at all times. You could also consider using @kbd{K} (@code{calc-keep-args})
31500 instead of @kbd{M-@key{RET}} (@code{calc-last-args}).
31502 Calc extends the standard Emacs keyboard macros in several ways.
31503 Keyboard macros can be used to create user-defined commands. Keyboard
31504 macros can include conditional and iteration structures, somewhat
31505 analogous to those provided by a traditional programmable calculator.
31508 * Naming Keyboard Macros::
31509 * Conditionals in Macros::
31510 * Loops in Macros::
31511 * Local Values in Macros::
31512 * Queries in Macros::
31515 @node Naming Keyboard Macros, Conditionals in Macros, Keyboard Macros, Keyboard Macros
31516 @subsection Naming Keyboard Macros
31520 @pindex calc-user-define-kbd-macro
31521 Once you have defined a keyboard macro, you can bind it to a @kbd{z}
31522 key sequence with the @kbd{Z K} (@code{calc-user-define-kbd-macro}) command.
31523 This command prompts first for a key, then for a command name. For
31524 example, if you type @kbd{C-x ( n @key{TAB} n @key{TAB} C-x )} you will
31525 define a keyboard macro which negates the top two numbers on the stack
31526 (@key{TAB} swaps the top two stack elements). Now you can type
31527 @kbd{Z K n @key{RET}} to define this keyboard macro onto the @kbd{z n} key
31528 sequence. The default command name (if you answer the second prompt with
31529 just the @key{RET} key as in this example) will be something like
31530 @samp{calc-User-n}. The keyboard macro will now be available as both
31531 @kbd{z n} and @kbd{M-x calc-User-n}. You can backspace and enter a more
31532 descriptive command name if you wish.
31534 Macros defined by @kbd{Z K} act like single commands; they are executed
31535 in the same way as by the @kbd{X} key. If you wish to define the macro
31536 as a standard no-frills Emacs macro (to be executed as if by @kbd{C-x e}),
31537 give a negative prefix argument to @kbd{Z K}.
31539 Once you have bound your keyboard macro to a key, you can use
31540 @kbd{Z P} to register it permanently with Emacs. @xref{Creating User Keys}.
31542 @cindex Keyboard macros, editing
31543 The @kbd{Z E} (@code{calc-user-define-edit}) command on a key that has
31544 been defined by a keyboard macro tries to use the @code{edmacro} package
31545 edit the macro. Type @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish editing and update
31546 the definition stored on the key, or, to cancel the edit, kill the
31547 buffer with @kbd{C-x k}.
31548 The special characters @code{RET}, @code{LFD}, @code{TAB}, @code{SPC},
31549 @code{DEL}, and @code{NUL} must be entered as these three character
31550 sequences, written in all uppercase, as must the prefixes @code{C-} and
31551 @code{M-}. Spaces and line breaks are ignored. Other characters are
31552 copied verbatim into the keyboard macro. Basically, the notation is the
31553 same as is used in all of this manual's examples, except that the manual
31554 takes some liberties with spaces: When we say @kbd{' [1 2 3] @key{RET}},
31555 we take it for granted that it is clear we really mean
31556 @kbd{' [1 @key{SPC} 2 @key{SPC} 3] @key{RET}}.
31559 @pindex read-kbd-macro
31560 The @kbd{C-x * m} (@code{read-kbd-macro}) command reads an Emacs ``region''
31561 of spelled-out keystrokes and defines it as the current keyboard macro.
31562 It is a convenient way to define a keyboard macro that has been stored
31563 in a file, or to define a macro without executing it at the same time.
31565 @node Conditionals in Macros, Loops in Macros, Naming Keyboard Macros, Keyboard Macros
31566 @subsection Conditionals in Keyboard Macros
31571 @pindex calc-kbd-if
31572 @pindex calc-kbd-else
31573 @pindex calc-kbd-else-if
31574 @pindex calc-kbd-end-if
31575 @cindex Conditional structures
31576 The @kbd{Z [} (@code{calc-kbd-if}) and @kbd{Z ]} (@code{calc-kbd-end-if})
31577 commands allow you to put simple tests in a keyboard macro. When Calc
31578 sees the @kbd{Z [}, it pops an object from the stack and, if the object is
31579 a non-zero value, continues executing keystrokes. But if the object is
31580 zero, or if it is not provably nonzero, Calc skips ahead to the matching
31581 @kbd{Z ]} keystroke. @xref{Logical Operations}, for a set of commands for
31582 performing tests which conveniently produce 1 for true and 0 for false.
31584 For example, @kbd{@key{RET} 0 a < Z [ n Z ]} implements an absolute-value
31585 function in the form of a keyboard macro. This macro duplicates the
31586 number on the top of the stack, pushes zero and compares using @kbd{a <}
31587 (@code{calc-less-than}), then, if the number was less than zero,
31588 executes @kbd{n} (@code{calc-change-sign}). Otherwise, the change-sign
31589 command is skipped.
31591 To program this macro, type @kbd{C-x (}, type the above sequence of
31592 keystrokes, then type @kbd{C-x )}. Note that the keystrokes will be
31593 executed while you are making the definition as well as when you later
31594 re-execute the macro by typing @kbd{X}. Thus you should make sure a
31595 suitable number is on the stack before defining the macro so that you
31596 don't get a stack-underflow error during the definition process.
31598 Conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. However, there should be exactly
31599 one @kbd{Z ]} for each @kbd{Z [} in a keyboard macro.
31602 The @kbd{Z :} (@code{calc-kbd-else}) command allows you to choose between
31603 two keystroke sequences. The general format is @kbd{@var{cond} Z [
31604 @var{then-part} Z : @var{else-part} Z ]}. If @var{cond} is true
31605 (i.e., if the top of stack contains a non-zero number after @var{cond}
31606 has been executed), the @var{then-part} will be executed and the
31607 @var{else-part} will be skipped. Otherwise, the @var{then-part} will
31608 be skipped and the @var{else-part} will be executed.
31611 The @kbd{Z |} (@code{calc-kbd-else-if}) command allows you to choose
31612 between any number of alternatives. For example,
31613 @kbd{@var{cond1} Z [ @var{part1} Z : @var{cond2} Z | @var{part2} Z :
31614 @var{part3} Z ]} will execute @var{part1} if @var{cond1} is true,
31615 otherwise it will execute @var{part2} if @var{cond2} is true, otherwise
31616 it will execute @var{part3}.
31618 More precisely, @kbd{Z [} pops a number and conditionally skips to the
31619 next matching @kbd{Z :} or @kbd{Z ]} key. @w{@kbd{Z ]}} has no effect when
31620 actually executed. @kbd{Z :} skips to the next matching @kbd{Z ]}.
31621 @kbd{Z |} pops a number and conditionally skips to the next matching
31622 @kbd{Z :} or @kbd{Z ]}; thus, @kbd{Z [} and @kbd{Z |} are functionally
31623 equivalent except that @kbd{Z [} participates in nesting but @kbd{Z |}
31626 Calc's conditional and looping constructs work by scanning the
31627 keyboard macro for occurrences of character sequences like @samp{Z:}
31628 and @samp{Z]}. One side-effect of this is that if you use these
31629 constructs you must be careful that these character pairs do not
31630 occur by accident in other parts of the macros. Since Calc rarely
31631 uses shift-@kbd{Z} for any purpose except as a prefix character, this
31632 is not likely to be a problem. Another side-effect is that it will
31633 not work to define your own custom key bindings for these commands.
31634 Only the standard shift-@kbd{Z} bindings will work correctly.
31637 If Calc gets stuck while skipping characters during the definition of a
31638 macro, type @kbd{Z C-g} to cancel the definition. (Typing plain @kbd{C-g}
31639 actually adds a @kbd{C-g} keystroke to the macro.)
31641 @node Loops in Macros, Local Values in Macros, Conditionals in Macros, Keyboard Macros
31642 @subsection Loops in Keyboard Macros
31647 @pindex calc-kbd-repeat
31648 @pindex calc-kbd-end-repeat
31649 @cindex Looping structures
31650 @cindex Iterative structures
31651 The @kbd{Z <} (@code{calc-kbd-repeat}) and @kbd{Z >}
31652 (@code{calc-kbd-end-repeat}) commands pop a number from the stack,
31653 which must be an integer, then repeat the keystrokes between the brackets
31654 the specified number of times. If the integer is zero or negative, the
31655 body is skipped altogether. For example, @kbd{1 @key{TAB} Z < 2 * Z >}
31656 computes two to a nonnegative integer power. First, we push 1 on the
31657 stack and then swap the integer argument back to the top. The @kbd{Z <}
31658 pops that argument leaving the 1 back on top of the stack. Then, we
31659 repeat a multiply-by-two step however many times.
31661 Once again, the keyboard macro is executed as it is being entered.
31662 In this case it is especially important to set up reasonable initial
31663 conditions before making the definition: Suppose the integer 1000 just
31664 happened to be sitting on the stack before we typed the above definition!
31665 Another approach is to enter a harmless dummy definition for the macro,
31666 then go back and edit in the real one with a @kbd{Z E} command. Yet
31667 another approach is to type the macro as written-out keystroke names
31668 in a buffer, then use @kbd{C-x * m} (@code{read-kbd-macro}) to read the
31673 The @kbd{Z /} (@code{calc-kbd-break}) command allows you to break out
31674 of a keyboard macro loop prematurely. It pops an object from the stack;
31675 if that object is true (a non-zero number), control jumps out of the
31676 innermost enclosing @kbd{Z <} @dots{} @kbd{Z >} loop and continues
31677 after the @kbd{Z >}. If the object is false, the @kbd{Z /} has no
31678 effect. Thus @kbd{@var{cond} Z /} is similar to @samp{if (@var{cond}) break;}
31683 @pindex calc-kbd-for
31684 @pindex calc-kbd-end-for
31685 The @kbd{Z (} (@code{calc-kbd-for}) and @kbd{Z )} (@code{calc-kbd-end-for})
31686 commands are similar to @kbd{Z <} and @kbd{Z >}, except that they make the
31687 value of the counter available inside the loop. The general layout is
31688 @kbd{@var{init} @var{final} Z ( @var{body} @var{step} Z )}. The @kbd{Z (}
31689 command pops initial and final values from the stack. It then creates
31690 a temporary internal counter and initializes it with the value @var{init}.
31691 The @kbd{Z (} command then repeatedly pushes the counter value onto the
31692 stack and executes @var{body} and @var{step}, adding @var{step} to the
31693 counter each time until the loop finishes.
31695 @cindex Summations (by keyboard macros)
31696 By default, the loop finishes when the counter becomes greater than (or
31697 less than) @var{final}, assuming @var{initial} is less than (greater
31698 than) @var{final}. If @var{initial} is equal to @var{final}, the body
31699 executes exactly once. The body of the loop always executes at least
31700 once. For example, @kbd{0 1 10 Z ( 2 ^ + 1 Z )} computes the sum of the
31701 squares of the integers from 1 to 10, in steps of 1.
31703 If you give a numeric prefix argument of 1 to @kbd{Z (}, the loop is
31704 forced to use upward-counting conventions. In this case, if @var{initial}
31705 is greater than @var{final} the body will not be executed at all.
31706 Note that @var{step} may still be negative in this loop; the prefix
31707 argument merely constrains the loop-finished test. Likewise, a prefix
31708 argument of @mathit{-1} forces downward-counting conventions.
31712 @pindex calc-kbd-loop
31713 @pindex calc-kbd-end-loop
31714 The @kbd{Z @{} (@code{calc-kbd-loop}) and @kbd{Z @}}
31715 (@code{calc-kbd-end-loop}) commands are similar to @kbd{Z <} and
31716 @kbd{Z >}, except that they do not pop a count from the stack---they
31717 effectively create an infinite loop. Every @kbd{Z @{} @dots{} @kbd{Z @}}
31718 loop ought to include at least one @kbd{Z /} to make sure the loop
31719 doesn't run forever. (If any error message occurs which causes Emacs
31720 to beep, the keyboard macro will also be halted; this is a standard
31721 feature of Emacs. You can also generally press @kbd{C-g} to halt a
31722 running keyboard macro, although not all versions of Unix support
31725 The conditional and looping constructs are not actually tied to
31726 keyboard macros, but they are most often used in that context.
31727 For example, the keystrokes @kbd{10 Z < 23 @key{RET} Z >} push
31728 ten copies of 23 onto the stack. This can be typed ``live'' just
31729 as easily as in a macro definition.
31731 @xref{Conditionals in Macros}, for some additional notes about
31732 conditional and looping commands.
31734 @node Local Values in Macros, Queries in Macros, Loops in Macros, Keyboard Macros
31735 @subsection Local Values in Macros
31738 @cindex Local variables
31739 @cindex Restoring saved modes
31740 Keyboard macros sometimes want to operate under known conditions
31741 without affecting surrounding conditions. For example, a keyboard
31742 macro may wish to turn on Fraction mode, or set a particular
31743 precision, independent of the user's normal setting for those
31748 @pindex calc-kbd-push
31749 @pindex calc-kbd-pop
31750 Macros also sometimes need to use local variables. Assignments to
31751 local variables inside the macro should not affect any variables
31752 outside the macro. The @kbd{Z `} (@code{calc-kbd-push}) and @kbd{Z '}
31753 (@code{calc-kbd-pop}) commands give you both of these capabilities.
31755 When you type @kbd{Z `} (with a backquote or accent grave character),
31756 the values of various mode settings are saved away. The ten ``quick''
31757 variables @code{q0} through @code{q9} are also saved. When
31758 you type @w{@kbd{Z '}} (with an apostrophe), these values are restored.
31759 Pairs of @kbd{Z `} and @kbd{Z '} commands may be nested.
31761 If a keyboard macro halts due to an error in between a @kbd{Z `} and
31762 a @kbd{Z '}, the saved values will be restored correctly even though
31763 the macro never reaches the @kbd{Z '} command. Thus you can use
31764 @kbd{Z `} and @kbd{Z '} without having to worry about what happens
31765 in exceptional conditions.
31767 If you type @kbd{Z `} ``live'' (not in a keyboard macro), Calc puts
31768 you into a ``recursive edit.'' You can tell you are in a recursive
31769 edit because there will be extra square brackets in the mode line,
31770 as in @samp{[(Calculator)]}. These brackets will go away when you
31771 type the matching @kbd{Z '} command. The modes and quick variables
31772 will be saved and restored in just the same way as if actual keyboard
31773 macros were involved.
31775 The modes saved by @kbd{Z `} and @kbd{Z '} are the current precision
31776 and binary word size, the angular mode (Deg, Rad, or HMS), the
31777 simplification mode, Algebraic mode, Symbolic mode, Infinite mode,
31778 Matrix or Scalar mode, Fraction mode, and the current complex mode
31779 (Polar or Rectangular). The ten ``quick'' variables' values (or lack
31780 thereof) are also saved.
31782 Most mode-setting commands act as toggles, but with a numeric prefix
31783 they force the mode either on (positive prefix) or off (negative
31784 or zero prefix). Since you don't know what the environment might
31785 be when you invoke your macro, it's best to use prefix arguments
31786 for all mode-setting commands inside the macro.
31788 In fact, @kbd{C-u Z `} is like @kbd{Z `} except that it sets the modes
31789 listed above to their default values. As usual, the matching @kbd{Z '}
31790 will restore the modes to their settings from before the @kbd{C-u Z `}.
31791 Also, @w{@kbd{Z `}} with a negative prefix argument resets the algebraic mode
31792 to its default (off) but leaves the other modes the same as they were
31793 outside the construct.
31795 The contents of the stack and trail, values of non-quick variables, and
31796 other settings such as the language mode and the various display modes,
31797 are @emph{not} affected by @kbd{Z `} and @kbd{Z '}.
31799 @node Queries in Macros, , Local Values in Macros, Keyboard Macros
31800 @subsection Queries in Keyboard Macros
31804 @c @pindex calc-kbd-report
31805 @c The @kbd{Z =} (@code{calc-kbd-report}) command displays an informative
31806 @c message including the value on the top of the stack. You are prompted
31807 @c to enter a string. That string, along with the top-of-stack value,
31808 @c is displayed unless @kbd{m w} (@code{calc-working}) has been used
31809 @c to turn such messages off.
31813 @pindex calc-kbd-query
31814 The @kbd{Z #} (@code{calc-kbd-query}) command prompts for an algebraic
31815 entry which takes its input from the keyboard, even during macro
31816 execution. All the normal conventions of algebraic input, including the
31817 use of @kbd{$} characters, are supported. The prompt message itself is
31818 taken from the top of the stack, and so must be entered (as a string)
31819 before the @kbd{Z #} command. (Recall, as a string it can be entered by
31820 pressing the @kbd{"} key and will appear as a vector when it is put on
31821 the stack. The prompt message is only put on the stack to provide a
31822 prompt for the @kbd{Z #} command; it will not play any role in any
31823 subsequent calculations.) This command allows your keyboard macros to
31824 accept numbers or formulas as interactive input.
31827 @kbd{2 @key{RET} "Power: " @key{RET} Z # 3 @key{RET} ^} will prompt for
31828 input with ``Power: '' in the minibuffer, then return 2 to the provided
31829 power. (The response to the prompt that's given, 3 in this example,
31830 will not be part of the macro.)
31832 @xref{Keyboard Macro Query, , , emacs, the Emacs Manual}, for a description of
31833 @kbd{C-x q} (@code{kbd-macro-query}), the standard Emacs way to accept
31834 keyboard input during a keyboard macro. In particular, you can use
31835 @kbd{C-x q} to enter a recursive edit, which allows the user to perform
31836 any Calculator operations interactively before pressing @kbd{C-M-c} to
31837 return control to the keyboard macro.
31839 @node Invocation Macros, Algebraic Definitions, Keyboard Macros, Programming
31840 @section Invocation Macros
31844 @pindex calc-user-invocation
31845 @pindex calc-user-define-invocation
31846 Calc provides one special keyboard macro, called up by @kbd{C-x * z}
31847 (@code{calc-user-invocation}), that is intended to allow you to define
31848 your own special way of starting Calc. To define this ``invocation
31849 macro,'' create the macro in the usual way with @kbd{C-x (} and
31850 @kbd{C-x )}, then type @kbd{Z I} (@code{calc-user-define-invocation}).
31851 There is only one invocation macro, so you don't need to type any
31852 additional letters after @kbd{Z I}. From now on, you can type
31853 @kbd{C-x * z} at any time to execute your invocation macro.
31855 For example, suppose you find yourself often grabbing rectangles of
31856 numbers into Calc and multiplying their columns. You can do this
31857 by typing @kbd{C-x * r} to grab, and @kbd{V R : *} to multiply columns.
31858 To make this into an invocation macro, just type @kbd{C-x ( C-x * r
31859 V R : * C-x )}, then @kbd{Z I}. Then, to multiply a rectangle of data,
31860 just mark the data in its buffer in the usual way and type @kbd{C-x * z}.
31862 Invocation macros are treated like regular Emacs keyboard macros;
31863 all the special features described above for @kbd{Z K}-style macros
31864 do not apply. @kbd{C-x * z} is just like @kbd{C-x e}, except that it
31865 uses the macro that was last stored by @kbd{Z I}. (In fact, the
31866 macro does not even have to have anything to do with Calc!)
31868 The @kbd{m m} command saves the last invocation macro defined by
31869 @kbd{Z I} along with all the other Calc mode settings.
31870 @xref{General Mode Commands}.
31872 @node Algebraic Definitions, Lisp Definitions, Invocation Macros, Programming
31873 @section Programming with Formulas
31877 @pindex calc-user-define-formula
31878 @cindex Programming with algebraic formulas
31879 Another way to create a new Calculator command uses algebraic formulas.
31880 The @kbd{Z F} (@code{calc-user-define-formula}) command stores the
31881 formula at the top of the stack as the definition for a key. This
31882 command prompts for five things: The key, the command name, the function
31883 name, the argument list, and the behavior of the command when given
31884 non-numeric arguments.
31886 For example, suppose we type @kbd{' a+2b @key{RET}} to push the formula
31887 @samp{a + 2*b} onto the stack. We now type @kbd{Z F m} to define this
31888 formula on the @kbd{z m} key sequence. The next prompt is for a command
31889 name, beginning with @samp{calc-}, which should be the long (@kbd{M-x}) form
31890 for the new command. If you simply press @key{RET}, a default name like
31891 @code{calc-User-m} will be constructed. In our example, suppose we enter
31892 @kbd{spam @key{RET}} to define the new command as @code{calc-spam}.
31894 If you want to give the formula a long-style name only, you can press
31895 @key{SPC} or @key{RET} when asked which single key to use. For example
31896 @kbd{Z F @key{RET} spam @key{RET}} defines the new command as
31897 @kbd{M-x calc-spam}, with no keyboard equivalent.
31899 The third prompt is for an algebraic function name. The default is to
31900 use the same name as the command name but without the @samp{calc-}
31901 prefix. (If this is of the form @samp{User-m}, the hyphen is removed so
31902 it won't be taken for a minus sign in algebraic formulas.)
31903 This is the name you will use if you want to enter your
31904 new function in an algebraic formula. Suppose we enter @kbd{yow @key{RET}}.
31905 Then the new function can be invoked by pushing two numbers on the
31906 stack and typing @kbd{z m} or @kbd{x spam}, or by entering the algebraic
31907 formula @samp{yow(x,y)}.
31909 The fourth prompt is for the function's argument list. This is used to
31910 associate values on the stack with the variables that appear in the formula.
31911 The default is a list of all variables which appear in the formula, sorted
31912 into alphabetical order. In our case, the default would be @samp{(a b)}.
31913 This means that, when the user types @kbd{z m}, the Calculator will remove
31914 two numbers from the stack, substitute these numbers for @samp{a} and
31915 @samp{b} (respectively) in the formula, then simplify the formula and
31916 push the result on the stack. In other words, @kbd{10 @key{RET} 100 z m}
31917 would replace the 10 and 100 on the stack with the number 210, which is
31918 @expr{a + 2 b} with @expr{a=10} and @expr{b=100}. Likewise, the formula
31919 @samp{yow(10, 100)} will be evaluated by substituting @expr{a=10} and
31920 @expr{b=100} in the definition.
31922 You can rearrange the order of the names before pressing @key{RET} to
31923 control which stack positions go to which variables in the formula. If
31924 you remove a variable from the argument list, that variable will be left
31925 in symbolic form by the command. Thus using an argument list of @samp{(b)}
31926 for our function would cause @kbd{10 z m} to replace the 10 on the stack
31927 with the formula @samp{a + 20}. If we had used an argument list of
31928 @samp{(b a)}, the result with inputs 10 and 100 would have been 120.
31930 You can also put a nameless function on the stack instead of just a
31931 formula, as in @samp{<a, b : a + 2 b>}. @xref{Specifying Operators}.
31932 In this example, the command will be defined by the formula @samp{a + 2 b}
31933 using the argument list @samp{(a b)}.
31935 The final prompt is a y-or-n question concerning what to do if symbolic
31936 arguments are given to your function. If you answer @kbd{y}, then
31937 executing @kbd{z m} (using the original argument list @samp{(a b)}) with
31938 arguments @expr{10} and @expr{x} will leave the function in symbolic
31939 form, i.e., @samp{yow(10,x)}. On the other hand, if you answer @kbd{n},
31940 then the formula will always be expanded, even for non-constant
31941 arguments: @samp{10 + 2 x}. If you never plan to feed algebraic
31942 formulas to your new function, it doesn't matter how you answer this
31945 If you answered @kbd{y} to this question you can still cause a function
31946 call to be expanded by typing @kbd{a "} (@code{calc-expand-formula}).
31947 Also, Calc will expand the function if necessary when you take a
31948 derivative or integral or solve an equation involving the function.
31951 @pindex calc-get-user-defn
31952 Once you have defined a formula on a key, you can retrieve this formula
31953 with the @kbd{Z G} (@code{calc-user-define-get-defn}) command. Press a
31954 key, and this command pushes the formula that was used to define that
31955 key onto the stack. Actually, it pushes a nameless function that
31956 specifies both the argument list and the defining formula. You will get
31957 an error message if the key is undefined, or if the key was not defined
31958 by a @kbd{Z F} command.
31960 The @kbd{Z E} (@code{calc-user-define-edit}) command on a key that has
31961 been defined by a formula uses a variant of the @code{calc-edit} command
31962 to edit the defining formula. Press @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish editing and
31963 store the new formula back in the definition, or kill the buffer with
31965 cancel the edit. (The argument list and other properties of the
31966 definition are unchanged; to adjust the argument list, you can use
31967 @kbd{Z G} to grab the function onto the stack, edit with @kbd{`}, and
31968 then re-execute the @kbd{Z F} command.)
31970 As usual, the @kbd{Z P} command records your definition permanently.
31971 In this case it will permanently record all three of the relevant
31972 definitions: the key, the command, and the function.
31974 You may find it useful to turn off the default simplifications with
31975 @kbd{m O} (@code{calc-no-simplify-mode}) when entering a formula to be
31976 used as a function definition. For example, the formula @samp{deriv(a^2,v)}
31977 which might be used to define a new function @samp{dsqr(a,v)} will be
31978 ``simplified'' to 0 immediately upon entry since @code{deriv} considers
31979 @expr{a} to be constant with respect to @expr{v}. Turning off
31980 default simplifications cures this problem: The definition will be stored
31981 in symbolic form without ever activating the @code{deriv} function. Press
31982 @kbd{m D} to turn the default simplifications back on afterwards.
31984 @node Lisp Definitions, , Algebraic Definitions, Programming
31985 @section Programming with Lisp
31988 The Calculator can be programmed quite extensively in Lisp. All you
31989 do is write a normal Lisp function definition, but with @code{defmath}
31990 in place of @code{defun}. This has the same form as @code{defun}, but it
31991 automagically replaces calls to standard Lisp functions like @code{+} and
31992 @code{zerop} with calls to the corresponding functions in Calc's own library.
31993 Thus you can write natural-looking Lisp code which operates on all of the
31994 standard Calculator data types. You can then use @kbd{Z D} if you wish to
31995 bind your new command to a @kbd{z}-prefix key sequence. The @kbd{Z E} command
31996 will not edit a Lisp-based definition.
31998 Emacs Lisp is described in the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual. This section
31999 assumes a familiarity with Lisp programming concepts; if you do not know
32000 Lisp, you may find keyboard macros or rewrite rules to be an easier way
32001 to program the Calculator.
32003 This section first discusses ways to write commands, functions, or
32004 small programs to be executed inside of Calc. Then it discusses how
32005 your own separate programs are able to call Calc from the outside.
32006 Finally, there is a list of internal Calc functions and data structures
32007 for the true Lisp enthusiast.
32010 * Defining Functions::
32011 * Defining Simple Commands::
32012 * Defining Stack Commands::
32013 * Argument Qualifiers::
32014 * Example Definitions::
32016 * Calling Calc from Your Programs::
32020 @node Defining Functions, Defining Simple Commands, Lisp Definitions, Lisp Definitions
32021 @subsection Defining New Functions
32025 The @code{defmath} function (actually a Lisp macro) is like @code{defun}
32026 except that code in the body of the definition can make use of the full
32027 range of Calculator data types. The prefix @samp{calcFunc-} is added
32028 to the specified name to get the actual Lisp function name. As a simple
32032 (defmath myfact (n)
32034 (* n (myfact (1- n)))
32039 This actually expands to the code,
32042 (defun calcFunc-myfact (n)
32044 (math-mul n (calcFunc-myfact (math-add n -1)))
32049 This function can be used in algebraic expressions, e.g., @samp{myfact(5)}.
32051 The @samp{myfact} function as it is defined above has the bug that an
32052 expression @samp{myfact(a+b)} will be simplified to 1 because the
32053 formula @samp{a+b} is not considered to be @code{posp}. A robust
32054 factorial function would be written along the following lines:
32057 (defmath myfact (n)
32059 (* n (myfact (1- n)))
32062 nil))) ; this could be simplified as: (and (= n 0) 1)
32065 If a function returns @code{nil}, it is left unsimplified by the Calculator
32066 (except that its arguments will be simplified). Thus, @samp{myfact(a+1+2)}
32067 will be simplified to @samp{myfact(a+3)} but no further. Beware that every
32068 time the Calculator reexamines this formula it will attempt to resimplify
32069 it, so your function ought to detect the returning-@code{nil} case as
32070 efficiently as possible.
32072 The following standard Lisp functions are treated by @code{defmath}:
32073 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}, @code{^} or
32074 @code{expt}, @code{=}, @code{<}, @code{>}, @code{<=}, @code{>=},
32075 @code{/=}, @code{1+}, @code{1-}, @code{logand}, @code{logior}, @code{logxor},
32076 @code{logandc2}, @code{lognot}. Also, @code{~=} is an abbreviation for
32077 @code{math-nearly-equal}, which is useful in implementing Taylor series.
32079 For other functions @var{func}, if a function by the name
32080 @samp{calcFunc-@var{func}} exists it is used, otherwise if a function by the
32081 name @samp{math-@var{func}} exists it is used, otherwise if @var{func} itself
32082 is defined as a function it is used, otherwise @samp{calcFunc-@var{func}} is
32083 used on the assumption that this is a to-be-defined math function. Also, if
32084 the function name is quoted as in @samp{('integerp a)} the function name is
32085 always used exactly as written (but not quoted).
32087 Variable names have @samp{var-} prepended to them unless they appear in
32088 the function's argument list or in an enclosing @code{let}, @code{let*},
32089 @code{for}, or @code{foreach} form,
32090 or their names already contain a @samp{-} character. Thus a reference to
32091 @samp{foo} is the same as a reference to @samp{var-foo}.
32093 A few other Lisp extensions are available in @code{defmath} definitions:
32097 The @code{elt} function accepts any number of index variables.
32098 Note that Calc vectors are stored as Lisp lists whose first
32099 element is the symbol @code{vec}; thus, @samp{(elt v 2)} yields
32100 the second element of vector @code{v}, and @samp{(elt m i j)}
32101 yields one element of a Calc matrix.
32104 The @code{setq} function has been extended to act like the Common
32105 Lisp @code{setf} function. (The name @code{setf} is recognized as
32106 a synonym of @code{setq}.) Specifically, the first argument of
32107 @code{setq} can be an @code{nth}, @code{elt}, @code{car}, or @code{cdr} form,
32108 in which case the effect is to store into the specified
32109 element of a list. Thus, @samp{(setq (elt m i j) x)} stores @expr{x}
32110 into one element of a matrix.
32113 A @code{for} looping construct is available. For example,
32114 @samp{(for ((i 0 10)) body)} executes @code{body} once for each
32115 binding of @expr{i} from zero to 10. This is like a @code{let}
32116 form in that @expr{i} is temporarily bound to the loop count
32117 without disturbing its value outside the @code{for} construct.
32118 Nested loops, as in @samp{(for ((i 0 10) (j 0 (1- i) 2)) body)},
32119 are also available. For each value of @expr{i} from zero to 10,
32120 @expr{j} counts from 0 to @expr{i-1} in steps of two. Note that
32121 @code{for} has the same general outline as @code{let*}, except
32122 that each element of the header is a list of three or four
32123 things, not just two.
32126 The @code{foreach} construct loops over elements of a list.
32127 For example, @samp{(foreach ((x (cdr v))) body)} executes
32128 @code{body} with @expr{x} bound to each element of Calc vector
32129 @expr{v} in turn. The purpose of @code{cdr} here is to skip over
32130 the initial @code{vec} symbol in the vector.
32133 The @code{break} function breaks out of the innermost enclosing
32134 @code{while}, @code{for}, or @code{foreach} loop. If given a
32135 value, as in @samp{(break x)}, this value is returned by the
32136 loop. (Lisp loops otherwise always return @code{nil}.)
32139 The @code{return} function prematurely returns from the enclosing
32140 function. For example, @samp{(return (+ x y))} returns @expr{x+y}
32141 as the value of a function. You can use @code{return} anywhere
32142 inside the body of the function.
32145 Non-integer numbers (and extremely large integers) cannot be included
32146 directly into a @code{defmath} definition. This is because the Lisp
32147 reader will fail to parse them long before @code{defmath} ever gets control.
32148 Instead, use the notation, @samp{:"3.1415"}. In fact, any algebraic
32149 formula can go between the quotes. For example,
32152 (defmath sqexp (x) ; sqexp(x) == sqrt(exp(x)) == exp(x*0.5)
32160 (defun calcFunc-sqexp (x)
32161 (and (math-numberp x)
32162 (calcFunc-exp (math-mul x '(float 5 -1)))))
32165 Note the use of @code{numberp} as a guard to ensure that the argument is
32166 a number first, returning @code{nil} if not. The exponential function
32167 could itself have been included in the expression, if we had preferred:
32168 @samp{:"exp(x * 0.5)"}. As another example, the multiplication-and-recursion
32169 step of @code{myfact} could have been written
32175 A good place to put your @code{defmath} commands is your Calc init file
32176 (the file given by @code{calc-settings-file}, typically
32177 @file{~/.emacs.d/calc.el}), which will not be loaded until Calc starts.
32178 If a file named @file{.emacs} exists in your home directory, Emacs reads
32179 and executes the Lisp forms in this file as it starts up. While it may
32180 seem reasonable to put your favorite @code{defmath} commands there,
32181 this has the unfortunate side-effect that parts of the Calculator must be
32182 loaded in to process the @code{defmath} commands whether or not you will
32183 actually use the Calculator! If you want to put the @code{defmath}
32184 commands there (for example, if you redefine @code{calc-settings-file}
32185 to be @file{.emacs}), a better effect can be had by writing
32188 (put 'calc-define 'thing '(progn
32195 @vindex calc-define
32196 The @code{put} function adds a @dfn{property} to a symbol. Each Lisp
32197 symbol has a list of properties associated with it. Here we add a
32198 property with a name of @code{thing} and a @samp{(progn ...)} form as
32199 its value. When Calc starts up, and at the start of every Calc command,
32200 the property list for the symbol @code{calc-define} is checked and the
32201 values of any properties found are evaluated as Lisp forms. The
32202 properties are removed as they are evaluated. The property names
32203 (like @code{thing}) are not used; you should choose something like the
32204 name of your project so as not to conflict with other properties.
32206 The net effect is that you can put the above code in your @file{.emacs}
32207 file and it will not be executed until Calc is loaded. Or, you can put
32208 that same code in another file which you load by hand either before or
32209 after Calc itself is loaded.
32211 The properties of @code{calc-define} are evaluated in the same order
32212 that they were added. They can assume that the Calc modules @file{calc.el},
32213 @file{calc-ext.el}, and @file{calc-macs.el} have been fully loaded, and
32214 that the @samp{*Calculator*} buffer will be the current buffer.
32216 If your @code{calc-define} property only defines algebraic functions,
32217 you can be sure that it will have been evaluated before Calc tries to
32218 call your function, even if the file defining the property is loaded
32219 after Calc is loaded. But if the property defines commands or key
32220 sequences, it may not be evaluated soon enough. (Suppose it defines the
32221 new command @code{tweak-calc}; the user can load your file, then type
32222 @kbd{M-x tweak-calc} before Calc has had chance to do anything.) To
32223 protect against this situation, you can put
32226 (run-hooks 'calc-check-defines)
32229 @findex calc-check-defines
32231 at the end of your file. The @code{calc-check-defines} function is what
32232 looks for and evaluates properties on @code{calc-define}; @code{run-hooks}
32233 has the advantage that it is quietly ignored if @code{calc-check-defines}
32234 is not yet defined because Calc has not yet been loaded.
32236 Examples of things that ought to be enclosed in a @code{calc-define}
32237 property are @code{defmath} calls, @code{define-key} calls that modify
32238 the Calc key map, and any calls that redefine things defined inside Calc.
32239 Ordinary @code{defun}s need not be enclosed with @code{calc-define}.
32241 @node Defining Simple Commands, Defining Stack Commands, Defining Functions, Lisp Definitions
32242 @subsection Defining New Simple Commands
32245 @findex interactive
32246 If a @code{defmath} form contains an @code{interactive} clause, it defines
32247 a Calculator command. Actually such a @code{defmath} results in @emph{two}
32248 function definitions: One, a @samp{calcFunc-} function as was just described,
32249 with the @code{interactive} clause removed. Two, a @samp{calc-} function
32250 with a suitable @code{interactive} clause and some sort of wrapper to make
32251 the command work in the Calc environment.
32253 In the simple case, the @code{interactive} clause has the same form as
32254 for normal Emacs Lisp commands:
32257 (defmath increase-precision (delta)
32258 "Increase precision by DELTA." ; This is the "documentation string"
32259 (interactive "p") ; Register this as a M-x-able command
32260 (setq calc-internal-prec (+ calc-internal-prec delta)))
32263 This expands to the pair of definitions,
32266 (defun calc-increase-precision (delta)
32267 "Increase precision by DELTA."
32270 (setq calc-internal-prec (math-add calc-internal-prec delta))))
32272 (defun calcFunc-increase-precision (delta)
32273 "Increase precision by DELTA."
32274 (setq calc-internal-prec (math-add calc-internal-prec delta)))
32278 where in this case the latter function would never really be used! Note
32279 that since the Calculator stores small integers as plain Lisp integers,
32280 the @code{math-add} function will work just as well as the native
32281 @code{+} even when the intent is to operate on native Lisp integers.
32283 @findex calc-wrapper
32284 The @samp{calc-wrapper} call invokes a macro which surrounds the body of
32285 the function with code that looks roughly like this:
32288 (let ((calc-command-flags nil))
32290 (save-current-buffer
32291 (calc-select-buffer)
32292 @emph{body of function}
32293 @emph{renumber stack}
32294 @emph{clear} Working @emph{message})
32295 @emph{realign cursor and window}
32296 @emph{clear Inverse, Hyperbolic, and Keep Args flags}
32297 @emph{update Emacs mode line}))
32300 @findex calc-select-buffer
32301 The @code{calc-select-buffer} function selects the @samp{*Calculator*}
32302 buffer if necessary, say, because the command was invoked from inside
32303 the @samp{*Calc Trail*} window.
32305 @findex calc-set-command-flag
32306 You can call, for example, @code{(calc-set-command-flag 'no-align)} to
32307 set the above-mentioned command flags. Calc routines recognize the
32308 following command flags:
32312 Stack line numbers @samp{1:}, @samp{2:}, and so on must be renumbered
32313 after this command completes. This is set by routines like
32316 @item clear-message
32317 Calc should call @samp{(message "")} if this command completes normally
32318 (to clear a ``Working@dots{}'' message out of the echo area).
32321 Do not move the cursor back to the @samp{.} top-of-stack marker.
32323 @item position-point
32324 Use the variables @code{calc-position-point-line} and
32325 @code{calc-position-point-column} to position the cursor after
32326 this command finishes.
32329 Do not clear @code{calc-inverse-flag}, @code{calc-hyperbolic-flag},
32330 and @code{calc-keep-args-flag} at the end of this command.
32333 Switch to buffer @samp{*Calc Edit*} after this command.
32336 Do not move trail pointer to end of trail when something is recorded
32342 @vindex calc-Y-help-msgs
32343 Calc reserves a special prefix key, shift-@kbd{Y}, for user-written
32344 extensions to Calc. There are no built-in commands that work with
32345 this prefix key; you must call @code{define-key} from Lisp (probably
32346 from inside a @code{calc-define} property) to add to it. Initially only
32347 @kbd{Y ?} is defined; it takes help messages from a list of strings
32348 (initially @code{nil}) in the variable @code{calc-Y-help-msgs}. All
32349 other undefined keys except for @kbd{Y} are reserved for use by
32350 future versions of Calc.
32352 If you are writing a Calc enhancement which you expect to give to
32353 others, it is best to minimize the number of @kbd{Y}-key sequences
32354 you use. In fact, if you have more than one key sequence you should
32355 consider defining three-key sequences with a @kbd{Y}, then a key that
32356 stands for your package, then a third key for the particular command
32357 within your package.
32359 Users may wish to install several Calc enhancements, and it is possible
32360 that several enhancements will choose to use the same key. In the
32361 example below, a variable @code{inc-prec-base-key} has been defined
32362 to contain the key that identifies the @code{inc-prec} package. Its
32363 value is initially @code{"P"}, but a user can change this variable
32364 if necessary without having to modify the file.
32366 Here is a complete file, @file{inc-prec.el}, which makes a @kbd{Y P I}
32367 command that increases the precision, and a @kbd{Y P D} command that
32368 decreases the precision.
32371 ;;; Increase and decrease Calc precision. Dave Gillespie, 5/31/91.
32372 ;; (Include copyright or copyleft stuff here.)
32374 (defvar inc-prec-base-key "P"
32375 "Base key for inc-prec.el commands.")
32377 (put 'calc-define 'inc-prec '(progn
32379 (define-key calc-mode-map (format "Y%sI" inc-prec-base-key)
32380 'increase-precision)
32381 (define-key calc-mode-map (format "Y%sD" inc-prec-base-key)
32382 'decrease-precision)
32384 (setq calc-Y-help-msgs
32385 (cons (format "%s + Inc-prec, Dec-prec" inc-prec-base-key)
32388 (defmath increase-precision (delta)
32389 "Increase precision by DELTA."
32391 (setq calc-internal-prec (+ calc-internal-prec delta)))
32393 (defmath decrease-precision (delta)
32394 "Decrease precision by DELTA."
32396 (setq calc-internal-prec (- calc-internal-prec delta)))
32398 )) ; end of calc-define property
32400 (run-hooks 'calc-check-defines)
32403 @node Defining Stack Commands, Argument Qualifiers, Defining Simple Commands, Lisp Definitions
32404 @subsection Defining New Stack-Based Commands
32407 To define a new computational command which takes and/or leaves arguments
32408 on the stack, a special form of @code{interactive} clause is used.
32411 (interactive @var{num} @var{tag})
32415 where @var{num} is an integer, and @var{tag} is a string. The effect is
32416 to pop @var{num} values off the stack, resimplify them by calling
32417 @code{calc-normalize}, and hand them to your function according to the
32418 function's argument list. Your function may include @code{&optional} and
32419 @code{&rest} parameters, so long as calling the function with @var{num}
32420 parameters is valid.
32422 Your function must return either a number or a formula in a form
32423 acceptable to Calc, or a list of such numbers or formulas. These value(s)
32424 are pushed onto the stack when the function completes. They are also
32425 recorded in the Calc Trail buffer on a line beginning with @var{tag},
32426 a string of (normally) four characters or less. If you omit @var{tag}
32427 or use @code{nil} as a tag, the result is not recorded in the trail.
32429 As an example, the definition
32432 (defmath myfact (n)
32433 "Compute the factorial of the integer at the top of the stack."
32434 (interactive 1 "fact")
32436 (* n (myfact (1- n)))
32441 is a version of the factorial function shown previously which can be used
32442 as a command as well as an algebraic function. It expands to
32445 (defun calc-myfact ()
32446 "Compute the factorial of the integer at the top of the stack."
32449 (calc-enter-result 1 "fact"
32450 (cons 'calcFunc-myfact (calc-top-list-n 1)))))
32452 (defun calcFunc-myfact (n)
32453 "Compute the factorial of the integer at the top of the stack."
32455 (math-mul n (calcFunc-myfact (math-add n -1)))
32456 (and (math-zerop n) 1)))
32459 @findex calc-slow-wrapper
32460 The @code{calc-slow-wrapper} function is a version of @code{calc-wrapper}
32461 that automatically puts up a @samp{Working...} message before the
32462 computation begins. (This message can be turned off by the user
32463 with an @kbd{m w} (@code{calc-working}) command.)
32465 @findex calc-top-list-n
32466 The @code{calc-top-list-n} function returns a list of the specified number
32467 of values from the top of the stack. It resimplifies each value by
32468 calling @code{calc-normalize}. If its argument is zero it returns an
32469 empty list. It does not actually remove these values from the stack.
32471 @findex calc-enter-result
32472 The @code{calc-enter-result} function takes an integer @var{num} and string
32473 @var{tag} as described above, plus a third argument which is either a
32474 Calculator data object or a list of such objects. These objects are
32475 resimplified and pushed onto the stack after popping the specified number
32476 of values from the stack. If @var{tag} is non-@code{nil}, the values
32477 being pushed are also recorded in the trail.
32479 Note that if @code{calcFunc-myfact} returns @code{nil} this represents
32480 ``leave the function in symbolic form.'' To return an actual empty list,
32481 in the sense that @code{calc-enter-result} will push zero elements back
32482 onto the stack, you should return the special value @samp{'(nil)}, a list
32483 containing the single symbol @code{nil}.
32485 The @code{interactive} declaration can actually contain a limited
32486 Emacs-style code string as well which comes just before @var{num} and
32487 @var{tag}. Currently the only Emacs code supported is @samp{"p"}, as in
32490 (defmath foo (a b &optional c)
32491 (interactive "p" 2 "foo")
32495 In this example, the command @code{calc-foo} will evaluate the expression
32496 @samp{foo(a,b)} if executed with no argument, or @samp{foo(a,b,n)} if
32497 executed with a numeric prefix argument of @expr{n}.
32499 The other code string allowed is @samp{"m"} (unrelated to the usual @samp{"m"}
32500 code as used with @code{defun}). It uses the numeric prefix argument as the
32501 number of objects to remove from the stack and pass to the function.
32502 In this case, the integer @var{num} serves as a default number of
32503 arguments to be used when no prefix is supplied.
32505 @node Argument Qualifiers, Example Definitions, Defining Stack Commands, Lisp Definitions
32506 @subsection Argument Qualifiers
32509 Anywhere a parameter name can appear in the parameter list you can also use
32510 an @dfn{argument qualifier}. Thus the general form of a definition is:
32513 (defmath @var{name} (@var{param} @var{param...}
32514 &optional @var{param} @var{param...}
32520 where each @var{param} is either a symbol or a list of the form
32523 (@var{qual} @var{param})
32526 The following qualifiers are recognized:
32531 The argument must not be an incomplete vector, interval, or complex number.
32532 (This is rarely needed since the Calculator itself will never call your
32533 function with an incomplete argument. But there is nothing stopping your
32534 own Lisp code from calling your function with an incomplete argument.)
32538 The argument must be an integer. If it is an integer-valued float
32539 it will be accepted but converted to integer form. Non-integers and
32540 formulas are rejected.
32544 Like @samp{integer}, but the argument must be non-negative.
32548 Like @samp{integer}, but the argument must fit into a native Lisp integer,
32549 which on most systems means less than 2^23 in absolute value. The
32550 argument is converted into Lisp-integer form if necessary.
32554 The argument is converted to floating-point format if it is a number or
32555 vector. If it is a formula it is left alone. (The argument is never
32556 actually rejected by this qualifier.)
32559 The argument must satisfy predicate @var{pred}, which is one of the
32560 standard Calculator predicates. @xref{Predicates}.
32562 @item not-@var{pred}
32563 The argument must @emph{not} satisfy predicate @var{pred}.
32569 (defmath foo (a (constp (not-matrixp b)) &optional (float c)
32578 (defun calcFunc-foo (a b &optional c &rest d)
32579 (and (math-matrixp b)
32580 (math-reject-arg b 'not-matrixp))
32581 (or (math-constp b)
32582 (math-reject-arg b 'constp))
32583 (and c (setq c (math-check-float c)))
32584 (setq d (mapcar 'math-check-integer d))
32589 which performs the necessary checks and conversions before executing the
32590 body of the function.
32592 @node Example Definitions, Calling Calc from Your Programs, Argument Qualifiers, Lisp Definitions
32593 @subsection Example Definitions
32596 This section includes some Lisp programming examples on a larger scale.
32597 These programs make use of some of the Calculator's internal functions;
32601 * Bit Counting Example::
32605 @node Bit Counting Example, Sine Example, Example Definitions, Example Definitions
32606 @subsubsection Bit-Counting
32613 Calc does not include a built-in function for counting the number of
32614 ``one'' bits in a binary integer. It's easy to invent one using @kbd{b u}
32615 to convert the integer to a set, and @kbd{V #} to count the elements of
32616 that set; let's write a function that counts the bits without having to
32617 create an intermediate set.
32620 (defmath bcount ((natnum n))
32621 (interactive 1 "bcnt")
32625 (setq count (1+ count)))
32626 (setq n (lsh n -1)))
32631 When this is expanded by @code{defmath}, it will become the following
32632 Emacs Lisp function:
32635 (defun calcFunc-bcount (n)
32636 (setq n (math-check-natnum n))
32638 (while (math-posp n)
32640 (setq count (math-add count 1)))
32641 (setq n (calcFunc-lsh n -1)))
32645 If the input numbers are large, this function involves a fair amount
32646 of arithmetic. A binary right shift is essentially a division by two;
32647 recall that Calc stores integers in decimal form so bit shifts must
32648 involve actual division.
32650 To gain a bit more efficiency, we could divide the integer into
32651 @var{n}-bit chunks, each of which can be handled quickly because
32652 they fit into Lisp integers. It turns out that Calc's arithmetic
32653 routines are especially fast when dividing by an integer less than
32654 1000, so we can set @var{n = 9} bits and use repeated division by 512:
32657 (defmath bcount ((natnum n))
32658 (interactive 1 "bcnt")
32660 (while (not (fixnump n))
32661 (let ((qr (idivmod n 512)))
32662 (setq count (+ count (bcount-fixnum (cdr qr)))
32664 (+ count (bcount-fixnum n))))
32666 (defun bcount-fixnum (n)
32669 (setq count (+ count (logand n 1))
32675 Note that the second function uses @code{defun}, not @code{defmath}.
32676 Because this function deals only with native Lisp integers (``fixnums''),
32677 it can use the actual Emacs @code{+} and related functions rather
32678 than the slower but more general Calc equivalents which @code{defmath}
32681 The @code{idivmod} function does an integer division, returning both
32682 the quotient and the remainder at once. Again, note that while it
32683 might seem that @samp{(logand n 511)} and @samp{(lsh n -9)} are
32684 more efficient ways to split off the bottom nine bits of @code{n},
32685 actually they are less efficient because each operation is really
32686 a division by 512 in disguise; @code{idivmod} allows us to do the
32687 same thing with a single division by 512.
32689 @node Sine Example, , Bit Counting Example, Example Definitions
32690 @subsubsection The Sine Function
32697 A somewhat limited sine function could be defined as follows, using the
32698 well-known Taylor series expansion for
32699 @texline @math{\sin x}:
32700 @infoline @samp{sin(x)}:
32703 (defmath mysin ((float (anglep x)))
32704 (interactive 1 "mysn")
32705 (setq x (to-radians x)) ; Convert from current angular mode.
32706 (let ((sum x) ; Initial term of Taylor expansion of sin.
32708 (nfact 1) ; "nfact" equals "n" factorial at all times.
32709 (xnegsqr :"-(x^2)")) ; "xnegsqr" equals -x^2.
32710 (for ((n 3 100 2)) ; Upper limit of 100 is a good precaution.
32711 (working "mysin" sum) ; Display "Working" message, if enabled.
32712 (setq nfact (* nfact (1- n) n)
32714 newsum (+ sum (/ x nfact)))
32715 (if (~= newsum sum) ; If newsum is "nearly equal to" sum,
32716 (break)) ; then we are done.
32721 The actual @code{sin} function in Calc works by first reducing the problem
32722 to a sine or cosine of a nonnegative number less than @cpiover{4}. This
32723 ensures that the Taylor series will converge quickly. Also, the calculation
32724 is carried out with two extra digits of precision to guard against cumulative
32725 round-off in @samp{sum}. Finally, complex arguments are allowed and handled
32726 by a separate algorithm.
32729 (defmath mysin ((float (scalarp x)))
32730 (interactive 1 "mysn")
32731 (setq x (to-radians x)) ; Convert from current angular mode.
32732 (with-extra-prec 2 ; Evaluate with extra precision.
32733 (cond ((complexp x)
32736 (- (mysin-raw (- x))) ; Always call mysin-raw with x >= 0.
32737 (t (mysin-raw x))))))
32739 (defmath mysin-raw (x)
32741 (mysin-raw (% x (two-pi)))) ; Now x < 7.
32743 (- (mysin-raw (- x (pi))))) ; Now -pi/2 <= x <= pi/2.
32745 (mycos-raw (- x (pi-over-2)))) ; Now -pi/2 <= x <= pi/4.
32746 ((< x (- (pi-over-4)))
32747 (- (mycos-raw (+ x (pi-over-2))))) ; Now -pi/4 <= x <= pi/4,
32748 (t (mysin-series x)))) ; so the series will be efficient.
32752 where @code{mysin-complex} is an appropriate function to handle complex
32753 numbers, @code{mysin-series} is the routine to compute the sine Taylor
32754 series as before, and @code{mycos-raw} is a function analogous to
32755 @code{mysin-raw} for cosines.
32757 The strategy is to ensure that @expr{x} is nonnegative before calling
32758 @code{mysin-raw}. This function then recursively reduces its argument
32759 to a suitable range, namely, plus-or-minus @cpiover{4}. Note that each
32760 test, and particularly the first comparison against 7, is designed so
32761 that small roundoff errors cannot produce an infinite loop. (Suppose
32762 we compared with @samp{(two-pi)} instead; if due to roundoff problems
32763 the modulo operator ever returned @samp{(two-pi)} exactly, an infinite
32764 recursion could result!) We use modulo only for arguments that will
32765 clearly get reduced, knowing that the next rule will catch any reductions
32766 that this rule misses.
32768 If a program is being written for general use, it is important to code
32769 it carefully as shown in this second example. For quick-and-dirty programs,
32770 when you know that your own use of the sine function will never encounter
32771 a large argument, a simpler program like the first one shown is fine.
32773 @node Calling Calc from Your Programs, Internals, Example Definitions, Lisp Definitions
32774 @subsection Calling Calc from Your Lisp Programs
32777 A later section (@pxref{Internals}) gives a full description of
32778 Calc's internal Lisp functions. It's not hard to call Calc from
32779 inside your programs, but the number of these functions can be daunting.
32780 So Calc provides one special ``programmer-friendly'' function called
32781 @code{calc-eval} that can be made to do just about everything you
32782 need. It's not as fast as the low-level Calc functions, but it's
32783 much simpler to use!
32785 It may seem that @code{calc-eval} itself has a daunting number of
32786 options, but they all stem from one simple operation.
32788 In its simplest manifestation, @samp{(calc-eval "1+2")} parses the
32789 string @code{"1+2"} as if it were a Calc algebraic entry and returns
32790 the result formatted as a string: @code{"3"}.
32792 Since @code{calc-eval} is on the list of recommended @code{autoload}
32793 functions, you don't need to make any special preparations to load
32794 Calc before calling @code{calc-eval} the first time. Calc will be
32795 loaded and initialized for you.
32797 All the Calc modes that are currently in effect will be used when
32798 evaluating the expression and formatting the result.
32805 @subsubsection Additional Arguments to @code{calc-eval}
32808 If the input string parses to a list of expressions, Calc returns
32809 the results separated by @code{", "}. You can specify a different
32810 separator by giving a second string argument to @code{calc-eval}:
32811 @samp{(calc-eval "1+2,3+4" ";")} returns @code{"3;7"}.
32813 The ``separator'' can also be any of several Lisp symbols which
32814 request other behaviors from @code{calc-eval}. These are discussed
32817 You can give additional arguments to be substituted for
32818 @samp{$}, @samp{$$}, and so on in the main expression. For
32819 example, @samp{(calc-eval "$/$$" nil "7" "1+1")} evaluates the
32820 expression @code{"7/(1+1)"} to yield the result @code{"3.5"}
32821 (assuming Fraction mode is not in effect). Note the @code{nil}
32822 used as a placeholder for the item-separator argument.
32829 @subsubsection Error Handling
32832 If @code{calc-eval} encounters an error, it returns a list containing
32833 the character position of the error, plus a suitable message as a
32834 string. Note that @samp{1 / 0} is @emph{not} an error by Calc's
32835 standards; it simply returns the string @code{"1 / 0"} which is the
32836 division left in symbolic form. But @samp{(calc-eval "1/")} will
32837 return the list @samp{(2 "Expected a number")}.
32839 If you bind the variable @code{calc-eval-error} to @code{t}
32840 using a @code{let} form surrounding the call to @code{calc-eval},
32841 errors instead call the Emacs @code{error} function which aborts
32842 to the Emacs command loop with a beep and an error message.
32844 If you bind this variable to the symbol @code{string}, error messages
32845 are returned as strings instead of lists. The character position is
32848 As a courtesy to other Lisp code which may be using Calc, be sure
32849 to bind @code{calc-eval-error} using @code{let} rather than changing
32850 it permanently with @code{setq}.
32857 @subsubsection Numbers Only
32860 Sometimes it is preferable to treat @samp{1 / 0} as an error
32861 rather than returning a symbolic result. If you pass the symbol
32862 @code{num} as the second argument to @code{calc-eval}, results
32863 that are not constants are treated as errors. The error message
32864 reported is the first @code{calc-why} message if there is one,
32865 or otherwise ``Number expected.''
32867 A result is ``constant'' if it is a number, vector, or other
32868 object that does not include variables or function calls. If it
32869 is a vector, the components must themselves be constants.
32876 @subsubsection Default Modes
32879 If the first argument to @code{calc-eval} is a list whose first
32880 element is a formula string, then @code{calc-eval} sets all the
32881 various Calc modes to their default values while the formula is
32882 evaluated and formatted. For example, the precision is set to 12
32883 digits, digit grouping is turned off, and the Normal language
32886 This same principle applies to the other options discussed below.
32887 If the first argument would normally be @var{x}, then it can also
32888 be the list @samp{(@var{x})} to use the default mode settings.
32890 If there are other elements in the list, they are taken as
32891 variable-name/value pairs which override the default mode
32892 settings. Look at the documentation at the front of the
32893 @file{calc.el} file to find the names of the Lisp variables for
32894 the various modes. The mode settings are restored to their
32895 original values when @code{calc-eval} is done.
32897 For example, @samp{(calc-eval '("$+$$" calc-internal-prec 8) 'num a b)}
32898 computes the sum of two numbers, requiring a numeric result, and
32899 using default mode settings except that the precision is 8 instead
32900 of the default of 12.
32902 It's usually best to use this form of @code{calc-eval} unless your
32903 program actually considers the interaction with Calc's mode settings
32904 to be a feature. This will avoid all sorts of potential ``gotchas'';
32905 consider what happens with @samp{(calc-eval "sqrt(2)" 'num)}
32906 when the user has left Calc in Symbolic mode or No-Simplify mode.
32908 As another example, @samp{(equal (calc-eval '("$<$$") nil a b) "1")}
32909 checks if the number in string @expr{a} is less than the one in
32910 string @expr{b}. Without using a list, the integer 1 might
32911 come out in a variety of formats which would be hard to test for
32912 conveniently: @code{"1"}, @code{"8#1"}, @code{"00001"}. (But
32913 see ``Predicates'' mode, below.)
32920 @subsubsection Raw Numbers
32923 Normally all input and output for @code{calc-eval} is done with strings.
32924 You can do arithmetic with, say, @samp{(calc-eval "$+$$" nil a b)}
32925 in place of @samp{(+ a b)}, but this is very inefficient since the
32926 numbers must be converted to and from string format as they are passed
32927 from one @code{calc-eval} to the next.
32929 If the separator is the symbol @code{raw}, the result will be returned
32930 as a raw Calc data structure rather than a string. You can read about
32931 how these objects look in the following sections, but usually you can
32932 treat them as ``black box'' objects with no important internal
32935 There is also a @code{rawnum} symbol, which is a combination of
32936 @code{raw} (returning a raw Calc object) and @code{num} (signaling
32937 an error if that object is not a constant).
32939 You can pass a raw Calc object to @code{calc-eval} in place of a
32940 string, either as the formula itself or as one of the @samp{$}
32941 arguments. Thus @samp{(calc-eval "$+$$" 'raw a b)} is an
32942 addition function that operates on raw Calc objects. Of course
32943 in this case it would be easier to call the low-level @code{math-add}
32944 function in Calc, if you can remember its name.
32946 In particular, note that a plain Lisp integer is acceptable to Calc
32947 as a raw object. (All Lisp integers are accepted on input, but
32948 integers of more than six decimal digits are converted to ``big-integer''
32949 form for output. @xref{Data Type Formats}.)
32951 When it comes time to display the object, just use @samp{(calc-eval a)}
32952 to format it as a string.
32954 It is an error if the input expression evaluates to a list of
32955 values. The separator symbol @code{list} is like @code{raw}
32956 except that it returns a list of one or more raw Calc objects.
32958 Note that a Lisp string is not a valid Calc object, nor is a list
32959 containing a string. Thus you can still safely distinguish all the
32960 various kinds of error returns discussed above.
32967 @subsubsection Predicates
32970 If the separator symbol is @code{pred}, the result of the formula is
32971 treated as a true/false value; @code{calc-eval} returns @code{t} or
32972 @code{nil}, respectively. A value is considered ``true'' if it is a
32973 non-zero number, or false if it is zero or if it is not a number.
32975 For example, @samp{(calc-eval "$<$$" 'pred a b)} tests whether
32976 one value is less than another.
32978 As usual, it is also possible for @code{calc-eval} to return one of
32979 the error indicators described above. Lisp will interpret such an
32980 indicator as ``true'' if you don't check for it explicitly. If you
32981 wish to have an error register as ``false'', use something like
32982 @samp{(eq (calc-eval ...) t)}.
32989 @subsubsection Variable Values
32992 Variables in the formula passed to @code{calc-eval} are not normally
32993 replaced by their values. If you wish this, you can use the
32994 @code{evalv} function (@pxref{Algebraic Manipulation}). For example,
32995 if 4 is stored in Calc variable @code{a} (i.e., in Lisp variable
32996 @code{var-a}), then @samp{(calc-eval "a+pi")} will return the
32997 formula @code{"a + pi"}, but @samp{(calc-eval "evalv(a+pi)")}
32998 will return @code{"7.14159265359"}.
33000 To store in a Calc variable, just use @code{setq} to store in the
33001 corresponding Lisp variable. (This is obtained by prepending
33002 @samp{var-} to the Calc variable name.) Calc routines will
33003 understand either string or raw form values stored in variables,
33004 although raw data objects are much more efficient. For example,
33005 to increment the Calc variable @code{a}:
33008 (setq var-a (calc-eval "evalv(a+1)" 'raw))
33016 @subsubsection Stack Access
33019 If the separator symbol is @code{push}, the formula argument is
33020 evaluated (with possible @samp{$} expansions, as usual). The
33021 result is pushed onto the Calc stack. The return value is @code{nil}
33022 (unless there is an error from evaluating the formula, in which
33023 case the return value depends on @code{calc-eval-error} in the
33026 If the separator symbol is @code{pop}, the first argument to
33027 @code{calc-eval} must be an integer instead of a string. That
33028 many values are popped from the stack and thrown away. A negative
33029 argument deletes the entry at that stack level. The return value
33030 is the number of elements remaining in the stack after popping;
33031 @samp{(calc-eval 0 'pop)} is a good way to measure the size of
33034 If the separator symbol is @code{top}, the first argument to
33035 @code{calc-eval} must again be an integer. The value at that
33036 stack level is formatted as a string and returned. Thus
33037 @samp{(calc-eval 1 'top)} returns the top-of-stack value. If the
33038 integer is out of range, @code{nil} is returned.
33040 The separator symbol @code{rawtop} is just like @code{top} except
33041 that the stack entry is returned as a raw Calc object instead of
33044 In all of these cases the first argument can be made a list in
33045 order to force the default mode settings, as described above.
33046 Thus @samp{(calc-eval '(2 calc-number-radix 16) 'top)} returns the
33047 second-to-top stack entry, formatted as a string using the default
33048 instead of current display modes, except that the radix is
33049 hexadecimal instead of decimal.
33051 It is, of course, polite to put the Calc stack back the way you
33052 found it when you are done, unless the user of your program is
33053 actually expecting it to affect the stack.
33055 Note that you do not actually have to switch into the @samp{*Calculator*}
33056 buffer in order to use @code{calc-eval}; it temporarily switches into
33057 the stack buffer if necessary.
33064 @subsubsection Keyboard Macros
33067 If the separator symbol is @code{macro}, the first argument must be a
33068 string of characters which Calc can execute as a sequence of keystrokes.
33069 This switches into the Calc buffer for the duration of the macro.
33070 For example, @samp{(calc-eval "vx5\rVR+" 'macro)} pushes the
33071 vector @samp{[1,2,3,4,5]} on the stack and then replaces it
33072 with the sum of those numbers. Note that @samp{\r} is the Lisp
33073 notation for the carriage-return, @key{RET}, character.
33075 If your keyboard macro wishes to pop the stack, @samp{\C-d} is
33076 safer than @samp{\177} (the @key{DEL} character) because some
33077 installations may have switched the meanings of @key{DEL} and
33078 @kbd{C-h}. Calc always interprets @kbd{C-d} as a synonym for
33079 ``pop-stack'' regardless of key mapping.
33081 If you provide a third argument to @code{calc-eval}, evaluation
33082 of the keyboard macro will leave a record in the Trail using
33083 that argument as a tag string. Normally the Trail is unaffected.
33085 The return value in this case is always @code{nil}.
33092 @subsubsection Lisp Evaluation
33095 Finally, if the separator symbol is @code{eval}, then the Lisp
33096 @code{eval} function is called on the first argument, which must
33097 be a Lisp expression rather than a Calc formula. Remember to
33098 quote the expression so that it is not evaluated until inside
33101 The difference from plain @code{eval} is that @code{calc-eval}
33102 switches to the Calc buffer before evaluating the expression.
33103 For example, @samp{(calc-eval '(setq calc-internal-prec 17) 'eval)}
33104 will correctly affect the buffer-local Calc precision variable.
33106 An alternative would be @samp{(calc-eval '(calc-precision 17) 'eval)}.
33107 This is evaluating a call to the function that is normally invoked
33108 by the @kbd{p} key, giving it 17 as its ``numeric prefix argument.''
33109 Note that this function will leave a message in the echo area as
33110 a side effect. Also, all Calc functions switch to the Calc buffer
33111 automatically if not invoked from there, so the above call is
33112 also equivalent to @samp{(calc-precision 17)} by itself.
33113 In all cases, Calc uses @code{save-excursion} to switch back to
33114 your original buffer when it is done.
33116 As usual the first argument can be a list that begins with a Lisp
33117 expression to use default instead of current mode settings.
33119 The result of @code{calc-eval} in this usage is just the result
33120 returned by the evaluated Lisp expression.
33127 @subsubsection Example
33130 @findex convert-temp
33131 Here is a sample Emacs command that uses @code{calc-eval}. Suppose
33132 you have a document with lots of references to temperatures on the
33133 Fahrenheit scale, say ``98.6 F'', and you wish to convert these
33134 references to Centigrade. The following command does this conversion.
33135 Place the Emacs cursor right after the letter ``F'' and invoke the
33136 command to change ``98.6 F'' to ``37 C''. Or, if the temperature is
33137 already in Centigrade form, the command changes it back to Fahrenheit.
33140 (defun convert-temp ()
33143 (re-search-backward "[^-.0-9]\\([-.0-9]+\\) *\\([FC]\\)")
33144 (let* ((top1 (match-beginning 1))
33145 (bot1 (match-end 1))
33146 (number (buffer-substring top1 bot1))
33147 (top2 (match-beginning 2))
33148 (bot2 (match-end 2))
33149 (type (buffer-substring top2 bot2)))
33150 (if (equal type "F")
33152 number (calc-eval "($ - 32)*5/9" nil number))
33154 number (calc-eval "$*9/5 + 32" nil number)))
33156 (delete-region top2 bot2)
33157 (insert-before-markers type)
33159 (delete-region top1 bot1)
33160 (if (string-match "\\.$" number) ; change "37." to "37"
33161 (setq number (substring number 0 -1)))
33165 Note the use of @code{insert-before-markers} when changing between
33166 ``F'' and ``C'', so that the character winds up before the cursor
33167 instead of after it.
33169 @node Internals, , Calling Calc from Your Programs, Lisp Definitions
33170 @subsection Calculator Internals
33173 This section describes the Lisp functions defined by the Calculator that
33174 may be of use to user-written Calculator programs (as described in the
33175 rest of this chapter). These functions are shown by their names as they
33176 conventionally appear in @code{defmath}. Their full Lisp names are
33177 generally gotten by prepending @samp{calcFunc-} or @samp{math-} to their
33178 apparent names. (Names that begin with @samp{calc-} are already in
33179 their full Lisp form.) You can use the actual full names instead if you
33180 prefer them, or if you are calling these functions from regular Lisp.
33182 The functions described here are scattered throughout the various
33183 Calc component files. Note that @file{calc.el} includes @code{autoload}s
33184 for only a few component files; when Calc wants to call an advanced
33185 function it calls @samp{(calc-extensions)} first; this function
33186 autoloads @file{calc-ext.el}, which in turn autoloads all the functions
33187 in the remaining component files.
33189 Because @code{defmath} itself uses the extensions, user-written code
33190 generally always executes with the extensions already loaded, so
33191 normally you can use any Calc function and be confident that it will
33192 be autoloaded for you when necessary. If you are doing something
33193 special, check carefully to make sure each function you are using is
33194 from @file{calc.el} or its components, and call @samp{(calc-extensions)}
33195 before using any function based in @file{calc-ext.el} if you can't
33196 prove this file will already be loaded.
33199 * Data Type Formats::
33200 * Interactive Lisp Functions::
33201 * Stack Lisp Functions::
33203 * Computational Lisp Functions::
33204 * Vector Lisp Functions::
33205 * Symbolic Lisp Functions::
33206 * Formatting Lisp Functions::
33210 @node Data Type Formats, Interactive Lisp Functions, Internals, Internals
33211 @subsubsection Data Type Formats
33214 Integers are stored in either of two ways, depending on their magnitude.
33215 Integers less than one million in absolute value are stored as standard
33216 Lisp integers. This is the only storage format for Calc data objects
33217 which is not a Lisp list.
33219 Large integers are stored as lists of the form @samp{(bigpos @var{d0}
33220 @var{d1} @var{d2} @dots{})} for positive integers 1000000 or more, or
33221 @samp{(bigneg @var{d0} @var{d1} @var{d2} @dots{})} for negative integers
33222 @mathit{-1000000} or less. Each @var{d} is a base-1000 ``digit,'' a Lisp integer
33223 from 0 to 999. The least significant digit is @var{d0}; the last digit,
33224 @var{dn}, which is always nonzero, is the most significant digit. For
33225 example, the integer @mathit{-12345678} is stored as @samp{(bigneg 678 345 12)}.
33227 The distinction between small and large integers is entirely hidden from
33228 the user. In @code{defmath} definitions, the Lisp predicate @code{integerp}
33229 returns true for either kind of integer, and in general both big and small
33230 integers are accepted anywhere the word ``integer'' is used in this manual.
33231 If the distinction must be made, native Lisp integers are called @dfn{fixnums}
33232 and large integers are called @dfn{bignums}.
33234 Fractions are stored as a list of the form, @samp{(frac @var{n} @var{d})}
33235 where @var{n} is an integer (big or small) numerator, @var{d} is an
33236 integer denominator greater than one, and @var{n} and @var{d} are relatively
33237 prime. Note that fractions where @var{d} is one are automatically converted
33238 to plain integers by all math routines; fractions where @var{d} is negative
33239 are normalized by negating the numerator and denominator.
33241 Floating-point numbers are stored in the form, @samp{(float @var{mant}
33242 @var{exp})}, where @var{mant} (the ``mantissa'') is an integer less than
33243 @samp{10^@var{p}} in absolute value (@var{p} represents the current
33244 precision), and @var{exp} (the ``exponent'') is a fixnum. The value of
33245 the float is @samp{@var{mant} * 10^@var{exp}}. For example, the number
33246 @mathit{-3.14} is stored as @samp{(float -314 -2) = -314*10^-2}. Other constraints
33247 are that the number 0.0 is always stored as @samp{(float 0 0)}, and,
33248 except for the 0.0 case, the rightmost base-10 digit of @var{mant} is
33249 always nonzero. (If the rightmost digit is zero, the number is
33250 rearranged by dividing @var{mant} by ten and incrementing @var{exp}.)
33252 Rectangular complex numbers are stored in the form @samp{(cplx @var{re}
33253 @var{im})}, where @var{re} and @var{im} are each real numbers, either
33254 integers, fractions, or floats. The value is @samp{@var{re} + @var{im}i}.
33255 The @var{im} part is nonzero; complex numbers with zero imaginary
33256 components are converted to real numbers automatically.
33258 Polar complex numbers are stored in the form @samp{(polar @var{r}
33259 @var{theta})}, where @var{r} is a positive real value and @var{theta}
33260 is a real value or HMS form representing an angle. This angle is
33261 usually normalized to lie in the interval @samp{(-180 ..@: 180)} degrees,
33262 or @samp{(-pi ..@: pi)} radians, according to the current angular mode.
33263 If the angle is 0 the value is converted to a real number automatically.
33264 (If the angle is 180 degrees, the value is usually also converted to a
33265 negative real number.)
33267 Hours-minutes-seconds forms are stored as @samp{(hms @var{h} @var{m}
33268 @var{s})}, where @var{h} is an integer or an integer-valued float (i.e.,
33269 a float with @samp{@var{exp} >= 0}), @var{m} is an integer or integer-valued
33270 float in the range @w{@samp{[0 ..@: 60)}}, and @var{s} is any real number
33271 in the range @samp{[0 ..@: 60)}.
33273 Date forms are stored as @samp{(date @var{n})}, where @var{n} is
33274 a real number that counts days since midnight on the morning of
33275 January 1, 1 AD. If @var{n} is an integer, this is a pure date
33276 form. If @var{n} is a fraction or float, this is a date/time form.
33278 Modulo forms are stored as @samp{(mod @var{n} @var{m})}, where @var{m} is a
33279 positive real number or HMS form, and @var{n} is a real number or HMS
33280 form in the range @samp{[0 ..@: @var{m})}.
33282 Error forms are stored as @samp{(sdev @var{x} @var{sigma})}, where @var{x}
33283 is the mean value and @var{sigma} is the standard deviation. Each
33284 component is either a number, an HMS form, or a symbolic object
33285 (a variable or function call). If @var{sigma} is zero, the value is
33286 converted to a plain real number. If @var{sigma} is negative or
33287 complex, it is automatically normalized to be a positive real.
33289 Interval forms are stored as @samp{(intv @var{mask} @var{lo} @var{hi})},
33290 where @var{mask} is one of the integers 0, 1, 2, or 3, and @var{lo} and
33291 @var{hi} are real numbers, HMS forms, or symbolic objects. The @var{mask}
33292 is a binary integer where 1 represents the fact that the interval is
33293 closed on the high end, and 2 represents the fact that it is closed on
33294 the low end. (Thus 3 represents a fully closed interval.) The interval
33295 @w{@samp{(intv 3 @var{x} @var{x})}} is converted to the plain number @var{x};
33296 intervals @samp{(intv @var{mask} @var{x} @var{x})} for any other @var{mask}
33297 represent empty intervals. If @var{hi} is less than @var{lo}, the interval
33298 is converted to a standard empty interval by replacing @var{hi} with @var{lo}.
33300 Vectors are stored as @samp{(vec @var{v1} @var{v2} @dots{})}, where @var{v1}
33301 is the first element of the vector, @var{v2} is the second, and so on.
33302 An empty vector is stored as @samp{(vec)}. A matrix is simply a vector
33303 where all @var{v}'s are themselves vectors of equal lengths. Note that
33304 Calc vectors are unrelated to the Emacs Lisp ``vector'' type, which is
33305 generally unused by Calc data structures.
33307 Variables are stored as @samp{(var @var{name} @var{sym})}, where
33308 @var{name} is a Lisp symbol whose print name is used as the visible name
33309 of the variable, and @var{sym} is a Lisp symbol in which the variable's
33310 value is actually stored. Thus, @samp{(var pi var-pi)} represents the
33311 special constant @samp{pi}. Almost always, the form is @samp{(var
33312 @var{v} var-@var{v})}. If the variable name was entered with @code{#}
33313 signs (which are converted to hyphens internally), the form is
33314 @samp{(var @var{u} @var{v})}, where @var{u} is a symbol whose name
33315 contains @code{#} characters, and @var{v} is a symbol that contains
33316 @code{-} characters instead. The value of a variable is the Calc
33317 object stored in its @var{sym} symbol's value cell. If the symbol's
33318 value cell is void or if it contains @code{nil}, the variable has no
33319 value. Special constants have the form @samp{(special-const
33320 @var{value})} stored in their value cell, where @var{value} is a formula
33321 which is evaluated when the constant's value is requested. Variables
33322 which represent units are not stored in any special way; they are units
33323 only because their names appear in the units table. If the value
33324 cell contains a string, it is parsed to get the variable's value when
33325 the variable is used.
33327 A Lisp list with any other symbol as the first element is a function call.
33328 The symbols @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}, @code{^},
33329 and @code{|} represent special binary operators; these lists are always
33330 of the form @samp{(@var{op} @var{lhs} @var{rhs})} where @var{lhs} is the
33331 sub-formula on the lefthand side and @var{rhs} is the sub-formula on the
33332 right. The symbol @code{neg} represents unary negation; this list is always
33333 of the form @samp{(neg @var{arg})}. Any other symbol @var{func} represents a
33334 function that would be displayed in function-call notation; the symbol
33335 @var{func} is in general always of the form @samp{calcFunc-@var{name}}.
33336 The function cell of the symbol @var{func} should contain a Lisp function
33337 for evaluating a call to @var{func}. This function is passed the remaining
33338 elements of the list (themselves already evaluated) as arguments; such
33339 functions should return @code{nil} or call @code{reject-arg} to signify
33340 that they should be left in symbolic form, or they should return a Calc
33341 object which represents their value, or a list of such objects if they
33342 wish to return multiple values. (The latter case is allowed only for
33343 functions which are the outer-level call in an expression whose value is
33344 about to be pushed on the stack; this feature is considered obsolete
33345 and is not used by any built-in Calc functions.)
33347 @node Interactive Lisp Functions, Stack Lisp Functions, Data Type Formats, Internals
33348 @subsubsection Interactive Functions
33351 The functions described here are used in implementing interactive Calc
33352 commands. Note that this list is not exhaustive! If there is an
33353 existing command that behaves similarly to the one you want to define,
33354 you may find helpful tricks by checking the source code for that command.
33356 @defun calc-set-command-flag flag
33357 Set the command flag @var{flag}. This is generally a Lisp symbol, but
33358 may in fact be anything. The effect is to add @var{flag} to the list
33359 stored in the variable @code{calc-command-flags}, unless it is already
33360 there. @xref{Defining Simple Commands}.
33363 @defun calc-clear-command-flag flag
33364 If @var{flag} appears among the list of currently-set command flags,
33365 remove it from that list.
33368 @defun calc-record-undo rec
33369 Add the ``undo record'' @var{rec} to the list of steps to take if the
33370 current operation should need to be undone. Stack push and pop functions
33371 automatically call @code{calc-record-undo}, so the kinds of undo records
33372 you might need to create take the form @samp{(set @var{sym} @var{value})},
33373 which says that the Lisp variable @var{sym} was changed and had previously
33374 contained @var{value}; @samp{(store @var{var} @var{value})} which says that
33375 the Calc variable @var{var} (a string which is the name of the symbol that
33376 contains the variable's value) was stored and its previous value was
33377 @var{value} (either a Calc data object, or @code{nil} if the variable was
33378 previously void); or @samp{(eval @var{undo} @var{redo} @var{args} @dots{})},
33379 which means that to undo requires calling the function @samp{(@var{undo}
33380 @var{args} @dots{})} and, if the undo is later redone, calling
33381 @samp{(@var{redo} @var{args} @dots{})}.
33384 @defun calc-record-why msg args
33385 Record the error or warning message @var{msg}, which is normally a string.
33386 This message will be replayed if the user types @kbd{w} (@code{calc-why});
33387 if the message string begins with a @samp{*}, it is considered important
33388 enough to display even if the user doesn't type @kbd{w}. If one or more
33389 @var{args} are present, the displayed message will be of the form,
33390 @samp{@var{msg}: @var{arg1}, @var{arg2}, @dots{}}, where the arguments are
33391 formatted on the assumption that they are either strings or Calc objects of
33392 some sort. If @var{msg} is a symbol, it is the name of a Calc predicate
33393 (such as @code{integerp} or @code{numvecp}) which the arguments did not
33394 satisfy; it is expanded to a suitable string such as ``Expected an
33395 integer.'' The @code{reject-arg} function calls @code{calc-record-why}
33396 automatically; @pxref{Predicates}.
33399 @defun calc-is-inverse
33400 This predicate returns true if the current command is inverse,
33401 i.e., if the Inverse (@kbd{I} key) flag was set.
33404 @defun calc-is-hyperbolic
33405 This predicate is the analogous function for the @kbd{H} key.
33408 @node Stack Lisp Functions, Predicates, Interactive Lisp Functions, Internals
33409 @subsubsection Stack-Oriented Functions
33412 The functions described here perform various operations on the Calc
33413 stack and trail. They are to be used in interactive Calc commands.
33415 @defun calc-push-list vals n
33416 Push the Calc objects in list @var{vals} onto the stack at stack level
33417 @var{n}. If @var{n} is omitted it defaults to 1, so that the elements
33418 are pushed at the top of the stack. If @var{n} is greater than 1, the
33419 elements will be inserted into the stack so that the last element will
33420 end up at level @var{n}, the next-to-last at level @var{n}+1, etc.
33421 The elements of @var{vals} are assumed to be valid Calc objects, and
33422 are not evaluated, rounded, or renormalized in any way. If @var{vals}
33423 is an empty list, nothing happens.
33425 The stack elements are pushed without any sub-formula selections.
33426 You can give an optional third argument to this function, which must
33427 be a list the same size as @var{vals} of selections. Each selection
33428 must be @code{eq} to some sub-formula of the corresponding formula
33429 in @var{vals}, or @code{nil} if that formula should have no selection.
33432 @defun calc-top-list n m
33433 Return a list of the @var{n} objects starting at level @var{m} of the
33434 stack. If @var{m} is omitted it defaults to 1, so that the elements are
33435 taken from the top of the stack. If @var{n} is omitted, it also
33436 defaults to 1, so that the top stack element (in the form of a
33437 one-element list) is returned. If @var{m} is greater than 1, the
33438 @var{m}th stack element will be at the end of the list, the @var{m}+1st
33439 element will be next-to-last, etc. If @var{n} or @var{m} are out of
33440 range, the command is aborted with a suitable error message. If @var{n}
33441 is zero, the function returns an empty list. The stack elements are not
33442 evaluated, rounded, or renormalized.
33444 If any stack elements contain selections, and selections have not
33445 been disabled by the @kbd{j e} (@code{calc-enable-selections}) command,
33446 this function returns the selected portions rather than the entire
33447 stack elements. It can be given a third ``selection-mode'' argument
33448 which selects other behaviors. If it is the symbol @code{t}, then
33449 a selection in any of the requested stack elements produces an
33450 ``invalid operation on selections'' error. If it is the symbol @code{full},
33451 the whole stack entry is always returned regardless of selections.
33452 If it is the symbol @code{sel}, the selected portion is always returned,
33453 or @code{nil} if there is no selection. (This mode ignores the @kbd{j e}
33454 command.) If the symbol is @code{entry}, the complete stack entry in
33455 list form is returned; the first element of this list will be the whole
33456 formula, and the third element will be the selection (or @code{nil}).
33459 @defun calc-pop-stack n m
33460 Remove the specified elements from the stack. The parameters @var{n}
33461 and @var{m} are defined the same as for @code{calc-top-list}. The return
33462 value of @code{calc-pop-stack} is uninteresting.
33464 If there are any selected sub-formulas among the popped elements, and
33465 @kbd{j e} has not been used to disable selections, this produces an
33466 error without changing the stack. If you supply an optional third
33467 argument of @code{t}, the stack elements are popped even if they
33468 contain selections.
33471 @defun calc-record-list vals tag
33472 This function records one or more results in the trail. The @var{vals}
33473 are a list of strings or Calc objects. The @var{tag} is the four-character
33474 tag string to identify the values. If @var{tag} is omitted, a blank tag
33478 @defun calc-normalize n
33479 This function takes a Calc object and ``normalizes'' it. At the very
33480 least this involves re-rounding floating-point values according to the
33481 current precision and other similar jobs. Also, unless the user has
33482 selected No-Simplify mode (@pxref{Simplification Modes}), this involves
33483 actually evaluating a formula object by executing the function calls
33484 it contains, and possibly also doing algebraic simplification, etc.
33487 @defun calc-top-list-n n m
33488 This function is identical to @code{calc-top-list}, except that it calls
33489 @code{calc-normalize} on the values that it takes from the stack. They
33490 are also passed through @code{check-complete}, so that incomplete
33491 objects will be rejected with an error message. All computational
33492 commands should use this in preference to @code{calc-top-list}; the only
33493 standard Calc commands that operate on the stack without normalizing
33494 are stack management commands like @code{calc-enter} and @code{calc-roll-up}.
33495 This function accepts the same optional selection-mode argument as
33496 @code{calc-top-list}.
33499 @defun calc-top-n m
33500 This function is a convenient form of @code{calc-top-list-n} in which only
33501 a single element of the stack is taken and returned, rather than a list
33502 of elements. This also accepts an optional selection-mode argument.
33505 @defun calc-enter-result n tag vals
33506 This function is a convenient interface to most of the above functions.
33507 The @var{vals} argument should be either a single Calc object, or a list
33508 of Calc objects; the object or objects are normalized, and the top @var{n}
33509 stack entries are replaced by the normalized objects. If @var{tag} is
33510 non-@code{nil}, the normalized objects are also recorded in the trail.
33511 A typical stack-based computational command would take the form,
33514 (calc-enter-result @var{n} @var{tag} (cons 'calcFunc-@var{func}
33515 (calc-top-list-n @var{n})))
33518 If any of the @var{n} stack elements replaced contain sub-formula
33519 selections, and selections have not been disabled by @kbd{j e},
33520 this function takes one of two courses of action. If @var{n} is
33521 equal to the number of elements in @var{vals}, then each element of
33522 @var{vals} is spliced into the corresponding selection; this is what
33523 happens when you use the @key{TAB} key, or when you use a unary
33524 arithmetic operation like @code{sqrt}. If @var{vals} has only one
33525 element but @var{n} is greater than one, there must be only one
33526 selection among the top @var{n} stack elements; the element from
33527 @var{vals} is spliced into that selection. This is what happens when
33528 you use a binary arithmetic operation like @kbd{+}. Any other
33529 combination of @var{n} and @var{vals} is an error when selections
33533 @defun calc-unary-op tag func arg
33534 This function implements a unary operator that allows a numeric prefix
33535 argument to apply the operator over many stack entries. If the prefix
33536 argument @var{arg} is @code{nil}, this uses @code{calc-enter-result}
33537 as outlined above. Otherwise, it maps the function over several stack
33538 elements; @pxref{Prefix Arguments}. For example,
33541 (defun calc-zeta (arg)
33543 (calc-unary-op "zeta" 'calcFunc-zeta arg))
33547 @defun calc-binary-op tag func arg ident unary
33548 This function implements a binary operator, analogously to
33549 @code{calc-unary-op}. The optional @var{ident} and @var{unary}
33550 arguments specify the behavior when the prefix argument is zero or
33551 one, respectively. If the prefix is zero, the value @var{ident}
33552 is pushed onto the stack, if specified, otherwise an error message
33553 is displayed. If the prefix is one, the unary function @var{unary}
33554 is applied to the top stack element, or, if @var{unary} is not
33555 specified, nothing happens. When the argument is two or more,
33556 the binary function @var{func} is reduced across the top @var{arg}
33557 stack elements; when the argument is negative, the function is
33558 mapped between the next-to-top @mathit{-@var{arg}} stack elements and the
33562 @defun calc-stack-size
33563 Return the number of elements on the stack as an integer. This count
33564 does not include elements that have been temporarily hidden by stack
33565 truncation; @pxref{Truncating the Stack}.
33568 @defun calc-cursor-stack-index n
33569 Move the point to the @var{n}th stack entry. If @var{n} is zero, this
33570 will be the @samp{.} line. If @var{n} is from 1 to the current stack size,
33571 this will be the beginning of the first line of that stack entry's display.
33572 If line numbers are enabled, this will move to the first character of the
33573 line number, not the stack entry itself.
33576 @defun calc-substack-height n
33577 Return the number of lines between the beginning of the @var{n}th stack
33578 entry and the bottom of the buffer. If @var{n} is zero, this
33579 will be one (assuming no stack truncation). If all stack entries are
33580 one line long (i.e., no matrices are displayed), the return value will
33581 be equal @var{n}+1 as long as @var{n} is in range. (Note that in Big
33582 mode, the return value includes the blank lines that separate stack
33586 @defun calc-refresh
33587 Erase the @code{*Calculator*} buffer and reformat its contents from memory.
33588 This must be called after changing any parameter, such as the current
33589 display radix, which might change the appearance of existing stack
33590 entries. (During a keyboard macro invoked by the @kbd{X} key, refreshing
33591 is suppressed, but a flag is set so that the entire stack will be refreshed
33592 rather than just the top few elements when the macro finishes.)
33595 @node Predicates, Computational Lisp Functions, Stack Lisp Functions, Internals
33596 @subsubsection Predicates
33599 The functions described here are predicates, that is, they return a
33600 true/false value where @code{nil} means false and anything else means
33601 true. These predicates are expanded by @code{defmath}, for example,
33602 from @code{zerop} to @code{math-zerop}. In many cases they correspond
33603 to native Lisp functions by the same name, but are extended to cover
33604 the full range of Calc data types.
33607 Returns true if @var{x} is numerically zero, in any of the Calc data
33608 types. (Note that for some types, such as error forms and intervals,
33609 it never makes sense to return true.) In @code{defmath}, the expression
33610 @samp{(= x 0)} will automatically be converted to @samp{(math-zerop x)},
33611 and @samp{(/= x 0)} will be converted to @samp{(not (math-zerop x))}.
33615 Returns true if @var{x} is negative. This accepts negative real numbers
33616 of various types, negative HMS and date forms, and intervals in which
33617 all included values are negative. In @code{defmath}, the expression
33618 @samp{(< x 0)} will automatically be converted to @samp{(math-negp x)},
33619 and @samp{(>= x 0)} will be converted to @samp{(not (math-negp x))}.
33623 Returns true if @var{x} is positive (and non-zero). For complex
33624 numbers, none of these three predicates will return true.
33627 @defun looks-negp x
33628 Returns true if @var{x} is ``negative-looking.'' This returns true if
33629 @var{x} is a negative number, or a formula with a leading minus sign
33630 such as @samp{-a/b}. In other words, this is an object which can be
33631 made simpler by calling @code{(- @var{x})}.
33635 Returns true if @var{x} is an integer of any size.
33639 Returns true if @var{x} is a native Lisp integer.
33643 Returns true if @var{x} is a nonnegative integer of any size.
33646 @defun fixnatnump x
33647 Returns true if @var{x} is a nonnegative Lisp integer.
33650 @defun num-integerp x
33651 Returns true if @var{x} is numerically an integer, i.e., either a
33652 true integer or a float with no significant digits to the right of
33656 @defun messy-integerp x
33657 Returns true if @var{x} is numerically, but not literally, an integer.
33658 A value is @code{num-integerp} if it is @code{integerp} or
33659 @code{messy-integerp} (but it is never both at once).
33662 @defun num-natnump x
33663 Returns true if @var{x} is numerically a nonnegative integer.
33667 Returns true if @var{x} is an even integer.
33670 @defun looks-evenp x
33671 Returns true if @var{x} is an even integer, or a formula with a leading
33672 multiplicative coefficient which is an even integer.
33676 Returns true if @var{x} is an odd integer.
33680 Returns true if @var{x} is a rational number, i.e., an integer or a
33685 Returns true if @var{x} is a real number, i.e., an integer, fraction,
33686 or floating-point number.
33690 Returns true if @var{x} is a real number or HMS form.
33694 Returns true if @var{x} is a float, or a complex number, error form,
33695 interval, date form, or modulo form in which at least one component
33700 Returns true if @var{x} is a rectangular or polar complex number
33701 (but not a real number).
33704 @defun rect-complexp x
33705 Returns true if @var{x} is a rectangular complex number.
33708 @defun polar-complexp x
33709 Returns true if @var{x} is a polar complex number.
33713 Returns true if @var{x} is a real number or a complex number.
33717 Returns true if @var{x} is a real or complex number or an HMS form.
33721 Returns true if @var{x} is a vector (this simply checks if its argument
33722 is a list whose first element is the symbol @code{vec}).
33726 Returns true if @var{x} is a number or vector.
33730 Returns true if @var{x} is a matrix, i.e., a vector of one or more vectors,
33731 all of the same size.
33734 @defun square-matrixp x
33735 Returns true if @var{x} is a square matrix.
33739 Returns true if @var{x} is any numeric Calc object, including real and
33740 complex numbers, HMS forms, date forms, error forms, intervals, and
33741 modulo forms. (Note that error forms and intervals may include formulas
33742 as their components; see @code{constp} below.)
33746 Returns true if @var{x} is an object or a vector. This also accepts
33747 incomplete objects, but it rejects variables and formulas (except as
33748 mentioned above for @code{objectp}).
33752 Returns true if @var{x} is a ``primitive'' or ``atomic'' Calc object,
33753 i.e., one whose components cannot be regarded as sub-formulas. This
33754 includes variables, and all @code{objectp} types except error forms
33759 Returns true if @var{x} is constant, i.e., a real or complex number,
33760 HMS form, date form, or error form, interval, or vector all of whose
33761 components are @code{constp}.
33765 Returns true if @var{x} is numerically less than @var{y}. Returns false
33766 if @var{x} is greater than or equal to @var{y}, or if the order is
33767 undefined or cannot be determined. Generally speaking, this works
33768 by checking whether @samp{@var{x} - @var{y}} is @code{negp}. In
33769 @code{defmath}, the expression @samp{(< x y)} will automatically be
33770 converted to @samp{(lessp x y)}; expressions involving @code{>}, @code{<=},
33771 and @code{>=} are similarly converted in terms of @code{lessp}.
33775 Returns true if @var{x} comes before @var{y} in a canonical ordering
33776 of Calc objects. If @var{x} and @var{y} are both real numbers, this
33777 will be the same as @code{lessp}. But whereas @code{lessp} considers
33778 other types of objects to be unordered, @code{beforep} puts any two
33779 objects into a definite, consistent order. The @code{beforep}
33780 function is used by the @kbd{V S} vector-sorting command, and also
33781 by @kbd{a s} to put the terms of a product into canonical order:
33782 This allows @samp{x y + y x} to be simplified easily to @samp{2 x y}.
33786 This is the standard Lisp @code{equal} predicate; it returns true if
33787 @var{x} and @var{y} are structurally identical. This is the usual way
33788 to compare numbers for equality, but note that @code{equal} will treat
33789 0 and 0.0 as different.
33792 @defun math-equal x y
33793 Returns true if @var{x} and @var{y} are numerically equal, either because
33794 they are @code{equal}, or because their difference is @code{zerop}. In
33795 @code{defmath}, the expression @samp{(= x y)} will automatically be
33796 converted to @samp{(math-equal x y)}.
33799 @defun equal-int x n
33800 Returns true if @var{x} and @var{n} are numerically equal, where @var{n}
33801 is a fixnum which is not a multiple of 10. This will automatically be
33802 used by @code{defmath} in place of the more general @code{math-equal}
33806 @defun nearly-equal x y
33807 Returns true if @var{x} and @var{y}, as floating-point numbers, are
33808 equal except possibly in the last decimal place. For example,
33809 314.159 and 314.166 are considered nearly equal if the current
33810 precision is 6 (since they differ by 7 units), but not if the current
33811 precision is 7 (since they differ by 70 units). Most functions which
33812 use series expansions use @code{with-extra-prec} to evaluate the
33813 series with 2 extra digits of precision, then use @code{nearly-equal}
33814 to decide when the series has converged; this guards against cumulative
33815 error in the series evaluation without doing extra work which would be
33816 lost when the result is rounded back down to the current precision.
33817 In @code{defmath}, this can be written @samp{(~= @var{x} @var{y})}.
33818 The @var{x} and @var{y} can be numbers of any kind, including complex.
33821 @defun nearly-zerop x y
33822 Returns true if @var{x} is nearly zero, compared to @var{y}. This
33823 checks whether @var{x} plus @var{y} would by be @code{nearly-equal}
33824 to @var{y} itself, to within the current precision, in other words,
33825 if adding @var{x} to @var{y} would have a negligible effect on @var{y}
33826 due to roundoff error. @var{X} may be a real or complex number, but
33827 @var{y} must be real.
33831 Return true if the formula @var{x} represents a true value in
33832 Calc, not Lisp, terms. It tests if @var{x} is a non-zero number
33833 or a provably non-zero formula.
33836 @defun reject-arg val pred
33837 Abort the current function evaluation due to unacceptable argument values.
33838 This calls @samp{(calc-record-why @var{pred} @var{val})}, then signals a
33839 Lisp error which @code{normalize} will trap. The net effect is that the
33840 function call which led here will be left in symbolic form.
33843 @defun inexact-value
33844 If Symbolic mode is enabled, this will signal an error that causes
33845 @code{normalize} to leave the formula in symbolic form, with the message
33846 ``Inexact result.'' (This function has no effect when not in Symbolic mode.)
33847 Note that if your function calls @samp{(sin 5)} in Symbolic mode, the
33848 @code{sin} function will call @code{inexact-value}, which will cause your
33849 function to be left unsimplified. You may instead wish to call
33850 @samp{(normalize (list 'calcFunc-sin 5))}, which in Symbolic mode will
33851 return the formula @samp{sin(5)} to your function.
33855 This signals an error that will be reported as a floating-point overflow.
33859 This signals a floating-point underflow.
33862 @node Computational Lisp Functions, Vector Lisp Functions, Predicates, Internals
33863 @subsubsection Computational Functions
33866 The functions described here do the actual computational work of the
33867 Calculator. In addition to these, note that any function described in
33868 the main body of this manual may be called from Lisp; for example, if
33869 the documentation refers to the @code{calc-sqrt} [@code{sqrt}] command,
33870 this means @code{calc-sqrt} is an interactive stack-based square-root
33871 command and @code{sqrt} (which @code{defmath} expands to @code{calcFunc-sqrt})
33872 is the actual Lisp function for taking square roots.
33874 The functions @code{math-add}, @code{math-sub}, @code{math-mul},
33875 @code{math-div}, @code{math-mod}, and @code{math-neg} are not included
33876 in this list, since @code{defmath} allows you to write native Lisp
33877 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}, and unary @code{-},
33878 respectively, instead.
33880 @defun normalize val
33881 (Full form: @code{math-normalize}.)
33882 Reduce the value @var{val} to standard form. For example, if @var{val}
33883 is a fixnum, it will be converted to a bignum if it is too large, and
33884 if @var{val} is a bignum it will be normalized by clipping off trailing
33885 (i.e., most-significant) zero digits and converting to a fixnum if it is
33886 small. All the various data types are similarly converted to their standard
33887 forms. Variables are left alone, but function calls are actually evaluated
33888 in formulas. For example, normalizing @samp{(+ 2 (calcFunc-abs -4))} will
33891 If a function call fails, because the function is void or has the wrong
33892 number of parameters, or because it returns @code{nil} or calls
33893 @code{reject-arg} or @code{inexact-result}, @code{normalize} returns
33894 the formula still in symbolic form.
33896 If the current simplification mode is ``none'' or ``numeric arguments
33897 only,'' @code{normalize} will act appropriately. However, the more
33898 powerful simplification modes (like Algebraic Simplification) are
33899 not handled by @code{normalize}. They are handled by @code{calc-normalize},
33900 which calls @code{normalize} and possibly some other routines, such
33901 as @code{simplify} or @code{simplify-units}. Programs generally will
33902 never call @code{calc-normalize} except when popping or pushing values
33906 @defun evaluate-expr expr
33907 Replace all variables in @var{expr} that have values with their values,
33908 then use @code{normalize} to simplify the result. This is what happens
33909 when you press the @kbd{=} key interactively.
33912 @defmac with-extra-prec n body
33913 Evaluate the Lisp forms in @var{body} with precision increased by @var{n}
33914 digits. This is a macro which expands to
33918 (let ((calc-internal-prec (+ calc-internal-prec @var{n})))
33922 The surrounding call to @code{math-normalize} causes a floating-point
33923 result to be rounded down to the original precision afterwards. This
33924 is important because some arithmetic operations assume a number's
33925 mantissa contains no more digits than the current precision allows.
33928 @defun make-frac n d
33929 Build a fraction @samp{@var{n}:@var{d}}. This is equivalent to calling
33930 @samp{(normalize (list 'frac @var{n} @var{d}))}, but more efficient.
33933 @defun make-float mant exp
33934 Build a floating-point value out of @var{mant} and @var{exp}, both
33935 of which are arbitrary integers. This function will return a
33936 properly normalized float value, or signal an overflow or underflow
33937 if @var{exp} is out of range.
33940 @defun make-sdev x sigma
33941 Build an error form out of @var{x} and the absolute value of @var{sigma}.
33942 If @var{sigma} is zero, the result is the number @var{x} directly.
33943 If @var{sigma} is negative or complex, its absolute value is used.
33944 If @var{x} or @var{sigma} is not a valid type of object for use in
33945 error forms, this calls @code{reject-arg}.
33948 @defun make-intv mask lo hi
33949 Build an interval form out of @var{mask} (which is assumed to be an
33950 integer from 0 to 3), and the limits @var{lo} and @var{hi}. If
33951 @var{lo} is greater than @var{hi}, an empty interval form is returned.
33952 This calls @code{reject-arg} if @var{lo} or @var{hi} is unsuitable.
33955 @defun sort-intv mask lo hi
33956 Build an interval form, similar to @code{make-intv}, except that if
33957 @var{lo} is less than @var{hi} they are simply exchanged, and the
33958 bits of @var{mask} are swapped accordingly.
33961 @defun make-mod n m
33962 Build a modulo form out of @var{n} and the modulus @var{m}. Since modulo
33963 forms do not allow formulas as their components, if @var{n} or @var{m}
33964 is not a real number or HMS form the result will be a formula which
33965 is a call to @code{makemod}, the algebraic version of this function.
33969 Convert @var{x} to floating-point form. Integers and fractions are
33970 converted to numerically equivalent floats; components of complex
33971 numbers, vectors, HMS forms, date forms, error forms, intervals, and
33972 modulo forms are recursively floated. If the argument is a variable
33973 or formula, this calls @code{reject-arg}.
33977 Compare the numbers @var{x} and @var{y}, and return @mathit{-1} if
33978 @samp{(lessp @var{x} @var{y})}, 1 if @samp{(lessp @var{y} @var{x})},
33979 0 if @samp{(math-equal @var{x} @var{y})}, or 2 if the order is
33980 undefined or cannot be determined.
33984 Return the number of digits of integer @var{n}, effectively
33985 @samp{ceil(log10(@var{n}))}, but much more efficient. Zero is
33986 considered to have zero digits.
33989 @defun scale-int x n
33990 Shift integer @var{x} left @var{n} decimal digits, or right @mathit{-@var{n}}
33991 digits with truncation toward zero.
33994 @defun scale-rounding x n
33995 Like @code{scale-int}, except that a right shift rounds to the nearest
33996 integer rather than truncating.
34000 Return the integer @var{n} as a fixnum, i.e., a native Lisp integer.
34001 If @var{n} is outside the permissible range for Lisp integers (usually
34002 24 binary bits) the result is undefined.
34006 Compute the square of @var{x}; short for @samp{(* @var{x} @var{x})}.
34009 @defun quotient x y
34010 Divide integer @var{x} by integer @var{y}; return an integer quotient
34011 and discard the remainder. If @var{x} or @var{y} is negative, the
34012 direction of rounding is undefined.
34016 Perform an integer division; if @var{x} and @var{y} are both nonnegative
34017 integers, this uses the @code{quotient} function, otherwise it computes
34018 @samp{floor(@var{x}/@var{y})}. Thus the result is well-defined but
34019 slower than for @code{quotient}.
34023 Divide integer @var{x} by integer @var{y}; return the integer remainder
34024 and discard the quotient. Like @code{quotient}, this works only for
34025 integer arguments and is not well-defined for negative arguments.
34026 For a more well-defined result, use @samp{(% @var{x} @var{y})}.
34030 Divide integer @var{x} by integer @var{y}; return a cons cell whose
34031 @code{car} is @samp{(quotient @var{x} @var{y})} and whose @code{cdr}
34032 is @samp{(imod @var{x} @var{y})}.
34036 Compute @var{x} to the power @var{y}. In @code{defmath} code, this can
34037 also be written @samp{(^ @var{x} @var{y})} or
34038 @w{@samp{(expt @var{x} @var{y})}}.
34041 @defun abs-approx x
34042 Compute a fast approximation to the absolute value of @var{x}. For
34043 example, for a rectangular complex number the result is the sum of
34044 the absolute values of the components.
34048 @findex gamma-const
34054 @findex pi-over-180
34055 @findex sqrt-two-pi
34059 The function @samp{(pi)} computes @samp{pi} to the current precision.
34060 Other related constant-generating functions are @code{two-pi},
34061 @code{pi-over-2}, @code{pi-over-4}, @code{pi-over-180}, @code{sqrt-two-pi},
34062 @code{e}, @code{sqrt-e}, @code{ln-2}, @code{ln-10}, @code{phi} and
34063 @code{gamma-const}. Each function returns a floating-point value in the
34064 current precision, and each uses caching so that all calls after the
34065 first are essentially free.
34068 @defmac math-defcache @var{func} @var{initial} @var{form}
34069 This macro, usually used as a top-level call like @code{defun} or
34070 @code{defvar}, defines a new cached constant analogous to @code{pi}, etc.
34071 It defines a function @code{func} which returns the requested value;
34072 if @var{initial} is non-@code{nil} it must be a @samp{(float @dots{})}
34073 form which serves as an initial value for the cache. If @var{func}
34074 is called when the cache is empty or does not have enough digits to
34075 satisfy the current precision, the Lisp expression @var{form} is evaluated
34076 with the current precision increased by four, and the result minus its
34077 two least significant digits is stored in the cache. For example,
34078 calling @samp{(pi)} with a precision of 30 computes @samp{pi} to 34
34079 digits, rounds it down to 32 digits for future use, then rounds it
34080 again to 30 digits for use in the present request.
34083 @findex half-circle
34084 @findex quarter-circle
34085 @defun full-circle symb
34086 If the current angular mode is Degrees or HMS, this function returns the
34087 integer 360. In Radians mode, this function returns either the
34088 corresponding value in radians to the current precision, or the formula
34089 @samp{2*pi}, depending on the Symbolic mode. There are also similar
34090 function @code{half-circle} and @code{quarter-circle}.
34093 @defun power-of-2 n
34094 Compute two to the integer power @var{n}, as a (potentially very large)
34095 integer. Powers of two are cached, so only the first call for a
34096 particular @var{n} is expensive.
34099 @defun integer-log2 n
34100 Compute the base-2 logarithm of @var{n}, which must be an integer which
34101 is a power of two. If @var{n} is not a power of two, this function will
34105 @defun div-mod a b m
34106 Divide @var{a} by @var{b}, modulo @var{m}. This returns @code{nil} if
34107 there is no solution, or if any of the arguments are not integers.
34110 @defun pow-mod a b m
34111 Compute @var{a} to the power @var{b}, modulo @var{m}. If @var{a},
34112 @var{b}, and @var{m} are integers, this uses an especially efficient
34113 algorithm. Otherwise, it simply computes @samp{(% (^ a b) m)}.
34117 Compute the integer square root of @var{n}. This is the square root
34118 of @var{n} rounded down toward zero, i.e., @samp{floor(sqrt(@var{n}))}.
34119 If @var{n} is itself an integer, the computation is especially efficient.
34122 @defun to-hms a ang
34123 Convert the argument @var{a} into an HMS form. If @var{ang} is specified,
34124 it is the angular mode in which to interpret @var{a}, either @code{deg}
34125 or @code{rad}. Otherwise, the current angular mode is used. If @var{a}
34126 is already an HMS form it is returned as-is.
34129 @defun from-hms a ang
34130 Convert the HMS form @var{a} into a real number. If @var{ang} is specified,
34131 it is the angular mode in which to express the result, otherwise the
34132 current angular mode is used. If @var{a} is already a real number, it
34136 @defun to-radians a
34137 Convert the number or HMS form @var{a} to radians from the current
34141 @defun from-radians a
34142 Convert the number @var{a} from radians to the current angular mode.
34143 If @var{a} is a formula, this returns the formula @samp{deg(@var{a})}.
34146 @defun to-radians-2 a
34147 Like @code{to-radians}, except that in Symbolic mode a degrees to
34148 radians conversion yields a formula like @samp{@var{a}*pi/180}.
34151 @defun from-radians-2 a
34152 Like @code{from-radians}, except that in Symbolic mode a radians to
34153 degrees conversion yields a formula like @samp{@var{a}*180/pi}.
34156 @defun random-digit
34157 Produce a random base-1000 digit in the range 0 to 999.
34160 @defun random-digits n
34161 Produce a random @var{n}-digit integer; this will be an integer
34162 in the interval @samp{[0, 10^@var{n})}.
34165 @defun random-float
34166 Produce a random float in the interval @samp{[0, 1)}.
34169 @defun prime-test n iters
34170 Determine whether the integer @var{n} is prime. Return a list which has
34171 one of these forms: @samp{(nil @var{f})} means the number is non-prime
34172 because it was found to be divisible by @var{f}; @samp{(nil)} means it
34173 was found to be non-prime by table look-up (so no factors are known);
34174 @samp{(nil unknown)} means it is definitely non-prime but no factors
34175 are known because @var{n} was large enough that Fermat's probabilistic
34176 test had to be used; @samp{(t)} means the number is definitely prime;
34177 and @samp{(maybe @var{i} @var{p})} means that Fermat's test, after @var{i}
34178 iterations, is @var{p} percent sure that the number is prime. The
34179 @var{iters} parameter is the number of Fermat iterations to use, in the
34180 case that this is necessary. If @code{prime-test} returns ``maybe,''
34181 you can call it again with the same @var{n} to get a greater certainty;
34182 @code{prime-test} remembers where it left off.
34185 @defun to-simple-fraction f
34186 If @var{f} is a floating-point number which can be represented exactly
34187 as a small rational number. return that number, else return @var{f}.
34188 For example, 0.75 would be converted to 3:4. This function is very
34192 @defun to-fraction f tol
34193 Find a rational approximation to floating-point number @var{f} to within
34194 a specified tolerance @var{tol}; this corresponds to the algebraic
34195 function @code{frac}, and can be rather slow.
34198 @defun quarter-integer n
34199 If @var{n} is an integer or integer-valued float, this function
34200 returns zero. If @var{n} is a half-integer (i.e., an integer plus
34201 @mathit{1:2} or 0.5), it returns 2. If @var{n} is a quarter-integer,
34202 it returns 1 or 3. If @var{n} is anything else, this function
34203 returns @code{nil}.
34206 @node Vector Lisp Functions, Symbolic Lisp Functions, Computational Lisp Functions, Internals
34207 @subsubsection Vector Functions
34210 The functions described here perform various operations on vectors and
34213 @defun math-concat x y
34214 Do a vector concatenation; this operation is written @samp{@var{x} | @var{y}}
34215 in a symbolic formula. @xref{Building Vectors}.
34218 @defun vec-length v
34219 Return the length of vector @var{v}. If @var{v} is not a vector, the
34220 result is zero. If @var{v} is a matrix, this returns the number of
34221 rows in the matrix.
34224 @defun mat-dimens m
34225 Determine the dimensions of vector or matrix @var{m}. If @var{m} is not
34226 a vector, the result is an empty list. If @var{m} is a plain vector
34227 but not a matrix, the result is a one-element list containing the length
34228 of the vector. If @var{m} is a matrix with @var{r} rows and @var{c} columns,
34229 the result is the list @samp{(@var{r} @var{c})}. Higher-order tensors
34230 produce lists of more than two dimensions. Note that the object
34231 @samp{[[1, 2, 3], [4, 5]]} is a vector of vectors not all the same size,
34232 and is treated by this and other Calc routines as a plain vector of two
34236 @defun dimension-error
34237 Abort the current function with a message of ``Dimension error.''
34238 The Calculator will leave the function being evaluated in symbolic
34239 form; this is really just a special case of @code{reject-arg}.
34242 @defun build-vector args
34243 Return a Calc vector with @var{args} as elements.
34244 For example, @samp{(build-vector 1 2 3)} returns the Calc vector
34245 @samp{[1, 2, 3]}, stored internally as the list @samp{(vec 1 2 3)}.
34248 @defun make-vec obj dims
34249 Return a Calc vector or matrix all of whose elements are equal to
34250 @var{obj}. For example, @samp{(make-vec 27 3 4)} returns a 3x4 matrix
34254 @defun row-matrix v
34255 If @var{v} is a plain vector, convert it into a row matrix, i.e.,
34256 a matrix whose single row is @var{v}. If @var{v} is already a matrix,
34260 @defun col-matrix v
34261 If @var{v} is a plain vector, convert it into a column matrix, i.e., a
34262 matrix with each element of @var{v} as a separate row. If @var{v} is
34263 already a matrix, leave it alone.
34267 Map the Lisp function @var{f} over the Calc vector @var{v}. For example,
34268 @samp{(map-vec 'math-floor v)} returns a vector of the floored components
34272 @defun map-vec-2 f a b
34273 Map the Lisp function @var{f} over the two vectors @var{a} and @var{b}.
34274 If @var{a} and @var{b} are vectors of equal length, the result is a
34275 vector of the results of calling @samp{(@var{f} @var{ai} @var{bi})}
34276 for each pair of elements @var{ai} and @var{bi}. If either @var{a} or
34277 @var{b} is a scalar, it is matched with each value of the other vector.
34278 For example, @samp{(map-vec-2 'math-add v 1)} returns the vector @var{v}
34279 with each element increased by one. Note that using @samp{'+} would not
34280 work here, since @code{defmath} does not expand function names everywhere,
34281 just where they are in the function position of a Lisp expression.
34284 @defun reduce-vec f v
34285 Reduce the function @var{f} over the vector @var{v}. For example, if
34286 @var{v} is @samp{[10, 20, 30, 40]}, this calls @samp{(f (f (f 10 20) 30) 40)}.
34287 If @var{v} is a matrix, this reduces over the rows of @var{v}.
34290 @defun reduce-cols f m
34291 Reduce the function @var{f} over the columns of matrix @var{m}. For
34292 example, if @var{m} is @samp{[[1, 2], [3, 4], [5, 6]]}, the result
34293 is a vector of the two elements @samp{(f (f 1 3) 5)} and @samp{(f (f 2 4) 6)}.
34297 Return the @var{n}th row of matrix @var{m}. This is equivalent to
34298 @samp{(elt m n)}. For a slower but safer version, use @code{mrow}.
34299 (@xref{Extracting Elements}.)
34303 Return the @var{n}th column of matrix @var{m}, in the form of a vector.
34304 The arguments are not checked for correctness.
34307 @defun mat-less-row m n
34308 Return a copy of matrix @var{m} with its @var{n}th row deleted. The
34309 number @var{n} must be in range from 1 to the number of rows in @var{m}.
34312 @defun mat-less-col m n
34313 Return a copy of matrix @var{m} with its @var{n}th column deleted.
34317 Return the transpose of matrix @var{m}.
34320 @defun flatten-vector v
34321 Flatten nested vector @var{v} into a vector of scalars. For example,
34322 if @var{v} is @samp{[[1, 2, 3], [4, 5]]} the result is @samp{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.
34325 @defun copy-matrix m
34326 If @var{m} is a matrix, return a copy of @var{m}. This maps
34327 @code{copy-sequence} over the rows of @var{m}; in Lisp terms, each
34328 element of the result matrix will be @code{eq} to the corresponding
34329 element of @var{m}, but none of the @code{cons} cells that make up
34330 the structure of the matrix will be @code{eq}. If @var{m} is a plain
34331 vector, this is the same as @code{copy-sequence}.
34334 @defun swap-rows m r1 r2
34335 Exchange rows @var{r1} and @var{r2} of matrix @var{m} in-place. In
34336 other words, unlike most of the other functions described here, this
34337 function changes @var{m} itself rather than building up a new result
34338 matrix. The return value is @var{m}, i.e., @samp{(eq (swap-rows m 1 2) m)}
34339 is true, with the side effect of exchanging the first two rows of
34343 @node Symbolic Lisp Functions, Formatting Lisp Functions, Vector Lisp Functions, Internals
34344 @subsubsection Symbolic Functions
34347 The functions described here operate on symbolic formulas in the
34350 @defun calc-prepare-selection num
34351 Prepare a stack entry for selection operations. If @var{num} is
34352 omitted, the stack entry containing the cursor is used; otherwise,
34353 it is the number of the stack entry to use. This function stores
34354 useful information about the current stack entry into a set of
34355 variables. @code{calc-selection-cache-num} contains the number of
34356 the stack entry involved (equal to @var{num} if you specified it);
34357 @code{calc-selection-cache-entry} contains the stack entry as a
34358 list (such as @code{calc-top-list} would return with @code{entry}
34359 as the selection mode); and @code{calc-selection-cache-comp} contains
34360 a special ``tagged'' composition (@pxref{Formatting Lisp Functions})
34361 which allows Calc to relate cursor positions in the buffer with
34362 their corresponding sub-formulas.
34364 A slight complication arises in the selection mechanism because
34365 formulas may contain small integers. For example, in the vector
34366 @samp{[1, 2, 1]} the first and last elements are @code{eq} to each
34367 other; selections are recorded as the actual Lisp object that
34368 appears somewhere in the tree of the whole formula, but storing
34369 @code{1} would falsely select both @code{1}'s in the vector. So
34370 @code{calc-prepare-selection} also checks the stack entry and
34371 replaces any plain integers with ``complex number'' lists of the form
34372 @samp{(cplx @var{n} 0)}. This list will be displayed the same as a
34373 plain @var{n} and the change will be completely invisible to the
34374 user, but it will guarantee that no two sub-formulas of the stack
34375 entry will be @code{eq} to each other. Next time the stack entry
34376 is involved in a computation, @code{calc-normalize} will replace
34377 these lists with plain numbers again, again invisibly to the user.
34380 @defun calc-encase-atoms x
34381 This modifies the formula @var{x} to ensure that each part of the
34382 formula is a unique atom, using the @samp{(cplx @var{n} 0)} trick
34383 described above. This function may use @code{setcar} to modify
34384 the formula in-place.
34387 @defun calc-find-selected-part
34388 Find the smallest sub-formula of the current formula that contains
34389 the cursor. This assumes @code{calc-prepare-selection} has been
34390 called already. If the cursor is not actually on any part of the
34391 formula, this returns @code{nil}.
34394 @defun calc-change-current-selection selection
34395 Change the currently prepared stack element's selection to
34396 @var{selection}, which should be @code{eq} to some sub-formula
34397 of the stack element, or @code{nil} to unselect the formula.
34398 The stack element's appearance in the Calc buffer is adjusted
34399 to reflect the new selection.
34402 @defun calc-find-nth-part expr n
34403 Return the @var{n}th sub-formula of @var{expr}. This function is used
34404 by the selection commands, and (unless @kbd{j b} has been used) treats
34405 sums and products as flat many-element formulas. Thus if @var{expr}
34406 is @samp{((a + b) - c) + d}, calling @code{calc-find-nth-part} with
34407 @var{n} equal to four will return @samp{d}.
34410 @defun calc-find-parent-formula expr part
34411 Return the sub-formula of @var{expr} which immediately contains
34412 @var{part}. If @var{expr} is @samp{a*b + (c+1)*d} and @var{part}
34413 is @code{eq} to the @samp{c+1} term of @var{expr}, then this function
34414 will return @samp{(c+1)*d}. If @var{part} turns out not to be a
34415 sub-formula of @var{expr}, the function returns @code{nil}. If
34416 @var{part} is @code{eq} to @var{expr}, the function returns @code{t}.
34417 This function does not take associativity into account.
34420 @defun calc-find-assoc-parent-formula expr part
34421 This is the same as @code{calc-find-parent-formula}, except that
34422 (unless @kbd{j b} has been used) it continues widening the selection
34423 to contain a complete level of the formula. Given @samp{a} from
34424 @samp{((a + b) - c) + d}, @code{calc-find-parent-formula} will
34425 return @samp{a + b} but @code{calc-find-assoc-parent-formula} will
34426 return the whole expression.
34429 @defun calc-grow-assoc-formula expr part
34430 This expands sub-formula @var{part} of @var{expr} to encompass a
34431 complete level of the formula. If @var{part} and its immediate
34432 parent are not compatible associative operators, or if @kbd{j b}
34433 has been used, this simply returns @var{part}.
34436 @defun calc-find-sub-formula expr part
34437 This finds the immediate sub-formula of @var{expr} which contains
34438 @var{part}. It returns an index @var{n} such that
34439 @samp{(calc-find-nth-part @var{expr} @var{n})} would return @var{part}.
34440 If @var{part} is not a sub-formula of @var{expr}, it returns @code{nil}.
34441 If @var{part} is @code{eq} to @var{expr}, it returns @code{t}. This
34442 function does not take associativity into account.
34445 @defun calc-replace-sub-formula expr old new
34446 This function returns a copy of formula @var{expr}, with the
34447 sub-formula that is @code{eq} to @var{old} replaced by @var{new}.
34450 @defun simplify expr
34451 Simplify the expression @var{expr} by applying various algebraic rules.
34452 This is what the @w{@kbd{a s}} (@code{calc-simplify}) command uses. This
34453 always returns a copy of the expression; the structure @var{expr} points
34454 to remains unchanged in memory.
34456 More precisely, here is what @code{simplify} does: The expression is
34457 first normalized and evaluated by calling @code{normalize}. If any
34458 @code{AlgSimpRules} have been defined, they are then applied. Then
34459 the expression is traversed in a depth-first, bottom-up fashion; at
34460 each level, any simplifications that can be made are made until no
34461 further changes are possible. Once the entire formula has been
34462 traversed in this way, it is compared with the original formula (from
34463 before the call to @code{normalize}) and, if it has changed,
34464 the entire procedure is repeated (starting with @code{normalize})
34465 until no further changes occur. Usually only two iterations are
34466 needed:@: one to simplify the formula, and another to verify that no
34467 further simplifications were possible.
34470 @defun simplify-extended expr
34471 Simplify the expression @var{expr}, with additional rules enabled that
34472 help do a more thorough job, while not being entirely ``safe'' in all
34473 circumstances. (For example, this mode will simplify @samp{sqrt(x^2)}
34474 to @samp{x}, which is only valid when @var{x} is positive.) This is
34475 implemented by temporarily binding the variable @code{math-living-dangerously}
34476 to @code{t} (using a @code{let} form) and calling @code{simplify}.
34477 Dangerous simplification rules are written to check this variable
34478 before taking any action.
34481 @defun simplify-units expr
34482 Simplify the expression @var{expr}, treating variable names as units
34483 whenever possible. This works by binding the variable
34484 @code{math-simplifying-units} to @code{t} while calling @code{simplify}.
34487 @defmac math-defsimplify funcs body
34488 Register a new simplification rule; this is normally called as a top-level
34489 form, like @code{defun} or @code{defmath}. If @var{funcs} is a symbol
34490 (like @code{+} or @code{calcFunc-sqrt}), this simplification rule is
34491 applied to the formulas which are calls to the specified function. Or,
34492 @var{funcs} can be a list of such symbols; the rule applies to all
34493 functions on the list. The @var{body} is written like the body of a
34494 function with a single argument called @code{expr}. The body will be
34495 executed with @code{expr} bound to a formula which is a call to one of
34496 the functions @var{funcs}. If the function body returns @code{nil}, or
34497 if it returns a result @code{equal} to the original @code{expr}, it is
34498 ignored and Calc goes on to try the next simplification rule that applies.
34499 If the function body returns something different, that new formula is
34500 substituted for @var{expr} in the original formula.
34502 At each point in the formula, rules are tried in the order of the
34503 original calls to @code{math-defsimplify}; the search stops after the
34504 first rule that makes a change. Thus later rules for that same
34505 function will not have a chance to trigger until the next iteration
34506 of the main @code{simplify} loop.
34508 Note that, since @code{defmath} is not being used here, @var{body} must
34509 be written in true Lisp code without the conveniences that @code{defmath}
34510 provides. If you prefer, you can have @var{body} simply call another
34511 function (defined with @code{defmath}) which does the real work.
34513 The arguments of a function call will already have been simplified
34514 before any rules for the call itself are invoked. Since a new argument
34515 list is consed up when this happens, this means that the rule's body is
34516 allowed to rearrange the function's arguments destructively if that is
34517 convenient. Here is a typical example of a simplification rule:
34520 (math-defsimplify calcFunc-arcsinh
34521 (or (and (math-looks-negp (nth 1 expr))
34522 (math-neg (list 'calcFunc-arcsinh
34523 (math-neg (nth 1 expr)))))
34524 (and (eq (car-safe (nth 1 expr)) 'calcFunc-sinh)
34525 (or math-living-dangerously
34526 (math-known-realp (nth 1 (nth 1 expr))))
34527 (nth 1 (nth 1 expr)))))
34530 This is really a pair of rules written with one @code{math-defsimplify}
34531 for convenience; the first replaces @samp{arcsinh(-x)} with
34532 @samp{-arcsinh(x)}, and the second, which is safe only for real @samp{x},
34533 replaces @samp{arcsinh(sinh(x))} with @samp{x}.
34536 @defun common-constant-factor expr
34537 Check @var{expr} to see if it is a sum of terms all multiplied by the
34538 same rational value. If so, return this value. If not, return @code{nil}.
34539 For example, if called on @samp{6x + 9y + 12z}, it would return 3, since
34540 3 is a common factor of all the terms.
34543 @defun cancel-common-factor expr factor
34544 Assuming @var{expr} is a sum with @var{factor} as a common factor,
34545 divide each term of the sum by @var{factor}. This is done by
34546 destructively modifying parts of @var{expr}, on the assumption that
34547 it is being used by a simplification rule (where such things are
34548 allowed; see above). For example, consider this built-in rule for
34552 (math-defsimplify calcFunc-sqrt
34553 (let ((fac (math-common-constant-factor (nth 1 expr))))
34554 (and fac (not (eq fac 1))
34555 (math-mul (math-normalize (list 'calcFunc-sqrt fac))
34557 (list 'calcFunc-sqrt
34558 (math-cancel-common-factor
34559 (nth 1 expr) fac)))))))
34563 @defun frac-gcd a b
34564 Compute a ``rational GCD'' of @var{a} and @var{b}, which must both be
34565 rational numbers. This is the fraction composed of the GCD of the
34566 numerators of @var{a} and @var{b}, over the GCD of the denominators.
34567 It is used by @code{common-constant-factor}. Note that the standard
34568 @code{gcd} function uses the LCM to combine the denominators.
34571 @defun map-tree func expr many
34572 Try applying Lisp function @var{func} to various sub-expressions of
34573 @var{expr}. Initially, call @var{func} with @var{expr} itself as an
34574 argument. If this returns an expression which is not @code{equal} to
34575 @var{expr}, apply @var{func} again until eventually it does return
34576 @var{expr} with no changes. Then, if @var{expr} is a function call,
34577 recursively apply @var{func} to each of the arguments. This keeps going
34578 until no changes occur anywhere in the expression; this final expression
34579 is returned by @code{map-tree}. Note that, unlike simplification rules,
34580 @var{func} functions may @emph{not} make destructive changes to
34581 @var{expr}. If a third argument @var{many} is provided, it is an
34582 integer which says how many times @var{func} may be applied; the
34583 default, as described above, is infinitely many times.
34586 @defun compile-rewrites rules
34587 Compile the rewrite rule set specified by @var{rules}, which should
34588 be a formula that is either a vector or a variable name. If the latter,
34589 the compiled rules are saved so that later @code{compile-rules} calls
34590 for that same variable can return immediately. If there are problems
34591 with the rules, this function calls @code{error} with a suitable
34595 @defun apply-rewrites expr crules heads
34596 Apply the compiled rewrite rule set @var{crules} to the expression
34597 @var{expr}. This will make only one rewrite and only checks at the
34598 top level of the expression. The result @code{nil} if no rules
34599 matched, or if the only rules that matched did not actually change
34600 the expression. The @var{heads} argument is optional; if is given,
34601 it should be a list of all function names that (may) appear in
34602 @var{expr}. The rewrite compiler tags each rule with the
34603 rarest-looking function name in the rule; if you specify @var{heads},
34604 @code{apply-rewrites} can use this information to narrow its search
34605 down to just a few rules in the rule set.
34608 @defun rewrite-heads expr
34609 Compute a @var{heads} list for @var{expr} suitable for use with
34610 @code{apply-rewrites}, as discussed above.
34613 @defun rewrite expr rules many
34614 This is an all-in-one rewrite function. It compiles the rule set
34615 specified by @var{rules}, then uses @code{map-tree} to apply the
34616 rules throughout @var{expr} up to @var{many} (default infinity)
34620 @defun match-patterns pat vec not-flag
34621 Given a Calc vector @var{vec} and an uncompiled pattern set or
34622 pattern set variable @var{pat}, this function returns a new vector
34623 of all elements of @var{vec} which do (or don't, if @var{not-flag} is
34624 non-@code{nil}) match any of the patterns in @var{pat}.
34627 @defun deriv expr var value symb
34628 Compute the derivative of @var{expr} with respect to variable @var{var}
34629 (which may actually be any sub-expression). If @var{value} is specified,
34630 the derivative is evaluated at the value of @var{var}; otherwise, the
34631 derivative is left in terms of @var{var}. If the expression contains
34632 functions for which no derivative formula is known, new derivative
34633 functions are invented by adding primes to the names; @pxref{Calculus}.
34634 However, if @var{symb} is non-@code{nil}, the presence of undifferentiable
34635 functions in @var{expr} instead cancels the whole differentiation, and
34636 @code{deriv} returns @code{nil} instead.
34638 Derivatives of an @var{n}-argument function can be defined by
34639 adding a @code{math-derivative-@var{n}} property to the property list
34640 of the symbol for the function's derivative, which will be the
34641 function name followed by an apostrophe. The value of the property
34642 should be a Lisp function; it is called with the same arguments as the
34643 original function call that is being differentiated. It should return
34644 a formula for the derivative. For example, the derivative of @code{ln}
34648 (put 'calcFunc-ln\' 'math-derivative-1
34649 (function (lambda (u) (math-div 1 u))))
34652 The two-argument @code{log} function has two derivatives,
34654 (put 'calcFunc-log\' 'math-derivative-2 ; d(log(x,b)) / dx
34655 (function (lambda (x b) ... )))
34656 (put 'calcFunc-log\'2 'math-derivative-2 ; d(log(x,b)) / db
34657 (function (lambda (x b) ... )))
34661 @defun tderiv expr var value symb
34662 Compute the total derivative of @var{expr}. This is the same as
34663 @code{deriv}, except that variables other than @var{var} are not
34664 assumed to be constant with respect to @var{var}.
34667 @defun integ expr var low high
34668 Compute the integral of @var{expr} with respect to @var{var}.
34669 @xref{Calculus}, for further details.
34672 @defmac math-defintegral funcs body
34673 Define a rule for integrating a function or functions of one argument;
34674 this macro is very similar in format to @code{math-defsimplify}.
34675 The main difference is that here @var{body} is the body of a function
34676 with a single argument @code{u} which is bound to the argument to the
34677 function being integrated, not the function call itself. Also, the
34678 variable of integration is available as @code{math-integ-var}. If
34679 evaluation of the integral requires doing further integrals, the body
34680 should call @samp{(math-integral @var{x})} to find the integral of
34681 @var{x} with respect to @code{math-integ-var}; this function returns
34682 @code{nil} if the integral could not be done. Some examples:
34685 (math-defintegral calcFunc-conj
34686 (let ((int (math-integral u)))
34688 (list 'calcFunc-conj int))))
34690 (math-defintegral calcFunc-cos
34691 (and (equal u math-integ-var)
34692 (math-from-radians-2 (list 'calcFunc-sin u))))
34695 In the @code{cos} example, we define only the integral of @samp{cos(x) dx},
34696 relying on the general integration-by-substitution facility to handle
34697 cosines of more complicated arguments. An integration rule should return
34698 @code{nil} if it can't do the integral; if several rules are defined for
34699 the same function, they are tried in order until one returns a non-@code{nil}
34703 @defmac math-defintegral-2 funcs body
34704 Define a rule for integrating a function or functions of two arguments.
34705 This is exactly analogous to @code{math-defintegral}, except that @var{body}
34706 is written as the body of a function with two arguments, @var{u} and
34710 @defun solve-for lhs rhs var full
34711 Attempt to solve the equation @samp{@var{lhs} = @var{rhs}} by isolating
34712 the variable @var{var} on the lefthand side; return the resulting righthand
34713 side, or @code{nil} if the equation cannot be solved. The variable
34714 @var{var} must appear at least once in @var{lhs} or @var{rhs}. Note that
34715 the return value is a formula which does not contain @var{var}; this is
34716 different from the user-level @code{solve} and @code{finv} functions,
34717 which return a rearranged equation or a functional inverse, respectively.
34718 If @var{full} is non-@code{nil}, a full solution including dummy signs
34719 and dummy integers will be produced. User-defined inverses are provided
34720 as properties in a manner similar to derivatives:
34723 (put 'calcFunc-ln 'math-inverse
34724 (function (lambda (x) (list 'calcFunc-exp x))))
34727 This function can call @samp{(math-solve-get-sign @var{x})} to create
34728 a new arbitrary sign variable, returning @var{x} times that sign, and
34729 @samp{(math-solve-get-int @var{x})} to create a new arbitrary integer
34730 variable multiplied by @var{x}. These functions simply return @var{x}
34731 if the caller requested a non-``full'' solution.
34734 @defun solve-eqn expr var full
34735 This version of @code{solve-for} takes an expression which will
34736 typically be an equation or inequality. (If it is not, it will be
34737 interpreted as the equation @samp{@var{expr} = 0}.) It returns an
34738 equation or inequality, or @code{nil} if no solution could be found.
34741 @defun solve-system exprs vars full
34742 This function solves a system of equations. Generally, @var{exprs}
34743 and @var{vars} will be vectors of equal length.
34744 @xref{Solving Systems of Equations}, for other options.
34747 @defun expr-contains expr var
34748 Returns a non-@code{nil} value if @var{var} occurs as a subexpression
34751 This function might seem at first to be identical to
34752 @code{calc-find-sub-formula}. The key difference is that
34753 @code{expr-contains} uses @code{equal} to test for matches, whereas
34754 @code{calc-find-sub-formula} uses @code{eq}. In the formula
34755 @samp{f(a, a)}, the two @samp{a}s will be @code{equal} but not
34756 @code{eq} to each other.
34759 @defun expr-contains-count expr var
34760 Returns the number of occurrences of @var{var} as a subexpression
34761 of @var{expr}, or @code{nil} if there are no occurrences.
34764 @defun expr-depends expr var
34765 Returns true if @var{expr} refers to any variable the occurs in @var{var}.
34766 In other words, it checks if @var{expr} and @var{var} have any variables
34770 @defun expr-contains-vars expr
34771 Return true if @var{expr} contains any variables, or @code{nil} if @var{expr}
34772 contains only constants and functions with constant arguments.
34775 @defun expr-subst expr old new
34776 Returns a copy of @var{expr}, with all occurrences of @var{old} replaced
34777 by @var{new}. This treats @code{lambda} forms specially with respect
34778 to the dummy argument variables, so that the effect is always to return
34779 @var{expr} evaluated at @var{old} = @var{new}.
34782 @defun multi-subst expr old new
34783 This is like @code{expr-subst}, except that @var{old} and @var{new}
34784 are lists of expressions to be substituted simultaneously. If one
34785 list is shorter than the other, trailing elements of the longer list
34789 @defun expr-weight expr
34790 Returns the ``weight'' of @var{expr}, basically a count of the total
34791 number of objects and function calls that appear in @var{expr}. For
34792 ``primitive'' objects, this will be one.
34795 @defun expr-height expr
34796 Returns the ``height'' of @var{expr}, which is the deepest level to
34797 which function calls are nested. (Note that @samp{@var{a} + @var{b}}
34798 counts as a function call.) For primitive objects, this returns zero.
34801 @defun polynomial-p expr var
34802 Check if @var{expr} is a polynomial in variable (or sub-expression)
34803 @var{var}. If so, return the degree of the polynomial, that is, the
34804 highest power of @var{var} that appears in @var{expr}. For example,
34805 for @samp{(x^2 + 3)^3 + 4} this would return 6. This function returns
34806 @code{nil} unless @var{expr}, when expanded out by @kbd{a x}
34807 (@code{calc-expand}), would consist of a sum of terms in which @var{var}
34808 appears only raised to nonnegative integer powers. Note that if
34809 @var{var} does not occur in @var{expr}, then @var{expr} is considered
34810 a polynomial of degree 0.
34813 @defun is-polynomial expr var degree loose
34814 Check if @var{expr} is a polynomial in variable or sub-expression
34815 @var{var}, and, if so, return a list representation of the polynomial
34816 where the elements of the list are coefficients of successive powers of
34817 @var{var}: @samp{@var{a} + @var{b} x + @var{c} x^3} would produce the
34818 list @samp{(@var{a} @var{b} 0 @var{c})}, and @samp{(x + 1)^2} would
34819 produce the list @samp{(1 2 1)}. The highest element of the list will
34820 be non-zero, with the special exception that if @var{expr} is the
34821 constant zero, the returned value will be @samp{(0)}. Return @code{nil}
34822 if @var{expr} is not a polynomial in @var{var}. If @var{degree} is
34823 specified, this will not consider polynomials of degree higher than that
34824 value. This is a good precaution because otherwise an input of
34825 @samp{(x+1)^1000} will cause a huge coefficient list to be built. If
34826 @var{loose} is non-@code{nil}, then a looser definition of a polynomial
34827 is used in which coefficients are no longer required not to depend on
34828 @var{var}, but are only required not to take the form of polynomials
34829 themselves. For example, @samp{sin(x) x^2 + cos(x)} is a loose
34830 polynomial with coefficients @samp{((calcFunc-cos x) 0 (calcFunc-sin
34831 x))}. The result will never be @code{nil} in loose mode, since any
34832 expression can be interpreted as a ``constant'' loose polynomial.
34835 @defun polynomial-base expr pred
34836 Check if @var{expr} is a polynomial in any variable that occurs in it;
34837 if so, return that variable. (If @var{expr} is a multivariate polynomial,
34838 this chooses one variable arbitrarily.) If @var{pred} is specified, it should
34839 be a Lisp function which is called as @samp{(@var{pred} @var{subexpr})},
34840 and which should return true if @code{mpb-top-expr} (a global name for
34841 the original @var{expr}) is a suitable polynomial in @var{subexpr}.
34842 The default predicate uses @samp{(polynomial-p mpb-top-expr @var{subexpr})};
34843 you can use @var{pred} to specify additional conditions. Or, you could
34844 have @var{pred} build up a list of every suitable @var{subexpr} that
34848 @defun poly-simplify poly
34849 Simplify polynomial coefficient list @var{poly} by (destructively)
34850 clipping off trailing zeros.
34853 @defun poly-mix a ac b bc
34854 Mix two polynomial lists @var{a} and @var{b} (in the form returned by
34855 @code{is-polynomial}) in a linear combination with coefficient expressions
34856 @var{ac} and @var{bc}. The result is a (not necessarily simplified)
34857 polynomial list representing @samp{@var{ac} @var{a} + @var{bc} @var{b}}.
34860 @defun poly-mul a b
34861 Multiply two polynomial coefficient lists @var{a} and @var{b}. The
34862 result will be in simplified form if the inputs were simplified.
34865 @defun build-polynomial-expr poly var
34866 Construct a Calc formula which represents the polynomial coefficient
34867 list @var{poly} applied to variable @var{var}. The @kbd{a c}
34868 (@code{calc-collect}) command uses @code{is-polynomial} to turn an
34869 expression into a coefficient list, then @code{build-polynomial-expr}
34870 to turn the list back into an expression in regular form.
34873 @defun check-unit-name var
34874 Check if @var{var} is a variable which can be interpreted as a unit
34875 name. If so, return the units table entry for that unit. This
34876 will be a list whose first element is the unit name (not counting
34877 prefix characters) as a symbol and whose second element is the
34878 Calc expression which defines the unit. (Refer to the Calc sources
34879 for details on the remaining elements of this list.) If @var{var}
34880 is not a variable or is not a unit name, return @code{nil}.
34883 @defun units-in-expr-p expr sub-exprs
34884 Return true if @var{expr} contains any variables which can be
34885 interpreted as units. If @var{sub-exprs} is @code{t}, the entire
34886 expression is searched. If @var{sub-exprs} is @code{nil}, this
34887 checks whether @var{expr} is directly a units expression.
34890 @defun single-units-in-expr-p expr
34891 Check whether @var{expr} contains exactly one units variable. If so,
34892 return the units table entry for the variable. If @var{expr} does
34893 not contain any units, return @code{nil}. If @var{expr} contains
34894 two or more units, return the symbol @code{wrong}.
34897 @defun to-standard-units expr which
34898 Convert units expression @var{expr} to base units. If @var{which}
34899 is @code{nil}, use Calc's native base units. Otherwise, @var{which}
34900 can specify a units system, which is a list of two-element lists,
34901 where the first element is a Calc base symbol name and the second
34902 is an expression to substitute for it.
34905 @defun remove-units expr
34906 Return a copy of @var{expr} with all units variables replaced by ones.
34907 This expression is generally normalized before use.
34910 @defun extract-units expr
34911 Return a copy of @var{expr} with everything but units variables replaced
34915 @node Formatting Lisp Functions, Hooks, Symbolic Lisp Functions, Internals
34916 @subsubsection I/O and Formatting Functions
34919 The functions described here are responsible for parsing and formatting
34920 Calc numbers and formulas.
34922 @defun calc-eval str sep arg1 arg2 @dots{}
34923 This is the simplest interface to the Calculator from another Lisp program.
34924 @xref{Calling Calc from Your Programs}.
34927 @defun read-number str
34928 If string @var{str} contains a valid Calc number, either integer,
34929 fraction, float, or HMS form, this function parses and returns that
34930 number. Otherwise, it returns @code{nil}.
34933 @defun read-expr str
34934 Read an algebraic expression from string @var{str}. If @var{str} does
34935 not have the form of a valid expression, return a list of the form
34936 @samp{(error @var{pos} @var{msg})} where @var{pos} is an integer index
34937 into @var{str} of the general location of the error, and @var{msg} is
34938 a string describing the problem.
34941 @defun read-exprs str
34942 Read a list of expressions separated by commas, and return it as a
34943 Lisp list. If an error occurs in any expressions, an error list as
34944 shown above is returned instead.
34947 @defun calc-do-alg-entry initial prompt no-norm
34948 Read an algebraic formula or formulas using the minibuffer. All
34949 conventions of regular algebraic entry are observed. The return value
34950 is a list of Calc formulas; there will be more than one if the user
34951 entered a list of values separated by commas. The result is @code{nil}
34952 if the user presses Return with a blank line. If @var{initial} is
34953 given, it is a string which the minibuffer will initially contain.
34954 If @var{prompt} is given, it is the prompt string to use; the default
34955 is ``Algebraic:''. If @var{no-norm} is @code{t}, the formulas will
34956 be returned exactly as parsed; otherwise, they will be passed through
34957 @code{calc-normalize} first.
34959 To support the use of @kbd{$} characters in the algebraic entry, use
34960 @code{let} to bind @code{calc-dollar-values} to a list of the values
34961 to be substituted for @kbd{$}, @kbd{$$}, and so on, and bind
34962 @code{calc-dollar-used} to 0. Upon return, @code{calc-dollar-used}
34963 will have been changed to the highest number of consecutive @kbd{$}s
34964 that actually appeared in the input.
34967 @defun format-number a
34968 Convert the real or complex number or HMS form @var{a} to string form.
34971 @defun format-flat-expr a prec
34972 Convert the arbitrary Calc number or formula @var{a} to string form,
34973 in the style used by the trail buffer and the @code{calc-edit} command.
34974 This is a simple format designed
34975 mostly to guarantee the string is of a form that can be re-parsed by
34976 @code{read-expr}. Most formatting modes, such as digit grouping,
34977 complex number format, and point character, are ignored to ensure the
34978 result will be re-readable. The @var{prec} parameter is normally 0; if
34979 you pass a large integer like 1000 instead, the expression will be
34980 surrounded by parentheses unless it is a plain number or variable name.
34983 @defun format-nice-expr a width
34984 This is like @code{format-flat-expr} (with @var{prec} equal to 0),
34985 except that newlines will be inserted to keep lines down to the
34986 specified @var{width}, and vectors that look like matrices or rewrite
34987 rules are written in a pseudo-matrix format. The @code{calc-edit}
34988 command uses this when only one stack entry is being edited.
34991 @defun format-value a width
34992 Convert the Calc number or formula @var{a} to string form, using the
34993 format seen in the stack buffer. Beware the string returned may
34994 not be re-readable by @code{read-expr}, for example, because of digit
34995 grouping. Multi-line objects like matrices produce strings that
34996 contain newline characters to separate the lines. The @var{w}
34997 parameter, if given, is the target window size for which to format
34998 the expressions. If @var{w} is omitted, the width of the Calculator
35002 @defun compose-expr a prec
35003 Format the Calc number or formula @var{a} according to the current
35004 language mode, returning a ``composition.'' To learn about the
35005 structure of compositions, see the comments in the Calc source code.
35006 You can specify the format of a given type of function call by putting
35007 a @code{math-compose-@var{lang}} property on the function's symbol,
35008 whose value is a Lisp function that takes @var{a} and @var{prec} as
35009 arguments and returns a composition. Here @var{lang} is a language
35010 mode name, one of @code{normal}, @code{big}, @code{c}, @code{pascal},
35011 @code{fortran}, @code{tex}, @code{eqn}, @code{math}, or @code{maple}.
35012 In Big mode, Calc actually tries @code{math-compose-big} first, then
35013 tries @code{math-compose-normal}. If this property does not exist,
35014 or if the function returns @code{nil}, the function is written in the
35015 normal function-call notation for that language.
35018 @defun composition-to-string c w
35019 Convert a composition structure returned by @code{compose-expr} into
35020 a string. Multi-line compositions convert to strings containing
35021 newline characters. The target window size is given by @var{w}.
35022 The @code{format-value} function basically calls @code{compose-expr}
35023 followed by @code{composition-to-string}.
35026 @defun comp-width c
35027 Compute the width in characters of composition @var{c}.
35030 @defun comp-height c
35031 Compute the height in lines of composition @var{c}.
35034 @defun comp-ascent c
35035 Compute the portion of the height of composition @var{c} which is on or
35036 above the baseline. For a one-line composition, this will be one.
35039 @defun comp-descent c
35040 Compute the portion of the height of composition @var{c} which is below
35041 the baseline. For a one-line composition, this will be zero.
35044 @defun comp-first-char c
35045 If composition @var{c} is a ``flat'' composition, return the first
35046 (leftmost) character of the composition as an integer. Otherwise,
35050 @defun comp-last-char c
35051 If composition @var{c} is a ``flat'' composition, return the last
35052 (rightmost) character, otherwise return @code{nil}.
35055 @comment @node Lisp Variables, Hooks, Formatting Lisp Functions, Internals
35056 @comment @subsubsection Lisp Variables
35059 @comment (This section is currently unfinished.)
35061 @node Hooks, , Formatting Lisp Functions, Internals
35062 @subsubsection Hooks
35065 Hooks are variables which contain Lisp functions (or lists of functions)
35066 which are called at various times. Calc defines a number of hooks
35067 that help you to customize it in various ways. Calc uses the Lisp
35068 function @code{run-hooks} to invoke the hooks shown below. Several
35069 other customization-related variables are also described here.
35071 @defvar calc-load-hook
35072 This hook is called at the end of @file{calc.el}, after the file has
35073 been loaded, before any functions in it have been called, but after
35074 @code{calc-mode-map} and similar variables have been set up.
35077 @defvar calc-ext-load-hook
35078 This hook is called at the end of @file{calc-ext.el}.
35081 @defvar calc-start-hook
35082 This hook is called as the last step in a @kbd{M-x calc} command.
35083 At this point, the Calc buffer has been created and initialized if
35084 necessary, the Calc window and trail window have been created,
35085 and the ``Welcome to Calc'' message has been displayed.
35088 @defvar calc-mode-hook
35089 This hook is called when the Calc buffer is being created. Usually
35090 this will only happen once per Emacs session. The hook is called
35091 after Emacs has switched to the new buffer, the mode-settings file
35092 has been read if necessary, and all other buffer-local variables
35093 have been set up. After this hook returns, Calc will perform a
35094 @code{calc-refresh} operation, set up the mode line display, then
35095 evaluate any deferred @code{calc-define} properties that have not
35096 been evaluated yet.
35099 @defvar calc-trail-mode-hook
35100 This hook is called when the Calc Trail buffer is being created.
35101 It is called as the very last step of setting up the Trail buffer.
35102 Like @code{calc-mode-hook}, this will normally happen only once
35106 @defvar calc-end-hook
35107 This hook is called by @code{calc-quit}, generally because the user
35108 presses @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x * c} while in Calc. The Calc buffer will
35109 be the current buffer. The hook is called as the very first
35110 step, before the Calc window is destroyed.
35113 @defvar calc-window-hook
35114 If this hook is non-@code{nil}, it is called to create the Calc window.
35115 Upon return, this new Calc window should be the current window.
35116 (The Calc buffer will already be the current buffer when the
35117 hook is called.) If the hook is not defined, Calc will
35118 generally use @code{split-window}, @code{set-window-buffer},
35119 and @code{select-window} to create the Calc window.
35122 @defvar calc-trail-window-hook
35123 If this hook is non-@code{nil}, it is called to create the Calc Trail
35124 window. The variable @code{calc-trail-buffer} will contain the buffer
35125 which the window should use. Unlike @code{calc-window-hook}, this hook
35126 must @emph{not} switch into the new window.
35129 @defvar calc-embedded-mode-hook
35130 This hook is called the first time that Embedded mode is entered.
35133 @defvar calc-embedded-new-buffer-hook
35134 This hook is called each time that Embedded mode is entered in a
35138 @defvar calc-embedded-new-formula-hook
35139 This hook is called each time that Embedded mode is enabled for a
35143 @defvar calc-edit-mode-hook
35144 This hook is called by @code{calc-edit} (and the other ``edit''
35145 commands) when the temporary editing buffer is being created.
35146 The buffer will have been selected and set up to be in
35147 @code{calc-edit-mode}, but will not yet have been filled with
35148 text. (In fact it may still have leftover text from a previous
35149 @code{calc-edit} command.)
35152 @defvar calc-mode-save-hook
35153 This hook is called by the @code{calc-save-modes} command,
35154 after Calc's own mode features have been inserted into the
35155 Calc init file and just before the ``End of mode settings''
35156 message is inserted.
35159 @defvar calc-reset-hook
35160 This hook is called after @kbd{C-x * 0} (@code{calc-reset}) has
35161 reset all modes. The Calc buffer will be the current buffer.
35164 @defvar calc-other-modes
35165 This variable contains a list of strings. The strings are
35166 concatenated at the end of the modes portion of the Calc
35167 mode line (after standard modes such as ``Deg'', ``Inv'' and
35168 ``Hyp''). Each string should be a short, single word followed
35169 by a space. The variable is @code{nil} by default.
35172 @defvar calc-mode-map
35173 This is the keymap that is used by Calc mode. The best time
35174 to adjust it is probably in a @code{calc-mode-hook}. If the
35175 Calc extensions package (@file{calc-ext.el}) has not yet been
35176 loaded, many of these keys will be bound to @code{calc-missing-key},
35177 which is a command that loads the extensions package and
35178 ``retypes'' the key. If your @code{calc-mode-hook} rebinds
35179 one of these keys, it will probably be overridden when the
35180 extensions are loaded.
35183 @defvar calc-digit-map
35184 This is the keymap that is used during numeric entry. Numeric
35185 entry uses the minibuffer, but this map binds every non-numeric
35186 key to @code{calcDigit-nondigit} which generally calls
35187 @code{exit-minibuffer} and ``retypes'' the key.
35190 @defvar calc-alg-ent-map
35191 This is the keymap that is used during algebraic entry. This is
35192 mostly a copy of @code{minibuffer-local-map}.
35195 @defvar calc-store-var-map
35196 This is the keymap that is used during entry of variable names for
35197 commands like @code{calc-store} and @code{calc-recall}. This is
35198 mostly a copy of @code{minibuffer-local-completion-map}.
35201 @defvar calc-edit-mode-map
35202 This is the (sparse) keymap used by @code{calc-edit} and other
35203 temporary editing commands. It binds @key{RET}, @key{LFD},
35204 and @kbd{C-c C-c} to @code{calc-edit-finish}.
35207 @defvar calc-mode-var-list
35208 This is a list of variables which are saved by @code{calc-save-modes}.
35209 Each entry is a list of two items, the variable (as a Lisp symbol)
35210 and its default value. When modes are being saved, each variable
35211 is compared with its default value (using @code{equal}) and any
35212 non-default variables are written out.
35215 @defvar calc-local-var-list
35216 This is a list of variables which should be buffer-local to the
35217 Calc buffer. Each entry is a variable name (as a Lisp symbol).
35218 These variables also have their default values manipulated by
35219 the @code{calc} and @code{calc-quit} commands; @pxref{Multiple Calculators}.
35220 Since @code{calc-mode-hook} is called after this list has been
35221 used the first time, your hook should add a variable to the
35222 list and also call @code{make-local-variable} itself.
35225 @node Copying, GNU Free Documentation License, Programming, Top
35226 @appendix GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
35229 @node GNU Free Documentation License, Customizing Calc, Copying, Top
35230 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
35231 @include doclicense.texi
35233 @node Customizing Calc, Reporting Bugs, GNU Free Documentation License, Top
35234 @appendix Customizing Calc
35236 The usual prefix for Calc is the key sequence @kbd{C-x *}. If you wish
35237 to use a different prefix, you can put
35240 (global-set-key "NEWPREFIX" 'calc-dispatch)
35244 in your .emacs file.
35245 (@xref{Key Bindings,,Customizing Key Bindings,emacs,
35246 The GNU Emacs Manual}, for more information on binding keys.)
35247 A convenient way to start Calc is with @kbd{C-x * *}; to make it equally
35248 convenient for users who use a different prefix, the prefix can be
35249 followed by @kbd{=}, @kbd{&}, @kbd{#}, @kbd{\}, @kbd{/}, @kbd{+} or
35250 @kbd{-} as well as @kbd{*} to start Calc, and so in many cases the last
35251 character of the prefix can simply be typed twice.
35253 Calc is controlled by many variables, most of which can be reset
35254 from within Calc. Some variables are less involved with actual
35255 calculation and can be set outside of Calc using Emacs's
35256 customization facilities. These variables are listed below.
35257 Typing @kbd{M-x customize-variable RET @var{variable-name} RET}
35258 will bring up a buffer in which the variable's value can be redefined.
35259 Typing @kbd{M-x customize-group RET calc RET} will bring up a buffer which
35260 contains all of Calc's customizable variables. (These variables can
35261 also be reset by putting the appropriate lines in your .emacs file;
35262 @xref{Init File, ,Init File, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.)
35264 Some of the customizable variables are regular expressions. A regular
35265 expression is basically a pattern that Calc can search for.
35266 See @ref{Regexp Search,, Regular Expression Search, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}
35267 to see how regular expressions work.
35269 @defvar calc-settings-file
35270 The variable @code{calc-settings-file} holds the file name in
35271 which commands like @kbd{m m} and @kbd{Z P} store ``permanent''
35273 If @code{calc-settings-file} is not your user init file (typically
35274 @file{~/.emacs}) and if the variable @code{calc-loaded-settings-file} is
35275 @code{nil}, then Calc will automatically load your settings file (if it
35276 exists) the first time Calc is invoked.
35278 The default value for this variable is @code{"~/.emacs.d/calc.el"}
35279 unless the file @file{~/.calc.el} exists, in which case the default
35280 value will be @code{"~/.calc.el"}.
35283 @defvar calc-gnuplot-name
35284 See @ref{Graphics}.@*
35285 The variable @code{calc-gnuplot-name} should be the name of the
35286 GNUPLOT program (a string). If you have GNUPLOT installed on your
35287 system but Calc is unable to find it, you may need to set this
35288 variable. You may also need to set some Lisp variables to show Calc how
35289 to run GNUPLOT on your system, see @ref{Devices, ,Graphical Devices} .
35290 The default value of @code{calc-gnuplot-name} is @code{"gnuplot"}.
35293 @defvar calc-gnuplot-plot-command
35294 @defvarx calc-gnuplot-print-command
35295 See @ref{Devices, ,Graphical Devices}.@*
35296 The variables @code{calc-gnuplot-plot-command} and
35297 @code{calc-gnuplot-print-command} represent system commands to
35298 display and print the output of GNUPLOT, respectively. These may be
35299 @code{nil} if no command is necessary, or strings which can include
35300 @samp{%s} to signify the name of the file to be displayed or printed.
35301 Or, these variables may contain Lisp expressions which are evaluated
35302 to display or print the output.
35304 The default value of @code{calc-gnuplot-plot-command} is @code{nil},
35305 and the default value of @code{calc-gnuplot-print-command} is
35309 @defvar calc-language-alist
35310 See @ref{Basic Embedded Mode}.@*
35311 The variable @code{calc-language-alist} controls the languages that
35312 Calc will associate with major modes. When Calc embedded mode is
35313 enabled, it will try to use the current major mode to
35314 determine what language should be used. (This can be overridden using
35315 Calc's mode changing commands, @xref{Mode Settings in Embedded Mode}.)
35316 The variable @code{calc-language-alist} consists of a list of pairs of
35317 the form @code{(@var{MAJOR-MODE} . @var{LANGUAGE})}; for example,
35318 @code{(latex-mode . latex)} is one such pair. If Calc embedded is
35319 activated in a buffer whose major mode is @var{MAJOR-MODE}, it will set itself
35320 to use the language @var{LANGUAGE}.
35322 The default value of @code{calc-language-alist} is
35324 ((latex-mode . latex)
35326 (plain-tex-mode . tex)
35327 (context-mode . tex)
35329 (pascal-mode . pascal)
35332 (fortran-mode . fortran)
35333 (f90-mode . fortran))
35337 @defvar calc-embedded-announce-formula
35338 @defvarx calc-embedded-announce-formula-alist
35339 See @ref{Customizing Embedded Mode}.@*
35340 The variable @code{calc-embedded-announce-formula} helps determine
35341 what formulas @kbd{C-x * a} will activate in a buffer. It is a
35342 regular expression, and when activating embedded formulas with
35343 @kbd{C-x * a}, it will tell Calc that what follows is a formula to be
35344 activated. (Calc also uses other patterns to find formulas, such as
35345 @samp{=>} and @samp{:=}.)
35347 The default pattern is @code{"%Embed\n\\(% .*\n\\)*"}, which checks
35348 for @samp{%Embed} followed by any number of lines beginning with
35349 @samp{%} and a space.
35351 The variable @code{calc-embedded-announce-formula-alist} is used to
35352 set @code{calc-embedded-announce-formula} to different regular
35353 expressions depending on the major mode of the editing buffer.
35354 It consists of a list of pairs of the form @code{(@var{MAJOR-MODE} .
35355 @var{REGEXP})}, and its default value is
35357 ((c++-mode . "//Embed\n\\(// .*\n\\)*")
35358 (c-mode . "/\\*Embed\\*/\n\\(/\\* .*\\*/\n\\)*")
35359 (f90-mode . "!Embed\n\\(! .*\n\\)*")
35360 (fortran-mode . "C Embed\n\\(C .*\n\\)*")
35361 (html-helper-mode . "<!-- Embed -->\n\\(<!-- .* -->\n\\)*")
35362 (html-mode . "<!-- Embed -->\n\\(<!-- .* -->\n\\)*")
35363 (nroff-mode . "\\\\\"Embed\n\\(\\\\\" .*\n\\)*")
35364 (pascal-mode . "@{Embed@}\n\\(@{.*@}\n\\)*")
35365 (sgml-mode . "<!-- Embed -->\n\\(<!-- .* -->\n\\)*")
35366 (xml-mode . "<!-- Embed -->\n\\(<!-- .* -->\n\\)*")
35367 (texinfo-mode . "@@c Embed\n\\(@@c .*\n\\)*"))
35369 Any major modes added to @code{calc-embedded-announce-formula-alist}
35370 should also be added to @code{calc-embedded-open-close-plain-alist}
35371 and @code{calc-embedded-open-close-mode-alist}.
35374 @defvar calc-embedded-open-formula
35375 @defvarx calc-embedded-close-formula
35376 @defvarx calc-embedded-open-close-formula-alist
35377 See @ref{Customizing Embedded Mode}.@*
35378 The variables @code{calc-embedded-open-formula} and
35379 @code{calc-embedded-close-formula} control the region that Calc will
35380 activate as a formula when Embedded mode is entered with @kbd{C-x * e}.
35381 They are regular expressions;
35382 Calc normally scans backward and forward in the buffer for the
35383 nearest text matching these regular expressions to be the ``formula
35386 The simplest delimiters are blank lines. Other delimiters that
35387 Embedded mode understands by default are:
35390 The @TeX{} and La@TeX{} math delimiters @samp{$ $}, @samp{$$ $$},
35391 @samp{\[ \]}, and @samp{\( \)};
35393 Lines beginning with @samp{\begin} and @samp{\end} (except matrix delimiters);
35395 Lines beginning with @samp{@@} (Texinfo delimiters).
35397 Lines beginning with @samp{.EQ} and @samp{.EN} (@dfn{eqn} delimiters);
35399 Lines containing a single @samp{%} or @samp{.\"} symbol and nothing else.
35402 The variable @code{calc-embedded-open-close-formula-alist} is used to
35403 set @code{calc-embedded-open-formula} and
35404 @code{calc-embedded-close-formula} to different regular
35405 expressions depending on the major mode of the editing buffer.
35406 It consists of a list of lists of the form
35407 @code{(@var{MAJOR-MODE} @var{OPEN-FORMULA-REGEXP}
35408 @var{CLOSE-FORMULA-REGEXP})}, and its default value is
35412 @defvar calc-embedded-word-regexp
35413 @defvarx calc-embedded-word-regexp-alist
35414 See @ref{Customizing Embedded Mode}.@*
35415 The variable @code{calc-embedded-word-regexp} determines the expression
35416 that Calc will activate when Embedded mode is entered with @kbd{C-x *
35417 w}. It is a regular expressions.
35419 The default value of @code{calc-embedded-word-regexp} is
35420 @code{"[-+]?[0-9]+\\(\\.[0-9]+\\)?\\([eE][-+]?[0-9]+\\)?"}.
35422 The variable @code{calc-embedded-word-regexp-alist} is used to
35423 set @code{calc-embedded-word-regexp} to a different regular
35424 expression depending on the major mode of the editing buffer.
35425 It consists of a list of lists of the form
35426 @code{(@var{MAJOR-MODE} @var{WORD-REGEXP})}, and its default value is
35430 @defvar calc-embedded-open-plain
35431 @defvarx calc-embedded-close-plain
35432 @defvarx calc-embedded-open-close-plain-alist
35433 See @ref{Customizing Embedded Mode}.@*
35434 The variables @code{calc-embedded-open-plain} and
35435 @code{calc-embedded-open-plain} are used to delimit ``plain''
35436 formulas. Note that these are actual strings, not regular
35437 expressions, because Calc must be able to write these string into a
35438 buffer as well as to recognize them.
35440 The default string for @code{calc-embedded-open-plain} is
35441 @code{"%%% "}, note the trailing space. The default string for
35442 @code{calc-embedded-close-plain} is @code{" %%%\n"}, without
35443 the trailing newline here, the first line of a Big mode formula
35444 that followed might be shifted over with respect to the other lines.
35446 The variable @code{calc-embedded-open-close-plain-alist} is used to
35447 set @code{calc-embedded-open-plain} and
35448 @code{calc-embedded-close-plain} to different strings
35449 depending on the major mode of the editing buffer.
35450 It consists of a list of lists of the form
35451 @code{(@var{MAJOR-MODE} @var{OPEN-PLAIN-STRING}
35452 @var{CLOSE-PLAIN-STRING})}, and its default value is
35454 ((c++-mode "// %% " " %%\n")
35455 (c-mode "/* %% " " %% */\n")
35456 (f90-mode "! %% " " %%\n")
35457 (fortran-mode "C %% " " %%\n")
35458 (html-helper-mode "<!-- %% " " %% -->\n")
35459 (html-mode "<!-- %% " " %% -->\n")
35460 (nroff-mode "\\\" %% " " %%\n")
35461 (pascal-mode "@{%% " " %%@}\n")
35462 (sgml-mode "<!-- %% " " %% -->\n")
35463 (xml-mode "<!-- %% " " %% -->\n")
35464 (texinfo-mode "@@c %% " " %%\n"))
35466 Any major modes added to @code{calc-embedded-open-close-plain-alist}
35467 should also be added to @code{calc-embedded-announce-formula-alist}
35468 and @code{calc-embedded-open-close-mode-alist}.
35471 @defvar calc-embedded-open-new-formula
35472 @defvarx calc-embedded-close-new-formula
35473 @defvarx calc-embedded-open-close-new-formula-alist
35474 See @ref{Customizing Embedded Mode}.@*
35475 The variables @code{calc-embedded-open-new-formula} and
35476 @code{calc-embedded-close-new-formula} are strings which are
35477 inserted before and after a new formula when you type @kbd{C-x * f}.
35479 The default value of @code{calc-embedded-open-new-formula} is
35480 @code{"\n\n"}. If this string begins with a newline character and the
35481 @kbd{C-x * f} is typed at the beginning of a line, @kbd{C-x * f} will skip
35482 this first newline to avoid introducing unnecessary blank lines in the
35483 file. The default value of @code{calc-embedded-close-new-formula} is
35484 also @code{"\n\n"}. The final newline is omitted by @w{@kbd{C-x * f}}
35485 if typed at the end of a line. (It follows that if @kbd{C-x * f} is
35486 typed on a blank line, both a leading opening newline and a trailing
35487 closing newline are omitted.)
35489 The variable @code{calc-embedded-open-close-new-formula-alist} is used to
35490 set @code{calc-embedded-open-new-formula} and
35491 @code{calc-embedded-close-new-formula} to different strings
35492 depending on the major mode of the editing buffer.
35493 It consists of a list of lists of the form
35494 @code{(@var{MAJOR-MODE} @var{OPEN-NEW-FORMULA-STRING}
35495 @var{CLOSE-NEW-FORMULA-STRING})}, and its default value is
35499 @defvar calc-embedded-open-mode
35500 @defvarx calc-embedded-close-mode
35501 @defvarx calc-embedded-open-close-mode-alist
35502 See @ref{Customizing Embedded Mode}.@*
35503 The variables @code{calc-embedded-open-mode} and
35504 @code{calc-embedded-close-mode} are strings which Calc will place before
35505 and after any mode annotations that it inserts. Calc never scans for
35506 these strings; Calc always looks for the annotation itself, so it is not
35507 necessary to add them to user-written annotations.
35509 The default value of @code{calc-embedded-open-mode} is @code{"% "}
35510 and the default value of @code{calc-embedded-close-mode} is
35512 If you change the value of @code{calc-embedded-close-mode}, it is a good
35513 idea still to end with a newline so that mode annotations will appear on
35514 lines by themselves.
35516 The variable @code{calc-embedded-open-close-mode-alist} is used to
35517 set @code{calc-embedded-open-mode} and
35518 @code{calc-embedded-close-mode} to different strings
35519 expressions depending on the major mode of the editing buffer.
35520 It consists of a list of lists of the form
35521 @code{(@var{MAJOR-MODE} @var{OPEN-MODE-STRING}
35522 @var{CLOSE-MODE-STRING})}, and its default value is
35524 ((c++-mode "// " "\n")
35525 (c-mode "/* " " */\n")
35526 (f90-mode "! " "\n")
35527 (fortran-mode "C " "\n")
35528 (html-helper-mode "<!-- " " -->\n")
35529 (html-mode "<!-- " " -->\n")
35530 (nroff-mode "\\\" " "\n")
35531 (pascal-mode "@{ " " @}\n")
35532 (sgml-mode "<!-- " " -->\n")
35533 (xml-mode "<!-- " " -->\n")
35534 (texinfo-mode "@@c " "\n"))
35536 Any major modes added to @code{calc-embedded-open-close-mode-alist}
35537 should also be added to @code{calc-embedded-announce-formula-alist}
35538 and @code{calc-embedded-open-close-plain-alist}.
35541 @defvar calc-lu-power-reference
35542 @defvarx calc-lu-field-reference
35543 See @ref{Logarithmic Units}.@*
35544 The variables @code{calc-lu-power-reference} and
35545 @code{calc-lu-field-reference} are unit expressions (written as
35546 strings) which Calc will use as reference quantities for logarithmic
35549 The default value of @code{calc-lu-power-reference} is @code{"mW"}
35550 and the default value of @code{calc-lu-field-reference} is
35554 @defvar calc-note-threshold
35555 See @ref{Musical Notes}.@*
35556 The variable @code{calc-note-threshold} is a number (written as a
35557 string) which determines how close (in cents) a frequency needs to be
35558 to a note to be recognized as that note.
35560 The default value of @code{calc-note-threshold} is 1.
35563 @defvar calc-highlight-selections-with-faces
35564 @defvarx calc-selected-face
35565 @defvarx calc-nonselected-face
35566 See @ref{Displaying Selections}.@*
35567 The variable @code{calc-highlight-selections-with-faces}
35568 determines how selected sub-formulas are distinguished.
35569 If @code{calc-highlight-selections-with-faces} is nil, then
35570 a selected sub-formula is distinguished either by changing every
35571 character not part of the sub-formula with a dot or by changing every
35572 character in the sub-formula with a @samp{#} sign.
35573 If @code{calc-highlight-selections-with-faces} is t,
35574 then a selected sub-formula is distinguished either by displaying the
35575 non-selected portion of the formula with @code{calc-nonselected-face}
35576 or by displaying the selected sub-formula with
35577 @code{calc-nonselected-face}.
35580 @defvar calc-multiplication-has-precedence
35581 The variable @code{calc-multiplication-has-precedence} determines
35582 whether multiplication has precedence over division in algebraic
35583 formulas in normal language modes. If
35584 @code{calc-multiplication-has-precedence} is non-@code{nil}, then
35585 multiplication has precedence (and, for certain obscure reasons, is
35586 right associative), and so for example @samp{a/b*c} will be interpreted
35587 as @samp{a/(b*c)}. If @code{calc-multiplication-has-precedence} is
35588 @code{nil}, then multiplication has the same precedence as division
35589 (and, like division, is left associative), and so for example
35590 @samp{a/b*c} will be interpreted as @samp{(a/b)*c}. The default value
35591 of @code{calc-multiplication-has-precedence} is @code{t}.
35594 @defvar calc-undo-length
35595 The variable @code{calc-undo-length} determines the number of undo
35596 steps that Calc will keep track of when @code{calc-quit} is called.
35597 If @code{calc-undo-length} is a non-negative integer, then this is the
35598 number of undo steps that will be preserved; if
35599 @code{calc-undo-length} has any other value, then all undo steps will
35600 be preserved. The default value of @code{calc-undo-length} is @expr{100}.
35603 @node Reporting Bugs, Summary, Customizing Calc, Top
35604 @appendix Reporting Bugs
35607 If you find a bug in Calc, send e-mail to Jay Belanger,
35610 jay.p.belanger@@gmail.com
35614 There is an automatic command @kbd{M-x report-calc-bug} which helps
35615 you to report bugs. This command prompts you for a brief subject
35616 line, then leaves you in a mail editing buffer. Type @kbd{C-c C-c} to
35617 send your mail. Make sure your subject line indicates that you are
35618 reporting a Calc bug; this command sends mail to the maintainer's
35621 If you have suggestions for additional features for Calc, please send
35622 them. Some have dared to suggest that Calc is already top-heavy with
35623 features; this obviously cannot be the case, so if you have ideas, send
35626 At the front of the source file, @file{calc.el}, is a list of ideas for
35627 future work. If any enthusiastic souls wish to take it upon themselves
35628 to work on these, please send a message (using @kbd{M-x report-calc-bug})
35629 so any efforts can be coordinated.
35631 The latest version of Calc is available from Savannah, in the Emacs
35632 repository. See @uref{http://savannah.gnu.org/projects/emacs}.
35635 @node Summary, Key Index, Reporting Bugs, Top
35636 @appendix Calc Summary
35639 This section includes a complete list of Calc keystroke commands.
35640 Each line lists the stack entries used by the command (top-of-stack
35641 last), the keystrokes themselves, the prompts asked by the command,
35642 and the result of the command (also with top-of-stack last).
35643 The result is expressed using the equivalent algebraic function.
35644 Commands which put no results on the stack show the full @kbd{M-x}
35645 command name in that position. Numbers preceding the result or
35646 command name refer to notes at the end.
35648 Algebraic functions and @kbd{M-x} commands that don't have corresponding
35649 keystrokes are not listed in this summary.
35650 @xref{Command Index}. @xref{Function Index}.
35655 \vskip-2\baselineskip \null
35656 \gdef\sumrow#1{\sumrowx#1\relax}%
35657 \gdef\sumrowx#1\:#2\:#3\:#4\:#5\:#6\relax{%
35660 \hbox to5em{\sl\hss#1}%
35661 \hbox to5em{\tt#2\hss}%
35662 \hbox to4em{\sl#3\hss}%
35663 \hbox to5em{\rm\hss#4}%
35668 \gdef\sumlpar{{\rm(}}%
35669 \gdef\sumrpar{{\rm)}}%
35670 \gdef\sumcomma{{\rm,\thinspace}}%
35671 \gdef\sumexcl{{\rm!}}%
35672 \gdef\sumbreak{\vskip-2.5\baselineskip\goodbreak}%
35673 \gdef\minus#1{{\tt-}}%
35677 @catcode`@(=@active @let(=@sumlpar
35678 @catcode`@)=@active @let)=@sumrpar
35679 @catcode`@,=@active @let,=@sumcomma
35680 @catcode`@!=@active @let!=@sumexcl
35684 @advance@baselineskip-2.5pt
35687 @r{ @: C-x * a @: @: 33 @:calc-embedded-activate@:}
35688 @r{ @: C-x * b @: @: @:calc-big-or-small@:}
35689 @r{ @: C-x * c @: @: @:calc@:}
35690 @r{ @: C-x * d @: @: @:calc-embedded-duplicate@:}
35691 @r{ @: C-x * e @: @: 34 @:calc-embedded@:}
35692 @r{ @: C-x * f @:formula @: @:calc-embedded-new-formula@:}
35693 @r{ @: C-x * g @: @: 35 @:calc-grab-region@:}
35694 @r{ @: C-x * i @: @: @:calc-info@:}
35695 @r{ @: C-x * j @: @: @:calc-embedded-select@:}
35696 @r{ @: C-x * k @: @: @:calc-keypad@:}
35697 @r{ @: C-x * l @: @: @:calc-load-everything@:}
35698 @r{ @: C-x * m @: @: @:read-kbd-macro@:}
35699 @r{ @: C-x * n @: @: 4 @:calc-embedded-next@:}
35700 @r{ @: C-x * o @: @: @:calc-other-window@:}
35701 @r{ @: C-x * p @: @: 4 @:calc-embedded-previous@:}
35702 @r{ @: C-x * q @:formula @: @:quick-calc@:}
35703 @r{ @: C-x * r @: @: 36 @:calc-grab-rectangle@:}
35704 @r{ @: C-x * s @: @: @:calc-info-summary@:}
35705 @r{ @: C-x * t @: @: @:calc-tutorial@:}
35706 @r{ @: C-x * u @: @: @:calc-embedded-update-formula@:}
35707 @r{ @: C-x * w @: @: @:calc-embedded-word@:}
35708 @r{ @: C-x * x @: @: @:calc-quit@:}
35709 @r{ @: C-x * y @: @:1,28,49 @:calc-copy-to-buffer@:}
35710 @r{ @: C-x * z @: @: @:calc-user-invocation@:}
35711 @r{ @: C-x * : @: @: 36 @:calc-grab-sum-down@:}
35712 @r{ @: C-x * _ @: @: 36 @:calc-grab-sum-across@:}
35713 @r{ @: C-x * ` @:editing @: 30 @:calc-embedded-edit@:}
35714 @r{ @: C-x * 0 @:(zero) @: @:calc-reset@:}
35717 @r{ @: 0-9 @:number @: @:@:number}
35718 @r{ @: . @:number @: @:@:0.number}
35719 @r{ @: _ @:number @: @:-@:number}
35720 @r{ @: e @:number @: @:@:1e number}
35721 @r{ @: # @:number @: @:@:current-radix@tfn{#}number}
35722 @r{ @: P @:(in number) @: @:+/-@:}
35723 @r{ @: M @:(in number) @: @:mod@:}
35724 @r{ @: @@ ' " @: (in number)@: @:@:HMS form}
35725 @r{ @: h m s @: (in number)@: @:@:HMS form}
35728 @r{ @: ' @:formula @: 37,46 @:@:formula}
35729 @r{ @: $ @:formula @: 37,46 @:$@:formula}
35730 @r{ @: " @:string @: 37,46 @:@:string}
35733 @r{ a b@: + @: @: 2 @:add@:(a,b) a+b}
35734 @r{ a b@: - @: @: 2 @:sub@:(a,b) a@minus{}b}
35735 @r{ a b@: * @: @: 2 @:mul@:(a,b) a b, a*b}
35736 @r{ a b@: / @: @: 2 @:div@:(a,b) a/b}
35737 @r{ a b@: ^ @: @: 2 @:pow@:(a,b) a^b}
35738 @r{ a b@: I ^ @: @: 2 @:nroot@:(a,b) a^(1/b)}
35739 @r{ a b@: % @: @: 2 @:mod@:(a,b) a%b}
35740 @r{ a b@: \ @: @: 2 @:idiv@:(a,b) a\b}
35741 @r{ a b@: : @: @: 2 @:fdiv@:(a,b)}
35742 @r{ a b@: | @: @: 2 @:vconcat@:(a,b) a|b}
35743 @r{ a b@: I | @: @: @:vconcat@:(b,a) b|a}
35744 @r{ a b@: H | @: @: 2 @:append@:(a,b)}
35745 @r{ a b@: I H | @: @: @:append@:(b,a)}
35746 @r{ a@: & @: @: 1 @:inv@:(a) 1/a}
35747 @r{ a@: ! @: @: 1 @:fact@:(a) a!}
35748 @r{ a@: = @: @: 1 @:evalv@:(a)}
35749 @r{ a@: M-% @: @: @:percent@:(a) a%}
35752 @r{ ... a@: @summarykey{RET} @: @: 1 @:@:... a a}
35753 @r{ ... a@: @summarykey{SPC} @: @: 1 @:@:... a a}
35754 @r{... a b@: @summarykey{TAB} @: @: 3 @:@:... b a}
35755 @r{. a b c@: M-@summarykey{TAB} @: @: 3 @:@:... b c a}
35756 @r{... a b@: @summarykey{LFD} @: @: 1 @:@:... a b a}
35757 @r{ ... a@: @summarykey{DEL} @: @: 1 @:@:...}
35758 @r{... a b@: M-@summarykey{DEL} @: @: 1 @:@:... b}
35759 @r{ @: M-@summarykey{RET} @: @: 4 @:calc-last-args@:}
35760 @r{ a@: ` @:editing @: 1,30 @:calc-edit@:}
35763 @r{ ... a@: C-d @: @: 1 @:@:...}
35764 @r{ @: C-k @: @: 27 @:calc-kill@:}
35765 @r{ @: C-w @: @: 27 @:calc-kill-region@:}
35766 @r{ @: C-y @: @: @:calc-yank@:}
35767 @r{ @: C-_ @: @: 4 @:calc-undo@:}
35768 @r{ @: M-k @: @: 27 @:calc-copy-as-kill@:}
35769 @r{ @: M-w @: @: 27 @:calc-copy-region-as-kill@:}
35772 @r{ @: [ @: @: @:@:[...}
35773 @r{[.. a b@: ] @: @: @:@:[a,b]}
35774 @r{ @: ( @: @: @:@:(...}
35775 @r{(.. a b@: ) @: @: @:@:(a,b)}
35776 @r{ @: , @: @: @:@:vector or rect complex}
35777 @r{ @: ; @: @: @:@:matrix or polar complex}
35778 @r{ @: .. @: @: @:@:interval}
35781 @r{ @: ~ @: @: @:calc-num-prefix@:}
35782 @r{ @: < @: @: 4 @:calc-scroll-left@:}
35783 @r{ @: > @: @: 4 @:calc-scroll-right@:}
35784 @r{ @: @{ @: @: 4 @:calc-scroll-down@:}
35785 @r{ @: @} @: @: 4 @:calc-scroll-up@:}
35786 @r{ @: ? @: @: @:calc-help@:}
35789 @r{ a@: n @: @: 1 @:neg@:(a) @minus{}a}
35790 @r{ @: o @: @: 4 @:calc-realign@:}
35791 @r{ @: p @:precision @: 31 @:calc-precision@:}
35792 @r{ @: q @: @: @:calc-quit@:}
35793 @r{ @: w @: @: @:calc-why@:}
35794 @r{ @: x @:command @: @:M-x calc-@:command}
35795 @r{ a@: y @: @:1,28,49 @:calc-copy-to-buffer@:}
35798 @r{ a@: A @: @: 1 @:abs@:(a)}
35799 @r{ a b@: B @: @: 2 @:log@:(a,b)}
35800 @r{ a b@: I B @: @: 2 @:alog@:(a,b) b^a}
35801 @r{ a@: C @: @: 1 @:cos@:(a)}
35802 @r{ a@: I C @: @: 1 @:arccos@:(a)}
35803 @r{ a@: H C @: @: 1 @:cosh@:(a)}
35804 @r{ a@: I H C @: @: 1 @:arccosh@:(a)}
35805 @r{ @: D @: @: 4 @:calc-redo@:}
35806 @r{ a@: E @: @: 1 @:exp@:(a)}
35807 @r{ a@: H E @: @: 1 @:exp10@:(a) 10.^a}
35808 @r{ a@: F @: @: 1,11 @:floor@:(a,d)}
35809 @r{ a@: I F @: @: 1,11 @:ceil@:(a,d)}
35810 @r{ a@: H F @: @: 1,11 @:ffloor@:(a,d)}
35811 @r{ a@: I H F @: @: 1,11 @:fceil@:(a,d)}
35812 @r{ a@: G @: @: 1 @:arg@:(a)}
35813 @r{ @: H @:command @: 32 @:@:Hyperbolic}
35814 @r{ @: I @:command @: 32 @:@:Inverse}
35815 @r{ a@: J @: @: 1 @:conj@:(a)}
35816 @r{ @: K @:command @: 32 @:@:Keep-args}
35817 @r{ a@: L @: @: 1 @:ln@:(a)}
35818 @r{ a@: H L @: @: 1 @:log10@:(a)}
35819 @r{ @: M @: @: @:calc-more-recursion-depth@:}
35820 @r{ @: I M @: @: @:calc-less-recursion-depth@:}
35821 @r{ a@: N @: @: 5 @:evalvn@:(a)}
35822 @r{ @: O @:command @: 32 @:@:Option}
35823 @r{ @: P @: @: @:@:pi}
35824 @r{ @: I P @: @: @:@:gamma}
35825 @r{ @: H P @: @: @:@:e}
35826 @r{ @: I H P @: @: @:@:phi}
35827 @r{ a@: Q @: @: 1 @:sqrt@:(a)}
35828 @r{ a@: I Q @: @: 1 @:sqr@:(a) a^2}
35829 @r{ a@: R @: @: 1,11 @:round@:(a,d)}
35830 @r{ a@: I R @: @: 1,11 @:trunc@:(a,d)}
35831 @r{ a@: H R @: @: 1,11 @:fround@:(a,d)}
35832 @r{ a@: I H R @: @: 1,11 @:ftrunc@:(a,d)}
35833 @r{ a@: S @: @: 1 @:sin@:(a)}
35834 @r{ a@: I S @: @: 1 @:arcsin@:(a)}
35835 @r{ a@: H S @: @: 1 @:sinh@:(a)}
35836 @r{ a@: I H S @: @: 1 @:arcsinh@:(a)}
35837 @r{ a@: T @: @: 1 @:tan@:(a)}
35838 @r{ a@: I T @: @: 1 @:arctan@:(a)}
35839 @r{ a@: H T @: @: 1 @:tanh@:(a)}
35840 @r{ a@: I H T @: @: 1 @:arctanh@:(a)}
35841 @r{ @: U @: @: 4 @:calc-undo@:}
35842 @r{ @: X @: @: 4 @:calc-call-last-kbd-macro@:}
35845 @r{ a b@: a = @: @: 2 @:eq@:(a,b) a=b}
35846 @r{ a b@: a # @: @: 2 @:neq@:(a,b) a!=b}
35847 @r{ a b@: a < @: @: 2 @:lt@:(a,b) a<b}
35848 @r{ a b@: a > @: @: 2 @:gt@:(a,b) a>b}
35849 @r{ a b@: a [ @: @: 2 @:leq@:(a,b) a<=b}
35850 @r{ a b@: a ] @: @: 2 @:geq@:(a,b) a>=b}
35851 @r{ a b@: a @{ @: @: 2 @:in@:(a,b)}
35852 @r{ a b@: a & @: @: 2,45 @:land@:(a,b) a&&b}
35853 @r{ a b@: a | @: @: 2,45 @:lor@:(a,b) a||b}
35854 @r{ a@: a ! @: @: 1,45 @:lnot@:(a) !a}
35855 @r{ a b c@: a : @: @: 45 @:if@:(a,b,c) a?b:c}
35856 @r{ a@: a . @: @: 1 @:rmeq@:(a)}
35857 @r{ a@: a " @: @: 7,8 @:calc-expand-formula@:}
35860 @r{ a@: a + @:i, l, h @: 6,38 @:sum@:(a,i,l,h)}
35861 @r{ a@: a - @:i, l, h @: 6,38 @:asum@:(a,i,l,h)}
35862 @r{ a@: a * @:i, l, h @: 6,38 @:prod@:(a,i,l,h)}
35863 @r{ a b@: a _ @: @: 2 @:subscr@:(a,b) a_b}
35866 @r{ a b@: a \ @: @: 2 @:pdiv@:(a,b)}
35867 @r{ a b@: a % @: @: 2 @:prem@:(a,b)}
35868 @r{ a b@: a / @: @: 2 @:pdivrem@:(a,b) [q,r]}
35869 @r{ a b@: H a / @: @: 2 @:pdivide@:(a,b) q+r/b}
35872 @r{ a@: a a @: @: 1 @:apart@:(a)}
35873 @r{ a@: a b @:old, new @: 38 @:subst@:(a,old,new)}
35874 @r{ a@: a c @:v @: 38 @:collect@:(a,v)}
35875 @r{ a@: a d @:v @: 4,38 @:deriv@:(a,v)}
35876 @r{ a@: H a d @:v @: 4,38 @:tderiv@:(a,v)}
35877 @r{ a@: a e @: @: @:esimplify@:(a)}
35878 @r{ a@: a f @: @: 1 @:factor@:(a)}
35879 @r{ a@: H a f @: @: 1 @:factors@:(a)}
35880 @r{ a b@: a g @: @: 2 @:pgcd@:(a,b)}
35881 @r{ a@: a i @:v @: 38 @:integ@:(a,v)}
35882 @r{ a@: a m @:pats @: 38 @:match@:(a,pats)}
35883 @r{ a@: I a m @:pats @: 38 @:matchnot@:(a,pats)}
35884 @r{ data x@: a p @: @: 28 @:polint@:(data,x)}
35885 @r{ data x@: H a p @: @: 28 @:ratint@:(data,x)}
35886 @r{ a@: a n @: @: 1 @:nrat@:(a)}
35887 @r{ a@: a r @:rules @:4,8,38 @:rewrite@:(a,rules,n)}
35888 @r{ a@: a s @: @: @:simplify@:(a)}
35889 @r{ a@: a t @:v, n @: 31,39 @:taylor@:(a,v,n)}
35890 @r{ a@: a v @: @: 7,8 @:calc-alg-evaluate@:}
35891 @r{ a@: a x @: @: 4,8 @:expand@:(a)}
35894 @r{ data@: a F @:model, vars @: 48 @:fit@:(m,iv,pv,data)}
35895 @r{ data@: I a F @:model, vars @: 48 @:xfit@:(m,iv,pv,data)}
35896 @r{ data@: H a F @:model, vars @: 48 @:efit@:(m,iv,pv,data)}
35897 @r{ a@: a I @:v, l, h @: 38 @:ninteg@:(a,v,l,h)}
35898 @r{ a b@: a M @:op @: 22 @:mapeq@:(op,a,b)}
35899 @r{ a b@: I a M @:op @: 22 @:mapeqr@:(op,a,b)}
35900 @r{ a b@: H a M @:op @: 22 @:mapeqp@:(op,a,b)}
35901 @r{ a g@: a N @:v @: 38 @:minimize@:(a,v,g)}
35902 @r{ a g@: H a N @:v @: 38 @:wminimize@:(a,v,g)}
35903 @r{ a@: a P @:v @: 38 @:roots@:(a,v)}
35904 @r{ a g@: a R @:v @: 38 @:root@:(a,v,g)}
35905 @r{ a g@: H a R @:v @: 38 @:wroot@:(a,v,g)}
35906 @r{ a@: a S @:v @: 38 @:solve@:(a,v)}
35907 @r{ a@: I a S @:v @: 38 @:finv@:(a,v)}
35908 @r{ a@: H a S @:v @: 38 @:fsolve@:(a,v)}
35909 @r{ a@: I H a S @:v @: 38 @:ffinv@:(a,v)}
35910 @r{ a@: a T @:i, l, h @: 6,38 @:table@:(a,i,l,h)}
35911 @r{ a g@: a X @:v @: 38 @:maximize@:(a,v,g)}
35912 @r{ a g@: H a X @:v @: 38 @:wmaximize@:(a,v,g)}
35915 @r{ a b@: b a @: @: 9 @:and@:(a,b,w)}
35916 @r{ a@: b c @: @: 9 @:clip@:(a,w)}
35917 @r{ a b@: b d @: @: 9 @:diff@:(a,b,w)}
35918 @r{ a@: b l @: @: 10 @:lsh@:(a,n,w)}
35919 @r{ a n@: H b l @: @: 9 @:lsh@:(a,n,w)}
35920 @r{ a@: b n @: @: 9 @:not@:(a,w)}
35921 @r{ a b@: b o @: @: 9 @:or@:(a,b,w)}
35922 @r{ v@: b p @: @: 1 @:vpack@:(v)}
35923 @r{ a@: b r @: @: 10 @:rsh@:(a,n,w)}
35924 @r{ a n@: H b r @: @: 9 @:rsh@:(a,n,w)}
35925 @r{ a@: b t @: @: 10 @:rot@:(a,n,w)}
35926 @r{ a n@: H b t @: @: 9 @:rot@:(a,n,w)}
35927 @r{ a@: b u @: @: 1 @:vunpack@:(a)}
35928 @r{ @: b w @:w @: 9,50 @:calc-word-size@:}
35929 @r{ a b@: b x @: @: 9 @:xor@:(a,b,w)}
35932 @r{c s l p@: b D @: @: @:ddb@:(c,s,l,p)}
35933 @r{ r n p@: b F @: @: @:fv@:(r,n,p)}
35934 @r{ r n p@: I b F @: @: @:fvb@:(r,n,p)}
35935 @r{ r n p@: H b F @: @: @:fvl@:(r,n,p)}
35936 @r{ v@: b I @: @: 19 @:irr@:(v)}
35937 @r{ v@: I b I @: @: 19 @:irrb@:(v)}
35938 @r{ a@: b L @: @: 10 @:ash@:(a,n,w)}
35939 @r{ a n@: H b L @: @: 9 @:ash@:(a,n,w)}
35940 @r{ r n a@: b M @: @: @:pmt@:(r,n,a)}
35941 @r{ r n a@: I b M @: @: @:pmtb@:(r,n,a)}
35942 @r{ r n a@: H b M @: @: @:pmtl@:(r,n,a)}
35943 @r{ r v@: b N @: @: 19 @:npv@:(r,v)}
35944 @r{ r v@: I b N @: @: 19 @:npvb@:(r,v)}
35945 @r{ r n p@: b P @: @: @:pv@:(r,n,p)}
35946 @r{ r n p@: I b P @: @: @:pvb@:(r,n,p)}
35947 @r{ r n p@: H b P @: @: @:pvl@:(r,n,p)}
35948 @r{ a@: b R @: @: 10 @:rash@:(a,n,w)}
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36292 @r{ @: s F @:editing @: 30 @:calc-edit-FitRules@:}
36293 @r{ @: s G @:editing @: 30 @:calc-edit-GenCount@:}
36294 @r{ @: s H @:editing @: 30 @:calc-edit-Holidays@:}
36295 @r{ @: s I @:editing @: 30 @:calc-edit-IntegLimit@:}
36296 @r{ @: s L @:editing @: 30 @:calc-edit-LineStyles@:}
36297 @r{ @: s P @:editing @: 30 @:calc-edit-PointStyles@:}
36298 @r{ @: s R @:editing @: 30 @:calc-edit-PlotRejects@:}
36299 @r{ @: s T @:editing @: 30 @:calc-edit-TimeZone@:}
36300 @r{ @: s U @:editing @: 30 @:calc-edit-Units@:}
36301 @r{ @: s X @:editing @: 30 @:calc-edit-ExtSimpRules@:}
36304 @r{ a@: s + @:var @: 29,47 @:calc-store-plus@: (v+a)}
36305 @r{ a@: s - @:var @: 29,47 @:calc-store-minus@: (v-a)}
36306 @r{ a@: s * @:var @: 29,47 @:calc-store-times@: (v*a)}
36307 @r{ a@: s / @:var @: 29,47 @:calc-store-div@: (v/a)}
36308 @r{ a@: s ^ @:var @: 29,47 @:calc-store-power@: (v^a)}
36309 @r{ a@: s | @:var @: 29,47 @:calc-store-concat@: (v|a)}
36310 @r{ @: s & @:var @: 29,47 @:calc-store-inv@: (v^-1)}
36311 @r{ @: s [ @:var @: 29,47 @:calc-store-decr@: (v-1)}
36312 @r{ @: s ] @:var @: 29,47 @:calc-store-incr@: (v-(-1))}
36313 @r{ a b@: s : @: @: 2 @:assign@:(a,b) a @tfn{:=} b}
36314 @r{ a@: s = @: @: 1 @:evalto@:(a,b) a @tfn{=>}}
36317 @r{ @: t [ @: @: 4 @:calc-trail-first@:}
36318 @r{ @: t ] @: @: 4 @:calc-trail-last@:}
36319 @r{ @: t < @: @: 4 @:calc-trail-scroll-left@:}
36320 @r{ @: t > @: @: 4 @:calc-trail-scroll-right@:}
36321 @r{ @: t . @: @: 12 @:calc-full-trail-vectors@:}
36324 @r{ @: t b @: @: 4 @:calc-trail-backward@:}
36325 @r{ @: t d @: @: 12,50 @:calc-trail-display@:}
36326 @r{ @: t f @: @: 4 @:calc-trail-forward@:}
36327 @r{ @: t h @: @: @:calc-trail-here@:}
36328 @r{ @: t i @: @: @:calc-trail-in@:}
36329 @r{ @: t k @: @: 4 @:calc-trail-kill@:}
36330 @r{ @: t m @:string @: @:calc-trail-marker@:}
36331 @r{ @: t n @: @: 4 @:calc-trail-next@:}
36332 @r{ @: t o @: @: @:calc-trail-out@:}
36333 @r{ @: t p @: @: 4 @:calc-trail-previous@:}
36334 @r{ @: t r @:string @: @:calc-trail-isearch-backward@:}
36335 @r{ @: t s @:string @: @:calc-trail-isearch-forward@:}
36336 @r{ @: t y @: @: 4 @:calc-trail-yank@:}
36339 @r{ d@: t C @:oz, nz @: @:tzconv@:(d,oz,nz)}
36340 @r{d oz nz@: t C @:$ @: @:tzconv@:(d,oz,nz)}
36341 @r{ d@: t D @: @: 15 @:date@:(d)}
36342 @r{ d@: t I @: @: 4 @:incmonth@:(d,n)}
36343 @r{ d@: t J @: @: 16 @:julian@:(d,z)}
36344 @r{ d@: t M @: @: 17 @:newmonth@:(d,n)}
36345 @r{ @: t N @: @: 16 @:now@:(z)}
36346 @r{ d@: t P @:1 @: 31 @:year@:(d)}
36347 @r{ d@: t P @:2 @: 31 @:month@:(d)}
36348 @r{ d@: t P @:3 @: 31 @:day@:(d)}
36349 @r{ d@: t P @:4 @: 31 @:hour@:(d)}
36350 @r{ d@: t P @:5 @: 31 @:minute@:(d)}
36351 @r{ d@: t P @:6 @: 31 @:second@:(d)}
36352 @r{ d@: t P @:7 @: 31 @:weekday@:(d)}
36353 @r{ d@: t P @:8 @: 31 @:yearday@:(d)}
36354 @r{ d@: t P @:9 @: 31 @:time@:(d)}
36355 @r{ d@: t U @: @: 16 @:unixtime@:(d,z)}
36356 @r{ d@: t W @: @: 17 @:newweek@:(d,w)}
36357 @r{ d@: t Y @: @: 17 @:newyear@:(d,n)}
36360 @r{ a b@: t + @: @: 2 @:badd@:(a,b)}
36361 @r{ a b@: t - @: @: 2 @:bsub@:(a,b)}
36364 @r{ @: u a @: @: 12 @:calc-autorange-units@:}
36365 @r{ a@: u b @: @: @:calc-base-units@:}
36366 @r{ a@: u c @:units @: 18 @:calc-convert-units@:}
36367 @r{ defn@: u d @:unit, descr @: @:calc-define-unit@:}
36368 @r{ @: u e @: @: @:calc-explain-units@:}
36369 @r{ @: u g @:unit @: @:calc-get-unit-definition@:}
36370 @r{ @: u p @: @: @:calc-permanent-units@:}
36371 @r{ a@: u r @: @: @:calc-remove-units@:}
36372 @r{ a@: u s @: @: @:usimplify@:(a)}
36373 @r{ a@: u t @:units @: 18 @:calc-convert-temperature@:}
36374 @r{ @: u u @:unit @: @:calc-undefine-unit@:}
36375 @r{ @: u v @: @: @:calc-enter-units-table@:}
36376 @r{ a@: u x @: @: @:calc-extract-units@:}
36377 @r{ a@: u 0-9 @: @: @:calc-quick-units@:}
36380 @r{ v1 v2@: u C @: @: 20 @:vcov@:(v1,v2)}
36381 @r{ v1 v2@: I u C @: @: 20 @:vpcov@:(v1,v2)}
36382 @r{ v1 v2@: H u C @: @: 20 @:vcorr@:(v1,v2)}
36383 @r{ v@: u G @: @: 19 @:vgmean@:(v)}
36384 @r{ a b@: H u G @: @: 2 @:agmean@:(a,b)}
36385 @r{ v@: u M @: @: 19 @:vmean@:(v)}
36386 @r{ v@: I u M @: @: 19 @:vmeane@:(v)}
36387 @r{ v@: H u M @: @: 19 @:vmedian@:(v)}
36388 @r{ v@: I H u M @: @: 19 @:vhmean@:(v)}
36389 @r{ v@: u N @: @: 19 @:vmin@:(v)}
36390 @r{ v@: u S @: @: 19 @:vsdev@:(v)}
36391 @r{ v@: I u S @: @: 19 @:vpsdev@:(v)}
36392 @r{ v@: H u S @: @: 19 @:vvar@:(v)}
36393 @r{ v@: I H u S @: @: 19 @:vpvar@:(v)}
36394 @r{ @: u V @: @: @:calc-view-units-table@:}
36395 @r{ v@: u X @: @: 19 @:vmax@:(v)}
36398 @r{ v@: u + @: @: 19 @:vsum@:(v)}
36399 @r{ v@: u * @: @: 19 @:vprod@:(v)}
36400 @r{ v@: u # @: @: 19 @:vcount@:(v)}
36403 @r{ @: V ( @: @: 50 @:calc-vector-parens@:}
36404 @r{ @: V @{ @: @: 50 @:calc-vector-braces@:}
36405 @r{ @: V [ @: @: 50 @:calc-vector-brackets@:}
36406 @r{ @: V ] @:ROCP @: 50 @:calc-matrix-brackets@:}
36407 @r{ @: V , @: @: 50 @:calc-vector-commas@:}
36408 @r{ @: V < @: @: 50 @:calc-matrix-left-justify@:}
36409 @r{ @: V = @: @: 50 @:calc-matrix-center-justify@:}
36410 @r{ @: V > @: @: 50 @:calc-matrix-right-justify@:}
36411 @r{ @: V / @: @: 12,50 @:calc-break-vectors@:}
36412 @r{ @: V . @: @: 12,50 @:calc-full-vectors@:}
36415 @r{ s t@: V ^ @: @: 2 @:vint@:(s,t)}
36416 @r{ s t@: V - @: @: 2 @:vdiff@:(s,t)}
36417 @r{ s@: V ~ @: @: 1 @:vcompl@:(s)}
36418 @r{ s@: V # @: @: 1 @:vcard@:(s)}
36419 @r{ s@: V : @: @: 1 @:vspan@:(s)}
36420 @r{ s@: V + @: @: 1 @:rdup@:(s)}
36423 @r{ m@: V & @: @: 1 @:inv@:(m) 1/m}
36426 @r{ v@: v a @:n @: @:arrange@:(v,n)}
36427 @r{ a@: v b @:n @: @:cvec@:(a,n)}
36428 @r{ v@: v c @:n >0 @: 21,31 @:mcol@:(v,n)}
36429 @r{ v@: v c @:n <0 @: 31 @:mrcol@:(v,-n)}
36430 @r{ m@: v c @:0 @: 31 @:getdiag@:(m)}
36431 @r{ v@: v d @: @: 25 @:diag@:(v,n)}
36432 @r{ v m@: v e @: @: 2 @:vexp@:(v,m)}
36433 @r{ v m f@: H v e @: @: 2 @:vexp@:(v,m,f)}
36434 @r{ v a@: v f @: @: 26 @:find@:(v,a,n)}
36435 @r{ v@: v h @: @: 1 @:head@:(v)}
36436 @r{ v@: I v h @: @: 1 @:tail@:(v)}
36437 @r{ v@: H v h @: @: 1 @:rhead@:(v)}
36438 @r{ v@: I H v h @: @: 1 @:rtail@:(v)}
36439 @r{ @: v i @:n @: 31 @:idn@:(1,n)}
36440 @r{ @: v i @:0 @: 31 @:idn@:(1)}
36441 @r{ h t@: v k @: @: 2 @:cons@:(h,t)}
36442 @r{ h t@: H v k @: @: 2 @:rcons@:(h,t)}
36443 @r{ v@: v l @: @: 1 @:vlen@:(v)}
36444 @r{ v@: H v l @: @: 1 @:mdims@:(v)}
36445 @r{ v m@: v m @: @: 2 @:vmask@:(v,m)}
36446 @r{ v@: v n @: @: 1 @:rnorm@:(v)}
36447 @r{ a b c@: v p @: @: 24 @:calc-pack@:}
36448 @r{ v@: v r @:n >0 @: 21,31 @:mrow@:(v,n)}
36449 @r{ v@: v r @:n <0 @: 31 @:mrrow@:(v,-n)}
36450 @r{ m@: v r @:0 @: 31 @:getdiag@:(m)}
36451 @r{ v i j@: v s @: @: @:subvec@:(v,i,j)}
36452 @r{ v i j@: I v s @: @: @:rsubvec@:(v,i,j)}
36453 @r{ m@: v t @: @: 1 @:trn@:(m)}
36454 @r{ v@: v u @: @: 24 @:calc-unpack@:}
36455 @r{ v@: v v @: @: 1 @:rev@:(v)}
36456 @r{ @: v x @:n @: 31 @:index@:(n)}
36457 @r{ n s i@: C-u v x @: @: @:index@:(n,s,i)}
36460 @r{ v@: V A @:op @: 22 @:apply@:(op,v)}
36461 @r{ v1 v2@: V C @: @: 2 @:cross@:(v1,v2)}
36462 @r{ m@: V D @: @: 1 @:det@:(m)}
36463 @r{ s@: V E @: @: 1 @:venum@:(s)}
36464 @r{ s@: V F @: @: 1 @:vfloor@:(s)}
36465 @r{ v@: V G @: @: @:grade@:(v)}
36466 @r{ v@: I V G @: @: @:rgrade@:(v)}
36467 @r{ v@: V H @:n @: 31 @:histogram@:(v,n)}
36468 @r{ v w@: H V H @:n @: 31 @:histogram@:(v,w,n)}
36469 @r{ v1 v2@: V I @:mop aop @: 22 @:inner@:(mop,aop,v1,v2)}
36470 @r{ m@: V J @: @: 1 @:ctrn@:(m)}
36471 @r{ m1 m2@: V K @: @: @:kron@:(m1,m2)}
36472 @r{ m@: V L @: @: 1 @:lud@:(m)}
36473 @r{ v@: V M @:op @: 22,23 @:map@:(op,v)}
36474 @r{ v@: V N @: @: 1 @:cnorm@:(v)}
36475 @r{ v1 v2@: V O @:op @: 22 @:outer@:(op,v1,v2)}
36476 @r{ v@: V R @:op @: 22,23 @:reduce@:(op,v)}
36477 @r{ v@: I V R @:op @: 22,23 @:rreduce@:(op,v)}
36478 @r{ a n@: H V R @:op @: 22 @:nest@:(op,a,n)}
36479 @r{ a@: I H V R @:op @: 22 @:fixp@:(op,a)}
36480 @r{ v@: V S @: @: @:sort@:(v)}
36481 @r{ v@: I V S @: @: @:rsort@:(v)}
36482 @r{ m@: V T @: @: 1 @:tr@:(m)}
36483 @r{ v@: V U @:op @: 22 @:accum@:(op,v)}
36484 @r{ v@: I V U @:op @: 22 @:raccum@:(op,v)}
36485 @r{ a n@: H V U @:op @: 22 @:anest@:(op,a,n)}
36486 @r{ a@: I H V U @:op @: 22 @:afixp@:(op,a)}
36487 @r{ s t@: V V @: @: 2 @:vunion@:(s,t)}
36488 @r{ s t@: V X @: @: 2 @:vxor@:(s,t)}
36491 @r{ @: Y @: @: @:@:user commands}
36494 @r{ @: z @: @: @:@:user commands}
36497 @r{ c@: Z [ @: @: 45 @:calc-kbd-if@:}
36498 @r{ c@: Z | @: @: 45 @:calc-kbd-else-if@:}
36499 @r{ @: Z : @: @: @:calc-kbd-else@:}
36500 @r{ @: Z ] @: @: @:calc-kbd-end-if@:}
36503 @r{ @: Z @{ @: @: 4 @:calc-kbd-loop@:}
36504 @r{ c@: Z / @: @: 45 @:calc-kbd-break@:}
36505 @r{ @: Z @} @: @: @:calc-kbd-end-loop@:}
36506 @r{ n@: Z < @: @: @:calc-kbd-repeat@:}
36507 @r{ @: Z > @: @: @:calc-kbd-end-repeat@:}
36508 @r{ n m@: Z ( @: @: @:calc-kbd-for@:}
36509 @r{ s@: Z ) @: @: @:calc-kbd-end-for@:}
36512 @r{ @: Z C-g @: @: @:@:cancel if/loop command}
36515 @r{ @: Z ` @: @: @:calc-kbd-push@:}
36516 @r{ @: Z ' @: @: @:calc-kbd-pop@:}
36517 @r{ @: Z # @: @: @:calc-kbd-query@:}
36520 @r{ comp@: Z C @:func, args @: 50 @:calc-user-define-composition@:}
36521 @r{ @: Z D @:key, command @: @:calc-user-define@:}
36522 @r{ @: Z E @:key, editing @: 30 @:calc-user-define-edit@:}
36523 @r{ defn@: Z F @:k, c, f, a, n@: 28 @:calc-user-define-formula@:}
36524 @r{ @: Z G @:key @: @:calc-get-user-defn@:}
36525 @r{ @: Z I @: @: @:calc-user-define-invocation@:}
36526 @r{ @: Z K @:key, command @: @:calc-user-define-kbd-macro@:}
36527 @r{ @: Z P @:key @: @:calc-user-define-permanent@:}
36528 @r{ @: Z S @: @: 30 @:calc-edit-user-syntax@:}
36529 @r{ @: Z T @: @: 12 @:calc-timing@:}
36530 @r{ @: Z U @:key @: @:calc-user-undefine@:}
36540 Positive prefix arguments apply to @expr{n} stack entries.
36541 Negative prefix arguments apply to the @expr{-n}th stack entry.
36542 A prefix of zero applies to the entire stack. (For @key{LFD} and
36543 @kbd{M-@key{DEL}}, the meaning of the sign is reversed.)
36547 Positive prefix arguments apply to @expr{n} stack entries.
36548 Negative prefix arguments apply to the top stack entry
36549 and the next @expr{-n} stack entries.
36553 Positive prefix arguments rotate top @expr{n} stack entries by one.
36554 Negative prefix arguments rotate the entire stack by @expr{-n}.
36555 A prefix of zero reverses the entire stack.
36559 Prefix argument specifies a repeat count or distance.
36563 Positive prefix arguments specify a precision @expr{p}.
36564 Negative prefix arguments reduce the current precision by @expr{-p}.
36568 A prefix argument is interpreted as an additional step-size parameter.
36569 A plain @kbd{C-u} prefix means to prompt for the step size.
36573 A prefix argument specifies simplification level and depth.
36574 1=Default, 2=like @kbd{a s}, 3=like @kbd{a e}.
36578 A negative prefix operates only on the top level of the input formula.
36582 Positive prefix arguments specify a word size of @expr{w} bits, unsigned.
36583 Negative prefix arguments specify a word size of @expr{w} bits, signed.
36587 Prefix arguments specify the shift amount @expr{n}. The @expr{w} argument
36588 cannot be specified in the keyboard version of this command.
36592 From the keyboard, @expr{d} is omitted and defaults to zero.
36596 Mode is toggled; a positive prefix always sets the mode, and a negative
36597 prefix always clears the mode.
36601 Some prefix argument values provide special variations of the mode.
36605 A prefix argument, if any, is used for @expr{m} instead of taking
36606 @expr{m} from the stack. @expr{M} may take any of these values:
36608 {@advance@tableindent10pt
36612 Random integer in the interval @expr{[0 .. m)}.
36614 Random floating-point number in the interval @expr{[0 .. m)}.
36616 Gaussian with mean 1 and standard deviation 0.
36618 Gaussian with specified mean and standard deviation.
36620 Random integer or floating-point number in that interval.
36622 Random element from the vector.
36630 A prefix argument from 1 to 6 specifies number of date components
36631 to remove from the stack. @xref{Date Conversions}.
36635 A prefix argument specifies a time zone; @kbd{C-u} says to take the
36636 time zone number or name from the top of the stack. @xref{Time Zones}.
36640 A prefix argument specifies a day number (0-6, 0-31, or 0-366).
36644 If the input has no units, you will be prompted for both the old and
36649 With a prefix argument, collect that many stack entries to form the
36650 input data set. Each entry may be a single value or a vector of values.
36654 With a prefix argument of 1, take a single
36655 @texline @var{n}@math{\times2}
36656 @infoline @mathit{@var{N}x2}
36657 matrix from the stack instead of two separate data vectors.
36661 The row or column number @expr{n} may be given as a numeric prefix
36662 argument instead. A plain @kbd{C-u} prefix says to take @expr{n}
36663 from the top of the stack. If @expr{n} is a vector or interval,
36664 a subvector/submatrix of the input is created.
36668 The @expr{op} prompt can be answered with the key sequence for the
36669 desired function, or with @kbd{x} or @kbd{z} followed by a function name,
36670 or with @kbd{$} to take a formula from the top of the stack, or with
36671 @kbd{'} and a typed formula. In the last two cases, the formula may
36672 be a nameless function like @samp{<#1+#2>} or @samp{<x, y : x+y>}, or it
36673 may include @kbd{$}, @kbd{$$}, etc. (where @kbd{$} will correspond to the
36674 last argument of the created function), or otherwise you will be
36675 prompted for an argument list. The number of vectors popped from the
36676 stack by @kbd{V M} depends on the number of arguments of the function.
36680 One of the mapping direction keys @kbd{_} (horizontal, i.e., map
36681 by rows or reduce across), @kbd{:} (vertical, i.e., map by columns or
36682 reduce down), or @kbd{=} (map or reduce by rows) may be used before
36683 entering @expr{op}; these modify the function name by adding the letter
36684 @code{r} for ``rows,'' @code{c} for ``columns,'' @code{a} for ``across,''
36685 or @code{d} for ``down.''
36689 The prefix argument specifies a packing mode. A nonnegative mode
36690 is the number of items (for @kbd{v p}) or the number of levels
36691 (for @kbd{v u}). A negative mode is as described below. With no
36692 prefix argument, the mode is taken from the top of the stack and
36693 may be an integer or a vector of integers.
36695 {@advance@tableindent-20pt
36699 (@var{2}) Rectangular complex number.
36701 (@var{2}) Polar complex number.
36703 (@var{3}) HMS form.
36705 (@var{2}) Error form.
36707 (@var{2}) Modulo form.
36709 (@var{2}) Closed interval.
36711 (@var{2}) Closed .. open interval.
36713 (@var{2}) Open .. closed interval.
36715 (@var{2}) Open interval.
36717 (@var{2}) Fraction.
36719 (@var{2}) Float with integer mantissa.
36721 (@var{2}) Float with mantissa in @expr{[1 .. 10)}.
36723 (@var{1}) Date form (using date numbers).
36725 (@var{3}) Date form (using year, month, day).
36727 (@var{6}) Date form (using year, month, day, hour, minute, second).
36735 A prefix argument specifies the size @expr{n} of the matrix. With no
36736 prefix argument, @expr{n} is omitted and the size is inferred from
36741 The prefix argument specifies the starting position @expr{n} (default 1).
36745 Cursor position within stack buffer affects this command.
36749 Arguments are not actually removed from the stack by this command.
36753 Variable name may be a single digit or a full name.
36757 Editing occurs in a separate buffer. Press @kbd{C-c C-c} (or
36758 @key{LFD}, or in some cases @key{RET}) to finish the edit, or kill the
36759 buffer with @kbd{C-x k} to cancel the edit. The @key{LFD} key prevents evaluation
36760 of the result of the edit.
36764 The number prompted for can also be provided as a prefix argument.
36768 Press this key a second time to cancel the prefix.
36772 With a negative prefix, deactivate all formulas. With a positive
36773 prefix, deactivate and then reactivate from scratch.
36777 Default is to scan for nearest formula delimiter symbols. With a
36778 prefix of zero, formula is delimited by mark and point. With a
36779 non-zero prefix, formula is delimited by scanning forward or
36780 backward by that many lines.
36784 Parse the region between point and mark as a vector. A nonzero prefix
36785 parses @var{n} lines before or after point as a vector. A zero prefix
36786 parses the current line as a vector. A @kbd{C-u} prefix parses the
36787 region between point and mark as a single formula.
36791 Parse the rectangle defined by point and mark as a matrix. A positive
36792 prefix @var{n} divides the rectangle into columns of width @var{n}.
36793 A zero or @kbd{C-u} prefix parses each line as one formula. A negative
36794 prefix suppresses special treatment of bracketed portions of a line.
36798 A numeric prefix causes the current language mode to be ignored.
36802 Responding to a prompt with a blank line answers that and all
36803 later prompts by popping additional stack entries.
36807 Answer for @expr{v} may also be of the form @expr{v = v_0} or
36812 With a positive prefix argument, stack contains many @expr{y}'s and one
36813 common @expr{x}. With a zero prefix, stack contains a vector of
36814 @expr{y}s and a common @expr{x}. With a negative prefix, stack
36815 contains many @expr{[x,y]} vectors. (For 3D plots, substitute
36816 @expr{z} for @expr{y} and @expr{x,y} for @expr{x}.)
36820 With any prefix argument, all curves in the graph are deleted.
36824 With a positive prefix, refines an existing plot with more data points.
36825 With a negative prefix, forces recomputation of the plot data.
36829 With any prefix argument, set the default value instead of the
36830 value for this graph.
36834 With a negative prefix argument, set the value for the printer.
36838 Condition is considered ``true'' if it is a nonzero real or complex
36839 number, or a formula whose value is known to be nonzero; it is ``false''
36844 Several formulas separated by commas are pushed as multiple stack
36845 entries. Trailing @kbd{)}, @kbd{]}, @kbd{@}}, @kbd{>}, and @kbd{"}
36846 delimiters may be omitted. The notation @kbd{$$$} refers to the value
36847 in stack level three, and causes the formula to replace the top three
36848 stack levels. The notation @kbd{$3} refers to stack level three without
36849 causing that value to be removed from the stack. Use @key{LFD} in place
36850 of @key{RET} to prevent evaluation; use @kbd{M-=} in place of @key{RET}
36851 to evaluate variables.
36855 The variable is replaced by the formula shown on the right. The
36856 Inverse flag reverses the order of the operands, e.g., @kbd{I s - x}
36858 @texline @math{x \coloneq a-x}.
36859 @infoline @expr{x := a-x}.
36863 Press @kbd{?} repeatedly to see how to choose a model. Answer the
36864 variables prompt with @expr{iv} or @expr{iv;pv} to specify
36865 independent and parameter variables. A positive prefix argument
36866 takes @mathit{@var{n}+1} vectors from the stack; a zero prefix takes a matrix
36867 and a vector from the stack.
36871 With a plain @kbd{C-u} prefix, replace the current region of the
36872 destination buffer with the yanked text instead of inserting.
36876 All stack entries are reformatted; the @kbd{H} prefix inhibits this.
36877 The @kbd{I} prefix sets the mode temporarily, redraws the top stack
36878 entry, then restores the original setting of the mode.
36882 A negative prefix sets the default 3D resolution instead of the
36883 default 2D resolution.
36887 This grabs a vector of the form [@var{prec}, @var{wsize}, @var{ssize},
36888 @var{radix}, @var{flfmt}, @var{ang}, @var{frac}, @var{symb}, @var{polar},
36889 @var{matrix}, @var{simp}, @var{inf}]. A prefix argument from 1 to 12
36890 grabs the @var{n}th mode value only.
36894 (Space is provided below for you to keep your own written notes.)
36902 @node Key Index, Command Index, Summary, Top
36903 @unnumbered Index of Key Sequences
36907 @node Command Index, Function Index, Key Index, Top
36908 @unnumbered Index of Calculator Commands
36910 Since all Calculator commands begin with the prefix @samp{calc-}, the
36911 @kbd{x} key has been provided as a variant of @kbd{M-x} which automatically
36912 types @samp{calc-} for you. Thus, @kbd{x last-args} is short for
36913 @kbd{M-x calc-last-args}.
36917 @node Function Index, Concept Index, Command Index, Top
36918 @unnumbered Index of Algebraic Functions
36920 This is a list of built-in functions and operators usable in algebraic
36921 expressions. Their full Lisp names are derived by adding the prefix
36922 @samp{calcFunc-}, as in @code{calcFunc-sqrt}.
36924 All functions except those noted with ``*'' have corresponding
36925 Calc keystrokes and can also be found in the Calc Summary.
36930 @node Concept Index, Variable Index, Function Index, Top
36931 @unnumbered Concept Index
36935 @node Variable Index, Lisp Function Index, Concept Index, Top
36936 @unnumbered Index of Variables
36938 The variables in this list that do not contain dashes are accessible
36939 as Calc variables. Add a @samp{var-} prefix to get the name of the
36940 corresponding Lisp variable.
36942 The remaining variables are Lisp variables suitable for @code{setq}ing
36943 in your Calc init file or @file{.emacs} file.
36947 @node Lisp Function Index, , Variable Index, Top
36948 @unnumbered Index of Lisp Math Functions
36950 The following functions are meant to be used with @code{defmath}, not
36951 @code{defun} definitions. For names that do not start with @samp{calc-},
36952 the corresponding full Lisp name is derived by adding a prefix of