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 2.1 Manual
8 @comment %**end of header (This is for running Texinfo on a region.)
10 @c The following macros are used for conditional output for single lines.
12 @c `foo' will appear only in TeX output
14 @c `foo' will appear only in non-TeX output
16 @c @expr{expr} will typeset an expression;
17 @c $x$ in TeX, @samp{x} otherwise.
22 @alias infoline=comment
35 @alias texline=comment
36 @macro infoline{stuff}
52 % Suggested by Karl Berry <karl@@freefriends.org>
53 \gdef\!{\mskip-\thinmuskip}
56 @c Fix some other things specifically for this manual.
59 @mathcode`@:=`@: @c Make Calc fractions come out right in math mode
61 \gdef\coloneq{\mathrel{\mathord:\mathord=}}
63 \gdef\beforedisplay{\vskip-10pt}
64 \gdef\afterdisplay{\vskip-5pt}
65 \gdef\beforedisplayh{\vskip-25pt}
66 \gdef\afterdisplayh{\vskip-10pt}
68 @newdimen@kyvpos @kyvpos=0pt
69 @newdimen@kyhpos @kyhpos=0pt
70 @newcount@calcclubpenalty @calcclubpenalty=1000
73 @newtoks@calcoldeverypar @calcoldeverypar=@everypar
74 @everypar={@calceverypar@the@calcoldeverypar}
75 @ifx@turnoffactive@undefinedzzz@def@turnoffactive{}@fi
76 @ifx@ninett@undefinedzzz@font@ninett=cmtt9@fi
77 @catcode`@\=0 \catcode`\@=11
79 \catcode`\@=0 @catcode`@\=@active
84 This file documents Calc, the GNU Emacs calculator.
86 Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 2001, 2002, 2005 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
89 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
90 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
91 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
92 Invariant Sections being just ``GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE'', with the
93 Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU Manual,'' and with the Back-Cover
94 Texts as in (a) below.
96 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
97 this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
98 Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
104 * Calc: (calc). Advanced desk calculator and mathematical tool.
109 @center @titlefont{Calc Manual}
111 @center GNU Emacs Calc Version 2.1
116 @center Dave Gillespie
117 @center daveg@@synaptics.com
120 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
121 Copyright @copyright{} 1990, 1991, 2001, 2002, 2005
122 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
128 @node Top, , (dir), (dir)
129 @chapter The GNU Emacs Calculator
132 @dfn{Calc} is an advanced desk calculator and mathematical tool
133 that runs as part of the GNU Emacs environment.
135 This manual is divided into three major parts: ``Getting Started,''
136 the ``Calc Tutorial,'' and the ``Calc Reference.'' The Tutorial
137 introduces all the major aspects of Calculator use in an easy,
138 hands-on way. The remainder of the manual is a complete reference to
139 the features of the Calculator.
141 For help in the Emacs Info system (which you are using to read this
142 file), type @kbd{?}. (You can also type @kbd{h} to run through a
143 longer Info tutorial.)
147 * Copying:: How you can copy and share Calc.
149 * Getting Started:: General description and overview.
150 * Interactive Tutorial::
151 * Tutorial:: A step-by-step introduction for beginners.
153 * Introduction:: Introduction to the Calc reference manual.
154 * Data Types:: Types of objects manipulated by Calc.
155 * Stack and Trail:: Manipulating the stack and trail buffers.
156 * Mode Settings:: Adjusting display format and other modes.
157 * Arithmetic:: Basic arithmetic functions.
158 * Scientific Functions:: Transcendentals and other scientific functions.
159 * Matrix Functions:: Operations on vectors and matrices.
160 * Algebra:: Manipulating expressions algebraically.
161 * Units:: Operations on numbers with units.
162 * Store and Recall:: Storing and recalling variables.
163 * Graphics:: Commands for making graphs of data.
164 * Kill and Yank:: Moving data into and out of Calc.
165 * Keypad Mode:: Operating Calc from a keypad.
166 * Embedded Mode:: Working with formulas embedded in a file.
167 * Programming:: Calc as a programmable calculator.
169 * Customizable Variables:: Customizable Variables.
170 * Reporting Bugs:: How to report bugs and make suggestions.
172 * Summary:: Summary of Calc commands and functions.
174 * Key Index:: The standard Calc key sequences.
175 * Command Index:: The interactive Calc commands.
176 * Function Index:: Functions (in algebraic formulas).
177 * Concept Index:: General concepts.
178 * Variable Index:: Variables used by Calc (both user and internal).
179 * Lisp Function Index:: Internal Lisp math functions.
182 @node Copying, Getting Started, Top, Top
183 @unnumbered GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
184 @center Version 2, June 1991
186 @c This file is intended to be included in another file.
189 Copyright @copyright{} 1989, 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
190 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA
192 Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies
193 of this license document, but changing it is not allowed.
196 @unnumberedsec Preamble
198 The licenses for most software are designed to take away your
199 freedom to share and change it. By contrast, the GNU General Public
200 License is intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change free
201 software---to make sure the software is free for all its users. This
202 General Public License applies to most of the Free Software
203 Foundation's software and to any other program whose authors commit to
204 using it. (Some other Free Software Foundation software is covered by
205 the GNU Library General Public License instead.) You can apply it to
208 When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom, not
209 price. Our General Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you
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215 To protect your rights, we need to make restrictions that forbid
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217 These restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for you if you
218 distribute copies of the software, or if you modify it.
220 For example, if you distribute copies of such a program, whether
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222 you have. You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the
223 source code. And you must show them these terms so they know their
226 We protect your rights with two steps: (1) copyright the software, and
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243 The precise terms and conditions for copying, distribution and
247 @unnumberedsec TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION
250 @center TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION
255 This License applies to any program or other work which contains
256 a notice placed by the copyright holder saying it may be distributed
257 under the terms of this General Public License. The ``Program'', below,
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273 You may copy and distribute verbatim copies of the Program's
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498 POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
502 @heading END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
505 @center END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
509 @unnumberedsec Appendix: How to Apply These Terms to Your New Programs
511 If you develop a new program, and you want it to be of the greatest
512 possible use to the public, the best way to achieve this is to make it
513 free software which everyone can redistribute and change under these terms.
515 To do so, attach the following notices to the program. It is safest
516 to attach them to the start of each source file to most effectively
517 convey the exclusion of warranty; and each file should have at least
518 the ``copyright'' line and a pointer to where the full notice is found.
521 @var{one line to give the program's name and a brief idea of what it does.}
522 Copyright (C) @var{yyyy} @var{name of author}
524 This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
525 it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
526 the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
527 (at your option) any later version.
529 This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
530 but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
531 MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
532 GNU General Public License for more details.
534 You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
535 along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
536 Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.
539 Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail.
541 If the program is interactive, make it output a short notice like this
542 when it starts in an interactive mode:
545 Gnomovision version 69, Copyright (C) 19@var{yy} @var{name of author}
546 Gnomovision comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; for details type `show w'.
547 This is free software, and you are welcome to redistribute it
548 under certain conditions; type `show c' for details.
551 The hypothetical commands @samp{show w} and @samp{show c} should show
552 the appropriate parts of the General Public License. Of course, the
553 commands you use may be called something other than @samp{show w} and
554 @samp{show c}; they could even be mouse-clicks or menu items---whatever
557 You should also get your employer (if you work as a programmer) or your
558 school, if any, to sign a ``copyright disclaimer'' for the program, if
559 necessary. Here is a sample; alter the names:
562 Yoyodyne, Inc., hereby disclaims all copyright interest in the program
563 `Gnomovision' (which makes passes at compilers) written by James Hacker.
565 @var{signature of Ty Coon}, 1 April 1989
566 Ty Coon, President of Vice
569 This General Public License does not permit incorporating your program into
570 proprietary programs. If your program is a subroutine library, you may
571 consider it more useful to permit linking proprietary applications with the
572 library. If this is what you want to do, use the GNU Library General
573 Public License instead of this License.
575 @node Getting Started, Tutorial, Copying, Top
576 @chapter Getting Started
578 This chapter provides a general overview of Calc, the GNU Emacs
579 Calculator: What it is, how to start it and how to exit from it,
580 and what are the various ways that it can be used.
584 * About This Manual::
585 * Notations Used in This Manual::
586 * Demonstration of Calc::
588 * History and Acknowledgements::
591 @node What is Calc, About This Manual, Getting Started, Getting Started
592 @section What is Calc?
595 @dfn{Calc} is an advanced calculator and mathematical tool that runs as
596 part of the GNU Emacs environment. Very roughly based on the HP-28/48
597 series of calculators, its many features include:
601 Choice of algebraic or RPN (stack-based) entry of calculations.
604 Arbitrary precision integers and floating-point numbers.
607 Arithmetic on rational numbers, complex numbers (rectangular and polar),
608 error forms with standard deviations, open and closed intervals, vectors
609 and matrices, dates and times, infinities, sets, quantities with units,
610 and algebraic formulas.
613 Mathematical operations such as logarithms and trigonometric functions.
616 Programmer's features (bitwise operations, non-decimal numbers).
619 Financial functions such as future value and internal rate of return.
622 Number theoretical features such as prime factorization and arithmetic
623 modulo @var{m} for any @var{m}.
626 Algebraic manipulation features, including symbolic calculus.
629 Moving data to and from regular editing buffers.
632 Embedded mode for manipulating Calc formulas and data directly
633 inside any editing buffer.
636 Graphics using GNUPLOT, a versatile (and free) plotting program.
639 Easy programming using keyboard macros, algebraic formulas,
640 algebraic rewrite rules, or extended Emacs Lisp.
643 Calc tries to include a little something for everyone; as a result it is
644 large and might be intimidating to the first-time user. If you plan to
645 use Calc only as a traditional desk calculator, all you really need to
646 read is the ``Getting Started'' chapter of this manual and possibly the
647 first few sections of the tutorial. As you become more comfortable with
648 the program you can learn its additional features. Calc does not
649 have the scope and depth of a fully-functional symbolic math package,
650 but Calc has the advantages of convenience, portability, and freedom.
652 @node About This Manual, Notations Used in This Manual, What is Calc, Getting Started
653 @section About This Manual
656 This document serves as a complete description of the GNU Emacs
657 Calculator. It works both as an introduction for novices, and as
658 a reference for experienced users. While it helps to have some
659 experience with GNU Emacs in order to get the most out of Calc,
660 this manual ought to be readable even if you don't know or use Emacs
664 The manual is divided into three major parts:@: the ``Getting
665 Started'' chapter you are reading now, the Calc tutorial (chapter 2),
666 and the Calc reference manual (the remaining chapters and appendices).
669 The manual is divided into three major parts:@: the ``Getting
670 Started'' chapter you are reading now, the Calc tutorial (chapter 2),
671 and the Calc reference manual (the remaining chapters and appendices).
673 @c This manual has been printed in two volumes, the @dfn{Tutorial} and the
674 @c @dfn{Reference}. Both volumes include a copy of the ``Getting Started''
678 If you are in a hurry to use Calc, there is a brief ``demonstration''
679 below which illustrates the major features of Calc in just a couple of
680 pages. If you don't have time to go through the full tutorial, this
681 will show you everything you need to know to begin.
682 @xref{Demonstration of Calc}.
684 The tutorial chapter walks you through the various parts of Calc
685 with lots of hands-on examples and explanations. If you are new
686 to Calc and you have some time, try going through at least the
687 beginning of the tutorial. The tutorial includes about 70 exercises
688 with answers. These exercises give you some guided practice with
689 Calc, as well as pointing out some interesting and unusual ways
692 The reference section discusses Calc in complete depth. You can read
693 the reference from start to finish if you want to learn every aspect
694 of Calc. Or, you can look in the table of contents or the Concept
695 Index to find the parts of the manual that discuss the things you
698 @cindex Marginal notes
699 Every Calc keyboard command is listed in the Calc Summary, and also
700 in the Key Index. Algebraic functions, @kbd{M-x} commands, and
701 variables also have their own indices.
703 @infoline In the printed manual, each
704 paragraph that is referenced in the Key or Function Index is marked
705 in the margin with its index entry.
707 @c [fix-ref Help Commands]
708 You can access this manual on-line at any time within Calc by
709 pressing the @kbd{h i} key sequence. Outside of the Calc window,
710 you can press @kbd{M-# i} to read the manual on-line. Also, you
711 can jump directly to the Tutorial by pressing @kbd{h t} or @kbd{M-# t},
712 or to the Summary by pressing @kbd{h s} or @kbd{M-# s}. Within Calc,
713 you can also go to the part of the manual describing any Calc key,
714 function, or variable using @w{@kbd{h k}}, @kbd{h f}, or @kbd{h v},
715 respectively. @xref{Help Commands}.
717 The Calc manual can be printed, but because the manual is so large, you
718 should only make a printed copy if you really need it. To print the
719 manual, you will need the @TeX{} typesetting program (this is a free
720 program by Donald Knuth at Stanford University) as well as the
721 @file{texindex} program and @file{texinfo.tex} file, both of which can
722 be obtained from the FSF as part of the @code{texinfo} package.
723 To print the Calc manual in one huge tome, you will need the
724 source code to this manual, @file{calc.texi}, available as part of the
725 Emacs source. Once you have this file, type @kbd{texi2dvi calc.texi}.
726 Alternatively, change to the @file{man} subdirectory of the Emacs
727 source distribution, and type @kbd{make calc.dvi}. (Don't worry if you
728 get some ``overfull box'' warnings while @TeX{} runs.)
729 The result will be a device-independent output file called
730 @file{calc.dvi}, which you must print in whatever way is right
731 for your system. On many systems, the command is
744 @c Printed copies of this manual are also available from the Free Software
747 @node Notations Used in This Manual, Demonstration of Calc, About This Manual, Getting Started
748 @section Notations Used in This Manual
751 This section describes the various notations that are used
752 throughout the Calc manual.
754 In keystroke sequences, uppercase letters mean you must hold down
755 the shift key while typing the letter. Keys pressed with Control
756 held down are shown as @kbd{C-x}. Keys pressed with Meta held down
757 are shown as @kbd{M-x}. Other notations are @key{RET} for the
758 Return key, @key{SPC} for the space bar, @key{TAB} for the Tab key,
759 @key{DEL} for the Delete key, and @key{LFD} for the Line-Feed key.
760 The @key{DEL} key is called Backspace on some keyboards, it is
761 whatever key you would use to correct a simple typing error when
762 regularly using Emacs.
764 (If you don't have the @key{LFD} or @key{TAB} keys on your keyboard,
765 the @kbd{C-j} and @kbd{C-i} keys are equivalent to them, respectively.
766 If you don't have a Meta key, look for Alt or Extend Char. You can
767 also press @key{ESC} or @kbd{C-[} first to get the same effect, so
768 that @kbd{M-x}, @kbd{@key{ESC} x}, and @kbd{C-[ x} are all equivalent.)
770 Sometimes the @key{RET} key is not shown when it is ``obvious''
771 that you must press @key{RET} to proceed. For example, the @key{RET}
772 is usually omitted in key sequences like @kbd{M-x calc-keypad @key{RET}}.
774 Commands are generally shown like this: @kbd{p} (@code{calc-precision})
775 or @kbd{M-# k} (@code{calc-keypad}). This means that the command is
776 normally used by pressing the @kbd{p} key or @kbd{M-# k} key sequence,
777 but it also has the full-name equivalent shown, e.g., @kbd{M-x calc-precision}.
779 Commands that correspond to functions in algebraic notation
780 are written: @kbd{C} (@code{calc-cos}) [@code{cos}]. This means
781 the @kbd{C} key is equivalent to @kbd{M-x calc-cos}, and that
782 the corresponding function in an algebraic-style formula would
783 be @samp{cos(@var{x})}.
785 A few commands don't have key equivalents: @code{calc-sincos}
788 @node Demonstration of Calc, Using Calc, Notations Used in This Manual, Getting Started
789 @section A Demonstration of Calc
792 @cindex Demonstration of Calc
793 This section will show some typical small problems being solved with
794 Calc. The focus is more on demonstration than explanation, but
795 everything you see here will be covered more thoroughly in the
798 To begin, start Emacs if necessary (usually the command @code{emacs}
799 does this), and type @kbd{M-# c} (or @kbd{@key{ESC} # c}) to start the
800 Calculator. (You can also use @kbd{M-x calc} if this doesn't work.
801 @xref{Starting Calc}, for various ways of starting the Calculator.)
803 Be sure to type all the sample input exactly, especially noting the
804 difference between lower-case and upper-case letters. Remember,
805 @key{RET}, @key{TAB}, @key{DEL}, and @key{SPC} are the Return, Tab,
806 Delete, and Space keys.
808 @strong{RPN calculation.} In RPN, you type the input number(s) first,
809 then the command to operate on the numbers.
812 Type @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 + Q} to compute
813 @texline @math{\sqrt{2+3} = 2.2360679775}.
814 @infoline the square root of 2+3, which is 2.2360679775.
817 Type @kbd{P 2 ^} to compute
818 @texline @math{\pi^2 = 9.86960440109}.
819 @infoline the value of `pi' squared, 9.86960440109.
822 Type @key{TAB} to exchange the order of these two results.
825 Type @kbd{- I H S} to subtract these results and compute the Inverse
826 Hyperbolic sine of the difference, 2.72996136574.
829 Type @key{DEL} to erase this result.
831 @strong{Algebraic calculation.} You can also enter calculations using
832 conventional ``algebraic'' notation. To enter an algebraic formula,
833 use the apostrophe key.
836 Type @kbd{' sqrt(2+3) @key{RET}} to compute
837 @texline @math{\sqrt{2+3}}.
838 @infoline the square root of 2+3.
841 Type @kbd{' pi^2 @key{RET}} to enter
842 @texline @math{\pi^2}.
843 @infoline `pi' squared.
844 To evaluate this symbolic formula as a number, type @kbd{=}.
847 Type @kbd{' arcsinh($ - $$) @key{RET}} to subtract the second-most-recent
848 result from the most-recent and compute the Inverse Hyperbolic sine.
850 @strong{Keypad mode.} If you are using the X window system, press
851 @w{@kbd{M-# k}} to get Keypad mode. (If you don't use X, skip to
855 Click on the @key{2}, @key{ENTER}, @key{3}, @key{+}, and @key{SQRT}
856 ``buttons'' using your left mouse button.
859 Click on @key{PI}, @key{2}, and @tfn{y^x}.
862 Click on @key{INV}, then @key{ENTER} to swap the two results.
865 Click on @key{-}, @key{INV}, @key{HYP}, and @key{SIN}.
868 Click on @key{<-} to erase the result, then click @key{OFF} to turn
869 the Keypad Calculator off.
871 @strong{Grabbing data.} Type @kbd{M-# x} if necessary to exit Calc.
872 Now select the following numbers as an Emacs region: ``Mark'' the
873 front of the list by typing @kbd{C-@key{SPC}} or @kbd{C-@@} there,
874 then move to the other end of the list. (Either get this list from
875 the on-line copy of this manual, accessed by @w{@kbd{M-# i}}, or just
876 type these numbers into a scratch file.) Now type @kbd{M-# g} to
877 ``grab'' these numbers into Calc.
888 The result @samp{[1.23, 1.97, 1.6, 2, 1.19, 1.08]} is a Calc ``vector.''
889 Type @w{@kbd{V R +}} to compute the sum of these numbers.
892 Type @kbd{U} to Undo this command, then type @kbd{V R *} to compute
893 the product of the numbers.
896 You can also grab data as a rectangular matrix. Place the cursor on
897 the upper-leftmost @samp{1} and set the mark, then move to just after
898 the lower-right @samp{8} and press @kbd{M-# r}.
901 Type @kbd{v t} to transpose this
902 @texline @math{3\times2}
905 @texline @math{2\times3}
907 matrix. Type @w{@kbd{v u}} to unpack the rows into two separate
908 vectors. Now type @w{@kbd{V R + @key{TAB} V R +}} to compute the sums
909 of the two original columns. (There is also a special
910 grab-and-sum-columns command, @kbd{M-# :}.)
912 @strong{Units conversion.} Units are entered algebraically.
913 Type @w{@kbd{' 43 mi/hr @key{RET}}} to enter the quantity 43 miles-per-hour.
914 Type @w{@kbd{u c km/hr @key{RET}}}. Type @w{@kbd{u c m/s @key{RET}}}.
916 @strong{Date arithmetic.} Type @kbd{t N} to get the current date and
917 time. Type @kbd{90 +} to find the date 90 days from now. Type
918 @kbd{' <25 dec 87> @key{RET}} to enter a date, then @kbd{- 7 /} to see how
919 many weeks have passed since then.
921 @strong{Algebra.} Algebraic entries can also include formulas
922 or equations involving variables. Type @kbd{@w{' [x + y} = a, x y = 1] @key{RET}}
923 to enter a pair of equations involving three variables.
924 (Note the leading apostrophe in this example; also, note that the space
925 between @samp{x y} is required.) Type @w{@kbd{a S x,y @key{RET}}} to solve
926 these equations for the variables @expr{x} and @expr{y}.
929 Type @kbd{d B} to view the solutions in more readable notation.
930 Type @w{@kbd{d C}} to view them in C language notation, @kbd{d T}
931 to view them in the notation for the @TeX{} typesetting system,
932 and @kbd{d L} to view them in the notation for the La@TeX{} typesetting
933 system. Type @kbd{d N} to return to normal notation.
936 Type @kbd{7.5}, then @kbd{s l a @key{RET}} to let @expr{a = 7.5} in these formulas.
937 (That's a letter @kbd{l}, not a numeral @kbd{1}.)
940 @strong{Help functions.} You can read about any command in the on-line
941 manual. Type @kbd{M-# c} to return to Calc after each of these
942 commands: @kbd{h k t N} to read about the @kbd{t N} command,
943 @kbd{h f sqrt @key{RET}} to read about the @code{sqrt} function, and
944 @kbd{h s} to read the Calc summary.
947 @strong{Help functions.} You can read about any command in the on-line
948 manual. Remember to type the letter @kbd{l}, then @kbd{M-# c}, to
949 return here after each of these commands: @w{@kbd{h k t N}} to read
950 about the @w{@kbd{t N}} command, @kbd{h f sqrt @key{RET}} to read about the
951 @code{sqrt} function, and @kbd{h s} to read the Calc summary.
954 Press @key{DEL} repeatedly to remove any leftover results from the stack.
955 To exit from Calc, press @kbd{q} or @kbd{M-# c} again.
957 @node Using Calc, History and Acknowledgements, Demonstration of Calc, Getting Started
961 Calc has several user interfaces that are specialized for
962 different kinds of tasks. As well as Calc's standard interface,
963 there are Quick mode, Keypad mode, and Embedded mode.
967 * The Standard Interface::
968 * Quick Mode Overview::
969 * Keypad Mode Overview::
970 * Standalone Operation::
971 * Embedded Mode Overview::
972 * Other M-# Commands::
975 @node Starting Calc, The Standard Interface, Using Calc, Using Calc
976 @subsection Starting Calc
979 On most systems, you can type @kbd{M-#} to start the Calculator.
980 The notation @kbd{M-#} is short for Meta-@kbd{#}. On most
981 keyboards this means holding down the Meta (or Alt) and
982 Shift keys while typing @kbd{3}.
985 Once again, if you don't have a Meta key on your keyboard you can type
986 @key{ESC} first, then @kbd{#}, to accomplish the same thing. If you
987 don't even have an @key{ESC} key, you can fake it by holding down
988 Control or @key{CTRL} while typing a left square bracket
989 (that's @kbd{C-[} in Emacs notation).
991 The key @kbd{M-#} is bound to the command @code{calc-dispatch},
992 which can be rebound if convenient.
993 (@xref{Key Bindings,,Customizing Key Bindings,emacs,
994 The GNU Emacs Manual}.)
996 When you press @kbd{M-#}, Emacs waits for you to press a second key to
997 complete the command. In this case, you will follow @kbd{M-#} with a
998 letter (upper- or lower-case, it doesn't matter for @kbd{M-#}) that says
999 which Calc interface you want to use.
1001 To get Calc's standard interface, type @kbd{M-# c}. To get
1002 Keypad mode, type @kbd{M-# k}. Type @kbd{M-# ?} to get a brief
1003 list of the available options, and type a second @kbd{?} to get
1006 To ease typing, @kbd{M-# M-#} (or @kbd{M-# #} if that's easier)
1007 also works to start Calc. It starts the same interface (either
1008 @kbd{M-# c} or @w{@kbd{M-# k}}) that you last used, selecting the
1009 @kbd{M-# c} interface by default. (If your installation has
1010 a special function key set up to act like @kbd{M-#}, hitting that
1011 function key twice is just like hitting @kbd{M-# M-#}.)
1013 If @kbd{M-#} doesn't work for you, you can always type explicit
1014 commands like @kbd{M-x calc} (for the standard user interface) or
1015 @w{@kbd{M-x calc-keypad}} (for Keypad mode). First type @kbd{M-x}
1016 (that's Meta with the letter @kbd{x}), then, at the prompt,
1017 type the full command (like @kbd{calc-keypad}) and press Return.
1019 The same commands (like @kbd{M-# c} or @kbd{M-# M-#}) that start
1020 the Calculator also turn it off if it is already on.
1022 @node The Standard Interface, Quick Mode Overview, Starting Calc, Using Calc
1023 @subsection The Standard Calc Interface
1026 @cindex Standard user interface
1027 Calc's standard interface acts like a traditional RPN calculator,
1028 operated by the normal Emacs keyboard. When you type @kbd{M-# c}
1029 to start the Calculator, the Emacs screen splits into two windows
1030 with the file you were editing on top and Calc on the bottom.
1036 --**-Emacs: myfile (Fundamental)----All----------------------
1037 --- Emacs Calculator Mode --- |Emacs Calc Mode v2.1 ...
1045 --%%-Calc: 12 Deg (Calculator)----All----- --%%-Emacs: *Calc Trail*
1049 In this figure, the mode-line for @file{myfile} has moved up and the
1050 ``Calculator'' window has appeared below it. As you can see, Calc
1051 actually makes two windows side-by-side. The lefthand one is
1052 called the @dfn{stack window} and the righthand one is called the
1053 @dfn{trail window.} The stack holds the numbers involved in the
1054 calculation you are currently performing. The trail holds a complete
1055 record of all calculations you have done. In a desk calculator with
1056 a printer, the trail corresponds to the paper tape that records what
1059 In this case, the trail shows that four numbers (17.3, 3, 2, and 4)
1060 were first entered into the Calculator, then the 2 and 4 were
1061 multiplied to get 8, then the 3 and 8 were subtracted to get @mathit{-5}.
1062 (The @samp{>} symbol shows that this was the most recent calculation.)
1063 The net result is the two numbers 17.3 and @mathit{-5} sitting on the stack.
1065 Most Calculator commands deal explicitly with the stack only, but
1066 there is a set of commands that allow you to search back through
1067 the trail and retrieve any previous result.
1069 Calc commands use the digits, letters, and punctuation keys.
1070 Shifted (i.e., upper-case) letters are different from lowercase
1071 letters. Some letters are @dfn{prefix} keys that begin two-letter
1072 commands. For example, @kbd{e} means ``enter exponent'' and shifted
1073 @kbd{E} means @expr{e^x}. With the @kbd{d} (``display modes'') prefix
1074 the letter ``e'' takes on very different meanings: @kbd{d e} means
1075 ``engineering notation'' and @kbd{d E} means ``@dfn{eqn} language mode.''
1077 There is nothing stopping you from switching out of the Calc
1078 window and back into your editing window, say by using the Emacs
1079 @w{@kbd{C-x o}} (@code{other-window}) command. When the cursor is
1080 inside a regular window, Emacs acts just like normal. When the
1081 cursor is in the Calc stack or trail windows, keys are interpreted
1084 When you quit by pressing @kbd{M-# c} a second time, the Calculator
1085 windows go away but the actual Stack and Trail are not gone, just
1086 hidden. When you press @kbd{M-# c} once again you will get the
1087 same stack and trail contents you had when you last used the
1090 The Calculator does not remember its state between Emacs sessions.
1091 Thus if you quit Emacs and start it again, @kbd{M-# c} will give you
1092 a fresh stack and trail. There is a command (@kbd{m m}) that lets
1093 you save your favorite mode settings between sessions, though.
1094 One of the things it saves is which user interface (standard or
1095 Keypad) you last used; otherwise, a freshly started Emacs will
1096 always treat @kbd{M-# M-#} the same as @kbd{M-# c}.
1098 The @kbd{q} key is another equivalent way to turn the Calculator off.
1100 If you type @kbd{M-# b} first and then @kbd{M-# c}, you get a
1101 full-screen version of Calc (@code{full-calc}) in which the stack and
1102 trail windows are still side-by-side but are now as tall as the whole
1103 Emacs screen. When you press @kbd{q} or @kbd{M-# c} again to quit,
1104 the file you were editing before reappears. The @kbd{M-# b} key
1105 switches back and forth between ``big'' full-screen mode and the
1106 normal partial-screen mode.
1108 Finally, @kbd{M-# o} (@code{calc-other-window}) is like @kbd{M-# c}
1109 except that the Calc window is not selected. The buffer you were
1110 editing before remains selected instead. @kbd{M-# o} is a handy
1111 way to switch out of Calc momentarily to edit your file; type
1112 @kbd{M-# c} to switch back into Calc when you are done.
1114 @node Quick Mode Overview, Keypad Mode Overview, The Standard Interface, Using Calc
1115 @subsection Quick Mode (Overview)
1118 @dfn{Quick mode} is a quick way to use Calc when you don't need the
1119 full complexity of the stack and trail. To use it, type @kbd{M-# q}
1120 (@code{quick-calc}) in any regular editing buffer.
1122 Quick mode is very simple: It prompts you to type any formula in
1123 standard algebraic notation (like @samp{4 - 2/3}) and then displays
1124 the result at the bottom of the Emacs screen (@mathit{3.33333333333}
1125 in this case). You are then back in the same editing buffer you
1126 were in before, ready to continue editing or to type @kbd{M-# q}
1127 again to do another quick calculation. The result of the calculation
1128 will also be in the Emacs ``kill ring'' so that a @kbd{C-y} command
1129 at this point will yank the result into your editing buffer.
1131 Calc mode settings affect Quick mode, too, though you will have to
1132 go into regular Calc (with @kbd{M-# c}) to change the mode settings.
1134 @c [fix-ref Quick Calculator mode]
1135 @xref{Quick Calculator}, for further information.
1137 @node Keypad Mode Overview, Standalone Operation, Quick Mode Overview, Using Calc
1138 @subsection Keypad Mode (Overview)
1141 @dfn{Keypad mode} is a mouse-based interface to the Calculator.
1142 It is designed for use with terminals that support a mouse. If you
1143 don't have a mouse, you will have to operate Keypad mode with your
1144 arrow keys (which is probably more trouble than it's worth).
1146 Type @kbd{M-# k} to turn Keypad mode on or off. Once again you
1147 get two new windows, this time on the righthand side of the screen
1148 instead of at the bottom. The upper window is the familiar Calc
1149 Stack; the lower window is a picture of a typical calculator keypad.
1153 \advance \dimen0 by 24\baselineskip%
1154 \ifdim \dimen0>\pagegoal \vfill\eject \fi%
1159 |--- Emacs Calculator Mode ---
1163 |--%%-Calc: 12 Deg (Calcul
1164 |----+-----Calc 2.1------+----1
1165 |FLR |CEIL|RND |TRNC|CLN2|FLT |
1166 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
1167 | LN |EXP | |ABS |IDIV|MOD |
1168 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
1169 |SIN |COS |TAN |SQRT|y^x |1/x |
1170 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
1171 | ENTER |+/- |EEX |UNDO| <- |
1172 |-----+---+-+--+--+-+---++----|
1173 | INV | 7 | 8 | 9 | / |
1174 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----|
1175 | HYP | 4 | 5 | 6 | * |
1176 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----|
1177 |EXEC | 1 | 2 | 3 | - |
1178 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----|
1179 | OFF | 0 | . | PI | + |
1180 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
1184 Keypad mode is much easier for beginners to learn, because there
1185 is no need to memorize lots of obscure key sequences. But not all
1186 commands in regular Calc are available on the Keypad. You can
1187 always switch the cursor into the Calc stack window to use
1188 standard Calc commands if you need. Serious Calc users, though,
1189 often find they prefer the standard interface over Keypad mode.
1191 To operate the Calculator, just click on the ``buttons'' of the
1192 keypad using your left mouse button. To enter the two numbers
1193 shown here you would click @w{@kbd{1 7 .@: 3 ENTER 5 +/- ENTER}}; to
1194 add them together you would then click @kbd{+} (to get 12.3 on
1197 If you click the right mouse button, the top three rows of the
1198 keypad change to show other sets of commands, such as advanced
1199 math functions, vector operations, and operations on binary
1202 Because Keypad mode doesn't use the regular keyboard, Calc leaves
1203 the cursor in your original editing buffer. You can type in
1204 this buffer in the usual way while also clicking on the Calculator
1205 keypad. One advantage of Keypad mode is that you don't need an
1206 explicit command to switch between editing and calculating.
1208 If you press @kbd{M-# b} first, you get a full-screen Keypad mode
1209 (@code{full-calc-keypad}) with three windows: The keypad in the lower
1210 left, the stack in the lower right, and the trail on top.
1212 @c [fix-ref Keypad Mode]
1213 @xref{Keypad Mode}, for further information.
1215 @node Standalone Operation, Embedded Mode Overview, Keypad Mode Overview, Using Calc
1216 @subsection Standalone Operation
1219 @cindex Standalone Operation
1220 If you are not in Emacs at the moment but you wish to use Calc,
1221 you must start Emacs first. If all you want is to run Calc, you
1222 can give the commands:
1232 emacs -f full-calc-keypad
1236 which run a full-screen Calculator (as if by @kbd{M-# b M-# c}) or
1237 a full-screen X-based Calculator (as if by @kbd{M-# b M-# k}).
1238 In standalone operation, quitting the Calculator (by pressing
1239 @kbd{q} or clicking on the keypad @key{EXIT} button) quits Emacs
1242 @node Embedded Mode Overview, Other M-# Commands, Standalone Operation, Using Calc
1243 @subsection Embedded Mode (Overview)
1246 @dfn{Embedded mode} is a way to use Calc directly from inside an
1247 editing buffer. Suppose you have a formula written as part of a
1261 and you wish to have Calc compute and format the derivative for
1262 you and store this derivative in the buffer automatically. To
1263 do this with Embedded mode, first copy the formula down to where
1264 you want the result to be:
1278 Now, move the cursor onto this new formula and press @kbd{M-# e}.
1279 Calc will read the formula (using the surrounding blank lines to
1280 tell how much text to read), then push this formula (invisibly)
1281 onto the Calc stack. The cursor will stay on the formula in the
1282 editing buffer, but the buffer's mode line will change to look
1283 like the Calc mode line (with mode indicators like @samp{12 Deg}
1284 and so on). Even though you are still in your editing buffer,
1285 the keyboard now acts like the Calc keyboard, and any new result
1286 you get is copied from the stack back into the buffer. To take
1287 the derivative, you would type @kbd{a d x @key{RET}}.
1301 To make this look nicer, you might want to press @kbd{d =} to center
1302 the formula, and even @kbd{d B} to use Big display mode.
1311 % [calc-mode: justify: center]
1312 % [calc-mode: language: big]
1320 Calc has added annotations to the file to help it remember the modes
1321 that were used for this formula. They are formatted like comments
1322 in the @TeX{} typesetting language, just in case you are using @TeX{} or
1323 La@TeX{}. (In this example @TeX{} is not being used, so you might want
1324 to move these comments up to the top of the file or otherwise put them
1327 As an extra flourish, we can add an equation number using a
1328 righthand label: Type @kbd{d @} (1) @key{RET}}.
1332 % [calc-mode: justify: center]
1333 % [calc-mode: language: big]
1334 % [calc-mode: right-label: " (1)"]
1342 To leave Embedded mode, type @kbd{M-# e} again. The mode line
1343 and keyboard will revert to the way they were before.
1345 The related command @kbd{M-# w} operates on a single word, which
1346 generally means a single number, inside text. It uses any
1347 non-numeric characters rather than blank lines to delimit the
1348 formula it reads. Here's an example of its use:
1351 A slope of one-third corresponds to an angle of 1 degrees.
1354 Place the cursor on the @samp{1}, then type @kbd{M-# w} to enable
1355 Embedded mode on that number. Now type @kbd{3 /} (to get one-third),
1356 and @kbd{I T} (the Inverse Tangent converts a slope into an angle),
1357 then @w{@kbd{M-# w}} again to exit Embedded mode.
1360 A slope of one-third corresponds to an angle of 18.4349488229 degrees.
1363 @c [fix-ref Embedded Mode]
1364 @xref{Embedded Mode}, for full details.
1366 @node Other M-# Commands, , Embedded Mode Overview, Using Calc
1367 @subsection Other @kbd{M-#} Commands
1370 Two more Calc-related commands are @kbd{M-# g} and @kbd{M-# r},
1371 which ``grab'' data from a selected region of a buffer into the
1372 Calculator. The region is defined in the usual Emacs way, by
1373 a ``mark'' placed at one end of the region, and the Emacs
1374 cursor or ``point'' placed at the other.
1376 The @kbd{M-# g} command reads the region in the usual left-to-right,
1377 top-to-bottom order. The result is packaged into a Calc vector
1378 of numbers and placed on the stack. Calc (in its standard
1379 user interface) is then started. Type @kbd{v u} if you want
1380 to unpack this vector into separate numbers on the stack. Also,
1381 @kbd{C-u M-# g} interprets the region as a single number or
1384 The @kbd{M-# r} command reads a rectangle, with the point and
1385 mark defining opposite corners of the rectangle. The result
1386 is a matrix of numbers on the Calculator stack.
1388 Complementary to these is @kbd{M-# y}, which ``yanks'' the
1389 value at the top of the Calc stack back into an editing buffer.
1390 If you type @w{@kbd{M-# y}} while in such a buffer, the value is
1391 yanked at the current position. If you type @kbd{M-# y} while
1392 in the Calc buffer, Calc makes an educated guess as to which
1393 editing buffer you want to use. The Calc window does not have
1394 to be visible in order to use this command, as long as there
1395 is something on the Calc stack.
1397 Here, for reference, is the complete list of @kbd{M-#} commands.
1398 The shift, control, and meta keys are ignored for the keystroke
1399 following @kbd{M-#}.
1402 Commands for turning Calc on and off:
1406 Turn Calc on or off, employing the same user interface as last time.
1409 Turn Calc on or off using its standard bottom-of-the-screen
1410 interface. If Calc is already turned on but the cursor is not
1411 in the Calc window, move the cursor into the window.
1414 Same as @kbd{C}, but don't select the new Calc window. If
1415 Calc is already turned on and the cursor is in the Calc window,
1416 move it out of that window.
1419 Control whether @kbd{M-# c} and @kbd{M-# k} use the full screen.
1422 Use Quick mode for a single short calculation.
1425 Turn Calc Keypad mode on or off.
1428 Turn Calc Embedded mode on or off at the current formula.
1431 Turn Calc Embedded mode on or off, select the interesting part.
1434 Turn Calc Embedded mode on or off at the current word (number).
1437 Turn Calc on in a user-defined way, as defined by a @kbd{Z I} command.
1440 Quit Calc; turn off standard, Keypad, or Embedded mode if on.
1441 (This is like @kbd{q} or @key{OFF} inside of Calc.)
1448 Commands for moving data into and out of the Calculator:
1452 Grab the region into the Calculator as a vector.
1455 Grab the rectangular region into the Calculator as a matrix.
1458 Grab the rectangular region and compute the sums of its columns.
1461 Grab the rectangular region and compute the sums of its rows.
1464 Yank a value from the Calculator into the current editing buffer.
1471 Commands for use with Embedded mode:
1475 ``Activate'' the current buffer. Locate all formulas that
1476 contain @samp{:=} or @samp{=>} symbols and record their locations
1477 so that they can be updated automatically as variables are changed.
1480 Duplicate the current formula immediately below and select
1484 Insert a new formula at the current point.
1487 Move the cursor to the next active formula in the buffer.
1490 Move the cursor to the previous active formula in the buffer.
1493 Update (i.e., as if by the @kbd{=} key) the formula at the current point.
1496 Edit (as if by @code{calc-edit}) the formula at the current point.
1503 Miscellaneous commands:
1507 Run the Emacs Info system to read the Calc manual.
1508 (This is the same as @kbd{h i} inside of Calc.)
1511 Run the Emacs Info system to read the Calc Tutorial.
1514 Run the Emacs Info system to read the Calc Summary.
1517 Load Calc entirely into memory. (Normally the various parts
1518 are loaded only as they are needed.)
1521 Read a region of written keystroke names (like @kbd{C-n a b c @key{RET}})
1522 and record them as the current keyboard macro.
1525 (This is the ``zero'' digit key.) Reset the Calculator to
1526 its initial state: Empty stack, and initial mode settings.
1529 @node History and Acknowledgements, , Using Calc, Getting Started
1530 @section History and Acknowledgements
1533 Calc was originally started as a two-week project to occupy a lull
1534 in the author's schedule. Basically, a friend asked if I remembered
1536 @texline @math{2^{32}}.
1537 @infoline @expr{2^32}.
1538 I didn't offhand, but I said, ``that's easy, just call up an
1539 @code{xcalc}.'' @code{Xcalc} duly reported that the answer to our
1540 question was @samp{4.294967e+09}---with no way to see the full ten
1541 digits even though we knew they were there in the program's memory! I
1542 was so annoyed, I vowed to write a calculator of my own, once and for
1545 I chose Emacs Lisp, a) because I had always been curious about it
1546 and b) because, being only a text editor extension language after
1547 all, Emacs Lisp would surely reach its limits long before the project
1548 got too far out of hand.
1550 To make a long story short, Emacs Lisp turned out to be a distressingly
1551 solid implementation of Lisp, and the humble task of calculating
1552 turned out to be more open-ended than one might have expected.
1554 Emacs Lisp doesn't have built-in floating point math, so it had to be
1555 simulated in software. In fact, Emacs integers will only comfortably
1556 fit six decimal digits or so---not enough for a decent calculator. So
1557 I had to write my own high-precision integer code as well, and once I had
1558 this I figured that arbitrary-size integers were just as easy as large
1559 integers. Arbitrary floating-point precision was the logical next step.
1560 Also, since the large integer arithmetic was there anyway it seemed only
1561 fair to give the user direct access to it, which in turn made it practical
1562 to support fractions as well as floats. All these features inspired me
1563 to look around for other data types that might be worth having.
1565 Around this time, my friend Rick Koshi showed me his nifty new HP-28
1566 calculator. It allowed the user to manipulate formulas as well as
1567 numerical quantities, and it could also operate on matrices. I
1568 decided that these would be good for Calc to have, too. And once
1569 things had gone this far, I figured I might as well take a look at
1570 serious algebra systems for further ideas. Since these systems did
1571 far more than I could ever hope to implement, I decided to focus on
1572 rewrite rules and other programming features so that users could
1573 implement what they needed for themselves.
1575 Rick complained that matrices were hard to read, so I put in code to
1576 format them in a 2D style. Once these routines were in place, Big mode
1577 was obligatory. Gee, what other language modes would be useful?
1579 Scott Hemphill and Allen Knutson, two friends with a strong mathematical
1580 bent, contributed ideas and algorithms for a number of Calc features
1581 including modulo forms, primality testing, and float-to-fraction conversion.
1583 Units were added at the eager insistence of Mass Sivilotti. Later,
1584 Ulrich Mueller at CERN and Przemek Klosowski at NIST provided invaluable
1585 expert assistance with the units table. As far as I can remember, the
1586 idea of using algebraic formulas and variables to represent units dates
1587 back to an ancient article in Byte magazine about muMath, an early
1588 algebra system for microcomputers.
1590 Many people have contributed to Calc by reporting bugs and suggesting
1591 features, large and small. A few deserve special mention: Tim Peters,
1592 who helped develop the ideas that led to the selection commands, rewrite
1593 rules, and many other algebra features;
1594 @texline Fran\c{c}ois
1596 Pinard, who contributed an early prototype of the Calc Summary appendix
1597 as well as providing valuable suggestions in many other areas of Calc;
1598 Carl Witty, whose eagle eyes discovered many typographical and factual
1599 errors in the Calc manual; Tim Kay, who drove the development of
1600 Embedded mode; Ove Ewerlid, who made many suggestions relating to the
1601 algebra commands and contributed some code for polynomial operations;
1602 Randal Schwartz, who suggested the @code{calc-eval} function; Robert
1603 J. Chassell, who suggested the Calc Tutorial and exercises; and Juha
1604 Sarlin, who first worked out how to split Calc into quickly-loading
1605 parts. Bob Weiner helped immensely with the Lucid Emacs port.
1607 @cindex Bibliography
1608 @cindex Knuth, Art of Computer Programming
1609 @cindex Numerical Recipes
1610 @c Should these be expanded into more complete references?
1611 Among the books used in the development of Calc were Knuth's @emph{Art
1612 of Computer Programming} (especially volume II, @emph{Seminumerical
1613 Algorithms}); @emph{Numerical Recipes} by Press, Flannery, Teukolsky,
1614 and Vetterling; Bevington's @emph{Data Reduction and Error Analysis
1615 for the Physical Sciences}; @emph{Concrete Mathematics} by Graham,
1616 Knuth, and Patashnik; Steele's @emph{Common Lisp, the Language}; the
1617 @emph{CRC Standard Math Tables} (William H. Beyer, ed.); and
1618 Abramowitz and Stegun's venerable @emph{Handbook of Mathematical
1619 Functions}. Also, of course, Calc could not have been written without
1620 the excellent @emph{GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}, by Bil Lewis and
1623 Final thanks go to Richard Stallman, without whose fine implementations
1624 of the Emacs editor, language, and environment, Calc would have been
1625 finished in two weeks.
1630 @c This node is accessed by the `M-# t' command.
1631 @node Interactive Tutorial, , , Top
1635 Some brief instructions on using the Emacs Info system for this tutorial:
1637 Press the space bar and Delete keys to go forward and backward in a
1638 section by screenfuls (or use the regular Emacs scrolling commands
1641 Press @kbd{n} or @kbd{p} to go to the Next or Previous section.
1642 If the section has a @dfn{menu}, press a digit key like @kbd{1}
1643 or @kbd{2} to go to a sub-section from the menu. Press @kbd{u} to
1644 go back up from a sub-section to the menu it is part of.
1646 Exercises in the tutorial all have cross-references to the
1647 appropriate page of the ``answers'' section. Press @kbd{f}, then
1648 the exercise number, to see the answer to an exercise. After
1649 you have followed a cross-reference, you can press the letter
1650 @kbd{l} to return to where you were before.
1652 You can press @kbd{?} at any time for a brief summary of Info commands.
1654 Press @kbd{1} now to enter the first section of the Tutorial.
1661 @node Tutorial, Introduction, Getting Started, Top
1665 This chapter explains how to use Calc and its many features, in
1666 a step-by-step, tutorial way. You are encouraged to run Calc and
1667 work along with the examples as you read (@pxref{Starting Calc}).
1668 If you are already familiar with advanced calculators, you may wish
1670 to skip on to the rest of this manual.
1672 @c to skip on to volume II of this manual, the @dfn{Calc Reference}.
1674 @c [fix-ref Embedded Mode]
1675 This tutorial describes the standard user interface of Calc only.
1676 The Quick mode and Keypad mode interfaces are fairly
1677 self-explanatory. @xref{Embedded Mode}, for a description of
1678 the Embedded mode interface.
1681 The easiest way to read this tutorial on-line is to have two windows on
1682 your Emacs screen, one with Calc and one with the Info system. (If you
1683 have a printed copy of the manual you can use that instead.) Press
1684 @kbd{M-# c} to turn Calc on or to switch into the Calc window, and
1685 press @kbd{M-# i} to start the Info system or to switch into its window.
1686 Or, you may prefer to use the tutorial in printed form.
1689 The easiest way to read this tutorial on-line is to have two windows on
1690 your Emacs screen, one with Calc and one with the Info system. (If you
1691 have a printed copy of the manual you can use that instead.) Press
1692 @kbd{M-# c} to turn Calc on or to switch into the Calc window, and
1693 press @kbd{M-# i} to start the Info system or to switch into its window.
1696 This tutorial is designed to be done in sequence. But the rest of this
1697 manual does not assume you have gone through the tutorial. The tutorial
1698 does not cover everything in the Calculator, but it touches on most
1702 You may wish to print out a copy of the Calc Summary and keep notes on
1703 it as you learn Calc. @xref{About This Manual}, to see how to make a
1704 printed summary. @xref{Summary}.
1707 The Calc Summary at the end of the reference manual includes some blank
1708 space for your own use. You may wish to keep notes there as you learn
1714 * Arithmetic Tutorial::
1715 * Vector/Matrix Tutorial::
1717 * Algebra Tutorial::
1718 * Programming Tutorial::
1720 * Answers to Exercises::
1723 @node Basic Tutorial, Arithmetic Tutorial, Tutorial, Tutorial
1724 @section Basic Tutorial
1727 In this section, we learn how RPN and algebraic-style calculations
1728 work, how to undo and redo an operation done by mistake, and how
1729 to control various modes of the Calculator.
1732 * RPN Tutorial:: Basic operations with the stack.
1733 * Algebraic Tutorial:: Algebraic entry; variables.
1734 * Undo Tutorial:: If you make a mistake: Undo and the trail.
1735 * Modes Tutorial:: Common mode-setting commands.
1738 @node RPN Tutorial, Algebraic Tutorial, Basic Tutorial, Basic Tutorial
1739 @subsection RPN Calculations and the Stack
1741 @cindex RPN notation
1744 Calc normally uses RPN notation. You may be familiar with the RPN
1745 system from Hewlett-Packard calculators, FORTH, or PostScript.
1746 (Reverse Polish Notation, RPN, is named after the Polish mathematician
1751 Calc normally uses RPN notation. You may be familiar with the RPN
1752 system from Hewlett-Packard calculators, FORTH, or PostScript.
1753 (Reverse Polish Notation, RPN, is named after the Polish mathematician
1757 The central component of an RPN calculator is the @dfn{stack}. A
1758 calculator stack is like a stack of dishes. New dishes (numbers) are
1759 added at the top of the stack, and numbers are normally only removed
1760 from the top of the stack.
1764 In an operation like @expr{2+3}, the 2 and 3 are called the @dfn{operands}
1765 and the @expr{+} is the @dfn{operator}. In an RPN calculator you always
1766 enter the operands first, then the operator. Each time you type a
1767 number, Calc adds or @dfn{pushes} it onto the top of the Stack.
1768 When you press an operator key like @kbd{+}, Calc @dfn{pops} the appropriate
1769 number of operands from the stack and pushes back the result.
1771 Thus we could add the numbers 2 and 3 in an RPN calculator by typing:
1772 @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} +}. (The @key{RET} key, Return, corresponds to
1773 the @key{ENTER} key on traditional RPN calculators.) Try this now if
1774 you wish; type @kbd{M-# c} to switch into the Calc window (you can type
1775 @kbd{M-# c} again or @kbd{M-# o} to switch back to the Tutorial window).
1776 The first four keystrokes ``push'' the numbers 2 and 3 onto the stack.
1777 The @kbd{+} key ``pops'' the top two numbers from the stack, adds them,
1778 and pushes the result (5) back onto the stack. Here's how the stack
1779 will look at various points throughout the calculation:
1787 M-# c 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} + @key{DEL}
1791 The @samp{.} symbol is a marker that represents the top of the stack.
1792 Note that the ``top'' of the stack is really shown at the bottom of
1793 the Stack window. This may seem backwards, but it turns out to be
1794 less distracting in regular use.
1796 @cindex Stack levels
1797 @cindex Levels of stack
1798 The numbers @samp{1:} and @samp{2:} on the left are @dfn{stack level
1799 numbers}. Old RPN calculators always had four stack levels called
1800 @expr{x}, @expr{y}, @expr{z}, and @expr{t}. Calc's stack can grow
1801 as large as you like, so it uses numbers instead of letters. Some
1802 stack-manipulation commands accept a numeric argument that says
1803 which stack level to work on. Normal commands like @kbd{+} always
1804 work on the top few levels of the stack.
1806 @c [fix-ref Truncating the Stack]
1807 The Stack buffer is just an Emacs buffer, and you can move around in
1808 it using the regular Emacs motion commands. But no matter where the
1809 cursor is, even if you have scrolled the @samp{.} marker out of
1810 view, most Calc commands always move the cursor back down to level 1
1811 before doing anything. It is possible to move the @samp{.} marker
1812 upwards through the stack, temporarily ``hiding'' some numbers from
1813 commands like @kbd{+}. This is called @dfn{stack truncation} and
1814 we will not cover it in this tutorial; @pxref{Truncating the Stack},
1815 if you are interested.
1817 You don't really need the second @key{RET} in @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3
1818 @key{RET} +}. That's because if you type any operator name or
1819 other non-numeric key when you are entering a number, the Calculator
1820 automatically enters that number and then does the requested command.
1821 Thus @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 +} will work just as well.
1823 Examples in this tutorial will often omit @key{RET} even when the
1824 stack displays shown would only happen if you did press @key{RET}:
1837 Here, after pressing @kbd{3} the stack would really show @samp{1: 2}
1838 with @samp{Calc:@: 3} in the minibuffer. In these situations, you can
1839 press the optional @key{RET} to see the stack as the figure shows.
1841 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} (This tutorial will include exercises
1842 at various points. Try them if you wish. Answers to all the exercises
1843 are located at the end of the Tutorial chapter. Each exercise will
1844 include a cross-reference to its particular answer. If you are
1845 reading with the Emacs Info system, press @kbd{f} and the
1846 exercise number to go to the answer, then the letter @kbd{l} to
1847 return to where you were.)
1850 Here's the first exercise: What will the keystrokes @kbd{1 @key{RET} 2
1851 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} 4 + * -} compute? (@samp{*} is the symbol for
1852 multiplication.) Figure it out by hand, then try it with Calc to see
1853 if you're right. @xref{RPN Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
1855 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Compute
1856 @texline @math{(2\times4) + (7\times9.4) + {5\over4}}
1857 @infoline @expr{2*4 + 7*9.5 + 5/4}
1858 using the stack. @xref{RPN Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
1860 The @key{DEL} key is called Backspace on some keyboards. It is
1861 whatever key you would use to correct a simple typing error when
1862 regularly using Emacs. The @key{DEL} key pops and throws away the
1863 top value on the stack. (You can still get that value back from
1864 the Trail if you should need it later on.) There are many places
1865 in this tutorial where we assume you have used @key{DEL} to erase the
1866 results of the previous example at the beginning of a new example.
1867 In the few places where it is really important to use @key{DEL} to
1868 clear away old results, the text will remind you to do so.
1870 (It won't hurt to let things accumulate on the stack, except that
1871 whenever you give a display-mode-changing command Calc will have to
1872 spend a long time reformatting such a large stack.)
1874 Since the @kbd{-} key is also an operator (it subtracts the top two
1875 stack elements), how does one enter a negative number? Calc uses
1876 the @kbd{_} (underscore) key to act like the minus sign in a number.
1877 So, typing @kbd{-5 @key{RET}} won't work because the @kbd{-} key
1878 will try to do a subtraction, but @kbd{_5 @key{RET}} works just fine.
1880 You can also press @kbd{n}, which means ``change sign.'' It changes
1881 the number at the top of the stack (or the number being entered)
1882 from positive to negative or vice-versa: @kbd{5 n @key{RET}}.
1884 @cindex Duplicating a stack entry
1885 If you press @key{RET} when you're not entering a number, the effect
1886 is to duplicate the top number on the stack. Consider this calculation:
1890 1: 3 2: 3 1: 9 2: 9 1: 81
1894 3 @key{RET} @key{RET} * @key{RET} *
1899 (Of course, an easier way to do this would be @kbd{3 @key{RET} 4 ^},
1900 to raise 3 to the fourth power.)
1902 The space-bar key (denoted @key{SPC} here) performs the same function
1903 as @key{RET}; you could replace all three occurrences of @key{RET} in
1904 the above example with @key{SPC} and the effect would be the same.
1906 @cindex Exchanging stack entries
1907 Another stack manipulation key is @key{TAB}. This exchanges the top
1908 two stack entries. Suppose you have computed @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 +}
1909 to get 5, and then you realize what you really wanted to compute
1910 was @expr{20 / (2+3)}.
1914 1: 5 2: 5 2: 20 1: 4
1918 2 @key{RET} 3 + 20 @key{TAB} /
1923 Planning ahead, the calculation would have gone like this:
1927 1: 20 2: 20 3: 20 2: 20 1: 4
1932 20 @key{RET} 2 @key{RET} 3 + /
1936 A related stack command is @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} (hold @key{META} and type
1937 @key{TAB}). It rotates the top three elements of the stack upward,
1938 bringing the object in level 3 to the top.
1942 1: 10 2: 10 3: 10 3: 20 3: 30
1943 . 1: 20 2: 20 2: 30 2: 10
1947 10 @key{RET} 20 @key{RET} 30 @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} M-@key{TAB}
1951 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} Suppose the numbers 10, 20, and 30 are
1952 on the stack. Figure out how to add one to the number in level 2
1953 without affecting the rest of the stack. Also figure out how to add
1954 one to the number in level 3. @xref{RPN Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
1956 Operations like @kbd{+}, @kbd{-}, @kbd{*}, @kbd{/}, and @kbd{^} pop two
1957 arguments from the stack and push a result. Operations like @kbd{n} and
1958 @kbd{Q} (square root) pop a single number and push the result. You can
1959 think of them as simply operating on the top element of the stack.
1963 1: 3 1: 9 2: 9 1: 25 1: 5
1967 3 @key{RET} @key{RET} * 4 @key{RET} @key{RET} * + Q
1972 (Note that capital @kbd{Q} means to hold down the Shift key while
1973 typing @kbd{q}. Remember, plain unshifted @kbd{q} is the Quit command.)
1975 @cindex Pythagorean Theorem
1976 Here we've used the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the hypotenuse of a
1977 right triangle. Calc actually has a built-in command for that called
1978 @kbd{f h}, but let's suppose we can't remember the necessary keystrokes.
1979 We can still enter it by its full name using @kbd{M-x} notation:
1987 3 @key{RET} 4 @key{RET} M-x calc-hypot
1991 All Calculator commands begin with the word @samp{calc-}. Since it
1992 gets tiring to type this, Calc provides an @kbd{x} key which is just
1993 like the regular Emacs @kbd{M-x} key except that it types the @samp{calc-}
2002 3 @key{RET} 4 @key{RET} x hypot
2006 What happens if you take the square root of a negative number?
2010 1: 4 1: -4 1: (0, 2)
2018 The notation @expr{(a, b)} represents a complex number.
2019 Complex numbers are more traditionally written @expr{a + b i};
2020 Calc can display in this format, too, but for now we'll stick to the
2021 @expr{(a, b)} notation.
2023 If you don't know how complex numbers work, you can safely ignore this
2024 feature. Complex numbers only arise from operations that would be
2025 errors in a calculator that didn't have complex numbers. (For example,
2026 taking the square root or logarithm of a negative number produces a
2029 Complex numbers are entered in the notation shown. The @kbd{(} and
2030 @kbd{,} and @kbd{)} keys manipulate ``incomplete complex numbers.''
2034 1: ( ... 2: ( ... 1: (2, ... 1: (2, ... 1: (2, 3)
2042 You can perform calculations while entering parts of incomplete objects.
2043 However, an incomplete object cannot actually participate in a calculation:
2047 1: ( ... 2: ( ... 3: ( ... 1: ( ... 1: ( ...
2057 Adding 5 to an incomplete object makes no sense, so the last command
2058 produces an error message and leaves the stack the same.
2060 Incomplete objects can't participate in arithmetic, but they can be
2061 moved around by the regular stack commands.
2065 2: 2 3: 2 3: 3 1: ( ... 1: (2, 3)
2066 1: 3 2: 3 2: ( ... 2 .
2070 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} ( M-@key{TAB} M-@key{TAB} )
2075 Note that the @kbd{,} (comma) key did not have to be used here.
2076 When you press @kbd{)} all the stack entries between the incomplete
2077 entry and the top are collected, so there's never really a reason
2078 to use the comma. It's up to you.
2080 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} To enter the complex number @expr{(2, 3)},
2081 your friend Joe typed @kbd{( 2 , @key{SPC} 3 )}. What happened?
2082 (Joe thought of a clever way to correct his mistake in only two
2083 keystrokes, but it didn't quite work. Try it to find out why.)
2084 @xref{RPN Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
2086 Vectors are entered the same way as complex numbers, but with square
2087 brackets in place of parentheses. We'll meet vectors again later in
2090 Any Emacs command can be given a @dfn{numeric prefix argument} by
2091 typing a series of @key{META}-digits beforehand. If @key{META} is
2092 awkward for you, you can instead type @kbd{C-u} followed by the
2093 necessary digits. Numeric prefix arguments can be negative, as in
2094 @kbd{M-- M-3 M-5} or @w{@kbd{C-u - 3 5}}. Calc commands use numeric
2095 prefix arguments in a variety of ways. For example, a numeric prefix
2096 on the @kbd{+} operator adds any number of stack entries at once:
2100 1: 10 2: 10 3: 10 3: 10 1: 60
2101 . 1: 20 2: 20 2: 20 .
2105 10 @key{RET} 20 @key{RET} 30 @key{RET} C-u 3 +
2109 For stack manipulation commands like @key{RET}, a positive numeric
2110 prefix argument operates on the top @var{n} stack entries at once. A
2111 negative argument operates on the entry in level @var{n} only. An
2112 argument of zero operates on the entire stack. In this example, we copy
2113 the second-to-top element of the stack:
2117 1: 10 2: 10 3: 10 3: 10 4: 10
2118 . 1: 20 2: 20 2: 20 3: 20
2123 10 @key{RET} 20 @key{RET} 30 @key{RET} C-u -2 @key{RET}
2127 @cindex Clearing the stack
2128 @cindex Emptying the stack
2129 Another common idiom is @kbd{M-0 @key{DEL}}, which clears the stack.
2130 (The @kbd{M-0} numeric prefix tells @key{DEL} to operate on the
2133 @node Algebraic Tutorial, Undo Tutorial, RPN Tutorial, Basic Tutorial
2134 @subsection Algebraic-Style Calculations
2137 If you are not used to RPN notation, you may prefer to operate the
2138 Calculator in Algebraic mode, which is closer to the way
2139 non-RPN calculators work. In Algebraic mode, you enter formulas
2140 in traditional @expr{2+3} notation.
2142 You don't really need any special ``mode'' to enter algebraic formulas.
2143 You can enter a formula at any time by pressing the apostrophe (@kbd{'})
2144 key. Answer the prompt with the desired formula, then press @key{RET}.
2145 The formula is evaluated and the result is pushed onto the RPN stack.
2146 If you don't want to think in RPN at all, you can enter your whole
2147 computation as a formula, read the result from the stack, then press
2148 @key{DEL} to delete it from the stack.
2150 Try pressing the apostrophe key, then @kbd{2+3+4}, then @key{RET}.
2151 The result should be the number 9.
2153 Algebraic formulas use the operators @samp{+}, @samp{-}, @samp{*},
2154 @samp{/}, and @samp{^}. You can use parentheses to make the order
2155 of evaluation clear. In the absence of parentheses, @samp{^} is
2156 evaluated first, then @samp{*}, then @samp{/}, then finally
2157 @samp{+} and @samp{-}. For example, the expression
2160 2 + 3*4*5 / 6*7^8 - 9
2167 2 + ((3*4*5) / (6*(7^8)) - 9
2171 or, in large mathematical notation,
2186 $$ 2 + { 3 \times 4 \times 5 \over 6 \times 7^8 } - 9 $$
2191 The result of this expression will be the number @mathit{-6.99999826533}.
2193 Calc's order of evaluation is the same as for most computer languages,
2194 except that @samp{*} binds more strongly than @samp{/}, as the above
2195 example shows. As in normal mathematical notation, the @samp{*} symbol
2196 can often be omitted: @samp{2 a} is the same as @samp{2*a}.
2198 Operators at the same level are evaluated from left to right, except
2199 that @samp{^} is evaluated from right to left. Thus, @samp{2-3-4} is
2200 equivalent to @samp{(2-3)-4} or @mathit{-5}, whereas @samp{2^3^4} is equivalent
2201 to @samp{2^(3^4)} (a very large integer; try it!).
2203 If you tire of typing the apostrophe all the time, there is
2204 Algebraic mode, where Calc automatically senses
2205 when you are about to type an algebraic expression. To enter this
2206 mode, press the two letters @w{@kbd{m a}}. (An @samp{Alg} indicator
2207 should appear in the Calc window's mode line.)
2209 Press @kbd{m a}, then @kbd{2+3+4} with no apostrophe, then @key{RET}.
2211 In Algebraic mode, when you press any key that would normally begin
2212 entering a number (such as a digit, a decimal point, or the @kbd{_}
2213 key), or if you press @kbd{(} or @kbd{[}, Calc automatically begins
2216 Functions which do not have operator symbols like @samp{+} and @samp{*}
2217 must be entered in formulas using function-call notation. For example,
2218 the function name corresponding to the square-root key @kbd{Q} is
2219 @code{sqrt}. To compute a square root in a formula, you would use
2220 the notation @samp{sqrt(@var{x})}.
2222 Press the apostrophe, then type @kbd{sqrt(5*2) - 3}. The result should
2223 be @expr{0.16227766017}.
2225 Note that if the formula begins with a function name, you need to use
2226 the apostrophe even if you are in Algebraic mode. If you type @kbd{arcsin}
2227 out of the blue, the @kbd{a r} will be taken as an Algebraic Rewrite
2228 command, and the @kbd{csin} will be taken as the name of the rewrite
2231 Some people prefer to enter complex numbers and vectors in algebraic
2232 form because they find RPN entry with incomplete objects to be too
2233 distracting, even though they otherwise use Calc as an RPN calculator.
2235 Still in Algebraic mode, type:
2239 1: (2, 3) 2: (2, 3) 1: (8, -1) 2: (8, -1) 1: (9, -1)
2240 . 1: (1, -2) . 1: 1 .
2243 (2,3) @key{RET} (1,-2) @key{RET} * 1 @key{RET} +
2247 Algebraic mode allows us to enter complex numbers without pressing
2248 an apostrophe first, but it also means we need to press @key{RET}
2249 after every entry, even for a simple number like @expr{1}.
2251 (You can type @kbd{C-u m a} to enable a special Incomplete Algebraic
2252 mode in which the @kbd{(} and @kbd{[} keys use algebraic entry even
2253 though regular numeric keys still use RPN numeric entry. There is also
2254 Total Algebraic mode, started by typing @kbd{m t}, in which all
2255 normal keys begin algebraic entry. You must then use the @key{META} key
2256 to type Calc commands: @kbd{M-m t} to get back out of Total Algebraic
2257 mode, @kbd{M-q} to quit, etc.)
2259 If you're still in Algebraic mode, press @kbd{m a} again to turn it off.
2261 Actual non-RPN calculators use a mixture of algebraic and RPN styles.
2262 In general, operators of two numbers (like @kbd{+} and @kbd{*})
2263 use algebraic form, but operators of one number (like @kbd{n} and @kbd{Q})
2264 use RPN form. Also, a non-RPN calculator allows you to see the
2265 intermediate results of a calculation as you go along. You can
2266 accomplish this in Calc by performing your calculation as a series
2267 of algebraic entries, using the @kbd{$} sign to tie them together.
2268 In an algebraic formula, @kbd{$} represents the number on the top
2269 of the stack. Here, we perform the calculation
2270 @texline @math{\sqrt{2\times4+1}},
2271 @infoline @expr{sqrt(2*4+1)},
2272 which on a traditional calculator would be done by pressing
2273 @kbd{2 * 4 + 1 =} and then the square-root key.
2280 ' 2*4 @key{RET} $+1 @key{RET} Q
2285 Notice that we didn't need to press an apostrophe for the @kbd{$+1},
2286 because the dollar sign always begins an algebraic entry.
2288 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} How could you get the same effect as
2289 pressing @kbd{Q} but using an algebraic entry instead? How about
2290 if the @kbd{Q} key on your keyboard were broken?
2291 @xref{Algebraic Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
2293 The notations @kbd{$$}, @kbd{$$$}, and so on stand for higher stack
2294 entries. For example, @kbd{' $$+$ @key{RET}} is just like typing @kbd{+}.
2296 Algebraic formulas can include @dfn{variables}. To store in a
2297 variable, press @kbd{s s}, then type the variable name, then press
2298 @key{RET}. (There are actually two flavors of store command:
2299 @kbd{s s} stores a number in a variable but also leaves the number
2300 on the stack, while @w{@kbd{s t}} removes a number from the stack and
2301 stores it in the variable.) A variable name should consist of one
2302 or more letters or digits, beginning with a letter.
2306 1: 17 . 1: a + a^2 1: 306
2309 17 s t a @key{RET} ' a+a^2 @key{RET} =
2314 The @kbd{=} key @dfn{evaluates} a formula by replacing all its
2315 variables by the values that were stored in them.
2317 For RPN calculations, you can recall a variable's value on the
2318 stack either by entering its name as a formula and pressing @kbd{=},
2319 or by using the @kbd{s r} command.
2323 1: 17 2: 17 3: 17 2: 17 1: 306
2324 . 1: 17 2: 17 1: 289 .
2328 s r a @key{RET} ' a @key{RET} = 2 ^ +
2332 If you press a single digit for a variable name (as in @kbd{s t 3}, you
2333 get one of ten @dfn{quick variables} @code{q0} through @code{q9}.
2334 They are ``quick'' simply because you don't have to type the letter
2335 @code{q} or the @key{RET} after their names. In fact, you can type
2336 simply @kbd{s 3} as a shorthand for @kbd{s s 3}, and likewise for
2337 @kbd{t 3} and @w{@kbd{r 3}}.
2339 Any variables in an algebraic formula for which you have not stored
2340 values are left alone, even when you evaluate the formula.
2344 1: 2 a + 2 b 1: 34 + 2 b
2351 Calls to function names which are undefined in Calc are also left
2352 alone, as are calls for which the value is undefined.
2356 1: 2 + log10(0) + log10(x) + log10(5, 6) + foo(3)
2359 ' log10(100) + log10(0) + log10(x) + log10(5,6) + foo(3) @key{RET}
2364 In this example, the first call to @code{log10} works, but the other
2365 calls are not evaluated. In the second call, the logarithm is
2366 undefined for that value of the argument; in the third, the argument
2367 is symbolic, and in the fourth, there are too many arguments. In the
2368 fifth case, there is no function called @code{foo}. You will see a
2369 ``Wrong number of arguments'' message referring to @samp{log10(5,6)}.
2370 Press the @kbd{w} (``why'') key to see any other messages that may
2371 have arisen from the last calculation. In this case you will get
2372 ``logarithm of zero,'' then ``number expected: @code{x}''. Calc
2373 automatically displays the first message only if the message is
2374 sufficiently important; for example, Calc considers ``wrong number
2375 of arguments'' and ``logarithm of zero'' to be important enough to
2376 report automatically, while a message like ``number expected: @code{x}''
2377 will only show up if you explicitly press the @kbd{w} key.
2379 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Joe entered the formula @samp{2 x y},
2380 stored 5 in @code{x}, pressed @kbd{=}, and got the expected result,
2381 @samp{10 y}. He then tried the same for the formula @samp{2 x (1+y)},
2382 expecting @samp{10 (1+y)}, but it didn't work. Why not?
2383 @xref{Algebraic Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
2385 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} What result would you expect
2386 @kbd{1 @key{RET} 0 /} to give? What if you then type @kbd{0 *}?
2387 @xref{Algebraic Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
2389 One interesting way to work with variables is to use the
2390 @dfn{evaluates-to} (@samp{=>}) operator. It works like this:
2391 Enter a formula algebraically in the usual way, but follow
2392 the formula with an @samp{=>} symbol. (There is also an @kbd{s =}
2393 command which builds an @samp{=>} formula using the stack.) On
2394 the stack, you will see two copies of the formula with an @samp{=>}
2395 between them. The lefthand formula is exactly like you typed it;
2396 the righthand formula has been evaluated as if by typing @kbd{=}.
2400 2: 2 + 3 => 5 2: 2 + 3 => 5
2401 1: 2 a + 2 b => 34 + 2 b 1: 2 a + 2 b => 20 + 2 b
2404 ' 2+3 => @key{RET} ' 2a+2b @key{RET} s = 10 s t a @key{RET}
2409 Notice that the instant we stored a new value in @code{a}, all
2410 @samp{=>} operators already on the stack that referred to @expr{a}
2411 were updated to use the new value. With @samp{=>}, you can push a
2412 set of formulas on the stack, then change the variables experimentally
2413 to see the effects on the formulas' values.
2415 You can also ``unstore'' a variable when you are through with it:
2420 1: 2 a + 2 b => 2 a + 2 b
2427 We will encounter formulas involving variables and functions again
2428 when we discuss the algebra and calculus features of the Calculator.
2430 @node Undo Tutorial, Modes Tutorial, Algebraic Tutorial, Basic Tutorial
2431 @subsection Undo and Redo
2434 If you make a mistake, you can usually correct it by pressing shift-@kbd{U},
2435 the ``undo'' command. First, clear the stack (@kbd{M-0 @key{DEL}}) and exit
2436 and restart Calc (@kbd{M-# M-# M-# M-#}) to make sure things start off
2437 with a clean slate. Now:
2441 1: 2 2: 2 1: 8 2: 2 1: 6
2449 You can undo any number of times. Calc keeps a complete record of
2450 all you have done since you last opened the Calc window. After the
2451 above example, you could type:
2463 You can also type @kbd{D} to ``redo'' a command that you have undone
2468 . 1: 2 2: 2 1: 6 1: 6
2477 It was not possible to redo past the @expr{6}, since that was placed there
2478 by something other than an undo command.
2481 You can think of undo and redo as a sort of ``time machine.'' Press
2482 @kbd{U} to go backward in time, @kbd{D} to go forward. If you go
2483 backward and do something (like @kbd{*}) then, as any science fiction
2484 reader knows, you have changed your future and you cannot go forward
2485 again. Thus, the inability to redo past the @expr{6} even though there
2486 was an earlier undo command.
2488 You can always recall an earlier result using the Trail. We've ignored
2489 the trail so far, but it has been faithfully recording everything we
2490 did since we loaded the Calculator. If the Trail is not displayed,
2491 press @kbd{t d} now to turn it on.
2493 Let's try grabbing an earlier result. The @expr{8} we computed was
2494 undone by a @kbd{U} command, and was lost even to Redo when we pressed
2495 @kbd{*}, but it's still there in the trail. There should be a little
2496 @samp{>} arrow (the @dfn{trail pointer}) resting on the last trail
2497 entry. If there isn't, press @kbd{t ]} to reset the trail pointer.
2498 Now, press @w{@kbd{t p}} to move the arrow onto the line containing
2499 @expr{8}, and press @w{@kbd{t y}} to ``yank'' that number back onto the
2502 If you press @kbd{t ]} again, you will see that even our Yank command
2503 went into the trail.
2505 Let's go further back in time. Earlier in the tutorial we computed
2506 a huge integer using the formula @samp{2^3^4}. We don't remember
2507 what it was, but the first digits were ``241''. Press @kbd{t r}
2508 (which stands for trail-search-reverse), then type @kbd{241}.
2509 The trail cursor will jump back to the next previous occurrence of
2510 the string ``241'' in the trail. This is just a regular Emacs
2511 incremental search; you can now press @kbd{C-s} or @kbd{C-r} to
2512 continue the search forwards or backwards as you like.
2514 To finish the search, press @key{RET}. This halts the incremental
2515 search and leaves the trail pointer at the thing we found. Now we
2516 can type @kbd{t y} to yank that number onto the stack. If we hadn't
2517 remembered the ``241'', we could simply have searched for @kbd{2^3^4},
2518 then pressed @kbd{@key{RET} t n} to halt and then move to the next item.
2520 You may have noticed that all the trail-related commands begin with
2521 the letter @kbd{t}. (The store-and-recall commands, on the other hand,
2522 all began with @kbd{s}.) Calc has so many commands that there aren't
2523 enough keys for all of them, so various commands are grouped into
2524 two-letter sequences where the first letter is called the @dfn{prefix}
2525 key. If you type a prefix key by accident, you can press @kbd{C-g}
2526 to cancel it. (In fact, you can press @kbd{C-g} to cancel almost
2527 anything in Emacs.) To get help on a prefix key, press that key
2528 followed by @kbd{?}. Some prefixes have several lines of help,
2529 so you need to press @kbd{?} repeatedly to see them all.
2530 You can also type @kbd{h h} to see all the help at once.
2532 Try pressing @kbd{t ?} now. You will see a line of the form,
2535 trail/time: Display; Fwd, Back; Next, Prev, Here, [, ]; Yank: [MORE] t-
2539 The word ``trail'' indicates that the @kbd{t} prefix key contains
2540 trail-related commands. Each entry on the line shows one command,
2541 with a single capital letter showing which letter you press to get
2542 that command. We have used @kbd{t n}, @kbd{t p}, @kbd{t ]}, and
2543 @kbd{t y} so far. The @samp{[MORE]} means you can press @kbd{?}
2544 again to see more @kbd{t}-prefix commands. Notice that the commands
2545 are roughly divided (by semicolons) into related groups.
2547 When you are in the help display for a prefix key, the prefix is
2548 still active. If you press another key, like @kbd{y} for example,
2549 it will be interpreted as a @kbd{t y} command. If all you wanted
2550 was to look at the help messages, press @kbd{C-g} afterwards to cancel
2553 One more way to correct an error is by editing the stack entries.
2554 The actual Stack buffer is marked read-only and must not be edited
2555 directly, but you can press @kbd{`} (the backquote or accent grave)
2556 to edit a stack entry.
2558 Try entering @samp{3.141439} now. If this is supposed to represent
2559 @cpi{}, it's got several errors. Press @kbd{`} to edit this number.
2560 Now use the normal Emacs cursor motion and editing keys to change
2561 the second 4 to a 5, and to transpose the 3 and the 9. When you
2562 press @key{RET}, the number on the stack will be replaced by your
2563 new number. This works for formulas, vectors, and all other types
2564 of values you can put on the stack. The @kbd{`} key also works
2565 during entry of a number or algebraic formula.
2567 @node Modes Tutorial, , Undo Tutorial, Basic Tutorial
2568 @subsection Mode-Setting Commands
2571 Calc has many types of @dfn{modes} that affect the way it interprets
2572 your commands or the way it displays data. We have already seen one
2573 mode, namely Algebraic mode. There are many others, too; we'll
2574 try some of the most common ones here.
2576 Perhaps the most fundamental mode in Calc is the current @dfn{precision}.
2577 Notice the @samp{12} on the Calc window's mode line:
2580 --%%-Calc: 12 Deg (Calculator)----All------
2584 Most of the symbols there are Emacs things you don't need to worry
2585 about, but the @samp{12} and the @samp{Deg} are mode indicators.
2586 The @samp{12} means that calculations should always be carried to
2587 12 significant figures. That is why, when we type @kbd{1 @key{RET} 7 /},
2588 we get @expr{0.142857142857} with exactly 12 digits, not counting
2589 leading and trailing zeros.
2591 You can set the precision to anything you like by pressing @kbd{p},
2592 then entering a suitable number. Try pressing @kbd{p 30 @key{RET}},
2593 then doing @kbd{1 @key{RET} 7 /} again:
2598 2: 0.142857142857142857142857142857
2603 Although the precision can be set arbitrarily high, Calc always
2604 has to have @emph{some} value for the current precision. After
2605 all, the true value @expr{1/7} is an infinitely repeating decimal;
2606 Calc has to stop somewhere.
2608 Of course, calculations are slower the more digits you request.
2609 Press @w{@kbd{p 12}} now to set the precision back down to the default.
2611 Calculations always use the current precision. For example, even
2612 though we have a 30-digit value for @expr{1/7} on the stack, if
2613 we use it in a calculation in 12-digit mode it will be rounded
2614 down to 12 digits before it is used. Try it; press @key{RET} to
2615 duplicate the number, then @w{@kbd{1 +}}. Notice that the @key{RET}
2616 key didn't round the number, because it doesn't do any calculation.
2617 But the instant we pressed @kbd{+}, the number was rounded down.
2622 2: 0.142857142857142857142857142857
2629 In fact, since we added a digit on the left, we had to lose one
2630 digit on the right from even the 12-digit value of @expr{1/7}.
2632 How did we get more than 12 digits when we computed @samp{2^3^4}? The
2633 answer is that Calc makes a distinction between @dfn{integers} and
2634 @dfn{floating-point} numbers, or @dfn{floats}. An integer is a number
2635 that does not contain a decimal point. There is no such thing as an
2636 ``infinitely repeating fraction integer,'' so Calc doesn't have to limit
2637 itself. If you asked for @samp{2^10000} (don't try this!), you would
2638 have to wait a long time but you would eventually get an exact answer.
2639 If you ask for @samp{2.^10000}, you will quickly get an answer which is
2640 correct only to 12 places. The decimal point tells Calc that it should
2641 use floating-point arithmetic to get the answer, not exact integer
2644 You can use the @kbd{F} (@code{calc-floor}) command to convert a
2645 floating-point value to an integer, and @kbd{c f} (@code{calc-float})
2646 to convert an integer to floating-point form.
2648 Let's try entering that last calculation:
2652 1: 2. 2: 2. 1: 1.99506311689e3010
2656 2.0 @key{RET} 10000 @key{RET} ^
2661 @cindex Scientific notation, entry of
2662 Notice the letter @samp{e} in there. It represents ``times ten to the
2663 power of,'' and is used by Calc automatically whenever writing the
2664 number out fully would introduce more extra zeros than you probably
2665 want to see. You can enter numbers in this notation, too.
2669 1: 2. 2: 2. 1: 1.99506311678e3010
2673 2.0 @key{RET} 1e4 @key{RET} ^
2677 @cindex Round-off errors
2679 Hey, the answer is different! Look closely at the middle columns
2680 of the two examples. In the first, the stack contained the
2681 exact integer @expr{10000}, but in the second it contained
2682 a floating-point value with a decimal point. When you raise a
2683 number to an integer power, Calc uses repeated squaring and
2684 multiplication to get the answer. When you use a floating-point
2685 power, Calc uses logarithms and exponentials. As you can see,
2686 a slight error crept in during one of these methods. Which
2687 one should we trust? Let's raise the precision a bit and find
2692 . 1: 2. 2: 2. 1: 1.995063116880828e3010
2696 p 16 @key{RET} 2. @key{RET} 1e4 ^ p 12 @key{RET}
2701 @cindex Guard digits
2702 Presumably, it doesn't matter whether we do this higher-precision
2703 calculation using an integer or floating-point power, since we
2704 have added enough ``guard digits'' to trust the first 12 digits
2705 no matter what. And the verdict is@dots{} Integer powers were more
2706 accurate; in fact, the result was only off by one unit in the
2709 @cindex Guard digits
2710 Calc does many of its internal calculations to a slightly higher
2711 precision, but it doesn't always bump the precision up enough.
2712 In each case, Calc added about two digits of precision during
2713 its calculation and then rounded back down to 12 digits
2714 afterward. In one case, it was enough; in the other, it
2715 wasn't. If you really need @var{x} digits of precision, it
2716 never hurts to do the calculation with a few extra guard digits.
2718 What if we want guard digits but don't want to look at them?
2719 We can set the @dfn{float format}. Calc supports four major
2720 formats for floating-point numbers, called @dfn{normal},
2721 @dfn{fixed-point}, @dfn{scientific notation}, and @dfn{engineering
2722 notation}. You get them by pressing @w{@kbd{d n}}, @kbd{d f},
2723 @kbd{d s}, and @kbd{d e}, respectively. In each case, you can
2724 supply a numeric prefix argument which says how many digits
2725 should be displayed. As an example, let's put a few numbers
2726 onto the stack and try some different display modes. First,
2727 use @kbd{M-0 @key{DEL}} to clear the stack, then enter the four
2732 4: 12345 4: 12345 4: 12345 4: 12345 4: 12345
2733 3: 12345. 3: 12300. 3: 1.2345e4 3: 1.23e4 3: 12345.000
2734 2: 123.45 2: 123. 2: 1.2345e2 2: 1.23e2 2: 123.450
2735 1: 12.345 1: 12.3 1: 1.2345e1 1: 1.23e1 1: 12.345
2738 d n M-3 d n d s M-3 d s M-3 d f
2743 Notice that when we typed @kbd{M-3 d n}, the numbers were rounded down
2744 to three significant digits, but then when we typed @kbd{d s} all
2745 five significant figures reappeared. The float format does not
2746 affect how numbers are stored, it only affects how they are
2747 displayed. Only the current precision governs the actual rounding
2748 of numbers in the Calculator's memory.
2750 Engineering notation, not shown here, is like scientific notation
2751 except the exponent (the power-of-ten part) is always adjusted to be
2752 a multiple of three (as in ``kilo,'' ``micro,'' etc.). As a result
2753 there will be one, two, or three digits before the decimal point.
2755 Whenever you change a display-related mode, Calc redraws everything
2756 in the stack. This may be slow if there are many things on the stack,
2757 so Calc allows you to type shift-@kbd{H} before any mode command to
2758 prevent it from updating the stack. Anything Calc displays after the
2759 mode-changing command will appear in the new format.
2763 4: 12345 4: 12345 4: 12345 4: 12345 4: 12345
2764 3: 12345.000 3: 12345.000 3: 12345.000 3: 1.2345e4 3: 12345.
2765 2: 123.450 2: 123.450 2: 1.2345e1 2: 1.2345e1 2: 123.45
2766 1: 12.345 1: 1.2345e1 1: 1.2345e2 1: 1.2345e2 1: 12.345
2769 H d s @key{DEL} U @key{TAB} d @key{SPC} d n
2774 Here the @kbd{H d s} command changes to scientific notation but without
2775 updating the screen. Deleting the top stack entry and undoing it back
2776 causes it to show up in the new format; swapping the top two stack
2777 entries reformats both entries. The @kbd{d @key{SPC}} command refreshes the
2778 whole stack. The @kbd{d n} command changes back to the normal float
2779 format; since it doesn't have an @kbd{H} prefix, it also updates all
2780 the stack entries to be in @kbd{d n} format.
2782 Notice that the integer @expr{12345} was not affected by any
2783 of the float formats. Integers are integers, and are always
2786 @cindex Large numbers, readability
2787 Large integers have their own problems. Let's look back at
2788 the result of @kbd{2^3^4}.
2791 2417851639229258349412352
2795 Quick---how many digits does this have? Try typing @kbd{d g}:
2798 2,417,851,639,229,258,349,412,352
2802 Now how many digits does this have? It's much easier to tell!
2803 We can actually group digits into clumps of any size. Some
2804 people prefer @kbd{M-5 d g}:
2807 24178,51639,22925,83494,12352
2810 Let's see what happens to floating-point numbers when they are grouped.
2811 First, type @kbd{p 25 @key{RET}} to make sure we have enough precision
2812 to get ourselves into trouble. Now, type @kbd{1e13 /}:
2815 24,17851,63922.9258349412352
2819 The integer part is grouped but the fractional part isn't. Now try
2820 @kbd{M-- M-5 d g} (that's meta-minus-sign, meta-five):
2823 24,17851,63922.92583,49412,352
2826 If you find it hard to tell the decimal point from the commas, try
2827 changing the grouping character to a space with @kbd{d , @key{SPC}}:
2830 24 17851 63922.92583 49412 352
2833 Type @kbd{d , ,} to restore the normal grouping character, then
2834 @kbd{d g} again to turn grouping off. Also, press @kbd{p 12} to
2835 restore the default precision.
2837 Press @kbd{U} enough times to get the original big integer back.
2838 (Notice that @kbd{U} does not undo each mode-setting command; if
2839 you want to undo a mode-setting command, you have to do it yourself.)
2840 Now, type @kbd{d r 16 @key{RET}}:
2843 16#200000000000000000000
2847 The number is now displayed in @dfn{hexadecimal}, or ``base-16'' form.
2848 Suddenly it looks pretty simple; this should be no surprise, since we
2849 got this number by computing a power of two, and 16 is a power of 2.
2850 In fact, we can use @w{@kbd{d r 2 @key{RET}}} to see it in actual binary
2854 2#1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 @dots{}
2858 We don't have enough space here to show all the zeros! They won't
2859 fit on a typical screen, either, so you will have to use horizontal
2860 scrolling to see them all. Press @kbd{<} and @kbd{>} to scroll the
2861 stack window left and right by half its width. Another way to view
2862 something large is to press @kbd{`} (back-quote) to edit the top of
2863 stack in a separate window. (Press @kbd{C-c C-c} when you are done.)
2865 You can enter non-decimal numbers using the @kbd{#} symbol, too.
2866 Let's see what the hexadecimal number @samp{5FE} looks like in
2867 binary. Type @kbd{16#5FE} (the letters can be typed in upper or
2868 lower case; they will always appear in upper case). It will also
2869 help to turn grouping on with @kbd{d g}:
2875 Notice that @kbd{d g} groups by fours by default if the display radix
2876 is binary or hexadecimal, but by threes if it is decimal, octal, or any
2879 Now let's see that number in decimal; type @kbd{d r 10}:
2885 Numbers are not @emph{stored} with any particular radix attached. They're
2886 just numbers; they can be entered in any radix, and are always displayed
2887 in whatever radix you've chosen with @kbd{d r}. The current radix applies
2888 to integers, fractions, and floats.
2890 @cindex Roundoff errors, in non-decimal numbers
2891 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} Your friend Joe tried to enter one-third
2892 as @samp{3#0.1} in @kbd{d r 3} mode with a precision of 12. He got
2893 @samp{3#0.0222222...} (with 25 2's) in the display. When he multiplied
2894 that by three, he got @samp{3#0.222222...} instead of the expected
2895 @samp{3#1}. Next, Joe entered @samp{3#0.2} and, to his great relief,
2896 saw @samp{3#0.2} on the screen. But when he typed @kbd{2 /}, he got
2897 @samp{3#0.10000001} (some zeros omitted). What's going on here?
2898 @xref{Modes Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
2900 @cindex Scientific notation, in non-decimal numbers
2901 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Scientific notation works in non-decimal
2902 modes in the natural way (the exponent is a power of the radix instead of
2903 a power of ten, although the exponent itself is always written in decimal).
2904 Thus @samp{8#1.23e3 = 8#1230.0}. Suppose we have the hexadecimal number
2905 @samp{f.e8f} times 16 to the 15th power: We write @samp{16#f.e8fe15}.
2906 What is wrong with this picture? What could we write instead that would
2907 work better? @xref{Modes Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
2909 The @kbd{m} prefix key has another set of modes, relating to the way
2910 Calc interprets your inputs and does computations. Whereas @kbd{d}-prefix
2911 modes generally affect the way things look, @kbd{m}-prefix modes affect
2912 the way they are actually computed.
2914 The most popular @kbd{m}-prefix mode is the @dfn{angular mode}. Notice
2915 the @samp{Deg} indicator in the mode line. This means that if you use
2916 a command that interprets a number as an angle, it will assume the
2917 angle is measured in degrees. For example,
2921 1: 45 1: 0.707106781187 1: 0.500000000001 1: 0.5
2929 The shift-@kbd{S} command computes the sine of an angle. The sine
2931 @texline @math{\sqrt{2}/2};
2932 @infoline @expr{sqrt(2)/2};
2933 squaring this yields @expr{2/4 = 0.5}. However, there has been a slight
2934 roundoff error because the representation of
2935 @texline @math{\sqrt{2}/2}
2936 @infoline @expr{sqrt(2)/2}
2937 wasn't exact. The @kbd{c 1} command is a handy way to clean up numbers
2938 in this case; it temporarily reduces the precision by one digit while it
2939 re-rounds the number on the top of the stack.
2941 @cindex Roundoff errors, examples
2942 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} Your friend Joe computed the sine
2943 of 45 degrees as shown above, then, hoping to avoid an inexact
2944 result, he increased the precision to 16 digits before squaring.
2945 What happened? @xref{Modes Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
2947 To do this calculation in radians, we would type @kbd{m r} first.
2948 (The indicator changes to @samp{Rad}.) 45 degrees corresponds to
2949 @cpiover{4} radians. To get @cpi{}, press the @kbd{P} key. (Once
2950 again, this is a shifted capital @kbd{P}. Remember, unshifted
2951 @kbd{p} sets the precision.)
2955 1: 3.14159265359 1: 0.785398163398 1: 0.707106781187
2962 Likewise, inverse trigonometric functions generate results in
2963 either radians or degrees, depending on the current angular mode.
2967 1: 0.707106781187 1: 0.785398163398 1: 45.
2970 .5 Q m r I S m d U I S
2975 Here we compute the Inverse Sine of
2976 @texline @math{\sqrt{0.5}},
2977 @infoline @expr{sqrt(0.5)},
2978 first in radians, then in degrees.
2980 Use @kbd{c d} and @kbd{c r} to convert a number from radians to degrees
2985 1: 45 1: 0.785398163397 1: 45.
2992 Another interesting mode is @dfn{Fraction mode}. Normally,
2993 dividing two integers produces a floating-point result if the
2994 quotient can't be expressed as an exact integer. Fraction mode
2995 causes integer division to produce a fraction, i.e., a rational
3000 2: 12 1: 1.33333333333 1: 4:3
3004 12 @key{RET} 9 / m f U / m f
3009 In the first case, we get an approximate floating-point result.
3010 In the second case, we get an exact fractional result (four-thirds).
3012 You can enter a fraction at any time using @kbd{:} notation.
3013 (Calc uses @kbd{:} instead of @kbd{/} as the fraction separator
3014 because @kbd{/} is already used to divide the top two stack
3015 elements.) Calculations involving fractions will always
3016 produce exact fractional results; Fraction mode only says
3017 what to do when dividing two integers.
3019 @cindex Fractions vs. floats
3020 @cindex Floats vs. fractions
3021 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} If fractional arithmetic is exact,
3022 why would you ever use floating-point numbers instead?
3023 @xref{Modes Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
3025 Typing @kbd{m f} doesn't change any existing values in the stack.
3026 In the above example, we had to Undo the division and do it over
3027 again when we changed to Fraction mode. But if you use the
3028 evaluates-to operator you can get commands like @kbd{m f} to
3033 1: 12 / 9 => 1.33333333333 1: 12 / 9 => 1.333 1: 12 / 9 => 4:3
3036 ' 12/9 => @key{RET} p 4 @key{RET} m f
3041 In this example, the righthand side of the @samp{=>} operator
3042 on the stack is recomputed when we change the precision, then
3043 again when we change to Fraction mode. All @samp{=>} expressions
3044 on the stack are recomputed every time you change any mode that
3045 might affect their values.
3047 @node Arithmetic Tutorial, Vector/Matrix Tutorial, Basic Tutorial, Tutorial
3048 @section Arithmetic Tutorial
3051 In this section, we explore the arithmetic and scientific functions
3052 available in the Calculator.
3054 The standard arithmetic commands are @kbd{+}, @kbd{-}, @kbd{*}, @kbd{/},
3055 and @kbd{^}. Each normally takes two numbers from the top of the stack
3056 and pushes back a result. The @kbd{n} and @kbd{&} keys perform
3057 change-sign and reciprocal operations, respectively.
3061 1: 5 1: 0.2 1: 5. 1: -5. 1: 5.
3068 @cindex Binary operators
3069 You can apply a ``binary operator'' like @kbd{+} across any number of
3070 stack entries by giving it a numeric prefix. You can also apply it
3071 pairwise to several stack elements along with the top one if you use
3076 3: 2 1: 9 3: 2 4: 2 3: 12
3077 2: 3 . 2: 3 3: 3 2: 13
3078 1: 4 1: 4 2: 4 1: 14
3082 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} 4 M-3 + U 10 M-- M-3 +
3086 @cindex Unary operators
3087 You can apply a ``unary operator'' like @kbd{&} to the top @var{n}
3088 stack entries with a numeric prefix, too.
3093 2: 3 2: 0.333333333333 2: 3.
3097 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} 4 M-3 & M-2 &
3101 Notice that the results here are left in floating-point form.
3102 We can convert them back to integers by pressing @kbd{F}, the
3103 ``floor'' function. This function rounds down to the next lower
3104 integer. There is also @kbd{R}, which rounds to the nearest
3122 Since dividing-and-flooring (i.e., ``integer quotient'') is such a
3123 common operation, Calc provides a special command for that purpose, the
3124 backslash @kbd{\}. Another common arithmetic operator is @kbd{%}, which
3125 computes the remainder that would arise from a @kbd{\} operation, i.e.,
3126 the ``modulo'' of two numbers. For example,
3130 2: 1234 1: 12 2: 1234 1: 34
3134 1234 @key{RET} 100 \ U %
3138 These commands actually work for any real numbers, not just integers.
3142 2: 3.1415 1: 3 2: 3.1415 1: 0.1415
3146 3.1415 @key{RET} 1 \ U %
3150 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} The @kbd{\} command would appear to be a
3151 frill, since you could always do the same thing with @kbd{/ F}. Think
3152 of a situation where this is not true---@kbd{/ F} would be inadequate.
3153 Now think of a way you could get around the problem if Calc didn't
3154 provide a @kbd{\} command. @xref{Arithmetic Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
3156 We've already seen the @kbd{Q} (square root) and @kbd{S} (sine)
3157 commands. Other commands along those lines are @kbd{C} (cosine),
3158 @kbd{T} (tangent), @kbd{E} (@expr{e^x}) and @kbd{L} (natural
3159 logarithm). These can be modified by the @kbd{I} (inverse) and
3160 @kbd{H} (hyperbolic) prefix keys.
3162 Let's compute the sine and cosine of an angle, and verify the
3164 @texline @math{\sin^2x + \cos^2x = 1}.
3165 @infoline @expr{sin(x)^2 + cos(x)^2 = 1}.
3166 We'll arbitrarily pick @mathit{-64} degrees as a good value for @expr{x}.
3167 With the angular mode set to degrees (type @w{@kbd{m d}}), do:
3171 2: -64 2: -64 2: -0.89879 2: -0.89879 1: 1.
3172 1: -64 1: -0.89879 1: -64 1: 0.43837 .
3175 64 n @key{RET} @key{RET} S @key{TAB} C f h
3180 (For brevity, we're showing only five digits of the results here.
3181 You can of course do these calculations to any precision you like.)
3183 Remember, @kbd{f h} is the @code{calc-hypot}, or square-root of sum
3184 of squares, command.
3187 @texline @math{\displaystyle\tan x = {\sin x \over \cos x}}.
3188 @infoline @expr{tan(x) = sin(x) / cos(x)}.
3192 2: -0.89879 1: -2.0503 1: -64.
3200 A physical interpretation of this calculation is that if you move
3201 @expr{0.89879} units downward and @expr{0.43837} units to the right,
3202 your direction of motion is @mathit{-64} degrees from horizontal. Suppose
3203 we move in the opposite direction, up and to the left:
3207 2: -0.89879 2: 0.89879 1: -2.0503 1: -64.
3208 1: 0.43837 1: -0.43837 . .
3216 How can the angle be the same? The answer is that the @kbd{/} operation
3217 loses information about the signs of its inputs. Because the quotient
3218 is negative, we know exactly one of the inputs was negative, but we
3219 can't tell which one. There is an @kbd{f T} [@code{arctan2}] function which
3220 computes the inverse tangent of the quotient of a pair of numbers.
3221 Since you feed it the two original numbers, it has enough information
3222 to give you a full 360-degree answer.
3226 2: 0.89879 1: 116. 3: 116. 2: 116. 1: 180.
3227 1: -0.43837 . 2: -0.89879 1: -64. .
3231 U U f T M-@key{RET} M-2 n f T -
3236 The resulting angles differ by 180 degrees; in other words, they
3237 point in opposite directions, just as we would expect.
3239 The @key{META}-@key{RET} we used in the third step is the
3240 ``last-arguments'' command. It is sort of like Undo, except that it
3241 restores the arguments of the last command to the stack without removing
3242 the command's result. It is useful in situations like this one,
3243 where we need to do several operations on the same inputs. We could
3244 have accomplished the same thing by using @kbd{M-2 @key{RET}} to duplicate
3245 the top two stack elements right after the @kbd{U U}, then a pair of
3246 @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} commands to cycle the 116 up around the duplicates.
3248 A similar identity is supposed to hold for hyperbolic sines and cosines,
3249 except that it is the @emph{difference}
3250 @texline @math{\cosh^2x - \sinh^2x}
3251 @infoline @expr{cosh(x)^2 - sinh(x)^2}
3252 that always equals one. Let's try to verify this identity.
3256 2: -64 2: -64 2: -64 2: 9.7192e54 2: 9.7192e54
3257 1: -64 1: -3.1175e27 1: 9.7192e54 1: -64 1: 9.7192e54
3260 64 n @key{RET} @key{RET} H C 2 ^ @key{TAB} H S 2 ^
3265 @cindex Roundoff errors, examples
3266 Something's obviously wrong, because when we subtract these numbers
3267 the answer will clearly be zero! But if you think about it, if these
3268 numbers @emph{did} differ by one, it would be in the 55th decimal
3269 place. The difference we seek has been lost entirely to roundoff
3272 We could verify this hypothesis by doing the actual calculation with,
3273 say, 60 decimal places of precision. This will be slow, but not
3274 enormously so. Try it if you wish; sure enough, the answer is
3275 0.99999, reasonably close to 1.
3277 Of course, a more reasonable way to verify the identity is to use
3278 a more reasonable value for @expr{x}!
3280 @cindex Common logarithm
3281 Some Calculator commands use the Hyperbolic prefix for other purposes.
3282 The logarithm and exponential functions, for example, work to the base
3283 @expr{e} normally but use base-10 instead if you use the Hyperbolic
3288 1: 1000 1: 6.9077 1: 1000 1: 3
3296 First, we mistakenly compute a natural logarithm. Then we undo
3297 and compute a common logarithm instead.
3299 The @kbd{B} key computes a general base-@var{b} logarithm for any
3304 2: 1000 1: 3 1: 1000. 2: 1000. 1: 6.9077
3305 1: 10 . . 1: 2.71828 .
3308 1000 @key{RET} 10 B H E H P B
3313 Here we first use @kbd{B} to compute the base-10 logarithm, then use
3314 the ``hyperbolic'' exponential as a cheap hack to recover the number
3315 1000, then use @kbd{B} again to compute the natural logarithm. Note
3316 that @kbd{P} with the hyperbolic prefix pushes the constant @expr{e}
3319 You may have noticed that both times we took the base-10 logarithm
3320 of 1000, we got an exact integer result. Calc always tries to give
3321 an exact rational result for calculations involving rational numbers
3322 where possible. But when we used @kbd{H E}, the result was a
3323 floating-point number for no apparent reason. In fact, if we had
3324 computed @kbd{10 @key{RET} 3 ^} we @emph{would} have gotten an
3325 exact integer 1000. But the @kbd{H E} command is rigged to generate
3326 a floating-point result all of the time so that @kbd{1000 H E} will
3327 not waste time computing a thousand-digit integer when all you
3328 probably wanted was @samp{1e1000}.
3330 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Find a pair of integer inputs to
3331 the @kbd{B} command for which Calc could find an exact rational
3332 result but doesn't. @xref{Arithmetic Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
3334 The Calculator also has a set of functions relating to combinatorics
3335 and statistics. You may be familiar with the @dfn{factorial} function,
3336 which computes the product of all the integers up to a given number.
3340 1: 100 1: 93326215443... 1: 100. 1: 9.3326e157
3348 Recall, the @kbd{c f} command converts the integer or fraction at the
3349 top of the stack to floating-point format. If you take the factorial
3350 of a floating-point number, you get a floating-point result
3351 accurate to the current precision. But if you give @kbd{!} an
3352 exact integer, you get an exact integer result (158 digits long
3355 If you take the factorial of a non-integer, Calc uses a generalized
3356 factorial function defined in terms of Euler's Gamma function
3357 @texline @math{\Gamma(n)}
3358 @infoline @expr{gamma(n)}
3359 (which is itself available as the @kbd{f g} command).
3363 3: 4. 3: 24. 1: 5.5 1: 52.342777847
3364 2: 4.5 2: 52.3427777847 . .
3368 M-3 ! M-0 @key{DEL} 5.5 f g
3373 Here we verify the identity
3374 @texline @math{n! = \Gamma(n+1)}.
3375 @infoline @expr{@var{n}!@: = gamma(@var{n}+1)}.
3377 The binomial coefficient @var{n}-choose-@var{m}
3378 @texline or @math{\displaystyle {n \choose m}}
3380 @texline @math{\displaystyle {n! \over m! \, (n-m)!}}
3381 @infoline @expr{n!@: / m!@: (n-m)!}
3382 for all reals @expr{n} and @expr{m}. The intermediate results in this
3383 formula can become quite large even if the final result is small; the
3384 @kbd{k c} command computes a binomial coefficient in a way that avoids
3385 large intermediate values.
3387 The @kbd{k} prefix key defines several common functions out of
3388 combinatorics and number theory. Here we compute the binomial
3389 coefficient 30-choose-20, then determine its prime factorization.
3393 2: 30 1: 30045015 1: [3, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 23, 29]
3397 30 @key{RET} 20 k c k f
3402 You can verify these prime factors by using @kbd{v u} to ``unpack''
3403 this vector into 8 separate stack entries, then @kbd{M-8 *} to
3404 multiply them back together. The result is the original number,
3408 Suppose a program you are writing needs a hash table with at least
3409 10000 entries. It's best to use a prime number as the actual size
3410 of a hash table. Calc can compute the next prime number after 10000:
3414 1: 10000 1: 10007 1: 9973
3422 Just for kicks we've also computed the next prime @emph{less} than
3425 @c [fix-ref Financial Functions]
3426 @xref{Financial Functions}, for a description of the Calculator
3427 commands that deal with business and financial calculations (functions
3428 like @code{pv}, @code{rate}, and @code{sln}).
3430 @c [fix-ref Binary Number Functions]
3431 @xref{Binary Functions}, to read about the commands for operating
3432 on binary numbers (like @code{and}, @code{xor}, and @code{lsh}).
3434 @node Vector/Matrix Tutorial, Types Tutorial, Arithmetic Tutorial, Tutorial
3435 @section Vector/Matrix Tutorial
3438 A @dfn{vector} is a list of numbers or other Calc data objects.
3439 Calc provides a large set of commands that operate on vectors. Some
3440 are familiar operations from vector analysis. Others simply treat
3441 a vector as a list of objects.
3444 * Vector Analysis Tutorial::
3449 @node Vector Analysis Tutorial, Matrix Tutorial, Vector/Matrix Tutorial, Vector/Matrix Tutorial
3450 @subsection Vector Analysis
3453 If you add two vectors, the result is a vector of the sums of the
3454 elements, taken pairwise.
3458 1: [1, 2, 3] 2: [1, 2, 3] 1: [8, 8, 3]
3462 [1,2,3] s 1 [7 6 0] s 2 +
3467 Note that we can separate the vector elements with either commas or
3468 spaces. This is true whether we are using incomplete vectors or
3469 algebraic entry. The @kbd{s 1} and @kbd{s 2} commands save these
3470 vectors so we can easily reuse them later.
3472 If you multiply two vectors, the result is the sum of the products
3473 of the elements taken pairwise. This is called the @dfn{dot product}
3487 The dot product of two vectors is equal to the product of their
3488 lengths times the cosine of the angle between them. (Here the vector
3489 is interpreted as a line from the origin @expr{(0,0,0)} to the
3490 specified point in three-dimensional space.) The @kbd{A}
3491 (absolute value) command can be used to compute the length of a
3496 3: 19 3: 19 1: 0.550782 1: 56.579
3497 2: [1, 2, 3] 2: 3.741657 . .
3498 1: [7, 6, 0] 1: 9.219544
3501 M-@key{RET} M-2 A * / I C
3506 First we recall the arguments to the dot product command, then
3507 we compute the absolute values of the top two stack entries to
3508 obtain the lengths of the vectors, then we divide the dot product
3509 by the product of the lengths to get the cosine of the angle.
3510 The inverse cosine finds that the angle between the vectors
3511 is about 56 degrees.
3513 @cindex Cross product
3514 @cindex Perpendicular vectors
3515 The @dfn{cross product} of two vectors is a vector whose length
3516 is the product of the lengths of the inputs times the sine of the
3517 angle between them, and whose direction is perpendicular to both
3518 input vectors. Unlike the dot product, the cross product is
3519 defined only for three-dimensional vectors. Let's double-check
3520 our computation of the angle using the cross product.
3524 2: [1, 2, 3] 3: [-18, 21, -8] 1: [-0.52, 0.61, -0.23] 1: 56.579
3525 1: [7, 6, 0] 2: [1, 2, 3] . .
3529 r 1 r 2 V C s 3 M-@key{RET} M-2 A * / A I S
3534 First we recall the original vectors and compute their cross product,
3535 which we also store for later reference. Now we divide the vector
3536 by the product of the lengths of the original vectors. The length of
3537 this vector should be the sine of the angle; sure enough, it is!
3539 @c [fix-ref General Mode Commands]
3540 Vector-related commands generally begin with the @kbd{v} prefix key.
3541 Some are uppercase letters and some are lowercase. To make it easier
3542 to type these commands, the shift-@kbd{V} prefix key acts the same as
3543 the @kbd{v} key. (@xref{General Mode Commands}, for a way to make all
3544 prefix keys have this property.)
3546 If we take the dot product of two perpendicular vectors we expect
3547 to get zero, since the cosine of 90 degrees is zero. Let's check
3548 that the cross product is indeed perpendicular to both inputs:
3552 2: [1, 2, 3] 1: 0 2: [7, 6, 0] 1: 0
3553 1: [-18, 21, -8] . 1: [-18, 21, -8] .
3556 r 1 r 3 * @key{DEL} r 2 r 3 *
3560 @cindex Normalizing a vector
3561 @cindex Unit vectors
3562 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} Given a vector on the top of the
3563 stack, what keystrokes would you use to @dfn{normalize} the
3564 vector, i.e., to reduce its length to one without changing its
3565 direction? @xref{Vector Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
3567 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Suppose a certain particle can be
3568 at any of several positions along a ruler. You have a list of
3569 those positions in the form of a vector, and another list of the
3570 probabilities for the particle to be at the corresponding positions.
3571 Find the average position of the particle.
3572 @xref{Vector Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
3574 @node Matrix Tutorial, List Tutorial, Vector Analysis Tutorial, Vector/Matrix Tutorial
3575 @subsection Matrices
3578 A @dfn{matrix} is just a vector of vectors, all the same length.
3579 This means you can enter a matrix using nested brackets. You can
3580 also use the semicolon character to enter a matrix. We'll show
3585 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ]
3586 [ 4, 5, 6 ] ] [ 4, 5, 6 ] ]
3589 [[1 2 3] [4 5 6]] ' [1 2 3; 4 5 6] @key{RET}
3594 We'll be using this matrix again, so type @kbd{s 4} to save it now.
3596 Note that semicolons work with incomplete vectors, but they work
3597 better in algebraic entry. That's why we use the apostrophe in
3600 When two matrices are multiplied, the lefthand matrix must have
3601 the same number of columns as the righthand matrix has rows.
3602 Row @expr{i}, column @expr{j} of the result is effectively the
3603 dot product of row @expr{i} of the left matrix by column @expr{j}
3604 of the right matrix.
3606 If we try to duplicate this matrix and multiply it by itself,
3607 the dimensions are wrong and the multiplication cannot take place:
3611 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] * [ [ 1, 2, 3 ]
3612 [ 4, 5, 6 ] ] [ 4, 5, 6 ] ]
3620 Though rather hard to read, this is a formula which shows the product
3621 of two matrices. The @samp{*} function, having invalid arguments, has
3622 been left in symbolic form.
3624 We can multiply the matrices if we @dfn{transpose} one of them first.
3628 2: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 1: [ [ 14, 32 ] 1: [ [ 17, 22, 27 ]
3629 [ 4, 5, 6 ] ] [ 32, 77 ] ] [ 22, 29, 36 ]
3630 1: [ [ 1, 4 ] . [ 27, 36, 45 ] ]
3635 U v t * U @key{TAB} *
3639 Matrix multiplication is not commutative; indeed, switching the
3640 order of the operands can even change the dimensions of the result
3641 matrix, as happened here!
3643 If you multiply a plain vector by a matrix, it is treated as a
3644 single row or column depending on which side of the matrix it is
3645 on. The result is a plain vector which should also be interpreted
3646 as a row or column as appropriate.
3650 2: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 1: [14, 32]
3659 Multiplying in the other order wouldn't work because the number of
3660 rows in the matrix is different from the number of elements in the
3663 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} Use @samp{*} to sum along the rows
3665 @texline @math{2\times3}
3667 matrix to get @expr{[6, 15]}. Now use @samp{*} to sum along the columns
3668 to get @expr{[5, 7, 9]}.
3669 @xref{Matrix Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
3671 @cindex Identity matrix
3672 An @dfn{identity matrix} is a square matrix with ones along the
3673 diagonal and zeros elsewhere. It has the property that multiplication
3674 by an identity matrix, on the left or on the right, always produces
3675 the original matrix.
3679 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 2: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ]
3680 [ 4, 5, 6 ] ] [ 4, 5, 6 ] ] [ 4, 5, 6 ] ]
3681 . 1: [ [ 1, 0, 0 ] .
3686 r 4 v i 3 @key{RET} *
3690 If a matrix is square, it is often possible to find its @dfn{inverse},
3691 that is, a matrix which, when multiplied by the original matrix, yields
3692 an identity matrix. The @kbd{&} (reciprocal) key also computes the
3693 inverse of a matrix.
3697 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 1: [ [ -2.4, 1.2, -0.2 ]
3698 [ 4, 5, 6 ] [ 2.8, -1.4, 0.4 ]
3699 [ 7, 6, 0 ] ] [ -0.73333, 0.53333, -0.2 ] ]
3707 The vertical bar @kbd{|} @dfn{concatenates} numbers, vectors, and
3708 matrices together. Here we have used it to add a new row onto
3709 our matrix to make it square.
3711 We can multiply these two matrices in either order to get an identity.
3715 1: [ [ 1., 0., 0. ] 1: [ [ 1., 0., 0. ]
3716 [ 0., 1., 0. ] [ 0., 1., 0. ]
3717 [ 0., 0., 1. ] ] [ 0., 0., 1. ] ]
3720 M-@key{RET} * U @key{TAB} *
3724 @cindex Systems of linear equations
3725 @cindex Linear equations, systems of
3726 Matrix inverses are related to systems of linear equations in algebra.
3727 Suppose we had the following set of equations:
3741 $$ \openup1\jot \tabskip=0pt plus1fil
3742 \halign to\displaywidth{\tabskip=0pt
3743 $\hfil#$&$\hfil{}#{}$&
3744 $\hfil#$&$\hfil{}#{}$&
3745 $\hfil#$&${}#\hfil$\tabskip=0pt plus1fil\cr
3754 This can be cast into the matrix equation,
3759 [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] [ [ a ] [ [ 6 ]
3760 [ 4, 5, 6 ] * [ b ] = [ 2 ]
3761 [ 7, 6, 0 ] ] [ c ] ] [ 3 ] ]
3768 $$ \pmatrix{ 1 & 2 & 3 \cr 4 & 5 & 6 \cr 7 & 6 & 0 }
3770 \pmatrix{ a \cr b \cr c } = \pmatrix{ 6 \cr 2 \cr 3 }
3775 We can solve this system of equations by multiplying both sides by the
3776 inverse of the matrix. Calc can do this all in one step:
3780 2: [6, 2, 3] 1: [-12.6, 15.2, -3.93333]
3791 The result is the @expr{[a, b, c]} vector that solves the equations.
3792 (Dividing by a square matrix is equivalent to multiplying by its
3795 Let's verify this solution:
3799 2: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 1: [6., 2., 3.]
3802 1: [-12.6, 15.2, -3.93333]
3810 Note that we had to be careful about the order in which we multiplied
3811 the matrix and vector. If we multiplied in the other order, Calc would
3812 assume the vector was a row vector in order to make the dimensions
3813 come out right, and the answer would be incorrect. If you
3814 don't feel safe letting Calc take either interpretation of your
3815 vectors, use explicit
3816 @texline @math{N\times1}
3819 @texline @math{1\times N}
3821 matrices instead. In this case, you would enter the original column
3822 vector as @samp{[[6], [2], [3]]} or @samp{[6; 2; 3]}.
3824 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Algebraic entry allows you to make
3825 vectors and matrices that include variables. Solve the following
3826 system of equations to get expressions for @expr{x} and @expr{y}
3827 in terms of @expr{a} and @expr{b}.
3840 $$ \eqalign{ x &+ a y = 6 \cr
3847 @xref{Matrix Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
3849 @cindex Least-squares for over-determined systems
3850 @cindex Over-determined systems of equations
3851 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} A system of equations is ``over-determined''
3852 if it has more equations than variables. It is often the case that
3853 there are no values for the variables that will satisfy all the
3854 equations at once, but it is still useful to find a set of values
3855 which ``nearly'' satisfy all the equations. In terms of matrix equations,
3856 you can't solve @expr{A X = B} directly because the matrix @expr{A}
3857 is not square for an over-determined system. Matrix inversion works
3858 only for square matrices. One common trick is to multiply both sides
3859 on the left by the transpose of @expr{A}:
3861 @samp{trn(A)*A*X = trn(A)*B}.
3865 $A^T A \, X = A^T B$, where $A^T$ is the transpose \samp{trn(A)}.
3868 @texline @math{A^T A}
3869 @infoline @expr{trn(A)*A}
3870 is a square matrix so a solution is possible. It turns out that the
3871 @expr{X} vector you compute in this way will be a ``least-squares''
3872 solution, which can be regarded as the ``closest'' solution to the set
3873 of equations. Use Calc to solve the following over-determined
3889 $$ \openup1\jot \tabskip=0pt plus1fil
3890 \halign to\displaywidth{\tabskip=0pt
3891 $\hfil#$&$\hfil{}#{}$&
3892 $\hfil#$&$\hfil{}#{}$&
3893 $\hfil#$&${}#\hfil$\tabskip=0pt plus1fil\cr
3897 2a&+&4b&+&6c&=11 \cr}
3903 @xref{Matrix Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
3905 @node List Tutorial, , Matrix Tutorial, Vector/Matrix Tutorial
3906 @subsection Vectors as Lists
3910 Although Calc has a number of features for manipulating vectors and
3911 matrices as mathematical objects, you can also treat vectors as
3912 simple lists of values. For example, we saw that the @kbd{k f}
3913 command returns a vector which is a list of the prime factors of a
3916 You can pack and unpack stack entries into vectors:
3920 3: 10 1: [10, 20, 30] 3: 10
3929 You can also build vectors out of consecutive integers, or out
3930 of many copies of a given value:
3934 1: [1, 2, 3, 4] 2: [1, 2, 3, 4] 2: [1, 2, 3, 4]
3935 . 1: 17 1: [17, 17, 17, 17]
3938 v x 4 @key{RET} 17 v b 4 @key{RET}
3942 You can apply an operator to every element of a vector using the
3947 1: [17, 34, 51, 68] 1: [289, 1156, 2601, 4624] 1: [17, 34, 51, 68]
3955 In the first step, we multiply the vector of integers by the vector
3956 of 17's elementwise. In the second step, we raise each element to
3957 the power two. (The general rule is that both operands must be
3958 vectors of the same length, or else one must be a vector and the
3959 other a plain number.) In the final step, we take the square root
3962 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} Compute a vector of powers of two
3964 @texline @math{2^{-4}}
3965 @infoline @expr{2^-4}
3966 to @expr{2^4}. @xref{List Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
3968 You can also @dfn{reduce} a binary operator across a vector.
3969 For example, reducing @samp{*} computes the product of all the
3970 elements in the vector:
3974 1: 123123 1: [3, 7, 11, 13, 41] 1: 123123
3982 In this example, we decompose 123123 into its prime factors, then
3983 multiply those factors together again to yield the original number.
3985 We could compute a dot product ``by hand'' using mapping and
3990 2: [1, 2, 3] 1: [7, 12, 0] 1: 19
3999 Recalling two vectors from the previous section, we compute the
4000 sum of pairwise products of the elements to get the same answer
4001 for the dot product as before.
4003 A slight variant of vector reduction is the @dfn{accumulate} operation,
4004 @kbd{V U}. This produces a vector of the intermediate results from
4005 a corresponding reduction. Here we compute a table of factorials:
4009 1: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] 1: [1, 2, 6, 24, 120, 720]
4012 v x 6 @key{RET} V U *
4016 Calc allows vectors to grow as large as you like, although it gets
4017 rather slow if vectors have more than about a hundred elements.
4018 Actually, most of the time is spent formatting these large vectors
4019 for display, not calculating on them. Try the following experiment
4020 (if your computer is very fast you may need to substitute a larger
4025 1: [1, 2, 3, 4, ... 1: [2, 3, 4, 5, ...
4028 v x 500 @key{RET} 1 V M +
4032 Now press @kbd{v .} (the letter @kbd{v}, then a period) and try the
4033 experiment again. In @kbd{v .} mode, long vectors are displayed
4034 ``abbreviated'' like this:
4038 1: [1, 2, 3, ..., 500] 1: [2, 3, 4, ..., 501]
4041 v x 500 @key{RET} 1 V M +
4046 (where now the @samp{...} is actually part of the Calc display).
4047 You will find both operations are now much faster. But notice that
4048 even in @w{@kbd{v .}} mode, the full vectors are still shown in the Trail.
4049 Type @w{@kbd{t .}} to cause the trail to abbreviate as well, and try the
4050 experiment one more time. Operations on long vectors are now quite
4051 fast! (But of course if you use @kbd{t .} you will lose the ability
4052 to get old vectors back using the @kbd{t y} command.)
4054 An easy way to view a full vector when @kbd{v .} mode is active is
4055 to press @kbd{`} (back-quote) to edit the vector; editing always works
4056 with the full, unabbreviated value.
4058 @cindex Least-squares for fitting a straight line
4059 @cindex Fitting data to a line
4060 @cindex Line, fitting data to
4061 @cindex Data, extracting from buffers
4062 @cindex Columns of data, extracting
4063 As a larger example, let's try to fit a straight line to some data,
4064 using the method of least squares. (Calc has a built-in command for
4065 least-squares curve fitting, but we'll do it by hand here just to
4066 practice working with vectors.) Suppose we have the following list
4067 of values in a file we have loaded into Emacs:
4094 If you are reading this tutorial in printed form, you will find it
4095 easiest to press @kbd{M-# i} to enter the on-line Info version of
4096 the manual and find this table there. (Press @kbd{g}, then type
4097 @kbd{List Tutorial}, to jump straight to this section.)
4099 Position the cursor at the upper-left corner of this table, just
4100 to the left of the @expr{1.34}. Press @kbd{C-@@} to set the mark.
4101 (On your system this may be @kbd{C-2}, @kbd{C-@key{SPC}}, or @kbd{NUL}.)
4102 Now position the cursor to the lower-right, just after the @expr{1.354}.
4103 You have now defined this region as an Emacs ``rectangle.'' Still
4104 in the Info buffer, type @kbd{M-# r}. This command
4105 (@code{calc-grab-rectangle}) will pop you back into the Calculator, with
4106 the contents of the rectangle you specified in the form of a matrix.
4110 1: [ [ 1.34, 0.234 ]
4117 (You may wish to use @kbd{v .} mode to abbreviate the display of this
4120 We want to treat this as a pair of lists. The first step is to
4121 transpose this matrix into a pair of rows. Remember, a matrix is
4122 just a vector of vectors. So we can unpack the matrix into a pair
4123 of row vectors on the stack.
4127 1: [ [ 1.34, 1.41, 1.49, ... ] 2: [1.34, 1.41, 1.49, ... ]
4128 [ 0.234, 0.298, 0.402, ... ] ] 1: [0.234, 0.298, 0.402, ... ]
4136 Let's store these in quick variables 1 and 2, respectively.
4140 1: [1.34, 1.41, 1.49, ... ] .
4148 (Recall that @kbd{t 2} is a variant of @kbd{s 2} that removes the
4149 stored value from the stack.)
4151 In a least squares fit, the slope @expr{m} is given by the formula
4155 m = (N sum(x y) - sum(x) sum(y)) / (N sum(x^2) - sum(x)^2)
4161 $$ m = {N \sum x y - \sum x \sum y \over
4162 N \sum x^2 - \left( \sum x \right)^2} $$
4168 @texline @math{\sum x}
4169 @infoline @expr{sum(x)}
4170 represents the sum of all the values of @expr{x}. While there is an
4171 actual @code{sum} function in Calc, it's easier to sum a vector using a
4172 simple reduction. First, let's compute the four different sums that
4180 r 1 V R + t 3 r 1 2 V M ^ V R + t 4
4187 1: 13.613 1: 33.36554
4190 r 2 V R + t 5 r 1 r 2 V M * V R + t 6
4196 These are @samp{sum(x)}, @samp{sum(x^2)}, @samp{sum(y)}, and @samp{sum(x y)},
4197 respectively. (We could have used @kbd{*} to compute @samp{sum(x^2)} and
4202 These are $\sum x$, $\sum x^2$, $\sum y$, and $\sum x y$,
4203 respectively. (We could have used \kbd{*} to compute $\sum x^2$ and
4207 Finally, we also need @expr{N}, the number of data points. This is just
4208 the length of either of our lists.
4220 (That's @kbd{v} followed by a lower-case @kbd{l}.)
4222 Now we grind through the formula:
4226 1: 633.94526 2: 633.94526 1: 67.23607
4230 r 7 r 6 * r 3 r 5 * -
4237 2: 67.23607 3: 67.23607 2: 67.23607 1: 0.52141679
4238 1: 1862.0057 2: 1862.0057 1: 128.9488 .
4242 r 7 r 4 * r 3 2 ^ - / t 8
4246 That gives us the slope @expr{m}. The y-intercept @expr{b} can now
4247 be found with the simple formula,
4251 b = (sum(y) - m sum(x)) / N
4257 $$ b = {\sum y - m \sum x \over N} $$
4264 1: 13.613 2: 13.613 1: -8.09358 1: -0.425978
4268 r 5 r 8 r 3 * - r 7 / t 9
4272 Let's ``plot'' this straight line approximation,
4273 @texline @math{y \approx m x + b},
4274 @infoline @expr{m x + b},
4275 and compare it with the original data.
4279 1: [0.699, 0.735, ... ] 1: [0.273, 0.309, ... ]
4287 Notice that multiplying a vector by a constant, and adding a constant
4288 to a vector, can be done without mapping commands since these are
4289 common operations from vector algebra. As far as Calc is concerned,
4290 we've just been doing geometry in 19-dimensional space!
4292 We can subtract this vector from our original @expr{y} vector to get
4293 a feel for the error of our fit. Let's find the maximum error:
4297 1: [0.0387, 0.0112, ... ] 1: [0.0387, 0.0112, ... ] 1: 0.0897
4305 First we compute a vector of differences, then we take the absolute
4306 values of these differences, then we reduce the @code{max} function
4307 across the vector. (The @code{max} function is on the two-key sequence
4308 @kbd{f x}; because it is so common to use @code{max} in a vector
4309 operation, the letters @kbd{X} and @kbd{N} are also accepted for
4310 @code{max} and @code{min} in this context. In general, you answer
4311 the @kbd{V M} or @kbd{V R} prompt with the actual key sequence that
4312 invokes the function you want. You could have typed @kbd{V R f x} or
4313 even @kbd{V R x max @key{RET}} if you had preferred.)
4315 If your system has the GNUPLOT program, you can see graphs of your
4316 data and your straight line to see how well they match. (If you have
4317 GNUPLOT 3.0, the following instructions will work regardless of the
4318 kind of display you have. Some GNUPLOT 2.0, non-X-windows systems
4319 may require additional steps to view the graphs.)
4321 Let's start by plotting the original data. Recall the ``@var{x}'' and ``@var{y}''
4322 vectors onto the stack and press @kbd{g f}. This ``fast'' graphing
4323 command does everything you need to do for simple, straightforward
4328 2: [1.34, 1.41, 1.49, ... ]
4329 1: [0.234, 0.298, 0.402, ... ]
4336 If all goes well, you will shortly get a new window containing a graph
4337 of the data. (If not, contact your GNUPLOT or Calc installer to find
4338 out what went wrong.) In the X window system, this will be a separate
4339 graphics window. For other kinds of displays, the default is to
4340 display the graph in Emacs itself using rough character graphics.
4341 Press @kbd{q} when you are done viewing the character graphics.
4343 Next, let's add the line we got from our least-squares fit.
4345 (If you are reading this tutorial on-line while running Calc, typing
4346 @kbd{g a} may cause the tutorial to disappear from its window and be
4347 replaced by a buffer named @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*}. The tutorial
4348 will reappear when you terminate GNUPLOT by typing @kbd{g q}.)
4353 2: [1.34, 1.41, 1.49, ... ]
4354 1: [0.273, 0.309, 0.351, ... ]
4357 @key{DEL} r 0 g a g p
4361 It's not very useful to get symbols to mark the data points on this
4362 second curve; you can type @kbd{g S g p} to remove them. Type @kbd{g q}
4363 when you are done to remove the X graphics window and terminate GNUPLOT.
4365 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} An earlier exercise showed how to do
4366 least squares fitting to a general system of equations. Our 19 data
4367 points are really 19 equations of the form @expr{y_i = m x_i + b} for
4368 different pairs of @expr{(x_i,y_i)}. Use the matrix-transpose method
4369 to solve for @expr{m} and @expr{b}, duplicating the above result.
4370 @xref{List Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
4372 @cindex Geometric mean
4373 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} If the input data do not form a
4374 rectangle, you can use @w{@kbd{M-# g}} (@code{calc-grab-region})
4375 to grab the data the way Emacs normally works with regions---it reads
4376 left-to-right, top-to-bottom, treating line breaks the same as spaces.
4377 Use this command to find the geometric mean of the following numbers.
4378 (The geometric mean is the @var{n}th root of the product of @var{n} numbers.)
4387 The @kbd{M-# g} command accepts numbers separated by spaces or commas,
4388 with or without surrounding vector brackets.
4389 @xref{List Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
4392 As another example, a theorem about binomial coefficients tells
4393 us that the alternating sum of binomial coefficients
4394 @var{n}-choose-0 minus @var{n}-choose-1 plus @var{n}-choose-2, and so
4395 on up to @var{n}-choose-@var{n},
4396 always comes out to zero. Let's verify this
4400 As another example, a theorem about binomial coefficients tells
4401 us that the alternating sum of binomial coefficients
4402 ${n \choose 0} - {n \choose 1} + {n \choose 2} - \cdots \pm {n \choose n}$
4403 always comes out to zero. Let's verify this
4409 1: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] 1: [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
4419 1: [1, -6, 15, -20, 15, -6, 1] 1: 0
4422 V M ' (-1)^$ choose(6,$) @key{RET} V R +
4426 The @kbd{V M '} command prompts you to enter any algebraic expression
4427 to define the function to map over the vector. The symbol @samp{$}
4428 inside this expression represents the argument to the function.
4429 The Calculator applies this formula to each element of the vector,
4430 substituting each element's value for the @samp{$} sign(s) in turn.
4432 To define a two-argument function, use @samp{$$} for the first
4433 argument and @samp{$} for the second: @kbd{V M ' $$-$ @key{RET}} is
4434 equivalent to @kbd{V M -}. This is analogous to regular algebraic
4435 entry, where @samp{$$} would refer to the next-to-top stack entry
4436 and @samp{$} would refer to the top stack entry, and @kbd{' $$-$ @key{RET}}
4437 would act exactly like @kbd{-}.
4439 Notice that the @kbd{V M '} command has recorded two things in the
4440 trail: The result, as usual, and also a funny-looking thing marked
4441 @samp{oper} that represents the operator function you typed in.
4442 The function is enclosed in @samp{< >} brackets, and the argument is
4443 denoted by a @samp{#} sign. If there were several arguments, they
4444 would be shown as @samp{#1}, @samp{#2}, and so on. (For example,
4445 @kbd{V M ' $$-$} will put the function @samp{<#1 - #2>} on the
4446 trail.) This object is a ``nameless function''; you can use nameless
4447 @w{@samp{< >}} notation to answer the @kbd{V M '} prompt if you like.
4448 Nameless function notation has the interesting, occasionally useful
4449 property that a nameless function is not actually evaluated until
4450 it is used. For example, @kbd{V M ' $+random(2.0)} evaluates
4451 @samp{random(2.0)} once and adds that random number to all elements
4452 of the vector, but @kbd{V M ' <#+random(2.0)>} evaluates the
4453 @samp{random(2.0)} separately for each vector element.
4455 Another group of operators that are often useful with @kbd{V M} are
4456 the relational operators: @kbd{a =}, for example, compares two numbers
4457 and gives the result 1 if they are equal, or 0 if not. Similarly,
4458 @w{@kbd{a <}} checks for one number being less than another.
4460 Other useful vector operations include @kbd{v v}, to reverse a
4461 vector end-for-end; @kbd{V S}, to sort the elements of a vector
4462 into increasing order; and @kbd{v r} and @w{@kbd{v c}}, to extract
4463 one row or column of a matrix, or (in both cases) to extract one
4464 element of a plain vector. With a negative argument, @kbd{v r}
4465 and @kbd{v c} instead delete one row, column, or vector element.
4467 @cindex Divisor functions
4468 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} The @expr{k}th @dfn{divisor function}
4472 is the sum of the @expr{k}th powers of all the divisors of an
4473 integer @expr{n}. Figure out a method for computing the divisor
4474 function for reasonably small values of @expr{n}. As a test,
4475 the 0th and 1st divisor functions of 30 are 8 and 72, respectively.
4476 @xref{List Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
4478 @cindex Square-free numbers
4479 @cindex Duplicate values in a list
4480 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 5.} The @kbd{k f} command produces a
4481 list of prime factors for a number. Sometimes it is important to
4482 know that a number is @dfn{square-free}, i.e., that no prime occurs
4483 more than once in its list of prime factors. Find a sequence of
4484 keystrokes to tell if a number is square-free; your method should
4485 leave 1 on the stack if it is, or 0 if it isn't.
4486 @xref{List Answer 5, 5}. (@bullet{})
4488 @cindex Triangular lists
4489 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 6.} Build a list of lists that looks
4490 like the following diagram. (You may wish to use the @kbd{v /}
4491 command to enable multi-line display of vectors.)
4500 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] ]
4505 @xref{List Answer 6, 6}. (@bullet{})
4507 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 7.} Build the following list of lists.
4515 [10, 11, 12, 13, 14],
4516 [15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20] ]
4521 @xref{List Answer 7, 7}. (@bullet{})
4523 @cindex Maximizing a function over a list of values
4524 @c [fix-ref Numerical Solutions]
4525 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 8.} Compute a list of values of Bessel's
4526 @texline @math{J_1(x)}
4528 function @samp{besJ(1,x)} for @expr{x} from 0 to 5 in steps of 0.25.
4529 Find the value of @expr{x} (from among the above set of values) for
4530 which @samp{besJ(1,x)} is a maximum. Use an ``automatic'' method,
4531 i.e., just reading along the list by hand to find the largest value
4532 is not allowed! (There is an @kbd{a X} command which does this kind
4533 of thing automatically; @pxref{Numerical Solutions}.)
4534 @xref{List Answer 8, 8}. (@bullet{})
4536 @cindex Digits, vectors of
4537 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 9.} You are given an integer in the range
4538 @texline @math{0 \le N < 10^m}
4539 @infoline @expr{0 <= N < 10^m}
4540 for @expr{m=12} (i.e., an integer of less than
4541 twelve digits). Convert this integer into a vector of @expr{m}
4542 digits, each in the range from 0 to 9. In vector-of-digits notation,
4543 add one to this integer to produce a vector of @expr{m+1} digits
4544 (since there could be a carry out of the most significant digit).
4545 Convert this vector back into a regular integer. A good integer
4546 to try is 25129925999. @xref{List Answer 9, 9}. (@bullet{})
4548 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 10.} Your friend Joe tried to use
4549 @kbd{V R a =} to test if all numbers in a list were equal. What
4550 happened? How would you do this test? @xref{List Answer 10, 10}. (@bullet{})
4552 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 11.} The area of a circle of radius one
4553 is @cpi{}. The area of the
4554 @texline @math{2\times2}
4556 square that encloses that circle is 4. So if we throw @var{n} darts at
4557 random points in the square, about @cpiover{4} of them will land inside
4558 the circle. This gives us an entertaining way to estimate the value of
4559 @cpi{}. The @w{@kbd{k r}}
4560 command picks a random number between zero and the value on the stack.
4561 We could get a random floating-point number between @mathit{-1} and 1 by typing
4562 @w{@kbd{2.0 k r 1 -}}. Build a vector of 100 random @expr{(x,y)} points in
4563 this square, then use vector mapping and reduction to count how many
4564 points lie inside the unit circle. Hint: Use the @kbd{v b} command.
4565 @xref{List Answer 11, 11}. (@bullet{})
4567 @cindex Matchstick problem
4568 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 12.} The @dfn{matchstick problem} provides
4569 another way to calculate @cpi{}. Say you have an infinite field
4570 of vertical lines with a spacing of one inch. Toss a one-inch matchstick
4571 onto the field. The probability that the matchstick will land crossing
4572 a line turns out to be
4573 @texline @math{2/\pi}.
4574 @infoline @expr{2/pi}.
4575 Toss 100 matchsticks to estimate @cpi{}. (If you want still more fun,
4576 the probability that the GCD (@w{@kbd{k g}}) of two large integers is
4578 @texline @math{6/\pi^2}.
4579 @infoline @expr{6/pi^2}.
4580 That provides yet another way to estimate @cpi{}.)
4581 @xref{List Answer 12, 12}. (@bullet{})
4583 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 13.} An algebraic entry of a string in
4584 double-quote marks, @samp{"hello"}, creates a vector of the numerical
4585 (ASCII) codes of the characters (here, @expr{[104, 101, 108, 108, 111]}).
4586 Sometimes it is convenient to compute a @dfn{hash code} of a string,
4587 which is just an integer that represents the value of that string.
4588 Two equal strings have the same hash code; two different strings
4589 @dfn{probably} have different hash codes. (For example, Calc has
4590 over 400 function names, but Emacs can quickly find the definition for
4591 any given name because it has sorted the functions into ``buckets'' by
4592 their hash codes. Sometimes a few names will hash into the same bucket,
4593 but it is easier to search among a few names than among all the names.)
4594 One popular hash function is computed as follows: First set @expr{h = 0}.
4595 Then, for each character from the string in turn, set @expr{h = 3h + c_i}
4596 where @expr{c_i} is the character's ASCII code. If we have 511 buckets,
4597 we then take the hash code modulo 511 to get the bucket number. Develop a
4598 simple command or commands for converting string vectors into hash codes.
4599 The hash code for @samp{"Testing, 1, 2, 3"} is 1960915098, which modulo
4600 511 is 121. @xref{List Answer 13, 13}. (@bullet{})
4602 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 14.} The @kbd{H V R} and @kbd{H V U}
4603 commands do nested function evaluations. @kbd{H V U} takes a starting
4604 value and a number of steps @var{n} from the stack; it then applies the
4605 function you give to the starting value 0, 1, 2, up to @var{n} times
4606 and returns a vector of the results. Use this command to create a
4607 ``random walk'' of 50 steps. Start with the two-dimensional point
4608 @expr{(0,0)}; then take one step a random distance between @mathit{-1} and 1
4609 in both @expr{x} and @expr{y}; then take another step, and so on. Use the
4610 @kbd{g f} command to display this random walk. Now modify your random
4611 walk to walk a unit distance, but in a random direction, at each step.
4612 (Hint: The @code{sincos} function returns a vector of the cosine and
4613 sine of an angle.) @xref{List Answer 14, 14}. (@bullet{})
4615 @node Types Tutorial, Algebra Tutorial, Vector/Matrix Tutorial, Tutorial
4616 @section Types Tutorial
4619 Calc understands a variety of data types as well as simple numbers.
4620 In this section, we'll experiment with each of these types in turn.
4622 The numbers we've been using so far have mainly been either @dfn{integers}
4623 or @dfn{floats}. We saw that floats are usually a good approximation to
4624 the mathematical concept of real numbers, but they are only approximations
4625 and are susceptible to roundoff error. Calc also supports @dfn{fractions},
4626 which can exactly represent any rational number.
4630 1: 3628800 2: 3628800 1: 518400:7 1: 518414:7 1: 7:518414
4634 10 ! 49 @key{RET} : 2 + &
4639 The @kbd{:} command divides two integers to get a fraction; @kbd{/}
4640 would normally divide integers to get a floating-point result.
4641 Notice we had to type @key{RET} between the @kbd{49} and the @kbd{:}
4642 since the @kbd{:} would otherwise be interpreted as part of a
4643 fraction beginning with 49.
4645 You can convert between floating-point and fractional format using
4646 @kbd{c f} and @kbd{c F}:
4650 1: 1.35027217629e-5 1: 7:518414
4657 The @kbd{c F} command replaces a floating-point number with the
4658 ``simplest'' fraction whose floating-point representation is the
4659 same, to within the current precision.
4663 1: 3.14159265359 1: 1146408:364913 1: 3.1416 1: 355:113
4666 P c F @key{DEL} p 5 @key{RET} P c F
4670 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} A calculation has produced the
4671 result 1.26508260337. You suspect it is the square root of the
4672 product of @cpi{} and some rational number. Is it? (Be sure
4673 to allow for roundoff error!) @xref{Types Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
4675 @dfn{Complex numbers} can be stored in both rectangular and polar form.
4679 1: -9 1: (0, 3) 1: (3; 90.) 1: (6; 90.) 1: (2.4495; 45.)
4687 The square root of @mathit{-9} is by default rendered in rectangular form
4688 (@w{@expr{0 + 3i}}), but we can convert it to polar form (3 with a
4689 phase angle of 90 degrees). All the usual arithmetic and scientific
4690 operations are defined on both types of complex numbers.
4692 Another generalized kind of number is @dfn{infinity}. Infinity
4693 isn't really a number, but it can sometimes be treated like one.
4694 Calc uses the symbol @code{inf} to represent positive infinity,
4695 i.e., a value greater than any real number. Naturally, you can
4696 also write @samp{-inf} for minus infinity, a value less than any
4697 real number. The word @code{inf} can only be input using
4702 2: inf 2: -inf 2: -inf 2: -inf 1: nan
4703 1: -17 1: -inf 1: -inf 1: inf .
4706 ' inf @key{RET} 17 n * @key{RET} 72 + A +
4711 Since infinity is infinitely large, multiplying it by any finite
4712 number (like @mathit{-17}) has no effect, except that since @mathit{-17}
4713 is negative, it changes a plus infinity to a minus infinity.
4714 (``A huge positive number, multiplied by @mathit{-17}, yields a huge
4715 negative number.'') Adding any finite number to infinity also
4716 leaves it unchanged. Taking an absolute value gives us plus
4717 infinity again. Finally, we add this plus infinity to the minus
4718 infinity we had earlier. If you work it out, you might expect
4719 the answer to be @mathit{-72} for this. But the 72 has been completely
4720 lost next to the infinities; by the time we compute @w{@samp{inf - inf}}
4721 the finite difference between them, if any, is undetectable.
4722 So we say the result is @dfn{indeterminate}, which Calc writes
4723 with the symbol @code{nan} (for Not A Number).
4725 Dividing by zero is normally treated as an error, but you can get
4726 Calc to write an answer in terms of infinity by pressing @kbd{m i}
4727 to turn on Infinite mode.
4731 3: nan 2: nan 2: nan 2: nan 1: nan
4732 2: 1 1: 1 / 0 1: uinf 1: uinf .
4736 1 @key{RET} 0 / m i U / 17 n * +
4741 Dividing by zero normally is left unevaluated, but after @kbd{m i}
4742 it instead gives an infinite result. The answer is actually
4743 @code{uinf}, ``undirected infinity.'' If you look at a graph of
4744 @expr{1 / x} around @w{@expr{x = 0}}, you'll see that it goes toward
4745 plus infinity as you approach zero from above, but toward minus
4746 infinity as you approach from below. Since we said only @expr{1 / 0},
4747 Calc knows that the answer is infinite but not in which direction.
4748 That's what @code{uinf} means. Notice that multiplying @code{uinf}
4749 by a negative number still leaves plain @code{uinf}; there's no
4750 point in saying @samp{-uinf} because the sign of @code{uinf} is
4751 unknown anyway. Finally, we add @code{uinf} to our @code{nan},
4752 yielding @code{nan} again. It's easy to see that, because
4753 @code{nan} means ``totally unknown'' while @code{uinf} means
4754 ``unknown sign but known to be infinite,'' the more mysterious
4755 @code{nan} wins out when it is combined with @code{uinf}, or, for
4756 that matter, with anything else.
4758 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Predict what Calc will answer
4759 for each of these formulas: @samp{inf / inf}, @samp{exp(inf)},
4760 @samp{exp(-inf)}, @samp{sqrt(-inf)}, @samp{sqrt(uinf)},
4761 @samp{abs(uinf)}, @samp{ln(0)}.
4762 @xref{Types Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
4764 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} We saw that @samp{inf - inf = nan},
4765 which stands for an unknown value. Can @code{nan} stand for
4766 a complex number? Can it stand for infinity?
4767 @xref{Types Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
4769 @dfn{HMS forms} represent a value in terms of hours, minutes, and
4774 1: 2@@ 30' 0" 1: 3@@ 30' 0" 2: 3@@ 30' 0" 1: 2.
4775 . . 1: 1@@ 45' 0." .
4778 2@@ 30' @key{RET} 1 + @key{RET} 2 / /
4782 HMS forms can also be used to hold angles in degrees, minutes, and
4787 1: 0.5 1: 26.56505 1: 26@@ 33' 54.18" 1: 0.44721
4795 First we convert the inverse tangent of 0.5 to degrees-minutes-seconds
4796 form, then we take the sine of that angle. Note that the trigonometric
4797 functions will accept HMS forms directly as input.
4800 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} The Beatles' @emph{Abbey Road} is
4801 47 minutes and 26 seconds long, and contains 17 songs. What is the
4802 average length of a song on @emph{Abbey Road}? If the Extended Disco
4803 Version of @emph{Abbey Road} added 20 seconds to the length of each
4804 song, how long would the album be? @xref{Types Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
4806 A @dfn{date form} represents a date, or a date and time. Dates must
4807 be entered using algebraic entry. Date forms are surrounded by
4808 @samp{< >} symbols; most standard formats for dates are recognized.
4812 2: <Sun Jan 13, 1991> 1: 2.25
4813 1: <6:00pm Thu Jan 10, 1991> .
4816 ' <13 Jan 1991>, <1/10/91, 6pm> @key{RET} -
4821 In this example, we enter two dates, then subtract to find the
4822 number of days between them. It is also possible to add an
4823 HMS form or a number (of days) to a date form to get another
4828 1: <4:45:59pm Mon Jan 14, 1991> 1: <2:50:59am Thu Jan 17, 1991>
4835 @c [fix-ref Date Arithmetic]
4837 The @kbd{t N} (``now'') command pushes the current date and time on the
4838 stack; then we add two days, ten hours and five minutes to the date and
4839 time. Other date-and-time related commands include @kbd{t J}, which
4840 does Julian day conversions, @kbd{t W}, which finds the beginning of
4841 the week in which a date form lies, and @kbd{t I}, which increments a
4842 date by one or several months. @xref{Date Arithmetic}, for more.
4844 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 5.} How many days until the next
4845 Friday the 13th? @xref{Types Answer 5, 5}. (@bullet{})
4847 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 6.} How many leap years will there be
4848 between now and the year 10001 A.D.? @xref{Types Answer 6, 6}. (@bullet{})
4850 @cindex Slope and angle of a line
4851 @cindex Angle and slope of a line
4852 An @dfn{error form} represents a mean value with an attached standard
4853 deviation, or error estimate. Suppose our measurements indicate that
4854 a certain telephone pole is about 30 meters away, with an estimated
4855 error of 1 meter, and 8 meters tall, with an estimated error of 0.2
4856 meters. What is the slope of a line from here to the top of the
4857 pole, and what is the equivalent angle in degrees?
4861 1: 8 +/- 0.2 2: 8 +/- 0.2 1: 0.266 +/- 0.011 1: 14.93 +/- 0.594
4865 8 p .2 @key{RET} 30 p 1 / I T
4870 This means that the angle is about 15 degrees, and, assuming our
4871 original error estimates were valid standard deviations, there is about
4872 a 60% chance that the result is correct within 0.59 degrees.
4874 @cindex Torus, volume of
4875 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 7.} The volume of a torus (a donut shape) is
4876 @texline @math{2 \pi^2 R r^2}
4877 @infoline @w{@expr{2 pi^2 R r^2}}
4878 where @expr{R} is the radius of the circle that
4879 defines the center of the tube and @expr{r} is the radius of the tube
4880 itself. Suppose @expr{R} is 20 cm and @expr{r} is 4 cm, each known to
4881 within 5 percent. What is the volume and the relative uncertainty of
4882 the volume? @xref{Types Answer 7, 7}. (@bullet{})
4884 An @dfn{interval form} represents a range of values. While an
4885 error form is best for making statistical estimates, intervals give
4886 you exact bounds on an answer. Suppose we additionally know that
4887 our telephone pole is definitely between 28 and 31 meters away,
4888 and that it is between 7.7 and 8.1 meters tall.
4892 1: [7.7 .. 8.1] 2: [7.7 .. 8.1] 1: [0.24 .. 0.28] 1: [13.9 .. 16.1]
4896 [ 7.7 .. 8.1 ] [ 28 .. 31 ] / I T
4901 If our bounds were correct, then the angle to the top of the pole
4902 is sure to lie in the range shown.
4904 The square brackets around these intervals indicate that the endpoints
4905 themselves are allowable values. In other words, the distance to the
4906 telephone pole is between 28 and 31, @emph{inclusive}. You can also
4907 make an interval that is exclusive of its endpoints by writing
4908 parentheses instead of square brackets. You can even make an interval
4909 which is inclusive (``closed'') on one end and exclusive (``open'') on
4914 1: [1 .. 10) 1: (0.1 .. 1] 2: (0.1 .. 1] 1: (0.2 .. 3)
4918 [ 1 .. 10 ) & [ 2 .. 3 ) *
4923 The Calculator automatically keeps track of which end values should
4924 be open and which should be closed. You can also make infinite or
4925 semi-infinite intervals by using @samp{-inf} or @samp{inf} for one
4928 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 8.} What answer would you expect from
4929 @samp{@w{1 /} @w{(0 .. 10)}}? What about @samp{@w{1 /} @w{(-10 .. 0)}}? What
4930 about @samp{@w{1 /} @w{[0 .. 10]}} (where the interval actually includes
4931 zero)? What about @samp{@w{1 /} @w{(-10 .. 10)}}?
4932 @xref{Types Answer 8, 8}. (@bullet{})
4934 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 9.} Two easy ways of squaring a number
4935 are @kbd{@key{RET} *} and @w{@kbd{2 ^}}. Normally these produce the same
4936 answer. Would you expect this still to hold true for interval forms?
4937 If not, which of these will result in a larger interval?
4938 @xref{Types Answer 9, 9}. (@bullet{})
4940 A @dfn{modulo form} is used for performing arithmetic modulo @var{m}.
4941 For example, arithmetic involving time is generally done modulo 12
4946 1: 17 mod 24 1: 3 mod 24 1: 21 mod 24 1: 9 mod 24
4949 17 M 24 @key{RET} 10 + n 5 /
4954 In this last step, Calc has divided by 5 modulo 24; i.e., it has found a
4955 new number which, when multiplied by 5 modulo 24, produces the original
4956 number, 21. If @var{m} is prime and the divisor is not a multiple of
4957 @var{m}, it is always possible to find such a number. For non-prime
4958 @var{m} like 24, it is only sometimes possible.
4962 1: 10 mod 24 1: 16 mod 24 1: 1000000... 1: 16
4965 10 M 24 @key{RET} 100 ^ 10 @key{RET} 100 ^ 24 %
4970 These two calculations get the same answer, but the first one is
4971 much more efficient because it avoids the huge intermediate value
4972 that arises in the second one.
4974 @cindex Fermat, primality test of
4975 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 10.} A theorem of Pierre de Fermat
4977 @texline @w{@math{x^{n-1} \bmod n = 1}}
4978 @infoline @expr{x^(n-1) mod n = 1}
4979 if @expr{n} is a prime number and @expr{x} is an integer less than
4980 @expr{n}. If @expr{n} is @emph{not} a prime number, this will
4981 @emph{not} be true for most values of @expr{x}. Thus we can test
4982 informally if a number is prime by trying this formula for several
4983 values of @expr{x}. Use this test to tell whether the following numbers
4984 are prime: 811749613, 15485863. @xref{Types Answer 10, 10}. (@bullet{})
4986 It is possible to use HMS forms as parts of error forms, intervals,
4987 modulo forms, or as the phase part of a polar complex number.
4988 For example, the @code{calc-time} command pushes the current time
4989 of day on the stack as an HMS/modulo form.
4993 1: 17@@ 34' 45" mod 24@@ 0' 0" 1: 6@@ 22' 15" mod 24@@ 0' 0"
5001 This calculation tells me it is six hours and 22 minutes until midnight.
5003 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 11.} A rule of thumb is that one year
5005 @texline @math{\pi \times 10^7}
5006 @infoline @w{@expr{pi * 10^7}}
5007 seconds. What time will it be that many seconds from right now?
5008 @xref{Types Answer 11, 11}. (@bullet{})
5010 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 12.} You are preparing to order packaging
5011 for the CD release of the Extended Disco Version of @emph{Abbey Road}.
5012 You are told that the songs will actually be anywhere from 20 to 60
5013 seconds longer than the originals. One CD can hold about 75 minutes
5014 of music. Should you order single or double packages?
5015 @xref{Types Answer 12, 12}. (@bullet{})
5017 Another kind of data the Calculator can manipulate is numbers with
5018 @dfn{units}. This isn't strictly a new data type; it's simply an
5019 application of algebraic expressions, where we use variables with
5020 suggestive names like @samp{cm} and @samp{in} to represent units
5021 like centimeters and inches.
5025 1: 2 in 1: 5.08 cm 1: 0.027778 fath 1: 0.0508 m
5028 ' 2in @key{RET} u c cm @key{RET} u c fath @key{RET} u b
5033 We enter the quantity ``2 inches'' (actually an algebraic expression
5034 which means two times the variable @samp{in}), then we convert it
5035 first to centimeters, then to fathoms, then finally to ``base'' units,
5036 which in this case means meters.
5040 1: 9 acre 1: 3 sqrt(acre) 1: 190.84 m 1: 190.84 m + 30 cm
5043 ' 9 acre @key{RET} Q u s ' $+30 cm @key{RET}
5050 1: 191.14 m 1: 36536.3046 m^2 1: 365363046 cm^2
5058 Since units expressions are really just formulas, taking the square
5059 root of @samp{acre} is undefined. After all, @code{acre} might be an
5060 algebraic variable that you will someday assign a value. We use the
5061 ``units-simplify'' command to simplify the expression with variables
5062 being interpreted as unit names.
5064 In the final step, we have converted not to a particular unit, but to a
5065 units system. The ``cgs'' system uses centimeters instead of meters
5066 as its standard unit of length.
5068 There is a wide variety of units defined in the Calculator.
5072 1: 55 mph 1: 88.5139 kph 1: 88.5139 km / hr 1: 8.201407e-8 c
5075 ' 55 mph @key{RET} u c kph @key{RET} u c km/hr @key{RET} u c c @key{RET}
5080 We express a speed first in miles per hour, then in kilometers per
5081 hour, then again using a slightly more explicit notation, then
5082 finally in terms of fractions of the speed of light.
5084 Temperature conversions are a bit more tricky. There are two ways to
5085 interpret ``20 degrees Fahrenheit''---it could mean an actual
5086 temperature, or it could mean a change in temperature. For normal
5087 units there is no difference, but temperature units have an offset
5088 as well as a scale factor and so there must be two explicit commands
5093 1: 20 degF 1: 11.1111 degC 1: -20:3 degC 1: -6.666 degC
5096 ' 20 degF @key{RET} u c degC @key{RET} U u t degC @key{RET} c f
5101 First we convert a change of 20 degrees Fahrenheit into an equivalent
5102 change in degrees Celsius (or Centigrade). Then, we convert the
5103 absolute temperature 20 degrees Fahrenheit into Celsius. Since
5104 this comes out as an exact fraction, we then convert to floating-point
5105 for easier comparison with the other result.
5107 For simple unit conversions, you can put a plain number on the stack.
5108 Then @kbd{u c} and @kbd{u t} will prompt for both old and new units.
5109 When you use this method, you're responsible for remembering which
5110 numbers are in which units:
5114 1: 55 1: 88.5139 1: 8.201407e-8
5117 55 u c mph @key{RET} kph @key{RET} u c km/hr @key{RET} c @key{RET}
5121 To see a complete list of built-in units, type @kbd{u v}. Press
5122 @w{@kbd{M-# c}} again to re-enter the Calculator when you're done looking
5125 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 13.} How many seconds are there really
5126 in a year? @xref{Types Answer 13, 13}. (@bullet{})
5128 @cindex Speed of light
5129 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 14.} Supercomputer designs are limited by
5130 the speed of light (and of electricity, which is nearly as fast).
5131 Suppose a computer has a 4.1 ns (nanosecond) clock cycle, and its
5132 cabinet is one meter across. Is speed of light going to be a
5133 significant factor in its design? @xref{Types Answer 14, 14}. (@bullet{})
5135 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 15.} Sam the Slug normally travels about
5136 five yards in an hour. He has obtained a supply of Power Pills; each
5137 Power Pill he eats doubles his speed. How many Power Pills can he
5138 swallow and still travel legally on most US highways?
5139 @xref{Types Answer 15, 15}. (@bullet{})
5141 @node Algebra Tutorial, Programming Tutorial, Types Tutorial, Tutorial
5142 @section Algebra and Calculus Tutorial
5145 This section shows how to use Calc's algebra facilities to solve
5146 equations, do simple calculus problems, and manipulate algebraic
5150 * Basic Algebra Tutorial::
5151 * Rewrites Tutorial::
5154 @node Basic Algebra Tutorial, Rewrites Tutorial, Algebra Tutorial, Algebra Tutorial
5155 @subsection Basic Algebra
5158 If you enter a formula in Algebraic mode that refers to variables,
5159 the formula itself is pushed onto the stack. You can manipulate
5160 formulas as regular data objects.
5164 1: 2 x^2 - 6 1: 6 - 2 x^2 1: (6 - 2 x^2) (3 x^2 + y)
5167 ' 2x^2-6 @key{RET} n ' 3x^2+y @key{RET} *
5171 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} Do @kbd{' x @key{RET} Q 2 ^} and
5172 @kbd{' x @key{RET} 2 ^ Q} both wind up with the same result (@samp{x})?
5173 Why or why not? @xref{Algebra Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
5175 There are also commands for doing common algebraic operations on
5176 formulas. Continuing with the formula from the last example,
5180 1: 18 x^2 + 6 y - 6 x^4 - 2 x^2 y 1: (18 - 2 y) x^2 - 6 x^4 + 6 y
5188 First we ``expand'' using the distributive law, then we ``collect''
5189 terms involving like powers of @expr{x}.
5191 Let's find the value of this expression when @expr{x} is 2 and @expr{y}
5196 1: 17 x^2 - 6 x^4 + 3 1: -25
5199 1:2 s l y @key{RET} 2 s l x @key{RET}
5204 The @kbd{s l} command means ``let''; it takes a number from the top of
5205 the stack and temporarily assigns it as the value of the variable
5206 you specify. It then evaluates (as if by the @kbd{=} key) the
5207 next expression on the stack. After this command, the variable goes
5208 back to its original value, if any.
5210 (An earlier exercise in this tutorial involved storing a value in the
5211 variable @code{x}; if this value is still there, you will have to
5212 unstore it with @kbd{s u x @key{RET}} before the above example will work
5215 @cindex Maximum of a function using Calculus
5216 Let's find the maximum value of our original expression when @expr{y}
5217 is one-half and @expr{x} ranges over all possible values. We can
5218 do this by taking the derivative with respect to @expr{x} and examining
5219 values of @expr{x} for which the derivative is zero. If the second
5220 derivative of the function at that value of @expr{x} is negative,
5221 the function has a local maximum there.
5225 1: 17 x^2 - 6 x^4 + 3 1: 34 x - 24 x^3
5228 U @key{DEL} s 1 a d x @key{RET} s 2
5233 Well, the derivative is clearly zero when @expr{x} is zero. To find
5234 the other root(s), let's divide through by @expr{x} and then solve:
5238 1: (34 x - 24 x^3) / x 1: 34 x / x - 24 x^3 / x 1: 34 - 24 x^2
5241 ' x @key{RET} / a x a s
5248 1: 34 - 24 x^2 = 0 1: x = 1.19023
5251 0 a = s 3 a S x @key{RET}
5256 Notice the use of @kbd{a s} to ``simplify'' the formula. When the
5257 default algebraic simplifications don't do enough, you can use
5258 @kbd{a s} to tell Calc to spend more time on the job.
5260 Now we compute the second derivative and plug in our values of @expr{x}:
5264 1: 1.19023 2: 1.19023 2: 1.19023
5265 . 1: 34 x - 24 x^3 1: 34 - 72 x^2
5268 a . r 2 a d x @key{RET} s 4
5273 (The @kbd{a .} command extracts just the righthand side of an equation.
5274 Another method would have been to use @kbd{v u} to unpack the equation
5275 @w{@samp{x = 1.19}} to @samp{x} and @samp{1.19}, then use @kbd{M-- M-2 @key{DEL}}
5276 to delete the @samp{x}.)
5280 2: 34 - 72 x^2 1: -68. 2: 34 - 72 x^2 1: 34
5284 @key{TAB} s l x @key{RET} U @key{DEL} 0 s l x @key{RET}
5289 The first of these second derivatives is negative, so we know the function
5290 has a maximum value at @expr{x = 1.19023}. (The function also has a
5291 local @emph{minimum} at @expr{x = 0}.)
5293 When we solved for @expr{x}, we got only one value even though
5294 @expr{34 - 24 x^2 = 0} is a quadratic equation that ought to have
5295 two solutions. The reason is that @w{@kbd{a S}} normally returns a
5296 single ``principal'' solution. If it needs to come up with an
5297 arbitrary sign (as occurs in the quadratic formula) it picks @expr{+}.
5298 If it needs an arbitrary integer, it picks zero. We can get a full
5299 solution by pressing @kbd{H} (the Hyperbolic flag) before @kbd{a S}.
5303 1: 34 - 24 x^2 = 0 1: x = 1.19023 s1 1: x = -1.19023
5306 r 3 H a S x @key{RET} s 5 1 n s l s1 @key{RET}
5311 Calc has invented the variable @samp{s1} to represent an unknown sign;
5312 it is supposed to be either @mathit{+1} or @mathit{-1}. Here we have used
5313 the ``let'' command to evaluate the expression when the sign is negative.
5314 If we plugged this into our second derivative we would get the same,
5315 negative, answer, so @expr{x = -1.19023} is also a maximum.
5317 To find the actual maximum value, we must plug our two values of @expr{x}
5318 into the original formula.
5322 2: 17 x^2 - 6 x^4 + 3 1: 24.08333 s1^2 - 12.04166 s1^4 + 3
5326 r 1 r 5 s l @key{RET}
5331 (Here we see another way to use @kbd{s l}; if its input is an equation
5332 with a variable on the lefthand side, then @kbd{s l} treats the equation
5333 like an assignment to that variable if you don't give a variable name.)
5335 It's clear that this will have the same value for either sign of
5336 @code{s1}, but let's work it out anyway, just for the exercise:
5340 2: [-1, 1] 1: [15.04166, 15.04166]
5341 1: 24.08333 s1^2 ... .
5344 [ 1 n , 1 ] @key{TAB} V M $ @key{RET}
5349 Here we have used a vector mapping operation to evaluate the function
5350 at several values of @samp{s1} at once. @kbd{V M $} is like @kbd{V M '}
5351 except that it takes the formula from the top of the stack. The
5352 formula is interpreted as a function to apply across the vector at the
5353 next-to-top stack level. Since a formula on the stack can't contain
5354 @samp{$} signs, Calc assumes the variables in the formula stand for
5355 different arguments. It prompts you for an @dfn{argument list}, giving
5356 the list of all variables in the formula in alphabetical order as the
5357 default list. In this case the default is @samp{(s1)}, which is just
5358 what we want so we simply press @key{RET} at the prompt.
5360 If there had been several different values, we could have used
5361 @w{@kbd{V R X}} to find the global maximum.
5363 Calc has a built-in @kbd{a P} command that solves an equation using
5364 @w{@kbd{H a S}} and returns a vector of all the solutions. It simply
5365 automates the job we just did by hand. Applied to our original
5366 cubic polynomial, it would produce the vector of solutions
5367 @expr{[1.19023, -1.19023, 0]}. (There is also an @kbd{a X} command
5368 which finds a local maximum of a function. It uses a numerical search
5369 method rather than examining the derivatives, and thus requires you
5370 to provide some kind of initial guess to show it where to look.)
5372 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Given a vector of the roots of a
5373 polynomial (such as the output of an @kbd{a P} command), what
5374 sequence of commands would you use to reconstruct the original
5375 polynomial? (The answer will be unique to within a constant
5376 multiple; choose the solution where the leading coefficient is one.)
5377 @xref{Algebra Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
5379 The @kbd{m s} command enables Symbolic mode, in which formulas
5380 like @samp{sqrt(5)} that can't be evaluated exactly are left in
5381 symbolic form rather than giving a floating-point approximate answer.
5382 Fraction mode (@kbd{m f}) is also useful when doing algebra.
5386 2: 34 x - 24 x^3 2: 34 x - 24 x^3
5387 1: 34 x - 24 x^3 1: [sqrt(51) / 6, sqrt(51) / -6, 0]
5390 r 2 @key{RET} m s m f a P x @key{RET}
5394 One more mode that makes reading formulas easier is Big mode.
5403 1: [-----, -----, 0]
5412 Here things like powers, square roots, and quotients and fractions
5413 are displayed in a two-dimensional pictorial form. Calc has other
5414 language modes as well, such as C mode, FORTRAN mode, @TeX{} mode
5419 2: 34*x - 24*pow(x, 3) 2: 34*x - 24*x**3
5420 1: @{sqrt(51) / 6, sqrt(51) / -6, 0@} 1: /sqrt(51) / 6, sqrt(51) / -6, 0/
5431 2: [@{\sqrt@{51@} \over 6@}, @{\sqrt@{51@} \over -6@}, 0]
5432 1: @{2 \over 3@} \sqrt@{5@}
5435 d T ' 2 \sqrt@{5@} \over 3 @key{RET}
5440 As you can see, language modes affect both entry and display of
5441 formulas. They affect such things as the names used for built-in
5442 functions, the set of arithmetic operators and their precedences,
5443 and notations for vectors and matrices.
5445 Notice that @samp{sqrt(51)} may cause problems with older
5446 implementations of C and FORTRAN, which would require something more
5447 like @samp{sqrt(51.0)}. It is always wise to check over the formulas
5448 produced by the various language modes to make sure they are fully
5451 Type @kbd{m s}, @kbd{m f}, and @kbd{d N} to reset these modes. (You
5452 may prefer to remain in Big mode, but all the examples in the tutorial
5453 are shown in normal mode.)
5455 @cindex Area under a curve
5456 What is the area under the portion of this curve from @expr{x = 1} to @expr{2}?
5457 This is simply the integral of the function:
5461 1: 17 x^2 - 6 x^4 + 3 1: 5.6666 x^3 - 1.2 x^5 + 3 x
5469 We want to evaluate this at our two values for @expr{x} and subtract.
5470 One way to do it is again with vector mapping and reduction:
5474 2: [2, 1] 1: [12.93333, 7.46666] 1: 5.46666
5475 1: 5.6666 x^3 ... . .
5477 [ 2 , 1 ] @key{TAB} V M $ @key{RET} V R -
5481 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} Find the integral from 1 to @expr{y}
5483 @texline @math{x \sin \pi x}
5484 @infoline @w{@expr{x sin(pi x)}}
5485 (where the sine is calculated in radians). Find the values of the
5486 integral for integers @expr{y} from 1 to 5. @xref{Algebra Answer 3,
5489 Calc's integrator can do many simple integrals symbolically, but many
5490 others are beyond its capabilities. Suppose we wish to find the area
5492 @texline @math{\sin x \ln x}
5493 @infoline @expr{sin(x) ln(x)}
5494 over the same range of @expr{x}. If you entered this formula and typed
5495 @kbd{a i x @key{RET}} (don't bother to try this), Calc would work for a
5496 long time but would be unable to find a solution. In fact, there is no
5497 closed-form solution to this integral. Now what do we do?
5499 @cindex Integration, numerical
5500 @cindex Numerical integration
5501 One approach would be to do the integral numerically. It is not hard
5502 to do this by hand using vector mapping and reduction. It is rather
5503 slow, though, since the sine and logarithm functions take a long time.
5504 We can save some time by reducing the working precision.
5508 3: 10 1: [1, 1.1, 1.2, ... , 1.8, 1.9]
5513 10 @key{RET} 1 @key{RET} .1 @key{RET} C-u v x
5518 (Note that we have used the extended version of @kbd{v x}; we could
5519 also have used plain @kbd{v x} as follows: @kbd{v x 10 @key{RET} 9 + .1 *}.)
5523 2: [1, 1.1, ... ] 1: [0., 0.084941, 0.16993, ... ]
5527 ' sin(x) ln(x) @key{RET} s 1 m r p 5 @key{RET} V M $ @key{RET}
5542 (If you got wildly different results, did you remember to switch
5545 Here we have divided the curve into ten segments of equal width;
5546 approximating these segments as rectangular boxes (i.e., assuming
5547 the curve is nearly flat at that resolution), we compute the areas
5548 of the boxes (height times width), then sum the areas. (It is
5549 faster to sum first, then multiply by the width, since the width
5550 is the same for every box.)
5552 The true value of this integral turns out to be about 0.374, so
5553 we're not doing too well. Let's try another approach.
5557 1: sin(x) ln(x) 1: 0.84147 x - 0.84147 + 0.11957 (x - 1)^2 - ...
5560 r 1 a t x=1 @key{RET} 4 @key{RET}
5565 Here we have computed the Taylor series expansion of the function
5566 about the point @expr{x=1}. We can now integrate this polynomial
5567 approximation, since polynomials are easy to integrate.
5571 1: 0.42074 x^2 + ... 1: [-0.0446, -0.42073] 1: 0.3761
5574 a i x @key{RET} [ 2 , 1 ] @key{TAB} V M $ @key{RET} V R -
5579 Better! By increasing the precision and/or asking for more terms
5580 in the Taylor series, we can get a result as accurate as we like.
5581 (Taylor series converge better away from singularities in the
5582 function such as the one at @code{ln(0)}, so it would also help to
5583 expand the series about the points @expr{x=2} or @expr{x=1.5} instead
5586 @cindex Simpson's rule
5587 @cindex Integration by Simpson's rule
5588 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} Our first method approximated the
5589 curve by stairsteps of width 0.1; the total area was then the sum
5590 of the areas of the rectangles under these stairsteps. Our second
5591 method approximated the function by a polynomial, which turned out
5592 to be a better approximation than stairsteps. A third method is
5593 @dfn{Simpson's rule}, which is like the stairstep method except
5594 that the steps are not required to be flat. Simpson's rule boils
5595 down to the formula,
5599 (h/3) * (f(a) + 4 f(a+h) + 2 f(a+2h) + 4 f(a+3h) + ...
5600 + 2 f(a+(n-2)*h) + 4 f(a+(n-1)*h) + f(a+n*h))
5607 \qquad {h \over 3} (f(a) + 4 f(a+h) + 2 f(a+2h) + 4 f(a+3h) + \cdots
5608 \hfill \cr \hfill {} + 2 f(a+(n-2)h) + 4 f(a+(n-1)h) + f(a+n h)) \qquad
5614 where @expr{n} (which must be even) is the number of slices and @expr{h}
5615 is the width of each slice. These are 10 and 0.1 in our example.
5616 For reference, here is the corresponding formula for the stairstep
5621 h * (f(a) + f(a+h) + f(a+2h) + f(a+3h) + ...
5622 + f(a+(n-2)*h) + f(a+(n-1)*h))
5628 $$ h (f(a) + f(a+h) + f(a+2h) + f(a+3h) + \cdots
5629 + f(a+(n-2)h) + f(a+(n-1)h)) $$
5633 Compute the integral from 1 to 2 of
5634 @texline @math{\sin x \ln x}
5635 @infoline @expr{sin(x) ln(x)}
5636 using Simpson's rule with 10 slices.
5637 @xref{Algebra Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
5639 Calc has a built-in @kbd{a I} command for doing numerical integration.
5640 It uses @dfn{Romberg's method}, which is a more sophisticated cousin
5641 of Simpson's rule. In particular, it knows how to keep refining the
5642 result until the current precision is satisfied.
5644 @c [fix-ref Selecting Sub-Formulas]
5645 Aside from the commands we've seen so far, Calc also provides a
5646 large set of commands for operating on parts of formulas. You
5647 indicate the desired sub-formula by placing the cursor on any part
5648 of the formula before giving a @dfn{selection} command. Selections won't
5649 be covered in the tutorial; @pxref{Selecting Subformulas}, for
5650 details and examples.
5652 @c hard exercise: simplify (2^(n r) - 2^(r*(n - 1))) / (2^r - 1) 2^(n - 1)
5653 @c to 2^((n-1)*(r-1)).
5655 @node Rewrites Tutorial, , Basic Algebra Tutorial, Algebra Tutorial
5656 @subsection Rewrite Rules
5659 No matter how many built-in commands Calc provided for doing algebra,
5660 there would always be something you wanted to do that Calc didn't have
5661 in its repertoire. So Calc also provides a @dfn{rewrite rule} system
5662 that you can use to define your own algebraic manipulations.
5664 Suppose we want to simplify this trigonometric formula:
5668 1: 1 / cos(x) - sin(x) tan(x)
5671 ' 1/cos(x) - sin(x) tan(x) @key{RET} s 1
5676 If we were simplifying this by hand, we'd probably replace the
5677 @samp{tan} with a @samp{sin/cos} first, then combine over a common
5678 denominator. There is no Calc command to do the former; the @kbd{a n}
5679 algebra command will do the latter but we'll do both with rewrite
5680 rules just for practice.
5682 Rewrite rules are written with the @samp{:=} symbol.
5686 1: 1 / cos(x) - sin(x)^2 / cos(x)
5689 a r tan(a) := sin(a)/cos(a) @key{RET}
5694 (The ``assignment operator'' @samp{:=} has several uses in Calc. All
5695 by itself the formula @samp{tan(a) := sin(a)/cos(a)} doesn't do anything,
5696 but when it is given to the @kbd{a r} command, that command interprets
5697 it as a rewrite rule.)
5699 The lefthand side, @samp{tan(a)}, is called the @dfn{pattern} of the
5700 rewrite rule. Calc searches the formula on the stack for parts that
5701 match the pattern. Variables in a rewrite pattern are called
5702 @dfn{meta-variables}, and when matching the pattern each meta-variable
5703 can match any sub-formula. Here, the meta-variable @samp{a} matched
5704 the actual variable @samp{x}.
5706 When the pattern part of a rewrite rule matches a part of the formula,
5707 that part is replaced by the righthand side with all the meta-variables
5708 substituted with the things they matched. So the result is
5709 @samp{sin(x) / cos(x)}. Calc's normal algebraic simplifications then
5710 mix this in with the rest of the original formula.
5712 To merge over a common denominator, we can use another simple rule:
5716 1: (1 - sin(x)^2) / cos(x)
5719 a r a/x + b/x := (a+b)/x @key{RET}
5723 This rule points out several interesting features of rewrite patterns.
5724 First, if a meta-variable appears several times in a pattern, it must
5725 match the same thing everywhere. This rule detects common denominators
5726 because the same meta-variable @samp{x} is used in both of the
5729 Second, meta-variable names are independent from variables in the
5730 target formula. Notice that the meta-variable @samp{x} here matches
5731 the subformula @samp{cos(x)}; Calc never confuses the two meanings of
5734 And third, rewrite patterns know a little bit about the algebraic
5735 properties of formulas. The pattern called for a sum of two quotients;
5736 Calc was able to match a difference of two quotients by matching
5737 @samp{a = 1}, @samp{b = -sin(x)^2}, and @samp{x = cos(x)}.
5739 @c [fix-ref Algebraic Properties of Rewrite Rules]
5740 We could just as easily have written @samp{a/x - b/x := (a-b)/x} for
5741 the rule. It would have worked just the same in all cases. (If we
5742 really wanted the rule to apply only to @samp{+} or only to @samp{-},
5743 we could have used the @code{plain} symbol. @xref{Algebraic Properties
5744 of Rewrite Rules}, for some examples of this.)
5746 One more rewrite will complete the job. We want to use the identity
5747 @samp{sin(x)^2 + cos(x)^2 = 1}, but of course we must first rearrange
5748 the identity in a way that matches our formula. The obvious rule
5749 would be @samp{@w{1 - sin(x)^2} := cos(x)^2}, but a little thought shows
5750 that the rule @samp{sin(x)^2 := 1 - cos(x)^2} will also work. The
5751 latter rule has a more general pattern so it will work in many other
5756 1: (1 + cos(x)^2 - 1) / cos(x) 1: cos(x)
5759 a r sin(x)^2 := 1 - cos(x)^2 @key{RET} a s
5763 You may ask, what's the point of using the most general rule if you
5764 have to type it in every time anyway? The answer is that Calc allows
5765 you to store a rewrite rule in a variable, then give the variable
5766 name in the @kbd{a r} command. In fact, this is the preferred way to
5767 use rewrites. For one, if you need a rule once you'll most likely
5768 need it again later. Also, if the rule doesn't work quite right you
5769 can simply Undo, edit the variable, and run the rule again without
5770 having to retype it.
5774 ' tan(x) := sin(x)/cos(x) @key{RET} s t tsc @key{RET}
5775 ' a/x + b/x := (a+b)/x @key{RET} s t merge @key{RET}
5776 ' sin(x)^2 := 1 - cos(x)^2 @key{RET} s t sinsqr @key{RET}
5778 1: 1 / cos(x) - sin(x) tan(x) 1: cos(x)
5781 r 1 a r tsc @key{RET} a r merge @key{RET} a r sinsqr @key{RET} a s
5785 To edit a variable, type @kbd{s e} and the variable name, use regular
5786 Emacs editing commands as necessary, then type @kbd{C-c C-c} to store
5787 the edited value back into the variable.
5788 You can also use @w{@kbd{s e}} to create a new variable if you wish.
5790 Notice that the first time you use each rule, Calc puts up a ``compiling''
5791 message briefly. The pattern matcher converts rules into a special
5792 optimized pattern-matching language rather than using them directly.
5793 This allows @kbd{a r} to apply even rather complicated rules very
5794 efficiently. If the rule is stored in a variable, Calc compiles it
5795 only once and stores the compiled form along with the variable. That's
5796 another good reason to store your rules in variables rather than
5797 entering them on the fly.
5799 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} Type @kbd{m s} to get Symbolic
5800 mode, then enter the formula @samp{@w{(2 + sqrt(2))} / @w{(1 + sqrt(2))}}.
5801 Using a rewrite rule, simplify this formula by multiplying the top and
5802 bottom by the conjugate @w{@samp{1 - sqrt(2)}}. The result will have
5803 to be expanded by the distributive law; do this with another
5804 rewrite. @xref{Rewrites Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
5806 The @kbd{a r} command can also accept a vector of rewrite rules, or
5807 a variable containing a vector of rules.
5811 1: [tsc, merge, sinsqr] 1: [tan(x) := sin(x) / cos(x), ... ]
5814 ' [tsc,merge,sinsqr] @key{RET} =
5821 1: 1 / cos(x) - sin(x) tan(x) 1: cos(x)
5824 s t trig @key{RET} r 1 a r trig @key{RET} a s
5828 @c [fix-ref Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules]
5829 Calc tries all the rules you give against all parts of the formula,
5830 repeating until no further change is possible. (The exact order in
5831 which things are tried is rather complex, but for simple rules like
5832 the ones we've used here the order doesn't really matter.
5833 @xref{Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules}.)
5835 Calc actually repeats only up to 100 times, just in case your rule set
5836 has gotten into an infinite loop. You can give a numeric prefix argument
5837 to @kbd{a r} to specify any limit. In particular, @kbd{M-1 a r} does
5838 only one rewrite at a time.
5842 1: 1 / cos(x) - sin(x)^2 / cos(x) 1: (1 - sin(x)^2) / cos(x)
5845 r 1 M-1 a r trig @key{RET} M-1 a r trig @key{RET}
5849 You can type @kbd{M-0 a r} if you want no limit at all on the number
5850 of rewrites that occur.
5852 Rewrite rules can also be @dfn{conditional}. Simply follow the rule
5853 with a @samp{::} symbol and the desired condition. For example,
5857 1: exp(2 pi i) + exp(3 pi i) + exp(4 pi i)
5860 ' exp(2 pi i) + exp(3 pi i) + exp(4 pi i) @key{RET}
5867 1: 1 + exp(3 pi i) + 1
5870 a r exp(k pi i) := 1 :: k % 2 = 0 @key{RET}
5875 (Recall, @samp{k % 2} is the remainder from dividing @samp{k} by 2,
5876 which will be zero only when @samp{k} is an even integer.)
5878 An interesting point is that the variables @samp{pi} and @samp{i}
5879 were matched literally rather than acting as meta-variables.
5880 This is because they are special-constant variables. The special
5881 constants @samp{e}, @samp{phi}, and so on also match literally.
5882 A common error with rewrite
5883 rules is to write, say, @samp{f(a,b,c,d,e) := g(a+b+c+d+e)}, expecting
5884 to match any @samp{f} with five arguments but in fact matching
5885 only when the fifth argument is literally @samp{e}!
5887 @cindex Fibonacci numbers
5892 Rewrite rules provide an interesting way to define your own functions.
5893 Suppose we want to define @samp{fib(n)} to produce the @var{n}th
5894 Fibonacci number. The first two Fibonacci numbers are each 1;
5895 later numbers are formed by summing the two preceding numbers in
5896 the sequence. This is easy to express in a set of three rules:
5900 ' [fib(1) := 1, fib(2) := 1, fib(n) := fib(n-1) + fib(n-2)] @key{RET} s t fib
5905 ' fib(7) @key{RET} a r fib @key{RET}
5909 One thing that is guaranteed about the order that rewrites are tried
5910 is that, for any given subformula, earlier rules in the rule set will
5911 be tried for that subformula before later ones. So even though the
5912 first and third rules both match @samp{fib(1)}, we know the first will
5913 be used preferentially.
5915 This rule set has one dangerous bug: Suppose we apply it to the
5916 formula @samp{fib(x)}? (Don't actually try this.) The third rule
5917 will match @samp{fib(x)} and replace it with @w{@samp{fib(x-1) + fib(x-2)}}.
5918 Each of these will then be replaced to get @samp{fib(x-2) + 2 fib(x-3) +
5919 fib(x-4)}, and so on, expanding forever. What we really want is to apply
5920 the third rule only when @samp{n} is an integer greater than two. Type
5921 @w{@kbd{s e fib @key{RET}}}, then edit the third rule to:
5924 fib(n) := fib(n-1) + fib(n-2) :: integer(n) :: n > 2
5932 1: fib(6) + fib(x) + fib(0) 1: 8 + fib(x) + fib(0)
5935 ' fib(6)+fib(x)+fib(0) @key{RET} a r fib @key{RET}
5940 We've created a new function, @code{fib}, and a new command,
5941 @w{@kbd{a r fib @key{RET}}}, which means ``evaluate all @code{fib} calls in
5942 this formula.'' To make things easier still, we can tell Calc to
5943 apply these rules automatically by storing them in the special
5944 variable @code{EvalRules}.
5948 1: [fib(1) := ...] . 1: [8, 13]
5951 s r fib @key{RET} s t EvalRules @key{RET} ' [fib(6), fib(7)] @key{RET}
5955 It turns out that this rule set has the problem that it does far
5956 more work than it needs to when @samp{n} is large. Consider the
5957 first few steps of the computation of @samp{fib(6)}:
5963 fib(4) + fib(3) + fib(3) + fib(2) =
5964 fib(3) + fib(2) + fib(2) + fib(1) + fib(2) + fib(1) + 1 = ...
5969 Note that @samp{fib(3)} appears three times here. Unless Calc's
5970 algebraic simplifier notices the multiple @samp{fib(3)}s and combines
5971 them (and, as it happens, it doesn't), this rule set does lots of
5972 needless recomputation. To cure the problem, type @code{s e EvalRules}
5973 to edit the rules (or just @kbd{s E}, a shorthand command for editing
5974 @code{EvalRules}) and add another condition:
5977 fib(n) := fib(n-1) + fib(n-2) :: integer(n) :: n > 2 :: remember
5981 If a @samp{:: remember} condition appears anywhere in a rule, then if
5982 that rule succeeds Calc will add another rule that describes that match
5983 to the front of the rule set. (Remembering works in any rule set, but
5984 for technical reasons it is most effective in @code{EvalRules}.) For
5985 example, if the rule rewrites @samp{fib(7)} to something that evaluates
5986 to 13, then the rule @samp{fib(7) := 13} will be added to the rule set.
5988 Type @kbd{' fib(8) @key{RET}} to compute the eighth Fibonacci number, then
5989 type @kbd{s E} again to see what has happened to the rule set.
5991 With the @code{remember} feature, our rule set can now compute
5992 @samp{fib(@var{n})} in just @var{n} steps. In the process it builds
5993 up a table of all Fibonacci numbers up to @var{n}. After we have
5994 computed the result for a particular @var{n}, we can get it back
5995 (and the results for all smaller @var{n}) later in just one step.
5997 All Calc operations will run somewhat slower whenever @code{EvalRules}
5998 contains any rules. You should type @kbd{s u EvalRules @key{RET}} now to
5999 un-store the variable.
6001 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Sometimes it is possible to reformulate
6002 a problem to reduce the amount of recursion necessary to solve it.
6003 Create a rule that, in about @var{n} simple steps and without recourse
6004 to the @code{remember} option, replaces @samp{fib(@var{n}, 1, 1)} with
6005 @samp{fib(1, @var{x}, @var{y})} where @var{x} and @var{y} are the
6006 @var{n}th and @var{n+1}st Fibonacci numbers, respectively. This rule is
6007 rather clunky to use, so add a couple more rules to make the ``user
6008 interface'' the same as for our first version: enter @samp{fib(@var{n})},
6009 get back a plain number. @xref{Rewrites Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
6011 There are many more things that rewrites can do. For example, there
6012 are @samp{&&&} and @samp{|||} pattern operators that create ``and''
6013 and ``or'' combinations of rules. As one really simple example, we
6014 could combine our first two Fibonacci rules thusly:
6017 [fib(1 ||| 2) := 1, fib(n) := ... ]
6021 That means ``@code{fib} of something matching either 1 or 2 rewrites
6024 You can also make meta-variables optional by enclosing them in @code{opt}.
6025 For example, the pattern @samp{a + b x} matches @samp{2 + 3 x} but not
6026 @samp{2 + x} or @samp{3 x} or @samp{x}. The pattern @samp{opt(a) + opt(b) x}
6027 matches all of these forms, filling in a default of zero for @samp{a}
6028 and one for @samp{b}.
6030 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} Your friend Joe had @samp{2 + 3 x}
6031 on the stack and tried to use the rule
6032 @samp{opt(a) + opt(b) x := f(a, b, x)}. What happened?
6033 @xref{Rewrites Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
6035 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} Starting with a positive integer @expr{a},
6036 divide @expr{a} by two if it is even, otherwise compute @expr{3 a + 1}.
6037 Now repeat this step over and over. A famous unproved conjecture
6038 is that for any starting @expr{a}, the sequence always eventually
6039 reaches 1. Given the formula @samp{seq(@var{a}, 0)}, write a set of
6040 rules that convert this into @samp{seq(1, @var{n})} where @var{n}
6041 is the number of steps it took the sequence to reach the value 1.
6042 Now enhance the rules to accept @samp{seq(@var{a})} as a starting
6043 configuration, and to stop with just the number @var{n} by itself.
6044 Now make the result be a vector of values in the sequence, from @var{a}
6045 to 1. (The formula @samp{@var{x}|@var{y}} appends the vectors @var{x}
6046 and @var{y}.) For example, rewriting @samp{seq(6)} should yield the
6047 vector @expr{[6, 3, 10, 5, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1]}.
6048 @xref{Rewrites Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
6050 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 5.} Define, using rewrite rules, a function
6051 @samp{nterms(@var{x})} that returns the number of terms in the sum
6052 @var{x}, or 1 if @var{x} is not a sum. (A @dfn{sum} for our purposes
6053 is one or more non-sum terms separated by @samp{+} or @samp{-} signs,
6054 so that @expr{2 - 3 (x + y) + x y} is a sum of three terms.)
6055 @xref{Rewrites Answer 5, 5}. (@bullet{})
6057 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 6.} A Taylor series for a function is an
6058 infinite series that exactly equals the value of that function at
6059 values of @expr{x} near zero.
6063 cos(x) = 1 - x^2 / 2! + x^4 / 4! - x^6 / 6! + ...
6069 $$ \cos x = 1 - {x^2 \over 2!} + {x^4 \over 4!} - {x^6 \over 6!} + \cdots $$
6073 The @kbd{a t} command produces a @dfn{truncated Taylor series} which
6074 is obtained by dropping all the terms higher than, say, @expr{x^2}.
6075 Calc represents the truncated Taylor series as a polynomial in @expr{x}.
6076 Mathematicians often write a truncated series using a ``big-O'' notation
6077 that records what was the lowest term that was truncated.
6081 cos(x) = 1 - x^2 / 2! + O(x^3)
6087 $$ \cos x = 1 - {x^2 \over 2!} + O(x^3) $$
6092 The meaning of @expr{O(x^3)} is ``a quantity which is negligibly small
6093 if @expr{x^3} is considered negligibly small as @expr{x} goes to zero.''
6095 The exercise is to create rewrite rules that simplify sums and products of
6096 power series represented as @samp{@var{polynomial} + O(@var{var}^@var{n})}.
6097 For example, given @samp{1 - x^2 / 2 + O(x^3)} and @samp{x - x^3 / 6 + O(x^4)}
6098 on the stack, we want to be able to type @kbd{*} and get the result
6099 @samp{x - 2:3 x^3 + O(x^4)}. Don't worry if the terms of the sum are
6100 rearranged or if @kbd{a s} needs to be typed after rewriting. (This one
6101 is rather tricky; the solution at the end of this chapter uses 6 rewrite
6102 rules. Hint: The @samp{constant(x)} condition tests whether @samp{x} is
6103 a number.) @xref{Rewrites Answer 6, 6}. (@bullet{})
6105 Just for kicks, try adding the rule @code{2+3 := 6} to @code{EvalRules}.
6106 What happens? (Be sure to remove this rule afterward, or you might get
6107 a nasty surprise when you use Calc to balance your checkbook!)
6109 @xref{Rewrite Rules}, for the whole story on rewrite rules.
6111 @node Programming Tutorial, Answers to Exercises, Algebra Tutorial, Tutorial
6112 @section Programming Tutorial
6115 The Calculator is written entirely in Emacs Lisp, a highly extensible
6116 language. If you know Lisp, you can program the Calculator to do
6117 anything you like. Rewrite rules also work as a powerful programming
6118 system. But Lisp and rewrite rules take a while to master, and often
6119 all you want to do is define a new function or repeat a command a few
6120 times. Calc has features that allow you to do these things easily.
6122 One very limited form of programming is defining your own functions.
6123 Calc's @kbd{Z F} command allows you to define a function name and
6124 key sequence to correspond to any formula. Programming commands use
6125 the shift-@kbd{Z} prefix; the user commands they create use the lower
6126 case @kbd{z} prefix.
6130 1: 1 + x + x^2 / 2 + x^3 / 6 1: 1 + x + x^2 / 2 + x^3 / 6
6133 ' 1 + x + x^2/2! + x^3/3! @key{RET} Z F e myexp @key{RET} @key{RET} @key{RET} y
6137 This polynomial is a Taylor series approximation to @samp{exp(x)}.
6138 The @kbd{Z F} command asks a number of questions. The above answers
6139 say that the key sequence for our function should be @kbd{z e}; the
6140 @kbd{M-x} equivalent should be @code{calc-myexp}; the name of the
6141 function in algebraic formulas should also be @code{myexp}; the
6142 default argument list @samp{(x)} is acceptable; and finally @kbd{y}
6143 answers the question ``leave it in symbolic form for non-constant
6148 1: 1.3495 2: 1.3495 3: 1.3495
6149 . 1: 1.34986 2: 1.34986
6153 .3 z e .3 E ' a+1 @key{RET} z e
6158 First we call our new @code{exp} approximation with 0.3 as an
6159 argument, and compare it with the true @code{exp} function. Then
6160 we note that, as requested, if we try to give @kbd{z e} an
6161 argument that isn't a plain number, it leaves the @code{myexp}
6162 function call in symbolic form. If we had answered @kbd{n} to the
6163 final question, @samp{myexp(a + 1)} would have evaluated by plugging
6164 in @samp{a + 1} for @samp{x} in the defining formula.
6166 @cindex Sine integral Si(x)
6171 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 1.} The ``sine integral'' function
6172 @texline @math{{\rm Si}(x)}
6173 @infoline @expr{Si(x)}
6174 is defined as the integral of @samp{sin(t)/t} for
6175 @expr{t = 0} to @expr{x} in radians. (It was invented because this
6176 integral has no solution in terms of basic functions; if you give it
6177 to Calc's @kbd{a i} command, it will ponder it for a long time and then
6178 give up.) We can use the numerical integration command, however,
6179 which in algebraic notation is written like @samp{ninteg(f(t), t, 0, x)}
6180 with any integrand @samp{f(t)}. Define a @kbd{z s} command and
6181 @code{Si} function that implement this. You will need to edit the
6182 default argument list a bit. As a test, @samp{Si(1)} should return
6183 0.946083. (If you don't get this answer, you might want to check that
6184 Calc is in Radians mode. Also, @code{ninteg} will run a lot faster if
6185 you reduce the precision to, say, six digits beforehand.)
6186 @xref{Programming Answer 1, 1}. (@bullet{})
6188 The simplest way to do real ``programming'' of Emacs is to define a
6189 @dfn{keyboard macro}. A keyboard macro is simply a sequence of
6190 keystrokes which Emacs has stored away and can play back on demand.
6191 For example, if you find yourself typing @kbd{H a S x @key{RET}} often,
6192 you may wish to program a keyboard macro to type this for you.
6196 1: y = sqrt(x) 1: x = y^2
6199 ' y=sqrt(x) @key{RET} C-x ( H a S x @key{RET} C-x )
6201 1: y = cos(x) 1: x = s1 arccos(y) + 2 pi n1
6204 ' y=cos(x) @key{RET} X
6209 When you type @kbd{C-x (}, Emacs begins recording. But it is also
6210 still ready to execute your keystrokes, so you're really ``training''
6211 Emacs by walking it through the procedure once. When you type
6212 @w{@kbd{C-x )}}, the macro is recorded. You can now type @kbd{X} to
6213 re-execute the same keystrokes.
6215 You can give a name to your macro by typing @kbd{Z K}.
6219 1: . 1: y = x^4 1: x = s2 sqrt(s1 sqrt(y))
6222 Z K x @key{RET} ' y=x^4 @key{RET} z x
6227 Notice that we use shift-@kbd{Z} to define the command, and lower-case
6228 @kbd{z} to call it up.
6230 Keyboard macros can call other macros.
6234 1: abs(x) 1: x = s1 y 1: 2 / x 1: x = 2 / y
6237 ' abs(x) @key{RET} C-x ( ' y @key{RET} a = z x C-x ) ' 2/x @key{RET} X
6241 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 2.} Define a keyboard macro to negate
6242 the item in level 3 of the stack, without disturbing the rest of
6243 the stack. @xref{Programming Answer 2, 2}. (@bullet{})
6245 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 3.} Define keyboard macros to compute
6246 the following functions:
6251 @texline @math{\displaystyle{\sin x \over x}},
6252 @infoline @expr{sin(x) / x},
6253 where @expr{x} is the number on the top of the stack.
6256 Compute the base-@expr{b} logarithm, just like the @kbd{B} key except
6257 the arguments are taken in the opposite order.
6260 Produce a vector of integers from 1 to the integer on the top of
6264 @xref{Programming Answer 3, 3}. (@bullet{})
6266 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 4.} Define a keyboard macro to compute
6267 the average (mean) value of a list of numbers.
6268 @xref{Programming Answer 4, 4}. (@bullet{})
6270 In many programs, some of the steps must execute several times.
6271 Calc has @dfn{looping} commands that allow this. Loops are useful
6272 inside keyboard macros, but actually work at any time.
6276 1: x^6 2: x^6 1: 360 x^2
6280 ' x^6 @key{RET} 4 Z < a d x @key{RET} Z >
6285 Here we have computed the fourth derivative of @expr{x^6} by
6286 enclosing a derivative command in a ``repeat loop'' structure.
6287 This structure pops a repeat count from the stack, then
6288 executes the body of the loop that many times.
6290 If you make a mistake while entering the body of the loop,
6291 type @w{@kbd{Z C-g}} to cancel the loop command.
6293 @cindex Fibonacci numbers
6294 Here's another example:
6303 1 @key{RET} @key{RET} 20 Z < @key{TAB} C-j + Z >
6308 The numbers in levels 2 and 1 should be the 21st and 22nd Fibonacci
6309 numbers, respectively. (To see what's going on, try a few repetitions
6310 of the loop body by hand; @kbd{C-j}, also on the Line-Feed or @key{LFD}
6311 key if you have one, makes a copy of the number in level 2.)
6313 @cindex Golden ratio
6314 @cindex Phi, golden ratio
6315 A fascinating property of the Fibonacci numbers is that the @expr{n}th
6316 Fibonacci number can be found directly by computing
6317 @texline @math{\phi^n / \sqrt{5}}
6318 @infoline @expr{phi^n / sqrt(5)}
6319 and then rounding to the nearest integer, where
6320 @texline @math{\phi} (``phi''),
6321 @infoline @expr{phi},
6322 the ``golden ratio,'' is
6323 @texline @math{(1 + \sqrt{5}) / 2}.
6324 @infoline @expr{(1 + sqrt(5)) / 2}.
6325 (For convenience, this constant is available from the @code{phi}
6326 variable, or the @kbd{I H P} command.)
6330 1: 1.61803 1: 24476.0000409 1: 10945.9999817 1: 10946
6337 @cindex Continued fractions
6338 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 5.} The @dfn{continued fraction}
6340 @texline @math{\phi}
6341 @infoline @expr{phi}
6343 @texline @math{1 + 1/(1 + 1/(1 + 1/( \ldots )))}.
6344 @infoline @expr{1 + 1/(1 + 1/(1 + 1/( ...@: )))}.
6345 We can compute an approximate value by carrying this however far
6346 and then replacing the innermost
6347 @texline @math{1/( \ldots )}
6348 @infoline @expr{1/( ...@: )}
6350 @texline @math{\phi}
6351 @infoline @expr{phi}
6352 using a twenty-term continued fraction.
6353 @xref{Programming Answer 5, 5}. (@bullet{})
6355 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 6.} Linear recurrences like the one for
6356 Fibonacci numbers can be expressed in terms of matrices. Given a
6357 vector @w{@expr{[a, b]}} determine a matrix which, when multiplied by this
6358 vector, produces the vector @expr{[b, c]}, where @expr{a}, @expr{b} and
6359 @expr{c} are three successive Fibonacci numbers. Now write a program
6360 that, given an integer @expr{n}, computes the @expr{n}th Fibonacci number
6361 using matrix arithmetic. @xref{Programming Answer 6, 6}. (@bullet{})
6363 @cindex Harmonic numbers
6364 A more sophisticated kind of loop is the @dfn{for} loop. Suppose
6365 we wish to compute the 20th ``harmonic'' number, which is equal to
6366 the sum of the reciprocals of the integers from 1 to 20.
6375 0 @key{RET} 1 @key{RET} 20 Z ( & + 1 Z )
6380 The ``for'' loop pops two numbers, the lower and upper limits, then
6381 repeats the body of the loop as an internal counter increases from
6382 the lower limit to the upper one. Just before executing the loop
6383 body, it pushes the current loop counter. When the loop body
6384 finishes, it pops the ``step,'' i.e., the amount by which to
6385 increment the loop counter. As you can see, our loop always
6388 This harmonic number function uses the stack to hold the running
6389 total as well as for the various loop housekeeping functions. If
6390 you find this disorienting, you can sum in a variable instead:
6394 1: 0 2: 1 . 1: 3.597739
6398 0 t 7 1 @key{RET} 20 Z ( & s + 7 1 Z ) r 7
6403 The @kbd{s +} command adds the top-of-stack into the value in a
6404 variable (and removes that value from the stack).
6406 It's worth noting that many jobs that call for a ``for'' loop can
6407 also be done more easily by Calc's high-level operations. Two
6408 other ways to compute harmonic numbers are to use vector mapping
6409 and reduction (@kbd{v x 20}, then @w{@kbd{V M &}}, then @kbd{V R +}),
6410 or to use the summation command @kbd{a +}. Both of these are
6411 probably easier than using loops. However, there are some
6412 situations where loops really are the way to go:
6414 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 7.} Use a ``for'' loop to find the first
6415 harmonic number which is greater than 4.0.
6416 @xref{Programming Answer 7, 7}. (@bullet{})
6418 Of course, if we're going to be using variables in our programs,
6419 we have to worry about the programs clobbering values that the
6420 caller was keeping in those same variables. This is easy to
6425 . 1: 0.6667 1: 0.6667 3: 0.6667
6430 Z ` p 4 @key{RET} 2 @key{RET} 3 / s 7 s s a @key{RET} Z ' r 7 s r a @key{RET}
6435 When we type @kbd{Z `} (that's a back-quote character), Calc saves
6436 its mode settings and the contents of the ten ``quick variables''
6437 for later reference. When we type @kbd{Z '} (that's an apostrophe
6438 now), Calc restores those saved values. Thus the @kbd{p 4} and
6439 @kbd{s 7} commands have no effect outside this sequence. Wrapping
6440 this around the body of a keyboard macro ensures that it doesn't
6441 interfere with what the user of the macro was doing. Notice that
6442 the contents of the stack, and the values of named variables,
6443 survive past the @kbd{Z '} command.
6445 @cindex Bernoulli numbers, approximate
6446 The @dfn{Bernoulli numbers} are a sequence with the interesting
6447 property that all of the odd Bernoulli numbers are zero, and the
6448 even ones, while difficult to compute, can be roughly approximated
6450 @texline @math{\displaystyle{2 n! \over (2 \pi)^n}}.
6451 @infoline @expr{2 n!@: / (2 pi)^n}.
6452 Let's write a keyboard macro to compute (approximate) Bernoulli numbers.
6453 (Calc has a command, @kbd{k b}, to compute exact Bernoulli numbers, but
6454 this command is very slow for large @expr{n} since the higher Bernoulli
6455 numbers are very large fractions.)
6462 10 C-x ( @key{RET} 2 % Z [ @key{DEL} 0 Z : ' 2 $! / (2 pi)^$ @key{RET} = Z ] C-x )
6467 You can read @kbd{Z [} as ``then,'' @kbd{Z :} as ``else,'' and
6468 @kbd{Z ]} as ``end-if.'' There is no need for an explicit ``if''
6469 command. For the purposes of @w{@kbd{Z [}}, the condition is ``true''
6470 if the value it pops from the stack is a nonzero number, or ``false''
6471 if it pops zero or something that is not a number (like a formula).
6472 Here we take our integer argument modulo 2; this will be nonzero
6473 if we're asking for an odd Bernoulli number.
6475 The actual tenth Bernoulli number is @expr{5/66}.
6479 3: 0.0756823 1: 0 1: 0.25305 1: 0 1: 1.16659
6484 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
6488 Just to exercise loops a bit more, let's compute a table of even
6493 3: [] 1: [0.10132, 0.03079, 0.02340, 0.033197, ...]
6498 [ ] 2 @key{RET} 30 Z ( X | 2 Z )
6503 The vertical-bar @kbd{|} is the vector-concatenation command. When
6504 we execute it, the list we are building will be in stack level 2
6505 (initially this is an empty list), and the next Bernoulli number
6506 will be in level 1. The effect is to append the Bernoulli number
6507 onto the end of the list. (To create a table of exact fractional
6508 Bernoulli numbers, just replace @kbd{X} with @kbd{k b} in the above
6509 sequence of keystrokes.)
6511 With loops and conditionals, you can program essentially anything
6512 in Calc. One other command that makes looping easier is @kbd{Z /},
6513 which takes a condition from the stack and breaks out of the enclosing
6514 loop if the condition is true (non-zero). You can use this to make
6515 ``while'' and ``until'' style loops.
6517 If you make a mistake when entering a keyboard macro, you can edit
6518 it using @kbd{Z E}. First, you must attach it to a key with @kbd{Z K}.
6519 One technique is to enter a throwaway dummy definition for the macro,
6520 then enter the real one in the edit command.
6524 1: 3 1: 3 Calc Macro Edit Mode.
6525 . . Original keys: 1 <return> 2 +
6532 C-x ( 1 @key{RET} 2 + C-x ) Z K h @key{RET} Z E h
6537 A keyboard macro is stored as a pure keystroke sequence. The
6538 @file{edmacro} package (invoked by @kbd{Z E}) scans along the
6539 macro and tries to decode it back into human-readable steps.
6540 Descriptions of the keystrokes are given as comments, which begin with
6541 @samp{;;}, and which are ignored when the edited macro is saved.
6542 Spaces and line breaks are also ignored when the edited macro is saved.
6543 To enter a space into the macro, type @code{SPC}. All the special
6544 characters @code{RET}, @code{LFD}, @code{TAB}, @code{SPC}, @code{DEL},
6545 and @code{NUL} must be written in all uppercase, as must the prefixes
6546 @code{C-} and @code{M-}.
6548 Let's edit in a new definition, for computing harmonic numbers.
6549 First, erase the four lines of the old definition. Then, type
6550 in the new definition (or use Emacs @kbd{M-w} and @kbd{C-y} commands
6551 to copy it from this page of the Info file; you can of course skip
6552 typing the comments, which begin with @samp{;;}).
6555 Z` ;; calc-kbd-push (Save local values)
6556 0 ;; calc digits (Push a zero onto the stack)
6557 st ;; calc-store-into (Store it in the following variable)
6558 1 ;; calc quick variable (Quick variable q1)
6559 1 ;; calc digits (Initial value for the loop)
6560 TAB ;; calc-roll-down (Swap initial and final)
6561 Z( ;; calc-kbd-for (Begin the "for" loop)
6562 & ;; calc-inv (Take the reciprocal)
6563 s+ ;; calc-store-plus (Add to the following variable)
6564 1 ;; calc quick variable (Quick variable q1)
6565 1 ;; calc digits (The loop step is 1)
6566 Z) ;; calc-kbd-end-for (End the "for" loop)
6567 sr ;; calc-recall (Recall the final accumulated value)
6568 1 ;; calc quick variable (Quick variable q1)
6569 Z' ;; calc-kbd-pop (Restore values)
6573 Press @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish editing and return to the Calculator.
6584 The @file{edmacro} package defines a handy @code{read-kbd-macro} command
6585 which reads the current region of the current buffer as a sequence of
6586 keystroke names, and defines that sequence on the @kbd{X}
6587 (and @kbd{C-x e}) key. Because this is so useful, Calc puts this
6588 command on the @kbd{M-# m} key. Try reading in this macro in the
6589 following form: Press @kbd{C-@@} (or @kbd{C-@key{SPC}}) at
6590 one end of the text below, then type @kbd{M-# m} at the other.
6602 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 8.} A general algorithm for solving
6603 equations numerically is @dfn{Newton's Method}. Given the equation
6604 @expr{f(x) = 0} for any function @expr{f}, and an initial guess
6605 @expr{x_0} which is reasonably close to the desired solution, apply
6606 this formula over and over:
6610 new_x = x - f(x)/f'(x)
6615 $$ x_{\rm new} = x - {f(x) \over f'(x)} $$
6620 where @expr{f'(x)} is the derivative of @expr{f}. The @expr{x}
6621 values will quickly converge to a solution, i.e., eventually
6622 @texline @math{x_{\rm new}}
6623 @infoline @expr{new_x}
6624 and @expr{x} will be equal to within the limits
6625 of the current precision. Write a program which takes a formula
6626 involving the variable @expr{x}, and an initial guess @expr{x_0},
6627 on the stack, and produces a value of @expr{x} for which the formula
6628 is zero. Use it to find a solution of
6629 @texline @math{\sin(\cos x) = 0.5}
6630 @infoline @expr{sin(cos(x)) = 0.5}
6631 near @expr{x = 4.5}. (Use angles measured in radians.) Note that
6632 the built-in @w{@kbd{a R}} (@code{calc-find-root}) command uses Newton's
6633 method when it is able. @xref{Programming Answer 8, 8}. (@bullet{})
6635 @cindex Digamma function
6636 @cindex Gamma constant, Euler's
6637 @cindex Euler's gamma constant
6638 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 9.} The @dfn{digamma} function
6639 @texline @math{\psi(z) (``psi'')}
6640 @infoline @expr{psi(z)}
6641 is defined as the derivative of
6642 @texline @math{\ln \Gamma(z)}.
6643 @infoline @expr{ln(gamma(z))}.
6644 For large values of @expr{z}, it can be approximated by the infinite sum
6648 psi(z) ~= ln(z) - 1/2z - sum(bern(2 n) / 2 n z^(2 n), n, 1, inf)
6653 $$ \psi(z) \approx \ln z - {1\over2z} -
6654 \sum_{n=1}^\infty {\code{bern}(2 n) \over 2 n z^{2n}}
6661 @texline @math{\sum}
6662 @infoline @expr{sum}
6663 represents the sum over @expr{n} from 1 to infinity
6664 (or to some limit high enough to give the desired accuracy), and
6665 the @code{bern} function produces (exact) Bernoulli numbers.
6666 While this sum is not guaranteed to converge, in practice it is safe.
6667 An interesting mathematical constant is Euler's gamma, which is equal
6668 to about 0.5772. One way to compute it is by the formula,
6669 @texline @math{\gamma = -\psi(1)}.
6670 @infoline @expr{gamma = -psi(1)}.
6671 Unfortunately, 1 isn't a large enough argument
6672 for the above formula to work (5 is a much safer value for @expr{z}).
6673 Fortunately, we can compute
6674 @texline @math{\psi(1)}
6675 @infoline @expr{psi(1)}
6677 @texline @math{\psi(5)}
6678 @infoline @expr{psi(5)}
6679 using the recurrence
6680 @texline @math{\psi(z+1) = \psi(z) + {1 \over z}}.
6681 @infoline @expr{psi(z+1) = psi(z) + 1/z}.
6682 Your task: Develop a program to compute
6683 @texline @math{\psi(z)};
6684 @infoline @expr{psi(z)};
6685 it should ``pump up'' @expr{z}
6686 if necessary to be greater than 5, then use the above summation
6687 formula. Use looping commands to compute the sum. Use your function
6689 @texline @math{\gamma}
6690 @infoline @expr{gamma}
6691 to twelve decimal places. (Calc has a built-in command
6692 for Euler's constant, @kbd{I P}, which you can use to check your answer.)
6693 @xref{Programming Answer 9, 9}. (@bullet{})
6695 @cindex Polynomial, list of coefficients
6696 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 10.} Given a polynomial in @expr{x} and
6697 a number @expr{m} on the stack, where the polynomial is of degree
6698 @expr{m} or less (i.e., does not have any terms higher than @expr{x^m}),
6699 write a program to convert the polynomial into a list-of-coefficients
6700 notation. For example, @expr{5 x^4 + (x + 1)^2} with @expr{m = 6}
6701 should produce the list @expr{[1, 2, 1, 0, 5, 0, 0]}. Also develop
6702 a way to convert from this form back to the standard algebraic form.
6703 @xref{Programming Answer 10, 10}. (@bullet{})
6706 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 11.} The @dfn{Stirling numbers of the
6707 first kind} are defined by the recurrences,
6711 s(n,n) = 1 for n >= 0,
6712 s(n,0) = 0 for n > 0,
6713 s(n+1,m) = s(n,m-1) - n s(n,m) for n >= m >= 1.
6719 $$ \eqalign{ s(n,n) &= 1 \qquad \hbox{for } n \ge 0, \cr
6720 s(n,0) &= 0 \qquad \hbox{for } n > 0, \cr
6721 s(n+1,m) &= s(n,m-1) - n \, s(n,m) \qquad
6722 \hbox{for } n \ge m \ge 1.}
6726 (These numbers are also sometimes written $\displaystyle{n \brack m}$.)
6729 This can be implemented using a @dfn{recursive} program in Calc; the
6730 program must invoke itself in order to calculate the two righthand
6731 terms in the general formula. Since it always invokes itself with
6732 ``simpler'' arguments, it's easy to see that it must eventually finish
6733 the computation. Recursion is a little difficult with Emacs keyboard
6734 macros since the macro is executed before its definition is complete.
6735 So here's the recommended strategy: Create a ``dummy macro'' and assign
6736 it to a key with, e.g., @kbd{Z K s}. Now enter the true definition,
6737 using the @kbd{z s} command to call itself recursively, then assign it
6738 to the same key with @kbd{Z K s}. Now the @kbd{z s} command will run
6739 the complete recursive program. (Another way is to use @w{@kbd{Z E}}
6740 or @kbd{M-# m} (@code{read-kbd-macro}) to read the whole macro at once,
6741 thus avoiding the ``training'' phase.) The task: Write a program
6742 that computes Stirling numbers of the first kind, given @expr{n} and
6743 @expr{m} on the stack. Test it with @emph{small} inputs like
6744 @expr{s(4,2)}. (There is a built-in command for Stirling numbers,
6745 @kbd{k s}, which you can use to check your answers.)
6746 @xref{Programming Answer 11, 11}. (@bullet{})
6748 The programming commands we've seen in this part of the tutorial
6749 are low-level, general-purpose operations. Often you will find
6750 that a higher-level function, such as vector mapping or rewrite
6751 rules, will do the job much more easily than a detailed, step-by-step
6754 (@bullet{}) @strong{Exercise 12.} Write another program for
6755 computing Stirling numbers of the first kind, this time using
6756 rewrite rules. Once again, @expr{n} and @expr{m} should be taken
6757 from the stack. @xref{Programming Answer 12, 12}. (@bullet{})
6762 This ends the tutorial section of the Calc manual. Now you know enough
6763 about Calc to use it effectively for many kinds of calculations. But
6764 Calc has many features that were not even touched upon in this tutorial.
6766 The rest of this manual tells the whole story.
6768 @c Volume II of this manual, the @dfn{Calc Reference}, tells the whole story.
6771 @node Answers to Exercises, , Programming Tutorial, Tutorial
6772 @section Answers to Exercises
6775 This section includes answers to all the exercises in the Calc tutorial.
6778 * RPN Answer 1:: 1 @key{RET} 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} 4 + * -
6779 * RPN Answer 2:: 2*4 + 7*9.5 + 5/4
6780 * RPN Answer 3:: Operating on levels 2 and 3
6781 * RPN Answer 4:: Joe's complex problems
6782 * Algebraic Answer 1:: Simulating Q command
6783 * Algebraic Answer 2:: Joe's algebraic woes
6784 * Algebraic Answer 3:: 1 / 0
6785 * Modes Answer 1:: 3#0.1 = 3#0.0222222?
6786 * Modes Answer 2:: 16#f.e8fe15
6787 * Modes Answer 3:: Joe's rounding bug
6788 * Modes Answer 4:: Why floating point?
6789 * Arithmetic Answer 1:: Why the \ command?
6790 * Arithmetic Answer 2:: Tripping up the B command
6791 * Vector Answer 1:: Normalizing a vector
6792 * Vector Answer 2:: Average position
6793 * Matrix Answer 1:: Row and column sums
6794 * Matrix Answer 2:: Symbolic system of equations
6795 * Matrix Answer 3:: Over-determined system
6796 * List Answer 1:: Powers of two
6797 * List Answer 2:: Least-squares fit with matrices
6798 * List Answer 3:: Geometric mean
6799 * List Answer 4:: Divisor function
6800 * List Answer 5:: Duplicate factors
6801 * List Answer 6:: Triangular list
6802 * List Answer 7:: Another triangular list
6803 * List Answer 8:: Maximum of Bessel function
6804 * List Answer 9:: Integers the hard way
6805 * List Answer 10:: All elements equal
6806 * List Answer 11:: Estimating pi with darts
6807 * List Answer 12:: Estimating pi with matchsticks
6808 * List Answer 13:: Hash codes
6809 * List Answer 14:: Random walk
6810 * Types Answer 1:: Square root of pi times rational
6811 * Types Answer 2:: Infinities
6812 * Types Answer 3:: What can "nan" be?
6813 * Types Answer 4:: Abbey Road
6814 * Types Answer 5:: Friday the 13th
6815 * Types Answer 6:: Leap years
6816 * Types Answer 7:: Erroneous donut
6817 * Types Answer 8:: Dividing intervals
6818 * Types Answer 9:: Squaring intervals
6819 * Types Answer 10:: Fermat's primality test
6820 * Types Answer 11:: pi * 10^7 seconds
6821 * Types Answer 12:: Abbey Road on CD
6822 * Types Answer 13:: Not quite pi * 10^7 seconds
6823 * Types Answer 14:: Supercomputers and c
6824 * Types Answer 15:: Sam the Slug
6825 * Algebra Answer 1:: Squares and square roots
6826 * Algebra Answer 2:: Building polynomial from roots
6827 * Algebra Answer 3:: Integral of x sin(pi x)
6828 * Algebra Answer 4:: Simpson's rule
6829 * Rewrites Answer 1:: Multiplying by conjugate
6830 * Rewrites Answer 2:: Alternative fib rule
6831 * Rewrites Answer 3:: Rewriting opt(a) + opt(b) x
6832 * Rewrites Answer 4:: Sequence of integers
6833 * Rewrites Answer 5:: Number of terms in sum
6834 * Rewrites Answer 6:: Truncated Taylor series
6835 * Programming Answer 1:: Fresnel's C(x)
6836 * Programming Answer 2:: Negate third stack element
6837 * Programming Answer 3:: Compute sin(x) / x, etc.
6838 * Programming Answer 4:: Average value of a list
6839 * Programming Answer 5:: Continued fraction phi
6840 * Programming Answer 6:: Matrix Fibonacci numbers
6841 * Programming Answer 7:: Harmonic number greater than 4
6842 * Programming Answer 8:: Newton's method
6843 * Programming Answer 9:: Digamma function
6844 * Programming Answer 10:: Unpacking a polynomial
6845 * Programming Answer 11:: Recursive Stirling numbers
6846 * Programming Answer 12:: Stirling numbers with rewrites
6849 @c The following kludgery prevents the individual answers from
6850 @c being entered on the table of contents.
6852 \global\let\oldwrite=\write
6853 \gdef\skipwrite#1#2{\let\write=\oldwrite}
6854 \global\let\oldchapternofonts=\chapternofonts
6855 \gdef\chapternofonts{\let\write=\skipwrite\oldchapternofonts}
6858 @node RPN Answer 1, RPN Answer 2, Answers to Exercises, Answers to Exercises
6859 @subsection RPN Tutorial Exercise 1
6862 @kbd{1 @key{RET} 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} 4 + * -}
6865 @texline @math{1 - (2 \times (3 + 4)) = -13}.
6866 @infoline @expr{1 - (2 * (3 + 4)) = -13}.
6868 @node RPN Answer 2, RPN Answer 3, RPN Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
6869 @subsection RPN Tutorial Exercise 2
6872 @texline @math{2\times4 + 7\times9.5 + {5\over4} = 75.75}
6873 @infoline @expr{2*4 + 7*9.5 + 5/4 = 75.75}
6875 After computing the intermediate term
6876 @texline @math{2\times4 = 8},
6877 @infoline @expr{2*4 = 8},
6878 you can leave that result on the stack while you compute the second
6879 term. With both of these results waiting on the stack you can then
6880 compute the final term, then press @kbd{+ +} to add everything up.
6889 2 @key{RET} 4 * 7 @key{RET} 9.5 *
6896 4: 8 3: 8 2: 8 1: 75.75
6897 3: 66.5 2: 66.5 1: 67.75 .
6906 Alternatively, you could add the first two terms before going on
6907 with the third term.
6911 2: 8 1: 74.5 3: 74.5 2: 74.5 1: 75.75
6912 1: 66.5 . 2: 5 1: 1.25 .
6916 ... + 5 @key{RET} 4 / +
6920 On an old-style RPN calculator this second method would have the
6921 advantage of using only three stack levels. But since Calc's stack
6922 can grow arbitrarily large this isn't really an issue. Which method
6923 you choose is purely a matter of taste.
6925 @node RPN Answer 3, RPN Answer 4, RPN Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
6926 @subsection RPN Tutorial Exercise 3
6929 The @key{TAB} key provides a way to operate on the number in level 2.
6933 3: 10 3: 10 4: 10 3: 10 3: 10
6934 2: 20 2: 30 3: 30 2: 30 2: 21
6935 1: 30 1: 20 2: 20 1: 21 1: 30
6939 @key{TAB} 1 + @key{TAB}
6943 Similarly, @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} gives you access to the number in level 3.
6947 3: 10 3: 21 3: 21 3: 30 3: 11
6948 2: 21 2: 30 2: 30 2: 11 2: 21
6949 1: 30 1: 10 1: 11 1: 21 1: 30
6952 M-@key{TAB} 1 + M-@key{TAB} M-@key{TAB}
6956 @node RPN Answer 4, Algebraic Answer 1, RPN Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
6957 @subsection RPN Tutorial Exercise 4
6960 Either @kbd{( 2 , 3 )} or @kbd{( 2 @key{SPC} 3 )} would have worked,
6961 but using both the comma and the space at once yields:
6965 1: ( ... 2: ( ... 1: (2, ... 2: (2, ... 2: (2, ...
6966 . 1: 2 . 1: (2, ... 1: (2, 3)
6973 Joe probably tried to type @kbd{@key{TAB} @key{DEL}} to swap the
6974 extra incomplete object to the top of the stack and delete it.
6975 But a feature of Calc is that @key{DEL} on an incomplete object
6976 deletes just one component out of that object, so he had to press
6977 @key{DEL} twice to finish the job.
6981 2: (2, ... 2: (2, 3) 2: (2, 3) 1: (2, 3)
6982 1: (2, 3) 1: (2, ... 1: ( ... .
6985 @key{TAB} @key{DEL} @key{DEL}
6989 (As it turns out, deleting the second-to-top stack entry happens often
6990 enough that Calc provides a special key, @kbd{M-@key{DEL}}, to do just that.
6991 @kbd{M-@key{DEL}} is just like @kbd{@key{TAB} @key{DEL}}, except that it doesn't exhibit
6992 the ``feature'' that tripped poor Joe.)
6994 @node Algebraic Answer 1, Algebraic Answer 2, RPN Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
6995 @subsection Algebraic Entry Tutorial Exercise 1
6998 Type @kbd{' sqrt($) @key{RET}}.
7000 If the @kbd{Q} key is broken, you could use @kbd{' $^0.5 @key{RET}}.
7001 Or, RPN style, @kbd{0.5 ^}.
7003 (Actually, @samp{$^1:2}, using the fraction one-half as the power, is
7004 a closer equivalent, since @samp{9^0.5} yields @expr{3.0} whereas
7005 @samp{sqrt(9)} and @samp{9^1:2} yield the exact integer @expr{3}.)
7007 @node Algebraic Answer 2, Algebraic Answer 3, Algebraic Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
7008 @subsection Algebraic Entry Tutorial Exercise 2
7011 In the formula @samp{2 x (1+y)}, @samp{x} was interpreted as a function
7012 name with @samp{1+y} as its argument. Assigning a value to a variable
7013 has no relation to a function by the same name. Joe needed to use an
7014 explicit @samp{*} symbol here: @samp{2 x*(1+y)}.
7016 @node Algebraic Answer 3, Modes Answer 1, Algebraic Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
7017 @subsection Algebraic Entry Tutorial Exercise 3
7020 The result from @kbd{1 @key{RET} 0 /} will be the formula @expr{1 / 0}.
7021 The ``function'' @samp{/} cannot be evaluated when its second argument
7022 is zero, so it is left in symbolic form. When you now type @kbd{0 *},
7023 the result will be zero because Calc uses the general rule that ``zero
7024 times anything is zero.''
7026 @c [fix-ref Infinities]
7027 The @kbd{m i} command enables an @dfn{Infinite mode} in which @expr{1 / 0}
7028 results in a special symbol that represents ``infinity.'' If you
7029 multiply infinity by zero, Calc uses another special new symbol to
7030 show that the answer is ``indeterminate.'' @xref{Infinities}, for
7031 further discussion of infinite and indeterminate values.
7033 @node Modes Answer 1, Modes Answer 2, Algebraic Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
7034 @subsection Modes Tutorial Exercise 1
7037 Calc always stores its numbers in decimal, so even though one-third has
7038 an exact base-3 representation (@samp{3#0.1}), it is still stored as
7039 0.3333333 (chopped off after 12 or however many decimal digits) inside
7040 the calculator's memory. When this inexact number is converted back
7041 to base 3 for display, it may still be slightly inexact. When we
7042 multiply this number by 3, we get 0.999999, also an inexact value.
7044 When Calc displays a number in base 3, it has to decide how many digits
7045 to show. If the current precision is 12 (decimal) digits, that corresponds
7046 to @samp{12 / log10(3) = 25.15} base-3 digits. Because 25.15 is not an
7047 exact integer, Calc shows only 25 digits, with the result that stored
7048 numbers carry a little bit of extra information that may not show up on
7049 the screen. When Joe entered @samp{3#0.2}, the stored number 0.666666
7050 happened to round to a pleasing value when it lost that last 0.15 of a
7051 digit, but it was still inexact in Calc's memory. When he divided by 2,
7052 he still got the dreaded inexact value 0.333333. (Actually, he divided
7053 0.666667 by 2 to get 0.333334, which is why he got something a little
7054 higher than @code{3#0.1} instead of a little lower.)
7056 If Joe didn't want to be bothered with all this, he could have typed
7057 @kbd{M-24 d n} to display with one less digit than the default. (If
7058 you give @kbd{d n} a negative argument, it uses default-minus-that,
7059 so @kbd{M-- d n} would be an easier way to get the same effect.) Those
7060 inexact results would still be lurking there, but they would now be
7061 rounded to nice, natural-looking values for display purposes. (Remember,
7062 @samp{0.022222} in base 3 is like @samp{0.099999} in base 10; rounding
7063 off one digit will round the number up to @samp{0.1}.) Depending on the
7064 nature of your work, this hiding of the inexactness may be a benefit or
7065 a danger. With the @kbd{d n} command, Calc gives you the choice.
7067 Incidentally, another consequence of all this is that if you type
7068 @kbd{M-30 d n} to display more digits than are ``really there,''
7069 you'll see garbage digits at the end of the number. (In decimal
7070 display mode, with decimally-stored numbers, these garbage digits are
7071 always zero so they vanish and you don't notice them.) Because Calc
7072 rounds off that 0.15 digit, there is the danger that two numbers could
7073 be slightly different internally but still look the same. If you feel
7074 uneasy about this, set the @kbd{d n} precision to be a little higher
7075 than normal; you'll get ugly garbage digits, but you'll always be able
7076 to tell two distinct numbers apart.
7078 An interesting side note is that most computers store their
7079 floating-point numbers in binary, and convert to decimal for display.
7080 Thus everyday programs have the same problem: Decimal 0.1 cannot be
7081 represented exactly in binary (try it: @kbd{0.1 d 2}), so @samp{0.1 * 10}
7082 comes out as an inexact approximation to 1 on some machines (though
7083 they generally arrange to hide it from you by rounding off one digit as
7084 we did above). Because Calc works in decimal instead of binary, you can
7085 be sure that numbers that look exact @emph{are} exact as long as you stay
7086 in decimal display mode.
7088 It's not hard to show that any number that can be represented exactly
7089 in binary, octal, or hexadecimal is also exact in decimal, so the kinds
7090 of problems we saw in this exercise are likely to be severe only when
7091 you use a relatively unusual radix like 3.
7093 @node Modes Answer 2, Modes Answer 3, Modes Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
7094 @subsection Modes Tutorial Exercise 2
7096 If the radix is 15 or higher, we can't use the letter @samp{e} to mark
7097 the exponent because @samp{e} is interpreted as a digit. When Calc
7098 needs to display scientific notation in a high radix, it writes
7099 @samp{16#F.E8F*16.^15}. You can enter a number like this as an
7100 algebraic entry. Also, pressing @kbd{e} without any digits before it
7101 normally types @kbd{1e}, but in a high radix it types @kbd{16.^} and
7102 puts you in algebraic entry: @kbd{16#f.e8f @key{RET} e 15 @key{RET} *} is another
7103 way to enter this number.
7105 The reason Calc puts a decimal point in the @samp{16.^} is to prevent
7106 huge integers from being generated if the exponent is large (consider
7107 @samp{16#1.23*16^1000}, where we compute @samp{16^1000} as a giant
7108 exact integer and then throw away most of the digits when we multiply
7109 it by the floating-point @samp{16#1.23}). While this wouldn't normally
7110 matter for display purposes, it could give you a nasty surprise if you
7111 copied that number into a file and later moved it back into Calc.
7113 @node Modes Answer 3, Modes Answer 4, Modes Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
7114 @subsection Modes Tutorial Exercise 3
7117 The answer he got was @expr{0.5000000000006399}.
7119 The problem is not that the square operation is inexact, but that the
7120 sine of 45 that was already on the stack was accurate to only 12 places.
7121 Arbitrary-precision calculations still only give answers as good as
7124 The real problem is that there is no 12-digit number which, when
7125 squared, comes out to 0.5 exactly. The @kbd{f [} and @kbd{f ]}
7126 commands decrease or increase a number by one unit in the last
7127 place (according to the current precision). They are useful for
7128 determining facts like this.
7132 1: 0.707106781187 1: 0.500000000001
7142 1: 0.707106781187 1: 0.707106781186 1: 0.499999999999
7149 A high-precision calculation must be carried out in high precision
7150 all the way. The only number in the original problem which was known
7151 exactly was the quantity 45 degrees, so the precision must be raised
7152 before anything is done after the number 45 has been entered in order
7153 for the higher precision to be meaningful.
7155 @node Modes Answer 4, Arithmetic Answer 1, Modes Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
7156 @subsection Modes Tutorial Exercise 4
7159 Many calculations involve real-world quantities, like the width and
7160 height of a piece of wood or the volume of a jar. Such quantities
7161 can't be measured exactly anyway, and if the data that is input to
7162 a calculation is inexact, doing exact arithmetic on it is a waste
7165 Fractions become unwieldy after too many calculations have been
7166 done with them. For example, the sum of the reciprocals of the
7167 integers from 1 to 10 is 7381:2520. The sum from 1 to 30 is
7168 9304682830147:2329089562800. After a point it will take a long
7169 time to add even one more term to this sum, but a floating-point
7170 calculation of the sum will not have this problem.
7172 Also, rational numbers cannot express the results of all calculations.
7173 There is no fractional form for the square root of two, so if you type
7174 @w{@kbd{2 Q}}, Calc has no choice but to give you a floating-point answer.
7176 @node Arithmetic Answer 1, Arithmetic Answer 2, Modes Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
7177 @subsection Arithmetic Tutorial Exercise 1
7180 Dividing two integers that are larger than the current precision may
7181 give a floating-point result that is inaccurate even when rounded
7182 down to an integer. Consider @expr{123456789 / 2} when the current
7183 precision is 6 digits. The true answer is @expr{61728394.5}, but
7184 with a precision of 6 this will be rounded to
7185 @texline @math{12345700.0/2.0 = 61728500.0}.
7186 @infoline @expr{12345700.@: / 2.@: = 61728500.}.
7187 The result, when converted to an integer, will be off by 106.
7189 Here are two solutions: Raise the precision enough that the
7190 floating-point round-off error is strictly to the right of the
7191 decimal point. Or, convert to Fraction mode so that @expr{123456789 / 2}
7192 produces the exact fraction @expr{123456789:2}, which can be rounded
7193 down by the @kbd{F} command without ever switching to floating-point
7196 @node Arithmetic Answer 2, Vector Answer 1, Arithmetic Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
7197 @subsection Arithmetic Tutorial Exercise 2
7200 @kbd{27 @key{RET} 9 B} could give the exact result @expr{3:2}, but it
7201 does a floating-point calculation instead and produces @expr{1.5}.
7203 Calc will find an exact result for a logarithm if the result is an integer
7204 or (when in Fraction mode) the reciprocal of an integer. But there is
7205 no efficient way to search the space of all possible rational numbers
7206 for an exact answer, so Calc doesn't try.
7208 @node Vector Answer 1, Vector Answer 2, Arithmetic Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
7209 @subsection Vector Tutorial Exercise 1
7212 Duplicate the vector, compute its length, then divide the vector
7213 by its length: @kbd{@key{RET} A /}.
7217 1: [1, 2, 3] 2: [1, 2, 3] 1: [0.27, 0.53, 0.80] 1: 1.
7218 . 1: 3.74165738677 . .
7225 The final @kbd{A} command shows that the normalized vector does
7226 indeed have unit length.
7228 @node Vector Answer 2, Matrix Answer 1, Vector Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
7229 @subsection Vector Tutorial Exercise 2
7232 The average position is equal to the sum of the products of the
7233 positions times their corresponding probabilities. This is the
7234 definition of the dot product operation. So all you need to do
7235 is to put the two vectors on the stack and press @kbd{*}.
7237 @node Matrix Answer 1, Matrix Answer 2, Vector Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
7238 @subsection Matrix Tutorial Exercise 1
7241 The trick is to multiply by a vector of ones. Use @kbd{r 4 [1 1 1] *} to
7242 get the row sum. Similarly, use @kbd{[1 1] r 4 *} to get the column sum.
7244 @node Matrix Answer 2, Matrix Answer 3, Matrix Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
7245 @subsection Matrix Tutorial Exercise 2
7258 $$ \eqalign{ x &+ a y = 6 \cr
7264 Just enter the righthand side vector, then divide by the lefthand side
7269 1: [6, 10] 2: [6, 10] 1: [6 - 4 a / (b - a), 4 / (b - a) ]
7274 ' [6 10] @key{RET} ' [1 a; 1 b] @key{RET} /
7278 This can be made more readable using @kbd{d B} to enable Big display
7284 1: [6 - -----, -----]
7289 Type @kbd{d N} to return to Normal display mode afterwards.
7291 @node Matrix Answer 3, List Answer 1, Matrix Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
7292 @subsection Matrix Tutorial Exercise 3
7296 @texline @math{A^T A \, X = A^T B},
7297 @infoline @expr{trn(A) * A * X = trn(A) * B},
7299 @texline @math{A' = A^T A}
7300 @infoline @expr{A2 = trn(A) * A}
7302 @texline @math{B' = A^T B};
7303 @infoline @expr{B2 = trn(A) * B};
7304 now, we have a system
7305 @texline @math{A' X = B'}
7306 @infoline @expr{A2 * X = B2}
7307 which we can solve using Calc's @samp{/} command.
7322 $$ \openup1\jot \tabskip=0pt plus1fil
7323 \halign to\displaywidth{\tabskip=0pt
7324 $\hfil#$&$\hfil{}#{}$&
7325 $\hfil#$&$\hfil{}#{}$&
7326 $\hfil#$&${}#\hfil$\tabskip=0pt plus1fil\cr
7330 2a&+&4b&+&6c&=11 \cr}
7335 The first step is to enter the coefficient matrix. We'll store it in
7336 quick variable number 7 for later reference. Next, we compute the
7343 1: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] 2: [ [ 1, 4, 7, 2 ] 1: [57, 84, 96]
7344 [ 4, 5, 6 ] [ 2, 5, 6, 4 ] .
7345 [ 7, 6, 0 ] [ 3, 6, 0, 6 ] ]
7346 [ 2, 4, 6 ] ] 1: [6, 2, 3, 11]
7349 ' [1 2 3; 4 5 6; 7 6 0; 2 4 6] @key{RET} s 7 v t [6 2 3 11] *
7354 Now we compute the matrix
7361 2: [57, 84, 96] 1: [-11.64, 14.08, -3.64]
7362 1: [ [ 70, 72, 39 ] .
7372 (The actual computed answer will be slightly inexact due to
7375 Notice that the answers are similar to those for the
7376 @texline @math{3\times3}
7378 system solved in the text. That's because the fourth equation that was
7379 added to the system is almost identical to the first one multiplied
7380 by two. (If it were identical, we would have gotten the exact same
7382 @texline @math{4\times3}
7384 system would be equivalent to the original
7385 @texline @math{3\times3}
7389 Since the first and fourth equations aren't quite equivalent, they
7390 can't both be satisfied at once. Let's plug our answers back into
7391 the original system of equations to see how well they match.
7395 2: [-11.64, 14.08, -3.64] 1: [5.6, 2., 3., 11.2]
7407 This is reasonably close to our original @expr{B} vector,
7408 @expr{[6, 2, 3, 11]}.
7410 @node List Answer 1, List Answer 2, Matrix Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
7411 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 1
7414 We can use @kbd{v x} to build a vector of integers. This needs to be
7415 adjusted to get the range of integers we desire. Mapping @samp{-}
7416 across the vector will accomplish this, although it turns out the
7417 plain @samp{-} key will work just as well.
7422 1: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] 1: [-4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4]
7425 2 v x 9 @key{RET} 5 V M - or 5 -
7430 Now we use @kbd{V M ^} to map the exponentiation operator across the
7435 1: [0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16]
7442 @node List Answer 2, List Answer 3, List Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
7443 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 2
7446 Given @expr{x} and @expr{y} vectors in quick variables 1 and 2 as before,
7447 the first job is to form the matrix that describes the problem.
7457 $$ m \times x + b \times 1 = y $$
7462 @texline @math{19\times2}
7464 matrix with our @expr{x} vector as one column and
7465 ones as the other column. So, first we build the column of ones, then
7466 we combine the two columns to form our @expr{A} matrix.
7470 2: [1.34, 1.41, 1.49, ... ] 1: [ [ 1.34, 1 ]
7471 1: [1, 1, 1, ...] [ 1.41, 1 ]
7475 r 1 1 v b 19 @key{RET} M-2 v p v t s 3
7481 @texline @math{A^T y}
7482 @infoline @expr{trn(A) * y}
7484 @texline @math{A^T A}
7485 @infoline @expr{trn(A) * A}
7490 1: [33.36554, 13.613] 2: [33.36554, 13.613]
7491 . 1: [ [ 98.0003, 41.63 ]
7495 v t r 2 * r 3 v t r 3 *
7500 (Hey, those numbers look familiar!)
7504 1: [0.52141679, -0.425978]
7511 Since we were solving equations of the form
7512 @texline @math{m \times x + b \times 1 = y},
7513 @infoline @expr{m*x + b*1 = y},
7514 these numbers should be @expr{m} and @expr{b}, respectively. Sure
7515 enough, they agree exactly with the result computed using @kbd{V M} and
7518 The moral of this story: @kbd{V M} and @kbd{V R} will probably solve
7519 your problem, but there is often an easier way using the higher-level
7520 arithmetic functions!
7522 @c [fix-ref Curve Fitting]
7523 In fact, there is a built-in @kbd{a F} command that does least-squares
7524 fits. @xref{Curve Fitting}.
7526 @node List Answer 3, List Answer 4, List Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
7527 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 3
7530 Move to one end of the list and press @kbd{C-@@} (or @kbd{C-@key{SPC}} or
7531 whatever) to set the mark, then move to the other end of the list
7532 and type @w{@kbd{M-# g}}.
7536 1: [2.3, 6, 22, 15.1, 7, 15, 14, 7.5, 2.5]
7541 To make things interesting, let's assume we don't know at a glance
7542 how many numbers are in this list. Then we could type:
7546 2: [2.3, 6, 22, ... ] 2: [2.3, 6, 22, ... ]
7547 1: [2.3, 6, 22, ... ] 1: 126356422.5
7557 2: 126356422.5 2: 126356422.5 1: 7.94652913734
7558 1: [2.3, 6, 22, ... ] 1: 9 .
7566 (The @kbd{I ^} command computes the @var{n}th root of a number.
7567 You could also type @kbd{& ^} to take the reciprocal of 9 and
7568 then raise the number to that power.)
7570 @node List Answer 4, List Answer 5, List Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
7571 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 4
7574 A number @expr{j} is a divisor of @expr{n} if
7575 @texline @math{n \mathbin{\hbox{\code{\%}}} j = 0}.
7576 @infoline @samp{n % j = 0}.
7577 The first step is to get a vector that identifies the divisors.
7581 2: 30 2: [0, 0, 0, 2, ...] 1: [1, 1, 1, 0, ...]
7582 1: [1, 2, 3, 4, ...] 1: 0 .
7585 30 @key{RET} v x 30 @key{RET} s 1 V M % 0 V M a = s 2
7590 This vector has 1's marking divisors of 30 and 0's marking non-divisors.
7592 The zeroth divisor function is just the total number of divisors.
7593 The first divisor function is the sum of the divisors.
7598 2: [1, 2, 3, 4, ...] 1: [1, 2, 3, 0, ...] 1: 72
7599 1: [1, 1, 1, 0, ...] . .
7602 V R + r 1 r 2 V M * V R +
7607 Once again, the last two steps just compute a dot product for which
7608 a simple @kbd{*} would have worked equally well.
7610 @node List Answer 5, List Answer 6, List Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
7611 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 5
7614 The obvious first step is to obtain the list of factors with @kbd{k f}.
7615 This list will always be in sorted order, so if there are duplicates
7616 they will be right next to each other. A suitable method is to compare
7617 the list with a copy of itself shifted over by one.
7621 1: [3, 7, 7, 7, 19] 2: [3, 7, 7, 7, 19] 2: [3, 7, 7, 7, 19, 0]
7622 . 1: [3, 7, 7, 7, 19, 0] 1: [0, 3, 7, 7, 7, 19]
7625 19551 k f @key{RET} 0 | @key{TAB} 0 @key{TAB} |
7632 1: [0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0] 1: 2 1: 0
7640 Note that we have to arrange for both vectors to have the same length
7641 so that the mapping operation works; no prime factor will ever be
7642 zero, so adding zeros on the left and right is safe. From then on
7643 the job is pretty straightforward.
7645 Incidentally, Calc provides the
7646 @texline @dfn{M@"obius} @math{\mu}
7647 @infoline @dfn{Moebius mu}
7648 function which is zero if and only if its argument is square-free. It
7649 would be a much more convenient way to do the above test in practice.
7651 @node List Answer 6, List Answer 7, List Answer 5, Answers to Exercises
7652 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 6
7655 First use @kbd{v x 6 @key{RET}} to get a list of integers, then @kbd{V M v x}
7656 to get a list of lists of integers!
7658 @node List Answer 7, List Answer 8, List Answer 6, Answers to Exercises
7659 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 7
7662 Here's one solution. First, compute the triangular list from the previous
7663 exercise and type @kbd{1 -} to subtract one from all the elements.
7676 The numbers down the lefthand edge of the list we desire are called
7677 the ``triangular numbers'' (now you know why!). The @expr{n}th
7678 triangular number is the sum of the integers from 1 to @expr{n}, and
7679 can be computed directly by the formula
7680 @texline @math{n (n+1) \over 2}.
7681 @infoline @expr{n * (n+1) / 2}.
7685 2: [ [0], [0, 1], ... ] 2: [ [0], [0, 1], ... ]
7686 1: [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 1: [0, 1, 3, 6, 10, 15]
7689 v x 6 @key{RET} 1 - V M ' $ ($+1)/2 @key{RET}
7694 Adding this list to the above list of lists produces the desired
7703 [10, 11, 12, 13, 14],
7704 [15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20] ]
7711 If we did not know the formula for triangular numbers, we could have
7712 computed them using a @kbd{V U +} command. We could also have
7713 gotten them the hard way by mapping a reduction across the original
7718 2: [ [0], [0, 1], ... ] 2: [ [0], [0, 1], ... ]
7719 1: [ [0], [0, 1], ... ] 1: [0, 1, 3, 6, 10, 15]
7727 (This means ``map a @kbd{V R +} command across the vector,'' and
7728 since each element of the main vector is itself a small vector,
7729 @kbd{V R +} computes the sum of its elements.)
7731 @node List Answer 8, List Answer 9, List Answer 7, Answers to Exercises
7732 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 8
7735 The first step is to build a list of values of @expr{x}.
7739 1: [1, 2, 3, ..., 21] 1: [0, 1, 2, ..., 20] 1: [0, 0.25, 0.5, ..., 5]
7742 v x 21 @key{RET} 1 - 4 / s 1
7746 Next, we compute the Bessel function values.
7750 1: [0., 0.124, 0.242, ..., -0.328]
7753 V M ' besJ(1,$) @key{RET}
7758 (Another way to do this would be @kbd{1 @key{TAB} V M f j}.)
7760 A way to isolate the maximum value is to compute the maximum using
7761 @kbd{V R X}, then compare all the Bessel values with that maximum.
7765 2: [0., 0.124, 0.242, ... ] 1: [0, 0, 0, ... ] 2: [0, 0, 0, ... ]
7769 @key{RET} V R X V M a = @key{RET} V R + @key{DEL}
7774 It's a good idea to verify, as in the last step above, that only
7775 one value is equal to the maximum. (After all, a plot of
7776 @texline @math{\sin x}
7777 @infoline @expr{sin(x)}
7778 might have many points all equal to the maximum value, 1.)
7780 The vector we have now has a single 1 in the position that indicates
7781 the maximum value of @expr{x}. Now it is a simple matter to convert
7782 this back into the corresponding value itself.
7786 2: [0, 0, 0, ... ] 1: [0, 0., 0., ... ] 1: 1.75
7787 1: [0, 0.25, 0.5, ... ] . .
7794 If @kbd{a =} had produced more than one @expr{1} value, this method
7795 would have given the sum of all maximum @expr{x} values; not very
7796 useful! In this case we could have used @kbd{v m} (@code{calc-mask-vector})
7797 instead. This command deletes all elements of a ``data'' vector that
7798 correspond to zeros in a ``mask'' vector, leaving us with, in this
7799 example, a vector of maximum @expr{x} values.
7801 The built-in @kbd{a X} command maximizes a function using more
7802 efficient methods. Just for illustration, let's use @kbd{a X}
7803 to maximize @samp{besJ(1,x)} over this same interval.
7807 2: besJ(1, x) 1: [1.84115, 0.581865]
7811 ' besJ(1,x), [0..5] @key{RET} a X x @key{RET}
7816 The output from @kbd{a X} is a vector containing the value of @expr{x}
7817 that maximizes the function, and the function's value at that maximum.
7818 As you can see, our simple search got quite close to the right answer.
7820 @node List Answer 9, List Answer 10, List Answer 8, Answers to Exercises
7821 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 9
7824 Step one is to convert our integer into vector notation.
7828 1: 25129925999 3: 25129925999
7830 1: [11, 10, 9, ..., 1, 0]
7833 25129925999 @key{RET} 10 @key{RET} 12 @key{RET} v x 12 @key{RET} -
7840 1: 25129925999 1: [0, 2, 25, 251, 2512, ... ]
7841 2: [100000000000, ... ] .
7849 (Recall, the @kbd{\} command computes an integer quotient.)
7853 1: [0, 2, 5, 1, 2, 9, 9, 2, 5, 9, 9, 9]
7860 Next we must increment this number. This involves adding one to
7861 the last digit, plus handling carries. There is a carry to the
7862 left out of a digit if that digit is a nine and all the digits to
7863 the right of it are nines.
7867 1: [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1] 1: [1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, ... ]
7877 1: [1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, ... ] 1: [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1]
7885 Accumulating @kbd{*} across a vector of ones and zeros will preserve
7886 only the initial run of ones. These are the carries into all digits
7887 except the rightmost digit. Concatenating a one on the right takes
7888 care of aligning the carries properly, and also adding one to the
7893 2: [0, 0, 0, 0, ... ] 1: [0, 0, 2, 5, 1, 2, 9, 9, 2, 6, 0, 0, 0]
7894 1: [0, 0, 2, 5, ... ] .
7897 0 r 2 | V M + 10 V M %
7902 Here we have concatenated 0 to the @emph{left} of the original number;
7903 this takes care of shifting the carries by one with respect to the
7904 digits that generated them.
7906 Finally, we must convert this list back into an integer.
7910 3: [0, 0, 2, 5, ... ] 2: [0, 0, 2, 5, ... ]
7911 2: 1000000000000 1: [1000000000000, 100000000000, ... ]
7912 1: [100000000000, ... ] .
7915 10 @key{RET} 12 ^ r 1 |
7922 1: [0, 0, 20000000000, 5000000000, ... ] 1: 25129926000
7930 Another way to do this final step would be to reduce the formula
7931 @w{@samp{10 $$ + $}} across the vector of digits.
7935 1: [0, 0, 2, 5, ... ] 1: 25129926000
7938 V R ' 10 $$ + $ @key{RET}
7942 @node List Answer 10, List Answer 11, List Answer 9, Answers to Exercises
7943 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 10
7946 For the list @expr{[a, b, c, d]}, the result is @expr{((a = b) = c) = d},
7947 which will compare @expr{a} and @expr{b} to produce a 1 or 0, which is
7948 then compared with @expr{c} to produce another 1 or 0, which is then
7949 compared with @expr{d}. This is not at all what Joe wanted.
7951 Here's a more correct method:
7955 1: [7, 7, 7, 8, 7] 2: [7, 7, 7, 8, 7]
7959 ' [7,7,7,8,7] @key{RET} @key{RET} v r 1 @key{RET}
7966 1: [1, 1, 1, 0, 1] 1: 0
7973 @node List Answer 11, List Answer 12, List Answer 10, Answers to Exercises
7974 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 11
7977 The circle of unit radius consists of those points @expr{(x,y)} for which
7978 @expr{x^2 + y^2 < 1}. We start by generating a vector of @expr{x^2}
7979 and a vector of @expr{y^2}.
7981 We can make this go a bit faster by using the @kbd{v .} and @kbd{t .}
7986 2: [2., 2., ..., 2.] 2: [2., 2., ..., 2.]
7987 1: [2., 2., ..., 2.] 1: [1.16, 1.98, ..., 0.81]
7990 v . t . 2. v b 100 @key{RET} @key{RET} V M k r
7997 2: [2., 2., ..., 2.] 1: [0.026, 0.96, ..., 0.036]
7998 1: [0.026, 0.96, ..., 0.036] 2: [0.53, 0.81, ..., 0.094]
8001 1 - 2 V M ^ @key{TAB} V M k r 1 - 2 V M ^
8005 Now we sum the @expr{x^2} and @expr{y^2} values, compare with 1 to
8006 get a vector of 1/0 truth values, then sum the truth values.
8010 1: [0.56, 1.78, ..., 0.13] 1: [1, 0, ..., 1] 1: 84
8018 The ratio @expr{84/100} should approximate the ratio @cpiover{4}.
8022 1: 0.84 1: 3.36 2: 3.36 1: 1.0695
8030 Our estimate, 3.36, is off by about 7%. We could get a better estimate
8031 by taking more points (say, 1000), but it's clear that this method is
8034 (Naturally, since this example uses random numbers your own answer
8035 will be slightly different from the one shown here!)
8037 If you typed @kbd{v .} and @kbd{t .} before, type them again to
8038 return to full-sized display of vectors.
8040 @node List Answer 12, List Answer 13, List Answer 11, Answers to Exercises
8041 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 12
8044 This problem can be made a lot easier by taking advantage of some
8045 symmetries. First of all, after some thought it's clear that the
8046 @expr{y} axis can be ignored altogether. Just pick a random @expr{x}
8047 component for one end of the match, pick a random direction
8048 @texline @math{\theta},
8049 @infoline @expr{theta},
8050 and see if @expr{x} and
8051 @texline @math{x + \cos \theta}
8052 @infoline @expr{x + cos(theta)}
8053 (which is the @expr{x} coordinate of the other endpoint) cross a line.
8054 The lines are at integer coordinates, so this happens when the two
8055 numbers surround an integer.
8057 Since the two endpoints are equivalent, we may as well choose the leftmost
8058 of the two endpoints as @expr{x}. Then @expr{theta} is an angle pointing
8059 to the right, in the range -90 to 90 degrees. (We could use radians, but
8060 it would feel like cheating to refer to @cpiover{2} radians while trying
8061 to estimate @cpi{}!)
8063 In fact, since the field of lines is infinite we can choose the
8064 coordinates 0 and 1 for the lines on either side of the leftmost
8065 endpoint. The rightmost endpoint will be between 0 and 1 if the
8066 match does not cross a line, or between 1 and 2 if it does. So:
8067 Pick random @expr{x} and
8068 @texline @math{\theta},
8069 @infoline @expr{theta},
8071 @texline @math{x + \cos \theta},
8072 @infoline @expr{x + cos(theta)},
8073 and count how many of the results are greater than one. Simple!
8075 We can make this go a bit faster by using the @kbd{v .} and @kbd{t .}
8080 1: [0.52, 0.71, ..., 0.72] 2: [0.52, 0.71, ..., 0.72]
8081 . 1: [78.4, 64.5, ..., -42.9]
8084 v . t . 1. v b 100 @key{RET} V M k r 180. v b 100 @key{RET} V M k r 90 -
8089 (The next step may be slow, depending on the speed of your computer.)
8093 2: [0.52, 0.71, ..., 0.72] 1: [0.72, 1.14, ..., 1.45]
8094 1: [0.20, 0.43, ..., 0.73] .
8104 1: [0, 1, ..., 1] 1: 0.64 1: 3.125
8107 1 V M a > V R + 100 / 2 @key{TAB} /
8111 Let's try the third method, too. We'll use random integers up to
8112 one million. The @kbd{k r} command with an integer argument picks
8117 2: [1000000, 1000000, ..., 1000000] 2: [78489, 527587, ..., 814975]
8118 1: [1000000, 1000000, ..., 1000000] 1: [324014, 358783, ..., 955450]
8121 1000000 v b 100 @key{RET} @key{RET} V M k r @key{TAB} V M k r
8128 1: [1, 1, ..., 25] 1: [1, 1, ..., 0] 1: 0.56
8131 V M k g 1 V M a = V R + 100 /
8145 For a proof of this property of the GCD function, see section 4.5.2,
8146 exercise 10, of Knuth's @emph{Art of Computer Programming}, volume II.
8148 If you typed @kbd{v .} and @kbd{t .} before, type them again to
8149 return to full-sized display of vectors.
8151 @node List Answer 13, List Answer 14, List Answer 12, Answers to Exercises
8152 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 13
8155 First, we put the string on the stack as a vector of ASCII codes.
8159 1: [84, 101, 115, ..., 51]
8162 "Testing, 1, 2, 3 @key{RET}
8167 Note that the @kbd{"} key, like @kbd{$}, initiates algebraic entry so
8168 there was no need to type an apostrophe. Also, Calc didn't mind that
8169 we omitted the closing @kbd{"}. (The same goes for all closing delimiters
8170 like @kbd{)} and @kbd{]} at the end of a formula.
8172 We'll show two different approaches here. In the first, we note that
8173 if the input vector is @expr{[a, b, c, d]}, then the hash code is
8174 @expr{3 (3 (3a + b) + c) + d = 27a + 9b + 3c + d}. In other words,
8175 it's a sum of descending powers of three times the ASCII codes.
8179 2: [84, 101, 115, ..., 51] 2: [84, 101, 115, ..., 51]
8180 1: 16 1: [15, 14, 13, ..., 0]
8183 @key{RET} v l v x 16 @key{RET} -
8190 2: [84, 101, 115, ..., 51] 1: 1960915098 1: 121
8191 1: [14348907, ..., 1] . .
8194 3 @key{TAB} V M ^ * 511 %
8199 Once again, @kbd{*} elegantly summarizes most of the computation.
8200 But there's an even more elegant approach: Reduce the formula
8201 @kbd{3 $$ + $} across the vector. Recall that this represents a
8202 function of two arguments that computes its first argument times three
8203 plus its second argument.
8207 1: [84, 101, 115, ..., 51] 1: 1960915098
8210 "Testing, 1, 2, 3 @key{RET} V R ' 3$$+$ @key{RET}
8215 If you did the decimal arithmetic exercise, this will be familiar.
8216 Basically, we're turning a base-3 vector of digits into an integer,
8217 except that our ``digits'' are much larger than real digits.
8219 Instead of typing @kbd{511 %} again to reduce the result, we can be
8220 cleverer still and notice that rather than computing a huge integer
8221 and taking the modulo at the end, we can take the modulo at each step
8222 without affecting the result. While this means there are more
8223 arithmetic operations, the numbers we operate on remain small so
8224 the operations are faster.
8228 1: [84, 101, 115, ..., 51] 1: 121
8231 "Testing, 1, 2, 3 @key{RET} V R ' (3$$+$)%511 @key{RET}
8235 Why does this work? Think about a two-step computation:
8236 @w{@expr{3 (3a + b) + c}}. Taking a result modulo 511 basically means
8237 subtracting off enough 511's to put the result in the desired range.
8238 So the result when we take the modulo after every step is,
8242 3 (3 a + b - 511 m) + c - 511 n
8248 $$ 3 (3 a + b - 511 m) + c - 511 n $$
8253 for some suitable integers @expr{m} and @expr{n}. Expanding out by
8254 the distributive law yields
8258 9 a + 3 b + c - 511*3 m - 511 n
8264 $$ 9 a + 3 b + c - 511\times3 m - 511 n $$
8269 The @expr{m} term in the latter formula is redundant because any
8270 contribution it makes could just as easily be made by the @expr{n}
8271 term. So we can take it out to get an equivalent formula with
8276 9 a + 3 b + c - 511 n'
8282 $$ 9 a + 3 b + c - 511 n' $$
8287 which is just the formula for taking the modulo only at the end of
8288 the calculation. Therefore the two methods are essentially the same.
8290 Later in the tutorial we will encounter @dfn{modulo forms}, which
8291 basically automate the idea of reducing every intermediate result
8292 modulo some value @var{m}.
8294 @node List Answer 14, Types Answer 1, List Answer 13, Answers to Exercises
8295 @subsection List Tutorial Exercise 14
8297 We want to use @kbd{H V U} to nest a function which adds a random
8298 step to an @expr{(x,y)} coordinate. The function is a bit long, but
8299 otherwise the problem is quite straightforward.
8303 2: [0, 0] 1: [ [ 0, 0 ]
8304 1: 50 [ 0.4288, -0.1695 ]
8305 . [ -0.4787, -0.9027 ]
8308 [0,0] 50 H V U ' <# + [random(2.0)-1, random(2.0)-1]> @key{RET}
8312 Just as the text recommended, we used @samp{< >} nameless function
8313 notation to keep the two @code{random} calls from being evaluated
8314 before nesting even begins.
8316 We now have a vector of @expr{[x, y]} sub-vectors, which by Calc's
8317 rules acts like a matrix. We can transpose this matrix and unpack
8318 to get a pair of vectors, @expr{x} and @expr{y}, suitable for graphing.
8322 2: [ 0, 0.4288, -0.4787, ... ]
8323 1: [ 0, -0.1696, -0.9027, ... ]
8330 Incidentally, because the @expr{x} and @expr{y} are completely
8331 independent in this case, we could have done two separate commands
8332 to create our @expr{x} and @expr{y} vectors of numbers directly.
8334 To make a random walk of unit steps, we note that @code{sincos} of
8335 a random direction exactly gives us an @expr{[x, y]} step of unit
8336 length; in fact, the new nesting function is even briefer, though
8337 we might want to lower the precision a bit for it.
8341 2: [0, 0] 1: [ [ 0, 0 ]
8342 1: 50 [ 0.1318, 0.9912 ]
8343 . [ -0.5965, 0.3061 ]
8346 [0,0] 50 m d p 6 @key{RET} H V U ' <# + sincos(random(360.0))> @key{RET}
8350 Another @kbd{v t v u g f} sequence will graph this new random walk.
8352 An interesting twist on these random walk functions would be to use
8353 complex numbers instead of 2-vectors to represent points on the plane.
8354 In the first example, we'd use something like @samp{random + random*(0,1)},
8355 and in the second we could use polar complex numbers with random phase
8356 angles. (This exercise was first suggested in this form by Randal
8359 @node Types Answer 1, Types Answer 2, List Answer 14, Answers to Exercises
8360 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 1
8363 If the number is the square root of @cpi{} times a rational number,
8364 then its square, divided by @cpi{}, should be a rational number.
8368 1: 1.26508260337 1: 0.509433962268 1: 2486645810:4881193627
8376 Technically speaking this is a rational number, but not one that is
8377 likely to have arisen in the original problem. More likely, it just
8378 happens to be the fraction which most closely represents some
8379 irrational number to within 12 digits.
8381 But perhaps our result was not quite exact. Let's reduce the
8382 precision slightly and try again:
8386 1: 0.509433962268 1: 27:53
8389 U p 10 @key{RET} c F
8394 Aha! It's unlikely that an irrational number would equal a fraction
8395 this simple to within ten digits, so our original number was probably
8396 @texline @math{\sqrt{27 \pi / 53}}.
8397 @infoline @expr{sqrt(27 pi / 53)}.
8399 Notice that we didn't need to re-round the number when we reduced the
8400 precision. Remember, arithmetic operations always round their inputs
8401 to the current precision before they begin.
8403 @node Types Answer 2, Types Answer 3, Types Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
8404 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 2
8407 @samp{inf / inf = nan}. Perhaps @samp{1} is the ``obvious'' answer.
8408 But if @w{@samp{17 inf = inf}}, then @samp{17 inf / inf = inf / inf = 17}, too.
8410 @samp{exp(inf) = inf}. It's tempting to say that the exponential
8411 of infinity must be ``bigger'' than ``regular'' infinity, but as
8412 far as Calc is concerned all infinities are as just as big.
8413 In other words, as @expr{x} goes to infinity, @expr{e^x} also goes
8414 to infinity, but the fact the @expr{e^x} grows much faster than
8415 @expr{x} is not relevant here.
8417 @samp{exp(-inf) = 0}. Here we have a finite answer even though
8418 the input is infinite.
8420 @samp{sqrt(-inf) = (0, 1) inf}. Remember that @expr{(0, 1)}
8421 represents the imaginary number @expr{i}. Here's a derivation:
8422 @samp{sqrt(-inf) = @w{sqrt((-1) * inf)} = sqrt(-1) * sqrt(inf)}.
8423 The first part is, by definition, @expr{i}; the second is @code{inf}
8424 because, once again, all infinities are the same size.
8426 @samp{sqrt(uinf) = uinf}. In fact, we do know something about the
8427 direction because @code{sqrt} is defined to return a value in the
8428 right half of the complex plane. But Calc has no notation for this,
8429 so it settles for the conservative answer @code{uinf}.
8431 @samp{abs(uinf) = inf}. No matter which direction @expr{x} points,
8432 @samp{abs(x)} always points along the positive real axis.
8434 @samp{ln(0) = -inf}. Here we have an infinite answer to a finite
8435 input. As in the @expr{1 / 0} case, Calc will only use infinities
8436 here if you have turned on Infinite mode. Otherwise, it will
8437 treat @samp{ln(0)} as an error.
8439 @node Types Answer 3, Types Answer 4, Types Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
8440 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 3
8443 We can make @samp{inf - inf} be any real number we like, say,
8444 @expr{a}, just by claiming that we added @expr{a} to the first
8445 infinity but not to the second. This is just as true for complex
8446 values of @expr{a}, so @code{nan} can stand for a complex number.
8447 (And, similarly, @code{uinf} can stand for an infinity that points
8448 in any direction in the complex plane, such as @samp{(0, 1) inf}).
8450 In fact, we can multiply the first @code{inf} by two. Surely
8451 @w{@samp{2 inf - inf = inf}}, but also @samp{2 inf - inf = inf - inf = nan}.
8452 So @code{nan} can even stand for infinity. Obviously it's just
8453 as easy to make it stand for minus infinity as for plus infinity.
8455 The moral of this story is that ``infinity'' is a slippery fish
8456 indeed, and Calc tries to handle it by having a very simple model
8457 for infinities (only the direction counts, not the ``size''); but
8458 Calc is careful to write @code{nan} any time this simple model is
8459 unable to tell what the true answer is.
8461 @node Types Answer 4, Types Answer 5, Types Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
8462 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 4
8466 2: 0@@ 47' 26" 1: 0@@ 2' 47.411765"
8470 0@@ 47' 26" @key{RET} 17 /
8475 The average song length is two minutes and 47.4 seconds.
8479 2: 0@@ 2' 47.411765" 1: 0@@ 3' 7.411765" 1: 0@@ 53' 6.000005"
8488 The album would be 53 minutes and 6 seconds long.
8490 @node Types Answer 5, Types Answer 6, Types Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
8491 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 5
8494 Let's suppose it's January 14, 1991. The easiest thing to do is
8495 to keep trying 13ths of months until Calc reports a Friday.
8496 We can do this by manually entering dates, or by using @kbd{t I}:
8500 1: <Wed Feb 13, 1991> 1: <Wed Mar 13, 1991> 1: <Sat Apr 13, 1991>
8503 ' <2/13> @key{RET} @key{DEL} ' <3/13> @key{RET} t I
8508 (Calc assumes the current year if you don't say otherwise.)
8510 This is getting tedious---we can keep advancing the date by typing
8511 @kbd{t I} over and over again, but let's automate the job by using
8512 vector mapping. The @kbd{t I} command actually takes a second
8513 ``how-many-months'' argument, which defaults to one. This
8514 argument is exactly what we want to map over:
8518 2: <Sat Apr 13, 1991> 1: [<Mon May 13, 1991>, <Thu Jun 13, 1991>,
8519 1: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] <Sat Jul 13, 1991>, <Tue Aug 13, 1991>,
8520 . <Fri Sep 13, 1991>, <Sun Oct 13, 1991>]
8523 v x 6 @key{RET} V M t I
8528 Et voil@`a, September 13, 1991 is a Friday.
8535 ' <sep 13> - <jan 14> @key{RET}
8540 And the answer to our original question: 242 days to go.
8542 @node Types Answer 6, Types Answer 7, Types Answer 5, Answers to Exercises
8543 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 6
8546 The full rule for leap years is that they occur in every year divisible
8547 by four, except that they don't occur in years divisible by 100, except
8548 that they @emph{do} in years divisible by 400. We could work out the
8549 answer by carefully counting the years divisible by four and the
8550 exceptions, but there is a much simpler way that works even if we
8551 don't know the leap year rule.
8553 Let's assume the present year is 1991. Years have 365 days, except
8554 that leap years (whenever they occur) have 366 days. So let's count
8555 the number of days between now and then, and compare that to the
8556 number of years times 365. The number of extra days we find must be
8557 equal to the number of leap years there were.
8561 1: <Mon Jan 1, 10001> 2: <Mon Jan 1, 10001> 1: 2925593
8562 . 1: <Tue Jan 1, 1991> .
8565 ' <jan 1 10001> @key{RET} ' <jan 1 1991> @key{RET} -
8572 3: 2925593 2: 2925593 2: 2925593 1: 1943
8573 2: 10001 1: 8010 1: 2923650 .
8577 10001 @key{RET} 1991 - 365 * -
8581 @c [fix-ref Date Forms]
8583 There will be 1943 leap years before the year 10001. (Assuming,
8584 of course, that the algorithm for computing leap years remains
8585 unchanged for that long. @xref{Date Forms}, for some interesting
8586 background information in that regard.)
8588 @node Types Answer 7, Types Answer 8, Types Answer 6, Answers to Exercises
8589 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 7
8592 The relative errors must be converted to absolute errors so that
8593 @samp{+/-} notation may be used.
8601 20 @key{RET} .05 * 4 @key{RET} .05 *
8605 Now we simply chug through the formula.
8609 1: 19.7392088022 1: 394.78 +/- 19.739 1: 6316.5 +/- 706.21
8612 2 P 2 ^ * 20 p 1 * 4 p .2 @key{RET} 2 ^ *
8616 It turns out the @kbd{v u} command will unpack an error form as
8617 well as a vector. This saves us some retyping of numbers.
8621 3: 6316.5 +/- 706.21 2: 6316.5 +/- 706.21
8626 @key{RET} v u @key{TAB} /
8631 Thus the volume is 6316 cubic centimeters, within about 11 percent.
8633 @node Types Answer 8, Types Answer 9, Types Answer 7, Answers to Exercises
8634 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 8
8637 The first answer is pretty simple: @samp{1 / (0 .. 10) = (0.1 .. inf)}.
8638 Since a number in the interval @samp{(0 .. 10)} can get arbitrarily
8639 close to zero, its reciprocal can get arbitrarily large, so the answer
8640 is an interval that effectively means, ``any number greater than 0.1''
8641 but with no upper bound.
8643 The second answer, similarly, is @samp{1 / (-10 .. 0) = (-inf .. -0.1)}.
8645 Calc normally treats division by zero as an error, so that the formula
8646 @w{@samp{1 / 0}} is left unsimplified. Our third problem,
8647 @w{@samp{1 / [0 .. 10]}}, also (potentially) divides by zero because zero
8648 is now a member of the interval. So Calc leaves this one unevaluated, too.
8650 If you turn on Infinite mode by pressing @kbd{m i}, you will
8651 instead get the answer @samp{[0.1 .. inf]}, which includes infinity
8652 as a possible value.
8654 The fourth calculation, @samp{1 / (-10 .. 10)}, has the same problem.
8655 Zero is buried inside the interval, but it's still a possible value.
8656 It's not hard to see that the actual result of @samp{1 / (-10 .. 10)}
8657 will be either greater than @mathit{0.1}, or less than @mathit{-0.1}. Thus
8658 the interval goes from minus infinity to plus infinity, with a ``hole''
8659 in it from @mathit{-0.1} to @mathit{0.1}. Calc doesn't have any way to
8660 represent this, so it just reports @samp{[-inf .. inf]} as the answer.
8661 It may be disappointing to hear ``the answer lies somewhere between
8662 minus infinity and plus infinity, inclusive,'' but that's the best
8663 that interval arithmetic can do in this case.
8665 @node Types Answer 9, Types Answer 10, Types Answer 8, Answers to Exercises
8666 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 9
8670 1: [-3 .. 3] 2: [-3 .. 3] 2: [0 .. 9]
8671 . 1: [0 .. 9] 1: [-9 .. 9]
8674 [ 3 n .. 3 ] @key{RET} 2 ^ @key{TAB} @key{RET} *
8679 In the first case the result says, ``if a number is between @mathit{-3} and
8680 3, its square is between 0 and 9.'' The second case says, ``the product
8681 of two numbers each between @mathit{-3} and 3 is between @mathit{-9} and 9.''
8683 An interval form is not a number; it is a symbol that can stand for
8684 many different numbers. Two identical-looking interval forms can stand
8685 for different numbers.
8687 The same issue arises when you try to square an error form.
8689 @node Types Answer 10, Types Answer 11, Types Answer 9, Answers to Exercises
8690 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 10
8693 Testing the first number, we might arbitrarily choose 17 for @expr{x}.
8697 1: 17 mod 811749613 2: 17 mod 811749613 1: 533694123 mod 811749613
8701 17 M 811749613 @key{RET} 811749612 ^
8706 Since 533694123 is (considerably) different from 1, the number 811749613
8709 It's awkward to type the number in twice as we did above. There are
8710 various ways to avoid this, and algebraic entry is one. In fact, using
8711 a vector mapping operation we can perform several tests at once. Let's
8712 use this method to test the second number.
8716 2: [17, 42, 100000] 1: [1 mod 15485863, 1 mod ... ]
8720 [17 42 100000] 15485863 @key{RET} V M ' ($$ mod $)^($-1) @key{RET}
8725 The result is three ones (modulo @expr{n}), so it's very probable that
8726 15485863 is prime. (In fact, this number is the millionth prime.)
8728 Note that the functions @samp{($$^($-1)) mod $} or @samp{$$^($-1) % $}
8729 would have been hopelessly inefficient, since they would have calculated
8730 the power using full integer arithmetic.
8732 Calc has a @kbd{k p} command that does primality testing. For small
8733 numbers it does an exact test; for large numbers it uses a variant
8734 of the Fermat test we used here. You can use @kbd{k p} repeatedly
8735 to prove that a large integer is prime with any desired probability.
8737 @node Types Answer 11, Types Answer 12, Types Answer 10, Answers to Exercises
8738 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 11
8741 There are several ways to insert a calculated number into an HMS form.
8742 One way to convert a number of seconds to an HMS form is simply to
8743 multiply the number by an HMS form representing one second:
8747 1: 31415926.5359 2: 31415926.5359 1: 8726@@ 38' 46.5359"
8758 2: 8726@@ 38' 46.5359" 1: 6@@ 6' 2.5359" mod 24@@ 0' 0"
8759 1: 15@@ 27' 16" mod 24@@ 0' 0" .
8767 It will be just after six in the morning.
8769 The algebraic @code{hms} function can also be used to build an
8774 1: hms(0, 0, 10000000. pi) 1: 8726@@ 38' 46.5359"
8777 ' hms(0, 0, 1e7 pi) @key{RET} =
8782 The @kbd{=} key is necessary to evaluate the symbol @samp{pi} to
8783 the actual number 3.14159...
8785 @node Types Answer 12, Types Answer 13, Types Answer 11, Answers to Exercises
8786 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 12
8789 As we recall, there are 17 songs of about 2 minutes and 47 seconds
8794 2: 0@@ 2' 47" 1: [0@@ 3' 7" .. 0@@ 3' 47"]
8795 1: [0@@ 0' 20" .. 0@@ 1' 0"] .
8798 [ 0@@ 20" .. 0@@ 1' ] +
8805 1: [0@@ 52' 59." .. 1@@ 4' 19."]
8813 No matter how long it is, the album will fit nicely on one CD.
8815 @node Types Answer 13, Types Answer 14, Types Answer 12, Answers to Exercises
8816 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 13
8819 Type @kbd{' 1 yr @key{RET} u c s @key{RET}}. The answer is 31557600 seconds.
8821 @node Types Answer 14, Types Answer 15, Types Answer 13, Answers to Exercises
8822 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 14
8825 How long will it take for a signal to get from one end of the computer
8830 1: m / c 1: 3.3356 ns
8833 ' 1 m / c @key{RET} u c ns @key{RET}
8838 (Recall, @samp{c} is a ``unit'' corresponding to the speed of light.)
8842 1: 3.3356 ns 1: 0.81356 ns / ns 1: 0.81356
8846 ' 4.1 ns @key{RET} / u s
8851 Thus a signal could take up to 81 percent of a clock cycle just to
8852 go from one place to another inside the computer, assuming the signal
8853 could actually attain the full speed of light. Pretty tight!
8855 @node Types Answer 15, Algebra Answer 1, Types Answer 14, Answers to Exercises
8856 @subsection Types Tutorial Exercise 15
8859 The speed limit is 55 miles per hour on most highways. We want to
8860 find the ratio of Sam's speed to the US speed limit.
8864 1: 55 mph 2: 55 mph 3: 11 hr mph / yd
8868 ' 55 mph @key{RET} ' 5 yd/hr @key{RET} /
8872 The @kbd{u s} command cancels out these units to get a plain
8873 number. Now we take the logarithm base two to find the final
8874 answer, assuming that each successive pill doubles his speed.
8878 1: 19360. 2: 19360. 1: 14.24
8887 Thus Sam can take up to 14 pills without a worry.
8889 @node Algebra Answer 1, Algebra Answer 2, Types Answer 15, Answers to Exercises
8890 @subsection Algebra Tutorial Exercise 1
8893 @c [fix-ref Declarations]
8894 The result @samp{sqrt(x)^2} is simplified back to @expr{x} by the
8895 Calculator, but @samp{sqrt(x^2)} is not. (Consider what happens
8896 if @w{@expr{x = -4}}.) If @expr{x} is real, this formula could be
8897 simplified to @samp{abs(x)}, but for general complex arguments even
8898 that is not safe. (@xref{Declarations}, for a way to tell Calc
8899 that @expr{x} is known to be real.)
8901 @node Algebra Answer 2, Algebra Answer 3, Algebra Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
8902 @subsection Algebra Tutorial Exercise 2
8905 Suppose our roots are @expr{[a, b, c]}. We want a polynomial which
8906 is zero when @expr{x} is any of these values. The trivial polynomial
8907 @expr{x-a} is zero when @expr{x=a}, so the product @expr{(x-a)(x-b)(x-c)}
8908 will do the job. We can use @kbd{a c x} to write this in a more
8913 1: 34 x - 24 x^3 1: [1.19023, -1.19023, 0]
8923 1: [x - 1.19023, x + 1.19023, x] 1: (x - 1.19023) (x + 1.19023) x
8926 V M ' x-$ @key{RET} V R *
8933 1: x^3 - 1.41666 x 1: 34 x - 24 x^3
8936 a c x @key{RET} 24 n * a x
8941 Sure enough, our answer (multiplied by a suitable constant) is the
8942 same as the original polynomial.
8944 @node Algebra Answer 3, Algebra Answer 4, Algebra Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
8945 @subsection Algebra Tutorial Exercise 3
8949 1: x sin(pi x) 1: (sin(pi x) - pi x cos(pi x)) / pi^2
8952 ' x sin(pi x) @key{RET} m r a i x @key{RET}
8960 2: (sin(pi x) - pi x cos(pi x)) / pi^2
8963 ' [y,1] @key{RET} @key{TAB}
8970 1: [(sin(pi y) - pi y cos(pi y)) / pi^2, (sin(pi) - pi cos(pi)) / pi^2]
8980 1: (sin(pi y) - pi y cos(pi y)) / pi^2 + (pi cos(pi) - sin(pi)) / pi^2
8990 1: (sin(3.14159 y) - 3.14159 y cos(3.14159 y)) / 9.8696 - 0.3183
9000 1: [0., -0.95493, 0.63662, -1.5915, 1.2732]
9003 v x 5 @key{RET} @key{TAB} V M $ @key{RET}
9007 @node Algebra Answer 4, Rewrites Answer 1, Algebra Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
9008 @subsection Algebra Tutorial Exercise 4
9011 The hard part is that @kbd{V R +} is no longer sufficient to add up all
9012 the contributions from the slices, since the slices have varying
9013 coefficients. So first we must come up with a vector of these
9014 coefficients. Here's one way:
9018 2: -1 2: 3 1: [4, 2, ..., 4]
9019 1: [1, 2, ..., 9] 1: [-1, 1, ..., -1] .
9022 1 n v x 9 @key{RET} V M ^ 3 @key{TAB} -
9029 1: [4, 2, ..., 4, 1] 1: [1, 4, 2, ..., 4, 1]
9037 Now we compute the function values. Note that for this method we need
9038 eleven values, including both endpoints of the desired interval.
9042 2: [1, 4, 2, ..., 4, 1]
9043 1: [1, 1.1, 1.2, ... , 1.8, 1.9, 2.]
9046 11 @key{RET} 1 @key{RET} .1 @key{RET} C-u v x
9053 2: [1, 4, 2, ..., 4, 1]
9054 1: [0., 0.084941, 0.16993, ... ]
9057 ' sin(x) ln(x) @key{RET} m r p 5 @key{RET} V M $ @key{RET}
9062 Once again this calls for @kbd{V M * V R +}; a simple @kbd{*} does the
9067 1: 11.22 1: 1.122 1: 0.374
9075 Wow! That's even better than the result from the Taylor series method.
9077 @node Rewrites Answer 1, Rewrites Answer 2, Algebra Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
9078 @subsection Rewrites Tutorial Exercise 1
9081 We'll use Big mode to make the formulas more readable.
9087 1: (2 + sqrt(2)) / (1 + sqrt(2)) 1: --------
9093 ' (2+sqrt(2)) / (1+sqrt(2)) @key{RET} d B
9098 Multiplying by the conjugate helps because @expr{(a+b) (a-b) = a^2 - b^2}.
9103 1: (2 + V 2 ) (V 2 - 1)
9106 a r a/(b+c) := a*(b-c) / (b^2-c^2) @key{RET}
9114 1: 2 + V 2 - 2 1: V 2
9117 a r a*(b+c) := a*b + a*c a s
9122 (We could have used @kbd{a x} instead of a rewrite rule for the
9125 The multiply-by-conjugate rule turns out to be useful in many
9126 different circumstances, such as when the denominator involves
9127 sines and cosines or the imaginary constant @code{i}.
9129 @node Rewrites Answer 2, Rewrites Answer 3, Rewrites Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
9130 @subsection Rewrites Tutorial Exercise 2
9133 Here is the rule set:
9137 [ fib(n) := fib(n, 1, 1) :: integer(n) :: n >= 1,
9139 fib(n, x, y) := fib(n-1, y, x+y) ]
9144 The first rule turns a one-argument @code{fib} that people like to write
9145 into a three-argument @code{fib} that makes computation easier. The
9146 second rule converts back from three-argument form once the computation
9147 is done. The third rule does the computation itself. It basically
9148 says that if @expr{x} and @expr{y} are two consecutive Fibonacci numbers,
9149 then @expr{y} and @expr{x+y} are the next (overlapping) pair of Fibonacci
9152 Notice that because the number @expr{n} was ``validated'' by the
9153 conditions on the first rule, there is no need to put conditions on
9154 the other rules because the rule set would never get that far unless
9155 the input were valid. That further speeds computation, since no
9156 extra conditions need to be checked at every step.
9158 Actually, a user with a nasty sense of humor could enter a bad
9159 three-argument @code{fib} call directly, say, @samp{fib(0, 1, 1)},
9160 which would get the rules into an infinite loop. One thing that would
9161 help keep this from happening by accident would be to use something like
9162 @samp{ZzFib} instead of @code{fib} as the name of the three-argument
9165 @node Rewrites Answer 3, Rewrites Answer 4, Rewrites Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
9166 @subsection Rewrites Tutorial Exercise 3
9169 He got an infinite loop. First, Calc did as expected and rewrote
9170 @w{@samp{2 + 3 x}} to @samp{f(2, 3, x)}. Then it looked for ways to
9171 apply the rule again, and found that @samp{f(2, 3, x)} looks like
9172 @samp{a + b x} with @w{@samp{a = 0}} and @samp{b = 1}, so it rewrote to
9173 @samp{f(0, 1, f(2, 3, x))}. It then wrapped another @samp{f(0, 1, ...)}
9174 around that, and so on, ad infinitum. Joe should have used @kbd{M-1 a r}
9175 to make sure the rule applied only once.
9177 (Actually, even the first step didn't work as he expected. What Calc
9178 really gives for @kbd{M-1 a r} in this situation is @samp{f(3 x, 1, 2)},
9179 treating 2 as the ``variable,'' and @samp{3 x} as a constant being added
9180 to it. While this may seem odd, it's just as valid a solution as the
9181 ``obvious'' one. One way to fix this would be to add the condition
9182 @samp{:: variable(x)} to the rule, to make sure the thing that matches
9183 @samp{x} is indeed a variable, or to change @samp{x} to @samp{quote(x)}
9184 on the lefthand side, so that the rule matches the actual variable
9185 @samp{x} rather than letting @samp{x} stand for something else.)
9187 @node Rewrites Answer 4, Rewrites Answer 5, Rewrites Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
9188 @subsection Rewrites Tutorial Exercise 4
9195 Here is a suitable set of rules to solve the first part of the problem:
9199 [ seq(n, c) := seq(n/2, c+1) :: n%2 = 0,
9200 seq(n, c) := seq(3n+1, c+1) :: n%2 = 1 :: n > 1 ]
9204 Given the initial formula @samp{seq(6, 0)}, application of these
9205 rules produces the following sequence of formulas:
9219 whereupon neither of the rules match, and rewriting stops.
9221 We can pretty this up a bit with a couple more rules:
9225 [ seq(n) := seq(n, 0),
9232 Now, given @samp{seq(6)} as the starting configuration, we get 8
9235 The change to return a vector is quite simple:
9239 [ seq(n) := seq(n, []) :: integer(n) :: n > 0,
9241 seq(n, v) := seq(n/2, v | n) :: n%2 = 0,
9242 seq(n, v) := seq(3n+1, v | n) :: n%2 = 1 ]
9247 Given @samp{seq(6)}, the result is @samp{[6, 3, 10, 5, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1]}.
9249 Notice that the @expr{n > 1} guard is no longer necessary on the last
9250 rule since the @expr{n = 1} case is now detected by another rule.
9251 But a guard has been added to the initial rule to make sure the
9252 initial value is suitable before the computation begins.
9254 While still a good idea, this guard is not as vitally important as it
9255 was for the @code{fib} function, since calling, say, @samp{seq(x, [])}
9256 will not get into an infinite loop. Calc will not be able to prove
9257 the symbol @samp{x} is either even or odd, so none of the rules will
9258 apply and the rewrites will stop right away.
9260 @node Rewrites Answer 5, Rewrites Answer 6, Rewrites Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
9261 @subsection Rewrites Tutorial Exercise 5
9268 If @expr{x} is the sum @expr{a + b}, then `@tfn{nterms(}@var{x}@tfn{)}' must
9269 be `@tfn{nterms(}@var{a}@tfn{)}' plus `@tfn{nterms(}@var{b}@tfn{)}'. If @expr{x}
9270 is not a sum, then `@tfn{nterms(}@var{x}@tfn{)}' = 1.
9274 [ nterms(a + b) := nterms(a) + nterms(b),
9280 Here we have taken advantage of the fact that earlier rules always
9281 match before later rules; @samp{nterms(x)} will only be tried if we
9282 already know that @samp{x} is not a sum.
9284 @node Rewrites Answer 6, Programming Answer 1, Rewrites Answer 5, Answers to Exercises
9285 @subsection Rewrites Tutorial Exercise 6
9288 Here is a rule set that will do the job:
9292 [ a*(b + c) := a*b + a*c,
9293 opt(a) O(x^n) + opt(b) O(x^m) := O(x^n) :: n <= m
9294 :: constant(a) :: constant(b),
9295 opt(a) O(x^n) + opt(b) x^m := O(x^n) :: n <= m
9296 :: constant(a) :: constant(b),
9297 a O(x^n) := O(x^n) :: constant(a),
9298 x^opt(m) O(x^n) := O(x^(n+m)),
9299 O(x^n) O(x^m) := O(x^(n+m)) ]
9303 If we really want the @kbd{+} and @kbd{*} keys to operate naturally
9304 on power series, we should put these rules in @code{EvalRules}. For
9305 testing purposes, it is better to put them in a different variable,
9306 say, @code{O}, first.
9308 The first rule just expands products of sums so that the rest of the
9309 rules can assume they have an expanded-out polynomial to work with.
9310 Note that this rule does not mention @samp{O} at all, so it will
9311 apply to any product-of-sum it encounters---this rule may surprise
9312 you if you put it into @code{EvalRules}!
9314 In the second rule, the sum of two O's is changed to the smaller O.
9315 The optional constant coefficients are there mostly so that
9316 @samp{O(x^2) - O(x^3)} and @samp{O(x^3) - O(x^2)} are handled
9317 as well as @samp{O(x^2) + O(x^3)}.
9319 The third rule absorbs higher powers of @samp{x} into O's.
9321 The fourth rule says that a constant times a negligible quantity
9322 is still negligible. (This rule will also match @samp{O(x^3) / 4},
9323 with @samp{a = 1/4}.)
9325 The fifth rule rewrites, for example, @samp{x^2 O(x^3)} to @samp{O(x^5)}.
9326 (It is easy to see that if one of these forms is negligible, the other
9327 is, too.) Notice the @samp{x^opt(m)} to pick up terms like
9328 @w{@samp{x O(x^3)}}. Optional powers will match @samp{x} as @samp{x^1}
9329 but not 1 as @samp{x^0}. This turns out to be exactly what we want here.
9331 The sixth rule is the corresponding rule for products of two O's.
9333 Another way to solve this problem would be to create a new ``data type''
9334 that represents truncated power series. We might represent these as
9335 function calls @samp{series(@var{coefs}, @var{x})} where @var{coefs} is
9336 a vector of coefficients for @expr{x^0}, @expr{x^1}, @expr{x^2}, and so
9337 on. Rules would exist for sums and products of such @code{series}
9338 objects, and as an optional convenience could also know how to combine a
9339 @code{series} object with a normal polynomial. (With this, and with a
9340 rule that rewrites @samp{O(x^n)} to the equivalent @code{series} form,
9341 you could still enter power series in exactly the same notation as
9342 before.) Operations on such objects would probably be more efficient,
9343 although the objects would be a bit harder to read.
9345 @c [fix-ref Compositions]
9346 Some other symbolic math programs provide a power series data type
9347 similar to this. Mathematica, for example, has an object that looks
9348 like @samp{PowerSeries[@var{x}, @var{x0}, @var{coefs}, @var{nmin},
9349 @var{nmax}, @var{den}]}, where @var{x0} is the point about which the
9350 power series is taken (we've been assuming this was always zero),
9351 and @var{nmin}, @var{nmax}, and @var{den} allow pseudo-power-series
9352 with fractional or negative powers. Also, the @code{PowerSeries}
9353 objects have a special display format that makes them look like
9354 @samp{2 x^2 + O(x^4)} when they are printed out. (@xref{Compositions},
9355 for a way to do this in Calc, although for something as involved as
9356 this it would probably be better to write the formatting routine
9359 @node Programming Answer 1, Programming Answer 2, Rewrites Answer 6, Answers to Exercises
9360 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 1
9363 Just enter the formula @samp{ninteg(sin(t)/t, t, 0, x)}, type
9364 @kbd{Z F}, and answer the questions. Since this formula contains two
9365 variables, the default argument list will be @samp{(t x)}. We want to
9366 change this to @samp{(x)} since @expr{t} is really a dummy variable
9367 to be used within @code{ninteg}.
9369 The exact keystrokes are @kbd{Z F s Si @key{RET} @key{RET} C-b C-b @key{DEL} @key{DEL} @key{RET} y}.
9370 (The @kbd{C-b C-b @key{DEL} @key{DEL}} are what fix the argument list.)
9372 @node Programming Answer 2, Programming Answer 3, Programming Answer 1, Answers to Exercises
9373 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 2
9376 One way is to move the number to the top of the stack, operate on
9377 it, then move it back: @kbd{C-x ( M-@key{TAB} n M-@key{TAB} M-@key{TAB} C-x )}.
9379 Another way is to negate the top three stack entries, then negate
9380 again the top two stack entries: @kbd{C-x ( M-3 n M-2 n C-x )}.
9382 Finally, it turns out that a negative prefix argument causes a
9383 command like @kbd{n} to operate on the specified stack entry only,
9384 which is just what we want: @kbd{C-x ( M-- 3 n C-x )}.
9386 Just for kicks, let's also do it algebraically:
9387 @w{@kbd{C-x ( ' -$$$, $$, $ @key{RET} C-x )}}.
9389 @node Programming Answer 3, Programming Answer 4, Programming Answer 2, Answers to Exercises
9390 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 3
9393 Each of these functions can be computed using the stack, or using
9394 algebraic entry, whichever way you prefer:
9398 @texline @math{\displaystyle{\sin x \over x}}:
9399 @infoline @expr{sin(x) / x}:
9401 Using the stack: @kbd{C-x ( @key{RET} S @key{TAB} / C-x )}.
9403 Using algebraic entry: @kbd{C-x ( ' sin($)/$ @key{RET} C-x )}.
9406 Computing the logarithm:
9408 Using the stack: @kbd{C-x ( @key{TAB} B C-x )}
9410 Using algebraic entry: @kbd{C-x ( ' log($,$$) @key{RET} C-x )}.
9413 Computing the vector of integers:
9415 Using the stack: @kbd{C-x ( 1 @key{RET} 1 C-u v x C-x )}. (Recall that
9416 @kbd{C-u v x} takes the vector size, starting value, and increment
9419 Alternatively: @kbd{C-x ( ~ v x C-x )}. (The @kbd{~} key pops a
9420 number from the stack and uses it as the prefix argument for the
9423 Using algebraic entry: @kbd{C-x ( ' index($) @key{RET} C-x )}.
9425 @node Programming Answer 4, Programming Answer 5, Programming Answer 3, Answers to Exercises
9426 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 4
9429 Here's one way: @kbd{C-x ( @key{RET} V R + @key{TAB} v l / C-x )}.
9431 @node Programming Answer 5, Programming Answer 6, Programming Answer 4, Answers to Exercises
9432 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 5
9436 2: 1 1: 1.61803398502 2: 1.61803398502
9437 1: 20 . 1: 1.61803398875
9440 1 @key{RET} 20 Z < & 1 + Z > I H P
9445 This answer is quite accurate.
9447 @node Programming Answer 6, Programming Answer 7, Programming Answer 5, Answers to Exercises
9448 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 6
9454 [ [ 0, 1 ] * [a, b] = [b, a + b]
9459 Thus @samp{[0, 1; 1, 1]^n * [1, 1]} computes Fibonacci numbers @expr{n+1}
9460 and @expr{n+2}. Here's one program that does the job:
9463 C-x ( ' [0, 1; 1, 1] ^ ($-1) * [1, 1] @key{RET} v u @key{DEL} C-x )
9467 This program is quite efficient because Calc knows how to raise a
9468 matrix (or other value) to the power @expr{n} in only
9469 @texline @math{\log_2 n}
9470 @infoline @expr{log(n,2)}
9471 steps. For example, this program can compute the 1000th Fibonacci
9472 number (a 209-digit integer!) in about 10 steps; even though the
9473 @kbd{Z < ... Z >} solution had much simpler steps, it would have
9474 required so many steps that it would not have been practical.
9476 @node Programming Answer 7, Programming Answer 8, Programming Answer 6, Answers to Exercises
9477 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 7
9480 The trick here is to compute the harmonic numbers differently, so that
9481 the loop counter itself accumulates the sum of reciprocals. We use
9482 a separate variable to hold the integer counter.
9490 1 t 1 1 @key{RET} 4 Z ( t 2 r 1 1 + s 1 & Z )
9495 The body of the loop goes as follows: First save the harmonic sum
9496 so far in variable 2. Then delete it from the stack; the for loop
9497 itself will take care of remembering it for us. Next, recall the
9498 count from variable 1, add one to it, and feed its reciprocal to
9499 the for loop to use as the step value. The for loop will increase
9500 the ``loop counter'' by that amount and keep going until the
9501 loop counter exceeds 4.
9506 1: 3.99498713092 2: 3.99498713092
9510 r 1 r 2 @key{RET} 31 & +
9514 Thus we find that the 30th harmonic number is 3.99, and the 31st
9515 harmonic number is 4.02.
9517 @node Programming Answer 8, Programming Answer 9, Programming Answer 7, Answers to Exercises
9518 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 8
9521 The first step is to compute the derivative @expr{f'(x)} and thus
9523 @texline @math{\displaystyle{x - {f(x) \over f'(x)}}}.
9524 @infoline @expr{x - f(x)/f'(x)}.
9526 (Because this definition is long, it will be repeated in concise form
9527 below. You can use @w{@kbd{M-# m}} to load it from there. While you are
9528 entering a @kbd{Z ` Z '} body in a macro, Calc simply collects
9529 keystrokes without executing them. In the following diagrams we'll
9530 pretend Calc actually executed the keystrokes as you typed them,
9531 just for purposes of illustration.)
9535 2: sin(cos(x)) - 0.5 3: 4.5
9536 1: 4.5 2: sin(cos(x)) - 0.5
9537 . 1: -(sin(x) cos(cos(x)))
9540 ' sin(cos(x))-0.5 @key{RET} 4.5 m r C-x ( Z ` @key{TAB} @key{RET} a d x @key{RET}
9548 1: x + (sin(cos(x)) - 0.5) / sin(x) cos(cos(x))
9551 / ' x @key{RET} @key{TAB} - t 1
9555 Now, we enter the loop. We'll use a repeat loop with a 20-repetition
9556 limit just in case the method fails to converge for some reason.
9557 (Normally, the @w{@kbd{Z /}} command will stop the loop before all 20
9558 repetitions are done.)
9562 1: 4.5 3: 4.5 2: 4.5
9563 . 2: x + (sin(cos(x)) ... 1: 5.24196456928
9567 20 Z < @key{RET} r 1 @key{TAB} s l x @key{RET}
9571 This is the new guess for @expr{x}. Now we compare it with the
9572 old one to see if we've converged.
9576 3: 5.24196 2: 5.24196 1: 5.24196 1: 5.26345856348
9581 @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} a = Z / Z > Z ' C-x )
9585 The loop converges in just a few steps to this value. To check
9586 the result, we can simply substitute it back into the equation.
9594 @key{RET} ' sin(cos($)) @key{RET}
9598 Let's test the new definition again:
9606 ' x^2-9 @key{RET} 1 X
9610 Once again, here's the full Newton's Method definition:
9614 C-x ( Z ` @key{TAB} @key{RET} a d x @key{RET} / ' x @key{RET} @key{TAB} - t 1
9615 20 Z < @key{RET} r 1 @key{TAB} s l x @key{RET}
9616 @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} a = Z /
9623 @c [fix-ref Nesting and Fixed Points]
9624 It turns out that Calc has a built-in command for applying a formula
9625 repeatedly until it converges to a number. @xref{Nesting and Fixed Points},
9626 to see how to use it.
9628 @c [fix-ref Root Finding]
9629 Also, of course, @kbd{a R} is a built-in command that uses Newton's
9630 method (among others) to look for numerical solutions to any equation.
9631 @xref{Root Finding}.
9633 @node Programming Answer 9, Programming Answer 10, Programming Answer 8, Answers to Exercises
9634 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 9
9637 The first step is to adjust @expr{z} to be greater than 5. A simple
9638 ``for'' loop will do the job here. If @expr{z} is less than 5, we
9639 reduce the problem using
9640 @texline @math{\psi(z) = \psi(z+1) - 1/z}.
9641 @infoline @expr{psi(z) = psi(z+1) - 1/z}. We go
9643 @texline @math{\psi(z+1)},
9644 @infoline @expr{psi(z+1)},
9645 and remember to add back a factor of @expr{-1/z} when we're done. This
9646 step is repeated until @expr{z > 5}.
9648 (Because this definition is long, it will be repeated in concise form
9649 below. You can use @w{@kbd{M-# m}} to load it from there. While you are
9650 entering a @kbd{Z ` Z '} body in a macro, Calc simply collects
9651 keystrokes without executing them. In the following diagrams we'll
9652 pretend Calc actually executed the keystrokes as you typed them,
9653 just for purposes of illustration.)
9660 1.0 @key{RET} C-x ( Z ` s 1 0 t 2
9664 Here, variable 1 holds @expr{z} and variable 2 holds the adjustment
9665 factor. If @expr{z < 5}, we use a loop to increase it.
9667 (By the way, we started with @samp{1.0} instead of the integer 1 because
9668 otherwise the calculation below will try to do exact fractional arithmetic,
9669 and will never converge because fractions compare equal only if they
9670 are exactly equal, not just equal to within the current precision.)
9679 @key{RET} 5 a < Z [ 5 Z ( & s + 2 1 s + 1 1 Z ) r 1 Z ]
9683 Now we compute the initial part of the sum:
9684 @texline @math{\ln z - {1 \over 2z}}
9685 @infoline @expr{ln(z) - 1/2z}
9686 minus the adjustment factor.
9690 2: 1.79175946923 2: 1.7084261359 1: -0.57490719743
9691 1: 0.0833333333333 1: 2.28333333333 .
9698 Now we evaluate the series. We'll use another ``for'' loop counting
9699 up the value of @expr{2 n}. (Calc does have a summation command,
9700 @kbd{a +}, but we'll use loops just to get more practice with them.)
9704 3: -0.5749 3: -0.5749 4: -0.5749 2: -0.5749
9705 2: 2 2: 1:6 3: 1:6 1: 2.3148e-3
9710 2 @key{RET} 40 Z ( @key{RET} k b @key{TAB} @key{RET} r 1 @key{TAB} ^ * /
9717 3: -0.5749 3: -0.5772 2: -0.5772 1: -0.577215664892
9718 2: -0.5749 2: -0.5772 1: 0 .
9719 1: 2.3148e-3 1: -0.5749 .
9722 @key{TAB} @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} - @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} a = Z / 2 Z ) Z ' C-x )
9726 This is the value of
9727 @texline @math{-\gamma},
9728 @infoline @expr{- gamma},
9729 with a slight bit of roundoff error. To get a full 12 digits, let's use
9734 2: -0.577215664892 2: -0.577215664892
9735 1: 1. 1: -0.577215664901532
9737 1. @key{RET} p 16 @key{RET} X
9741 Here's the complete sequence of keystrokes:
9746 @key{RET} 5 a < Z [ 5 Z ( & s + 2 1 s + 1 1 Z ) r 1 Z ]
9748 2 @key{RET} 40 Z ( @key{RET} k b @key{TAB} @key{RET} r 1 @key{TAB} ^ * /
9749 @key{TAB} @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} - @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} a = Z /
9756 @node Programming Answer 10, Programming Answer 11, Programming Answer 9, Answers to Exercises
9757 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 10
9760 Taking the derivative of a term of the form @expr{x^n} will produce
9762 @texline @math{n x^{n-1}}.
9763 @infoline @expr{n x^(n-1)}.
9764 Taking the derivative of a constant
9765 produces zero. From this it is easy to see that the @expr{n}th
9766 derivative of a polynomial, evaluated at @expr{x = 0}, will equal the
9767 coefficient on the @expr{x^n} term times @expr{n!}.
9769 (Because this definition is long, it will be repeated in concise form
9770 below. You can use @w{@kbd{M-# m}} to load it from there. While you are
9771 entering a @kbd{Z ` Z '} body in a macro, Calc simply collects
9772 keystrokes without executing them. In the following diagrams we'll
9773 pretend Calc actually executed the keystrokes as you typed them,
9774 just for purposes of illustration.)
9778 2: 5 x^4 + (x + 1)^2 3: 5 x^4 + (x + 1)^2
9783 ' 5 x^4 + (x+1)^2 @key{RET} 6 C-x ( Z ` [ ] t 1 0 @key{TAB}
9788 Variable 1 will accumulate the vector of coefficients.
9792 2: 0 3: 0 2: 5 x^4 + ...
9793 1: 5 x^4 + ... 2: 5 x^4 + ... 1: 1
9797 Z ( @key{TAB} @key{RET} 0 s l x @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} ! / s | 1
9802 Note that @kbd{s | 1} appends the top-of-stack value to the vector
9803 in a variable; it is completely analogous to @kbd{s + 1}. We could
9804 have written instead, @kbd{r 1 @key{TAB} | t 1}.
9808 1: 20 x^3 + 2 x + 2 1: 0 1: [1, 2, 1, 0, 5, 0, 0]
9811 a d x @key{RET} 1 Z ) @key{DEL} r 1 Z ' C-x )
9815 To convert back, a simple method is just to map the coefficients
9816 against a table of powers of @expr{x}.
9820 2: [1, 2, 1, 0, 5, 0, 0] 2: [1, 2, 1, 0, 5, 0, 0]
9821 1: 6 1: [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
9824 6 @key{RET} 1 + 0 @key{RET} 1 C-u v x
9831 2: [1, 2, 1, 0, 5, 0, 0] 2: 1 + 2 x + x^2 + 5 x^4
9832 1: [1, x, x^2, x^3, ... ] .
9835 ' x @key{RET} @key{TAB} V M ^ *
9839 Once again, here are the whole polynomial to/from vector programs:
9843 C-x ( Z ` [ ] t 1 0 @key{TAB}
9844 Z ( @key{TAB} @key{RET} 0 s l x @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} ! / s | 1
9850 C-x ( 1 + 0 @key{RET} 1 C-u v x ' x @key{RET} @key{TAB} V M ^ * C-x )
9854 @node Programming Answer 11, Programming Answer 12, Programming Answer 10, Answers to Exercises
9855 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 11
9858 First we define a dummy program to go on the @kbd{z s} key. The true
9859 @w{@kbd{z s}} key is supposed to take two numbers from the stack and
9860 return one number, so @key{DEL} as a dummy definition will make
9861 sure the stack comes out right.
9869 4 @key{RET} 2 C-x ( @key{DEL} C-x ) Z K s @key{RET} 2
9873 The last step replaces the 2 that was eaten during the creation
9874 of the dummy @kbd{z s} command. Now we move on to the real
9875 definition. The recurrence needs to be rewritten slightly,
9876 to the form @expr{s(n,m) = s(n-1,m-1) - (n-1) s(n-1,m)}.
9878 (Because this definition is long, it will be repeated in concise form
9879 below. You can use @kbd{M-# m} to load it from there.)
9889 C-x ( M-2 @key{RET} a = Z [ @key{DEL} @key{DEL} 1 Z :
9896 4: 4 2: 4 2: 3 4: 3 4: 3 3: 3
9897 3: 2 1: 2 1: 2 3: 2 3: 2 2: 2
9898 2: 2 . . 2: 3 2: 3 1: 3
9902 @key{RET} 0 a = Z [ @key{DEL} @key{DEL} 0 Z : @key{TAB} 1 - @key{TAB} M-2 @key{RET} 1 - z s
9907 (Note that the value 3 that our dummy @kbd{z s} produces is not correct;
9908 it is merely a placeholder that will do just as well for now.)
9912 3: 3 4: 3 3: 3 2: 3 1: -6
9913 2: 3 3: 3 2: 3 1: 9 .
9918 M-@key{TAB} M-@key{TAB} @key{TAB} @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} z s * -
9925 1: -6 2: 4 1: 11 2: 11
9929 Z ] Z ] C-x ) Z K s @key{RET} @key{DEL} 4 @key{RET} 2 z s M-@key{RET} k s
9933 Even though the result that we got during the definition was highly
9934 bogus, once the definition is complete the @kbd{z s} command gets
9937 Here's the full program once again:
9941 C-x ( M-2 @key{RET} a =
9942 Z [ @key{DEL} @key{DEL} 1
9944 Z [ @key{DEL} @key{DEL} 0
9945 Z : @key{TAB} 1 - @key{TAB} M-2 @key{RET} 1 - z s
9946 M-@key{TAB} M-@key{TAB} @key{TAB} @key{RET} M-@key{TAB} z s * -
9953 You can read this definition using @kbd{M-# m} (@code{read-kbd-macro})
9954 followed by @kbd{Z K s}, without having to make a dummy definition
9955 first, because @code{read-kbd-macro} doesn't need to execute the
9956 definition as it reads it in. For this reason, @code{M-# m} is often
9957 the easiest way to create recursive programs in Calc.
9959 @node Programming Answer 12, , Programming Answer 11, Answers to Exercises
9960 @subsection Programming Tutorial Exercise 12
9963 This turns out to be a much easier way to solve the problem. Let's
9964 denote Stirling numbers as calls of the function @samp{s}.
9966 First, we store the rewrite rules corresponding to the definition of
9967 Stirling numbers in a convenient variable:
9970 s e StirlingRules @key{RET}
9971 [ s(n,n) := 1 :: n >= 0,
9972 s(n,0) := 0 :: n > 0,
9973 s(n,m) := s(n-1,m-1) - (n-1) s(n-1,m) :: n >= m :: m >= 1 ]
9977 Now, it's just a matter of applying the rules:
9981 2: 4 1: s(4, 2) 1: 11
9985 4 @key{RET} 2 C-x ( ' s($$,$) @key{RET} a r StirlingRules @key{RET} C-x )
9989 As in the case of the @code{fib} rules, it would be useful to put these
9990 rules in @code{EvalRules} and to add a @samp{:: remember} condition to
9993 @c This ends the table-of-contents kludge from above:
9995 \global\let\chapternofonts=\oldchapternofonts
10000 @node Introduction, Data Types, Tutorial, Top
10001 @chapter Introduction
10004 This chapter is the beginning of the Calc reference manual.
10005 It covers basic concepts such as the stack, algebraic and
10006 numeric entry, undo, numeric prefix arguments, etc.
10009 @c (Chapter 2, the Tutorial, has been printed in a separate volume.)
10016 * Algebraic Entry::
10017 * Quick Calculator::
10018 * Prefix Arguments::
10021 * Multiple Calculators::
10022 * Troubleshooting Commands::
10025 @node Basic Commands, Help Commands, Introduction, Introduction
10026 @section Basic Commands
10031 @cindex Starting the Calculator
10032 @cindex Running the Calculator
10033 To start the Calculator in its standard interface, type @kbd{M-x calc}.
10034 By default this creates a pair of small windows, @samp{*Calculator*}
10035 and @samp{*Calc Trail*}. The former displays the contents of the
10036 Calculator stack and is manipulated exclusively through Calc commands.
10037 It is possible (though not usually necessary) to create several Calc
10038 mode buffers each of which has an independent stack, undo list, and
10039 mode settings. There is exactly one Calc Trail buffer; it records a
10040 list of the results of all calculations that have been done. The
10041 Calc Trail buffer uses a variant of Calc mode, so Calculator commands
10042 still work when the trail buffer's window is selected. It is possible
10043 to turn the trail window off, but the @samp{*Calc Trail*} buffer itself
10044 still exists and is updated silently. @xref{Trail Commands}.
10052 In most installations, the @kbd{M-# c} key sequence is a more
10053 convenient way to start the Calculator. Also, @kbd{M-# M-#} and
10054 @kbd{M-# #} are synonyms for @kbd{M-# c} unless you last used Calc
10055 in its Keypad mode.
10059 @pindex calc-execute-extended-command
10060 Most Calc commands use one or two keystrokes. Lower- and upper-case
10061 letters are distinct. Commands may also be entered in full @kbd{M-x} form;
10062 for some commands this is the only form. As a convenience, the @kbd{x}
10063 key (@code{calc-execute-extended-command})
10064 is like @kbd{M-x} except that it enters the initial string @samp{calc-}
10065 for you. For example, the following key sequences are equivalent:
10066 @kbd{S}, @kbd{M-x calc-sin @key{RET}}, @kbd{x sin @key{RET}}.
10068 @cindex Extensions module
10069 @cindex @file{calc-ext} module
10070 The Calculator exists in many parts. When you type @kbd{M-# c}, the
10071 Emacs ``auto-load'' mechanism will bring in only the first part, which
10072 contains the basic arithmetic functions. The other parts will be
10073 auto-loaded the first time you use the more advanced commands like trig
10074 functions or matrix operations. This is done to improve the response time
10075 of the Calculator in the common case when all you need to do is a
10076 little arithmetic. If for some reason the Calculator fails to load an
10077 extension module automatically, you can force it to load all the
10078 extensions by using the @kbd{M-# L} (@code{calc-load-everything})
10079 command. @xref{Mode Settings}.
10081 If you type @kbd{M-x calc} or @kbd{M-# c} with any numeric prefix argument,
10082 the Calculator is loaded if necessary, but it is not actually started.
10083 If the argument is positive, the @file{calc-ext} extensions are also
10084 loaded if necessary. User-written Lisp code that wishes to make use
10085 of Calc's arithmetic routines can use @samp{(calc 0)} or @samp{(calc 1)}
10086 to auto-load the Calculator.
10090 If you type @kbd{M-# b}, then next time you use @kbd{M-# c} you
10091 will get a Calculator that uses the full height of the Emacs screen.
10092 When full-screen mode is on, @kbd{M-# c} runs the @code{full-calc}
10093 command instead of @code{calc}. From the Unix shell you can type
10094 @samp{emacs -f full-calc} to start a new Emacs specifically for use
10095 as a calculator. When Calc is started from the Emacs command line
10096 like this, Calc's normal ``quit'' commands actually quit Emacs itself.
10099 @pindex calc-other-window
10100 The @kbd{M-# o} command is like @kbd{M-# c} except that the Calc
10101 window is not actually selected. If you are already in the Calc
10102 window, @kbd{M-# o} switches you out of it. (The regular Emacs
10103 @kbd{C-x o} command would also work for this, but it has a
10104 tendency to drop you into the Calc Trail window instead, which
10105 @kbd{M-# o} takes care not to do.)
10110 For one quick calculation, you can type @kbd{M-# q} (@code{quick-calc})
10111 which prompts you for a formula (like @samp{2+3/4}). The result is
10112 displayed at the bottom of the Emacs screen without ever creating
10113 any special Calculator windows. @xref{Quick Calculator}.
10118 Finally, if you are using the X window system you may want to try
10119 @kbd{M-# k} (@code{calc-keypad}) which runs Calc with a
10120 ``calculator keypad'' picture as well as a stack display. Click on
10121 the keys with the mouse to operate the calculator. @xref{Keypad Mode}.
10125 @cindex Quitting the Calculator
10126 @cindex Exiting the Calculator
10127 The @kbd{q} key (@code{calc-quit}) exits Calc mode and closes the
10128 Calculator's window(s). It does not delete the Calculator buffers.
10129 If you type @kbd{M-x calc} again, the Calculator will reappear with the
10130 contents of the stack intact. Typing @kbd{M-# c} or @kbd{M-# M-#}
10131 again from inside the Calculator buffer is equivalent to executing
10132 @code{calc-quit}; you can think of @kbd{M-# M-#} as toggling the
10133 Calculator on and off.
10136 The @kbd{M-# x} command also turns the Calculator off, no matter which
10137 user interface (standard, Keypad, or Embedded) is currently active.
10138 It also cancels @code{calc-edit} mode if used from there.
10140 @kindex d @key{SPC}
10141 @pindex calc-refresh
10142 @cindex Refreshing a garbled display
10143 @cindex Garbled displays, refreshing
10144 The @kbd{d @key{SPC}} key sequence (@code{calc-refresh}) redraws the contents
10145 of the Calculator buffer from memory. Use this if the contents of the
10146 buffer have been damaged somehow.
10151 The @kbd{o} key (@code{calc-realign}) moves the cursor back to its
10152 ``home'' position at the bottom of the Calculator buffer.
10156 @pindex calc-scroll-left
10157 @pindex calc-scroll-right
10158 @cindex Horizontal scrolling
10160 @cindex Wide text, scrolling
10161 The @kbd{<} and @kbd{>} keys are bound to @code{calc-scroll-left} and
10162 @code{calc-scroll-right}. These are just like the normal horizontal
10163 scrolling commands except that they scroll one half-screen at a time by
10164 default. (Calc formats its output to fit within the bounds of the
10165 window whenever it can.)
10169 @pindex calc-scroll-down
10170 @pindex calc-scroll-up
10171 @cindex Vertical scrolling
10172 The @kbd{@{} and @kbd{@}} keys are bound to @code{calc-scroll-down}
10173 and @code{calc-scroll-up}. They scroll up or down by one-half the
10174 height of the Calc window.
10178 The @kbd{M-# 0} command (@code{calc-reset}; that's @kbd{M-#} followed
10179 by a zero) resets the Calculator to its initial state. This clears
10180 the stack, resets all the modes to their initial values (the values
10181 that were saved with @kbd{m m} (@code{calc-save-modes})), clears the
10182 caches (@pxref{Caches}), and so on. (It does @emph{not} erase the
10183 values of any variables.) With an argument of 0, Calc will be reset to
10184 its default state; namely, the modes will be given their default values.
10185 With a positive prefix argument, @kbd{M-# 0} preserves the contents of
10186 the stack but resets everything else to its initial state; with a
10187 negative prefix argument, @kbd{M-# 0} preserves the contents of the
10188 stack but resets everything else to its default state.
10190 @pindex calc-version
10191 The @kbd{M-x calc-version} command displays the current version number
10192 of Calc and the name of the person who installed it on your system.
10193 (This information is also present in the @samp{*Calc Trail*} buffer,
10194 and in the output of the @kbd{h h} command.)
10196 @node Help Commands, Stack Basics, Basic Commands, Introduction
10197 @section Help Commands
10200 @cindex Help commands
10203 The @kbd{?} key (@code{calc-help}) displays a series of brief help messages.
10204 Some keys (such as @kbd{b} and @kbd{d}) are prefix keys, like Emacs'
10205 @key{ESC} and @kbd{C-x} prefixes. You can type
10206 @kbd{?} after a prefix to see a list of commands beginning with that
10207 prefix. (If the message includes @samp{[MORE]}, press @kbd{?} again
10208 to see additional commands for that prefix.)
10211 @pindex calc-full-help
10212 The @kbd{h h} (@code{calc-full-help}) command displays all the @kbd{?}
10213 responses at once. When printed, this makes a nice, compact (three pages)
10214 summary of Calc keystrokes.
10216 In general, the @kbd{h} key prefix introduces various commands that
10217 provide help within Calc. Many of the @kbd{h} key functions are
10218 Calc-specific analogues to the @kbd{C-h} functions for Emacs help.
10224 The @kbd{h i} (@code{calc-info}) command runs the Emacs Info system
10225 to read this manual on-line. This is basically the same as typing
10226 @kbd{C-h i} (the regular way to run the Info system), then, if Info
10227 is not already in the Calc manual, selecting the beginning of the
10228 manual. The @kbd{M-# i} command is another way to read the Calc
10229 manual; it is different from @kbd{h i} in that it works any time,
10230 not just inside Calc. The plain @kbd{i} key is also equivalent to
10231 @kbd{h i}, though this key is obsolete and may be replaced with a
10232 different command in a future version of Calc.
10236 @pindex calc-tutorial
10237 The @kbd{h t} (@code{calc-tutorial}) command runs the Info system on
10238 the Tutorial section of the Calc manual. It is like @kbd{h i},
10239 except that it selects the starting node of the tutorial rather
10240 than the beginning of the whole manual. (It actually selects the
10241 node ``Interactive Tutorial'' which tells a few things about
10242 using the Info system before going on to the actual tutorial.)
10243 The @kbd{M-# t} key is equivalent to @kbd{h t} (but it works at
10248 @pindex calc-info-summary
10249 The @kbd{h s} (@code{calc-info-summary}) command runs the Info system
10250 on the Summary node of the Calc manual. @xref{Summary}. The @kbd{M-# s}
10251 key is equivalent to @kbd{h s}.
10254 @pindex calc-describe-key
10255 The @kbd{h k} (@code{calc-describe-key}) command looks up a key
10256 sequence in the Calc manual. For example, @kbd{h k H a S} looks
10257 up the documentation on the @kbd{H a S} (@code{calc-solve-for})
10258 command. This works by looking up the textual description of
10259 the key(s) in the Key Index of the manual, then jumping to the
10260 node indicated by the index.
10262 Most Calc commands do not have traditional Emacs documentation
10263 strings, since the @kbd{h k} command is both more convenient and
10264 more instructive. This means the regular Emacs @kbd{C-h k}
10265 (@code{describe-key}) command will not be useful for Calc keystrokes.
10268 @pindex calc-describe-key-briefly
10269 The @kbd{h c} (@code{calc-describe-key-briefly}) command reads a
10270 key sequence and displays a brief one-line description of it at
10271 the bottom of the screen. It looks for the key sequence in the
10272 Summary node of the Calc manual; if it doesn't find the sequence
10273 there, it acts just like its regular Emacs counterpart @kbd{C-h c}
10274 (@code{describe-key-briefly}). For example, @kbd{h c H a S}
10275 gives the description:
10278 H a S runs calc-solve-for: a `H a S' v => fsolve(a,v) (?=notes)
10282 which means the command @kbd{H a S} or @kbd{H M-x calc-solve-for}
10283 takes a value @expr{a} from the stack, prompts for a value @expr{v},
10284 then applies the algebraic function @code{fsolve} to these values.
10285 The @samp{?=notes} message means you can now type @kbd{?} to see
10286 additional notes from the summary that apply to this command.
10289 @pindex calc-describe-function
10290 The @kbd{h f} (@code{calc-describe-function}) command looks up an
10291 algebraic function or a command name in the Calc manual. Enter an
10292 algebraic function name to look up that function in the Function
10293 Index or enter a command name beginning with @samp{calc-} to look it
10294 up in the Command Index. This command will also look up operator
10295 symbols that can appear in algebraic formulas, like @samp{%} and
10299 @pindex calc-describe-variable
10300 The @kbd{h v} (@code{calc-describe-variable}) command looks up a
10301 variable in the Calc manual. Enter a variable name like @code{pi} or
10302 @code{PlotRejects}.
10305 @pindex describe-bindings
10306 The @kbd{h b} (@code{calc-describe-bindings}) command is just like
10307 @kbd{C-h b}, except that only local (Calc-related) key bindings are
10311 The @kbd{h n} or @kbd{h C-n} (@code{calc-view-news}) command displays
10312 the ``news'' or change history of Calc. This is kept in the file
10313 @file{README}, which Calc looks for in the same directory as the Calc
10319 The @kbd{h C-c}, @kbd{h C-d}, and @kbd{h C-w} keys display copying,
10320 distribution, and warranty information about Calc. These work by
10321 pulling up the appropriate parts of the ``Copying'' or ``Reporting
10322 Bugs'' sections of the manual.
10324 @node Stack Basics, Numeric Entry, Help Commands, Introduction
10325 @section Stack Basics
10328 @cindex Stack basics
10329 @c [fix-tut RPN Calculations and the Stack]
10330 Calc uses RPN notation. If you are not familiar with RPN, @pxref{RPN
10333 To add the numbers 1 and 2 in Calc you would type the keys:
10334 @kbd{1 @key{RET} 2 +}.
10335 (@key{RET} corresponds to the @key{ENTER} key on most calculators.)
10336 The first three keystrokes ``push'' the numbers 1 and 2 onto the stack. The
10337 @kbd{+} key always ``pops'' the top two numbers from the stack, adds them,
10338 and pushes the result (3) back onto the stack. This number is ready for
10339 further calculations: @kbd{5 -} pushes 5 onto the stack, then pops the
10340 3 and 5, subtracts them, and pushes the result (@mathit{-2}).
10342 Note that the ``top'' of the stack actually appears at the @emph{bottom}
10343 of the buffer. A line containing a single @samp{.} character signifies
10344 the end of the buffer; Calculator commands operate on the number(s)
10345 directly above this line. The @kbd{d t} (@code{calc-truncate-stack})
10346 command allows you to move the @samp{.} marker up and down in the stack;
10347 @pxref{Truncating the Stack}.
10350 @pindex calc-line-numbering
10351 Stack elements are numbered consecutively, with number 1 being the top of
10352 the stack. These line numbers are ordinarily displayed on the lefthand side
10353 of the window. The @kbd{d l} (@code{calc-line-numbering}) command controls
10354 whether these numbers appear. (Line numbers may be turned off since they
10355 slow the Calculator down a bit and also clutter the display.)
10358 @pindex calc-realign
10359 The unshifted letter @kbd{o} (@code{calc-realign}) command repositions
10360 the cursor to its top-of-stack ``home'' position. It also undoes any
10361 horizontal scrolling in the window. If you give it a numeric prefix
10362 argument, it instead moves the cursor to the specified stack element.
10364 The @key{RET} (or equivalent @key{SPC}) key is only required to separate
10365 two consecutive numbers.
10366 (After all, if you typed @kbd{1 2} by themselves the Calculator
10367 would enter the number 12.) If you press @key{RET} or @key{SPC} @emph{not}
10368 right after typing a number, the key duplicates the number on the top of
10369 the stack. @kbd{@key{RET} *} is thus a handy way to square a number.
10371 The @key{DEL} key pops and throws away the top number on the stack.
10372 The @key{TAB} key swaps the top two objects on the stack.
10373 @xref{Stack and Trail}, for descriptions of these and other stack-related
10376 @node Numeric Entry, Algebraic Entry, Stack Basics, Introduction
10377 @section Numeric Entry
10383 @cindex Numeric entry
10384 @cindex Entering numbers
10385 Pressing a digit or other numeric key begins numeric entry using the
10386 minibuffer. The number is pushed on the stack when you press the @key{RET}
10387 or @key{SPC} keys. If you press any other non-numeric key, the number is
10388 pushed onto the stack and the appropriate operation is performed. If
10389 you press a numeric key which is not valid, the key is ignored.
10391 @cindex Minus signs
10392 @cindex Negative numbers, entering
10394 There are three different concepts corresponding to the word ``minus,''
10395 typified by @expr{a-b} (subtraction), @expr{-x}
10396 (change-sign), and @expr{-5} (negative number). Calc uses three
10397 different keys for these operations, respectively:
10398 @kbd{-}, @kbd{n}, and @kbd{_} (the underscore). The @kbd{-} key subtracts
10399 the two numbers on the top of the stack. The @kbd{n} key changes the sign
10400 of the number on the top of the stack or the number currently being entered.
10401 The @kbd{_} key begins entry of a negative number or changes the sign of
10402 the number currently being entered. The following sequences all enter the
10403 number @mathit{-5} onto the stack: @kbd{0 @key{RET} 5 -}, @kbd{5 n @key{RET}},
10404 @kbd{5 @key{RET} n}, @kbd{_ 5 @key{RET}}, @kbd{5 _ @key{RET}}.
10406 Some other keys are active during numeric entry, such as @kbd{#} for
10407 non-decimal numbers, @kbd{:} for fractions, and @kbd{@@} for HMS forms.
10408 These notations are described later in this manual with the corresponding
10409 data types. @xref{Data Types}.
10411 During numeric entry, the only editing key available is @key{DEL}.
10413 @node Algebraic Entry, Quick Calculator, Numeric Entry, Introduction
10414 @section Algebraic Entry
10418 @pindex calc-algebraic-entry
10419 @cindex Algebraic notation
10420 @cindex Formulas, entering
10421 Calculations can also be entered in algebraic form. This is accomplished
10422 by typing the apostrophe key, @kbd{'}, followed by the expression in
10423 standard format: @kbd{@key{'} 2+3*4 @key{RET}} computes
10424 @texline @math{2+(3\times4) = 14}
10425 @infoline @expr{2+(3*4) = 14}
10426 and pushes that on the stack. If you wish you can
10427 ignore the RPN aspect of Calc altogether and simply enter algebraic
10428 expressions in this way. You may want to use @key{DEL} every so often to
10429 clear previous results off the stack.
10431 You can press the apostrophe key during normal numeric entry to switch
10432 the half-entered number into Algebraic entry mode. One reason to do this
10433 would be to use the full Emacs cursor motion and editing keys, which are
10434 available during algebraic entry but not during numeric entry.
10436 In the same vein, during either numeric or algebraic entry you can
10437 press @kbd{`} (backquote) to switch to @code{calc-edit} mode, where
10438 you complete your half-finished entry in a separate buffer.
10439 @xref{Editing Stack Entries}.
10442 @pindex calc-algebraic-mode
10443 @cindex Algebraic Mode
10444 If you prefer algebraic entry, you can use the command @kbd{m a}
10445 (@code{calc-algebraic-mode}) to set Algebraic mode. In this mode,
10446 digits and other keys that would normally start numeric entry instead
10447 start full algebraic entry; as long as your formula begins with a digit
10448 you can omit the apostrophe. Open parentheses and square brackets also
10449 begin algebraic entry. You can still do RPN calculations in this mode,
10450 but you will have to press @key{RET} to terminate every number:
10451 @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} * 4 @key{RET} +} would accomplish the same
10452 thing as @kbd{2*3+4 @key{RET}}.
10454 @cindex Incomplete Algebraic Mode
10455 If you give a numeric prefix argument like @kbd{C-u} to the @kbd{m a}
10456 command, it enables Incomplete Algebraic mode; this is like regular
10457 Algebraic mode except that it applies to the @kbd{(} and @kbd{[} keys
10458 only. Numeric keys still begin a numeric entry in this mode.
10461 @pindex calc-total-algebraic-mode
10462 @cindex Total Algebraic Mode
10463 The @kbd{m t} (@code{calc-total-algebraic-mode}) gives you an even
10464 stronger algebraic-entry mode, in which @emph{all} regular letter and
10465 punctuation keys begin algebraic entry. Use this if you prefer typing
10466 @w{@kbd{sqrt( )}} instead of @kbd{Q}, @w{@kbd{factor( )}} instead of
10467 @kbd{a f}, and so on. To type regular Calc commands when you are in
10468 Total Algebraic mode, hold down the @key{META} key. Thus @kbd{M-q}
10469 is the command to quit Calc, @kbd{M-p} sets the precision, and
10470 @kbd{M-m t} (or @kbd{M-m M-t}, if you prefer) turns Total Algebraic
10471 mode back off again. Meta keys also terminate algebraic entry, so
10472 that @kbd{2+3 M-S} is equivalent to @kbd{2+3 @key{RET} M-S}. The symbol
10473 @samp{Alg*} will appear in the mode line whenever you are in this mode.
10475 Pressing @kbd{'} (the apostrophe) a second time re-enters the previous
10476 algebraic formula. You can then use the normal Emacs editing keys to
10477 modify this formula to your liking before pressing @key{RET}.
10480 @cindex Formulas, referring to stack
10481 Within a formula entered from the keyboard, the symbol @kbd{$}
10482 represents the number on the top of the stack. If an entered formula
10483 contains any @kbd{$} characters, the Calculator replaces the top of
10484 stack with that formula rather than simply pushing the formula onto the
10485 stack. Thus, @kbd{' 1+2 @key{RET}} pushes 3 on the stack, and @kbd{$*2
10486 @key{RET}} replaces it with 6. Note that the @kbd{$} key always
10487 initiates algebraic entry; the @kbd{'} is unnecessary if @kbd{$} is the
10488 first character in the new formula.
10490 Higher stack elements can be accessed from an entered formula with the
10491 symbols @kbd{$$}, @kbd{$$$}, and so on. The number of stack elements
10492 removed (to be replaced by the entered values) equals the number of dollar
10493 signs in the longest such symbol in the formula. For example, @samp{$$+$$$}
10494 adds the second and third stack elements, replacing the top three elements
10495 with the answer. (All information about the top stack element is thus lost
10496 since no single @samp{$} appears in this formula.)
10498 A slightly different way to refer to stack elements is with a dollar
10499 sign followed by a number: @samp{$1}, @samp{$2}, and so on are much
10500 like @samp{$}, @samp{$$}, etc., except that stack entries referred
10501 to numerically are not replaced by the algebraic entry. That is, while
10502 @samp{$+1} replaces 5 on the stack with 6, @samp{$1+1} leaves the 5
10503 on the stack and pushes an additional 6.
10505 If a sequence of formulas are entered separated by commas, each formula
10506 is pushed onto the stack in turn. For example, @samp{1,2,3} pushes
10507 those three numbers onto the stack (leaving the 3 at the top), and
10508 @samp{$+1,$-1} replaces a 5 on the stack with 4 followed by 6. Also,
10509 @samp{$,$$} exchanges the top two elements of the stack, just like the
10512 You can finish an algebraic entry with @kbd{M-=} or @kbd{M-@key{RET}} instead
10513 of @key{RET}. This uses @kbd{=} to evaluate the variables in each
10514 formula that goes onto the stack. (Thus @kbd{' pi @key{RET}} pushes
10515 the variable @samp{pi}, but @kbd{' pi M-@key{RET}} pushes 3.1415.)
10517 If you finish your algebraic entry by pressing @key{LFD} (or @kbd{C-j})
10518 instead of @key{RET}, Calc disables the default simplifications
10519 (as if by @kbd{m O}; @pxref{Simplification Modes}) while the entry
10520 is being pushed on the stack. Thus @kbd{' 1+2 @key{RET}} pushes 3
10521 on the stack, but @kbd{' 1+2 @key{LFD}} pushes the formula @expr{1+2};
10522 you might then press @kbd{=} when it is time to evaluate this formula.
10524 @node Quick Calculator, Prefix Arguments, Algebraic Entry, Introduction
10525 @section ``Quick Calculator'' Mode
10530 @cindex Quick Calculator
10531 There is another way to invoke the Calculator if all you need to do
10532 is make one or two quick calculations. Type @kbd{M-# q} (or
10533 @kbd{M-x quick-calc}), then type any formula as an algebraic entry.
10534 The Calculator will compute the result and display it in the echo
10535 area, without ever actually putting up a Calc window.
10537 You can use the @kbd{$} character in a Quick Calculator formula to
10538 refer to the previous Quick Calculator result. Older results are
10539 not retained; the Quick Calculator has no effect on the full
10540 Calculator's stack or trail. If you compute a result and then
10541 forget what it was, just run @code{M-# q} again and enter
10542 @samp{$} as the formula.
10544 If this is the first time you have used the Calculator in this Emacs
10545 session, the @kbd{M-# q} command will create the @code{*Calculator*}
10546 buffer and perform all the usual initializations; it simply will
10547 refrain from putting that buffer up in a new window. The Quick
10548 Calculator refers to the @code{*Calculator*} buffer for all mode
10549 settings. Thus, for example, to set the precision that the Quick
10550 Calculator uses, simply run the full Calculator momentarily and use
10551 the regular @kbd{p} command.
10553 If you use @code{M-# q} from inside the Calculator buffer, the
10554 effect is the same as pressing the apostrophe key (algebraic entry).
10556 The result of a Quick calculation is placed in the Emacs ``kill ring''
10557 as well as being displayed. A subsequent @kbd{C-y} command will
10558 yank the result into the editing buffer. You can also use this
10559 to yank the result into the next @kbd{M-# q} input line as a more
10560 explicit alternative to @kbd{$} notation, or to yank the result
10561 into the Calculator stack after typing @kbd{M-# c}.
10563 If you finish your formula by typing @key{LFD} (or @kbd{C-j}) instead
10564 of @key{RET}, the result is inserted immediately into the current
10565 buffer rather than going into the kill ring.
10567 Quick Calculator results are actually evaluated as if by the @kbd{=}
10568 key (which replaces variable names by their stored values, if any).
10569 If the formula you enter is an assignment to a variable using the
10570 @samp{:=} operator, say, @samp{foo := 2 + 3} or @samp{foo := foo + 1},
10571 then the result of the evaluation is stored in that Calc variable.
10572 @xref{Store and Recall}.
10574 If the result is an integer and the current display radix is decimal,
10575 the number will also be displayed in hex and octal formats. If the
10576 integer is in the range from 1 to 126, it will also be displayed as
10577 an ASCII character.
10579 For example, the quoted character @samp{"x"} produces the vector
10580 result @samp{[120]} (because 120 is the ASCII code of the lower-case
10581 `x'; @pxref{Strings}). Since this is a vector, not an integer, it
10582 is displayed only according to the current mode settings. But
10583 running Quick Calc again and entering @samp{120} will produce the
10584 result @samp{120 (16#78, 8#170, x)} which shows the number in its
10585 decimal, hexadecimal, octal, and ASCII forms.
10587 Please note that the Quick Calculator is not any faster at loading
10588 or computing the answer than the full Calculator; the name ``quick''
10589 merely refers to the fact that it's much less hassle to use for
10590 small calculations.
10592 @node Prefix Arguments, Undo, Quick Calculator, Introduction
10593 @section Numeric Prefix Arguments
10596 Many Calculator commands use numeric prefix arguments. Some, such as
10597 @kbd{d s} (@code{calc-sci-notation}), set a parameter to the value of
10598 the prefix argument or use a default if you don't use a prefix.
10599 Others (like @kbd{d f} (@code{calc-fix-notation})) require an argument
10600 and prompt for a number if you don't give one as a prefix.
10602 As a rule, stack-manipulation commands accept a numeric prefix argument
10603 which is interpreted as an index into the stack. A positive argument
10604 operates on the top @var{n} stack entries; a negative argument operates
10605 on the @var{n}th stack entry in isolation; and a zero argument operates
10606 on the entire stack.
10608 Most commands that perform computations (such as the arithmetic and
10609 scientific functions) accept a numeric prefix argument that allows the
10610 operation to be applied across many stack elements. For unary operations
10611 (that is, functions of one argument like absolute value or complex
10612 conjugate), a positive prefix argument applies that function to the top
10613 @var{n} stack entries simultaneously, and a negative argument applies it
10614 to the @var{n}th stack entry only. For binary operations (functions of
10615 two arguments like addition, GCD, and vector concatenation), a positive
10616 prefix argument ``reduces'' the function across the top @var{n}
10617 stack elements (for example, @kbd{C-u 5 +} sums the top 5 stack entries;
10618 @pxref{Reducing and Mapping}), and a negative argument maps the next-to-top
10619 @var{n} stack elements with the top stack element as a second argument
10620 (for example, @kbd{7 c-u -5 +} adds 7 to the top 5 stack elements).
10621 This feature is not available for operations which use the numeric prefix
10622 argument for some other purpose.
10624 Numeric prefixes are specified the same way as always in Emacs: Press
10625 a sequence of @key{META}-digits, or press @key{ESC} followed by digits,
10626 or press @kbd{C-u} followed by digits. Some commands treat plain
10627 @kbd{C-u} (without any actual digits) specially.
10630 @pindex calc-num-prefix
10631 You can type @kbd{~} (@code{calc-num-prefix}) to pop an integer from the
10632 top of the stack and enter it as the numeric prefix for the next command.
10633 For example, @kbd{C-u 16 p} sets the precision to 16 digits; an alternate
10634 (silly) way to do this would be @kbd{2 @key{RET} 4 ^ ~ p}, i.e., compute 2
10635 to the fourth power and set the precision to that value.
10637 Conversely, if you have typed a numeric prefix argument the @kbd{~} key
10638 pushes it onto the stack in the form of an integer.
10640 @node Undo, Error Messages, Prefix Arguments, Introduction
10641 @section Undoing Mistakes
10647 @cindex Mistakes, undoing
10648 @cindex Undoing mistakes
10649 @cindex Errors, undoing
10650 The shift-@kbd{U} key (@code{calc-undo}) undoes the most recent operation.
10651 If that operation added or dropped objects from the stack, those objects
10652 are removed or restored. If it was a ``store'' operation, you are
10653 queried whether or not to restore the variable to its original value.
10654 The @kbd{U} key may be pressed any number of times to undo successively
10655 farther back in time; with a numeric prefix argument it undoes a
10656 specified number of operations. The undo history is cleared only by the
10657 @kbd{q} (@code{calc-quit}) command. (Recall that @kbd{M-# c} is
10658 synonymous with @code{calc-quit} while inside the Calculator; this
10659 also clears the undo history.)
10661 Currently the mode-setting commands (like @code{calc-precision}) are not
10662 undoable. You can undo past a point where you changed a mode, but you
10663 will need to reset the mode yourself.
10667 @cindex Redoing after an Undo
10668 The shift-@kbd{D} key (@code{calc-redo}) redoes an operation that was
10669 mistakenly undone. Pressing @kbd{U} with a negative prefix argument is
10670 equivalent to executing @code{calc-redo}. You can redo any number of
10671 times, up to the number of recent consecutive undo commands. Redo
10672 information is cleared whenever you give any command that adds new undo
10673 information, i.e., if you undo, then enter a number on the stack or make
10674 any other change, then it will be too late to redo.
10676 @kindex M-@key{RET}
10677 @pindex calc-last-args
10678 @cindex Last-arguments feature
10679 @cindex Arguments, restoring
10680 The @kbd{M-@key{RET}} key (@code{calc-last-args}) is like undo in that
10681 it restores the arguments of the most recent command onto the stack;
10682 however, it does not remove the result of that command. Given a numeric
10683 prefix argument, this command applies to the @expr{n}th most recent
10684 command which removed items from the stack; it pushes those items back
10687 The @kbd{K} (@code{calc-keep-args}) command provides a related function
10688 to @kbd{M-@key{RET}}. @xref{Stack and Trail}.
10690 It is also possible to recall previous results or inputs using the trail.
10691 @xref{Trail Commands}.
10693 The standard Emacs @kbd{C-_} undo key is recognized as a synonym for @kbd{U}.
10695 @node Error Messages, Multiple Calculators, Undo, Introduction
10696 @section Error Messages
10701 @cindex Errors, messages
10702 @cindex Why did an error occur?
10703 Many situations that would produce an error message in other calculators
10704 simply create unsimplified formulas in the Emacs Calculator. For example,
10705 @kbd{1 @key{RET} 0 /} pushes the formula @expr{1 / 0}; @w{@kbd{0 L}} pushes
10706 the formula @samp{ln(0)}. Floating-point overflow and underflow are also
10707 reasons for this to happen.
10709 When a function call must be left in symbolic form, Calc usually
10710 produces a message explaining why. Messages that are probably
10711 surprising or indicative of user errors are displayed automatically.
10712 Other messages are simply kept in Calc's memory and are displayed only
10713 if you type @kbd{w} (@code{calc-why}). You can also press @kbd{w} if
10714 the same computation results in several messages. (The first message
10715 will end with @samp{[w=more]} in this case.)
10718 @pindex calc-auto-why
10719 The @kbd{d w} (@code{calc-auto-why}) command controls when error messages
10720 are displayed automatically. (Calc effectively presses @kbd{w} for you
10721 after your computation finishes.) By default, this occurs only for
10722 ``important'' messages. The other possible modes are to report
10723 @emph{all} messages automatically, or to report none automatically (so
10724 that you must always press @kbd{w} yourself to see the messages).
10726 @node Multiple Calculators, Troubleshooting Commands, Error Messages, Introduction
10727 @section Multiple Calculators
10730 @pindex another-calc
10731 It is possible to have any number of Calc mode buffers at once.
10732 Usually this is done by executing @kbd{M-x another-calc}, which
10733 is similar to @kbd{M-# c} except that if a @samp{*Calculator*}
10734 buffer already exists, a new, independent one with a name of the
10735 form @samp{*Calculator*<@var{n}>} is created. You can also use the
10736 command @code{calc-mode} to put any buffer into Calculator mode, but
10737 this would ordinarily never be done.
10739 The @kbd{q} (@code{calc-quit}) command does not destroy a Calculator buffer;
10740 it only closes its window. Use @kbd{M-x kill-buffer} to destroy a
10743 Each Calculator buffer keeps its own stack, undo list, and mode settings
10744 such as precision, angular mode, and display formats. In Emacs terms,
10745 variables such as @code{calc-stack} are buffer-local variables. The
10746 global default values of these variables are used only when a new
10747 Calculator buffer is created. The @code{calc-quit} command saves
10748 the stack and mode settings of the buffer being quit as the new defaults.
10750 There is only one trail buffer, @samp{*Calc Trail*}, used by all
10751 Calculator buffers.
10753 @node Troubleshooting Commands, , Multiple Calculators, Introduction
10754 @section Troubleshooting Commands
10757 This section describes commands you can use in case a computation
10758 incorrectly fails or gives the wrong answer.
10760 @xref{Reporting Bugs}, if you find a problem that appears to be due
10761 to a bug or deficiency in Calc.
10764 * Autoloading Problems::
10765 * Recursion Depth::
10770 @node Autoloading Problems, Recursion Depth, Troubleshooting Commands, Troubleshooting Commands
10771 @subsection Autoloading Problems
10774 The Calc program is split into many component files; components are
10775 loaded automatically as you use various commands that require them.
10776 Occasionally Calc may lose track of when a certain component is
10777 necessary; typically this means you will type a command and it won't
10778 work because some function you've never heard of was undefined.
10781 @pindex calc-load-everything
10782 If this happens, the easiest workaround is to type @kbd{M-# L}
10783 (@code{calc-load-everything}) to force all the parts of Calc to be
10784 loaded right away. This will cause Emacs to take up a lot more
10785 memory than it would otherwise, but it's guaranteed to fix the problem.
10787 @node Recursion Depth, Caches, Autoloading Problems, Troubleshooting Commands
10788 @subsection Recursion Depth
10793 @pindex calc-more-recursion-depth
10794 @pindex calc-less-recursion-depth
10795 @cindex Recursion depth
10796 @cindex ``Computation got stuck'' message
10797 @cindex @code{max-lisp-eval-depth}
10798 @cindex @code{max-specpdl-size}
10799 Calc uses recursion in many of its calculations. Emacs Lisp keeps a
10800 variable @code{max-lisp-eval-depth} which limits the amount of recursion
10801 possible in an attempt to recover from program bugs. If a calculation
10802 ever halts incorrectly with the message ``Computation got stuck or
10803 ran too long,'' use the @kbd{M} command (@code{calc-more-recursion-depth})
10804 to increase this limit. (Of course, this will not help if the
10805 calculation really did get stuck due to some problem inside Calc.)
10807 The limit is always increased (multiplied) by a factor of two. There
10808 is also an @kbd{I M} (@code{calc-less-recursion-depth}) command which
10809 decreases this limit by a factor of two, down to a minimum value of 200.
10810 The default value is 1000.
10812 These commands also double or halve @code{max-specpdl-size}, another
10813 internal Lisp recursion limit. The minimum value for this limit is 600.
10815 @node Caches, Debugging Calc, Recursion Depth, Troubleshooting Commands
10820 @cindex Flushing caches
10821 Calc saves certain values after they have been computed once. For
10822 example, the @kbd{P} (@code{calc-pi}) command initially ``knows'' the
10823 constant @cpi{} to about 20 decimal places; if the current precision
10824 is greater than this, it will recompute @cpi{} using a series
10825 approximation. This value will not need to be recomputed ever again
10826 unless you raise the precision still further. Many operations such as
10827 logarithms and sines make use of similarly cached values such as
10829 @texline @math{\ln 2}.
10830 @infoline @expr{ln(2)}.
10831 The visible effect of caching is that
10832 high-precision computations may seem to do extra work the first time.
10833 Other things cached include powers of two (for the binary arithmetic
10834 functions), matrix inverses and determinants, symbolic integrals, and
10835 data points computed by the graphing commands.
10837 @pindex calc-flush-caches
10838 If you suspect a Calculator cache has become corrupt, you can use the
10839 @code{calc-flush-caches} command to reset all caches to the empty state.
10840 (This should only be necessary in the event of bugs in the Calculator.)
10841 The @kbd{M-# 0} (with the zero key) command also resets caches along
10842 with all other aspects of the Calculator's state.
10844 @node Debugging Calc, , Caches, Troubleshooting Commands
10845 @subsection Debugging Calc
10848 A few commands exist to help in the debugging of Calc commands.
10849 @xref{Programming}, to see the various ways that you can write
10850 your own Calc commands.
10853 @pindex calc-timing
10854 The @kbd{Z T} (@code{calc-timing}) command turns on and off a mode
10855 in which the timing of slow commands is reported in the Trail.
10856 Any Calc command that takes two seconds or longer writes a line
10857 to the Trail showing how many seconds it took. This value is
10858 accurate only to within one second.
10860 All steps of executing a command are included; in particular, time
10861 taken to format the result for display in the stack and trail is
10862 counted. Some prompts also count time taken waiting for them to
10863 be answered, while others do not; this depends on the exact
10864 implementation of the command. For best results, if you are timing
10865 a sequence that includes prompts or multiple commands, define a
10866 keyboard macro to run the whole sequence at once. Calc's @kbd{X}
10867 command (@pxref{Keyboard Macros}) will then report the time taken
10868 to execute the whole macro.
10870 Another advantage of the @kbd{X} command is that while it is
10871 executing, the stack and trail are not updated from step to step.
10872 So if you expect the output of your test sequence to leave a result
10873 that may take a long time to format and you don't wish to count
10874 this formatting time, end your sequence with a @key{DEL} keystroke
10875 to clear the result from the stack. When you run the sequence with
10876 @kbd{X}, Calc will never bother to format the large result.
10878 Another thing @kbd{Z T} does is to increase the Emacs variable
10879 @code{gc-cons-threshold} to a much higher value (two million; the
10880 usual default in Calc is 250,000) for the duration of each command.
10881 This generally prevents garbage collection during the timing of
10882 the command, though it may cause your Emacs process to grow
10883 abnormally large. (Garbage collection time is a major unpredictable
10884 factor in the timing of Emacs operations.)
10886 Another command that is useful when debugging your own Lisp
10887 extensions to Calc is @kbd{M-x calc-pass-errors}, which disables
10888 the error handler that changes the ``@code{max-lisp-eval-depth}
10889 exceeded'' message to the much more friendly ``Computation got
10890 stuck or ran too long.'' This handler interferes with the Emacs
10891 Lisp debugger's @code{debug-on-error} mode. Errors are reported
10892 in the handler itself rather than at the true location of the
10893 error. After you have executed @code{calc-pass-errors}, Lisp
10894 errors will be reported correctly but the user-friendly message
10897 @node Data Types, Stack and Trail, Introduction, Top
10898 @chapter Data Types
10901 This chapter discusses the various types of objects that can be placed
10902 on the Calculator stack, how they are displayed, and how they are
10903 entered. (@xref{Data Type Formats}, for information on how these data
10904 types are represented as underlying Lisp objects.)
10906 Integers, fractions, and floats are various ways of describing real
10907 numbers. HMS forms also for many purposes act as real numbers. These
10908 types can be combined to form complex numbers, modulo forms, error forms,
10909 or interval forms. (But these last four types cannot be combined
10910 arbitrarily:@: error forms may not contain modulo forms, for example.)
10911 Finally, all these types of numbers may be combined into vectors,
10912 matrices, or algebraic formulas.
10915 * Integers:: The most basic data type.
10916 * Fractions:: This and above are called @dfn{rationals}.
10917 * Floats:: This and above are called @dfn{reals}.
10918 * Complex Numbers:: This and above are called @dfn{numbers}.
10920 * Vectors and Matrices::
10927 * Incomplete Objects::
10932 @node Integers, Fractions, Data Types, Data Types
10937 The Calculator stores integers to arbitrary precision. Addition,
10938 subtraction, and multiplication of integers always yields an exact
10939 integer result. (If the result of a division or exponentiation of
10940 integers is not an integer, it is expressed in fractional or
10941 floating-point form according to the current Fraction mode.
10942 @xref{Fraction Mode}.)
10944 A decimal integer is represented as an optional sign followed by a
10945 sequence of digits. Grouping (@pxref{Grouping Digits}) can be used to
10946 insert a comma at every third digit for display purposes, but you
10947 must not type commas during the entry of numbers.
10950 A non-decimal integer is represented as an optional sign, a radix
10951 between 2 and 36, a @samp{#} symbol, and one or more digits. For radix 11
10952 and above, the letters A through Z (upper- or lower-case) count as
10953 digits and do not terminate numeric entry mode. @xref{Radix Modes}, for how
10954 to set the default radix for display of integers. Numbers of any radix
10955 may be entered at any time. If you press @kbd{#} at the beginning of a
10956 number, the current display radix is used.
10958 @node Fractions, Floats, Integers, Data Types
10963 A @dfn{fraction} is a ratio of two integers. Fractions are traditionally
10964 written ``2/3'' but Calc uses the notation @samp{2:3}. (The @kbd{/} key
10965 performs RPN division; the following two sequences push the number
10966 @samp{2:3} on the stack: @kbd{2 :@: 3 @key{RET}}, or @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 /}
10967 assuming Fraction mode has been enabled.)
10968 When the Calculator produces a fractional result it always reduces it to
10969 simplest form, which may in fact be an integer.
10971 Fractions may also be entered in a three-part form, where @samp{2:3:4}
10972 represents two-and-three-quarters. @xref{Fraction Formats}, for fraction
10975 Non-decimal fractions are entered and displayed as
10976 @samp{@var{radix}#@var{num}:@var{denom}} (or in the analogous three-part
10977 form). The numerator and denominator always use the same radix.
10979 @node Floats, Complex Numbers, Fractions, Data Types
10983 @cindex Floating-point numbers
10984 A floating-point number or @dfn{float} is a number stored in scientific
10985 notation. The number of significant digits in the fractional part is
10986 governed by the current floating precision (@pxref{Precision}). The
10987 range of acceptable values is from
10988 @texline @math{10^{-3999999}}
10989 @infoline @expr{10^-3999999}
10991 @texline @math{10^{4000000}}
10992 @infoline @expr{10^4000000}
10993 (exclusive), plus the corresponding negative values and zero.
10995 Calculations that would exceed the allowable range of values (such
10996 as @samp{exp(exp(20))}) are left in symbolic form by Calc. The
10997 messages ``floating-point overflow'' or ``floating-point underflow''
10998 indicate that during the calculation a number would have been produced
10999 that was too large or too close to zero, respectively, to be represented
11000 by Calc. This does not necessarily mean the final result would have
11001 overflowed, just that an overflow occurred while computing the result.
11002 (In fact, it could report an underflow even though the final result
11003 would have overflowed!)
11005 If a rational number and a float are mixed in a calculation, the result
11006 will in general be expressed as a float. Commands that require an integer
11007 value (such as @kbd{k g} [@code{gcd}]) will also accept integer-valued
11008 floats, i.e., floating-point numbers with nothing after the decimal point.
11010 Floats are identified by the presence of a decimal point and/or an
11011 exponent. In general a float consists of an optional sign, digits
11012 including an optional decimal point, and an optional exponent consisting
11013 of an @samp{e}, an optional sign, and up to seven exponent digits.
11014 For example, @samp{23.5e-2} is 23.5 times ten to the minus-second power,
11017 Floating-point numbers are normally displayed in decimal notation with
11018 all significant figures shown. Exceedingly large or small numbers are
11019 displayed in scientific notation. Various other display options are
11020 available. @xref{Float Formats}.
11022 @cindex Accuracy of calculations
11023 Floating-point numbers are stored in decimal, not binary. The result
11024 of each operation is rounded to the nearest value representable in the
11025 number of significant digits specified by the current precision,
11026 rounding away from zero in the case of a tie. Thus (in the default
11027 display mode) what you see is exactly what you get. Some operations such
11028 as square roots and transcendental functions are performed with several
11029 digits of extra precision and then rounded down, in an effort to make the
11030 final result accurate to the full requested precision. However,
11031 accuracy is not rigorously guaranteed. If you suspect the validity of a
11032 result, try doing the same calculation in a higher precision. The
11033 Calculator's arithmetic is not intended to be IEEE-conformant in any
11036 While floats are always @emph{stored} in decimal, they can be entered
11037 and displayed in any radix just like integers and fractions. The
11038 notation @samp{@var{radix}#@var{ddd}.@var{ddd}} is a floating-point
11039 number whose digits are in the specified radix. Note that the @samp{.}
11040 is more aptly referred to as a ``radix point'' than as a decimal
11041 point in this case. The number @samp{8#123.4567} is defined as
11042 @samp{8#1234567 * 8^-4}. If the radix is 14 or less, you can use
11043 @samp{e} notation to write a non-decimal number in scientific notation.
11044 The exponent is written in decimal, and is considered to be a power
11045 of the radix: @samp{8#1234567e-4}. If the radix is 15 or above, the
11046 letter @samp{e} is a digit, so scientific notation must be written
11047 out, e.g., @samp{16#123.4567*16^2}. The first two exercises of the
11048 Modes Tutorial explore some of the properties of non-decimal floats.
11050 @node Complex Numbers, Infinities, Floats, Data Types
11051 @section Complex Numbers
11054 @cindex Complex numbers
11055 There are two supported formats for complex numbers: rectangular and
11056 polar. The default format is rectangular, displayed in the form
11057 @samp{(@var{real},@var{imag})} where @var{real} is the real part and
11058 @var{imag} is the imaginary part, each of which may be any real number.
11059 Rectangular complex numbers can also be displayed in @samp{@var{a}+@var{b}i}
11060 notation; @pxref{Complex Formats}.
11062 Polar complex numbers are displayed in the form
11063 @texline `@tfn{(}@var{r}@tfn{;}@math{\theta}@tfn{)}'
11064 @infoline `@tfn{(}@var{r}@tfn{;}@var{theta}@tfn{)}'
11065 where @var{r} is the nonnegative magnitude and
11066 @texline @math{\theta}
11067 @infoline @var{theta}
11068 is the argument or phase angle. The range of
11069 @texline @math{\theta}
11070 @infoline @var{theta}
11071 depends on the current angular mode (@pxref{Angular Modes}); it is
11072 generally between @mathit{-180} and @mathit{+180} degrees or the equivalent range
11075 Complex numbers are entered in stages using incomplete objects.
11076 @xref{Incomplete Objects}.
11078 Operations on rectangular complex numbers yield rectangular complex
11079 results, and similarly for polar complex numbers. Where the two types
11080 are mixed, or where new complex numbers arise (as for the square root of
11081 a negative real), the current @dfn{Polar mode} is used to determine the
11082 type. @xref{Polar Mode}.
11084 A complex result in which the imaginary part is zero (or the phase angle
11085 is 0 or 180 degrees or @cpi{} radians) is automatically converted to a real
11088 @node Infinities, Vectors and Matrices, Complex Numbers, Data Types
11089 @section Infinities
11093 @cindex @code{inf} variable
11094 @cindex @code{uinf} variable
11095 @cindex @code{nan} variable
11099 The word @code{inf} represents the mathematical concept of @dfn{infinity}.
11100 Calc actually has three slightly different infinity-like values:
11101 @code{inf}, @code{uinf}, and @code{nan}. These are just regular
11102 variable names (@pxref{Variables}); you should avoid using these
11103 names for your own variables because Calc gives them special
11104 treatment. Infinities, like all variable names, are normally
11105 entered using algebraic entry.
11107 Mathematically speaking, it is not rigorously correct to treat
11108 ``infinity'' as if it were a number, but mathematicians often do
11109 so informally. When they say that @samp{1 / inf = 0}, what they
11110 really mean is that @expr{1 / x}, as @expr{x} becomes larger and
11111 larger, becomes arbitrarily close to zero. So you can imagine
11112 that if @expr{x} got ``all the way to infinity,'' then @expr{1 / x}
11113 would go all the way to zero. Similarly, when they say that
11114 @samp{exp(inf) = inf}, they mean that
11115 @texline @math{e^x}
11116 @infoline @expr{exp(x)}
11117 grows without bound as @expr{x} grows. The symbol @samp{-inf} likewise
11118 stands for an infinitely negative real value; for example, we say that
11119 @samp{exp(-inf) = 0}. You can have an infinity pointing in any
11120 direction on the complex plane: @samp{sqrt(-inf) = i inf}.
11122 The same concept of limits can be used to define @expr{1 / 0}. We
11123 really want the value that @expr{1 / x} approaches as @expr{x}
11124 approaches zero. But if all we have is @expr{1 / 0}, we can't
11125 tell which direction @expr{x} was coming from. If @expr{x} was
11126 positive and decreasing toward zero, then we should say that
11127 @samp{1 / 0 = inf}. But if @expr{x} was negative and increasing
11128 toward zero, the answer is @samp{1 / 0 = -inf}. In fact, @expr{x}
11129 could be an imaginary number, giving the answer @samp{i inf} or
11130 @samp{-i inf}. Calc uses the special symbol @samp{uinf} to mean
11131 @dfn{undirected infinity}, i.e., a value which is infinitely
11132 large but with an unknown sign (or direction on the complex plane).
11134 Calc actually has three modes that say how infinities are handled.
11135 Normally, infinities never arise from calculations that didn't
11136 already have them. Thus, @expr{1 / 0} is treated simply as an
11137 error and left unevaluated. The @kbd{m i} (@code{calc-infinite-mode})
11138 command (@pxref{Infinite Mode}) enables a mode in which
11139 @expr{1 / 0} evaluates to @code{uinf} instead. There is also
11140 an alternative type of infinite mode which says to treat zeros
11141 as if they were positive, so that @samp{1 / 0 = inf}. While this
11142 is less mathematically correct, it may be the answer you want in
11145 Since all infinities are ``as large'' as all others, Calc simplifies,
11146 e.g., @samp{5 inf} to @samp{inf}. Another example is
11147 @samp{5 - inf = -inf}, where the @samp{-inf} is so large that
11148 adding a finite number like five to it does not affect it.
11149 Note that @samp{a - inf} also results in @samp{-inf}; Calc assumes
11150 that variables like @code{a} always stand for finite quantities.
11151 Just to show that infinities really are all the same size,
11152 note that @samp{sqrt(inf) = inf^2 = exp(inf) = inf} in Calc's
11155 It's not so easy to define certain formulas like @samp{0 * inf} and
11156 @samp{inf / inf}. Depending on where these zeros and infinities
11157 came from, the answer could be literally anything. The latter
11158 formula could be the limit of @expr{x / x} (giving a result of one),
11159 or @expr{2 x / x} (giving two), or @expr{x^2 / x} (giving @code{inf}),
11160 or @expr{x / x^2} (giving zero). Calc uses the symbol @code{nan}
11161 to represent such an @dfn{indeterminate} value. (The name ``nan''
11162 comes from analogy with the ``NAN'' concept of IEEE standard
11163 arithmetic; it stands for ``Not A Number.'' This is somewhat of a
11164 misnomer, since @code{nan} @emph{does} stand for some number or
11165 infinity, it's just that @emph{which} number it stands for
11166 cannot be determined.) In Calc's notation, @samp{0 * inf = nan}
11167 and @samp{inf / inf = nan}. A few other common indeterminate
11168 expressions are @samp{inf - inf} and @samp{inf ^ 0}. Also,
11169 @samp{0 / 0 = nan} if you have turned on Infinite mode
11170 (as described above).
11172 Infinities are especially useful as parts of @dfn{intervals}.
11173 @xref{Interval Forms}.
11175 @node Vectors and Matrices, Strings, Infinities, Data Types
11176 @section Vectors and Matrices
11180 @cindex Plain vectors
11182 The @dfn{vector} data type is flexible and general. A vector is simply a
11183 list of zero or more data objects. When these objects are numbers, the
11184 whole is a vector in the mathematical sense. When these objects are
11185 themselves vectors of equal (nonzero) length, the whole is a @dfn{matrix}.
11186 A vector which is not a matrix is referred to here as a @dfn{plain vector}.
11188 A vector is displayed as a list of values separated by commas and enclosed
11189 in square brackets: @samp{[1, 2, 3]}. Thus the following is a 2 row by
11190 3 column matrix: @samp{[[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6]]}. Vectors, like complex
11191 numbers, are entered as incomplete objects. @xref{Incomplete Objects}.
11192 During algebraic entry, vectors are entered all at once in the usual
11193 brackets-and-commas form. Matrices may be entered algebraically as nested
11194 vectors, or using the shortcut notation @w{@samp{[1, 2, 3; 4, 5, 6]}},
11195 with rows separated by semicolons. The commas may usually be omitted
11196 when entering vectors: @samp{[1 2 3]}. Curly braces may be used in
11197 place of brackets: @samp{@{1, 2, 3@}}, but the commas are required in
11200 Traditional vector and matrix arithmetic is also supported;
11201 @pxref{Basic Arithmetic} and @pxref{Matrix Functions}.
11202 Many other operations are applied to vectors element-wise. For example,
11203 the complex conjugate of a vector is a vector of the complex conjugates
11210 Algebraic functions for building vectors include @samp{vec(a, b, c)}
11211 to build @samp{[a, b, c]}, @samp{cvec(a, n, m)} to build an
11212 @texline @math{n\times m}
11213 @infoline @var{n}x@var{m}
11214 matrix of @samp{a}s, and @samp{index(n)} to build a vector of integers
11215 from 1 to @samp{n}.
11217 @node Strings, HMS Forms, Vectors and Matrices, Data Types
11223 @cindex Character strings
11224 Character strings are not a special data type in the Calculator.
11225 Rather, a string is represented simply as a vector all of whose
11226 elements are integers in the range 0 to 255 (ASCII codes). You can
11227 enter a string at any time by pressing the @kbd{"} key. Quotation
11228 marks and backslashes are written @samp{\"} and @samp{\\}, respectively,
11229 inside strings. Other notations introduced by backslashes are:
11245 Finally, a backslash followed by three octal digits produces any
11246 character from its ASCII code.
11249 @pindex calc-display-strings
11250 Strings are normally displayed in vector-of-integers form. The
11251 @w{@kbd{d "}} (@code{calc-display-strings}) command toggles a mode in
11252 which any vectors of small integers are displayed as quoted strings
11255 The backslash notations shown above are also used for displaying
11256 strings. Characters 128 and above are not translated by Calc; unless
11257 you have an Emacs modified for 8-bit fonts, these will show up in
11258 backslash-octal-digits notation. For characters below 32, and
11259 for character 127, Calc uses the backslash-letter combination if
11260 there is one, or otherwise uses a @samp{\^} sequence.
11262 The only Calc feature that uses strings is @dfn{compositions};
11263 @pxref{Compositions}. Strings also provide a convenient
11264 way to do conversions between ASCII characters and integers.
11270 There is a @code{string} function which provides a different display
11271 format for strings. Basically, @samp{string(@var{s})}, where @var{s}
11272 is a vector of integers in the proper range, is displayed as the
11273 corresponding string of characters with no surrounding quotation
11274 marks or other modifications. Thus @samp{string("ABC")} (or
11275 @samp{string([65 66 67])}) will look like @samp{ABC} on the stack.
11276 This happens regardless of whether @w{@kbd{d "}} has been used. The
11277 only way to turn it off is to use @kbd{d U} (unformatted language
11278 mode) which will display @samp{string("ABC")} instead.
11280 Control characters are displayed somewhat differently by @code{string}.
11281 Characters below 32, and character 127, are shown using @samp{^} notation
11282 (same as shown above, but without the backslash). The quote and
11283 backslash characters are left alone, as are characters 128 and above.
11289 The @code{bstring} function is just like @code{string} except that
11290 the resulting string is breakable across multiple lines if it doesn't
11291 fit all on one line. Potential break points occur at every space
11292 character in the string.
11294 @node HMS Forms, Date Forms, Strings, Data Types
11298 @cindex Hours-minutes-seconds forms
11299 @cindex Degrees-minutes-seconds forms
11300 @dfn{HMS} stands for Hours-Minutes-Seconds; when used as an angular
11301 argument, the interpretation is Degrees-Minutes-Seconds. All functions
11302 that operate on angles accept HMS forms. These are interpreted as
11303 degrees regardless of the current angular mode. It is also possible to
11304 use HMS as the angular mode so that calculated angles are expressed in
11305 degrees, minutes, and seconds.
11311 @kindex ' (HMS forms)
11315 @kindex " (HMS forms)
11319 @kindex h (HMS forms)
11323 @kindex o (HMS forms)
11327 @kindex m (HMS forms)
11331 @kindex s (HMS forms)
11332 The default format for HMS values is
11333 @samp{@var{hours}@@ @var{mins}' @var{secs}"}. During entry, the letters
11334 @samp{h} (for ``hours'') or
11335 @samp{o} (approximating the ``degrees'' symbol) are accepted as well as
11336 @samp{@@}, @samp{m} is accepted in place of @samp{'}, and @samp{s} is
11337 accepted in place of @samp{"}.
11338 The @var{hours} value is an integer (or integer-valued float).
11339 The @var{mins} value is an integer or integer-valued float between 0 and 59.
11340 The @var{secs} value is a real number between 0 (inclusive) and 60
11341 (exclusive). A positive HMS form is interpreted as @var{hours} +
11342 @var{mins}/60 + @var{secs}/3600. A negative HMS form is interpreted
11343 as @mathit{- @var{hours}} @mathit{-} @var{mins}/60 @mathit{-} @var{secs}/3600.
11344 Display format for HMS forms is quite flexible. @xref{HMS Formats}.
11346 HMS forms can be added and subtracted. When they are added to numbers,
11347 the numbers are interpreted according to the current angular mode. HMS
11348 forms can also be multiplied and divided by real numbers. Dividing
11349 two HMS forms produces a real-valued ratio of the two angles.
11352 @cindex Time of day
11353 Just for kicks, @kbd{M-x calc-time} pushes the current time of day on
11354 the stack as an HMS form.
11356 @node Date Forms, Modulo Forms, HMS Forms, Data Types
11357 @section Date Forms
11361 A @dfn{date form} represents a date and possibly an associated time.
11362 Simple date arithmetic is supported: Adding a number to a date
11363 produces a new date shifted by that many days; adding an HMS form to
11364 a date shifts it by that many hours. Subtracting two date forms
11365 computes the number of days between them (represented as a simple
11366 number). Many other operations, such as multiplying two date forms,
11367 are nonsensical and are not allowed by Calc.
11369 Date forms are entered and displayed enclosed in @samp{< >} brackets.
11370 The default format is, e.g., @samp{<Wed Jan 9, 1991>} for dates,
11371 or @samp{<3:32:20pm Wed Jan 9, 1991>} for dates with times.
11372 Input is flexible; date forms can be entered in any of the usual
11373 notations for dates and times. @xref{Date Formats}.
11375 Date forms are stored internally as numbers, specifically the number
11376 of days since midnight on the morning of January 1 of the year 1 AD.
11377 If the internal number is an integer, the form represents a date only;
11378 if the internal number is a fraction or float, the form represents
11379 a date and time. For example, @samp{<6:00am Wed Jan 9, 1991>}
11380 is represented by the number 726842.25. The standard precision of
11381 12 decimal digits is enough to ensure that a (reasonable) date and
11382 time can be stored without roundoff error.
11384 If the current precision is greater than 12, date forms will keep
11385 additional digits in the seconds position. For example, if the
11386 precision is 15, the seconds will keep three digits after the
11387 decimal point. Decreasing the precision below 12 may cause the
11388 time part of a date form to become inaccurate. This can also happen
11389 if astronomically high years are used, though this will not be an
11390 issue in everyday (or even everymillennium) use. Note that date
11391 forms without times are stored as exact integers, so roundoff is
11392 never an issue for them.
11394 You can use the @kbd{v p} (@code{calc-pack}) and @kbd{v u}
11395 (@code{calc-unpack}) commands to get at the numerical representation
11396 of a date form. @xref{Packing and Unpacking}.
11398 Date forms can go arbitrarily far into the future or past. Negative
11399 year numbers represent years BC. Calc uses a combination of the
11400 Gregorian and Julian calendars, following the history of Great
11401 Britain and the British colonies. This is the same calendar that
11402 is used by the @code{cal} program in most Unix implementations.
11404 @cindex Julian calendar
11405 @cindex Gregorian calendar
11406 Some historical background: The Julian calendar was created by
11407 Julius Caesar in the year 46 BC as an attempt to fix the gradual
11408 drift caused by the lack of leap years in the calendar used
11409 until that time. The Julian calendar introduced an extra day in
11410 all years divisible by four. After some initial confusion, the
11411 calendar was adopted around the year we call 8 AD. Some centuries
11412 later it became apparent that the Julian year of 365.25 days was
11413 itself not quite right. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII introduced the
11414 Gregorian calendar, which added the new rule that years divisible
11415 by 100, but not by 400, were not to be considered leap years
11416 despite being divisible by four. Many countries delayed adoption
11417 of the Gregorian calendar because of religious differences;
11418 in Britain it was put off until the year 1752, by which time
11419 the Julian calendar had fallen eleven days behind the true
11420 seasons. So the switch to the Gregorian calendar in early
11421 September 1752 introduced a discontinuity: The day after
11422 Sep 2, 1752 is Sep 14, 1752. Calc follows this convention.
11423 To take another example, Russia waited until 1918 before
11424 adopting the new calendar, and thus needed to remove thirteen
11425 days (between Feb 1, 1918 and Feb 14, 1918). This means that
11426 Calc's reckoning will be inconsistent with Russian history between
11427 1752 and 1918, and similarly for various other countries.
11429 Today's timekeepers introduce an occasional ``leap second'' as
11430 well, but Calc does not take these minor effects into account.
11431 (If it did, it would have to report a non-integer number of days
11432 between, say, @samp{<12:00am Mon Jan 1, 1900>} and
11433 @samp{<12:00am Sat Jan 1, 2000>}.)
11435 Calc uses the Julian calendar for all dates before the year 1752,
11436 including dates BC when the Julian calendar technically had not
11437 yet been invented. Thus the claim that day number @mathit{-10000} is
11438 called ``August 16, 28 BC'' should be taken with a grain of salt.
11440 Please note that there is no ``year 0''; the day before
11441 @samp{<Sat Jan 1, +1>} is @samp{<Fri Dec 31, -1>}. These are
11442 days 0 and @mathit{-1} respectively in Calc's internal numbering scheme.
11444 @cindex Julian day counting
11445 Another day counting system in common use is, confusingly, also
11446 called ``Julian.'' It was invented in 1583 by Joseph Justus
11447 Scaliger, who named it in honor of his father Julius Caesar
11448 Scaliger. For obscure reasons he chose to start his day
11449 numbering on Jan 1, 4713 BC at noon, which in Calc's scheme
11450 is @mathit{-1721423.5} (recall that Calc starts at midnight instead
11451 of noon). Thus to convert a Calc date code obtained by
11452 unpacking a date form into a Julian day number, simply add
11453 1721423.5. The Julian code for @samp{6:00am Jan 9, 1991}
11454 is 2448265.75. The built-in @kbd{t J} command performs
11455 this conversion for you.
11457 @cindex Unix time format
11458 The Unix operating system measures time as an integer number of
11459 seconds since midnight, Jan 1, 1970. To convert a Calc date
11460 value into a Unix time stamp, first subtract 719164 (the code
11461 for @samp{<Jan 1, 1970>}), then multiply by 86400 (the number of
11462 seconds in a day) and press @kbd{R} to round to the nearest
11463 integer. If you have a date form, you can simply subtract the
11464 day @samp{<Jan 1, 1970>} instead of unpacking and subtracting
11465 719164. Likewise, divide by 86400 and add @samp{<Jan 1, 1970>}
11466 to convert from Unix time to a Calc date form. (Note that
11467 Unix normally maintains the time in the GMT time zone; you may
11468 need to subtract five hours to get New York time, or eight hours
11469 for California time. The same is usually true of Julian day
11470 counts.) The built-in @kbd{t U} command performs these
11473 @node Modulo Forms, Error Forms, Date Forms, Data Types
11474 @section Modulo Forms
11477 @cindex Modulo forms
11478 A @dfn{modulo form} is a real number which is taken modulo (i.e., within
11479 an integer multiple of) some value @var{M}. Arithmetic modulo @var{M}
11480 often arises in number theory. Modulo forms are written
11481 `@var{a} @tfn{mod} @var{M}',
11482 where @var{a} and @var{M} are real numbers or HMS forms, and
11483 @texline @math{0 \le a < M}.
11484 @infoline @expr{0 <= a < @var{M}}.
11485 In many applications @expr{a} and @expr{M} will be
11486 integers but this is not required.
11491 @kindex M (modulo forms)
11495 @tindex mod (operator)
11496 To create a modulo form during numeric entry, press the shift-@kbd{M}
11497 key to enter the word @samp{mod}. As a special convenience, pressing
11498 shift-@kbd{M} a second time automatically enters the value of @expr{M}
11499 that was most recently used before. During algebraic entry, either
11500 type @samp{mod} by hand or press @kbd{M-m} (that's @kbd{@key{META}-m}).
11501 Once again, pressing this a second time enters the current modulo.
11503 Modulo forms are not to be confused with the modulo operator @samp{%}.
11504 The expression @samp{27 % 10} means to compute 27 modulo 10 to produce
11505 the result 7. Further computations treat this 7 as just a regular integer.
11506 The expression @samp{27 mod 10} produces the result @samp{7 mod 10};
11507 further computations with this value are again reduced modulo 10 so that
11508 the result always lies in the desired range.
11510 When two modulo forms with identical @expr{M}'s are added or multiplied,
11511 the Calculator simply adds or multiplies the values, then reduces modulo
11512 @expr{M}. If one argument is a modulo form and the other a plain number,
11513 the plain number is treated like a compatible modulo form. It is also
11514 possible to raise modulo forms to powers; the result is the value raised
11515 to the power, then reduced modulo @expr{M}. (When all values involved
11516 are integers, this calculation is done much more efficiently than
11517 actually computing the power and then reducing.)
11519 @cindex Modulo division
11520 Two modulo forms `@var{a} @tfn{mod} @var{M}' and `@var{b} @tfn{mod} @var{M}'
11521 can be divided if @expr{a}, @expr{b}, and @expr{M} are all
11522 integers. The result is the modulo form which, when multiplied by
11523 `@var{b} @tfn{mod} @var{M}', produces `@var{a} @tfn{mod} @var{M}'. If
11524 there is no solution to this equation (which can happen only when
11525 @expr{M} is non-prime), or if any of the arguments are non-integers, the
11526 division is left in symbolic form. Other operations, such as square
11527 roots, are not yet supported for modulo forms. (Note that, although
11528 @w{`@tfn{(}@var{a} @tfn{mod} @var{M}@tfn{)^.5}'} will compute a ``modulo square root''
11529 in the sense of reducing
11530 @texline @math{\sqrt a}
11531 @infoline @expr{sqrt(a)}
11532 modulo @expr{M}, this is not a useful definition from the
11533 number-theoretical point of view.)
11535 It is possible to mix HMS forms and modulo forms. For example, an
11536 HMS form modulo 24 could be used to manipulate clock times; an HMS
11537 form modulo 360 would be suitable for angles. Making the modulo @expr{M}
11538 also be an HMS form eliminates troubles that would arise if the angular
11539 mode were inadvertently set to Radians, in which case
11540 @w{@samp{2@@ 0' 0" mod 24}} would be interpreted as two degrees modulo
11543 Modulo forms cannot have variables or formulas for components. If you
11544 enter the formula @samp{(x + 2) mod 5}, Calc propagates the modulus
11545 to each of the coefficients: @samp{(1 mod 5) x + (2 mod 5)}.
11547 You can use @kbd{v p} and @kbd{%} to modify modulo forms.
11548 @xref{Packing and Unpacking}. @xref{Basic Arithmetic}.
11554 The algebraic function @samp{makemod(a, m)} builds the modulo form
11555 @w{@samp{a mod m}}.
11557 @node Error Forms, Interval Forms, Modulo Forms, Data Types
11558 @section Error Forms
11561 @cindex Error forms
11562 @cindex Standard deviations
11563 An @dfn{error form} is a number with an associated standard
11564 deviation, as in @samp{2.3 +/- 0.12}. The notation
11565 @texline `@var{x} @tfn{+/-} @math{\sigma}'
11566 @infoline `@var{x} @tfn{+/-} sigma'
11567 stands for an uncertain value which follows
11568 a normal or Gaussian distribution of mean @expr{x} and standard
11569 deviation or ``error''
11570 @texline @math{\sigma}.
11571 @infoline @expr{sigma}.
11572 Both the mean and the error can be either numbers or
11573 formulas. Generally these are real numbers but the mean may also be
11574 complex. If the error is negative or complex, it is changed to its
11575 absolute value. An error form with zero error is converted to a
11576 regular number by the Calculator.
11578 All arithmetic and transcendental functions accept error forms as input.
11579 Operations on the mean-value part work just like operations on regular
11580 numbers. The error part for any function @expr{f(x)} (such as
11581 @texline @math{\sin x}
11582 @infoline @expr{sin(x)})
11583 is defined by the error of @expr{x} times the derivative of @expr{f}
11584 evaluated at the mean value of @expr{x}. For a two-argument function
11585 @expr{f(x,y)} (such as addition) the error is the square root of the sum
11586 of the squares of the errors due to @expr{x} and @expr{y}.
11589 f(x \hbox{\code{ +/- }} \sigma)
11590 &= f(x) \hbox{\code{ +/- }} \sigma \left| {df(x) \over dx} \right| \cr
11591 f(x \hbox{\code{ +/- }} \sigma_x, y \hbox{\code{ +/- }} \sigma_y)
11592 &= f(x,y) \hbox{\code{ +/- }}
11593 \sqrt{\left(\sigma_x \left| {\partial f(x,y) \over \partial x}
11595 +\left(\sigma_y \left| {\partial f(x,y) \over \partial y}
11596 \right| \right)^2 } \cr
11600 definition assumes the errors in @expr{x} and @expr{y} are uncorrelated.
11601 A side effect of this definition is that @samp{(2 +/- 1) * (2 +/- 1)}
11602 is not the same as @samp{(2 +/- 1)^2}; the former represents the product
11603 of two independent values which happen to have the same probability
11604 distributions, and the latter is the product of one random value with itself.
11605 The former will produce an answer with less error, since on the average
11606 the two independent errors can be expected to cancel out.
11608 Consult a good text on error analysis for a discussion of the proper use
11609 of standard deviations. Actual errors often are neither Gaussian-distributed
11610 nor uncorrelated, and the above formulas are valid only when errors
11611 are small. As an example, the error arising from
11612 @texline `@tfn{sin(}@var{x} @tfn{+/-} @math{\sigma}@tfn{)}'
11613 @infoline `@tfn{sin(}@var{x} @tfn{+/-} @var{sigma}@tfn{)}'
11615 @texline `@math{\sigma} @tfn{abs(cos(}@var{x}@tfn{))}'.
11616 @infoline `@var{sigma} @tfn{abs(cos(}@var{x}@tfn{))}'.
11617 When @expr{x} is close to zero,
11618 @texline @math{\cos x}
11619 @infoline @expr{cos(x)}
11620 is close to one so the error in the sine is close to
11621 @texline @math{\sigma};
11622 @infoline @expr{sigma};
11623 this makes sense, since
11624 @texline @math{\sin x}
11625 @infoline @expr{sin(x)}
11626 is approximately @expr{x} near zero, so a given error in @expr{x} will
11627 produce about the same error in the sine. Likewise, near 90 degrees
11628 @texline @math{\cos x}
11629 @infoline @expr{cos(x)}
11630 is nearly zero and so the computed error is
11631 small: The sine curve is nearly flat in that region, so an error in @expr{x}
11632 has relatively little effect on the value of
11633 @texline @math{\sin x}.
11634 @infoline @expr{sin(x)}.
11635 However, consider @samp{sin(90 +/- 1000)}. The cosine of 90 is zero, so
11636 Calc will report zero error! We get an obviously wrong result because
11637 we have violated the small-error approximation underlying the error
11638 analysis. If the error in @expr{x} had been small, the error in
11639 @texline @math{\sin x}
11640 @infoline @expr{sin(x)}
11641 would indeed have been negligible.
11646 @kindex p (error forms)
11648 To enter an error form during regular numeric entry, use the @kbd{p}
11649 (``plus-or-minus'') key to type the @samp{+/-} symbol. (If you try actually
11650 typing @samp{+/-} the @kbd{+} key will be interpreted as the Calculator's
11651 @kbd{+} command!) Within an algebraic formula, you can press @kbd{M-p} to
11652 type the @samp{+/-} symbol, or type it out by hand.
11654 Error forms and complex numbers can be mixed; the formulas shown above
11655 are used for complex numbers, too; note that if the error part evaluates
11656 to a complex number its absolute value (or the square root of the sum of
11657 the squares of the absolute values of the two error contributions) is
11658 used. Mathematically, this corresponds to a radially symmetric Gaussian
11659 distribution of numbers on the complex plane. However, note that Calc
11660 considers an error form with real components to represent a real number,
11661 not a complex distribution around a real mean.
11663 Error forms may also be composed of HMS forms. For best results, both
11664 the mean and the error should be HMS forms if either one is.
11670 The algebraic function @samp{sdev(a, b)} builds the error form @samp{a +/- b}.
11672 @node Interval Forms, Incomplete Objects, Error Forms, Data Types
11673 @section Interval Forms
11676 @cindex Interval forms
11677 An @dfn{interval} is a subset of consecutive real numbers. For example,
11678 the interval @samp{[2 ..@: 4]} represents all the numbers from 2 to 4,
11679 inclusive. If you multiply it by the interval @samp{[0.5 ..@: 2]} you
11680 obtain @samp{[1 ..@: 8]}. This calculation represents the fact that if
11681 you multiply some number in the range @samp{[2 ..@: 4]} by some other
11682 number in the range @samp{[0.5 ..@: 2]}, your result will lie in the range
11683 from 1 to 8. Interval arithmetic is used to get a worst-case estimate
11684 of the possible range of values a computation will produce, given the
11685 set of possible values of the input.
11688 Calc supports several varieties of intervals, including @dfn{closed}
11689 intervals of the type shown above, @dfn{open} intervals such as
11690 @samp{(2 ..@: 4)}, which represents the range of numbers from 2 to 4
11691 @emph{exclusive}, and @dfn{semi-open} intervals in which one end
11692 uses a round parenthesis and the other a square bracket. In mathematical
11694 @samp{[2 ..@: 4]} means @expr{2 <= x <= 4}, whereas
11695 @samp{[2 ..@: 4)} represents @expr{2 <= x < 4},
11696 @samp{(2 ..@: 4]} represents @expr{2 < x <= 4}, and
11697 @samp{(2 ..@: 4)} represents @expr{2 < x < 4}.
11700 Calc supports several varieties of intervals, including \dfn{closed}
11701 intervals of the type shown above, \dfn{open} intervals such as
11702 \samp{(2 ..\: 4)}, which represents the range of numbers from 2 to 4
11703 \emph{exclusive}, and \dfn{semi-open} intervals in which one end
11704 uses a round parenthesis and the other a square bracket. In mathematical
11707 [2 \hbox{\cite{..}} 4] &\quad\hbox{means}\quad 2 \le x \le 4 \cr
11708 [2 \hbox{\cite{..}} 4) &\quad\hbox{means}\quad 2 \le x < 4 \cr
11709 (2 \hbox{\cite{..}} 4] &\quad\hbox{means}\quad 2 < x \le 4 \cr
11710 (2 \hbox{\cite{..}} 4) &\quad\hbox{means}\quad 2 < x < 4 \cr
11714 The lower and upper limits of an interval must be either real numbers
11715 (or HMS or date forms), or symbolic expressions which are assumed to be
11716 real-valued, or @samp{-inf} and @samp{inf}. In general the lower limit
11717 must be less than the upper limit. A closed interval containing only
11718 one value, @samp{[3 ..@: 3]}, is converted to a plain number (3)
11719 automatically. An interval containing no values at all (such as
11720 @samp{[3 ..@: 2]} or @samp{[2 ..@: 2)}) can be represented but is not
11721 guaranteed to behave well when used in arithmetic. Note that the
11722 interval @samp{[3 .. inf)} represents all real numbers greater than
11723 or equal to 3, and @samp{(-inf .. inf)} represents all real numbers.
11724 In fact, @samp{[-inf .. inf]} represents all real numbers including
11725 the real infinities.
11727 Intervals are entered in the notation shown here, either as algebraic
11728 formulas, or using incomplete forms. (@xref{Incomplete Objects}.)
11729 In algebraic formulas, multiple periods in a row are collected from
11730 left to right, so that @samp{1...1e2} is interpreted as @samp{1.0 ..@: 1e2}
11731 rather than @samp{1 ..@: 0.1e2}. Add spaces or zeros if you want to
11732 get the other interpretation. If you omit the lower or upper limit,
11733 a default of @samp{-inf} or @samp{inf} (respectively) is furnished.
11735 Infinite mode also affects operations on intervals
11736 (@pxref{Infinities}). Calc will always introduce an open infinity,
11737 as in @samp{1 / (0 .. 2] = [0.5 .. inf)}. But closed infinities,
11738 @w{@samp{1 / [0 .. 2] = [0.5 .. inf]}}, arise only in Infinite mode;
11739 otherwise they are left unevaluated. Note that the ``direction'' of
11740 a zero is not an issue in this case since the zero is always assumed
11741 to be continuous with the rest of the interval. For intervals that
11742 contain zero inside them Calc is forced to give the result,
11743 @samp{1 / (-2 .. 2) = [-inf .. inf]}.
11745 While it may seem that intervals and error forms are similar, they are
11746 based on entirely different concepts of inexact quantities. An error
11748 @texline `@var{x} @tfn{+/-} @math{\sigma}'
11749 @infoline `@var{x} @tfn{+/-} @var{sigma}'
11750 means a variable is random, and its value could
11751 be anything but is ``probably'' within one
11752 @texline @math{\sigma}
11753 @infoline @var{sigma}
11754 of the mean value @expr{x}. An interval
11755 `@tfn{[}@var{a} @tfn{..@:} @var{b}@tfn{]}' means a
11756 variable's value is unknown, but guaranteed to lie in the specified
11757 range. Error forms are statistical or ``average case'' approximations;
11758 interval arithmetic tends to produce ``worst case'' bounds on an
11761 Intervals may not contain complex numbers, but they may contain
11762 HMS forms or date forms.
11764 @xref{Set Operations}, for commands that interpret interval forms
11765 as subsets of the set of real numbers.
11771 The algebraic function @samp{intv(n, a, b)} builds an interval form
11772 from @samp{a} to @samp{b}; @samp{n} is an integer code which must
11773 be 0 for @samp{(..)}, 1 for @samp{(..]}, 2 for @samp{[..)}, or
11776 Please note that in fully rigorous interval arithmetic, care would be
11777 taken to make sure that the computation of the lower bound rounds toward
11778 minus infinity, while upper bound computations round toward plus
11779 infinity. Calc's arithmetic always uses a round-to-nearest mode,
11780 which means that roundoff errors could creep into an interval
11781 calculation to produce intervals slightly smaller than they ought to
11782 be. For example, entering @samp{[1..2]} and pressing @kbd{Q 2 ^}
11783 should yield the interval @samp{[1..2]} again, but in fact it yields the
11784 (slightly too small) interval @samp{[1..1.9999999]} due to roundoff
11787 @node Incomplete Objects, Variables, Interval Forms, Data Types
11788 @section Incomplete Objects
11808 @cindex Incomplete vectors
11809 @cindex Incomplete complex numbers
11810 @cindex Incomplete interval forms
11811 When @kbd{(} or @kbd{[} is typed to begin entering a complex number or
11812 vector, respectively, the effect is to push an @dfn{incomplete} complex
11813 number or vector onto the stack. The @kbd{,} key adds the value(s) at
11814 the top of the stack onto the current incomplete object. The @kbd{)}
11815 and @kbd{]} keys ``close'' the incomplete object after adding any values
11816 on the top of the stack in front of the incomplete object.
11818 As a result, the sequence of keystrokes @kbd{[ 2 , 3 @key{RET} 2 * , 9 ]}
11819 pushes the vector @samp{[2, 6, 9]} onto the stack. Likewise, @kbd{( 1 , 2 Q )}
11820 pushes the complex number @samp{(1, 1.414)} (approximately).
11822 If several values lie on the stack in front of the incomplete object,
11823 all are collected and appended to the object. Thus the @kbd{,} key
11824 is redundant: @kbd{[ 2 @key{RET} 3 @key{RET} 2 * 9 ]}. Some people
11825 prefer the equivalent @key{SPC} key to @key{RET}.
11827 As a special case, typing @kbd{,} immediately after @kbd{(}, @kbd{[}, or
11828 @kbd{,} adds a zero or duplicates the preceding value in the list being
11829 formed. Typing @key{DEL} during incomplete entry removes the last item
11833 The @kbd{;} key is used in the same way as @kbd{,} to create polar complex
11834 numbers: @kbd{( 1 ; 2 )}. When entering a vector, @kbd{;} is useful for
11835 creating a matrix. In particular, @kbd{[ [ 1 , 2 ; 3 , 4 ; 5 , 6 ] ]} is
11836 equivalent to @kbd{[ [ 1 , 2 ] , [ 3 , 4 ] , [ 5 , 6 ] ]}.
11840 Incomplete entry is also used to enter intervals. For example,
11841 @kbd{[ 2 ..@: 4 )} enters a semi-open interval. Note that when you type
11842 the first period, it will be interpreted as a decimal point, but when
11843 you type a second period immediately afterward, it is re-interpreted as
11844 part of the interval symbol. Typing @kbd{..} corresponds to executing
11845 the @code{calc-dots} command.
11847 If you find incomplete entry distracting, you may wish to enter vectors
11848 and complex numbers as algebraic formulas by pressing the apostrophe key.
11850 @node Variables, Formulas, Incomplete Objects, Data Types
11854 @cindex Variables, in formulas
11855 A @dfn{variable} is somewhere between a storage register on a conventional
11856 calculator, and a variable in a programming language. (In fact, a Calc
11857 variable is really just an Emacs Lisp variable that contains a Calc number
11858 or formula.) A variable's name is normally composed of letters and digits.
11859 Calc also allows apostrophes and @code{#} signs in variable names.
11860 (The Calc variable @code{foo} corresponds to the Emacs Lisp variable
11861 @code{var-foo}, but unless you access the variable from within Emacs
11862 Lisp, you don't need to worry about it. Variable names in algebraic
11863 formulas implicitly have @samp{var-} prefixed to their names. The
11864 @samp{#} character in variable names used in algebraic formulas
11865 corresponds to a dash @samp{-} in the Lisp variable name. If the name
11866 contains any dashes, the prefix @samp{var-} is @emph{not} automatically
11867 added. Thus the two formulas @samp{foo + 1} and @samp{var#foo + 1} both
11868 refer to the same variable.)
11870 In a command that takes a variable name, you can either type the full
11871 name of a variable, or type a single digit to use one of the special
11872 convenience variables @code{q0} through @code{q9}. For example,
11873 @kbd{3 s s 2} stores the number 3 in variable @code{q2}, and
11874 @w{@kbd{3 s s foo @key{RET}}} stores that number in variable
11877 To push a variable itself (as opposed to the variable's value) on the
11878 stack, enter its name as an algebraic expression using the apostrophe
11882 @pindex calc-evaluate
11883 @cindex Evaluation of variables in a formula
11884 @cindex Variables, evaluation
11885 @cindex Formulas, evaluation
11886 The @kbd{=} (@code{calc-evaluate}) key ``evaluates'' a formula by
11887 replacing all variables in the formula which have been given values by a
11888 @code{calc-store} or @code{calc-let} command by their stored values.
11889 Other variables are left alone. Thus a variable that has not been
11890 stored acts like an abstract variable in algebra; a variable that has
11891 been stored acts more like a register in a traditional calculator.
11892 With a positive numeric prefix argument, @kbd{=} evaluates the top
11893 @var{n} stack entries; with a negative argument, @kbd{=} evaluates
11894 the @var{n}th stack entry.
11896 @cindex @code{e} variable
11897 @cindex @code{pi} variable
11898 @cindex @code{i} variable
11899 @cindex @code{phi} variable
11900 @cindex @code{gamma} variable
11906 A few variables are called @dfn{special constants}. Their names are
11907 @samp{e}, @samp{pi}, @samp{i}, @samp{phi}, and @samp{gamma}.
11908 (@xref{Scientific Functions}.) When they are evaluated with @kbd{=},
11909 their values are calculated if necessary according to the current precision
11910 or complex polar mode. If you wish to use these symbols for other purposes,
11911 simply undefine or redefine them using @code{calc-store}.
11913 The variables @samp{inf}, @samp{uinf}, and @samp{nan} stand for
11914 infinite or indeterminate values. It's best not to use them as
11915 regular variables, since Calc uses special algebraic rules when
11916 it manipulates them. Calc displays a warning message if you store
11917 a value into any of these special variables.
11919 @xref{Store and Recall}, for a discussion of commands dealing with variables.
11921 @node Formulas, , Variables, Data Types
11926 @cindex Expressions
11927 @cindex Operators in formulas
11928 @cindex Precedence of operators
11929 When you press the apostrophe key you may enter any expression or formula
11930 in algebraic form. (Calc uses the terms ``expression'' and ``formula''
11931 interchangeably.) An expression is built up of numbers, variable names,
11932 and function calls, combined with various arithmetic operators.
11934 be used to indicate grouping. Spaces are ignored within formulas, except
11935 that spaces are not permitted within variable names or numbers.
11936 Arithmetic operators, in order from highest to lowest precedence, and
11937 with their equivalent function names, are:
11939 @samp{_} [@code{subscr}] (subscripts);
11941 postfix @samp{%} [@code{percent}] (as in @samp{25% = 0.25});
11943 prefix @samp{+} and @samp{-} [@code{neg}] (as in @samp{-x})
11944 and prefix @samp{!} [@code{lnot}] (logical ``not,'' as in @samp{!x});
11946 @samp{+/-} [@code{sdev}] (the standard deviation symbol) and
11947 @samp{mod} [@code{makemod}] (the symbol for modulo forms);
11949 postfix @samp{!} [@code{fact}] (factorial, as in @samp{n!})
11950 and postfix @samp{!!} [@code{dfact}] (double factorial);
11952 @samp{^} [@code{pow}] (raised-to-the-power-of);
11954 @samp{*} [@code{mul}];
11956 @samp{/} [@code{div}], @samp{%} [@code{mod}] (modulo), and
11957 @samp{\} [@code{idiv}] (integer division);
11959 infix @samp{+} [@code{add}] and @samp{-} [@code{sub}] (as in @samp{x-y});
11961 @samp{|} [@code{vconcat}] (vector concatenation);
11963 relations @samp{=} [@code{eq}], @samp{!=} [@code{neq}], @samp{<} [@code{lt}],
11964 @samp{>} [@code{gt}], @samp{<=} [@code{leq}], and @samp{>=} [@code{geq}];
11966 @samp{&&} [@code{land}] (logical ``and'');
11968 @samp{||} [@code{lor}] (logical ``or'');
11970 the C-style ``if'' operator @samp{a?b:c} [@code{if}];
11972 @samp{!!!} [@code{pnot}] (rewrite pattern ``not'');
11974 @samp{&&&} [@code{pand}] (rewrite pattern ``and'');
11976 @samp{|||} [@code{por}] (rewrite pattern ``or'');
11978 @samp{:=} [@code{assign}] (for assignments and rewrite rules);
11980 @samp{::} [@code{condition}] (rewrite pattern condition);
11982 @samp{=>} [@code{evalto}].
11984 Note that, unlike in usual computer notation, multiplication binds more
11985 strongly than division: @samp{a*b/c*d} is equivalent to
11986 @texline @math{a b \over c d}.
11987 @infoline @expr{(a*b)/(c*d)}.
11989 @cindex Multiplication, implicit
11990 @cindex Implicit multiplication
11991 The multiplication sign @samp{*} may be omitted in many cases. In particular,
11992 if the righthand side is a number, variable name, or parenthesized
11993 expression, the @samp{*} may be omitted. Implicit multiplication has the
11994 same precedence as the explicit @samp{*} operator. The one exception to
11995 the rule is that a variable name followed by a parenthesized expression,
11997 is interpreted as a function call, not an implicit @samp{*}. In many
11998 cases you must use a space if you omit the @samp{*}: @samp{2a} is the
11999 same as @samp{2*a}, and @samp{a b} is the same as @samp{a*b}, but @samp{ab}
12000 is a variable called @code{ab}, @emph{not} the product of @samp{a} and
12001 @samp{b}! Also note that @samp{f (x)} is still a function call.
12003 @cindex Implicit comma in vectors
12004 The rules are slightly different for vectors written with square brackets.
12005 In vectors, the space character is interpreted (like the comma) as a
12006 separator of elements of the vector. Thus @w{@samp{[ 2a b+c d ]}} is
12007 equivalent to @samp{[2*a, b+c, d]}, whereas @samp{2a b+c d} is equivalent
12008 to @samp{2*a*b + c*d}.
12009 Note that spaces around the brackets, and around explicit commas, are
12010 ignored. To force spaces to be interpreted as multiplication you can
12011 enclose a formula in parentheses as in @samp{[(a b) 2(c d)]}, which is
12012 interpreted as @samp{[a*b, 2*c*d]}. An implicit comma is also inserted
12013 between @samp{][}, as in the matrix @samp{[[1 2][3 4]]}.
12015 Vectors that contain commas (not embedded within nested parentheses or
12016 brackets) do not treat spaces specially: @samp{[a b, 2 c d]} is a vector
12017 of two elements. Also, if it would be an error to treat spaces as
12018 separators, but not otherwise, then Calc will ignore spaces:
12019 @w{@samp{[a - b]}} is a vector of one element, but @w{@samp{[a -b]}} is
12020 a vector of two elements. Finally, vectors entered with curly braces
12021 instead of square brackets do not give spaces any special treatment.
12022 When Calc displays a vector that does not contain any commas, it will
12023 insert parentheses if necessary to make the meaning clear:
12024 @w{@samp{[(a b)]}}.
12026 The expression @samp{5%-2} is ambiguous; is this five-percent minus two,
12027 or five modulo minus-two? Calc always interprets the leftmost symbol as
12028 an infix operator preferentially (modulo, in this case), so you would
12029 need to write @samp{(5%)-2} to get the former interpretation.
12031 @cindex Function call notation
12032 A function call is, e.g., @samp{sin(1+x)}. (The Calc algebraic function
12033 @code{foo} corresponds to the Emacs Lisp function @code{calcFunc-foo},
12034 but unless you access the function from within Emacs Lisp, you don't
12035 need to worry about it.) Most mathematical Calculator commands like
12036 @code{calc-sin} have function equivalents like @code{sin}.
12037 If no Lisp function is defined for a function called by a formula, the
12038 call is left as it is during algebraic manipulation: @samp{f(x+y)} is
12039 left alone. Beware that many innocent-looking short names like @code{in}
12040 and @code{re} have predefined meanings which could surprise you; however,
12041 single letters or single letters followed by digits are always safe to
12042 use for your own function names. @xref{Function Index}.
12044 In the documentation for particular commands, the notation @kbd{H S}
12045 (@code{calc-sinh}) [@code{sinh}] means that the key sequence @kbd{H S}, the
12046 command @kbd{M-x calc-sinh}, and the algebraic function @code{sinh(x)} all
12047 represent the same operation.
12049 Commands that interpret (``parse'') text as algebraic formulas include
12050 algebraic entry (@kbd{'}), editing commands like @kbd{`} which parse
12051 the contents of the editing buffer when you finish, the @kbd{M-# g}
12052 and @w{@kbd{M-# r}} commands, the @kbd{C-y} command, the X window system
12053 ``paste'' mouse operation, and Embedded mode. All of these operations
12054 use the same rules for parsing formulas; in particular, language modes
12055 (@pxref{Language Modes}) affect them all in the same way.
12057 When you read a large amount of text into the Calculator (say a vector
12058 which represents a big set of rewrite rules; @pxref{Rewrite Rules}),
12059 you may wish to include comments in the text. Calc's formula parser
12060 ignores the symbol @samp{%%} and anything following it on a line:
12063 [ a + b, %% the sum of "a" and "b"
12065 %% last line is coming up:
12070 This is parsed exactly the same as @samp{[ a + b, c + d, e + f ]}.
12072 @xref{Syntax Tables}, for a way to create your own operators and other
12073 input notations. @xref{Compositions}, for a way to create new display
12076 @xref{Algebra}, for commands for manipulating formulas symbolically.
12078 @node Stack and Trail, Mode Settings, Data Types, Top
12079 @chapter Stack and Trail Commands
12082 This chapter describes the Calc commands for manipulating objects on the
12083 stack and in the trail buffer. (These commands operate on objects of any
12084 type, such as numbers, vectors, formulas, and incomplete objects.)
12087 * Stack Manipulation::
12088 * Editing Stack Entries::
12093 @node Stack Manipulation, Editing Stack Entries, Stack and Trail, Stack and Trail
12094 @section Stack Manipulation Commands
12100 @cindex Duplicating stack entries
12101 To duplicate the top object on the stack, press @key{RET} or @key{SPC}
12102 (two equivalent keys for the @code{calc-enter} command).
12103 Given a positive numeric prefix argument, these commands duplicate
12104 several elements at the top of the stack.
12105 Given a negative argument,
12106 these commands duplicate the specified element of the stack.
12107 Given an argument of zero, they duplicate the entire stack.
12108 For example, with @samp{10 20 30} on the stack,
12109 @key{RET} creates @samp{10 20 30 30},
12110 @kbd{C-u 2 @key{RET}} creates @samp{10 20 30 20 30},
12111 @kbd{C-u - 2 @key{RET}} creates @samp{10 20 30 20}, and
12112 @kbd{C-u 0 @key{RET}} creates @samp{10 20 30 10 20 30}.
12116 The @key{LFD} (@code{calc-over}) command (on a key marked Line-Feed if you
12117 have it, else on @kbd{C-j}) is like @code{calc-enter}
12118 except that the sign of the numeric prefix argument is interpreted
12119 oppositely. Also, with no prefix argument the default argument is 2.
12120 Thus with @samp{10 20 30} on the stack, @key{LFD} and @kbd{C-u 2 @key{LFD}}
12121 are both equivalent to @kbd{C-u - 2 @key{RET}}, producing
12122 @samp{10 20 30 20}.
12127 @cindex Removing stack entries
12128 @cindex Deleting stack entries
12129 To remove the top element from the stack, press @key{DEL} (@code{calc-pop}).
12130 The @kbd{C-d} key is a synonym for @key{DEL}.
12131 (If the top element is an incomplete object with at least one element, the
12132 last element is removed from it.) Given a positive numeric prefix argument,
12133 several elements are removed. Given a negative argument, the specified
12134 element of the stack is deleted. Given an argument of zero, the entire
12136 For example, with @samp{10 20 30} on the stack,
12137 @key{DEL} leaves @samp{10 20},
12138 @kbd{C-u 2 @key{DEL}} leaves @samp{10},
12139 @kbd{C-u - 2 @key{DEL}} leaves @samp{10 30}, and
12140 @kbd{C-u 0 @key{DEL}} leaves an empty stack.
12142 @kindex M-@key{DEL}
12143 @pindex calc-pop-above
12144 The @kbd{M-@key{DEL}} (@code{calc-pop-above}) command is to @key{DEL} what
12145 @key{LFD} is to @key{RET}: It interprets the sign of the numeric
12146 prefix argument in the opposite way, and the default argument is 2.
12147 Thus @kbd{M-@key{DEL}} by itself removes the second-from-top stack element,
12148 leaving the first, third, fourth, and so on; @kbd{M-3 M-@key{DEL}} deletes
12149 the third stack element.
12152 @pindex calc-roll-down
12153 To exchange the top two elements of the stack, press @key{TAB}
12154 (@code{calc-roll-down}). Given a positive numeric prefix argument, the
12155 specified number of elements at the top of the stack are rotated downward.
12156 Given a negative argument, the entire stack is rotated downward the specified
12157 number of times. Given an argument of zero, the entire stack is reversed
12159 For example, with @samp{10 20 30 40 50} on the stack,
12160 @key{TAB} creates @samp{10 20 30 50 40},
12161 @kbd{C-u 3 @key{TAB}} creates @samp{10 20 50 30 40},
12162 @kbd{C-u - 2 @key{TAB}} creates @samp{40 50 10 20 30}, and
12163 @kbd{C-u 0 @key{TAB}} creates @samp{50 40 30 20 10}.
12165 @kindex M-@key{TAB}
12166 @pindex calc-roll-up
12167 The command @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} (@code{calc-roll-up}) is analogous to @key{TAB}
12168 except that it rotates upward instead of downward. Also, the default
12169 with no prefix argument is to rotate the top 3 elements.
12170 For example, with @samp{10 20 30 40 50} on the stack,
12171 @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} creates @samp{10 20 40 50 30},
12172 @kbd{C-u 4 M-@key{TAB}} creates @samp{10 30 40 50 20},
12173 @kbd{C-u - 2 M-@key{TAB}} creates @samp{30 40 50 10 20}, and
12174 @kbd{C-u 0 M-@key{TAB}} creates @samp{50 40 30 20 10}.
12176 A good way to view the operation of @key{TAB} and @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} is in
12177 terms of moving a particular element to a new position in the stack.
12178 With a positive argument @var{n}, @key{TAB} moves the top stack
12179 element down to level @var{n}, making room for it by pulling all the
12180 intervening stack elements toward the top. @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} moves the
12181 element at level @var{n} up to the top. (Compare with @key{LFD},
12182 which copies instead of moving the element in level @var{n}.)
12184 With a negative argument @mathit{-@var{n}}, @key{TAB} rotates the stack
12185 to move the object in level @var{n} to the deepest place in the
12186 stack, and the object in level @mathit{@var{n}+1} to the top. @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}
12187 rotates the deepest stack element to be in level @mathit{n}, also
12188 putting the top stack element in level @mathit{@var{n}+1}.
12190 @xref{Selecting Subformulas}, for a way to apply these commands to
12191 any portion of a vector or formula on the stack.
12193 @node Editing Stack Entries, Trail Commands, Stack Manipulation, Stack and Trail
12194 @section Editing Stack Entries
12199 @pindex calc-edit-finish
12200 @cindex Editing the stack with Emacs
12201 The backquote, @kbd{`} (@code{calc-edit}) command creates a temporary
12202 buffer (@samp{*Calc Edit*}) for editing the top-of-stack value using
12203 regular Emacs commands. With a numeric prefix argument, it edits the
12204 specified number of stack entries at once. (An argument of zero edits
12205 the entire stack; a negative argument edits one specific stack entry.)
12207 When you are done editing, press @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish and return
12208 to Calc. The @key{RET} and @key{LFD} keys also work to finish most
12209 sorts of editing, though in some cases Calc leaves @key{RET} with its
12210 usual meaning (``insert a newline'') if it's a situation where you
12211 might want to insert new lines into the editing buffer.
12213 When you finish editing, the Calculator parses the lines of text in
12214 the @samp{*Calc Edit*} buffer as numbers or formulas, replaces the
12215 original stack elements in the original buffer with these new values,
12216 then kills the @samp{*Calc Edit*} buffer. The original Calculator buffer
12217 continues to exist during editing, but for best results you should be
12218 careful not to change it until you have finished the edit. You can
12219 also cancel the edit by killing the buffer with @kbd{C-x k}.
12221 The formula is normally reevaluated as it is put onto the stack.
12222 For example, editing @samp{a + 2} to @samp{3 + 2} and pressing
12223 @kbd{C-c C-c} will push 5 on the stack. If you use @key{LFD} to
12224 finish, Calc will put the result on the stack without evaluating it.
12226 If you give a prefix argument to @kbd{C-c C-c},
12227 Calc will not kill the @samp{*Calc Edit*} buffer. You can switch
12228 back to that buffer and continue editing if you wish. However, you
12229 should understand that if you initiated the edit with @kbd{`}, the
12230 @kbd{C-c C-c} operation will be programmed to replace the top of the
12231 stack with the new edited value, and it will do this even if you have
12232 rearranged the stack in the meanwhile. This is not so much of a problem
12233 with other editing commands, though, such as @kbd{s e}
12234 (@code{calc-edit-variable}; @pxref{Operations on Variables}).
12236 If the @code{calc-edit} command involves more than one stack entry,
12237 each line of the @samp{*Calc Edit*} buffer is interpreted as a
12238 separate formula. Otherwise, the entire buffer is interpreted as
12239 one formula, with line breaks ignored. (You can use @kbd{C-o} or
12240 @kbd{C-q C-j} to insert a newline in the buffer without pressing @key{RET}.)
12242 The @kbd{`} key also works during numeric or algebraic entry. The
12243 text entered so far is moved to the @code{*Calc Edit*} buffer for
12244 more extensive editing than is convenient in the minibuffer.
12246 @node Trail Commands, Keep Arguments, Editing Stack Entries, Stack and Trail
12247 @section Trail Commands
12250 @cindex Trail buffer
12251 The commands for manipulating the Calc Trail buffer are two-key sequences
12252 beginning with the @kbd{t} prefix.
12255 @pindex calc-trail-display
12256 The @kbd{t d} (@code{calc-trail-display}) command turns display of the
12257 trail on and off. Normally the trail display is toggled on if it was off,
12258 off if it was on. With a numeric prefix of zero, this command always
12259 turns the trail off; with a prefix of one, it always turns the trail on.
12260 The other trail-manipulation commands described here automatically turn
12261 the trail on. Note that when the trail is off values are still recorded
12262 there; they are simply not displayed. To set Emacs to turn the trail
12263 off by default, type @kbd{t d} and then save the mode settings with
12264 @kbd{m m} (@code{calc-save-modes}).
12267 @pindex calc-trail-in
12269 @pindex calc-trail-out
12270 The @kbd{t i} (@code{calc-trail-in}) and @kbd{t o}
12271 (@code{calc-trail-out}) commands switch the cursor into and out of the
12272 Calc Trail window. In practice they are rarely used, since the commands
12273 shown below are a more convenient way to move around in the
12274 trail, and they work ``by remote control'' when the cursor is still
12275 in the Calculator window.
12277 @cindex Trail pointer
12278 There is a @dfn{trail pointer} which selects some entry of the trail at
12279 any given time. The trail pointer looks like a @samp{>} symbol right
12280 before the selected number. The following commands operate on the
12281 trail pointer in various ways.
12284 @pindex calc-trail-yank
12285 @cindex Retrieving previous results
12286 The @kbd{t y} (@code{calc-trail-yank}) command reads the selected value in
12287 the trail and pushes it onto the Calculator stack. It allows you to
12288 re-use any previously computed value without retyping. With a numeric
12289 prefix argument @var{n}, it yanks the value @var{n} lines above the current
12293 @pindex calc-trail-scroll-left
12295 @pindex calc-trail-scroll-right
12296 The @kbd{t <} (@code{calc-trail-scroll-left}) and @kbd{t >}
12297 (@code{calc-trail-scroll-right}) commands horizontally scroll the trail
12298 window left or right by one half of its width.
12301 @pindex calc-trail-next
12303 @pindex calc-trail-previous
12305 @pindex calc-trail-forward
12307 @pindex calc-trail-backward
12308 The @kbd{t n} (@code{calc-trail-next}) and @kbd{t p}
12309 (@code{calc-trail-previous)} commands move the trail pointer down or up
12310 one line. The @kbd{t f} (@code{calc-trail-forward}) and @kbd{t b}
12311 (@code{calc-trail-backward}) commands move the trail pointer down or up
12312 one screenful at a time. All of these commands accept numeric prefix
12313 arguments to move several lines or screenfuls at a time.
12316 @pindex calc-trail-first
12318 @pindex calc-trail-last
12320 @pindex calc-trail-here
12321 The @kbd{t [} (@code{calc-trail-first}) and @kbd{t ]}
12322 (@code{calc-trail-last}) commands move the trail pointer to the first or
12323 last line of the trail. The @kbd{t h} (@code{calc-trail-here}) command
12324 moves the trail pointer to the cursor position; unlike the other trail
12325 commands, @kbd{t h} works only when Calc Trail is the selected window.
12328 @pindex calc-trail-isearch-forward
12330 @pindex calc-trail-isearch-backward
12332 The @kbd{t s} (@code{calc-trail-isearch-forward}) and @kbd{t r}
12333 (@code{calc-trail-isearch-backward}) commands perform an incremental
12334 search forward or backward through the trail. You can press @key{RET}
12335 to terminate the search; the trail pointer moves to the current line.
12336 If you cancel the search with @kbd{C-g}, the trail pointer stays where
12337 it was when the search began.
12340 The @kbd{t s} (@code{calc-trail-isearch-forward}) and @kbd{t r}
12341 (@code{calc-trail-isearch-backward}) com\-mands perform an incremental
12342 search forward or backward through the trail. You can press @key{RET}
12343 to terminate the search; the trail pointer moves to the current line.
12344 If you cancel the search with @kbd{C-g}, the trail pointer stays where
12345 it was when the search began.
12349 @pindex calc-trail-marker
12350 The @kbd{t m} (@code{calc-trail-marker}) command allows you to enter a
12351 line of text of your own choosing into the trail. The text is inserted
12352 after the line containing the trail pointer; this usually means it is
12353 added to the end of the trail. Trail markers are useful mainly as the
12354 targets for later incremental searches in the trail.
12357 @pindex calc-trail-kill
12358 The @kbd{t k} (@code{calc-trail-kill}) command removes the selected line
12359 from the trail. The line is saved in the Emacs kill ring suitable for
12360 yanking into another buffer, but it is not easy to yank the text back
12361 into the trail buffer. With a numeric prefix argument, this command
12362 kills the @var{n} lines below or above the selected one.
12364 The @kbd{t .} (@code{calc-full-trail-vectors}) command is described
12365 elsewhere; @pxref{Vector and Matrix Formats}.
12367 @node Keep Arguments, , Trail Commands, Stack and Trail
12368 @section Keep Arguments
12372 @pindex calc-keep-args
12373 The @kbd{K} (@code{calc-keep-args}) command acts like a prefix for
12374 the following command. It prevents that command from removing its
12375 arguments from the stack. For example, after @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 +},
12376 the stack contains the sole number 5, but after @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 K +},
12377 the stack contains the arguments and the result: @samp{2 3 5}.
12379 With the exception of keyboard macros, this works for all commands that
12380 take arguments off the stack. (To avoid potentially unpleasant behavior,
12381 a @kbd{K} prefix before a keyboard macro will be ignored. A @kbd{K}
12382 prefix called @emph{within} the keyboard macro will still take effect.)
12383 As another example, @kbd{K a s} simplifies a formula, pushing the
12384 simplified version of the formula onto the stack after the original
12385 formula (rather than replacing the original formula). Note that you
12386 could get the same effect by typing @kbd{@key{RET} a s}, copying the
12387 formula and then simplifying the copy. One difference is that for a very
12388 large formula the time taken to format the intermediate copy in
12389 @kbd{@key{RET} a s} could be noticeable; @kbd{K a s} would avoid this
12392 Even stack manipulation commands are affected. @key{TAB} works by
12393 popping two values and pushing them back in the opposite order,
12394 so @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 K @key{TAB}} produces @samp{2 3 3 2}.
12396 A few Calc commands provide other ways of doing the same thing.
12397 For example, @kbd{' sin($)} replaces the number on the stack with
12398 its sine using algebraic entry; to push the sine and keep the
12399 original argument you could use either @kbd{' sin($1)} or
12400 @kbd{K ' sin($)}. @xref{Algebraic Entry}. Also, the @kbd{s s}
12401 command is effectively the same as @kbd{K s t}. @xref{Storing Variables}.
12403 If you execute a command and then decide you really wanted to keep
12404 the argument, you can press @kbd{M-@key{RET}} (@code{calc-last-args}).
12405 This command pushes the last arguments that were popped by any command
12406 onto the stack. Note that the order of things on the stack will be
12407 different than with @kbd{K}: @kbd{2 @key{RET} 3 + M-@key{RET}} leaves
12408 @samp{5 2 3} on the stack instead of @samp{2 3 5}. @xref{Undo}.
12410 @node Mode Settings, Arithmetic, Stack and Trail, Top
12411 @chapter Mode Settings
12414 This chapter describes commands that set modes in the Calculator.
12415 They do not affect the contents of the stack, although they may change
12416 the @emph{appearance} or @emph{interpretation} of the stack's contents.
12419 * General Mode Commands::
12421 * Inverse and Hyperbolic::
12422 * Calculation Modes::
12423 * Simplification Modes::
12431 @node General Mode Commands, Precision, Mode Settings, Mode Settings
12432 @section General Mode Commands
12436 @pindex calc-save-modes
12437 @cindex Continuous memory
12438 @cindex Saving mode settings
12439 @cindex Permanent mode settings
12440 @cindex Calc init file, mode settings
12441 You can save all of the current mode settings in your Calc init file
12442 (the file given by the variable @code{calc-settings-file}, typically
12443 @file{~/.calc.el}) with the @kbd{m m} (@code{calc-save-modes}) command.
12444 This will cause Emacs to reestablish these modes each time it starts up.
12445 The modes saved in the file include everything controlled by the @kbd{m}
12446 and @kbd{d} prefix keys, the current precision and binary word size,
12447 whether or not the trail is displayed, the current height of the Calc
12448 window, and more. The current interface (used when you type @kbd{M-#
12449 M-#}) is also saved. If there were already saved mode settings in the
12450 file, they are replaced. Otherwise, the new mode information is
12451 appended to the end of the file.
12454 @pindex calc-mode-record-mode
12455 The @kbd{m R} (@code{calc-mode-record-mode}) command tells Calc to
12456 record all the mode settings (as if by pressing @kbd{m m}) every
12457 time a mode setting changes. If the modes are saved this way, then this
12458 ``automatic mode recording'' mode is also saved.
12459 Type @kbd{m R} again to disable this method of recording the mode
12460 settings. To turn it off permanently, the @kbd{m m} command will also be
12461 necessary. (If Embedded mode is enabled, other options for recording
12462 the modes are available; @pxref{Mode Settings in Embedded Mode}.)
12465 @pindex calc-settings-file-name
12466 The @kbd{m F} (@code{calc-settings-file-name}) command allows you to
12467 choose a different file than the current value of @code{calc-settings-file}
12468 for @kbd{m m}, @kbd{Z P}, and similar commands to save permanent information.
12469 You are prompted for a file name. All Calc modes are then reset to
12470 their default values, then settings from the file you named are loaded
12471 if this file exists, and this file becomes the one that Calc will
12472 use in the future for commands like @kbd{m m}. The default settings
12473 file name is @file{~/.calc.el}. You can see the current file name by
12474 giving a blank response to the @kbd{m F} prompt. See also the
12475 discussion of the @code{calc-settings-file} variable; @pxref{Customizable Variables}.
12477 If the file name you give is your user init file (typically
12478 @file{~/.emacs}), @kbd{m F} will not automatically load the new file. This
12479 is because your user init file may contain other things you don't want
12480 to reread. You can give
12481 a numeric prefix argument of 1 to @kbd{m F} to force it to read the
12482 file no matter what. Conversely, an argument of @mathit{-1} tells
12483 @kbd{m F} @emph{not} to read the new file. An argument of 2 or @mathit{-2}
12484 tells @kbd{m F} not to reset the modes to their defaults beforehand,
12485 which is useful if you intend your new file to have a variant of the
12486 modes present in the file you were using before.
12489 @pindex calc-always-load-extensions
12490 The @kbd{m x} (@code{calc-always-load-extensions}) command enables a mode
12491 in which the first use of Calc loads the entire program, including all
12492 extensions modules. Otherwise, the extensions modules will not be loaded
12493 until the various advanced Calc features are used. Since this mode only
12494 has effect when Calc is first loaded, @kbd{m x} is usually followed by
12495 @kbd{m m} to make the mode-setting permanent. To load all of Calc just
12496 once, rather than always in the future, you can press @kbd{M-# L}.
12499 @pindex calc-shift-prefix
12500 The @kbd{m S} (@code{calc-shift-prefix}) command enables a mode in which
12501 all of Calc's letter prefix keys may be typed shifted as well as unshifted.
12502 If you are typing, say, @kbd{a S} (@code{calc-solve-for}) quite often
12503 you might find it easier to turn this mode on so that you can type
12504 @kbd{A S} instead. When this mode is enabled, the commands that used to
12505 be on those single shifted letters (e.g., @kbd{A} (@code{calc-abs})) can
12506 now be invoked by pressing the shifted letter twice: @kbd{A A}. Note
12507 that the @kbd{v} prefix key always works both shifted and unshifted, and
12508 the @kbd{z} and @kbd{Z} prefix keys are always distinct. Also, the @kbd{h}
12509 prefix is not affected by this mode. Press @kbd{m S} again to disable
12510 shifted-prefix mode.
12512 @node Precision, Inverse and Hyperbolic, General Mode Commands, Mode Settings
12517 @pindex calc-precision
12518 @cindex Precision of calculations
12519 The @kbd{p} (@code{calc-precision}) command controls the precision to
12520 which floating-point calculations are carried. The precision must be
12521 at least 3 digits and may be arbitrarily high, within the limits of
12522 memory and time. This affects only floats: Integer and rational
12523 calculations are always carried out with as many digits as necessary.
12525 The @kbd{p} key prompts for the current precision. If you wish you
12526 can instead give the precision as a numeric prefix argument.
12528 Many internal calculations are carried to one or two digits higher
12529 precision than normal. Results are rounded down afterward to the
12530 current precision. Unless a special display mode has been selected,
12531 floats are always displayed with their full stored precision, i.e.,
12532 what you see is what you get. Reducing the current precision does not
12533 round values already on the stack, but those values will be rounded
12534 down before being used in any calculation. The @kbd{c 0} through
12535 @kbd{c 9} commands (@pxref{Conversions}) can be used to round an
12536 existing value to a new precision.
12538 @cindex Accuracy of calculations
12539 It is important to distinguish the concepts of @dfn{precision} and
12540 @dfn{accuracy}. In the normal usage of these words, the number
12541 123.4567 has a precision of 7 digits but an accuracy of 4 digits.
12542 The precision is the total number of digits not counting leading
12543 or trailing zeros (regardless of the position of the decimal point).
12544 The accuracy is simply the number of digits after the decimal point
12545 (again not counting trailing zeros). In Calc you control the precision,
12546 not the accuracy of computations. If you were to set the accuracy
12547 instead, then calculations like @samp{exp(100)} would generate many
12548 more digits than you would typically need, while @samp{exp(-100)} would
12549 probably round to zero! In Calc, both these computations give you
12550 exactly 12 (or the requested number of) significant digits.
12552 The only Calc features that deal with accuracy instead of precision
12553 are fixed-point display mode for floats (@kbd{d f}; @pxref{Float Formats}),
12554 and the rounding functions like @code{floor} and @code{round}
12555 (@pxref{Integer Truncation}). Also, @kbd{c 0} through @kbd{c 9}
12556 deal with both precision and accuracy depending on the magnitudes
12557 of the numbers involved.
12559 If you need to work with a particular fixed accuracy (say, dollars and
12560 cents with two digits after the decimal point), one solution is to work
12561 with integers and an ``implied'' decimal point. For example, $8.99
12562 divided by 6 would be entered @kbd{899 @key{RET} 6 /}, yielding 149.833
12563 (actually $1.49833 with our implied decimal point); pressing @kbd{R}
12564 would round this to 150 cents, i.e., $1.50.
12566 @xref{Floats}, for still more on floating-point precision and related
12569 @node Inverse and Hyperbolic, Calculation Modes, Precision, Mode Settings
12570 @section Inverse and Hyperbolic Flags
12574 @pindex calc-inverse
12575 There is no single-key equivalent to the @code{calc-arcsin} function.
12576 Instead, you must first press @kbd{I} (@code{calc-inverse}) to set
12577 the @dfn{Inverse Flag}, then press @kbd{S} (@code{calc-sin}).
12578 The @kbd{I} key actually toggles the Inverse Flag. When this flag
12579 is set, the word @samp{Inv} appears in the mode line.
12582 @pindex calc-hyperbolic
12583 Likewise, the @kbd{H} key (@code{calc-hyperbolic}) sets or clears the
12584 Hyperbolic Flag, which transforms @code{calc-sin} into @code{calc-sinh}.
12585 If both of these flags are set at once, the effect will be
12586 @code{calc-arcsinh}. (The Hyperbolic flag is also used by some
12587 non-trigonometric commands; for example @kbd{H L} computes a base-10,
12588 instead of base-@mathit{e}, logarithm.)
12590 Command names like @code{calc-arcsin} are provided for completeness, and
12591 may be executed with @kbd{x} or @kbd{M-x}. Their effect is simply to
12592 toggle the Inverse and/or Hyperbolic flags and then execute the
12593 corresponding base command (@code{calc-sin} in this case).
12595 The Inverse and Hyperbolic flags apply only to the next Calculator
12596 command, after which they are automatically cleared. (They are also
12597 cleared if the next keystroke is not a Calc command.) Digits you
12598 type after @kbd{I} or @kbd{H} (or @kbd{K}) are treated as prefix
12599 arguments for the next command, not as numeric entries. The same
12600 is true of @kbd{C-u}, but not of the minus sign (@kbd{K -} means to
12601 subtract and keep arguments).
12603 The third Calc prefix flag, @kbd{K} (keep-arguments), is discussed
12604 elsewhere. @xref{Keep Arguments}.
12606 @node Calculation Modes, Simplification Modes, Inverse and Hyperbolic, Mode Settings
12607 @section Calculation Modes
12610 The commands in this section are two-key sequences beginning with
12611 the @kbd{m} prefix. (That's the letter @kbd{m}, not the @key{META} key.)
12612 The @samp{m a} (@code{calc-algebraic-mode}) command is described elsewhere
12613 (@pxref{Algebraic Entry}).
12622 * Automatic Recomputation::
12623 * Working Message::
12626 @node Angular Modes, Polar Mode, Calculation Modes, Calculation Modes
12627 @subsection Angular Modes
12630 @cindex Angular mode
12631 The Calculator supports three notations for angles: radians, degrees,
12632 and degrees-minutes-seconds. When a number is presented to a function
12633 like @code{sin} that requires an angle, the current angular mode is
12634 used to interpret the number as either radians or degrees. If an HMS
12635 form is presented to @code{sin}, it is always interpreted as
12636 degrees-minutes-seconds.
12638 Functions that compute angles produce a number in radians, a number in
12639 degrees, or an HMS form depending on the current angular mode. If the
12640 result is a complex number and the current mode is HMS, the number is
12641 instead expressed in degrees. (Complex-number calculations would
12642 normally be done in Radians mode, though. Complex numbers are converted
12643 to degrees by calculating the complex result in radians and then
12644 multiplying by 180 over @cpi{}.)
12647 @pindex calc-radians-mode
12649 @pindex calc-degrees-mode
12651 @pindex calc-hms-mode
12652 The @kbd{m r} (@code{calc-radians-mode}), @kbd{m d} (@code{calc-degrees-mode}),
12653 and @kbd{m h} (@code{calc-hms-mode}) commands control the angular mode.
12654 The current angular mode is displayed on the Emacs mode line.
12655 The default angular mode is Degrees.
12657 @node Polar Mode, Fraction Mode, Angular Modes, Calculation Modes
12658 @subsection Polar Mode
12662 The Calculator normally ``prefers'' rectangular complex numbers in the
12663 sense that rectangular form is used when the proper form can not be
12664 decided from the input. This might happen by multiplying a rectangular
12665 number by a polar one, by taking the square root of a negative real
12666 number, or by entering @kbd{( 2 @key{SPC} 3 )}.
12669 @pindex calc-polar-mode
12670 The @kbd{m p} (@code{calc-polar-mode}) command toggles complex-number
12671 preference between rectangular and polar forms. In Polar mode, all
12672 of the above example situations would produce polar complex numbers.
12674 @node Fraction Mode, Infinite Mode, Polar Mode, Calculation Modes
12675 @subsection Fraction Mode
12678 @cindex Fraction mode
12679 @cindex Division of integers
12680 Division of two integers normally yields a floating-point number if the
12681 result cannot be expressed as an integer. In some cases you would
12682 rather get an exact fractional answer. One way to accomplish this is
12683 to use the @kbd{:} (@code{calc-fdiv}) [@code{fdiv}] command, which
12684 divides the two integers on the top of the stack to produce a fraction:
12685 @kbd{6 @key{RET} 4 :} produces @expr{3:2} even though
12686 @kbd{6 @key{RET} 4 /} produces @expr{1.5}.
12689 @pindex calc-frac-mode
12690 To set the Calculator to produce fractional results for normal integer
12691 divisions, use the @kbd{m f} (@code{calc-frac-mode}) command.
12692 For example, @expr{8/4} produces @expr{2} in either mode,
12693 but @expr{6/4} produces @expr{3:2} in Fraction mode, @expr{1.5} in
12696 At any time you can use @kbd{c f} (@code{calc-float}) to convert a
12697 fraction to a float, or @kbd{c F} (@code{calc-fraction}) to convert a
12698 float to a fraction. @xref{Conversions}.
12700 @node Infinite Mode, Symbolic Mode, Fraction Mode, Calculation Modes
12701 @subsection Infinite Mode
12704 @cindex Infinite mode
12705 The Calculator normally treats results like @expr{1 / 0} as errors;
12706 formulas like this are left in unsimplified form. But Calc can be
12707 put into a mode where such calculations instead produce ``infinite''
12711 @pindex calc-infinite-mode
12712 The @kbd{m i} (@code{calc-infinite-mode}) command turns this mode
12713 on and off. When the mode is off, infinities do not arise except
12714 in calculations that already had infinities as inputs. (One exception
12715 is that infinite open intervals like @samp{[0 .. inf)} can be
12716 generated; however, intervals closed at infinity (@samp{[0 .. inf]})
12717 will not be generated when Infinite mode is off.)
12719 With Infinite mode turned on, @samp{1 / 0} will generate @code{uinf},
12720 an undirected infinity. @xref{Infinities}, for a discussion of the
12721 difference between @code{inf} and @code{uinf}. Also, @expr{0 / 0}
12722 evaluates to @code{nan}, the ``indeterminate'' symbol. Various other
12723 functions can also return infinities in this mode; for example,
12724 @samp{ln(0) = -inf}, and @samp{gamma(-7) = uinf}. Once again,
12725 note that @samp{exp(inf) = inf} regardless of Infinite mode because
12726 this calculation has infinity as an input.
12728 @cindex Positive Infinite mode
12729 The @kbd{m i} command with a numeric prefix argument of zero,
12730 i.e., @kbd{C-u 0 m i}, turns on a Positive Infinite mode in
12731 which zero is treated as positive instead of being directionless.
12732 Thus, @samp{1 / 0 = inf} and @samp{-1 / 0 = -inf} in this mode.
12733 Note that zero never actually has a sign in Calc; there are no
12734 separate representations for @mathit{+0} and @mathit{-0}. Positive
12735 Infinite mode merely changes the interpretation given to the
12736 single symbol, @samp{0}. One consequence of this is that, while
12737 you might expect @samp{1 / -0 = -inf}, actually @samp{1 / -0}
12738 is equivalent to @samp{1 / 0}, which is equal to positive @code{inf}.
12740 @node Symbolic Mode, Matrix Mode, Infinite Mode, Calculation Modes
12741 @subsection Symbolic Mode
12744 @cindex Symbolic mode
12745 @cindex Inexact results
12746 Calculations are normally performed numerically wherever possible.
12747 For example, the @code{calc-sqrt} command, or @code{sqrt} function in an
12748 algebraic expression, produces a numeric answer if the argument is a
12749 number or a symbolic expression if the argument is an expression:
12750 @kbd{2 Q} pushes 1.4142 but @kbd{@key{'} x+1 @key{RET} Q} pushes @samp{sqrt(x+1)}.
12753 @pindex calc-symbolic-mode
12754 In @dfn{Symbolic mode}, controlled by the @kbd{m s} (@code{calc-symbolic-mode})
12755 command, functions which would produce inexact, irrational results are
12756 left in symbolic form. Thus @kbd{16 Q} pushes 4, but @kbd{2 Q} pushes
12760 @pindex calc-eval-num
12761 The shift-@kbd{N} (@code{calc-eval-num}) command evaluates numerically
12762 the expression at the top of the stack, by temporarily disabling
12763 @code{calc-symbolic-mode} and executing @kbd{=} (@code{calc-evaluate}).
12764 Given a numeric prefix argument, it also
12765 sets the floating-point precision to the specified value for the duration
12768 To evaluate a formula numerically without expanding the variables it
12769 contains, you can use the key sequence @kbd{m s a v m s} (this uses
12770 @code{calc-alg-evaluate}, which resimplifies but doesn't evaluate
12773 @node Matrix Mode, Automatic Recomputation, Symbolic Mode, Calculation Modes
12774 @subsection Matrix and Scalar Modes
12777 @cindex Matrix mode
12778 @cindex Scalar mode
12779 Calc sometimes makes assumptions during algebraic manipulation that
12780 are awkward or incorrect when vectors and matrices are involved.
12781 Calc has two modes, @dfn{Matrix mode} and @dfn{Scalar mode}, which
12782 modify its behavior around vectors in useful ways.
12785 @pindex calc-matrix-mode
12786 Press @kbd{m v} (@code{calc-matrix-mode}) once to enter Matrix mode.
12787 In this mode, all objects are assumed to be matrices unless provably
12788 otherwise. One major effect is that Calc will no longer consider
12789 multiplication to be commutative. (Recall that in matrix arithmetic,
12790 @samp{A*B} is not the same as @samp{B*A}.) This assumption affects
12791 rewrite rules and algebraic simplification. Another effect of this
12792 mode is that calculations that would normally produce constants like
12793 0 and 1 (e.g., @expr{a - a} and @expr{a / a}, respectively) will now
12794 produce function calls that represent ``generic'' zero or identity
12795 matrices: @samp{idn(0)}, @samp{idn(1)}. The @code{idn} function
12796 @samp{idn(@var{a},@var{n})} returns @var{a} times an @var{n}x@var{n}
12797 identity matrix; if @var{n} is omitted, it doesn't know what
12798 dimension to use and so the @code{idn} call remains in symbolic
12799 form. However, if this generic identity matrix is later combined
12800 with a matrix whose size is known, it will be converted into
12801 a true identity matrix of the appropriate size. On the other hand,
12802 if it is combined with a scalar (as in @samp{idn(1) + 2}), Calc
12803 will assume it really was a scalar after all and produce, e.g., 3.
12805 Press @kbd{m v} a second time to get Scalar mode. Here, objects are
12806 assumed @emph{not} to be vectors or matrices unless provably so.
12807 For example, normally adding a variable to a vector, as in
12808 @samp{[x, y, z] + a}, will leave the sum in symbolic form because
12809 as far as Calc knows, @samp{a} could represent either a number or
12810 another 3-vector. In Scalar mode, @samp{a} is assumed to be a
12811 non-vector, and the addition is evaluated to @samp{[x+a, y+a, z+a]}.
12813 Press @kbd{m v} a third time to return to the normal mode of operation.
12815 If you press @kbd{m v} with a numeric prefix argument @var{n}, you
12816 get a special ``dimensioned'' Matrix mode in which matrices of
12817 unknown size are assumed to be @var{n}x@var{n} square matrices.
12818 Then, the function call @samp{idn(1)} will expand into an actual
12819 matrix rather than representing a ``generic'' matrix.
12821 @cindex Declaring scalar variables
12822 Of course these modes are approximations to the true state of
12823 affairs, which is probably that some quantities will be matrices
12824 and others will be scalars. One solution is to ``declare''
12825 certain variables or functions to be scalar-valued.
12826 @xref{Declarations}, to see how to make declarations in Calc.
12828 There is nothing stopping you from declaring a variable to be
12829 scalar and then storing a matrix in it; however, if you do, the
12830 results you get from Calc may not be valid. Suppose you let Calc
12831 get the result @samp{[x+a, y+a, z+a]} shown above, and then stored
12832 @samp{[1, 2, 3]} in @samp{a}. The result would not be the same as
12833 for @samp{[x, y, z] + [1, 2, 3]}, but that's because you have broken
12834 your earlier promise to Calc that @samp{a} would be scalar.
12836 Another way to mix scalars and matrices is to use selections
12837 (@pxref{Selecting Subformulas}). Use Matrix mode when operating on
12838 your formula normally; then, to apply Scalar mode to a certain part
12839 of the formula without affecting the rest just select that part,
12840 change into Scalar mode and press @kbd{=} to resimplify the part
12841 under this mode, then change back to Matrix mode before deselecting.
12843 @node Automatic Recomputation, Working Message, Matrix Mode, Calculation Modes
12844 @subsection Automatic Recomputation
12847 The @dfn{evaluates-to} operator, @samp{=>}, has the special
12848 property that any @samp{=>} formulas on the stack are recomputed
12849 whenever variable values or mode settings that might affect them
12850 are changed. @xref{Evaluates-To Operator}.
12853 @pindex calc-auto-recompute
12854 The @kbd{m C} (@code{calc-auto-recompute}) command turns this
12855 automatic recomputation on and off. If you turn it off, Calc will
12856 not update @samp{=>} operators on the stack (nor those in the
12857 attached Embedded mode buffer, if there is one). They will not
12858 be updated unless you explicitly do so by pressing @kbd{=} or until
12859 you press @kbd{m C} to turn recomputation back on. (While automatic
12860 recomputation is off, you can think of @kbd{m C m C} as a command
12861 to update all @samp{=>} operators while leaving recomputation off.)
12863 To update @samp{=>} operators in an Embedded buffer while
12864 automatic recomputation is off, use @w{@kbd{M-# u}}.
12865 @xref{Embedded Mode}.
12867 @node Working Message, , Automatic Recomputation, Calculation Modes
12868 @subsection Working Messages
12871 @cindex Performance
12872 @cindex Working messages
12873 Since the Calculator is written entirely in Emacs Lisp, which is not
12874 designed for heavy numerical work, many operations are quite slow.
12875 The Calculator normally displays the message @samp{Working...} in the
12876 echo area during any command that may be slow. In addition, iterative
12877 operations such as square roots and trigonometric functions display the
12878 intermediate result at each step. Both of these types of messages can
12879 be disabled if you find them distracting.
12882 @pindex calc-working
12883 Type @kbd{m w} (@code{calc-working}) with a numeric prefix of 0 to
12884 disable all ``working'' messages. Use a numeric prefix of 1 to enable
12885 only the plain @samp{Working...} message. Use a numeric prefix of 2 to
12886 see intermediate results as well. With no numeric prefix this displays
12889 While it may seem that the ``working'' messages will slow Calc down
12890 considerably, experiments have shown that their impact is actually
12891 quite small. But if your terminal is slow you may find that it helps
12892 to turn the messages off.
12894 @node Simplification Modes, Declarations, Calculation Modes, Mode Settings
12895 @section Simplification Modes
12898 The current @dfn{simplification mode} controls how numbers and formulas
12899 are ``normalized'' when being taken from or pushed onto the stack.
12900 Some normalizations are unavoidable, such as rounding floating-point
12901 results to the current precision, and reducing fractions to simplest
12902 form. Others, such as simplifying a formula like @expr{a+a} (or @expr{2+3}),
12903 are done by default but can be turned off when necessary.
12905 When you press a key like @kbd{+} when @expr{2} and @expr{3} are on the
12906 stack, Calc pops these numbers, normalizes them, creates the formula
12907 @expr{2+3}, normalizes it, and pushes the result. Of course the standard
12908 rules for normalizing @expr{2+3} will produce the result @expr{5}.
12910 Simplification mode commands consist of the lower-case @kbd{m} prefix key
12911 followed by a shifted letter.
12914 @pindex calc-no-simplify-mode
12915 The @kbd{m O} (@code{calc-no-simplify-mode}) command turns off all optional
12916 simplifications. These would leave a formula like @expr{2+3} alone. In
12917 fact, nothing except simple numbers are ever affected by normalization
12921 @pindex calc-num-simplify-mode
12922 The @kbd{m N} (@code{calc-num-simplify-mode}) command turns off simplification
12923 of any formulas except those for which all arguments are constants. For
12924 example, @expr{1+2} is simplified to @expr{3}, and @expr{a+(2-2)} is
12925 simplified to @expr{a+0} but no further, since one argument of the sum
12926 is not a constant. Unfortunately, @expr{(a+2)-2} is @emph{not} simplified
12927 because the top-level @samp{-} operator's arguments are not both
12928 constant numbers (one of them is the formula @expr{a+2}).
12929 A constant is a number or other numeric object (such as a constant
12930 error form or modulo form), or a vector all of whose
12931 elements are constant.
12934 @pindex calc-default-simplify-mode
12935 The @kbd{m D} (@code{calc-default-simplify-mode}) command restores the
12936 default simplifications for all formulas. This includes many easy and
12937 fast algebraic simplifications such as @expr{a+0} to @expr{a}, and
12938 @expr{a + 2 a} to @expr{3 a}, as well as evaluating functions like
12939 @expr{@tfn{deriv}(x^2, x)} to @expr{2 x}.
12942 @pindex calc-bin-simplify-mode
12943 The @kbd{m B} (@code{calc-bin-simplify-mode}) mode applies the default
12944 simplifications to a result and then, if the result is an integer,
12945 uses the @kbd{b c} (@code{calc-clip}) command to clip the integer according
12946 to the current binary word size. @xref{Binary Functions}. Real numbers
12947 are rounded to the nearest integer and then clipped; other kinds of
12948 results (after the default simplifications) are left alone.
12951 @pindex calc-alg-simplify-mode
12952 The @kbd{m A} (@code{calc-alg-simplify-mode}) mode does algebraic
12953 simplification; it applies all the default simplifications, and also
12954 the more powerful (and slower) simplifications made by @kbd{a s}
12955 (@code{calc-simplify}). @xref{Algebraic Simplifications}.
12958 @pindex calc-ext-simplify-mode
12959 The @kbd{m E} (@code{calc-ext-simplify-mode}) mode does ``extended''
12960 algebraic simplification, as by the @kbd{a e} (@code{calc-simplify-extended})
12961 command. @xref{Unsafe Simplifications}.
12964 @pindex calc-units-simplify-mode
12965 The @kbd{m U} (@code{calc-units-simplify-mode}) mode does units
12966 simplification; it applies the command @kbd{u s}
12967 (@code{calc-simplify-units}), which in turn
12968 is a superset of @kbd{a s}. In this mode, variable names which
12969 are identifiable as unit names (like @samp{mm} for ``millimeters'')
12970 are simplified with their unit definitions in mind.
12972 A common technique is to set the simplification mode down to the lowest
12973 amount of simplification you will allow to be applied automatically, then
12974 use manual commands like @kbd{a s} and @kbd{c c} (@code{calc-clean}) to
12975 perform higher types of simplifications on demand. @xref{Algebraic
12976 Definitions}, for another sample use of No-Simplification mode.
12978 @node Declarations, Display Modes, Simplification Modes, Mode Settings
12979 @section Declarations
12982 A @dfn{declaration} is a statement you make that promises you will
12983 use a certain variable or function in a restricted way. This may
12984 give Calc the freedom to do things that it couldn't do if it had to
12985 take the fully general situation into account.
12988 * Declaration Basics::
12989 * Kinds of Declarations::
12990 * Functions for Declarations::
12993 @node Declaration Basics, Kinds of Declarations, Declarations, Declarations
12994 @subsection Declaration Basics
12998 @pindex calc-declare-variable
12999 The @kbd{s d} (@code{calc-declare-variable}) command is the easiest
13000 way to make a declaration for a variable. This command prompts for
13001 the variable name, then prompts for the declaration. The default
13002 at the declaration prompt is the previous declaration, if any.
13003 You can edit this declaration, or press @kbd{C-k} to erase it and
13004 type a new declaration. (Or, erase it and press @key{RET} to clear
13005 the declaration, effectively ``undeclaring'' the variable.)
13007 A declaration is in general a vector of @dfn{type symbols} and
13008 @dfn{range} values. If there is only one type symbol or range value,
13009 you can write it directly rather than enclosing it in a vector.
13010 For example, @kbd{s d foo @key{RET} real @key{RET}} declares @code{foo} to
13011 be a real number, and @kbd{s d bar @key{RET} [int, const, [1..6]] @key{RET}}
13012 declares @code{bar} to be a constant integer between 1 and 6.
13013 (Actually, you can omit the outermost brackets and Calc will
13014 provide them for you: @kbd{s d bar @key{RET} int, const, [1..6] @key{RET}}.)
13016 @cindex @code{Decls} variable
13018 Declarations in Calc are kept in a special variable called @code{Decls}.
13019 This variable encodes the set of all outstanding declarations in
13020 the form of a matrix. Each row has two elements: A variable or
13021 vector of variables declared by that row, and the declaration
13022 specifier as described above. You can use the @kbd{s D} command to
13023 edit this variable if you wish to see all the declarations at once.
13024 @xref{Operations on Variables}, for a description of this command
13025 and the @kbd{s p} command that allows you to save your declarations
13026 permanently if you wish.
13028 Items being declared can also be function calls. The arguments in
13029 the call are ignored; the effect is to say that this function returns
13030 values of the declared type for any valid arguments. The @kbd{s d}
13031 command declares only variables, so if you wish to make a function
13032 declaration you will have to edit the @code{Decls} matrix yourself.
13034 For example, the declaration matrix
13040 [ f(1,2,3), [0 .. inf) ] ]
13045 declares that @code{foo} represents a real number, @code{j}, @code{k}
13046 and @code{n} represent integers, and the function @code{f} always
13047 returns a real number in the interval shown.
13050 If there is a declaration for the variable @code{All}, then that
13051 declaration applies to all variables that are not otherwise declared.
13052 It does not apply to function names. For example, using the row
13053 @samp{[All, real]} says that all your variables are real unless they
13054 are explicitly declared without @code{real} in some other row.
13055 The @kbd{s d} command declares @code{All} if you give a blank
13056 response to the variable-name prompt.
13058 @node Kinds of Declarations, Functions for Declarations, Declaration Basics, Declarations
13059 @subsection Kinds of Declarations
13062 The type-specifier part of a declaration (that is, the second prompt
13063 in the @kbd{s d} command) can be a type symbol, an interval, or a
13064 vector consisting of zero or more type symbols followed by zero or
13065 more intervals or numbers that represent the set of possible values
13070 [ [ a, [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] ]
13072 [ c, [int, 1 .. 5] ] ]
13076 Here @code{a} is declared to contain one of the five integers shown;
13077 @code{b} is any number in the interval from 1 to 5 (any real number
13078 since we haven't specified), and @code{c} is any integer in that
13079 interval. Thus the declarations for @code{a} and @code{c} are
13080 nearly equivalent (see below).
13082 The type-specifier can be the empty vector @samp{[]} to say that
13083 nothing is known about a given variable's value. This is the same
13084 as not declaring the variable at all except that it overrides any
13085 @code{All} declaration which would otherwise apply.
13087 The initial value of @code{Decls} is the empty vector @samp{[]}.
13088 If @code{Decls} has no stored value or if the value stored in it
13089 is not valid, it is ignored and there are no declarations as far
13090 as Calc is concerned. (The @kbd{s d} command will replace such a
13091 malformed value with a fresh empty matrix, @samp{[]}, before recording
13092 the new declaration.) Unrecognized type symbols are ignored.
13094 The following type symbols describe what sorts of numbers will be
13095 stored in a variable:
13101 Numerical integers. (Integers or integer-valued floats.)
13103 Fractions. (Rational numbers which are not integers.)
13105 Rational numbers. (Either integers or fractions.)
13107 Floating-point numbers.
13109 Real numbers. (Integers, fractions, or floats. Actually,
13110 intervals and error forms with real components also count as
13113 Positive real numbers. (Strictly greater than zero.)
13115 Nonnegative real numbers. (Greater than or equal to zero.)
13117 Numbers. (Real or complex.)
13120 Calc uses this information to determine when certain simplifications
13121 of formulas are safe. For example, @samp{(x^y)^z} cannot be
13122 simplified to @samp{x^(y z)} in general; for example,
13123 @samp{((-3)^2)^1:2} is 3, but @samp{(-3)^(2*1:2) = (-3)^1} is @mathit{-3}.
13124 However, this simplification @emph{is} safe if @code{z} is known
13125 to be an integer, or if @code{x} is known to be a nonnegative
13126 real number. If you have given declarations that allow Calc to
13127 deduce either of these facts, Calc will perform this simplification
13130 Calc can apply a certain amount of logic when using declarations.
13131 For example, @samp{(x^y)^(2n+1)} will be simplified if @code{n}
13132 has been declared @code{int}; Calc knows that an integer times an
13133 integer, plus an integer, must always be an integer. (In fact,
13134 Calc would simplify @samp{(-x)^(2n+1)} to @samp{-(x^(2n+1))} since
13135 it is able to determine that @samp{2n+1} must be an odd integer.)
13137 Similarly, @samp{(abs(x)^y)^z} will be simplified to @samp{abs(x)^(y z)}
13138 because Calc knows that the @code{abs} function always returns a
13139 nonnegative real. If you had a @code{myabs} function that also had
13140 this property, you could get Calc to recognize it by adding the row
13141 @samp{[myabs(), nonneg]} to the @code{Decls} matrix.
13143 One instance of this simplification is @samp{sqrt(x^2)} (since the
13144 @code{sqrt} function is effectively a one-half power). Normally
13145 Calc leaves this formula alone. After the command
13146 @kbd{s d x @key{RET} real @key{RET}}, however, it can simplify the formula to
13147 @samp{abs(x)}. And after @kbd{s d x @key{RET} nonneg @key{RET}}, Calc can
13148 simplify this formula all the way to @samp{x}.
13150 If there are any intervals or real numbers in the type specifier,
13151 they comprise the set of possible values that the variable or
13152 function being declared can have. In particular, the type symbol
13153 @code{real} is effectively the same as the range @samp{[-inf .. inf]}
13154 (note that infinity is included in the range of possible values);
13155 @code{pos} is the same as @samp{(0 .. inf]}, and @code{nonneg} is
13156 the same as @samp{[0 .. inf]}. Saying @samp{[real, [-5 .. 5]]} is
13157 redundant because the fact that the variable is real can be
13158 deduced just from the interval, but @samp{[int, [-5 .. 5]]} and
13159 @samp{[rat, [-5 .. 5]]} are useful combinations.
13161 Note that the vector of intervals or numbers is in the same format
13162 used by Calc's set-manipulation commands. @xref{Set Operations}.
13164 The type specifier @samp{[1, 2, 3]} is equivalent to
13165 @samp{[numint, 1, 2, 3]}, @emph{not} to @samp{[int, 1, 2, 3]}.
13166 In other words, the range of possible values means only that
13167 the variable's value must be numerically equal to a number in
13168 that range, but not that it must be equal in type as well.
13169 Calc's set operations act the same way; @samp{in(2, [1., 2., 3.])}
13170 and @samp{in(1.5, [1:2, 3:2, 5:2])} both report ``true.''
13172 If you use a conflicting combination of type specifiers, the
13173 results are unpredictable. An example is @samp{[pos, [0 .. 5]]},
13174 where the interval does not lie in the range described by the
13177 ``Real'' declarations mostly affect simplifications involving powers
13178 like the one described above. Another case where they are used
13179 is in the @kbd{a P} command which returns a list of all roots of a
13180 polynomial; if the variable has been declared real, only the real
13181 roots (if any) will be included in the list.
13183 ``Integer'' declarations are used for simplifications which are valid
13184 only when certain values are integers (such as @samp{(x^y)^z}
13187 Another command that makes use of declarations is @kbd{a s}, when
13188 simplifying equations and inequalities. It will cancel @code{x}
13189 from both sides of @samp{a x = b x} only if it is sure @code{x}
13190 is non-zero, say, because it has a @code{pos} declaration.
13191 To declare specifically that @code{x} is real and non-zero,
13192 use @samp{[[-inf .. 0), (0 .. inf]]}. (There is no way in the
13193 current notation to say that @code{x} is nonzero but not necessarily
13194 real.) The @kbd{a e} command does ``unsafe'' simplifications,
13195 including cancelling @samp{x} from the equation when @samp{x} is
13196 not known to be nonzero.
13198 Another set of type symbols distinguish between scalars and vectors.
13202 The value is not a vector.
13204 The value is a vector.
13206 The value is a matrix (a rectangular vector of vectors).
13209 These type symbols can be combined with the other type symbols
13210 described above; @samp{[int, matrix]} describes an object which
13211 is a matrix of integers.
13213 Scalar/vector declarations are used to determine whether certain
13214 algebraic operations are safe. For example, @samp{[a, b, c] + x}
13215 is normally not simplified to @samp{[a + x, b + x, c + x]}, but
13216 it will be if @code{x} has been declared @code{scalar}. On the
13217 other hand, multiplication is usually assumed to be commutative,
13218 but the terms in @samp{x y} will never be exchanged if both @code{x}
13219 and @code{y} are known to be vectors or matrices. (Calc currently
13220 never distinguishes between @code{vector} and @code{matrix}
13223 @xref{Matrix Mode}, for a discussion of Matrix mode and
13224 Scalar mode, which are similar to declaring @samp{[All, matrix]}
13225 or @samp{[All, scalar]} but much more convenient.
13227 One more type symbol that is recognized is used with the @kbd{H a d}
13228 command for taking total derivatives of a formula. @xref{Calculus}.
13232 The value is a constant with respect to other variables.
13235 Calc does not check the declarations for a variable when you store
13236 a value in it. However, storing @mathit{-3.5} in a variable that has
13237 been declared @code{pos}, @code{int}, or @code{matrix} may have
13238 unexpected effects; Calc may evaluate @samp{sqrt(x^2)} to @expr{3.5}
13239 if it substitutes the value first, or to @expr{-3.5} if @code{x}
13240 was declared @code{pos} and the formula @samp{sqrt(x^2)} is
13241 simplified to @samp{x} before the value is substituted. Before
13242 using a variable for a new purpose, it is best to use @kbd{s d}
13243 or @kbd{s D} to check to make sure you don't still have an old
13244 declaration for the variable that will conflict with its new meaning.
13246 @node Functions for Declarations, , Kinds of Declarations, Declarations
13247 @subsection Functions for Declarations
13250 Calc has a set of functions for accessing the current declarations
13251 in a convenient manner. These functions return 1 if the argument
13252 can be shown to have the specified property, or 0 if the argument
13253 can be shown @emph{not} to have that property; otherwise they are
13254 left unevaluated. These functions are suitable for use with rewrite
13255 rules (@pxref{Conditional Rewrite Rules}) or programming constructs
13256 (@pxref{Conditionals in Macros}). They can be entered only using
13257 algebraic notation. @xref{Logical Operations}, for functions
13258 that perform other tests not related to declarations.
13260 For example, @samp{dint(17)} returns 1 because 17 is an integer, as
13261 do @samp{dint(n)} and @samp{dint(2 n - 3)} if @code{n} has been declared
13262 @code{int}, but @samp{dint(2.5)} and @samp{dint(n + 0.5)} return 0.
13263 Calc consults knowledge of its own built-in functions as well as your
13264 own declarations: @samp{dint(floor(x))} returns 1.
13278 The @code{dint} function checks if its argument is an integer.
13279 The @code{dnatnum} function checks if its argument is a natural
13280 number, i.e., a nonnegative integer. The @code{dnumint} function
13281 checks if its argument is numerically an integer, i.e., either an
13282 integer or an integer-valued float. Note that these and the other
13283 data type functions also accept vectors or matrices composed of
13284 suitable elements, and that real infinities @samp{inf} and @samp{-inf}
13285 are considered to be integers for the purposes of these functions.
13291 The @code{drat} function checks if its argument is rational, i.e.,
13292 an integer or fraction. Infinities count as rational, but intervals
13293 and error forms do not.
13299 The @code{dreal} function checks if its argument is real. This
13300 includes integers, fractions, floats, real error forms, and intervals.
13306 The @code{dimag} function checks if its argument is imaginary,
13307 i.e., is mathematically equal to a real number times @expr{i}.
13321 The @code{dpos} function checks for positive (but nonzero) reals.
13322 The @code{dneg} function checks for negative reals. The @code{dnonneg}
13323 function checks for nonnegative reals, i.e., reals greater than or
13324 equal to zero. Note that the @kbd{a s} command can simplify an
13325 expression like @expr{x > 0} to 1 or 0 using @code{dpos}, and that
13326 @kbd{a s} is effectively applied to all conditions in rewrite rules,
13327 so the actual functions @code{dpos}, @code{dneg}, and @code{dnonneg}
13328 are rarely necessary.
13334 The @code{dnonzero} function checks that its argument is nonzero.
13335 This includes all nonzero real or complex numbers, all intervals that
13336 do not include zero, all nonzero modulo forms, vectors all of whose
13337 elements are nonzero, and variables or formulas whose values can be
13338 deduced to be nonzero. It does not include error forms, since they
13339 represent values which could be anything including zero. (This is
13340 also the set of objects considered ``true'' in conditional contexts.)
13350 The @code{deven} function returns 1 if its argument is known to be
13351 an even integer (or integer-valued float); it returns 0 if its argument
13352 is known not to be even (because it is known to be odd or a non-integer).
13353 The @kbd{a s} command uses this to simplify a test of the form
13354 @samp{x % 2 = 0}. There is also an analogous @code{dodd} function.
13360 The @code{drange} function returns a set (an interval or a vector
13361 of intervals and/or numbers; @pxref{Set Operations}) that describes
13362 the set of possible values of its argument. If the argument is
13363 a variable or a function with a declaration, the range is copied
13364 from the declaration. Otherwise, the possible signs of the
13365 expression are determined using a method similar to @code{dpos},
13366 etc., and a suitable set like @samp{[0 .. inf]} is returned. If
13367 the expression is not provably real, the @code{drange} function
13368 remains unevaluated.
13374 The @code{dscalar} function returns 1 if its argument is provably
13375 scalar, or 0 if its argument is provably non-scalar. It is left
13376 unevaluated if this cannot be determined. (If Matrix mode or Scalar
13377 mode is in effect, this function returns 1 or 0, respectively,
13378 if it has no other information.) When Calc interprets a condition
13379 (say, in a rewrite rule) it considers an unevaluated formula to be
13380 ``false.'' Thus, @samp{dscalar(a)} is ``true'' only if @code{a} is
13381 provably scalar, and @samp{!dscalar(a)} is ``true'' only if @code{a}
13382 is provably non-scalar; both are ``false'' if there is insufficient
13383 information to tell.
13385 @node Display Modes, Language Modes, Declarations, Mode Settings
13386 @section Display Modes
13389 The commands in this section are two-key sequences beginning with the
13390 @kbd{d} prefix. The @kbd{d l} (@code{calc-line-numbering}) and @kbd{d b}
13391 (@code{calc-line-breaking}) commands are described elsewhere;
13392 @pxref{Stack Basics} and @pxref{Normal Language Modes}, respectively.
13393 Display formats for vectors and matrices are also covered elsewhere;
13394 @pxref{Vector and Matrix Formats}.
13396 One thing all display modes have in common is their treatment of the
13397 @kbd{H} prefix. This prefix causes any mode command that would normally
13398 refresh the stack to leave the stack display alone. The word ``Dirty''
13399 will appear in the mode line when Calc thinks the stack display may not
13400 reflect the latest mode settings.
13402 @kindex d @key{RET}
13403 @pindex calc-refresh-top
13404 The @kbd{d @key{RET}} (@code{calc-refresh-top}) command reformats the
13405 top stack entry according to all the current modes. Positive prefix
13406 arguments reformat the top @var{n} entries; negative prefix arguments
13407 reformat the specified entry, and a prefix of zero is equivalent to
13408 @kbd{d @key{SPC}} (@code{calc-refresh}), which reformats the entire stack.
13409 For example, @kbd{H d s M-2 d @key{RET}} changes to scientific notation
13410 but reformats only the top two stack entries in the new mode.
13412 The @kbd{I} prefix has another effect on the display modes. The mode
13413 is set only temporarily; the top stack entry is reformatted according
13414 to that mode, then the original mode setting is restored. In other
13415 words, @kbd{I d s} is equivalent to @kbd{H d s d @key{RET} H d (@var{old mode})}.
13419 * Grouping Digits::
13421 * Complex Formats::
13422 * Fraction Formats::
13425 * Truncating the Stack::
13430 @node Radix Modes, Grouping Digits, Display Modes, Display Modes
13431 @subsection Radix Modes
13434 @cindex Radix display
13435 @cindex Non-decimal numbers
13436 @cindex Decimal and non-decimal numbers
13437 Calc normally displays numbers in decimal (@dfn{base-10} or @dfn{radix-10})
13438 notation. Calc can actually display in any radix from two (binary) to 36.
13439 When the radix is above 10, the letters @code{A} to @code{Z} are used as
13440 digits. When entering such a number, letter keys are interpreted as
13441 potential digits rather than terminating numeric entry mode.
13447 @cindex Hexadecimal integers
13448 @cindex Octal integers
13449 The key sequences @kbd{d 2}, @kbd{d 8}, @kbd{d 6}, and @kbd{d 0} select
13450 binary, octal, hexadecimal, and decimal as the current display radix,
13451 respectively. Numbers can always be entered in any radix, though the
13452 current radix is used as a default if you press @kbd{#} without any initial
13453 digits. A number entered without a @kbd{#} is @emph{always} interpreted
13458 To set the radix generally, use @kbd{d r} (@code{calc-radix}) and enter
13459 an integer from 2 to 36. You can specify the radix as a numeric prefix
13460 argument; otherwise you will be prompted for it.
13463 @pindex calc-leading-zeros
13464 @cindex Leading zeros
13465 Integers normally are displayed with however many digits are necessary to
13466 represent the integer and no more. The @kbd{d z} (@code{calc-leading-zeros})
13467 command causes integers to be padded out with leading zeros according to the
13468 current binary word size. (@xref{Binary Functions}, for a discussion of
13469 word size.) If the absolute value of the word size is @expr{w}, all integers
13470 are displayed with at least enough digits to represent
13471 @texline @math{2^w-1}
13472 @infoline @expr{(2^w)-1}
13473 in the current radix. (Larger integers will still be displayed in their
13476 @node Grouping Digits, Float Formats, Radix Modes, Display Modes
13477 @subsection Grouping Digits
13481 @pindex calc-group-digits
13482 @cindex Grouping digits
13483 @cindex Digit grouping
13484 Long numbers can be hard to read if they have too many digits. For
13485 example, the factorial of 30 is 33 digits long! Press @kbd{d g}
13486 (@code{calc-group-digits}) to enable @dfn{Grouping} mode, in which digits
13487 are displayed in clumps of 3 or 4 (depending on the current radix)
13488 separated by commas.
13490 The @kbd{d g} command toggles grouping on and off.
13491 With a numeric prefix of 0, this command displays the current state of
13492 the grouping flag; with an argument of minus one it disables grouping;
13493 with a positive argument @expr{N} it enables grouping on every @expr{N}
13494 digits. For floating-point numbers, grouping normally occurs only
13495 before the decimal point. A negative prefix argument @expr{-N} enables
13496 grouping every @expr{N} digits both before and after the decimal point.
13499 @pindex calc-group-char
13500 The @kbd{d ,} (@code{calc-group-char}) command allows you to choose any
13501 character as the grouping separator. The default is the comma character.
13502 If you find it difficult to read vectors of large integers grouped with
13503 commas, you may wish to use spaces or some other character instead.
13504 This command takes the next character you type, whatever it is, and
13505 uses it as the digit separator. As a special case, @kbd{d , \} selects
13506 @samp{\,} (@TeX{}'s thin-space symbol) as the digit separator.
13508 Please note that grouped numbers will not generally be parsed correctly
13509 if re-read in textual form, say by the use of @kbd{M-# y} and @kbd{M-# g}.
13510 (@xref{Kill and Yank}, for details on these commands.) One exception is
13511 the @samp{\,} separator, which doesn't interfere with parsing because it
13512 is ignored by @TeX{} language mode.
13514 @node Float Formats, Complex Formats, Grouping Digits, Display Modes
13515 @subsection Float Formats
13518 Floating-point quantities are normally displayed in standard decimal
13519 form, with scientific notation used if the exponent is especially high
13520 or low. All significant digits are normally displayed. The commands
13521 in this section allow you to choose among several alternative display
13522 formats for floats.
13525 @pindex calc-normal-notation
13526 The @kbd{d n} (@code{calc-normal-notation}) command selects the normal
13527 display format. All significant figures in a number are displayed.
13528 With a positive numeric prefix, numbers are rounded if necessary to
13529 that number of significant digits. With a negative numerix prefix,
13530 the specified number of significant digits less than the current
13531 precision is used. (Thus @kbd{C-u -2 d n} displays 10 digits if the
13532 current precision is 12.)
13535 @pindex calc-fix-notation
13536 The @kbd{d f} (@code{calc-fix-notation}) command selects fixed-point
13537 notation. The numeric argument is the number of digits after the
13538 decimal point, zero or more. This format will relax into scientific
13539 notation if a nonzero number would otherwise have been rounded all the
13540 way to zero. Specifying a negative number of digits is the same as
13541 for a positive number, except that small nonzero numbers will be rounded
13542 to zero rather than switching to scientific notation.
13545 @pindex calc-sci-notation
13546 @cindex Scientific notation, display of
13547 The @kbd{d s} (@code{calc-sci-notation}) command selects scientific
13548 notation. A positive argument sets the number of significant figures
13549 displayed, of which one will be before and the rest after the decimal
13550 point. A negative argument works the same as for @kbd{d n} format.
13551 The default is to display all significant digits.
13554 @pindex calc-eng-notation
13555 @cindex Engineering notation, display of
13556 The @kbd{d e} (@code{calc-eng-notation}) command selects engineering
13557 notation. This is similar to scientific notation except that the
13558 exponent is rounded down to a multiple of three, with from one to three
13559 digits before the decimal point. An optional numeric prefix sets the
13560 number of significant digits to display, as for @kbd{d s}.
13562 It is important to distinguish between the current @emph{precision} and
13563 the current @emph{display format}. After the commands @kbd{C-u 10 p}
13564 and @kbd{C-u 6 d n} the Calculator computes all results to ten
13565 significant figures but displays only six. (In fact, intermediate
13566 calculations are often carried to one or two more significant figures,
13567 but values placed on the stack will be rounded down to ten figures.)
13568 Numbers are never actually rounded to the display precision for storage,
13569 except by commands like @kbd{C-k} and @kbd{M-# y} which operate on the
13570 actual displayed text in the Calculator buffer.
13573 @pindex calc-point-char
13574 The @kbd{d .} (@code{calc-point-char}) command selects the character used
13575 as a decimal point. Normally this is a period; users in some countries
13576 may wish to change this to a comma. Note that this is only a display
13577 style; on entry, periods must always be used to denote floating-point
13578 numbers, and commas to separate elements in a list.
13580 @node Complex Formats, Fraction Formats, Float Formats, Display Modes
13581 @subsection Complex Formats
13585 @pindex calc-complex-notation
13586 There are three supported notations for complex numbers in rectangular
13587 form. The default is as a pair of real numbers enclosed in parentheses
13588 and separated by a comma: @samp{(a,b)}. The @kbd{d c}
13589 (@code{calc-complex-notation}) command selects this style.
13592 @pindex calc-i-notation
13594 @pindex calc-j-notation
13595 The other notations are @kbd{d i} (@code{calc-i-notation}), in which
13596 numbers are displayed in @samp{a+bi} form, and @kbd{d j}
13597 (@code{calc-j-notation}) which displays the form @samp{a+bj} preferred
13598 in some disciplines.
13600 @cindex @code{i} variable
13602 Complex numbers are normally entered in @samp{(a,b)} format.
13603 If you enter @samp{2+3i} as an algebraic formula, it will be stored as
13604 the formula @samp{2 + 3 * i}. However, if you use @kbd{=} to evaluate
13605 this formula and you have not changed the variable @samp{i}, the @samp{i}
13606 will be interpreted as @samp{(0,1)} and the formula will be simplified
13607 to @samp{(2,3)}. Other commands (like @code{calc-sin}) will @emph{not}
13608 interpret the formula @samp{2 + 3 * i} as a complex number.
13609 @xref{Variables}, under ``special constants.''
13611 @node Fraction Formats, HMS Formats, Complex Formats, Display Modes
13612 @subsection Fraction Formats
13616 @pindex calc-over-notation
13617 Display of fractional numbers is controlled by the @kbd{d o}
13618 (@code{calc-over-notation}) command. By default, a number like
13619 eight thirds is displayed in the form @samp{8:3}. The @kbd{d o} command
13620 prompts for a one- or two-character format. If you give one character,
13621 that character is used as the fraction separator. Common separators are
13622 @samp{:} and @samp{/}. (During input of numbers, the @kbd{:} key must be
13623 used regardless of the display format; in particular, the @kbd{/} is used
13624 for RPN-style division, @emph{not} for entering fractions.)
13626 If you give two characters, fractions use ``integer-plus-fractional-part''
13627 notation. For example, the format @samp{+/} would display eight thirds
13628 as @samp{2+2/3}. If two colons are present in a number being entered,
13629 the number is interpreted in this form (so that the entries @kbd{2:2:3}
13630 and @kbd{8:3} are equivalent).
13632 It is also possible to follow the one- or two-character format with
13633 a number. For example: @samp{:10} or @samp{+/3}. In this case,
13634 Calc adjusts all fractions that are displayed to have the specified
13635 denominator, if possible. Otherwise it adjusts the denominator to
13636 be a multiple of the specified value. For example, in @samp{:6} mode
13637 the fraction @expr{1:6} will be unaffected, but @expr{2:3} will be
13638 displayed as @expr{4:6}, @expr{1:2} will be displayed as @expr{3:6},
13639 and @expr{1:8} will be displayed as @expr{3:24}. Integers are also
13640 affected by this mode: 3 is displayed as @expr{18:6}. Note that the
13641 format @samp{:1} writes fractions the same as @samp{:}, but it writes
13642 integers as @expr{n:1}.
13644 The fraction format does not affect the way fractions or integers are
13645 stored, only the way they appear on the screen. The fraction format
13646 never affects floats.
13648 @node HMS Formats, Date Formats, Fraction Formats, Display Modes
13649 @subsection HMS Formats
13653 @pindex calc-hms-notation
13654 The @kbd{d h} (@code{calc-hms-notation}) command controls the display of
13655 HMS (hours-minutes-seconds) forms. It prompts for a string which
13656 consists basically of an ``hours'' marker, optional punctuation, a
13657 ``minutes'' marker, more optional punctuation, and a ``seconds'' marker.
13658 Punctuation is zero or more spaces, commas, or semicolons. The hours
13659 marker is one or more non-punctuation characters. The minutes and
13660 seconds markers must be single non-punctuation characters.
13662 The default HMS format is @samp{@@ ' "}, producing HMS values of the form
13663 @samp{23@@ 30' 15.75"}. The format @samp{deg, ms} would display this same
13664 value as @samp{23deg, 30m15.75s}. During numeric entry, the @kbd{h} or @kbd{o}
13665 keys are recognized as synonyms for @kbd{@@} regardless of display format.
13666 The @kbd{m} and @kbd{s} keys are recognized as synonyms for @kbd{'} and
13667 @kbd{"}, respectively, but only if an @kbd{@@} (or @kbd{h} or @kbd{o}) has
13668 already been typed; otherwise, they have their usual meanings
13669 (@kbd{m-} prefix and @kbd{s-} prefix). Thus, @kbd{5 "}, @kbd{0 @@ 5 "}, and
13670 @kbd{0 h 5 s} are some of the ways to enter the quantity ``five seconds.''
13671 The @kbd{'} key is recognized as ``minutes'' only if @kbd{@@} (or @kbd{h} or
13672 @kbd{o}) has already been pressed; otherwise it means to switch to algebraic
13675 @node Date Formats, Truncating the Stack, HMS Formats, Display Modes
13676 @subsection Date Formats
13680 @pindex calc-date-notation
13681 The @kbd{d d} (@code{calc-date-notation}) command controls the display
13682 of date forms (@pxref{Date Forms}). It prompts for a string which
13683 contains letters that represent the various parts of a date and time.
13684 To show which parts should be omitted when the form represents a pure
13685 date with no time, parts of the string can be enclosed in @samp{< >}
13686 marks. If you don't include @samp{< >} markers in the format, Calc
13687 guesses at which parts, if any, should be omitted when formatting
13690 The default format is: @samp{<H:mm:SSpp >Www Mmm D, YYYY}.
13691 An example string in this format is @samp{3:32pm Wed Jan 9, 1991}.
13692 If you enter a blank format string, this default format is
13695 Calc uses @samp{< >} notation for nameless functions as well as for
13696 dates. @xref{Specifying Operators}. To avoid confusion with nameless
13697 functions, your date formats should avoid using the @samp{#} character.
13700 * Date Formatting Codes::
13701 * Free-Form Dates::
13702 * Standard Date Formats::
13705 @node Date Formatting Codes, Free-Form Dates, Date Formats, Date Formats
13706 @subsubsection Date Formatting Codes
13709 When displaying a date, the current date format is used. All
13710 characters except for letters and @samp{<} and @samp{>} are
13711 copied literally when dates are formatted. The portion between
13712 @samp{< >} markers is omitted for pure dates, or included for
13713 date/time forms. Letters are interpreted according to the table
13716 When dates are read in during algebraic entry, Calc first tries to
13717 match the input string to the current format either with or without
13718 the time part. The punctuation characters (including spaces) must
13719 match exactly; letter fields must correspond to suitable text in
13720 the input. If this doesn't work, Calc checks if the input is a
13721 simple number; if so, the number is interpreted as a number of days
13722 since Jan 1, 1 AD. Otherwise, Calc tries a much more relaxed and
13723 flexible algorithm which is described in the next section.
13725 Weekday names are ignored during reading.
13727 Two-digit year numbers are interpreted as lying in the range
13728 from 1941 to 2039. Years outside that range are always
13729 entered and displayed in full. Year numbers with a leading
13730 @samp{+} sign are always interpreted exactly, allowing the
13731 entry and display of the years 1 through 99 AD.
13733 Here is a complete list of the formatting codes for dates:
13737 Year: ``91'' for 1991, ``7'' for 2007, ``+23'' for 23 AD.
13739 Year: ``91'' for 1991, ``07'' for 2007, ``+23'' for 23 AD.
13741 Year: ``91'' for 1991, `` 7'' for 2007, ``+23'' for 23 AD.
13743 Year: ``1991'' for 1991, ``23'' for 23 AD.
13745 Year: ``1991'' for 1991, ``+23'' for 23 AD.
13747 Year: ``ad'' or blank.
13749 Year: ``AD'' or blank.
13751 Year: ``ad '' or blank. (Note trailing space.)
13753 Year: ``AD '' or blank.
13755 Year: ``a.d.'' or blank.
13757 Year: ``A.D.'' or blank.
13759 Year: ``bc'' or blank.
13761 Year: ``BC'' or blank.
13763 Year: `` bc'' or blank. (Note leading space.)
13765 Year: `` BC'' or blank.
13767 Year: ``b.c.'' or blank.
13769 Year: ``B.C.'' or blank.
13771 Month: ``8'' for August.
13773 Month: ``08'' for August.
13775 Month: `` 8'' for August.
13777 Month: ``AUG'' for August.
13779 Month: ``Aug'' for August.
13781 Month: ``aug'' for August.
13783 Month: ``AUGUST'' for August.
13785 Month: ``August'' for August.
13787 Day: ``7'' for 7th day of month.
13789 Day: ``07'' for 7th day of month.
13791 Day: `` 7'' for 7th day of month.
13793 Weekday: ``0'' for Sunday, ``6'' for Saturday.
13795 Weekday: ``SUN'' for Sunday.
13797 Weekday: ``Sun'' for Sunday.
13799 Weekday: ``sun'' for Sunday.
13801 Weekday: ``SUNDAY'' for Sunday.
13803 Weekday: ``Sunday'' for Sunday.
13805 Day of year: ``34'' for Feb. 3.
13807 Day of year: ``034'' for Feb. 3.
13809 Day of year: `` 34'' for Feb. 3.
13811 Hour: ``5'' for 5 AM; ``17'' for 5 PM.
13813 Hour: ``05'' for 5 AM; ``17'' for 5 PM.
13815 Hour: `` 5'' for 5 AM; ``17'' for 5 PM.
13817 Hour: ``5'' for 5 AM and 5 PM.
13819 Hour: ``05'' for 5 AM and 5 PM.
13821 Hour: `` 5'' for 5 AM and 5 PM.
13823 AM/PM: ``a'' or ``p''.
13825 AM/PM: ``A'' or ``P''.
13827 AM/PM: ``am'' or ``pm''.
13829 AM/PM: ``AM'' or ``PM''.
13831 AM/PM: ``a.m.'' or ``p.m.''.
13833 AM/PM: ``A.M.'' or ``P.M.''.
13835 Minutes: ``7'' for 7.
13837 Minutes: ``07'' for 7.
13839 Minutes: `` 7'' for 7.
13841 Seconds: ``7'' for 7; ``7.23'' for 7.23.
13843 Seconds: ``07'' for 7; ``07.23'' for 7.23.
13845 Seconds: `` 7'' for 7; `` 7.23'' for 7.23.
13847 Optional seconds: ``07'' for 7; blank for 0.
13849 Optional seconds: `` 7'' for 7; blank for 0.
13851 Numeric date/time: ``726842.25'' for 6:00am Wed Jan 9, 1991.
13853 Numeric date: ``726842'' for any time on Wed Jan 9, 1991.
13855 Julian date/time: ``2448265.75'' for 6:00am Wed Jan 9, 1991.
13857 Julian date: ``2448266'' for any time on Wed Jan 9, 1991.
13859 Unix time: ``663400800'' for 6:00am Wed Jan 9, 1991.
13861 Brackets suppression. An ``X'' at the front of the format
13862 causes the surrounding @w{@samp{< >}} delimiters to be omitted
13863 when formatting dates. Note that the brackets are still
13864 required for algebraic entry.
13867 If ``SS'' or ``BS'' (optional seconds) is preceded by a colon, the
13868 colon is also omitted if the seconds part is zero.
13870 If ``bb,'' ``bbb'' or ``bbbb'' or their upper-case equivalents
13871 appear in the format, then negative year numbers are displayed
13872 without a minus sign. Note that ``aa'' and ``bb'' are mutually
13873 exclusive. Some typical usages would be @samp{YYYY AABB};
13874 @samp{AAAYYYYBBB}; @samp{YYYYBBB}.
13876 The formats ``YY,'' ``YYYY,'' ``MM,'' ``DD,'' ``ddd,'' ``hh,'' ``HH,''
13877 ``mm,'' ``ss,'' and ``SS'' actually match any number of digits during
13878 reading unless several of these codes are strung together with no
13879 punctuation in between, in which case the input must have exactly as
13880 many digits as there are letters in the format.
13882 The ``j,'' ``J,'' and ``U'' formats do not make any time zone
13883 adjustment. They effectively use @samp{julian(x,0)} and
13884 @samp{unixtime(x,0)} to make the conversion; @pxref{Date Arithmetic}.
13886 @node Free-Form Dates, Standard Date Formats, Date Formatting Codes, Date Formats
13887 @subsubsection Free-Form Dates
13890 When reading a date form during algebraic entry, Calc falls back
13891 on the algorithm described here if the input does not exactly
13892 match the current date format. This algorithm generally
13893 ``does the right thing'' and you don't have to worry about it,
13894 but it is described here in full detail for the curious.
13896 Calc does not distinguish between upper- and lower-case letters
13897 while interpreting dates.
13899 First, the time portion, if present, is located somewhere in the
13900 text and then removed. The remaining text is then interpreted as
13903 A time is of the form @samp{hh:mm:ss}, possibly with the seconds
13904 part omitted and possibly with an AM/PM indicator added to indicate
13905 12-hour time. If the AM/PM is present, the minutes may also be
13906 omitted. The AM/PM part may be any of the words @samp{am},
13907 @samp{pm}, @samp{noon}, or @samp{midnight}; each of these may be
13908 abbreviated to one letter, and the alternate forms @samp{a.m.},
13909 @samp{p.m.}, and @samp{mid} are also understood. Obviously
13910 @samp{noon} and @samp{midnight} are allowed only on 12:00:00.
13911 The words @samp{noon}, @samp{mid}, and @samp{midnight} are also
13912 recognized with no number attached.
13914 If there is no AM/PM indicator, the time is interpreted in 24-hour
13917 To read the date portion, all words and numbers are isolated
13918 from the string; other characters are ignored. All words must
13919 be either month names or day-of-week names (the latter of which
13920 are ignored). Names can be written in full or as three-letter
13923 Large numbers, or numbers with @samp{+} or @samp{-} signs,
13924 are interpreted as years. If one of the other numbers is
13925 greater than 12, then that must be the day and the remaining
13926 number in the input is therefore the month. Otherwise, Calc
13927 assumes the month, day and year are in the same order that they
13928 appear in the current date format. If the year is omitted, the
13929 current year is taken from the system clock.
13931 If there are too many or too few numbers, or any unrecognizable
13932 words, then the input is rejected.
13934 If there are any large numbers (of five digits or more) other than
13935 the year, they are ignored on the assumption that they are something
13936 like Julian dates that were included along with the traditional
13937 date components when the date was formatted.
13939 One of the words @samp{ad}, @samp{a.d.}, @samp{bc}, or @samp{b.c.}
13940 may optionally be used; the latter two are equivalent to a
13941 minus sign on the year value.
13943 If you always enter a four-digit year, and use a name instead
13944 of a number for the month, there is no danger of ambiguity.
13946 @node Standard Date Formats, , Free-Form Dates, Date Formats
13947 @subsubsection Standard Date Formats
13950 There are actually ten standard date formats, numbered 0 through 9.
13951 Entering a blank line at the @kbd{d d} command's prompt gives
13952 you format number 1, Calc's usual format. You can enter any digit
13953 to select the other formats.
13955 To create your own standard date formats, give a numeric prefix
13956 argument from 0 to 9 to the @w{@kbd{d d}} command. The format you
13957 enter will be recorded as the new standard format of that
13958 number, as well as becoming the new current date format.
13959 You can save your formats permanently with the @w{@kbd{m m}}
13960 command (@pxref{Mode Settings}).
13964 @samp{N} (Numerical format)
13966 @samp{<H:mm:SSpp >Www Mmm D, YYYY} (American format)
13968 @samp{D Mmm YYYY<, h:mm:SS>} (European format)
13970 @samp{Www Mmm BD< hh:mm:ss> YYYY} (Unix written date format)
13972 @samp{M/D/Y< H:mm:SSpp>} (American slashed format)
13974 @samp{D.M.Y< h:mm:SS>} (European dotted format)
13976 @samp{M-D-Y< H:mm:SSpp>} (American dashed format)
13978 @samp{D-M-Y< h:mm:SS>} (European dashed format)
13980 @samp{j<, h:mm:ss>} (Julian day plus time)
13982 @samp{YYddd< hh:mm:ss>} (Year-day format)
13985 @node Truncating the Stack, Justification, Date Formats, Display Modes
13986 @subsection Truncating the Stack
13990 @pindex calc-truncate-stack
13991 @cindex Truncating the stack
13992 @cindex Narrowing the stack
13993 The @kbd{d t} (@code{calc-truncate-stack}) command moves the @samp{.}@:
13994 line that marks the top-of-stack up or down in the Calculator buffer.
13995 The number right above that line is considered to the be at the top of
13996 the stack. Any numbers below that line are ``hidden'' from all stack
13997 operations (although still visible to the user). This is similar to the
13998 Emacs ``narrowing'' feature, except that the values below the @samp{.}
13999 are @emph{visible}, just temporarily frozen. This feature allows you to
14000 keep several independent calculations running at once in different parts
14001 of the stack, or to apply a certain command to an element buried deep in
14004 Pressing @kbd{d t} by itself moves the @samp{.} to the line the cursor
14005 is on. Thus, this line and all those below it become hidden. To un-hide
14006 these lines, move down to the end of the buffer and press @w{@kbd{d t}}.
14007 With a positive numeric prefix argument @expr{n}, @kbd{d t} hides the
14008 bottom @expr{n} values in the buffer. With a negative argument, it hides
14009 all but the top @expr{n} values. With an argument of zero, it hides zero
14010 values, i.e., moves the @samp{.} all the way down to the bottom.
14013 @pindex calc-truncate-up
14015 @pindex calc-truncate-down
14016 The @kbd{d [} (@code{calc-truncate-up}) and @kbd{d ]}
14017 (@code{calc-truncate-down}) commands move the @samp{.} up or down one
14018 line at a time (or several lines with a prefix argument).
14020 @node Justification, Labels, Truncating the Stack, Display Modes
14021 @subsection Justification
14025 @pindex calc-left-justify
14027 @pindex calc-center-justify
14029 @pindex calc-right-justify
14030 Values on the stack are normally left-justified in the window. You can
14031 control this arrangement by typing @kbd{d <} (@code{calc-left-justify}),
14032 @kbd{d >} (@code{calc-right-justify}), or @kbd{d =}
14033 (@code{calc-center-justify}). For example, in Right-Justification mode,
14034 stack entries are displayed flush-right against the right edge of the
14037 If you change the width of the Calculator window you may have to type
14038 @kbd{d @key{SPC}} (@code{calc-refresh}) to re-align right-justified or centered
14041 Right-justification is especially useful together with fixed-point
14042 notation (see @code{d f}; @code{calc-fix-notation}). With these modes
14043 together, the decimal points on numbers will always line up.
14045 With a numeric prefix argument, the justification commands give you
14046 a little extra control over the display. The argument specifies the
14047 horizontal ``origin'' of a display line. It is also possible to
14048 specify a maximum line width using the @kbd{d b} command (@pxref{Normal
14049 Language Modes}). For reference, the precise rules for formatting and
14050 breaking lines are given below. Notice that the interaction between
14051 origin and line width is slightly different in each justification
14054 In Left-Justified mode, the line is indented by a number of spaces
14055 given by the origin (default zero). If the result is longer than the
14056 maximum line width, if given, or too wide to fit in the Calc window
14057 otherwise, then it is broken into lines which will fit; each broken
14058 line is indented to the origin.
14060 In Right-Justified mode, lines are shifted right so that the rightmost
14061 character is just before the origin, or just before the current
14062 window width if no origin was specified. If the line is too long
14063 for this, then it is broken; the current line width is used, if
14064 specified, or else the origin is used as a width if that is
14065 specified, or else the line is broken to fit in the window.
14067 In Centering mode, the origin is the column number of the center of
14068 each stack entry. If a line width is specified, lines will not be
14069 allowed to go past that width; Calc will either indent less or
14070 break the lines if necessary. If no origin is specified, half the
14071 line width or Calc window width is used.
14073 Note that, in each case, if line numbering is enabled the display
14074 is indented an additional four spaces to make room for the line
14075 number. The width of the line number is taken into account when
14076 positioning according to the current Calc window width, but not
14077 when positioning by explicit origins and widths. In the latter
14078 case, the display is formatted as specified, and then uniformly
14079 shifted over four spaces to fit the line numbers.
14081 @node Labels, , Justification, Display Modes
14086 @pindex calc-left-label
14087 The @kbd{d @{} (@code{calc-left-label}) command prompts for a string,
14088 then displays that string to the left of every stack entry. If the
14089 entries are left-justified (@pxref{Justification}), then they will
14090 appear immediately after the label (unless you specified an origin
14091 greater than the length of the label). If the entries are centered
14092 or right-justified, the label appears on the far left and does not
14093 affect the horizontal position of the stack entry.
14095 Give a blank string (with @kbd{d @{ @key{RET}}) to turn the label off.
14098 @pindex calc-right-label
14099 The @kbd{d @}} (@code{calc-right-label}) command similarly adds a
14100 label on the righthand side. It does not affect positioning of
14101 the stack entries unless they are right-justified. Also, if both
14102 a line width and an origin are given in Right-Justified mode, the
14103 stack entry is justified to the origin and the righthand label is
14104 justified to the line width.
14106 One application of labels would be to add equation numbers to
14107 formulas you are manipulating in Calc and then copying into a
14108 document (possibly using Embedded mode). The equations would
14109 typically be centered, and the equation numbers would be on the
14110 left or right as you prefer.
14112 @node Language Modes, Modes Variable, Display Modes, Mode Settings
14113 @section Language Modes
14116 The commands in this section change Calc to use a different notation for
14117 entry and display of formulas, corresponding to the conventions of some
14118 other common language such as Pascal or La@TeX{}. Objects displayed on the
14119 stack or yanked from the Calculator to an editing buffer will be formatted
14120 in the current language; objects entered in algebraic entry or yanked from
14121 another buffer will be interpreted according to the current language.
14123 The current language has no effect on things written to or read from the
14124 trail buffer, nor does it affect numeric entry. Only algebraic entry is
14125 affected. You can make even algebraic entry ignore the current language
14126 and use the standard notation by giving a numeric prefix, e.g., @kbd{C-u '}.
14128 For example, suppose the formula @samp{2*a[1] + atan(a[2])} occurs in a C
14129 program; elsewhere in the program you need the derivatives of this formula
14130 with respect to @samp{a[1]} and @samp{a[2]}. First, type @kbd{d C}
14131 to switch to C notation. Now use @code{C-u M-# g} to grab the formula
14132 into the Calculator, @kbd{a d a[1] @key{RET}} to differentiate with respect
14133 to the first variable, and @kbd{M-# y} to yank the formula for the derivative
14134 back into your C program. Press @kbd{U} to undo the differentiation and
14135 repeat with @kbd{a d a[2] @key{RET}} for the other derivative.
14137 Without being switched into C mode first, Calc would have misinterpreted
14138 the brackets in @samp{a[1]} and @samp{a[2]}, would not have known that
14139 @code{atan} was equivalent to Calc's built-in @code{arctan} function,
14140 and would have written the formula back with notations (like implicit
14141 multiplication) which would not have been valid for a C program.
14143 As another example, suppose you are maintaining a C program and a La@TeX{}
14144 document, each of which needs a copy of the same formula. You can grab the
14145 formula from the program in C mode, switch to La@TeX{} mode, and yank the
14146 formula into the document in La@TeX{} math-mode format.
14148 Language modes are selected by typing the letter @kbd{d} followed by a
14149 shifted letter key.
14152 * Normal Language Modes::
14153 * C FORTRAN Pascal::
14154 * TeX and LaTeX Language Modes::
14155 * Eqn Language Mode::
14156 * Mathematica Language Mode::
14157 * Maple Language Mode::
14162 @node Normal Language Modes, C FORTRAN Pascal, Language Modes, Language Modes
14163 @subsection Normal Language Modes
14167 @pindex calc-normal-language
14168 The @kbd{d N} (@code{calc-normal-language}) command selects the usual
14169 notation for Calc formulas, as described in the rest of this manual.
14170 Matrices are displayed in a multi-line tabular format, but all other
14171 objects are written in linear form, as they would be typed from the
14175 @pindex calc-flat-language
14176 @cindex Matrix display
14177 The @kbd{d O} (@code{calc-flat-language}) command selects a language
14178 identical with the normal one, except that matrices are written in
14179 one-line form along with everything else. In some applications this
14180 form may be more suitable for yanking data into other buffers.
14183 @pindex calc-line-breaking
14184 @cindex Line breaking
14185 @cindex Breaking up long lines
14186 Even in one-line mode, long formulas or vectors will still be split
14187 across multiple lines if they exceed the width of the Calculator window.
14188 The @kbd{d b} (@code{calc-line-breaking}) command turns this line-breaking
14189 feature on and off. (It works independently of the current language.)
14190 If you give a numeric prefix argument of five or greater to the @kbd{d b}
14191 command, that argument will specify the line width used when breaking
14195 @pindex calc-big-language
14196 The @kbd{d B} (@code{calc-big-language}) command selects a language
14197 which uses textual approximations to various mathematical notations,
14198 such as powers, quotients, and square roots:
14208 in place of @samp{sqrt((a+1)/b + c^2)}.
14210 Subscripts like @samp{a_i} are displayed as actual subscripts in Big
14211 mode. Double subscripts, @samp{a_i_j} (@samp{subscr(subscr(a, i), j)})
14212 are displayed as @samp{a} with subscripts separated by commas:
14213 @samp{i, j}. They must still be entered in the usual underscore
14216 One slight ambiguity of Big notation is that
14225 can represent either the negative rational number @expr{-3:4}, or the
14226 actual expression @samp{-(3/4)}; but the latter formula would normally
14227 never be displayed because it would immediately be evaluated to
14228 @expr{-3:4} or @expr{-0.75}, so this ambiguity is not a problem in
14231 Non-decimal numbers are displayed with subscripts. Thus there is no
14232 way to tell the difference between @samp{16#C2} and @samp{C2_16},
14233 though generally you will know which interpretation is correct.
14234 Logarithms @samp{log(x,b)} and @samp{log10(x)} also use subscripts
14237 In Big mode, stack entries often take up several lines. To aid
14238 readability, stack entries are separated by a blank line in this mode.
14239 You may find it useful to expand the Calc window's height using
14240 @kbd{C-x ^} (@code{enlarge-window}) or to make the Calc window the only
14241 one on the screen with @kbd{C-x 1} (@code{delete-other-windows}).
14243 Long lines are currently not rearranged to fit the window width in
14244 Big mode, so you may need to use the @kbd{<} and @kbd{>} keys
14245 to scroll across a wide formula. For really big formulas, you may
14246 even need to use @kbd{@{} and @kbd{@}} to scroll up and down.
14249 @pindex calc-unformatted-language
14250 The @kbd{d U} (@code{calc-unformatted-language}) command altogether disables
14251 the use of operator notation in formulas. In this mode, the formula
14252 shown above would be displayed:
14255 sqrt(add(div(add(a, 1), b), pow(c, 2)))
14258 These four modes differ only in display format, not in the format
14259 expected for algebraic entry. The standard Calc operators work in
14260 all four modes, and unformatted notation works in any language mode
14261 (except that Mathematica mode expects square brackets instead of
14264 @node C FORTRAN Pascal, TeX and LaTeX Language Modes, Normal Language Modes, Language Modes
14265 @subsection C, FORTRAN, and Pascal Modes
14269 @pindex calc-c-language
14271 The @kbd{d C} (@code{calc-c-language}) command selects the conventions
14272 of the C language for display and entry of formulas. This differs from
14273 the normal language mode in a variety of (mostly minor) ways. In
14274 particular, C language operators and operator precedences are used in
14275 place of Calc's usual ones. For example, @samp{a^b} means @samp{xor(a,b)}
14276 in C mode; a value raised to a power is written as a function call,
14279 In C mode, vectors and matrices use curly braces instead of brackets.
14280 Octal and hexadecimal values are written with leading @samp{0} or @samp{0x}
14281 rather than using the @samp{#} symbol. Array subscripting is
14282 translated into @code{subscr} calls, so that @samp{a[i]} in C
14283 mode is the same as @samp{a_i} in Normal mode. Assignments
14284 turn into the @code{assign} function, which Calc normally displays
14285 using the @samp{:=} symbol.
14287 The variables @code{pi} and @code{e} would be displayed @samp{pi}
14288 and @samp{e} in Normal mode, but in C mode they are displayed as
14289 @samp{M_PI} and @samp{M_E}, corresponding to the names of constants
14290 typically provided in the @file{<math.h>} header. Functions whose
14291 names are different in C are translated automatically for entry and
14292 display purposes. For example, entering @samp{asin(x)} will push the
14293 formula @samp{arcsin(x)} onto the stack; this formula will be displayed
14294 as @samp{asin(x)} as long as C mode is in effect.
14297 @pindex calc-pascal-language
14298 @cindex Pascal language
14299 The @kbd{d P} (@code{calc-pascal-language}) command selects Pascal
14300 conventions. Like C mode, Pascal mode interprets array brackets and uses
14301 a different table of operators. Hexadecimal numbers are entered and
14302 displayed with a preceding dollar sign. (Thus the regular meaning of
14303 @kbd{$2} during algebraic entry does not work in Pascal mode, though
14304 @kbd{$} (and @kbd{$$}, etc.) not followed by digits works the same as
14305 always.) No special provisions are made for other non-decimal numbers,
14306 vectors, and so on, since there is no universally accepted standard way
14307 of handling these in Pascal.
14310 @pindex calc-fortran-language
14311 @cindex FORTRAN language
14312 The @kbd{d F} (@code{calc-fortran-language}) command selects FORTRAN
14313 conventions. Various function names are transformed into FORTRAN
14314 equivalents. Vectors are written as @samp{/1, 2, 3/}, and may be
14315 entered this way or using square brackets. Since FORTRAN uses round
14316 parentheses for both function calls and array subscripts, Calc displays
14317 both in the same way; @samp{a(i)} is interpreted as a function call
14318 upon reading, and subscripts must be entered as @samp{subscr(a, i)}.
14319 Also, if the variable @code{a} has been declared to have type
14320 @code{vector} or @code{matrix} then @samp{a(i)} will be parsed as a
14321 subscript. (@xref{Declarations}.) Usually it doesn't matter, though;
14322 if you enter the subscript expression @samp{a(i)} and Calc interprets
14323 it as a function call, you'll never know the difference unless you
14324 switch to another language mode or replace @code{a} with an actual
14325 vector (or unless @code{a} happens to be the name of a built-in
14328 Underscores are allowed in variable and function names in all of these
14329 language modes. The underscore here is equivalent to the @samp{#} in
14330 Normal mode, or to hyphens in the underlying Emacs Lisp variable names.
14332 FORTRAN and Pascal modes normally do not adjust the case of letters in
14333 formulas. Most built-in Calc names use lower-case letters. If you use a
14334 positive numeric prefix argument with @kbd{d P} or @kbd{d F}, these
14335 modes will use upper-case letters exclusively for display, and will
14336 convert to lower-case on input. With a negative prefix, these modes
14337 convert to lower-case for display and input.
14339 @node TeX and LaTeX Language Modes, Eqn Language Mode, C FORTRAN Pascal, Language Modes
14340 @subsection @TeX{} and La@TeX{} Language Modes
14344 @pindex calc-tex-language
14345 @cindex TeX language
14347 @pindex calc-latex-language
14348 @cindex LaTeX language
14349 The @kbd{d T} (@code{calc-tex-language}) command selects the conventions
14350 of ``math mode'' in Donald Knuth's @TeX{} typesetting language,
14351 and the @kbd{d L} (@code{calc-latex-language}) command selects the
14352 conventions of ``math mode'' in La@TeX{}, a typesetting language that
14353 uses @TeX{} as its formatting engine. Calc's La@TeX{} language mode can
14354 read any formula that the @TeX{} language mode can, although La@TeX{}
14355 mode may display it differently.
14357 Formulas are entered and displayed in the appropriate notation;
14358 @texline @math{\sin(a/b)}
14359 @infoline @expr{sin(a/b)}
14360 will appear as @samp{\sin\left( a \over b \right)} in @TeX{} mode and
14361 @samp{\sin\left(\frac@{a@}@{b@}\right)} in La@TeX{} mode.
14362 Math formulas are often enclosed by @samp{$ $} signs in @TeX{} and
14363 La@TeX{}; these should be omitted when interfacing with Calc. To Calc,
14364 the @samp{$} sign has the same meaning it always does in algebraic
14365 formulas (a reference to an existing entry on the stack).
14367 Complex numbers are displayed as in @samp{3 + 4i}. Fractions and
14368 quotients are written using @code{\over} in @TeX{} mode (as in
14369 @code{@{a \over b@}}) and @code{\frac} in La@TeX{} mode (as in
14370 @code{\frac@{a@}@{b@}}); binomial coefficients are written with
14371 @code{\choose} in @TeX{} mode (as in @code{@{a \choose b@}}) and
14372 @code{\binom} in La@TeX{} mode (as in @code{\binom@{a@}@{b@}}).
14373 Interval forms are written with @code{\ldots}, and error forms are
14374 written with @code{\pm}. Absolute values are written as in
14375 @samp{|x + 1|}, and the floor and ceiling functions are written with
14376 @code{\lfloor}, @code{\rfloor}, etc. The words @code{\left} and
14377 @code{\right} are ignored when reading formulas in @TeX{} and La@TeX{}
14378 modes. Both @code{inf} and @code{uinf} are written as @code{\infty};
14379 when read, @code{\infty} always translates to @code{inf}.
14381 Function calls are written the usual way, with the function name followed
14382 by the arguments in parentheses. However, functions for which @TeX{}
14383 and La@TeX{} have special names (like @code{\sin}) will use curly braces
14384 instead of parentheses for very simple arguments. During input, curly
14385 braces and parentheses work equally well for grouping, but when the
14386 document is formatted the curly braces will be invisible. Thus the
14388 @texline @math{\sin{2 x}}
14389 @infoline @expr{sin 2x}
14391 @texline @math{\sin(2 + x)}.
14392 @infoline @expr{sin(2 + x)}.
14394 Function and variable names not treated specially by @TeX{} and La@TeX{}
14395 are simply written out as-is, which will cause them to come out in
14396 italic letters in the printed document. If you invoke @kbd{d T} or
14397 @kbd{d L} with a positive numeric prefix argument, names of more than
14398 one character will instead be enclosed in a protective commands that
14399 will prevent them from being typeset in the math italics; they will be
14400 written @samp{\hbox@{@var{name}@}} in @TeX{} mode and
14401 @samp{\text@{@var{name}@}} in La@TeX{} mode. The
14402 @samp{\hbox@{ @}} and @samp{\text@{ @}} notations are ignored during
14403 reading. If you use a negative prefix argument, such function names are
14404 written @samp{\@var{name}}, and function names that begin with @code{\} during
14405 reading have the @code{\} removed. (Note that in this mode, long
14406 variable names are still written with @code{\hbox} or @code{\text}.
14407 However, you can always make an actual variable name like @code{\bar} in
14410 During reading, text of the form @samp{\matrix@{ ...@: @}} is replaced
14411 by @samp{[ ...@: ]}. The same also applies to @code{\pmatrix} and
14412 @code{\bmatrix}. In La@TeX{} mode this also applies to
14413 @samp{\begin@{matrix@} ... \end@{matrix@}},
14414 @samp{\begin@{bmatrix@} ... \end@{bmatrix@}},
14415 @samp{\begin@{pmatrix@} ... \end@{pmatrix@}}, as well as
14416 @samp{\begin@{smallmatrix@} ... \end@{smallmatrix@}}.
14417 The symbol @samp{&} is interpreted as a comma,
14418 and the symbols @samp{\cr} and @samp{\\} are interpreted as semicolons.
14419 During output, matrices are displayed in @samp{\matrix@{ a & b \\ c & d@}}
14420 format in @TeX{} mode and in
14421 @samp{\begin@{pmatrix@} a & b \\ c & d \end@{pmatrix@}} format in
14422 La@TeX{} mode; you may need to edit this afterwards to change to your
14423 preferred matrix form. If you invoke @kbd{d T} or @kbd{d L} with an
14424 argument of 2 or -2, then matrices will be displayed in two-dimensional
14435 This may be convenient for isolated matrices, but could lead to
14436 expressions being displayed like
14439 \begin@{pmatrix@} \times x
14446 While this wouldn't bother Calc, it is incorrect La@TeX{}.
14447 (Similarly for @TeX{}.)
14449 Accents like @code{\tilde} and @code{\bar} translate into function
14450 calls internally (@samp{tilde(x)}, @samp{bar(x)}). The @code{\underline}
14451 sequence is treated as an accent. The @code{\vec} accent corresponds
14452 to the function name @code{Vec}, because @code{vec} is the name of
14453 a built-in Calc function. The following table shows the accents
14454 in Calc, @TeX{}, La@TeX{} and @dfn{eqn} (described in the next section):
14458 @let@calcindexershow=@calcindexernoshow @c Suppress marginal notes
14459 @let@calcindexersh=@calcindexernoshow
14567 acute \acute \acute
14571 breve \breve \breve
14573 check \check \check
14579 dotdot \ddot \ddot dotdot
14582 grave \grave \grave
14587 tilde \tilde \tilde tilde
14589 under \underline \underline under
14594 The @samp{=>} (evaluates-to) operator appears as a @code{\to} symbol:
14595 @samp{@{@var{a} \to @var{b}@}}. @TeX{} defines @code{\to} as an
14596 alias for @code{\rightarrow}. However, if the @samp{=>} is the
14597 top-level expression being formatted, a slightly different notation
14598 is used: @samp{\evalto @var{a} \to @var{b}}. The @code{\evalto}
14599 word is ignored by Calc's input routines, and is undefined in @TeX{}.
14600 You will typically want to include one of the following definitions
14601 at the top of a @TeX{} file that uses @code{\evalto}:
14605 \def\evalto#1\to@{@}
14608 The first definition formats evaluates-to operators in the usual
14609 way. The second causes only the @var{b} part to appear in the
14610 printed document; the @var{a} part and the arrow are hidden.
14611 Another definition you may wish to use is @samp{\let\to=\Rightarrow}
14612 which causes @code{\to} to appear more like Calc's @samp{=>} symbol.
14613 @xref{Evaluates-To Operator}, for a discussion of @code{evalto}.
14615 The complete set of @TeX{} control sequences that are ignored during
14619 \hbox \mbox \text \left \right
14620 \, \> \: \; \! \quad \qquad \hfil \hfill
14621 \displaystyle \textstyle \dsize \tsize
14622 \scriptstyle \scriptscriptstyle \ssize \ssize
14623 \rm \bf \it \sl \roman \bold \italic \slanted
14624 \cal \mit \Cal \Bbb \frak \goth
14628 Note that, because these symbols are ignored, reading a @TeX{} or
14629 La@TeX{} formula into Calc and writing it back out may lose spacing and
14632 Also, the ``discretionary multiplication sign'' @samp{\*} is read
14633 the same as @samp{*}.
14636 The @TeX{} version of this manual includes some printed examples at the
14637 end of this section.
14640 Here are some examples of how various Calc formulas are formatted in @TeX{}:
14645 \sin\left( {a^2 \over b_i} \right)
14649 $$ \sin\left( a^2 \over b_i \right) $$
14655 [(3, 4), 3:4, 3 +/- 4, [3 .. inf)]
14656 [3 + 4i, @{3 \over 4@}, 3 \pm 4, [3 \ldots \infty)]
14661 $$ [3 + 4i, {3 \over 4}, 3 \pm 4, [ 3 \ldots \infty)] $$
14667 [abs(a), abs(a / b), floor(a), ceil(a / b)]
14668 [|a|, \left| a \over b \right|,
14669 \lfloor a \rfloor, \left\lceil a \over b \right\rceil]
14673 $$ [|a|, \left| a \over b \right|,
14674 \lfloor a \rfloor, \left\lceil a \over b \right\rceil] $$
14680 [sin(a), sin(2 a), sin(2 + a), sin(a / b)]
14681 [\sin@{a@}, \sin@{2 a@}, \sin(2 + a),
14682 \sin\left( @{a \over b@} \right)]
14687 $$ [\sin{a}, \sin{2 a}, \sin(2 + a), \sin\left( {a \over b} \right)] $$
14691 First with plain @kbd{d T}, then with @kbd{C-u d T}, then finally with
14692 @kbd{C-u - d T} (using the example definition
14693 @samp{\def\foo#1@{\tilde F(#1)@}}:
14697 [f(a), foo(bar), sin(pi)]
14698 [f(a), foo(bar), \sin{\pi}]
14699 [f(a), \hbox@{foo@}(\hbox@{bar@}), \sin@{\pi@}]
14700 [f(a), \foo@{\hbox@{bar@}@}, \sin@{\pi@}]
14704 $$ [f(a), foo(bar), \sin{\pi}] $$
14705 $$ [f(a), \hbox{foo}(\hbox{bar}), \sin{\pi}] $$
14706 $$ [f(a), \tilde F(\hbox{bar}), \sin{\pi}] $$
14710 First with @samp{\def\evalto@{@}}, then with @samp{\def\evalto#1\to@{@}}:
14715 \evalto 2 + 3 \to 5
14725 First with standard @code{\to}, then with @samp{\let\to\Rightarrow}:
14729 [2 + 3 => 5, a / 2 => (b + c) / 2]
14730 [@{2 + 3 \to 5@}, @{@{a \over 2@} \to @{b + c \over 2@}@}]
14735 $$ [{2 + 3 \to 5}, {{a \over 2} \to {b + c \over 2}}] $$
14736 {\let\to\Rightarrow
14737 $$ [{2 + 3 \to 5}, {{a \over 2} \to {b + c \over 2}}] $$}
14741 Matrices normally, then changing @code{\matrix} to @code{\pmatrix}:
14745 [ [ a / b, 0 ], [ 0, 2^(x + 1) ] ]
14746 \matrix@{ @{a \over b@} & 0 \\ 0 & 2^@{(x + 1)@} @}
14747 \pmatrix@{ @{a \over b@} & 0 \\ 0 & 2^@{(x + 1)@} @}
14752 $$ \matrix{ {a \over b} & 0 \cr 0 & 2^{(x + 1)} } $$
14753 $$ \pmatrix{ {a \over b} & 0 \cr 0 & 2^{(x + 1)} } $$
14758 @node Eqn Language Mode, Mathematica Language Mode, TeX and LaTeX Language Modes, Language Modes
14759 @subsection Eqn Language Mode
14763 @pindex calc-eqn-language
14764 @dfn{Eqn} is another popular formatter for math formulas. It is
14765 designed for use with the TROFF text formatter, and comes standard
14766 with many versions of Unix. The @kbd{d E} (@code{calc-eqn-language})
14767 command selects @dfn{eqn} notation.
14769 The @dfn{eqn} language's main idiosyncrasy is that whitespace plays
14770 a significant part in the parsing of the language. For example,
14771 @samp{sqrt x+1 + y} treats @samp{x+1} as the argument of the
14772 @code{sqrt} operator. @dfn{Eqn} also understands more conventional
14773 grouping using curly braces: @samp{sqrt@{x+1@} + y}. Braces are
14774 required only when the argument contains spaces.
14776 In Calc's @dfn{eqn} mode, however, curly braces are required to
14777 delimit arguments of operators like @code{sqrt}. The first of the
14778 above examples would treat only the @samp{x} as the argument of
14779 @code{sqrt}, and in fact @samp{sin x+1} would be interpreted as
14780 @samp{sin * x + 1}, because @code{sin} is not a special operator
14781 in the @dfn{eqn} language. If you always surround the argument
14782 with curly braces, Calc will never misunderstand.
14784 Calc also understands parentheses as grouping characters. Another
14785 peculiarity of @dfn{eqn}'s syntax makes it advisable to separate
14786 words with spaces from any surrounding characters that aren't curly
14787 braces, so Calc writes @samp{sin ( x + y )} in @dfn{eqn} mode.
14788 (The spaces around @code{sin} are important to make @dfn{eqn}
14789 recognize that @code{sin} should be typeset in a roman font, and
14790 the spaces around @code{x} and @code{y} are a good idea just in
14791 case the @dfn{eqn} document has defined special meanings for these
14794 Powers and subscripts are written with the @code{sub} and @code{sup}
14795 operators, respectively. Note that the caret symbol @samp{^} is
14796 treated the same as a space in @dfn{eqn} mode, as is the @samp{~}
14797 symbol (these are used to introduce spaces of various widths into
14798 the typeset output of @dfn{eqn}).
14800 As in La@TeX{} mode, Calc's formatter omits parentheses around the
14801 arguments of functions like @code{ln} and @code{sin} if they are
14802 ``simple-looking''; in this case Calc surrounds the argument with
14803 braces, separated by a @samp{~} from the function name: @samp{sin~@{x@}}.
14805 Font change codes (like @samp{roman @var{x}}) and positioning codes
14806 (like @samp{~} and @samp{down @var{n} @var{x}}) are ignored by the
14807 @dfn{eqn} reader. Also ignored are the words @code{left}, @code{right},
14808 @code{mark}, and @code{lineup}. Quotation marks in @dfn{eqn} mode input
14809 are treated the same as curly braces: @samp{sqrt "1+x"} is equivalent to
14810 @samp{sqrt @{1+x@}}; this is only an approximation to the true meaning
14811 of quotes in @dfn{eqn}, but it is good enough for most uses.
14813 Accent codes (@samp{@var{x} dot}) are handled by treating them as
14814 function calls (@samp{dot(@var{x})}) internally.
14815 @xref{TeX and LaTeX Language Modes}, for a table of these accent
14816 functions. The @code{prime} accent is treated specially if it occurs on
14817 a variable or function name: @samp{f prime prime @w{( x prime )}} is
14818 stored internally as @samp{f'@w{'}(x')}. For example, taking the
14819 derivative of @samp{f(2 x)} with @kbd{a d x} will produce @samp{2 f'(2
14820 x)}, which @dfn{eqn} mode will display as @samp{2 f prime ( 2 x )}.
14822 Assignments are written with the @samp{<-} (left-arrow) symbol,
14823 and @code{evalto} operators are written with @samp{->} or
14824 @samp{evalto ... ->} (@pxref{TeX and LaTeX Language Modes}, for a discussion
14825 of this). The regular Calc symbols @samp{:=} and @samp{=>} are also
14826 recognized for these operators during reading.
14828 Vectors in @dfn{eqn} mode use regular Calc square brackets, but
14829 matrices are formatted as @samp{matrix @{ ccol @{ a above b @} ... @}}.
14830 The words @code{lcol} and @code{rcol} are recognized as synonyms
14831 for @code{ccol} during input, and are generated instead of @code{ccol}
14832 if the matrix justification mode so specifies.
14834 @node Mathematica Language Mode, Maple Language Mode, Eqn Language Mode, Language Modes
14835 @subsection Mathematica Language Mode
14839 @pindex calc-mathematica-language
14840 @cindex Mathematica language
14841 The @kbd{d M} (@code{calc-mathematica-language}) command selects the
14842 conventions of Mathematica. Notable differences in Mathematica mode
14843 are that the names of built-in functions are capitalized, and function
14844 calls use square brackets instead of parentheses. Thus the Calc
14845 formula @samp{sin(2 x)} is entered and displayed @w{@samp{Sin[2 x]}} in
14848 Vectors and matrices use curly braces in Mathematica. Complex numbers
14849 are written @samp{3 + 4 I}. The standard special constants in Calc are
14850 written @code{Pi}, @code{E}, @code{I}, @code{GoldenRatio}, @code{EulerGamma},
14851 @code{Infinity}, @code{ComplexInfinity}, and @code{Indeterminate} in
14853 Non-decimal numbers are written, e.g., @samp{16^^7fff}. Floating-point
14854 numbers in scientific notation are written @samp{1.23*10.^3}.
14855 Subscripts use double square brackets: @samp{a[[i]]}.
14857 @node Maple Language Mode, Compositions, Mathematica Language Mode, Language Modes
14858 @subsection Maple Language Mode
14862 @pindex calc-maple-language
14863 @cindex Maple language
14864 The @kbd{d W} (@code{calc-maple-language}) command selects the
14865 conventions of Maple.
14867 Maple's language is much like C. Underscores are allowed in symbol
14868 names; square brackets are used for subscripts; explicit @samp{*}s for
14869 multiplications are required. Use either @samp{^} or @samp{**} to
14872 Maple uses square brackets for lists and curly braces for sets. Calc
14873 interprets both notations as vectors, and displays vectors with square
14874 brackets. This means Maple sets will be converted to lists when they
14875 pass through Calc. As a special case, matrices are written as calls
14876 to the function @code{matrix}, given a list of lists as the argument,
14877 and can be read in this form or with all-capitals @code{MATRIX}.
14879 The Maple interval notation @samp{2 .. 3} has no surrounding brackets;
14880 Calc reads @samp{2 .. 3} as the closed interval @samp{[2 .. 3]}, and
14881 writes any kind of interval as @samp{2 .. 3}. This means you cannot
14882 see the difference between an open and a closed interval while in
14883 Maple display mode.
14885 Maple writes complex numbers as @samp{3 + 4*I}. Its special constants
14886 are @code{Pi}, @code{E}, @code{I}, and @code{infinity} (all three of
14887 @code{inf}, @code{uinf}, and @code{nan} display as @code{infinity}).
14888 Floating-point numbers are written @samp{1.23*10.^3}.
14890 Among things not currently handled by Calc's Maple mode are the
14891 various quote symbols, procedures and functional operators, and
14892 inert (@samp{&}) operators.
14894 @node Compositions, Syntax Tables, Maple Language Mode, Language Modes
14895 @subsection Compositions
14898 @cindex Compositions
14899 There are several @dfn{composition functions} which allow you to get
14900 displays in a variety of formats similar to those in Big language
14901 mode. Most of these functions do not evaluate to anything; they are
14902 placeholders which are left in symbolic form by Calc's evaluator but
14903 are recognized by Calc's display formatting routines.
14905 Two of these, @code{string} and @code{bstring}, are described elsewhere.
14906 @xref{Strings}. For example, @samp{string("ABC")} is displayed as
14907 @samp{ABC}. When viewed on the stack it will be indistinguishable from
14908 the variable @code{ABC}, but internally it will be stored as
14909 @samp{string([65, 66, 67])} and can still be manipulated this way; for
14910 example, the selection and vector commands @kbd{j 1 v v j u} would
14911 select the vector portion of this object and reverse the elements, then
14912 deselect to reveal a string whose characters had been reversed.
14914 The composition functions do the same thing in all language modes
14915 (although their components will of course be formatted in the current
14916 language mode). The one exception is Unformatted mode (@kbd{d U}),
14917 which does not give the composition functions any special treatment.
14918 The functions are discussed here because of their relationship to
14919 the language modes.
14922 * Composition Basics::
14923 * Horizontal Compositions::
14924 * Vertical Compositions::
14925 * Other Compositions::
14926 * Information about Compositions::
14927 * User-Defined Compositions::
14930 @node Composition Basics, Horizontal Compositions, Compositions, Compositions
14931 @subsubsection Composition Basics
14934 Compositions are generally formed by stacking formulas together
14935 horizontally or vertically in various ways. Those formulas are
14936 themselves compositions. @TeX{} users will find this analogous
14937 to @TeX{}'s ``boxes.'' Each multi-line composition has a
14938 @dfn{baseline}; horizontal compositions use the baselines to
14939 decide how formulas should be positioned relative to one another.
14940 For example, in the Big mode formula
14952 the second term of the sum is four lines tall and has line three as
14953 its baseline. Thus when the term is combined with 17, line three
14954 is placed on the same level as the baseline of 17.
14960 Another important composition concept is @dfn{precedence}. This is
14961 an integer that represents the binding strength of various operators.
14962 For example, @samp{*} has higher precedence (195) than @samp{+} (180),
14963 which means that @samp{(a * b) + c} will be formatted without the
14964 parentheses, but @samp{a * (b + c)} will keep the parentheses.
14966 The operator table used by normal and Big language modes has the
14967 following precedences:
14970 _ 1200 @r{(subscripts)}
14971 % 1100 @r{(as in n}%@r{)}
14972 - 1000 @r{(as in }-@r{n)}
14973 ! 1000 @r{(as in }!@r{n)}
14976 !! 210 @r{(as in n}!!@r{)}
14977 ! 210 @r{(as in n}!@r{)}
14979 * 195 @r{(or implicit multiplication)}
14981 + - 180 @r{(as in a}+@r{b)}
14983 < = 160 @r{(and other relations)}
14995 The general rule is that if an operator with precedence @expr{n}
14996 occurs as an argument to an operator with precedence @expr{m}, then
14997 the argument is enclosed in parentheses if @expr{n < m}. Top-level
14998 expressions and expressions which are function arguments, vector
14999 components, etc., are formatted with precedence zero (so that they
15000 normally never get additional parentheses).
15002 For binary left-associative operators like @samp{+}, the righthand
15003 argument is actually formatted with one-higher precedence than shown
15004 in the table. This makes sure @samp{(a + b) + c} omits the parentheses,
15005 but the unnatural form @samp{a + (b + c)} keeps its parentheses.
15006 Right-associative operators like @samp{^} format the lefthand argument
15007 with one-higher precedence.
15013 The @code{cprec} function formats an expression with an arbitrary
15014 precedence. For example, @samp{cprec(abc, 185)} will combine into
15015 sums and products as follows: @samp{7 + abc}, @samp{7 (abc)} (because
15016 this @code{cprec} form has higher precedence than addition, but lower
15017 precedence than multiplication).
15023 A final composition issue is @dfn{line breaking}. Calc uses two
15024 different strategies for ``flat'' and ``non-flat'' compositions.
15025 A non-flat composition is anything that appears on multiple lines
15026 (not counting line breaking). Examples would be matrices and Big
15027 mode powers and quotients. Non-flat compositions are displayed
15028 exactly as specified. If they come out wider than the current
15029 window, you must use horizontal scrolling (@kbd{<} and @kbd{>}) to
15032 Flat compositions, on the other hand, will be broken across several
15033 lines if they are too wide to fit the window. Certain points in a
15034 composition are noted internally as @dfn{break points}. Calc's
15035 general strategy is to fill each line as much as possible, then to
15036 move down to the next line starting at the first break point that
15037 didn't fit. However, the line breaker understands the hierarchical
15038 structure of formulas. It will not break an ``inner'' formula if
15039 it can use an earlier break point from an ``outer'' formula instead.
15040 For example, a vector of sums might be formatted as:
15044 [ a + b + c, d + e + f,
15045 g + h + i, j + k + l, m ]
15050 If the @samp{m} can fit, then so, it seems, could the @samp{g}.
15051 But Calc prefers to break at the comma since the comma is part
15052 of a ``more outer'' formula. Calc would break at a plus sign
15053 only if it had to, say, if the very first sum in the vector had
15054 itself been too large to fit.
15056 Of the composition functions described below, only @code{choriz}
15057 generates break points. The @code{bstring} function (@pxref{Strings})
15058 also generates breakable items: A break point is added after every
15059 space (or group of spaces) except for spaces at the very beginning or
15062 Composition functions themselves count as levels in the formula
15063 hierarchy, so a @code{choriz} that is a component of a larger
15064 @code{choriz} will be less likely to be broken. As a special case,
15065 if a @code{bstring} occurs as a component of a @code{choriz} or
15066 @code{choriz}-like object (such as a vector or a list of arguments
15067 in a function call), then the break points in that @code{bstring}
15068 will be on the same level as the break points of the surrounding
15071 @node Horizontal Compositions, Vertical Compositions, Composition Basics, Compositions
15072 @subsubsection Horizontal Compositions
15079 The @code{choriz} function takes a vector of objects and composes
15080 them horizontally. For example, @samp{choriz([17, a b/c, d])} formats
15081 as @w{@samp{17a b / cd}} in Normal language mode, or as
15092 in Big language mode. This is actually one case of the general
15093 function @samp{choriz(@var{vec}, @var{sep}, @var{prec})}, where
15094 either or both of @var{sep} and @var{prec} may be omitted.
15095 @var{Prec} gives the @dfn{precedence} to use when formatting
15096 each of the components of @var{vec}. The default precedence is
15097 the precedence from the surrounding environment.
15099 @var{Sep} is a string (i.e., a vector of character codes as might
15100 be entered with @code{" "} notation) which should separate components
15101 of the composition. Also, if @var{sep} is given, the line breaker
15102 will allow lines to be broken after each occurrence of @var{sep}.
15103 If @var{sep} is omitted, the composition will not be breakable
15104 (unless any of its component compositions are breakable).
15106 For example, @samp{2 choriz([a, b c, d = e], " + ", 180)} is
15107 formatted as @samp{2 a + b c + (d = e)}. To get the @code{choriz}
15108 to have precedence 180 ``outwards'' as well as ``inwards,''
15109 enclose it in a @code{cprec} form: @samp{2 cprec(choriz(...), 180)}
15110 formats as @samp{2 (a + b c + (d = e))}.
15112 The baseline of a horizontal composition is the same as the
15113 baselines of the component compositions, which are all aligned.
15115 @node Vertical Compositions, Other Compositions, Horizontal Compositions, Compositions
15116 @subsubsection Vertical Compositions
15123 The @code{cvert} function makes a vertical composition. Each
15124 component of the vector is centered in a column. The baseline of
15125 the result is by default the top line of the resulting composition.
15126 For example, @samp{f(cvert([a, bb, ccc]), cvert([a^2 + 1, b^2]))}
15127 formats in Big mode as
15142 There are several special composition functions that work only as
15143 components of a vertical composition. The @code{cbase} function
15144 controls the baseline of the vertical composition; the baseline
15145 will be the same as the baseline of whatever component is enclosed
15146 in @code{cbase}. Thus @samp{f(cvert([a, cbase(bb), ccc]),
15147 cvert([a^2 + 1, cbase(b^2)]))} displays as
15167 There are also @code{ctbase} and @code{cbbase} functions which
15168 make the baseline of the vertical composition equal to the top
15169 or bottom line (rather than the baseline) of that component.
15170 Thus @samp{cvert([cbase(a / b)]) + cvert([ctbase(a / b)]) +
15171 cvert([cbbase(a / b)])} gives
15183 There should be only one @code{cbase}, @code{ctbase}, or @code{cbbase}
15184 function in a given vertical composition. These functions can also
15185 be written with no arguments: @samp{ctbase()} is a zero-height object
15186 which means the baseline is the top line of the following item, and
15187 @samp{cbbase()} means the baseline is the bottom line of the preceding
15194 The @code{crule} function builds a ``rule,'' or horizontal line,
15195 across a vertical composition. By itself @samp{crule()} uses @samp{-}
15196 characters to build the rule. You can specify any other character,
15197 e.g., @samp{crule("=")}. The argument must be a character code or
15198 vector of exactly one character code. It is repeated to match the
15199 width of the widest item in the stack. For example, a quotient
15200 with a thick line is @samp{cvert([a + 1, cbase(crule("=")), b^2])}:
15219 Finally, the functions @code{clvert} and @code{crvert} act exactly
15220 like @code{cvert} except that the items are left- or right-justified
15221 in the stack. Thus @samp{clvert([a, bb, ccc]) + crvert([a, bb, ccc])}
15232 Like @code{choriz}, the vertical compositions accept a second argument
15233 which gives the precedence to use when formatting the components.
15234 Vertical compositions do not support separator strings.
15236 @node Other Compositions, Information about Compositions, Vertical Compositions, Compositions
15237 @subsubsection Other Compositions
15244 The @code{csup} function builds a superscripted expression. For
15245 example, @samp{csup(a, b)} looks the same as @samp{a^b} does in Big
15246 language mode. This is essentially a horizontal composition of
15247 @samp{a} and @samp{b}, where @samp{b} is shifted up so that its
15248 bottom line is one above the baseline.
15254 Likewise, the @code{csub} function builds a subscripted expression.
15255 This shifts @samp{b} down so that its top line is one below the
15256 bottom line of @samp{a} (note that this is not quite analogous to
15257 @code{csup}). Other arrangements can be obtained by using
15258 @code{choriz} and @code{cvert} directly.
15264 The @code{cflat} function formats its argument in ``flat'' mode,
15265 as obtained by @samp{d O}, if the current language mode is normal
15266 or Big. It has no effect in other language modes. For example,
15267 @samp{a^(b/c)} is formatted by Big mode like @samp{csup(a, cflat(b/c))}
15268 to improve its readability.
15274 The @code{cspace} function creates horizontal space. For example,
15275 @samp{cspace(4)} is effectively the same as @samp{string(" ")}.
15276 A second string (i.e., vector of characters) argument is repeated
15277 instead of the space character. For example, @samp{cspace(4, "ab")}
15278 looks like @samp{abababab}. If the second argument is not a string,
15279 it is formatted in the normal way and then several copies of that
15280 are composed together: @samp{cspace(4, a^2)} yields
15290 If the number argument is zero, this is a zero-width object.
15296 The @code{cvspace} function creates vertical space, or a vertical
15297 stack of copies of a certain string or formatted object. The
15298 baseline is the center line of the resulting stack. A numerical
15299 argument of zero will produce an object which contributes zero
15300 height if used in a vertical composition.
15310 There are also @code{ctspace} and @code{cbspace} functions which
15311 create vertical space with the baseline the same as the baseline
15312 of the top or bottom copy, respectively, of the second argument.
15313 Thus @samp{cvspace(2, a/b) + ctspace(2, a/b) + cbspace(2, a/b)}
15330 @node Information about Compositions, User-Defined Compositions, Other Compositions, Compositions
15331 @subsubsection Information about Compositions
15334 The functions in this section are actual functions; they compose their
15335 arguments according to the current language and other display modes,
15336 then return a certain measurement of the composition as an integer.
15342 The @code{cwidth} function measures the width, in characters, of a
15343 composition. For example, @samp{cwidth(a + b)} is 5, and
15344 @samp{cwidth(a / b)} is 5 in Normal mode, 1 in Big mode, and 11 in
15345 @TeX{} mode (for @samp{@{a \over b@}}). The argument may involve
15346 the composition functions described in this section.
15352 The @code{cheight} function measures the height of a composition.
15353 This is the total number of lines in the argument's printed form.
15363 The functions @code{cascent} and @code{cdescent} measure the amount
15364 of the height that is above (and including) the baseline, or below
15365 the baseline, respectively. Thus @samp{cascent(@var{x}) + cdescent(@var{x})}
15366 always equals @samp{cheight(@var{x})}. For a one-line formula like
15367 @samp{a + b}, @code{cascent} returns 1 and @code{cdescent} returns 0.
15368 For @samp{a / b} in Big mode, @code{cascent} returns 2 and @code{cdescent}
15369 returns 1. The only formula for which @code{cascent} will return zero
15370 is @samp{cvspace(0)} or equivalents.
15372 @node User-Defined Compositions, , Information about Compositions, Compositions
15373 @subsubsection User-Defined Compositions
15377 @pindex calc-user-define-composition
15378 The @kbd{Z C} (@code{calc-user-define-composition}) command lets you
15379 define the display format for any algebraic function. You provide a
15380 formula containing a certain number of argument variables on the stack.
15381 Any time Calc formats a call to the specified function in the current
15382 language mode and with that number of arguments, Calc effectively
15383 replaces the function call with that formula with the arguments
15386 Calc builds the default argument list by sorting all the variable names
15387 that appear in the formula into alphabetical order. You can edit this
15388 argument list before pressing @key{RET} if you wish. Any variables in
15389 the formula that do not appear in the argument list will be displayed
15390 literally; any arguments that do not appear in the formula will not
15391 affect the display at all.
15393 You can define formats for built-in functions, for functions you have
15394 defined with @kbd{Z F} (@pxref{Algebraic Definitions}), or for functions
15395 which have no definitions but are being used as purely syntactic objects.
15396 You can define different formats for each language mode, and for each
15397 number of arguments, using a succession of @kbd{Z C} commands. When
15398 Calc formats a function call, it first searches for a format defined
15399 for the current language mode (and number of arguments); if there is
15400 none, it uses the format defined for the Normal language mode. If
15401 neither format exists, Calc uses its built-in standard format for that
15402 function (usually just @samp{@var{func}(@var{args})}).
15404 If you execute @kbd{Z C} with the number 0 on the stack instead of a
15405 formula, any defined formats for the function in the current language
15406 mode will be removed. The function will revert to its standard format.
15408 For example, the default format for the binomial coefficient function
15409 @samp{choose(n, m)} in the Big language mode is
15420 You might prefer the notation,
15430 To define this notation, first make sure you are in Big mode,
15431 then put the formula
15434 choriz([cvert([cvspace(1), n]), C, cvert([cvspace(1), m])])
15438 on the stack and type @kbd{Z C}. Answer the first prompt with
15439 @code{choose}. The second prompt will be the default argument list
15440 of @samp{(C m n)}. Edit this list to be @samp{(n m)} and press
15441 @key{RET}. Now, try it out: For example, turn simplification
15442 off with @kbd{m O} and enter @samp{choose(a,b) + choose(7,3)}
15443 as an algebraic entry.
15452 As another example, let's define the usual notation for Stirling
15453 numbers of the first kind, @samp{stir1(n, m)}. This is just like
15454 the regular format for binomial coefficients but with square brackets
15455 instead of parentheses.
15458 choriz([string("["), cvert([n, cbase(cvspace(1)), m]), string("]")])
15461 Now type @kbd{Z C stir1 @key{RET}}, edit the argument list to
15462 @samp{(n m)}, and type @key{RET}.
15464 The formula provided to @kbd{Z C} usually will involve composition
15465 functions, but it doesn't have to. Putting the formula @samp{a + b + c}
15466 onto the stack and typing @kbd{Z C foo @key{RET} @key{RET}} would define
15467 the function @samp{foo(x,y,z)} to display like @samp{x + y + z}.
15468 This ``sum'' will act exactly like a real sum for all formatting
15469 purposes (it will be parenthesized the same, and so on). However
15470 it will be computationally unrelated to a sum. For example, the
15471 formula @samp{2 * foo(1, 2, 3)} will display as @samp{2 (1 + 2 + 3)}.
15472 Operator precedences have caused the ``sum'' to be written in
15473 parentheses, but the arguments have not actually been summed.
15474 (Generally a display format like this would be undesirable, since
15475 it can easily be confused with a real sum.)
15477 The special function @code{eval} can be used inside a @kbd{Z C}
15478 composition formula to cause all or part of the formula to be
15479 evaluated at display time. For example, if the formula is
15480 @samp{a + eval(b + c)}, then @samp{foo(1, 2, 3)} will be displayed
15481 as @samp{1 + 5}. Evaluation will use the default simplifications,
15482 regardless of the current simplification mode. There are also
15483 @code{evalsimp} and @code{evalextsimp} which simplify as if by
15484 @kbd{a s} and @kbd{a e} (respectively). Note that these ``functions''
15485 operate only in the context of composition formulas (and also in
15486 rewrite rules, where they serve a similar purpose; @pxref{Rewrite
15487 Rules}). On the stack, a call to @code{eval} will be left in
15490 It is not a good idea to use @code{eval} except as a last resort.
15491 It can cause the display of formulas to be extremely slow. For
15492 example, while @samp{eval(a + b)} might seem quite fast and simple,
15493 there are several situations where it could be slow. For example,
15494 @samp{a} and/or @samp{b} could be polar complex numbers, in which
15495 case doing the sum requires trigonometry. Or, @samp{a} could be
15496 the factorial @samp{fact(100)} which is unevaluated because you
15497 have typed @kbd{m O}; @code{eval} will evaluate it anyway to
15498 produce a large, unwieldy integer.
15500 You can save your display formats permanently using the @kbd{Z P}
15501 command (@pxref{Creating User Keys}).
15503 @node Syntax Tables, , Compositions, Language Modes
15504 @subsection Syntax Tables
15507 @cindex Syntax tables
15508 @cindex Parsing formulas, customized
15509 Syntax tables do for input what compositions do for output: They
15510 allow you to teach custom notations to Calc's formula parser.
15511 Calc keeps a separate syntax table for each language mode.
15513 (Note that the Calc ``syntax tables'' discussed here are completely
15514 unrelated to the syntax tables described in the Emacs manual.)
15517 @pindex calc-edit-user-syntax
15518 The @kbd{Z S} (@code{calc-edit-user-syntax}) command edits the
15519 syntax table for the current language mode. If you want your
15520 syntax to work in any language, define it in the Normal language
15521 mode. Type @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish editing the syntax table, or
15522 @kbd{C-x k} to cancel the edit. The @kbd{m m} command saves all
15523 the syntax tables along with the other mode settings;
15524 @pxref{General Mode Commands}.
15527 * Syntax Table Basics::
15528 * Precedence in Syntax Tables::
15529 * Advanced Syntax Patterns::
15530 * Conditional Syntax Rules::
15533 @node Syntax Table Basics, Precedence in Syntax Tables, Syntax Tables, Syntax Tables
15534 @subsubsection Syntax Table Basics
15537 @dfn{Parsing} is the process of converting a raw string of characters,
15538 such as you would type in during algebraic entry, into a Calc formula.
15539 Calc's parser works in two stages. First, the input is broken down
15540 into @dfn{tokens}, such as words, numbers, and punctuation symbols
15541 like @samp{+}, @samp{:=}, and @samp{+/-}. Space between tokens is
15542 ignored (except when it serves to separate adjacent words). Next,
15543 the parser matches this string of tokens against various built-in
15544 syntactic patterns, such as ``an expression followed by @samp{+}
15545 followed by another expression'' or ``a name followed by @samp{(},
15546 zero or more expressions separated by commas, and @samp{)}.''
15548 A @dfn{syntax table} is a list of user-defined @dfn{syntax rules},
15549 which allow you to specify new patterns to define your own
15550 favorite input notations. Calc's parser always checks the syntax
15551 table for the current language mode, then the table for the Normal
15552 language mode, before it uses its built-in rules to parse an
15553 algebraic formula you have entered. Each syntax rule should go on
15554 its own line; it consists of a @dfn{pattern}, a @samp{:=} symbol,
15555 and a Calc formula with an optional @dfn{condition}. (Syntax rules
15556 resemble algebraic rewrite rules, but the notation for patterns is
15557 completely different.)
15559 A syntax pattern is a list of tokens, separated by spaces.
15560 Except for a few special symbols, tokens in syntax patterns are
15561 matched literally, from left to right. For example, the rule,
15568 would cause Calc to parse the formula @samp{4+foo()*5} as if it
15569 were @samp{4+(2+3)*5}. Notice that the parentheses were written
15570 as two separate tokens in the rule. As a result, the rule works
15571 for both @samp{foo()} and @w{@samp{foo ( )}}. If we had written
15572 the rule as @samp{foo () := 2+3}, then Calc would treat @samp{()}
15573 as a single, indivisible token, so that @w{@samp{foo( )}} would
15574 not be recognized by the rule. (It would be parsed as a regular
15575 zero-argument function call instead.) In fact, this rule would
15576 also make trouble for the rest of Calc's parser: An unrelated
15577 formula like @samp{bar()} would now be tokenized into @samp{bar ()}
15578 instead of @samp{bar ( )}, so that the standard parser for function
15579 calls would no longer recognize it!
15581 While it is possible to make a token with a mixture of letters
15582 and punctuation symbols, this is not recommended. It is better to
15583 break it into several tokens, as we did with @samp{foo()} above.
15585 The symbol @samp{#} in a syntax pattern matches any Calc expression.
15586 On the righthand side, the things that matched the @samp{#}s can
15587 be referred to as @samp{#1}, @samp{#2}, and so on (where @samp{#1}
15588 matches the leftmost @samp{#} in the pattern). For example, these
15589 rules match a user-defined function, prefix operator, infix operator,
15590 and postfix operator, respectively:
15593 foo ( # ) := myfunc(#1)
15594 foo # := myprefix(#1)
15595 # foo # := myinfix(#1,#2)
15596 # foo := mypostfix(#1)
15599 Thus @samp{foo(3)} will parse as @samp{myfunc(3)}, and @samp{2+3 foo}
15600 will parse as @samp{mypostfix(2+3)}.
15602 It is important to write the first two rules in the order shown,
15603 because Calc tries rules in order from first to last. If the
15604 pattern @samp{foo #} came first, it would match anything that could
15605 match the @samp{foo ( # )} rule, since an expression in parentheses
15606 is itself a valid expression. Thus the @w{@samp{foo ( # )}} rule would
15607 never get to match anything. Likewise, the last two rules must be
15608 written in the order shown or else @samp{3 foo 4} will be parsed as
15609 @samp{mypostfix(3) * 4}. (Of course, the best way to avoid these
15610 ambiguities is not to use the same symbol in more than one way at
15611 the same time! In case you're not convinced, try the following
15612 exercise: How will the above rules parse the input @samp{foo(3,4)},
15613 if at all? Work it out for yourself, then try it in Calc and see.)
15615 Calc is quite flexible about what sorts of patterns are allowed.
15616 The only rule is that every pattern must begin with a literal
15617 token (like @samp{foo} in the first two patterns above), or with
15618 a @samp{#} followed by a literal token (as in the last two
15619 patterns). After that, any mixture is allowed, although putting
15620 two @samp{#}s in a row will not be very useful since two
15621 expressions with nothing between them will be parsed as one
15622 expression that uses implicit multiplication.
15624 As a more practical example, Maple uses the notation
15625 @samp{sum(a(i), i=1..10)} for sums, which Calc's Maple mode doesn't
15626 recognize at present. To handle this syntax, we simply add the
15630 sum ( # , # = # .. # ) := sum(#1,#2,#3,#4)
15634 to the Maple mode syntax table. As another example, C mode can't
15635 read assignment operators like @samp{++} and @samp{*=}. We can
15636 define these operators quite easily:
15639 # *= # := muleq(#1,#2)
15640 # ++ := postinc(#1)
15645 To complete the job, we would use corresponding composition functions
15646 and @kbd{Z C} to cause these functions to display in their respective
15647 Maple and C notations. (Note that the C example ignores issues of
15648 operator precedence, which are discussed in the next section.)
15650 You can enclose any token in quotes to prevent its usual
15651 interpretation in syntax patterns:
15654 # ":=" # := becomes(#1,#2)
15657 Quotes also allow you to include spaces in a token, although once
15658 again it is generally better to use two tokens than one token with
15659 an embedded space. To include an actual quotation mark in a quoted
15660 token, precede it with a backslash. (This also works to include
15661 backslashes in tokens.)
15664 # "bad token" # "/\"\\" # := silly(#1,#2,#3)
15668 This will parse @samp{3 bad token 4 /"\ 5} to @samp{silly(3,4,5)}.
15670 The token @kbd{#} has a predefined meaning in Calc's formula parser;
15671 it is not valid to use @samp{"#"} in a syntax rule. However, longer
15672 tokens that include the @samp{#} character are allowed. Also, while
15673 @samp{"$"} and @samp{"\""} are allowed as tokens, their presence in
15674 the syntax table will prevent those characters from working in their
15675 usual ways (referring to stack entries and quoting strings,
15678 Finally, the notation @samp{%%} anywhere in a syntax table causes
15679 the rest of the line to be ignored as a comment.
15681 @node Precedence in Syntax Tables, Advanced Syntax Patterns, Syntax Table Basics, Syntax Tables
15682 @subsubsection Precedence
15685 Different operators are generally assigned different @dfn{precedences}.
15686 By default, an operator defined by a rule like
15689 # foo # := foo(#1,#2)
15693 will have an extremely low precedence, so that @samp{2*3+4 foo 5 == 6}
15694 will be parsed as @samp{(2*3+4) foo (5 == 6)}. To change the
15695 precedence of an operator, use the notation @samp{#/@var{p}} in
15696 place of @samp{#}, where @var{p} is an integer precedence level.
15697 For example, 185 lies between the precedences for @samp{+} and
15698 @samp{*}, so if we change this rule to
15701 #/185 foo #/186 := foo(#1,#2)
15705 then @samp{2+3 foo 4*5} will be parsed as @samp{2+(3 foo (4*5))}.
15706 Also, because we've given the righthand expression slightly higher
15707 precedence, our new operator will be left-associative:
15708 @samp{1 foo 2 foo 3} will be parsed as @samp{(1 foo 2) foo 3}.
15709 By raising the precedence of the lefthand expression instead, we
15710 can create a right-associative operator.
15712 @xref{Composition Basics}, for a table of precedences of the
15713 standard Calc operators. For the precedences of operators in other
15714 language modes, look in the Calc source file @file{calc-lang.el}.
15716 @node Advanced Syntax Patterns, Conditional Syntax Rules, Precedence in Syntax Tables, Syntax Tables
15717 @subsubsection Advanced Syntax Patterns
15720 To match a function with a variable number of arguments, you could
15724 foo ( # ) := myfunc(#1)
15725 foo ( # , # ) := myfunc(#1,#2)
15726 foo ( # , # , # ) := myfunc(#1,#2,#3)
15730 but this isn't very elegant. To match variable numbers of items,
15731 Calc uses some notations inspired regular expressions and the
15732 ``extended BNF'' style used by some language designers.
15735 foo ( @{ # @}*, ) := apply(myfunc,#1)
15738 The token @samp{@{} introduces a repeated or optional portion.
15739 One of the three tokens @samp{@}*}, @samp{@}+}, or @samp{@}?}
15740 ends the portion. These will match zero or more, one or more,
15741 or zero or one copies of the enclosed pattern, respectively.
15742 In addition, @samp{@}*} and @samp{@}+} can be followed by a
15743 separator token (with no space in between, as shown above).
15744 Thus @samp{@{ # @}*,} matches nothing, or one expression, or
15745 several expressions separated by commas.
15747 A complete @samp{@{ ... @}} item matches as a vector of the
15748 items that matched inside it. For example, the above rule will
15749 match @samp{foo(1,2,3)} to get @samp{apply(myfunc,[1,2,3])}.
15750 The Calc @code{apply} function takes a function name and a vector
15751 of arguments and builds a call to the function with those
15752 arguments, so the net result is the formula @samp{myfunc(1,2,3)}.
15754 If the body of a @samp{@{ ... @}} contains several @samp{#}s
15755 (or nested @samp{@{ ... @}} constructs), then the items will be
15756 strung together into the resulting vector. If the body
15757 does not contain anything but literal tokens, the result will
15758 always be an empty vector.
15761 foo ( @{ # , # @}+, ) := bar(#1)
15762 foo ( @{ @{ # @}*, @}*; ) := matrix(#1)
15766 will parse @samp{foo(1, 2, 3, 4)} as @samp{bar([1, 2, 3, 4])}, and
15767 @samp{foo(1, 2; 3, 4)} as @samp{matrix([[1, 2], [3, 4]])}. Also, after
15768 some thought it's easy to see how this pair of rules will parse
15769 @samp{foo(1, 2, 3)} as @samp{matrix([[1, 2, 3]])}, since the first
15770 rule will only match an even number of arguments. The rule
15773 foo ( # @{ , # , # @}? ) := bar(#1,#2)
15777 will parse @samp{foo(2,3,4)} as @samp{bar(2,[3,4])}, and
15778 @samp{foo(2)} as @samp{bar(2,[])}.
15780 The notation @samp{@{ ... @}?.} (note the trailing period) works
15781 just the same as regular @samp{@{ ... @}?}, except that it does not
15782 count as an argument; the following two rules are equivalent:
15785 foo ( # , @{ also @}? # ) := bar(#1,#3)
15786 foo ( # , @{ also @}?. # ) := bar(#1,#2)
15790 Note that in the first case the optional text counts as @samp{#2},
15791 which will always be an empty vector, but in the second case no
15792 empty vector is produced.
15794 Another variant is @samp{@{ ... @}?$}, which means the body is
15795 optional only at the end of the input formula. All built-in syntax
15796 rules in Calc use this for closing delimiters, so that during
15797 algebraic entry you can type @kbd{[sqrt(2), sqrt(3 @key{RET}}, omitting
15798 the closing parenthesis and bracket. Calc does this automatically
15799 for trailing @samp{)}, @samp{]}, and @samp{>} tokens in syntax
15800 rules, but you can use @samp{@{ ... @}?$} explicitly to get
15801 this effect with any token (such as @samp{"@}"} or @samp{end}).
15802 Like @samp{@{ ... @}?.}, this notation does not count as an
15803 argument. Conversely, you can use quotes, as in @samp{")"}, to
15804 prevent a closing-delimiter token from being automatically treated
15807 Calc's parser does not have full backtracking, which means some
15808 patterns will not work as you might expect:
15811 foo ( @{ # , @}? # , # ) := bar(#1,#2,#3)
15815 Here we are trying to make the first argument optional, so that
15816 @samp{foo(2,3)} parses as @samp{bar([],2,3)}. Unfortunately, Calc
15817 first tries to match @samp{2,} against the optional part of the
15818 pattern, finds a match, and so goes ahead to match the rest of the
15819 pattern. Later on it will fail to match the second comma, but it
15820 doesn't know how to go back and try the other alternative at that
15821 point. One way to get around this would be to use two rules:
15824 foo ( # , # , # ) := bar([#1],#2,#3)
15825 foo ( # , # ) := bar([],#1,#2)
15828 More precisely, when Calc wants to match an optional or repeated
15829 part of a pattern, it scans forward attempting to match that part.
15830 If it reaches the end of the optional part without failing, it
15831 ``finalizes'' its choice and proceeds. If it fails, though, it
15832 backs up and tries the other alternative. Thus Calc has ``partial''
15833 backtracking. A fully backtracking parser would go on to make sure
15834 the rest of the pattern matched before finalizing the choice.
15836 @node Conditional Syntax Rules, , Advanced Syntax Patterns, Syntax Tables
15837 @subsubsection Conditional Syntax Rules
15840 It is possible to attach a @dfn{condition} to a syntax rule. For
15844 foo ( # ) := ifoo(#1) :: integer(#1)
15845 foo ( # ) := gfoo(#1)
15849 will parse @samp{foo(3)} as @samp{ifoo(3)}, but will parse
15850 @samp{foo(3.5)} and @samp{foo(x)} as calls to @code{gfoo}. Any
15851 number of conditions may be attached; all must be true for the
15852 rule to succeed. A condition is ``true'' if it evaluates to a
15853 nonzero number. @xref{Logical Operations}, for a list of Calc
15854 functions like @code{integer} that perform logical tests.
15856 The exact sequence of events is as follows: When Calc tries a
15857 rule, it first matches the pattern as usual. It then substitutes
15858 @samp{#1}, @samp{#2}, etc., in the conditions, if any. Next, the
15859 conditions are simplified and evaluated in order from left to right,
15860 as if by the @w{@kbd{a s}} algebra command (@pxref{Simplifying Formulas}).
15861 Each result is true if it is a nonzero number, or an expression
15862 that can be proven to be nonzero (@pxref{Declarations}). If the
15863 results of all conditions are true, the expression (such as
15864 @samp{ifoo(#1)}) has its @samp{#}s substituted, and that is the
15865 result of the parse. If the result of any condition is false, Calc
15866 goes on to try the next rule in the syntax table.
15868 Syntax rules also support @code{let} conditions, which operate in
15869 exactly the same way as they do in algebraic rewrite rules.
15870 @xref{Other Features of Rewrite Rules}, for details. A @code{let}
15871 condition is always true, but as a side effect it defines a
15872 variable which can be used in later conditions, and also in the
15873 expression after the @samp{:=} sign:
15876 foo ( # ) := hifoo(x) :: let(x := #1 + 0.5) :: dnumint(x)
15880 The @code{dnumint} function tests if a value is numerically an
15881 integer, i.e., either a true integer or an integer-valued float.
15882 This rule will parse @code{foo} with a half-integer argument,
15883 like @samp{foo(3.5)}, to a call like @samp{hifoo(4.)}.
15885 The lefthand side of a syntax rule @code{let} must be a simple
15886 variable, not the arbitrary pattern that is allowed in rewrite
15889 The @code{matches} function is also treated specially in syntax
15890 rule conditions (again, in the same way as in rewrite rules).
15891 @xref{Matching Commands}. If the matching pattern contains
15892 meta-variables, then those meta-variables may be used in later
15893 conditions and in the result expression. The arguments to
15894 @code{matches} are not evaluated in this situation.
15897 sum ( # , # ) := sum(#1,a,b,c) :: matches(#2, a=[b..c])
15901 This is another way to implement the Maple mode @code{sum} notation.
15902 In this approach, we allow @samp{#2} to equal the whole expression
15903 @samp{i=1..10}. Then, we use @code{matches} to break it apart into
15904 its components. If the expression turns out not to match the pattern,
15905 the syntax rule will fail. Note that @kbd{Z S} always uses Calc's
15906 Normal language mode for editing expressions in syntax rules, so we
15907 must use regular Calc notation for the interval @samp{[b..c]} that
15908 will correspond to the Maple mode interval @samp{1..10}.
15910 @node Modes Variable, Calc Mode Line, Language Modes, Mode Settings
15911 @section The @code{Modes} Variable
15915 @pindex calc-get-modes
15916 The @kbd{m g} (@code{calc-get-modes}) command pushes onto the stack
15917 a vector of numbers that describes the various mode settings that
15918 are in effect. With a numeric prefix argument, it pushes only the
15919 @var{n}th mode, i.e., the @var{n}th element of this vector. Keyboard
15920 macros can use the @kbd{m g} command to modify their behavior based
15921 on the current mode settings.
15923 @cindex @code{Modes} variable
15925 The modes vector is also available in the special variable
15926 @code{Modes}. In other words, @kbd{m g} is like @kbd{s r Modes @key{RET}}.
15927 It will not work to store into this variable; in fact, if you do,
15928 @code{Modes} will cease to track the current modes. (The @kbd{m g}
15929 command will continue to work, however.)
15931 In general, each number in this vector is suitable as a numeric
15932 prefix argument to the associated mode-setting command. (Recall
15933 that the @kbd{~} key takes a number from the stack and gives it as
15934 a numeric prefix to the next command.)
15936 The elements of the modes vector are as follows:
15940 Current precision. Default is 12; associated command is @kbd{p}.
15943 Binary word size. Default is 32; associated command is @kbd{b w}.
15946 Stack size (not counting the value about to be pushed by @kbd{m g}).
15947 This is zero if @kbd{m g} is executed with an empty stack.
15950 Number radix. Default is 10; command is @kbd{d r}.
15953 Floating-point format. This is the number of digits, plus the
15954 constant 0 for normal notation, 10000 for scientific notation,
15955 20000 for engineering notation, or 30000 for fixed-point notation.
15956 These codes are acceptable as prefix arguments to the @kbd{d n}
15957 command, but note that this may lose information: For example,
15958 @kbd{d s} and @kbd{C-u 12 d s} have similar (but not quite
15959 identical) effects if the current precision is 12, but they both
15960 produce a code of 10012, which will be treated by @kbd{d n} as
15961 @kbd{C-u 12 d s}. If the precision then changes, the float format
15962 will still be frozen at 12 significant figures.
15965 Angular mode. Default is 1 (degrees). Other values are 2 (radians)
15966 and 3 (HMS). The @kbd{m d} command accepts these prefixes.
15969 Symbolic mode. Value is 0 or 1; default is 0. Command is @kbd{m s}.
15972 Fraction mode. Value is 0 or 1; default is 0. Command is @kbd{m f}.
15975 Polar mode. Value is 0 (rectangular) or 1 (polar); default is 0.
15976 Command is @kbd{m p}.
15979 Matrix/Scalar mode. Default value is @mathit{-1}. Value is 0 for Scalar
15980 mode, @mathit{-2} for Matrix mode, or @var{N} for
15981 @texline @math{N\times N}
15982 @infoline @var{N}x@var{N}
15983 Matrix mode. Command is @kbd{m v}.
15986 Simplification mode. Default is 1. Value is @mathit{-1} for off (@kbd{m O}),
15987 0 for @kbd{m N}, 2 for @kbd{m B}, 3 for @kbd{m A}, 4 for @kbd{m E},
15988 or 5 for @w{@kbd{m U}}. The @kbd{m D} command accepts these prefixes.
15991 Infinite mode. Default is @mathit{-1} (off). Value is 1 if the mode is on,
15992 or 0 if the mode is on with positive zeros. Command is @kbd{m i}.
15995 For example, the sequence @kbd{M-1 m g @key{RET} 2 + ~ p} increases the
15996 precision by two, leaving a copy of the old precision on the stack.
15997 Later, @kbd{~ p} will restore the original precision using that
15998 stack value. (This sequence might be especially useful inside a
16001 As another example, @kbd{M-3 m g 1 - ~ @key{DEL}} deletes all but the
16002 oldest (bottommost) stack entry.
16004 Yet another example: The HP-48 ``round'' command rounds a number
16005 to the current displayed precision. You could roughly emulate this
16006 in Calc with the sequence @kbd{M-5 m g 10000 % ~ c c}. (This
16007 would not work for fixed-point mode, but it wouldn't be hard to
16008 do a full emulation with the help of the @kbd{Z [} and @kbd{Z ]}
16009 programming commands. @xref{Conditionals in Macros}.)
16011 @node Calc Mode Line, , Modes Variable, Mode Settings
16012 @section The Calc Mode Line
16015 @cindex Mode line indicators
16016 This section is a summary of all symbols that can appear on the
16017 Calc mode line, the highlighted bar that appears under the Calc
16018 stack window (or under an editing window in Embedded mode).
16020 The basic mode line format is:
16023 --%%-Calc: 12 Deg @var{other modes} (Calculator)
16026 The @samp{%%} is the Emacs symbol for ``read-only''; it shows that
16027 regular Emacs commands are not allowed to edit the stack buffer
16028 as if it were text.
16030 The word @samp{Calc:} changes to @samp{CalcEmbed:} if Embedded mode
16031 is enabled. The words after this describe the various Calc modes
16032 that are in effect.
16034 The first mode is always the current precision, an integer.
16035 The second mode is always the angular mode, either @code{Deg},
16036 @code{Rad}, or @code{Hms}.
16038 Here is a complete list of the remaining symbols that can appear
16043 Algebraic mode (@kbd{m a}; @pxref{Algebraic Entry}).
16046 Incomplete algebraic mode (@kbd{C-u m a}).
16049 Total algebraic mode (@kbd{m t}).
16052 Symbolic mode (@kbd{m s}; @pxref{Symbolic Mode}).
16055 Matrix mode (@kbd{m v}; @pxref{Matrix Mode}).
16057 @item Matrix@var{n}
16058 Dimensioned Matrix mode (@kbd{C-u @var{n} m v}).
16061 Scalar mode (@kbd{m v}; @pxref{Matrix Mode}).
16064 Polar complex mode (@kbd{m p}; @pxref{Polar Mode}).
16067 Fraction mode (@kbd{m f}; @pxref{Fraction Mode}).
16070 Infinite mode (@kbd{m i}; @pxref{Infinite Mode}).
16073 Positive Infinite mode (@kbd{C-u 0 m i}).
16076 Default simplifications off (@kbd{m O}; @pxref{Simplification Modes}).
16079 Default simplifications for numeric arguments only (@kbd{m N}).
16081 @item BinSimp@var{w}
16082 Binary-integer simplification mode; word size @var{w} (@kbd{m B}, @kbd{b w}).
16085 Algebraic simplification mode (@kbd{m A}).
16088 Extended algebraic simplification mode (@kbd{m E}).
16091 Units simplification mode (@kbd{m U}).
16094 Current radix is 2 (@kbd{d 2}; @pxref{Radix Modes}).
16097 Current radix is 8 (@kbd{d 8}).
16100 Current radix is 16 (@kbd{d 6}).
16103 Current radix is @var{n} (@kbd{d r}).
16106 Leading zeros (@kbd{d z}; @pxref{Radix Modes}).
16109 Big language mode (@kbd{d B}; @pxref{Normal Language Modes}).
16112 One-line normal language mode (@kbd{d O}).
16115 Unformatted language mode (@kbd{d U}).
16118 C language mode (@kbd{d C}; @pxref{C FORTRAN Pascal}).
16121 Pascal language mode (@kbd{d P}).
16124 FORTRAN language mode (@kbd{d F}).
16127 @TeX{} language mode (@kbd{d T}; @pxref{TeX and LaTeX Language Modes}).
16130 La@TeX{} language mode (@kbd{d L}; @pxref{TeX and LaTeX Language Modes}).
16133 @dfn{Eqn} language mode (@kbd{d E}; @pxref{Eqn Language Mode}).
16136 Mathematica language mode (@kbd{d M}; @pxref{Mathematica Language Mode}).
16139 Maple language mode (@kbd{d W}; @pxref{Maple Language Mode}).
16142 Normal float mode with @var{n} digits (@kbd{d n}; @pxref{Float Formats}).
16145 Fixed point mode with @var{n} digits after the point (@kbd{d f}).
16148 Scientific notation mode (@kbd{d s}).
16151 Scientific notation with @var{n} digits (@kbd{d s}).
16154 Engineering notation mode (@kbd{d e}).
16157 Engineering notation with @var{n} digits (@kbd{d e}).
16160 Left-justified display indented by @var{n} (@kbd{d <}; @pxref{Justification}).
16163 Right-justified display (@kbd{d >}).
16166 Right-justified display with width @var{n} (@kbd{d >}).
16169 Centered display (@kbd{d =}).
16171 @item Center@var{n}
16172 Centered display with center column @var{n} (@kbd{d =}).
16175 Line breaking with width @var{n} (@kbd{d b}; @pxref{Normal Language Modes}).
16178 No line breaking (@kbd{d b}).
16181 Selections show deep structure (@kbd{j b}; @pxref{Making Selections}).
16184 Record modes in @file{~/.calc.el} (@kbd{m R}; @pxref{General Mode Commands}).
16187 Record modes in Embedded buffer (@kbd{m R}).
16190 Record modes as editing-only in Embedded buffer (@kbd{m R}).
16193 Record modes as permanent-only in Embedded buffer (@kbd{m R}).
16196 Record modes as global in Embedded buffer (@kbd{m R}).
16199 Automatic recomputation turned off (@kbd{m C}; @pxref{Automatic
16203 GNUPLOT process is alive in background (@pxref{Graphics}).
16206 Top-of-stack has a selection (Embedded only; @pxref{Making Selections}).
16209 The stack display may not be up-to-date (@pxref{Display Modes}).
16212 ``Inverse'' prefix was pressed (@kbd{I}; @pxref{Inverse and Hyperbolic}).
16215 ``Hyperbolic'' prefix was pressed (@kbd{H}).
16218 ``Keep-arguments'' prefix was pressed (@kbd{K}).
16221 Stack is truncated (@kbd{d t}; @pxref{Truncating the Stack}).
16224 In addition, the symbols @code{Active} and @code{~Active} can appear
16225 as minor modes on an Embedded buffer's mode line. @xref{Embedded Mode}.
16227 @node Arithmetic, Scientific Functions, Mode Settings, Top
16228 @chapter Arithmetic Functions
16231 This chapter describes the Calc commands for doing simple calculations
16232 on numbers, such as addition, absolute value, and square roots. These
16233 commands work by removing the top one or two values from the stack,
16234 performing the desired operation, and pushing the result back onto the
16235 stack. If the operation cannot be performed, the result pushed is a
16236 formula instead of a number, such as @samp{2/0} (because division by zero
16237 is invalid) or @samp{sqrt(x)} (because the argument @samp{x} is a formula).
16239 Most of the commands described here can be invoked by a single keystroke.
16240 Some of the more obscure ones are two-letter sequences beginning with
16241 the @kbd{f} (``functions'') prefix key.
16243 @xref{Prefix Arguments}, for a discussion of the effect of numeric
16244 prefix arguments on commands in this chapter which do not otherwise
16245 interpret a prefix argument.
16248 * Basic Arithmetic::
16249 * Integer Truncation::
16250 * Complex Number Functions::
16252 * Date Arithmetic::
16253 * Financial Functions::
16254 * Binary Functions::
16257 @node Basic Arithmetic, Integer Truncation, Arithmetic, Arithmetic
16258 @section Basic Arithmetic
16267 The @kbd{+} (@code{calc-plus}) command adds two numbers. The numbers may
16268 be any of the standard Calc data types. The resulting sum is pushed back
16271 If both arguments of @kbd{+} are vectors or matrices (of matching dimensions),
16272 the result is a vector or matrix sum. If one argument is a vector and the
16273 other a scalar (i.e., a non-vector), the scalar is added to each of the
16274 elements of the vector to form a new vector. If the scalar is not a
16275 number, the operation is left in symbolic form: Suppose you added @samp{x}
16276 to the vector @samp{[1,2]}. You may want the result @samp{[1+x,2+x]}, or
16277 you may plan to substitute a 2-vector for @samp{x} in the future. Since
16278 the Calculator can't tell which interpretation you want, it makes the
16279 safest assumption. @xref{Reducing and Mapping}, for a way to add @samp{x}
16280 to every element of a vector.
16282 If either argument of @kbd{+} is a complex number, the result will in general
16283 be complex. If one argument is in rectangular form and the other polar,
16284 the current Polar mode determines the form of the result. If Symbolic
16285 mode is enabled, the sum may be left as a formula if the necessary
16286 conversions for polar addition are non-trivial.
16288 If both arguments of @kbd{+} are HMS forms, the forms are added according to
16289 the usual conventions of hours-minutes-seconds notation. If one argument
16290 is an HMS form and the other is a number, that number is converted from
16291 degrees or radians (depending on the current Angular mode) to HMS format
16292 and then the two HMS forms are added.
16294 If one argument of @kbd{+} is a date form, the other can be either a
16295 real number, which advances the date by a certain number of days, or
16296 an HMS form, which advances the date by a certain amount of time.
16297 Subtracting two date forms yields the number of days between them.
16298 Adding two date forms is meaningless, but Calc interprets it as the
16299 subtraction of one date form and the negative of the other. (The
16300 negative of a date form can be understood by remembering that dates
16301 are stored as the number of days before or after Jan 1, 1 AD.)
16303 If both arguments of @kbd{+} are error forms, the result is an error form
16304 with an appropriately computed standard deviation. If one argument is an
16305 error form and the other is a number, the number is taken to have zero error.
16306 Error forms may have symbolic formulas as their mean and/or error parts;
16307 adding these will produce a symbolic error form result. However, adding an
16308 error form to a plain symbolic formula (as in @samp{(a +/- b) + c}) will not
16309 work, for the same reasons just mentioned for vectors. Instead you must
16310 write @samp{(a +/- b) + (c +/- 0)}.
16312 If both arguments of @kbd{+} are modulo forms with equal values of @expr{M},
16313 or if one argument is a modulo form and the other a plain number, the
16314 result is a modulo form which represents the sum, modulo @expr{M}, of
16317 If both arguments of @kbd{+} are intervals, the result is an interval
16318 which describes all possible sums of the possible input values. If
16319 one argument is a plain number, it is treated as the interval
16320 @w{@samp{[x ..@: x]}}.
16322 If one argument of @kbd{+} is an infinity and the other is not, the
16323 result is that same infinity. If both arguments are infinite and in
16324 the same direction, the result is the same infinity, but if they are
16325 infinite in different directions the result is @code{nan}.
16333 The @kbd{-} (@code{calc-minus}) command subtracts two values. The top
16334 number on the stack is subtracted from the one behind it, so that the
16335 computation @kbd{5 @key{RET} 2 -} produces 3, not @mathit{-3}. All options
16336 available for @kbd{+} are available for @kbd{-} as well.
16344 The @kbd{*} (@code{calc-times}) command multiplies two numbers. If one
16345 argument is a vector and the other a scalar, the scalar is multiplied by
16346 the elements of the vector to produce a new vector. If both arguments
16347 are vectors, the interpretation depends on the dimensions of the
16348 vectors: If both arguments are matrices, a matrix multiplication is
16349 done. If one argument is a matrix and the other a plain vector, the
16350 vector is interpreted as a row vector or column vector, whichever is
16351 dimensionally correct. If both arguments are plain vectors, the result
16352 is a single scalar number which is the dot product of the two vectors.
16354 If one argument of @kbd{*} is an HMS form and the other a number, the
16355 HMS form is multiplied by that amount. It is an error to multiply two
16356 HMS forms together, or to attempt any multiplication involving date
16357 forms. Error forms, modulo forms, and intervals can be multiplied;
16358 see the comments for addition of those forms. When two error forms
16359 or intervals are multiplied they are considered to be statistically
16360 independent; thus, @samp{[-2 ..@: 3] * [-2 ..@: 3]} is @samp{[-6 ..@: 9]},
16361 whereas @w{@samp{[-2 ..@: 3] ^ 2}} is @samp{[0 ..@: 9]}.
16364 @pindex calc-divide
16369 The @kbd{/} (@code{calc-divide}) command divides two numbers. When
16370 dividing a scalar @expr{B} by a square matrix @expr{A}, the computation
16371 performed is @expr{B} times the inverse of @expr{A}. This also occurs
16372 if @expr{B} is itself a vector or matrix, in which case the effect is
16373 to solve the set of linear equations represented by @expr{B}. If @expr{B}
16374 is a matrix with the same number of rows as @expr{A}, or a plain vector
16375 (which is interpreted here as a column vector), then the equation
16376 @expr{A X = B} is solved for the vector or matrix @expr{X}. Otherwise,
16377 if @expr{B} is a non-square matrix with the same number of @emph{columns}
16378 as @expr{A}, the equation @expr{X A = B} is solved. If you wish a vector
16379 @expr{B} to be interpreted as a row vector to be solved as @expr{X A = B},
16380 make it into a one-row matrix with @kbd{C-u 1 v p} first. To force a
16381 left-handed solution with a square matrix @expr{B}, transpose @expr{A} and
16382 @expr{B} before dividing, then transpose the result.
16384 HMS forms can be divided by real numbers or by other HMS forms. Error
16385 forms can be divided in any combination of ways. Modulo forms where both
16386 values and the modulo are integers can be divided to get an integer modulo
16387 form result. Intervals can be divided; dividing by an interval that
16388 encompasses zero or has zero as a limit will result in an infinite
16397 The @kbd{^} (@code{calc-power}) command raises a number to a power. If
16398 the power is an integer, an exact result is computed using repeated
16399 multiplications. For non-integer powers, Calc uses Newton's method or
16400 logarithms and exponentials. Square matrices can be raised to integer
16401 powers. If either argument is an error (or interval or modulo) form,
16402 the result is also an error (or interval or modulo) form.
16406 If you press the @kbd{I} (inverse) key first, the @kbd{I ^} command
16407 computes an Nth root: @kbd{125 @key{RET} 3 I ^} computes the number 5.
16408 (This is entirely equivalent to @kbd{125 @key{RET} 1:3 ^}.)
16417 The @kbd{\} (@code{calc-idiv}) command divides two numbers on the stack
16418 to produce an integer result. It is equivalent to dividing with
16419 @key{/}, then rounding down with @kbd{F} (@code{calc-floor}), only a bit
16420 more convenient and efficient. Also, since it is an all-integer
16421 operation when the arguments are integers, it avoids problems that
16422 @kbd{/ F} would have with floating-point roundoff.
16430 The @kbd{%} (@code{calc-mod}) command performs a ``modulo'' (or ``remainder'')
16431 operation. Mathematically, @samp{a%b = a - (a\b)*b}, and is defined
16432 for all real numbers @expr{a} and @expr{b} (except @expr{b=0}). For
16433 positive @expr{b}, the result will always be between 0 (inclusive) and
16434 @expr{b} (exclusive). Modulo does not work for HMS forms and error forms.
16435 If @expr{a} is a modulo form, its modulo is changed to @expr{b}, which
16436 must be positive real number.
16441 The @kbd{:} (@code{calc-fdiv}) [@code{fdiv}] command
16442 divides the two integers on the top of the stack to produce a fractional
16443 result. This is a convenient shorthand for enabling Fraction mode (with
16444 @kbd{m f}) temporarily and using @samp{/}. Note that during numeric entry
16445 the @kbd{:} key is interpreted as a fraction separator, so to divide 8 by 6
16446 you would have to type @kbd{8 @key{RET} 6 @key{RET} :}. (Of course, in
16447 this case, it would be much easier simply to enter the fraction directly
16448 as @kbd{8:6 @key{RET}}!)
16451 @pindex calc-change-sign
16452 The @kbd{n} (@code{calc-change-sign}) command negates the number on the top
16453 of the stack. It works on numbers, vectors and matrices, HMS forms, date
16454 forms, error forms, intervals, and modulo forms.
16459 The @kbd{A} (@code{calc-abs}) [@code{abs}] command computes the absolute
16460 value of a number. The result of @code{abs} is always a nonnegative
16461 real number: With a complex argument, it computes the complex magnitude.
16462 With a vector or matrix argument, it computes the Frobenius norm, i.e.,
16463 the square root of the sum of the squares of the absolute values of the
16464 elements. The absolute value of an error form is defined by replacing
16465 the mean part with its absolute value and leaving the error part the same.
16466 The absolute value of a modulo form is undefined. The absolute value of
16467 an interval is defined in the obvious way.
16470 @pindex calc-abssqr
16472 The @kbd{f A} (@code{calc-abssqr}) [@code{abssqr}] command computes the
16473 absolute value squared of a number, vector or matrix, or error form.
16478 The @kbd{f s} (@code{calc-sign}) [@code{sign}] command returns 1 if its
16479 argument is positive, @mathit{-1} if its argument is negative, or 0 if its
16480 argument is zero. In algebraic form, you can also write @samp{sign(a,x)}
16481 which evaluates to @samp{x * sign(a)}, i.e., either @samp{x}, @samp{-x}, or
16482 zero depending on the sign of @samp{a}.
16488 The @kbd{&} (@code{calc-inv}) [@code{inv}] command computes the
16489 reciprocal of a number, i.e., @expr{1 / x}. Operating on a square
16490 matrix, it computes the inverse of that matrix.
16495 The @kbd{Q} (@code{calc-sqrt}) [@code{sqrt}] command computes the square
16496 root of a number. For a negative real argument, the result will be a
16497 complex number whose form is determined by the current Polar mode.
16502 The @kbd{f h} (@code{calc-hypot}) [@code{hypot}] command computes the square
16503 root of the sum of the squares of two numbers. That is, @samp{hypot(a,b)}
16504 is the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle with sides @expr{a}
16505 and @expr{b}. If the arguments are complex numbers, their squared
16506 magnitudes are used.
16511 The @kbd{f Q} (@code{calc-isqrt}) [@code{isqrt}] command computes the
16512 integer square root of an integer. This is the true square root of the
16513 number, rounded down to an integer. For example, @samp{isqrt(10)}
16514 produces 3. Note that, like @kbd{\} [@code{idiv}], this uses exact
16515 integer arithmetic throughout to avoid roundoff problems. If the input
16516 is a floating-point number or other non-integer value, this is exactly
16517 the same as @samp{floor(sqrt(x))}.
16525 The @kbd{f n} (@code{calc-min}) [@code{min}] and @kbd{f x} (@code{calc-max})
16526 [@code{max}] commands take the minimum or maximum of two real numbers,
16527 respectively. These commands also work on HMS forms, date forms,
16528 intervals, and infinities. (In algebraic expressions, these functions
16529 take any number of arguments and return the maximum or minimum among
16530 all the arguments.)
16534 @pindex calc-mant-part
16536 @pindex calc-xpon-part
16538 The @kbd{f M} (@code{calc-mant-part}) [@code{mant}] function extracts
16539 the ``mantissa'' part @expr{m} of its floating-point argument; @kbd{f X}
16540 (@code{calc-xpon-part}) [@code{xpon}] extracts the ``exponent'' part
16541 @expr{e}. The original number is equal to
16542 @texline @math{m \times 10^e},
16543 @infoline @expr{m * 10^e},
16544 where @expr{m} is in the interval @samp{[1.0 ..@: 10.0)} except that
16545 @expr{m=e=0} if the original number is zero. For integers
16546 and fractions, @code{mant} returns the number unchanged and @code{xpon}
16547 returns zero. The @kbd{v u} (@code{calc-unpack}) command can also be
16548 used to ``unpack'' a floating-point number; this produces an integer
16549 mantissa and exponent, with the constraint that the mantissa is not
16550 a multiple of ten (again except for the @expr{m=e=0} case).
16553 @pindex calc-scale-float
16555 The @kbd{f S} (@code{calc-scale-float}) [@code{scf}] function scales a number
16556 by a given power of ten. Thus, @samp{scf(mant(x), xpon(x)) = x} for any
16557 real @samp{x}. The second argument must be an integer, but the first
16558 may actually be any numeric value. For example, @samp{scf(5,-2) = 0.05}
16559 or @samp{1:20} depending on the current Fraction mode.
16563 @pindex calc-decrement
16564 @pindex calc-increment
16567 The @kbd{f [} (@code{calc-decrement}) [@code{decr}] and @kbd{f ]}
16568 (@code{calc-increment}) [@code{incr}] functions decrease or increase
16569 a number by one unit. For integers, the effect is obvious. For
16570 floating-point numbers, the change is by one unit in the last place.
16571 For example, incrementing @samp{12.3456} when the current precision
16572 is 6 digits yields @samp{12.3457}. If the current precision had been
16573 8 digits, the result would have been @samp{12.345601}. Incrementing
16574 @samp{0.0} produces
16575 @texline @math{10^{-p}},
16576 @infoline @expr{10^-p},
16577 where @expr{p} is the current
16578 precision. These operations are defined only on integers and floats.
16579 With numeric prefix arguments, they change the number by @expr{n} units.
16581 Note that incrementing followed by decrementing, or vice-versa, will
16582 almost but not quite always cancel out. Suppose the precision is
16583 6 digits and the number @samp{9.99999} is on the stack. Incrementing
16584 will produce @samp{10.0000}; decrementing will produce @samp{9.9999}.
16585 One digit has been dropped. This is an unavoidable consequence of the
16586 way floating-point numbers work.
16588 Incrementing a date/time form adjusts it by a certain number of seconds.
16589 Incrementing a pure date form adjusts it by a certain number of days.
16591 @node Integer Truncation, Complex Number Functions, Basic Arithmetic, Arithmetic
16592 @section Integer Truncation
16595 There are four commands for truncating a real number to an integer,
16596 differing mainly in their treatment of negative numbers. All of these
16597 commands have the property that if the argument is an integer, the result
16598 is the same integer. An integer-valued floating-point argument is converted
16601 If you press @kbd{H} (@code{calc-hyperbolic}) first, the result will be
16602 expressed as an integer-valued floating-point number.
16604 @cindex Integer part of a number
16613 The @kbd{F} (@code{calc-floor}) [@code{floor} or @code{ffloor}] command
16614 truncates a real number to the next lower integer, i.e., toward minus
16615 infinity. Thus @kbd{3.6 F} produces 3, but @kbd{_3.6 F} produces
16619 @pindex calc-ceiling
16626 The @kbd{I F} (@code{calc-ceiling}) [@code{ceil} or @code{fceil}]
16627 command truncates toward positive infinity. Thus @kbd{3.6 I F} produces
16628 4, and @kbd{_3.6 I F} produces @mathit{-3}.
16638 The @kbd{R} (@code{calc-round}) [@code{round} or @code{fround}] command
16639 rounds to the nearest integer. When the fractional part is .5 exactly,
16640 this command rounds away from zero. (All other rounding in the
16641 Calculator uses this convention as well.) Thus @kbd{3.5 R} produces 4
16642 but @kbd{3.4 R} produces 3; @kbd{_3.5 R} produces @mathit{-4}.
16652 The @kbd{I R} (@code{calc-trunc}) [@code{trunc} or @code{ftrunc}]
16653 command truncates toward zero. In other words, it ``chops off''
16654 everything after the decimal point. Thus @kbd{3.6 I R} produces 3 and
16655 @kbd{_3.6 I R} produces @mathit{-3}.
16657 These functions may not be applied meaningfully to error forms, but they
16658 do work for intervals. As a convenience, applying @code{floor} to a
16659 modulo form floors the value part of the form. Applied to a vector,
16660 these functions operate on all elements of the vector one by one.
16661 Applied to a date form, they operate on the internal numerical
16662 representation of dates, converting a date/time form into a pure date.
16680 There are two more rounding functions which can only be entered in
16681 algebraic notation. The @code{roundu} function is like @code{round}
16682 except that it rounds up, toward plus infinity, when the fractional
16683 part is .5. This distinction matters only for negative arguments.
16684 Also, @code{rounde} rounds to an even number in the case of a tie,
16685 rounding up or down as necessary. For example, @samp{rounde(3.5)} and
16686 @samp{rounde(4.5)} both return 4, but @samp{rounde(5.5)} returns 6.
16687 The advantage of round-to-even is that the net error due to rounding
16688 after a long calculation tends to cancel out to zero. An important
16689 subtle point here is that the number being fed to @code{rounde} will
16690 already have been rounded to the current precision before @code{rounde}
16691 begins. For example, @samp{rounde(2.500001)} with a current precision
16692 of 6 will incorrectly, or at least surprisingly, yield 2 because the
16693 argument will first have been rounded down to @expr{2.5} (which
16694 @code{rounde} sees as an exact tie between 2 and 3).
16696 Each of these functions, when written in algebraic formulas, allows
16697 a second argument which specifies the number of digits after the
16698 decimal point to keep. For example, @samp{round(123.4567, 2)} will
16699 produce the answer 123.46, and @samp{round(123.4567, -1)} will
16700 produce 120 (i.e., the cutoff is one digit to the @emph{left} of
16701 the decimal point). A second argument of zero is equivalent to
16702 no second argument at all.
16704 @cindex Fractional part of a number
16705 To compute the fractional part of a number (i.e., the amount which, when
16706 added to `@tfn{floor(}@var{n}@tfn{)}', will produce @var{n}) just take @var{n}
16707 modulo 1 using the @code{%} command.
16709 Note also the @kbd{\} (integer quotient), @kbd{f I} (integer logarithm),
16710 and @kbd{f Q} (integer square root) commands, which are analogous to
16711 @kbd{/}, @kbd{B}, and @kbd{Q}, respectively, except that they take integer
16712 arguments and return the result rounded down to an integer.
16714 @node Complex Number Functions, Conversions, Integer Truncation, Arithmetic
16715 @section Complex Number Functions
16721 The @kbd{J} (@code{calc-conj}) [@code{conj}] command computes the
16722 complex conjugate of a number. For complex number @expr{a+bi}, the
16723 complex conjugate is @expr{a-bi}. If the argument is a real number,
16724 this command leaves it the same. If the argument is a vector or matrix,
16725 this command replaces each element by its complex conjugate.
16728 @pindex calc-argument
16730 The @kbd{G} (@code{calc-argument}) [@code{arg}] command computes the
16731 ``argument'' or polar angle of a complex number. For a number in polar
16732 notation, this is simply the second component of the pair
16733 @texline `@tfn{(}@var{r}@tfn{;}@math{\theta}@tfn{)}'.
16734 @infoline `@tfn{(}@var{r}@tfn{;}@var{theta}@tfn{)}'.
16735 The result is expressed according to the current angular mode and will
16736 be in the range @mathit{-180} degrees (exclusive) to @mathit{+180} degrees
16737 (inclusive), or the equivalent range in radians.
16739 @pindex calc-imaginary
16740 The @code{calc-imaginary} command multiplies the number on the
16741 top of the stack by the imaginary number @expr{i = (0,1)}. This
16742 command is not normally bound to a key in Calc, but it is available
16743 on the @key{IMAG} button in Keypad mode.
16748 The @kbd{f r} (@code{calc-re}) [@code{re}] command replaces a complex number
16749 by its real part. This command has no effect on real numbers. (As an
16750 added convenience, @code{re} applied to a modulo form extracts
16756 The @kbd{f i} (@code{calc-im}) [@code{im}] command replaces a complex number
16757 by its imaginary part; real numbers are converted to zero. With a vector
16758 or matrix argument, these functions operate element-wise.
16763 @kindex v p (complex)
16765 The @kbd{v p} (@code{calc-pack}) command can pack the top two numbers on
16766 the stack into a composite object such as a complex number. With
16767 a prefix argument of @mathit{-1}, it produces a rectangular complex number;
16768 with an argument of @mathit{-2}, it produces a polar complex number.
16769 (Also, @pxref{Building Vectors}.)
16774 @kindex v u (complex)
16775 @pindex calc-unpack
16776 The @kbd{v u} (@code{calc-unpack}) command takes the complex number
16777 (or other composite object) on the top of the stack and unpacks it
16778 into its separate components.
16780 @node Conversions, Date Arithmetic, Complex Number Functions, Arithmetic
16781 @section Conversions
16784 The commands described in this section convert numbers from one form
16785 to another; they are two-key sequences beginning with the letter @kbd{c}.
16790 The @kbd{c f} (@code{calc-float}) [@code{pfloat}] command converts the
16791 number on the top of the stack to floating-point form. For example,
16792 @expr{23} is converted to @expr{23.0}, @expr{3:2} is converted to
16793 @expr{1.5}, and @expr{2.3} is left the same. If the value is a composite
16794 object such as a complex number or vector, each of the components is
16795 converted to floating-point. If the value is a formula, all numbers
16796 in the formula are converted to floating-point. Note that depending
16797 on the current floating-point precision, conversion to floating-point
16798 format may lose information.
16800 As a special exception, integers which appear as powers or subscripts
16801 are not floated by @kbd{c f}. If you really want to float a power,
16802 you can use a @kbd{j s} command to select the power followed by @kbd{c f}.
16803 Because @kbd{c f} cannot examine the formula outside of the selection,
16804 it does not notice that the thing being floated is a power.
16805 @xref{Selecting Subformulas}.
16807 The normal @kbd{c f} command is ``pervasive'' in the sense that it
16808 applies to all numbers throughout the formula. The @code{pfloat}
16809 algebraic function never stays around in a formula; @samp{pfloat(a + 1)}
16810 changes to @samp{a + 1.0} as soon as it is evaluated.
16814 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H c f} [@code{float}] operates
16815 only on the number or vector of numbers at the top level of its
16816 argument. Thus, @samp{float(1)} is 1.0, but @samp{float(a + 1)}
16817 is left unevaluated because its argument is not a number.
16819 You should use @kbd{H c f} if you wish to guarantee that the final
16820 value, once all the variables have been assigned, is a float; you
16821 would use @kbd{c f} if you wish to do the conversion on the numbers
16822 that appear right now.
16825 @pindex calc-fraction
16827 The @kbd{c F} (@code{calc-fraction}) [@code{pfrac}] command converts a
16828 floating-point number into a fractional approximation. By default, it
16829 produces a fraction whose decimal representation is the same as the
16830 input number, to within the current precision. You can also give a
16831 numeric prefix argument to specify a tolerance, either directly, or,
16832 if the prefix argument is zero, by using the number on top of the stack
16833 as the tolerance. If the tolerance is a positive integer, the fraction
16834 is correct to within that many significant figures. If the tolerance is
16835 a non-positive integer, it specifies how many digits fewer than the current
16836 precision to use. If the tolerance is a floating-point number, the
16837 fraction is correct to within that absolute amount.
16841 The @code{pfrac} function is pervasive, like @code{pfloat}.
16842 There is also a non-pervasive version, @kbd{H c F} [@code{frac}],
16843 which is analogous to @kbd{H c f} discussed above.
16846 @pindex calc-to-degrees
16848 The @kbd{c d} (@code{calc-to-degrees}) [@code{deg}] command converts a
16849 number into degrees form. The value on the top of the stack may be an
16850 HMS form (interpreted as degrees-minutes-seconds), or a real number which
16851 will be interpreted in radians regardless of the current angular mode.
16854 @pindex calc-to-radians
16856 The @kbd{c r} (@code{calc-to-radians}) [@code{rad}] command converts an
16857 HMS form or angle in degrees into an angle in radians.
16860 @pindex calc-to-hms
16862 The @kbd{c h} (@code{calc-to-hms}) [@code{hms}] command converts a real
16863 number, interpreted according to the current angular mode, to an HMS
16864 form describing the same angle. In algebraic notation, the @code{hms}
16865 function also accepts three arguments: @samp{hms(@var{h}, @var{m}, @var{s})}.
16866 (The three-argument version is independent of the current angular mode.)
16868 @pindex calc-from-hms
16869 The @code{calc-from-hms} command converts the HMS form on the top of the
16870 stack into a real number according to the current angular mode.
16877 The @kbd{c p} (@code{calc-polar}) command converts the complex number on
16878 the top of the stack from polar to rectangular form, or from rectangular
16879 to polar form, whichever is appropriate. Real numbers are left the same.
16880 This command is equivalent to the @code{rect} or @code{polar}
16881 functions in algebraic formulas, depending on the direction of
16882 conversion. (It uses @code{polar}, except that if the argument is
16883 already a polar complex number, it uses @code{rect} instead. The
16884 @kbd{I c p} command always uses @code{rect}.)
16889 The @kbd{c c} (@code{calc-clean}) [@code{pclean}] command ``cleans'' the
16890 number on the top of the stack. Floating point numbers are re-rounded
16891 according to the current precision. Polar numbers whose angular
16892 components have strayed from the @mathit{-180} to @mathit{+180} degree range
16893 are normalized. (Note that results will be undesirable if the current
16894 angular mode is different from the one under which the number was
16895 produced!) Integers and fractions are generally unaffected by this
16896 operation. Vectors and formulas are cleaned by cleaning each component
16897 number (i.e., pervasively).
16899 If the simplification mode is set below the default level, it is raised
16900 to the default level for the purposes of this command. Thus, @kbd{c c}
16901 applies the default simplifications even if their automatic application
16902 is disabled. @xref{Simplification Modes}.
16904 @cindex Roundoff errors, correcting
16905 A numeric prefix argument to @kbd{c c} sets the floating-point precision
16906 to that value for the duration of the command. A positive prefix (of at
16907 least 3) sets the precision to the specified value; a negative or zero
16908 prefix decreases the precision by the specified amount.
16911 @pindex calc-clean-num
16912 The keystroke sequences @kbd{c 0} through @kbd{c 9} are equivalent
16913 to @kbd{c c} with the corresponding negative prefix argument. If roundoff
16914 errors have changed 2.0 into 1.999999, typing @kbd{c 1} to clip off one
16915 decimal place often conveniently does the trick.
16917 The @kbd{c c} command with a numeric prefix argument, and the @kbd{c 0}
16918 through @kbd{c 9} commands, also ``clip'' very small floating-point
16919 numbers to zero. If the exponent is less than or equal to the negative
16920 of the specified precision, the number is changed to 0.0. For example,
16921 if the current precision is 12, then @kbd{c 2} changes the vector
16922 @samp{[1e-8, 1e-9, 1e-10, 1e-11]} to @samp{[1e-8, 1e-9, 0, 0]}.
16923 Numbers this small generally arise from roundoff noise.
16925 If the numbers you are using really are legitimately this small,
16926 you should avoid using the @kbd{c 0} through @kbd{c 9} commands.
16927 (The plain @kbd{c c} command rounds to the current precision but
16928 does not clip small numbers.)
16930 One more property of @kbd{c 0} through @kbd{c 9}, and of @kbd{c c} with
16931 a prefix argument, is that integer-valued floats are converted to
16932 plain integers, so that @kbd{c 1} on @samp{[1., 1.5, 2., 2.5, 3.]}
16933 produces @samp{[1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3]}. This is not done for huge
16934 numbers (@samp{1e100} is technically an integer-valued float, but
16935 you wouldn't want it automatically converted to a 100-digit integer).
16940 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H c c} and @kbd{H c 0} through @kbd{H c 9}
16941 operate non-pervasively [@code{clean}].
16943 @node Date Arithmetic, Financial Functions, Conversions, Arithmetic
16944 @section Date Arithmetic
16947 @cindex Date arithmetic, additional functions
16948 The commands described in this section perform various conversions
16949 and calculations involving date forms (@pxref{Date Forms}). They
16950 use the @kbd{t} (for time/date) prefix key followed by shifted
16953 The simplest date arithmetic is done using the regular @kbd{+} and @kbd{-}
16954 commands. In particular, adding a number to a date form advances the
16955 date form by a certain number of days; adding an HMS form to a date
16956 form advances the date by a certain amount of time; and subtracting two
16957 date forms produces a difference measured in days. The commands
16958 described here provide additional, more specialized operations on dates.
16960 Many of these commands accept a numeric prefix argument; if you give
16961 plain @kbd{C-u} as the prefix, these commands will instead take the
16962 additional argument from the top of the stack.
16965 * Date Conversions::
16971 @node Date Conversions, Date Functions, Date Arithmetic, Date Arithmetic
16972 @subsection Date Conversions
16978 The @kbd{t D} (@code{calc-date}) [@code{date}] command converts a
16979 date form into a number, measured in days since Jan 1, 1 AD. The
16980 result will be an integer if @var{date} is a pure date form, or a
16981 fraction or float if @var{date} is a date/time form. Or, if its
16982 argument is a number, it converts this number into a date form.
16984 With a numeric prefix argument, @kbd{t D} takes that many objects
16985 (up to six) from the top of the stack and interprets them in one
16986 of the following ways:
16988 The @samp{date(@var{year}, @var{month}, @var{day})} function
16989 builds a pure date form out of the specified year, month, and
16990 day, which must all be integers. @var{Year} is a year number,
16991 such as 1991 (@emph{not} the same as 91!). @var{Month} must be
16992 an integer in the range 1 to 12; @var{day} must be in the range
16993 1 to 31. If the specified month has fewer than 31 days and
16994 @var{day} is too large, the equivalent day in the following
16995 month will be used.
16997 The @samp{date(@var{month}, @var{day})} function builds a
16998 pure date form using the current year, as determined by the
17001 The @samp{date(@var{year}, @var{month}, @var{day}, @var{hms})}
17002 function builds a date/time form using an @var{hms} form.
17004 The @samp{date(@var{year}, @var{month}, @var{day}, @var{hour},
17005 @var{minute}, @var{second})} function builds a date/time form.
17006 @var{hour} should be an integer in the range 0 to 23;
17007 @var{minute} should be an integer in the range 0 to 59;
17008 @var{second} should be any real number in the range @samp{[0 .. 60)}.
17009 The last two arguments default to zero if omitted.
17012 @pindex calc-julian
17014 @cindex Julian day counts, conversions
17015 The @kbd{t J} (@code{calc-julian}) [@code{julian}] command converts
17016 a date form into a Julian day count, which is the number of days
17017 since noon on Jan 1, 4713 BC. A pure date is converted to an integer
17018 Julian count representing noon of that day. A date/time form is
17019 converted to an exact floating-point Julian count, adjusted to
17020 interpret the date form in the current time zone but the Julian
17021 day count in Greenwich Mean Time. A numeric prefix argument allows
17022 you to specify the time zone; @pxref{Time Zones}. Use a prefix of
17023 zero to suppress the time zone adjustment. Note that pure date forms
17024 are never time-zone adjusted.
17026 This command can also do the opposite conversion, from a Julian day
17027 count (either an integer day, or a floating-point day and time in
17028 the GMT zone), into a pure date form or a date/time form in the
17029 current or specified time zone.
17032 @pindex calc-unix-time
17034 @cindex Unix time format, conversions
17035 The @kbd{t U} (@code{calc-unix-time}) [@code{unixtime}] command
17036 converts a date form into a Unix time value, which is the number of
17037 seconds since midnight on Jan 1, 1970, or vice-versa. The numeric result
17038 will be an integer if the current precision is 12 or less; for higher
17039 precisions, the result may be a float with (@var{precision}@minus{}12)
17040 digits after the decimal. Just as for @kbd{t J}, the numeric time
17041 is interpreted in the GMT time zone and the date form is interpreted
17042 in the current or specified zone. Some systems use Unix-like
17043 numbering but with the local time zone; give a prefix of zero to
17044 suppress the adjustment if so.
17047 @pindex calc-convert-time-zones
17049 @cindex Time Zones, converting between
17050 The @kbd{t C} (@code{calc-convert-time-zones}) [@code{tzconv}]
17051 command converts a date form from one time zone to another. You
17052 are prompted for each time zone name in turn; you can answer with
17053 any suitable Calc time zone expression (@pxref{Time Zones}).
17054 If you answer either prompt with a blank line, the local time
17055 zone is used for that prompt. You can also answer the first
17056 prompt with @kbd{$} to take the two time zone names from the
17057 stack (and the date to be converted from the third stack level).
17059 @node Date Functions, Business Days, Date Conversions, Date Arithmetic
17060 @subsection Date Functions
17066 The @kbd{t N} (@code{calc-now}) [@code{now}] command pushes the
17067 current date and time on the stack as a date form. The time is
17068 reported in terms of the specified time zone; with no numeric prefix
17069 argument, @kbd{t N} reports for the current time zone.
17072 @pindex calc-date-part
17073 The @kbd{t P} (@code{calc-date-part}) command extracts one part
17074 of a date form. The prefix argument specifies the part; with no
17075 argument, this command prompts for a part code from 1 to 9.
17076 The various part codes are described in the following paragraphs.
17079 The @kbd{M-1 t P} [@code{year}] function extracts the year number
17080 from a date form as an integer, e.g., 1991. This and the
17081 following functions will also accept a real number for an
17082 argument, which is interpreted as a standard Calc day number.
17083 Note that this function will never return zero, since the year
17084 1 BC immediately precedes the year 1 AD.
17087 The @kbd{M-2 t P} [@code{month}] function extracts the month number
17088 from a date form as an integer in the range 1 to 12.
17091 The @kbd{M-3 t P} [@code{day}] function extracts the day number
17092 from a date form as an integer in the range 1 to 31.
17095 The @kbd{M-4 t P} [@code{hour}] function extracts the hour from
17096 a date form as an integer in the range 0 (midnight) to 23. Note
17097 that 24-hour time is always used. This returns zero for a pure
17098 date form. This function (and the following two) also accept
17099 HMS forms as input.
17102 The @kbd{M-5 t P} [@code{minute}] function extracts the minute
17103 from a date form as an integer in the range 0 to 59.
17106 The @kbd{M-6 t P} [@code{second}] function extracts the second
17107 from a date form. If the current precision is 12 or less,
17108 the result is an integer in the range 0 to 59. For higher
17109 precisions, the result may instead be a floating-point number.
17112 The @kbd{M-7 t P} [@code{weekday}] function extracts the weekday
17113 number from a date form as an integer in the range 0 (Sunday)
17117 The @kbd{M-8 t P} [@code{yearday}] function extracts the day-of-year
17118 number from a date form as an integer in the range 1 (January 1)
17119 to 366 (December 31 of a leap year).
17122 The @kbd{M-9 t P} [@code{time}] function extracts the time portion
17123 of a date form as an HMS form. This returns @samp{0@@ 0' 0"}
17124 for a pure date form.
17127 @pindex calc-new-month
17129 The @kbd{t M} (@code{calc-new-month}) [@code{newmonth}] command
17130 computes a new date form that represents the first day of the month
17131 specified by the input date. The result is always a pure date
17132 form; only the year and month numbers of the input are retained.
17133 With a numeric prefix argument @var{n} in the range from 1 to 31,
17134 @kbd{t M} computes the @var{n}th day of the month. (If @var{n}
17135 is greater than the actual number of days in the month, or if
17136 @var{n} is zero, the last day of the month is used.)
17139 @pindex calc-new-year
17141 The @kbd{t Y} (@code{calc-new-year}) [@code{newyear}] command
17142 computes a new pure date form that represents the first day of
17143 the year specified by the input. The month, day, and time
17144 of the input date form are lost. With a numeric prefix argument
17145 @var{n} in the range from 1 to 366, @kbd{t Y} computes the
17146 @var{n}th day of the year (366 is treated as 365 in non-leap
17147 years). A prefix argument of 0 computes the last day of the
17148 year (December 31). A negative prefix argument from @mathit{-1} to
17149 @mathit{-12} computes the first day of the @var{n}th month of the year.
17152 @pindex calc-new-week
17154 The @kbd{t W} (@code{calc-new-week}) [@code{newweek}] command
17155 computes a new pure date form that represents the Sunday on or before
17156 the input date. With a numeric prefix argument, it can be made to
17157 use any day of the week as the starting day; the argument must be in
17158 the range from 0 (Sunday) to 6 (Saturday). This function always
17159 subtracts between 0 and 6 days from the input date.
17161 Here's an example use of @code{newweek}: Find the date of the next
17162 Wednesday after a given date. Using @kbd{M-3 t W} or @samp{newweek(d, 3)}
17163 will give you the @emph{preceding} Wednesday, so @samp{newweek(d+7, 3)}
17164 will give you the following Wednesday. A further look at the definition
17165 of @code{newweek} shows that if the input date is itself a Wednesday,
17166 this formula will return the Wednesday one week in the future. An
17167 exercise for the reader is to modify this formula to yield the same day
17168 if the input is already a Wednesday. Another interesting exercise is
17169 to preserve the time-of-day portion of the input (@code{newweek} resets
17170 the time to midnight; hint:@: how can @code{newweek} be defined in terms
17171 of the @code{weekday} function?).
17177 The @samp{pwday(@var{date})} function (not on any key) computes the
17178 day-of-month number of the Sunday on or before @var{date}. With
17179 two arguments, @samp{pwday(@var{date}, @var{day})} computes the day
17180 number of the Sunday on or before day number @var{day} of the month
17181 specified by @var{date}. The @var{day} must be in the range from
17182 7 to 31; if the day number is greater than the actual number of days
17183 in the month, the true number of days is used instead. Thus
17184 @samp{pwday(@var{date}, 7)} finds the first Sunday of the month, and
17185 @samp{pwday(@var{date}, 31)} finds the last Sunday of the month.
17186 With a third @var{weekday} argument, @code{pwday} can be made to look
17187 for any day of the week instead of Sunday.
17190 @pindex calc-inc-month
17192 The @kbd{t I} (@code{calc-inc-month}) [@code{incmonth}] command
17193 increases a date form by one month, or by an arbitrary number of
17194 months specified by a numeric prefix argument. The time portion,
17195 if any, of the date form stays the same. The day also stays the
17196 same, except that if the new month has fewer days the day
17197 number may be reduced to lie in the valid range. For example,
17198 @samp{incmonth(<Jan 31, 1991>)} produces @samp{<Feb 28, 1991>}.
17199 Because of this, @kbd{t I t I} and @kbd{M-2 t I} do not always give
17200 the same results (@samp{<Mar 28, 1991>} versus @samp{<Mar 31, 1991>}
17207 The @samp{incyear(@var{date}, @var{step})} function increases
17208 a date form by the specified number of years, which may be
17209 any positive or negative integer. Note that @samp{incyear(d, n)}
17210 is equivalent to @w{@samp{incmonth(d, 12*n)}}, but these do not have
17211 simple equivalents in terms of day arithmetic because
17212 months and years have varying lengths. If the @var{step}
17213 argument is omitted, 1 year is assumed. There is no keyboard
17214 command for this function; use @kbd{C-u 12 t I} instead.
17216 There is no @code{newday} function at all because @kbd{F} [@code{floor}]
17217 serves this purpose. Similarly, instead of @code{incday} and
17218 @code{incweek} simply use @expr{d + n} or @expr{d + 7 n}.
17220 @xref{Basic Arithmetic}, for the @kbd{f ]} [@code{incr}] command
17221 which can adjust a date/time form by a certain number of seconds.
17223 @node Business Days, Time Zones, Date Functions, Date Arithmetic
17224 @subsection Business Days
17227 Often time is measured in ``business days'' or ``working days,''
17228 where weekends and holidays are skipped. Calc's normal date
17229 arithmetic functions use calendar days, so that subtracting two
17230 consecutive Mondays will yield a difference of 7 days. By contrast,
17231 subtracting two consecutive Mondays would yield 5 business days
17232 (assuming two-day weekends and the absence of holidays).
17238 @pindex calc-business-days-plus
17239 @pindex calc-business-days-minus
17240 The @kbd{t +} (@code{calc-business-days-plus}) [@code{badd}]
17241 and @kbd{t -} (@code{calc-business-days-minus}) [@code{bsub}]
17242 commands perform arithmetic using business days. For @kbd{t +},
17243 one argument must be a date form and the other must be a real
17244 number (positive or negative). If the number is not an integer,
17245 then a certain amount of time is added as well as a number of
17246 days; for example, adding 0.5 business days to a time in Friday
17247 evening will produce a time in Monday morning. It is also
17248 possible to add an HMS form; adding @samp{12@@ 0' 0"} also adds
17249 half a business day. For @kbd{t -}, the arguments are either a
17250 date form and a number or HMS form, or two date forms, in which
17251 case the result is the number of business days between the two
17254 @cindex @code{Holidays} variable
17256 By default, Calc considers any day that is not a Saturday or
17257 Sunday to be a business day. You can define any number of
17258 additional holidays by editing the variable @code{Holidays}.
17259 (There is an @w{@kbd{s H}} convenience command for editing this
17260 variable.) Initially, @code{Holidays} contains the vector
17261 @samp{[sat, sun]}. Entries in the @code{Holidays} vector may
17262 be any of the following kinds of objects:
17266 Date forms (pure dates, not date/time forms). These specify
17267 particular days which are to be treated as holidays.
17270 Intervals of date forms. These specify a range of days, all of
17271 which are holidays (e.g., Christmas week). @xref{Interval Forms}.
17274 Nested vectors of date forms. Each date form in the vector is
17275 considered to be a holiday.
17278 Any Calc formula which evaluates to one of the above three things.
17279 If the formula involves the variable @expr{y}, it stands for a
17280 yearly repeating holiday; @expr{y} will take on various year
17281 numbers like 1992. For example, @samp{date(y, 12, 25)} specifies
17282 Christmas day, and @samp{newweek(date(y, 11, 7), 4) + 21} specifies
17283 Thanksgiving (which is held on the fourth Thursday of November).
17284 If the formula involves the variable @expr{m}, that variable
17285 takes on month numbers from 1 to 12: @samp{date(y, m, 15)} is
17286 a holiday that takes place on the 15th of every month.
17289 A weekday name, such as @code{sat} or @code{sun}. This is really
17290 a variable whose name is a three-letter, lower-case day name.
17293 An interval of year numbers (integers). This specifies the span of
17294 years over which this holiday list is to be considered valid. Any
17295 business-day arithmetic that goes outside this range will result
17296 in an error message. Use this if you are including an explicit
17297 list of holidays, rather than a formula to generate them, and you
17298 want to make sure you don't accidentally go beyond the last point
17299 where the holidays you entered are complete. If there is no
17300 limiting interval in the @code{Holidays} vector, the default
17301 @samp{[1 .. 2737]} is used. (This is the absolute range of years
17302 for which Calc's business-day algorithms will operate.)
17305 An interval of HMS forms. This specifies the span of hours that
17306 are to be considered one business day. For example, if this
17307 range is @samp{[9@@ 0' 0" .. 17@@ 0' 0"]} (i.e., 9am to 5pm), then
17308 the business day is only eight hours long, so that @kbd{1.5 t +}
17309 on @samp{<4:00pm Fri Dec 13, 1991>} will add one business day and
17310 four business hours to produce @samp{<12:00pm Tue Dec 17, 1991>}.
17311 Likewise, @kbd{t -} will now express differences in time as
17312 fractions of an eight-hour day. Times before 9am will be treated
17313 as 9am by business date arithmetic, and times at or after 5pm will
17314 be treated as 4:59:59pm. If there is no HMS interval in @code{Holidays},
17315 the full 24-hour day @samp{[0@ 0' 0" .. 24@ 0' 0"]} is assumed.
17316 (Regardless of the type of bounds you specify, the interval is
17317 treated as inclusive on the low end and exclusive on the high end,
17318 so that the work day goes from 9am up to, but not including, 5pm.)
17321 If the @code{Holidays} vector is empty, then @kbd{t +} and
17322 @kbd{t -} will act just like @kbd{+} and @kbd{-} because there will
17323 then be no difference between business days and calendar days.
17325 Calc expands the intervals and formulas you give into a complete
17326 list of holidays for internal use. This is done mainly to make
17327 sure it can detect multiple holidays. (For example,
17328 @samp{<Jan 1, 1989>} is both New Year's Day and a Sunday, but
17329 Calc's algorithms take care to count it only once when figuring
17330 the number of holidays between two dates.)
17332 Since the complete list of holidays for all the years from 1 to
17333 2737 would be huge, Calc actually computes only the part of the
17334 list between the smallest and largest years that have been involved
17335 in business-day calculations so far. Normally, you won't have to
17336 worry about this. Keep in mind, however, that if you do one
17337 calculation for 1992, and another for 1792, even if both involve
17338 only a small range of years, Calc will still work out all the
17339 holidays that fall in that 200-year span.
17341 If you add a (positive) number of days to a date form that falls on a
17342 weekend or holiday, the date form is treated as if it were the most
17343 recent business day. (Thus adding one business day to a Friday,
17344 Saturday, or Sunday will all yield the following Monday.) If you
17345 subtract a number of days from a weekend or holiday, the date is
17346 effectively on the following business day. (So subtracting one business
17347 day from Saturday, Sunday, or Monday yields the preceding Friday.) The
17348 difference between two dates one or both of which fall on holidays
17349 equals the number of actual business days between them. These
17350 conventions are consistent in the sense that, if you add @var{n}
17351 business days to any date, the difference between the result and the
17352 original date will come out to @var{n} business days. (It can't be
17353 completely consistent though; a subtraction followed by an addition
17354 might come out a bit differently, since @kbd{t +} is incapable of
17355 producing a date that falls on a weekend or holiday.)
17361 There is a @code{holiday} function, not on any keys, that takes
17362 any date form and returns 1 if that date falls on a weekend or
17363 holiday, as defined in @code{Holidays}, or 0 if the date is a
17366 @node Time Zones, , Business Days, Date Arithmetic
17367 @subsection Time Zones
17371 @cindex Daylight savings time
17372 Time zones and daylight savings time are a complicated business.
17373 The conversions to and from Julian and Unix-style dates automatically
17374 compute the correct time zone and daylight savings adjustment to use,
17375 provided they can figure out this information. This section describes
17376 Calc's time zone adjustment algorithm in detail, in case you want to
17377 do conversions in different time zones or in case Calc's algorithms
17378 can't determine the right correction to use.
17380 Adjustments for time zones and daylight savings time are done by
17381 @kbd{t U}, @kbd{t J}, @kbd{t N}, and @kbd{t C}, but not by any other
17382 commands. In particular, @samp{<may 1 1991> - <apr 1 1991>} evaluates
17383 to exactly 30 days even though there is a daylight-savings
17384 transition in between. This is also true for Julian pure dates:
17385 @samp{julian(<may 1 1991>) - julian(<apr 1 1991>)}. But Julian
17386 and Unix date/times will adjust for daylight savings time:
17387 @samp{julian(<12am may 1 1991>) - julian(<12am apr 1 1991>)}
17388 evaluates to @samp{29.95834} (that's 29 days and 23 hours)
17389 because one hour was lost when daylight savings commenced on
17392 In brief, the idiom @samp{julian(@var{date1}) - julian(@var{date2})}
17393 computes the actual number of 24-hour periods between two dates, whereas
17394 @samp{@var{date1} - @var{date2}} computes the number of calendar
17395 days between two dates without taking daylight savings into account.
17397 @pindex calc-time-zone
17402 The @code{calc-time-zone} [@code{tzone}] command converts the time
17403 zone specified by its numeric prefix argument into a number of
17404 seconds difference from Greenwich mean time (GMT). If the argument
17405 is a number, the result is simply that value multiplied by 3600.
17406 Typical arguments for North America are 5 (Eastern) or 8 (Pacific). If
17407 Daylight Savings time is in effect, one hour should be subtracted from
17408 the normal difference.
17410 If you give a prefix of plain @kbd{C-u}, @code{calc-time-zone} (like other
17411 date arithmetic commands that include a time zone argument) takes the
17412 zone argument from the top of the stack. (In the case of @kbd{t J}
17413 and @kbd{t U}, the normal argument is then taken from the second-to-top
17414 stack position.) This allows you to give a non-integer time zone
17415 adjustment. The time-zone argument can also be an HMS form, or
17416 it can be a variable which is a time zone name in upper- or lower-case.
17417 For example @samp{tzone(PST) = tzone(8)} and @samp{tzone(pdt) = tzone(7)}
17418 (for Pacific standard and daylight savings times, respectively).
17420 North American and European time zone names are defined as follows;
17421 note that for each time zone there is one name for standard time,
17422 another for daylight savings time, and a third for ``generalized'' time
17423 in which the daylight savings adjustment is computed from context.
17427 YST PST MST CST EST AST NST GMT WET MET MEZ
17428 9 8 7 6 5 4 3.5 0 -1 -2 -2
17430 YDT PDT MDT CDT EDT ADT NDT BST WETDST METDST MESZ
17431 8 7 6 5 4 3 2.5 -1 -2 -3 -3
17433 YGT PGT MGT CGT EGT AGT NGT BGT WEGT MEGT MEGZ
17434 9/8 8/7 7/6 6/5 5/4 4/3 3.5/2.5 0/-1 -1/-2 -2/-3 -2/-3
17438 @vindex math-tzone-names
17439 To define time zone names that do not appear in the above table,
17440 you must modify the Lisp variable @code{math-tzone-names}. This
17441 is a list of lists describing the different time zone names; its
17442 structure is best explained by an example. The three entries for
17443 Pacific Time look like this:
17447 ( ( "PST" 8 0 ) ; Name as an upper-case string, then standard
17448 ( "PDT" 8 -1 ) ; adjustment, then daylight savings adjustment.
17449 ( "PGT" 8 "PST" "PDT" ) ) ; Generalized time zone.
17453 @cindex @code{TimeZone} variable
17455 With no arguments, @code{calc-time-zone} or @samp{tzone()} obtains an
17456 argument from the Calc variable @code{TimeZone} if a value has been
17457 stored for that variable. If not, Calc runs the Unix @samp{date}
17458 command and looks for one of the above time zone names in the output;
17459 if this does not succeed, @samp{tzone()} leaves itself unevaluated.
17460 The time zone name in the @samp{date} output may be followed by a signed
17461 adjustment, e.g., @samp{GMT+5} or @samp{GMT+0500} which specifies a
17462 number of hours and minutes to be added to the base time zone.
17463 Calc stores the time zone it finds into @code{TimeZone} to speed
17464 later calls to @samp{tzone()}.
17466 The special time zone name @code{local} is equivalent to no argument,
17467 i.e., it uses the local time zone as obtained from the @code{date}
17470 If the time zone name found is one of the standard or daylight
17471 savings zone names from the above table, and Calc's internal
17472 daylight savings algorithm says that time and zone are consistent
17473 (e.g., @code{PDT} accompanies a date that Calc's algorithm would also
17474 consider to be daylight savings, or @code{PST} accompanies a date
17475 that Calc would consider to be standard time), then Calc substitutes
17476 the corresponding generalized time zone (like @code{PGT}).
17478 If your system does not have a suitable @samp{date} command, you
17479 may wish to put a @samp{(setq var-TimeZone ...)} in your Emacs
17480 initialization file to set the time zone. (Since you are interacting
17481 with the variable @code{TimeZone} directly from Emacs Lisp, the
17482 @code{var-} prefix needs to be present.) The easiest way to do
17483 this is to edit the @code{TimeZone} variable using Calc's @kbd{s T}
17484 command, then use the @kbd{s p} (@code{calc-permanent-variable})
17485 command to save the value of @code{TimeZone} permanently.
17487 The @kbd{t J} and @code{t U} commands with no numeric prefix
17488 arguments do the same thing as @samp{tzone()}. If the current
17489 time zone is a generalized time zone, e.g., @code{EGT}, Calc
17490 examines the date being converted to tell whether to use standard
17491 or daylight savings time. But if the current time zone is explicit,
17492 e.g., @code{EST} or @code{EDT}, then that adjustment is used exactly
17493 and Calc's daylight savings algorithm is not consulted.
17495 Some places don't follow the usual rules for daylight savings time.
17496 The state of Arizona, for example, does not observe daylight savings
17497 time. If you run Calc during the winter season in Arizona, the
17498 Unix @code{date} command will report @code{MST} time zone, which
17499 Calc will change to @code{MGT}. If you then convert a time that
17500 lies in the summer months, Calc will apply an incorrect daylight
17501 savings time adjustment. To avoid this, set your @code{TimeZone}
17502 variable explicitly to @code{MST} to force the use of standard,
17503 non-daylight-savings time.
17505 @vindex math-daylight-savings-hook
17506 @findex math-std-daylight-savings
17507 By default Calc always considers daylight savings time to begin at
17508 2 a.m.@: on the first Sunday of April, and to end at 2 a.m.@: on the
17509 last Sunday of October. This is the rule that has been in effect
17510 in North America since 1987. If you are in a country that uses
17511 different rules for computing daylight savings time, you have two
17512 choices: Write your own daylight savings hook, or control time
17513 zones explicitly by setting the @code{TimeZone} variable and/or
17514 always giving a time-zone argument for the conversion functions.
17516 The Lisp variable @code{math-daylight-savings-hook} holds the
17517 name of a function that is used to compute the daylight savings
17518 adjustment for a given date. The default is
17519 @code{math-std-daylight-savings}, which computes an adjustment
17520 (either 0 or @mathit{-1}) using the North American rules given above.
17522 The daylight savings hook function is called with four arguments:
17523 The date, as a floating-point number in standard Calc format;
17524 a six-element list of the date decomposed into year, month, day,
17525 hour, minute, and second, respectively; a string which contains
17526 the generalized time zone name in upper-case, e.g., @code{"WEGT"};
17527 and a special adjustment to be applied to the hour value when
17528 converting into a generalized time zone (see below).
17530 @findex math-prev-weekday-in-month
17531 The Lisp function @code{math-prev-weekday-in-month} is useful for
17532 daylight savings computations. This is an internal version of
17533 the user-level @code{pwday} function described in the previous
17534 section. It takes four arguments: The floating-point date value,
17535 the corresponding six-element date list, the day-of-month number,
17536 and the weekday number (0-6).
17538 The default daylight savings hook ignores the time zone name, but a
17539 more sophisticated hook could use different algorithms for different
17540 time zones. It would also be possible to use different algorithms
17541 depending on the year number, but the default hook always uses the
17542 algorithm for 1987 and later. Here is a listing of the default
17543 daylight savings hook:
17546 (defun math-std-daylight-savings (date dt zone bump)
17547 (cond ((< (nth 1 dt) 4) 0)
17549 (let ((sunday (math-prev-weekday-in-month date dt 7 0)))
17550 (cond ((< (nth 2 dt) sunday) 0)
17551 ((= (nth 2 dt) sunday)
17552 (if (>= (nth 3 dt) (+ 3 bump)) -1 0))
17554 ((< (nth 1 dt) 10) -1)
17556 (let ((sunday (math-prev-weekday-in-month date dt 31 0)))
17557 (cond ((< (nth 2 dt) sunday) -1)
17558 ((= (nth 2 dt) sunday)
17559 (if (>= (nth 3 dt) (+ 2 bump)) 0 -1))
17566 The @code{bump} parameter is equal to zero when Calc is converting
17567 from a date form in a generalized time zone into a GMT date value.
17568 It is @mathit{-1} when Calc is converting in the other direction. The
17569 adjustments shown above ensure that the conversion behaves correctly
17570 and reasonably around the 2 a.m.@: transition in each direction.
17572 There is a ``missing'' hour between 2 a.m.@: and 3 a.m.@: at the
17573 beginning of daylight savings time; converting a date/time form that
17574 falls in this hour results in a time value for the following hour,
17575 from 3 a.m.@: to 4 a.m. At the end of daylight savings time, the
17576 hour from 1 a.m.@: to 2 a.m.@: repeats itself; converting a date/time
17577 form that falls in in this hour results in a time value for the first
17578 manifestation of that time (@emph{not} the one that occurs one hour later).
17580 If @code{math-daylight-savings-hook} is @code{nil}, then the
17581 daylight savings adjustment is always taken to be zero.
17583 In algebraic formulas, @samp{tzone(@var{zone}, @var{date})}
17584 computes the time zone adjustment for a given zone name at a
17585 given date. The @var{date} is ignored unless @var{zone} is a
17586 generalized time zone. If @var{date} is a date form, the
17587 daylight savings computation is applied to it as it appears.
17588 If @var{date} is a numeric date value, it is adjusted for the
17589 daylight-savings version of @var{zone} before being given to
17590 the daylight savings hook. This odd-sounding rule ensures
17591 that the daylight-savings computation is always done in
17592 local time, not in the GMT time that a numeric @var{date}
17593 is typically represented in.
17599 The @samp{dsadj(@var{date}, @var{zone})} function computes the
17600 daylight savings adjustment that is appropriate for @var{date} in
17601 time zone @var{zone}. If @var{zone} is explicitly in or not in
17602 daylight savings time (e.g., @code{PDT} or @code{PST}) the
17603 @var{date} is ignored. If @var{zone} is a generalized time zone,
17604 the algorithms described above are used. If @var{zone} is omitted,
17605 the computation is done for the current time zone.
17607 @xref{Reporting Bugs}, for the address of Calc's author, if you
17608 should wish to contribute your improved versions of
17609 @code{math-tzone-names} and @code{math-daylight-savings-hook}
17610 to the Calc distribution.
17612 @node Financial Functions, Binary Functions, Date Arithmetic, Arithmetic
17613 @section Financial Functions
17616 Calc's financial or business functions use the @kbd{b} prefix
17617 key followed by a shifted letter. (The @kbd{b} prefix followed by
17618 a lower-case letter is used for operations on binary numbers.)
17620 Note that the rate and the number of intervals given to these
17621 functions must be on the same time scale, e.g., both months or
17622 both years. Mixing an annual interest rate with a time expressed
17623 in months will give you very wrong answers!
17625 It is wise to compute these functions to a higher precision than
17626 you really need, just to make sure your answer is correct to the
17627 last penny; also, you may wish to check the definitions at the end
17628 of this section to make sure the functions have the meaning you expect.
17634 * Related Financial Functions::
17635 * Depreciation Functions::
17636 * Definitions of Financial Functions::
17639 @node Percentages, Future Value, Financial Functions, Financial Functions
17640 @subsection Percentages
17643 @pindex calc-percent
17646 The @kbd{M-%} (@code{calc-percent}) command takes a percentage value,
17647 say 5.4, and converts it to an equivalent actual number. For example,
17648 @kbd{5.4 M-%} enters 0.054 on the stack. (That's the @key{META} or
17649 @key{ESC} key combined with @kbd{%}.)
17651 Actually, @kbd{M-%} creates a formula of the form @samp{5.4%}.
17652 You can enter @samp{5.4%} yourself during algebraic entry. The
17653 @samp{%} operator simply means, ``the preceding value divided by
17654 100.'' The @samp{%} operator has very high precedence, so that
17655 @samp{1+8%} is interpreted as @samp{1+(8%)}, not as @samp{(1+8)%}.
17656 (The @samp{%} operator is just a postfix notation for the
17657 @code{percent} function, just like @samp{20!} is the notation for
17658 @samp{fact(20)}, or twenty-factorial.)
17660 The formula @samp{5.4%} would normally evaluate immediately to
17661 0.054, but the @kbd{M-%} command suppresses evaluation as it puts
17662 the formula onto the stack. However, the next Calc command that
17663 uses the formula @samp{5.4%} will evaluate it as its first step.
17664 The net effect is that you get to look at @samp{5.4%} on the stack,
17665 but Calc commands see it as @samp{0.054}, which is what they expect.
17667 In particular, @samp{5.4%} and @samp{0.054} are suitable values
17668 for the @var{rate} arguments of the various financial functions,
17669 but the number @samp{5.4} is probably @emph{not} suitable---it
17670 represents a rate of 540 percent!
17672 The key sequence @kbd{M-% *} effectively means ``percent-of.''
17673 For example, @kbd{68 @key{RET} 25 M-% *} computes 17, which is 25% of
17674 68 (and also 68% of 25, which comes out to the same thing).
17677 @pindex calc-convert-percent
17678 The @kbd{c %} (@code{calc-convert-percent}) command converts the
17679 value on the top of the stack from numeric to percentage form.
17680 For example, if 0.08 is on the stack, @kbd{c %} converts it to
17681 @samp{8%}. The quantity is the same, it's just represented
17682 differently. (Contrast this with @kbd{M-%}, which would convert
17683 this number to @samp{0.08%}.) The @kbd{=} key is a convenient way
17684 to convert a formula like @samp{8%} back to numeric form, 0.08.
17686 To compute what percentage one quantity is of another quantity,
17687 use @kbd{/ c %}. For example, @w{@kbd{17 @key{RET} 68 / c %}} displays
17691 @pindex calc-percent-change
17693 The @kbd{b %} (@code{calc-percent-change}) [@code{relch}] command
17694 calculates the percentage change from one number to another.
17695 For example, @kbd{40 @key{RET} 50 b %} produces the answer @samp{25%},
17696 since 50 is 25% larger than 40. A negative result represents a
17697 decrease: @kbd{50 @key{RET} 40 b %} produces @samp{-20%}, since 40 is
17698 20% smaller than 50. (The answers are different in magnitude
17699 because, in the first case, we're increasing by 25% of 40, but
17700 in the second case, we're decreasing by 20% of 50.) The effect
17701 of @kbd{40 @key{RET} 50 b %} is to compute @expr{(50-40)/40}, converting
17702 the answer to percentage form as if by @kbd{c %}.
17704 @node Future Value, Present Value, Percentages, Financial Functions
17705 @subsection Future Value
17709 @pindex calc-fin-fv
17711 The @kbd{b F} (@code{calc-fin-fv}) [@code{fv}] command computes
17712 the future value of an investment. It takes three arguments
17713 from the stack: @samp{fv(@var{rate}, @var{n}, @var{payment})}.
17714 If you give payments of @var{payment} every year for @var{n}
17715 years, and the money you have paid earns interest at @var{rate} per
17716 year, then this function tells you what your investment would be
17717 worth at the end of the period. (The actual interval doesn't
17718 have to be years, as long as @var{n} and @var{rate} are expressed
17719 in terms of the same intervals.) This function assumes payments
17720 occur at the @emph{end} of each interval.
17724 The @kbd{I b F} [@code{fvb}] command does the same computation,
17725 but assuming your payments are at the beginning of each interval.
17726 Suppose you plan to deposit $1000 per year in a savings account
17727 earning 5.4% interest, starting right now. How much will be
17728 in the account after five years? @code{fvb(5.4%, 5, 1000) = 5870.73}.
17729 Thus you will have earned $870 worth of interest over the years.
17730 Using the stack, this calculation would have been
17731 @kbd{5.4 M-% 5 @key{RET} 1000 I b F}. Note that the rate is expressed
17732 as a number between 0 and 1, @emph{not} as a percentage.
17736 The @kbd{H b F} [@code{fvl}] command computes the future value
17737 of an initial lump sum investment. Suppose you could deposit
17738 those five thousand dollars in the bank right now; how much would
17739 they be worth in five years? @code{fvl(5.4%, 5, 5000) = 6503.89}.
17741 The algebraic functions @code{fv} and @code{fvb} accept an optional
17742 fourth argument, which is used as an initial lump sum in the sense
17743 of @code{fvl}. In other words, @code{fv(@var{rate}, @var{n},
17744 @var{payment}, @var{initial}) = fv(@var{rate}, @var{n}, @var{payment})
17745 + fvl(@var{rate}, @var{n}, @var{initial})}.
17747 To illustrate the relationships between these functions, we could
17748 do the @code{fvb} calculation ``by hand'' using @code{fvl}. The
17749 final balance will be the sum of the contributions of our five
17750 deposits at various times. The first deposit earns interest for
17751 five years: @code{fvl(5.4%, 5, 1000) = 1300.78}. The second
17752 deposit only earns interest for four years: @code{fvl(5.4%, 4, 1000) =
17753 1234.13}. And so on down to the last deposit, which earns one
17754 year's interest: @code{fvl(5.4%, 1, 1000) = 1054.00}. The sum of
17755 these five values is, sure enough, $5870.73, just as was computed
17756 by @code{fvb} directly.
17758 What does @code{fv(5.4%, 5, 1000) = 5569.96} mean? The payments
17759 are now at the ends of the periods. The end of one year is the same
17760 as the beginning of the next, so what this really means is that we've
17761 lost the payment at year zero (which contributed $1300.78), but we're
17762 now counting the payment at year five (which, since it didn't have
17763 a chance to earn interest, counts as $1000). Indeed, @expr{5569.96 =
17764 5870.73 - 1300.78 + 1000} (give or take a bit of roundoff error).
17766 @node Present Value, Related Financial Functions, Future Value, Financial Functions
17767 @subsection Present Value
17771 @pindex calc-fin-pv
17773 The @kbd{b P} (@code{calc-fin-pv}) [@code{pv}] command computes
17774 the present value of an investment. Like @code{fv}, it takes
17775 three arguments: @code{pv(@var{rate}, @var{n}, @var{payment})}.
17776 It computes the present value of a series of regular payments.
17777 Suppose you have the chance to make an investment that will
17778 pay $2000 per year over the next four years; as you receive
17779 these payments you can put them in the bank at 9% interest.
17780 You want to know whether it is better to make the investment, or
17781 to keep the money in the bank where it earns 9% interest right
17782 from the start. The calculation @code{pv(9%, 4, 2000)} gives the
17783 result 6479.44. If your initial investment must be less than this,
17784 say, $6000, then the investment is worthwhile. But if you had to
17785 put up $7000, then it would be better just to leave it in the bank.
17787 Here is the interpretation of the result of @code{pv}: You are
17788 trying to compare the return from the investment you are
17789 considering, which is @code{fv(9%, 4, 2000) = 9146.26}, with
17790 the return from leaving the money in the bank, which is
17791 @code{fvl(9%, 4, @var{x})} where @var{x} is the amount of money
17792 you would have to put up in advance. The @code{pv} function
17793 finds the break-even point, @expr{x = 6479.44}, at which
17794 @code{fvl(9%, 4, 6479.44)} is also equal to 9146.26. This is
17795 the largest amount you should be willing to invest.
17799 The @kbd{I b P} [@code{pvb}] command solves the same problem,
17800 but with payments occurring at the beginning of each interval.
17801 It has the same relationship to @code{fvb} as @code{pv} has
17802 to @code{fv}. For example @code{pvb(9%, 4, 2000) = 7062.59},
17803 a larger number than @code{pv} produced because we get to start
17804 earning interest on the return from our investment sooner.
17808 The @kbd{H b P} [@code{pvl}] command computes the present value of
17809 an investment that will pay off in one lump sum at the end of the
17810 period. For example, if we get our $8000 all at the end of the
17811 four years, @code{pvl(9%, 4, 8000) = 5667.40}. This is much
17812 less than @code{pv} reported, because we don't earn any interest
17813 on the return from this investment. Note that @code{pvl} and
17814 @code{fvl} are simple inverses: @code{fvl(9%, 4, 5667.40) = 8000}.
17816 You can give an optional fourth lump-sum argument to @code{pv}
17817 and @code{pvb}; this is handled in exactly the same way as the
17818 fourth argument for @code{fv} and @code{fvb}.
17821 @pindex calc-fin-npv
17823 The @kbd{b N} (@code{calc-fin-npv}) [@code{npv}] command computes
17824 the net present value of a series of irregular investments.
17825 The first argument is the interest rate. The second argument is
17826 a vector which represents the expected return from the investment
17827 at the end of each interval. For example, if the rate represents
17828 a yearly interest rate, then the vector elements are the return
17829 from the first year, second year, and so on.
17831 Thus, @code{npv(9%, [2000,2000,2000,2000]) = pv(9%, 4, 2000) = 6479.44}.
17832 Obviously this function is more interesting when the payments are
17835 The @code{npv} function can actually have two or more arguments.
17836 Multiple arguments are interpreted in the same way as for the
17837 vector statistical functions like @code{vsum}.
17838 @xref{Single-Variable Statistics}. Basically, if there are several
17839 payment arguments, each either a vector or a plain number, all these
17840 values are collected left-to-right into the complete list of payments.
17841 A numeric prefix argument on the @kbd{b N} command says how many
17842 payment values or vectors to take from the stack.
17846 The @kbd{I b N} [@code{npvb}] command computes the net present
17847 value where payments occur at the beginning of each interval
17848 rather than at the end.
17850 @node Related Financial Functions, Depreciation Functions, Present Value, Financial Functions
17851 @subsection Related Financial Functions
17854 The functions in this section are basically inverses of the
17855 present value functions with respect to the various arguments.
17858 @pindex calc-fin-pmt
17860 The @kbd{b M} (@code{calc-fin-pmt}) [@code{pmt}] command computes
17861 the amount of periodic payment necessary to amortize a loan.
17862 Thus @code{pmt(@var{rate}, @var{n}, @var{amount})} equals the
17863 value of @var{payment} such that @code{pv(@var{rate}, @var{n},
17864 @var{payment}) = @var{amount}}.
17868 The @kbd{I b M} [@code{pmtb}] command does the same computation
17869 but using @code{pvb} instead of @code{pv}. Like @code{pv} and
17870 @code{pvb}, these functions can also take a fourth argument which
17871 represents an initial lump-sum investment.
17874 The @kbd{H b M} key just invokes the @code{fvl} function, which is
17875 the inverse of @code{pvl}. There is no explicit @code{pmtl} function.
17878 @pindex calc-fin-nper
17880 The @kbd{b #} (@code{calc-fin-nper}) [@code{nper}] command computes
17881 the number of regular payments necessary to amortize a loan.
17882 Thus @code{nper(@var{rate}, @var{payment}, @var{amount})} equals
17883 the value of @var{n} such that @code{pv(@var{rate}, @var{n},
17884 @var{payment}) = @var{amount}}. If @var{payment} is too small
17885 ever to amortize a loan for @var{amount} at interest rate @var{rate},
17886 the @code{nper} function is left in symbolic form.
17890 The @kbd{I b #} [@code{nperb}] command does the same computation
17891 but using @code{pvb} instead of @code{pv}. You can give a fourth
17892 lump-sum argument to these functions, but the computation will be
17893 rather slow in the four-argument case.
17897 The @kbd{H b #} [@code{nperl}] command does the same computation
17898 using @code{pvl}. By exchanging @var{payment} and @var{amount} you
17899 can also get the solution for @code{fvl}. For example,
17900 @code{nperl(8%, 2000, 1000) = 9.006}, so if you place $1000 in a
17901 bank account earning 8%, it will take nine years to grow to $2000.
17904 @pindex calc-fin-rate
17906 The @kbd{b T} (@code{calc-fin-rate}) [@code{rate}] command computes
17907 the rate of return on an investment. This is also an inverse of @code{pv}:
17908 @code{rate(@var{n}, @var{payment}, @var{amount})} computes the value of
17909 @var{rate} such that @code{pv(@var{rate}, @var{n}, @var{payment}) =
17910 @var{amount}}. The result is expressed as a formula like @samp{6.3%}.
17916 The @kbd{I b T} [@code{rateb}] and @kbd{H b T} [@code{ratel}]
17917 commands solve the analogous equations with @code{pvb} or @code{pvl}
17918 in place of @code{pv}. Also, @code{rate} and @code{rateb} can
17919 accept an optional fourth argument just like @code{pv} and @code{pvb}.
17920 To redo the above example from a different perspective,
17921 @code{ratel(9, 2000, 1000) = 8.00597%}, which says you will need an
17922 interest rate of 8% in order to double your account in nine years.
17925 @pindex calc-fin-irr
17927 The @kbd{b I} (@code{calc-fin-irr}) [@code{irr}] command is the
17928 analogous function to @code{rate} but for net present value.
17929 Its argument is a vector of payments. Thus @code{irr(@var{payments})}
17930 computes the @var{rate} such that @code{npv(@var{rate}, @var{payments}) = 0};
17931 this rate is known as the @dfn{internal rate of return}.
17935 The @kbd{I b I} [@code{irrb}] command computes the internal rate of
17936 return assuming payments occur at the beginning of each period.
17938 @node Depreciation Functions, Definitions of Financial Functions, Related Financial Functions, Financial Functions
17939 @subsection Depreciation Functions
17942 The functions in this section calculate @dfn{depreciation}, which is
17943 the amount of value that a possession loses over time. These functions
17944 are characterized by three parameters: @var{cost}, the original cost
17945 of the asset; @var{salvage}, the value the asset will have at the end
17946 of its expected ``useful life''; and @var{life}, the number of years
17947 (or other periods) of the expected useful life.
17949 There are several methods for calculating depreciation that differ in
17950 the way they spread the depreciation over the lifetime of the asset.
17953 @pindex calc-fin-sln
17955 The @kbd{b S} (@code{calc-fin-sln}) [@code{sln}] command computes the
17956 ``straight-line'' depreciation. In this method, the asset depreciates
17957 by the same amount every year (or period). For example,
17958 @samp{sln(12000, 2000, 5)} returns 2000. The asset costs $12000
17959 initially and will be worth $2000 after five years; it loses $2000
17963 @pindex calc-fin-syd
17965 The @kbd{b Y} (@code{calc-fin-syd}) [@code{syd}] command computes the
17966 accelerated ``sum-of-years'-digits'' depreciation. Here the depreciation
17967 is higher during the early years of the asset's life. Since the
17968 depreciation is different each year, @kbd{b Y} takes a fourth @var{period}
17969 parameter which specifies which year is requested, from 1 to @var{life}.
17970 If @var{period} is outside this range, the @code{syd} function will
17974 @pindex calc-fin-ddb
17976 The @kbd{b D} (@code{calc-fin-ddb}) [@code{ddb}] command computes an
17977 accelerated depreciation using the double-declining balance method.
17978 It also takes a fourth @var{period} parameter.
17980 For symmetry, the @code{sln} function will accept a @var{period}
17981 parameter as well, although it will ignore its value except that the
17982 return value will as usual be zero if @var{period} is out of range.
17984 For example, pushing the vector @expr{[1,2,3,4,5]} (perhaps with @kbd{v x 5})
17985 and then mapping @kbd{V M ' [sln(12000,2000,5,$), syd(12000,2000,5,$),
17986 ddb(12000,2000,5,$)] @key{RET}} produces a matrix that allows us to compare
17987 the three depreciation methods:
17991 [ [ 2000, 3333, 4800 ]
17992 [ 2000, 2667, 2880 ]
17993 [ 2000, 2000, 1728 ]
17994 [ 2000, 1333, 592 ]
18000 (Values have been rounded to nearest integers in this figure.)
18001 We see that @code{sln} depreciates by the same amount each year,
18002 @kbd{syd} depreciates more at the beginning and less at the end,
18003 and @kbd{ddb} weights the depreciation even more toward the beginning.
18005 Summing columns with @kbd{V R : +} yields @expr{[10000, 10000, 10000]};
18006 the total depreciation in any method is (by definition) the
18007 difference between the cost and the salvage value.
18009 @node Definitions of Financial Functions, , Depreciation Functions, Financial Functions
18010 @subsection Definitions
18013 For your reference, here are the actual formulas used to compute
18014 Calc's financial functions.
18016 Calc will not evaluate a financial function unless the @var{rate} or
18017 @var{n} argument is known. However, @var{payment} or @var{amount} can
18018 be a variable. Calc expands these functions according to the
18019 formulas below for symbolic arguments only when you use the @kbd{a "}
18020 (@code{calc-expand-formula}) command, or when taking derivatives or
18021 integrals or solving equations involving the functions.
18024 These formulas are shown using the conventions of Big display
18025 mode (@kbd{d B}); for example, the formula for @code{fv} written
18026 linearly is @samp{pmt * ((1 + rate)^n) - 1) / rate}.
18031 fv(rate, n, pmt) = pmt * ---------------
18035 ((1 + rate) - 1) (1 + rate)
18036 fvb(rate, n, pmt) = pmt * ----------------------------
18040 fvl(rate, n, pmt) = pmt * (1 + rate)
18044 pv(rate, n, pmt) = pmt * ----------------
18048 (1 - (1 + rate) ) (1 + rate)
18049 pvb(rate, n, pmt) = pmt * -----------------------------
18053 pvl(rate, n, pmt) = pmt * (1 + rate)
18056 npv(rate, [a, b, c]) = a*(1 + rate) + b*(1 + rate) + c*(1 + rate)
18059 npvb(rate, [a, b, c]) = a + b*(1 + rate) + c*(1 + rate)
18062 (amt - x * (1 + rate) ) * rate
18063 pmt(rate, n, amt, x) = -------------------------------
18068 (amt - x * (1 + rate) ) * rate
18069 pmtb(rate, n, amt, x) = -------------------------------
18071 (1 - (1 + rate) ) (1 + rate)
18074 nper(rate, pmt, amt) = - log(1 - ------------, 1 + rate)
18078 nperb(rate, pmt, amt) = - log(1 - ---------------, 1 + rate)
18082 nperl(rate, pmt, amt) = - log(---, 1 + rate)
18087 ratel(n, pmt, amt) = ------ - 1
18092 sln(cost, salv, life) = -----------
18095 (cost - salv) * (life - per + 1)
18096 syd(cost, salv, life, per) = --------------------------------
18097 life * (life + 1) / 2
18100 ddb(cost, salv, life, per) = --------, book = cost - depreciation so far
18106 $$ \code{fv}(r, n, p) = p { (1 + r)^n - 1 \over r } $$
18107 $$ \code{fvb}(r, n, p) = p { ((1 + r)^n - 1) (1 + r) \over r } $$
18108 $$ \code{fvl}(r, n, p) = p (1 + r)^n $$
18109 $$ \code{pv}(r, n, p) = p { 1 - (1 + r)^{-n} \over r } $$
18110 $$ \code{pvb}(r, n, p) = p { (1 - (1 + r)^{-n}) (1 + r) \over r } $$
18111 $$ \code{pvl}(r, n, p) = p (1 + r)^{-n} $$
18112 $$ \code{npv}(r, [a,b,c]) = a (1 + r)^{-1} + b (1 + r)^{-2} + c (1 + r)^{-3} $$
18113 $$ \code{npvb}(r, [a,b,c]) = a + b (1 + r)^{-1} + c (1 + r)^{-2} $$
18114 $$ \code{pmt}(r, n, a, x) = { (a - x (1 + r)^{-n}) r \over 1 - (1 + r)^{-n} }$$
18115 $$ \code{pmtb}(r, n, a, x) = { (a - x (1 + r)^{-n}) r \over
18116 (1 - (1 + r)^{-n}) (1 + r) } $$
18117 $$ \code{nper}(r, p, a) = -\code{log}(1 - { a r \over p }, 1 + r) $$
18118 $$ \code{nperb}(r, p, a) = -\code{log}(1 - { a r \over p (1 + r) }, 1 + r) $$
18119 $$ \code{nperl}(r, p, a) = -\code{log}({a \over p}, 1 + r) $$
18120 $$ \code{ratel}(n, p, a) = { p^{1/n} \over a^{1/n} } - 1 $$
18121 $$ \code{sln}(c, s, l) = { c - s \over l } $$
18122 $$ \code{syd}(c, s, l, p) = { (c - s) (l - p + 1) \over l (l+1) / 2 } $$
18123 $$ \code{ddb}(c, s, l, p) = { 2 (c - \hbox{depreciation so far}) \over l } $$
18127 In @code{pmt} and @code{pmtb}, @expr{x=0} if omitted.
18129 These functions accept any numeric objects, including error forms,
18130 intervals, and even (though not very usefully) complex numbers. The
18131 above formulas specify exactly the behavior of these functions with
18132 all sorts of inputs.
18134 Note that if the first argument to the @code{log} in @code{nper} is
18135 negative, @code{nper} leaves itself in symbolic form rather than
18136 returning a (financially meaningless) complex number.
18138 @samp{rate(num, pmt, amt)} solves the equation
18139 @samp{pv(rate, num, pmt) = amt} for @samp{rate} using @kbd{H a R}
18140 (@code{calc-find-root}), with the interval @samp{[.01% .. 100%]}
18141 for an initial guess. The @code{rateb} function is the same except
18142 that it uses @code{pvb}. Note that @code{ratel} can be solved
18143 directly; its formula is shown in the above list.
18145 Similarly, @samp{irr(pmts)} solves the equation @samp{npv(rate, pmts) = 0}
18148 If you give a fourth argument to @code{nper} or @code{nperb}, Calc
18149 will also use @kbd{H a R} to solve the equation using an initial
18150 guess interval of @samp{[0 .. 100]}.
18152 A fourth argument to @code{fv} simply sums the two components
18153 calculated from the above formulas for @code{fv} and @code{fvl}.
18154 The same is true of @code{fvb}, @code{pv}, and @code{pvb}.
18156 The @kbd{ddb} function is computed iteratively; the ``book'' value
18157 starts out equal to @var{cost}, and decreases according to the above
18158 formula for the specified number of periods. If the book value
18159 would decrease below @var{salvage}, it only decreases to @var{salvage}
18160 and the depreciation is zero for all subsequent periods. The @code{ddb}
18161 function returns the amount the book value decreased in the specified
18164 @node Binary Functions, , Financial Functions, Arithmetic
18165 @section Binary Number Functions
18168 The commands in this chapter all use two-letter sequences beginning with
18169 the @kbd{b} prefix.
18171 @cindex Binary numbers
18172 The ``binary'' operations actually work regardless of the currently
18173 displayed radix, although their results make the most sense in a radix
18174 like 2, 8, or 16 (as obtained by the @kbd{d 2}, @kbd{d 8}, or @w{@kbd{d 6}}
18175 commands, respectively). You may also wish to enable display of leading
18176 zeros with @kbd{d z}. @xref{Radix Modes}.
18178 @cindex Word size for binary operations
18179 The Calculator maintains a current @dfn{word size} @expr{w}, an
18180 arbitrary positive or negative integer. For a positive word size, all
18181 of the binary operations described here operate modulo @expr{2^w}. In
18182 particular, negative arguments are converted to positive integers modulo
18183 @expr{2^w} by all binary functions.
18185 If the word size is negative, binary operations produce 2's complement
18187 @texline @math{-2^{-w-1}}
18188 @infoline @expr{-(2^(-w-1))}
18190 @texline @math{2^{-w-1}-1}
18191 @infoline @expr{2^(-w-1)-1}
18192 inclusive. Either mode accepts inputs in any range; the sign of
18193 @expr{w} affects only the results produced.
18198 The @kbd{b c} (@code{calc-clip})
18199 [@code{clip}] command can be used to clip a number by reducing it modulo
18200 @expr{2^w}. The commands described in this chapter automatically clip
18201 their results to the current word size. Note that other operations like
18202 addition do not use the current word size, since integer addition
18203 generally is not ``binary.'' (However, @pxref{Simplification Modes},
18204 @code{calc-bin-simplify-mode}.) For example, with a word size of 8
18205 bits @kbd{b c} converts a number to the range 0 to 255; with a word
18206 size of @mathit{-8} @kbd{b c} converts to the range @mathit{-128} to 127.
18209 @pindex calc-word-size
18210 The default word size is 32 bits. All operations except the shifts and
18211 rotates allow you to specify a different word size for that one
18212 operation by giving a numeric prefix argument: @kbd{C-u 8 b c} clips the
18213 top of stack to the range 0 to 255 regardless of the current word size.
18214 To set the word size permanently, use @kbd{b w} (@code{calc-word-size}).
18215 This command displays a prompt with the current word size; press @key{RET}
18216 immediately to keep this word size, or type a new word size at the prompt.
18218 When the binary operations are written in symbolic form, they take an
18219 optional second (or third) word-size parameter. When a formula like
18220 @samp{and(a,b)} is finally evaluated, the word size current at that time
18221 will be used, but when @samp{and(a,b,-8)} is evaluated, a word size of
18222 @mathit{-8} will always be used. A symbolic binary function will be left
18223 in symbolic form unless the all of its argument(s) are integers or
18224 integer-valued floats.
18226 If either or both arguments are modulo forms for which @expr{M} is a
18227 power of two, that power of two is taken as the word size unless a
18228 numeric prefix argument overrides it. The current word size is never
18229 consulted when modulo-power-of-two forms are involved.
18234 The @kbd{b a} (@code{calc-and}) [@code{and}] command computes the bitwise
18235 AND of the two numbers on the top of the stack. In other words, for each
18236 of the @expr{w} binary digits of the two numbers (pairwise), the corresponding
18237 bit of the result is 1 if and only if both input bits are 1:
18238 @samp{and(2#1100, 2#1010) = 2#1000}.
18243 The @kbd{b o} (@code{calc-or}) [@code{or}] command computes the bitwise
18244 inclusive OR of two numbers. A bit is 1 if either of the input bits, or
18245 both, are 1: @samp{or(2#1100, 2#1010) = 2#1110}.
18250 The @kbd{b x} (@code{calc-xor}) [@code{xor}] command computes the bitwise
18251 exclusive OR of two numbers. A bit is 1 if exactly one of the input bits
18252 is 1: @samp{xor(2#1100, 2#1010) = 2#0110}.
18257 The @kbd{b d} (@code{calc-diff}) [@code{diff}] command computes the bitwise
18258 difference of two numbers; this is defined by @samp{diff(a,b) = and(a,not(b))},
18259 so that @samp{diff(2#1100, 2#1010) = 2#0100}.
18264 The @kbd{b n} (@code{calc-not}) [@code{not}] command computes the bitwise
18265 NOT of a number. A bit is 1 if the input bit is 0 and vice-versa.
18268 @pindex calc-lshift-binary
18270 The @kbd{b l} (@code{calc-lshift-binary}) [@code{lsh}] command shifts a
18271 number left by one bit, or by the number of bits specified in the numeric
18272 prefix argument. A negative prefix argument performs a logical right shift,
18273 in which zeros are shifted in on the left. In symbolic form, @samp{lsh(a)}
18274 is short for @samp{lsh(a,1)}, which in turn is short for @samp{lsh(a,n,w)}.
18275 Bits shifted ``off the end,'' according to the current word size, are lost.
18291 The @kbd{H b l} command also does a left shift, but it takes two arguments
18292 from the stack (the value to shift, and, at top-of-stack, the number of
18293 bits to shift). This version interprets the prefix argument just like
18294 the regular binary operations, i.e., as a word size. The Hyperbolic flag
18295 has a similar effect on the rest of the binary shift and rotate commands.
18298 @pindex calc-rshift-binary
18300 The @kbd{b r} (@code{calc-rshift-binary}) [@code{rsh}] command shifts a
18301 number right by one bit, or by the number of bits specified in the numeric
18302 prefix argument: @samp{rsh(a,n) = lsh(a,-n)}.
18305 @pindex calc-lshift-arith
18307 The @kbd{b L} (@code{calc-lshift-arith}) [@code{ash}] command shifts a
18308 number left. It is analogous to @code{lsh}, except that if the shift
18309 is rightward (the prefix argument is negative), an arithmetic shift
18310 is performed as described below.
18313 @pindex calc-rshift-arith
18315 The @kbd{b R} (@code{calc-rshift-arith}) [@code{rash}] command performs
18316 an ``arithmetic'' shift to the right, in which the leftmost bit (according
18317 to the current word size) is duplicated rather than shifting in zeros.
18318 This corresponds to dividing by a power of two where the input is interpreted
18319 as a signed, twos-complement number. (The distinction between the @samp{rsh}
18320 and @samp{rash} operations is totally independent from whether the word
18321 size is positive or negative.) With a negative prefix argument, this
18322 performs a standard left shift.
18325 @pindex calc-rotate-binary
18327 The @kbd{b t} (@code{calc-rotate-binary}) [@code{rot}] command rotates a
18328 number one bit to the left. The leftmost bit (according to the current
18329 word size) is dropped off the left and shifted in on the right. With a
18330 numeric prefix argument, the number is rotated that many bits to the left
18333 @xref{Set Operations}, for the @kbd{b p} and @kbd{b u} commands that
18334 pack and unpack binary integers into sets. (For example, @kbd{b u}
18335 unpacks the number @samp{2#11001} to the set of bit-numbers
18336 @samp{[0, 3, 4]}.) Type @kbd{b u V #} to count the number of ``1''
18337 bits in a binary integer.
18339 Another interesting use of the set representation of binary integers
18340 is to reverse the bits in, say, a 32-bit integer. Type @kbd{b u} to
18341 unpack; type @kbd{31 @key{TAB} -} to replace each bit-number in the set
18342 with 31 minus that bit-number; type @kbd{b p} to pack the set back
18343 into a binary integer.
18345 @node Scientific Functions, Matrix Functions, Arithmetic, Top
18346 @chapter Scientific Functions
18349 The functions described here perform trigonometric and other transcendental
18350 calculations. They generally produce floating-point answers correct to the
18351 full current precision. The @kbd{H} (Hyperbolic) and @kbd{I} (Inverse)
18352 flag keys must be used to get some of these functions from the keyboard.
18356 @cindex @code{pi} variable
18359 @cindex @code{e} variable
18362 @cindex @code{gamma} variable
18364 @cindex Gamma constant, Euler's
18365 @cindex Euler's gamma constant
18367 @cindex @code{phi} variable
18368 @cindex Phi, golden ratio
18369 @cindex Golden ratio
18370 One miscellaneous command is shift-@kbd{P} (@code{calc-pi}), which pushes
18371 the value of @cpi{} (at the current precision) onto the stack. With the
18372 Hyperbolic flag, it pushes the value @expr{e}, the base of natural logarithms.
18373 With the Inverse flag, it pushes Euler's constant
18374 @texline @math{\gamma}
18375 @infoline @expr{gamma}
18376 (about 0.5772). With both Inverse and Hyperbolic, it
18377 pushes the ``golden ratio''
18378 @texline @math{\phi}
18379 @infoline @expr{phi}
18380 (about 1.618). (At present, Euler's constant is not available
18381 to unlimited precision; Calc knows only the first 100 digits.)
18382 In Symbolic mode, these commands push the
18383 actual variables @samp{pi}, @samp{e}, @samp{gamma}, and @samp{phi},
18384 respectively, instead of their values; @pxref{Symbolic Mode}.
18394 The @kbd{Q} (@code{calc-sqrt}) [@code{sqrt}] function is described elsewhere;
18395 @pxref{Basic Arithmetic}. With the Inverse flag [@code{sqr}], this command
18396 computes the square of the argument.
18398 @xref{Prefix Arguments}, for a discussion of the effect of numeric
18399 prefix arguments on commands in this chapter which do not otherwise
18400 interpret a prefix argument.
18403 * Logarithmic Functions::
18404 * Trigonometric and Hyperbolic Functions::
18405 * Advanced Math Functions::
18408 * Combinatorial Functions::
18409 * Probability Distribution Functions::
18412 @node Logarithmic Functions, Trigonometric and Hyperbolic Functions, Scientific Functions, Scientific Functions
18413 @section Logarithmic Functions
18423 The shift-@kbd{L} (@code{calc-ln}) [@code{ln}] command computes the natural
18424 logarithm of the real or complex number on the top of the stack. With
18425 the Inverse flag it computes the exponential function instead, although
18426 this is redundant with the @kbd{E} command.
18435 The shift-@kbd{E} (@code{calc-exp}) [@code{exp}] command computes the
18436 exponential, i.e., @expr{e} raised to the power of the number on the stack.
18437 The meanings of the Inverse and Hyperbolic flags follow from those for
18438 the @code{calc-ln} command.
18453 The @kbd{H L} (@code{calc-log10}) [@code{log10}] command computes the common
18454 (base-10) logarithm of a number. (With the Inverse flag [@code{exp10}],
18455 it raises ten to a given power.) Note that the common logarithm of a
18456 complex number is computed by taking the natural logarithm and dividing
18458 @texline @math{\ln10}.
18459 @infoline @expr{ln(10)}.
18466 The @kbd{B} (@code{calc-log}) [@code{log}] command computes a logarithm
18467 to any base. For example, @kbd{1024 @key{RET} 2 B} produces 10, since
18468 @texline @math{2^{10} = 1024}.
18469 @infoline @expr{2^10 = 1024}.
18470 In certain cases like @samp{log(3,9)}, the result
18471 will be either @expr{1:2} or @expr{0.5} depending on the current Fraction
18472 mode setting. With the Inverse flag [@code{alog}], this command is
18473 similar to @kbd{^} except that the order of the arguments is reversed.
18478 The @kbd{f I} (@code{calc-ilog}) [@code{ilog}] command computes the
18479 integer logarithm of a number to any base. The number and the base must
18480 themselves be positive integers. This is the true logarithm, rounded
18481 down to an integer. Thus @kbd{ilog(x,10)} is 3 for all @expr{x} in the
18482 range from 1000 to 9999. If both arguments are positive integers, exact
18483 integer arithmetic is used; otherwise, this is equivalent to
18484 @samp{floor(log(x,b))}.
18489 The @kbd{f E} (@code{calc-expm1}) [@code{expm1}] command computes
18490 @texline @math{e^x - 1},
18491 @infoline @expr{exp(x)-1},
18492 but using an algorithm that produces a more accurate
18493 answer when the result is close to zero, i.e., when
18494 @texline @math{e^x}
18495 @infoline @expr{exp(x)}
18501 The @kbd{f L} (@code{calc-lnp1}) [@code{lnp1}] command computes
18502 @texline @math{\ln(x+1)},
18503 @infoline @expr{ln(x+1)},
18504 producing a more accurate answer when @expr{x} is close to zero.
18506 @node Trigonometric and Hyperbolic Functions, Advanced Math Functions, Logarithmic Functions, Scientific Functions
18507 @section Trigonometric/Hyperbolic Functions
18513 The shift-@kbd{S} (@code{calc-sin}) [@code{sin}] command computes the sine
18514 of an angle or complex number. If the input is an HMS form, it is interpreted
18515 as degrees-minutes-seconds; otherwise, the input is interpreted according
18516 to the current angular mode. It is best to use Radians mode when operating
18517 on complex numbers.
18519 Calc's ``units'' mechanism includes angular units like @code{deg},
18520 @code{rad}, and @code{grad}. While @samp{sin(45 deg)} is not evaluated
18521 all the time, the @kbd{u s} (@code{calc-simplify-units}) command will
18522 simplify @samp{sin(45 deg)} by taking the sine of 45 degrees, regardless
18523 of the current angular mode. @xref{Basic Operations on Units}.
18525 Also, the symbolic variable @code{pi} is not ordinarily recognized in
18526 arguments to trigonometric functions, as in @samp{sin(3 pi / 4)}, but
18527 the @kbd{a s} (@code{calc-simplify}) command recognizes many such
18528 formulas when the current angular mode is Radians @emph{and} Symbolic
18529 mode is enabled; this example would be replaced by @samp{sqrt(2) / 2}.
18530 @xref{Symbolic Mode}. Beware, this simplification occurs even if you
18531 have stored a different value in the variable @samp{pi}; this is one
18532 reason why changing built-in variables is a bad idea. Arguments of
18533 the form @expr{x} plus a multiple of @cpiover{2} are also simplified.
18534 Calc includes similar formulas for @code{cos} and @code{tan}.
18536 The @kbd{a s} command knows all angles which are integer multiples of
18537 @cpiover{12}, @cpiover{10}, or @cpiover{8} radians. In Degrees mode,
18538 analogous simplifications occur for integer multiples of 15 or 18
18539 degrees, and for arguments plus multiples of 90 degrees.
18542 @pindex calc-arcsin
18544 With the Inverse flag, @code{calc-sin} computes an arcsine. This is also
18545 available as the @code{calc-arcsin} command or @code{arcsin} algebraic
18546 function. The returned argument is converted to degrees, radians, or HMS
18547 notation depending on the current angular mode.
18553 @pindex calc-arcsinh
18555 With the Hyperbolic flag, @code{calc-sin} computes the hyperbolic
18556 sine, also available as @code{calc-sinh} [@code{sinh}]. With the
18557 Hyperbolic and Inverse flags, it computes the hyperbolic arcsine
18558 (@code{calc-arcsinh}) [@code{arcsinh}].
18567 @pindex calc-arccos
18585 @pindex calc-arccosh
18603 @pindex calc-arctan
18621 @pindex calc-arctanh
18626 The shift-@kbd{C} (@code{calc-cos}) [@code{cos}] command computes the cosine
18627 of an angle or complex number, and shift-@kbd{T} (@code{calc-tan}) [@code{tan}]
18628 computes the tangent, along with all the various inverse and hyperbolic
18629 variants of these functions.
18632 @pindex calc-arctan2
18634 The @kbd{f T} (@code{calc-arctan2}) [@code{arctan2}] command takes two
18635 numbers from the stack and computes the arc tangent of their ratio. The
18636 result is in the full range from @mathit{-180} (exclusive) to @mathit{+180}
18637 (inclusive) degrees, or the analogous range in radians. A similar
18638 result would be obtained with @kbd{/} followed by @kbd{I T}, but the
18639 value would only be in the range from @mathit{-90} to @mathit{+90} degrees
18640 since the division loses information about the signs of the two
18641 components, and an error might result from an explicit division by zero
18642 which @code{arctan2} would avoid. By (arbitrary) definition,
18643 @samp{arctan2(0,0)=0}.
18645 @pindex calc-sincos
18657 The @code{calc-sincos} [@code{sincos}] command computes the sine and
18658 cosine of a number, returning them as a vector of the form
18659 @samp{[@var{cos}, @var{sin}]}.
18660 With the Inverse flag [@code{arcsincos}], this command takes a two-element
18661 vector as an argument and computes @code{arctan2} of the elements.
18662 (This command does not accept the Hyperbolic flag.)
18676 The remaining trigonometric functions, @code{calc-sec} [@code{sec}],
18677 @code{calc-csc} [@code{csc}] and @code{calc-sec} [@code{sec}], are also
18678 available. With the Hyperbolic flag, these compute their hyperbolic
18679 counterparts, which are also available separately as @code{calc-sech}
18680 [@code{sech}], @code{calc-csch} [@code{csch}] and @code{calc-sech}
18681 [@code{sech}]. (These commmands do not accept the Inverse flag.)
18683 @node Advanced Math Functions, Branch Cuts, Trigonometric and Hyperbolic Functions, Scientific Functions
18684 @section Advanced Mathematical Functions
18687 Calc can compute a variety of less common functions that arise in
18688 various branches of mathematics. All of the functions described in
18689 this section allow arbitrary complex arguments and, except as noted,
18690 will work to arbitrarily large precisions. They can not at present
18691 handle error forms or intervals as arguments.
18693 NOTE: These functions are still experimental. In particular, their
18694 accuracy is not guaranteed in all domains. It is advisable to set the
18695 current precision comfortably higher than you actually need when
18696 using these functions. Also, these functions may be impractically
18697 slow for some values of the arguments.
18702 The @kbd{f g} (@code{calc-gamma}) [@code{gamma}] command computes the Euler
18703 gamma function. For positive integer arguments, this is related to the
18704 factorial function: @samp{gamma(n+1) = fact(n)}. For general complex
18705 arguments the gamma function can be defined by the following definite
18707 @texline @math{\Gamma(a) = \int_0^\infty t^{a-1} e^t dt}.
18708 @infoline @expr{gamma(a) = integ(t^(a-1) exp(t), t, 0, inf)}.
18709 (The actual implementation uses far more efficient computational methods.)
18725 @pindex calc-inc-gamma
18738 The @kbd{f G} (@code{calc-inc-gamma}) [@code{gammaP}] command computes
18739 the incomplete gamma function, denoted @samp{P(a,x)}. This is defined by
18741 @texline @math{P(a,x) = \left( \int_0^x t^{a-1} e^t dt \right) / \Gamma(a)}.
18742 @infoline @expr{gammaP(a,x) = integ(t^(a-1) exp(t), t, 0, x) / gamma(a)}.
18743 This implies that @samp{gammaP(a,inf) = 1} for any @expr{a} (see the
18744 definition of the normal gamma function).
18746 Several other varieties of incomplete gamma function are defined.
18747 The complement of @expr{P(a,x)}, called @expr{Q(a,x) = 1-P(a,x)} by
18748 some authors, is computed by the @kbd{I f G} [@code{gammaQ}] command.
18749 You can think of this as taking the other half of the integral, from
18750 @expr{x} to infinity.
18753 The functions corresponding to the integrals that define @expr{P(a,x)}
18754 and @expr{Q(a,x)} but without the normalizing @expr{1/gamma(a)}
18755 factor are called @expr{g(a,x)} and @expr{G(a,x)}, respectively
18756 (where @expr{g} and @expr{G} represent the lower- and upper-case Greek
18757 letter gamma). You can obtain these using the @kbd{H f G} [@code{gammag}]
18758 and @kbd{H I f G} [@code{gammaG}] commands.
18762 The functions corresponding to the integrals that define $P(a,x)$
18763 and $Q(a,x)$ but without the normalizing $1/\Gamma(a)$
18764 factor are called $\gamma(a,x)$ and $\Gamma(a,x)$, respectively.
18765 You can obtain these using the \kbd{H f G} [\code{gammag}] and
18766 \kbd{I H f G} [\code{gammaG}] commands.
18772 The @kbd{f b} (@code{calc-beta}) [@code{beta}] command computes the
18773 Euler beta function, which is defined in terms of the gamma function as
18774 @texline @math{B(a,b) = \Gamma(a) \Gamma(b) / \Gamma(a+b)},
18775 @infoline @expr{beta(a,b) = gamma(a) gamma(b) / gamma(a+b)},
18777 @texline @math{B(a,b) = \int_0^1 t^{a-1} (1-t)^{b-1} dt}.
18778 @infoline @expr{beta(a,b) = integ(t^(a-1) (1-t)^(b-1), t, 0, 1)}.
18782 @pindex calc-inc-beta
18785 The @kbd{f B} (@code{calc-inc-beta}) [@code{betaI}] command computes
18786 the incomplete beta function @expr{I(x,a,b)}. It is defined by
18787 @texline @math{I(x,a,b) = \left( \int_0^x t^{a-1} (1-t)^{b-1} dt \right) / B(a,b)}.
18788 @infoline @expr{betaI(x,a,b) = integ(t^(a-1) (1-t)^(b-1), t, 0, x) / beta(a,b)}.
18789 Once again, the @kbd{H} (hyperbolic) prefix gives the corresponding
18790 un-normalized version [@code{betaB}].
18797 The @kbd{f e} (@code{calc-erf}) [@code{erf}] command computes the
18799 @texline @math{\hbox{erf}(x) = {2 \over \sqrt{\pi}} \int_0^x e^{-t^2} dt}.
18800 @infoline @expr{erf(x) = 2 integ(exp(-(t^2)), t, 0, x) / sqrt(pi)}.
18801 The complementary error function @kbd{I f e} (@code{calc-erfc}) [@code{erfc}]
18802 is the corresponding integral from @samp{x} to infinity; the sum
18803 @texline @math{\hbox{erf}(x) + \hbox{erfc}(x) = 1}.
18804 @infoline @expr{erf(x) + erfc(x) = 1}.
18808 @pindex calc-bessel-J
18809 @pindex calc-bessel-Y
18812 The @kbd{f j} (@code{calc-bessel-J}) [@code{besJ}] and @kbd{f y}
18813 (@code{calc-bessel-Y}) [@code{besY}] commands compute the Bessel
18814 functions of the first and second kinds, respectively.
18815 In @samp{besJ(n,x)} and @samp{besY(n,x)} the ``order'' parameter
18816 @expr{n} is often an integer, but is not required to be one.
18817 Calc's implementation of the Bessel functions currently limits the
18818 precision to 8 digits, and may not be exact even to that precision.
18821 @node Branch Cuts, Random Numbers, Advanced Math Functions, Scientific Functions
18822 @section Branch Cuts and Principal Values
18825 @cindex Branch cuts
18826 @cindex Principal values
18827 All of the logarithmic, trigonometric, and other scientific functions are
18828 defined for complex numbers as well as for reals.
18829 This section describes the values
18830 returned in cases where the general result is a family of possible values.
18831 Calc follows section 12.5.3 of Steele's @dfn{Common Lisp, the Language},
18832 second edition, in these matters. This section will describe each
18833 function briefly; for a more detailed discussion (including some nifty
18834 diagrams), consult Steele's book.
18836 Note that the branch cuts for @code{arctan} and @code{arctanh} were
18837 changed between the first and second editions of Steele. Versions of
18838 Calc starting with 2.00 follow the second edition.
18840 The new branch cuts exactly match those of the HP-28/48 calculators.
18841 They also match those of Mathematica 1.2, except that Mathematica's
18842 @code{arctan} cut is always in the right half of the complex plane,
18843 and its @code{arctanh} cut is always in the top half of the plane.
18844 Calc's cuts are continuous with quadrants I and III for @code{arctan},
18845 or II and IV for @code{arctanh}.
18847 Note: The current implementations of these functions with complex arguments
18848 are designed with proper behavior around the branch cuts in mind, @emph{not}
18849 efficiency or accuracy. You may need to increase the floating precision
18850 and wait a while to get suitable answers from them.
18852 For @samp{sqrt(a+bi)}: When @expr{a<0} and @expr{b} is small but positive
18853 or zero, the result is close to the @expr{+i} axis. For @expr{b} small and
18854 negative, the result is close to the @expr{-i} axis. The result always lies
18855 in the right half of the complex plane.
18857 For @samp{ln(a+bi)}: The real part is defined as @samp{ln(abs(a+bi))}.
18858 The imaginary part is defined as @samp{arg(a+bi) = arctan2(b,a)}.
18859 Thus the branch cuts for @code{sqrt} and @code{ln} both lie on the
18860 negative real axis.
18862 The following table describes these branch cuts in another way.
18863 If the real and imaginary parts of @expr{z} are as shown, then
18864 the real and imaginary parts of @expr{f(z)} will be as shown.
18865 Here @code{eps} stands for a small positive value; each
18866 occurrence of @code{eps} may stand for a different small value.
18870 ----------------------------------------
18873 -, +eps +eps, + +eps, +
18874 -, -eps +eps, - +eps, -
18877 For @samp{z1^z2}: This is defined by @samp{exp(ln(z1)*z2)}.
18878 One interesting consequence of this is that @samp{(-8)^1:3} does
18879 not evaluate to @mathit{-2} as you might expect, but to the complex
18880 number @expr{(1., 1.732)}. Both of these are valid cube roots
18881 of @mathit{-8} (as is @expr{(1., -1.732)}); Calc chooses a perhaps
18882 less-obvious root for the sake of mathematical consistency.
18884 For @samp{arcsin(z)}: This is defined by @samp{-i*ln(i*z + sqrt(1-z^2))}.
18885 The branch cuts are on the real axis, less than @mathit{-1} and greater than 1.
18887 For @samp{arccos(z)}: This is defined by @samp{-i*ln(z + i*sqrt(1-z^2))},
18888 or equivalently by @samp{pi/2 - arcsin(z)}. The branch cuts are on
18889 the real axis, less than @mathit{-1} and greater than 1.
18891 For @samp{arctan(z)}: This is defined by
18892 @samp{(ln(1+i*z) - ln(1-i*z)) / (2*i)}. The branch cuts are on the
18893 imaginary axis, below @expr{-i} and above @expr{i}.
18895 For @samp{arcsinh(z)}: This is defined by @samp{ln(z + sqrt(1+z^2))}.
18896 The branch cuts are on the imaginary axis, below @expr{-i} and
18899 For @samp{arccosh(z)}: This is defined by
18900 @samp{ln(z + (z+1)*sqrt((z-1)/(z+1)))}. The branch cut is on the
18901 real axis less than 1.
18903 For @samp{arctanh(z)}: This is defined by @samp{(ln(1+z) - ln(1-z)) / 2}.
18904 The branch cuts are on the real axis, less than @mathit{-1} and greater than 1.
18906 The following tables for @code{arcsin}, @code{arccos}, and
18907 @code{arctan} assume the current angular mode is Radians. The
18908 hyperbolic functions operate independently of the angular mode.
18911 z arcsin(z) arccos(z)
18912 -------------------------------------------------------
18913 (-1..1), 0 (-pi/2..pi/2), 0 (0..pi), 0
18914 (-1..1), +eps (-pi/2..pi/2), +eps (0..pi), -eps
18915 (-1..1), -eps (-pi/2..pi/2), -eps (0..pi), +eps
18916 <-1, 0 -pi/2, + pi, -
18917 <-1, +eps -pi/2 + eps, + pi - eps, -
18918 <-1, -eps -pi/2 + eps, - pi - eps, +
18920 >1, +eps pi/2 - eps, + +eps, -
18921 >1, -eps pi/2 - eps, - +eps, +
18925 z arccosh(z) arctanh(z)
18926 -----------------------------------------------------
18927 (-1..1), 0 0, (0..pi) any, 0
18928 (-1..1), +eps +eps, (0..pi) any, +eps
18929 (-1..1), -eps +eps, (-pi..0) any, -eps
18930 <-1, 0 +, pi -, pi/2
18931 <-1, +eps +, pi - eps -, pi/2 - eps
18932 <-1, -eps +, -pi + eps -, -pi/2 + eps
18933 >1, 0 +, 0 +, -pi/2
18934 >1, +eps +, +eps +, pi/2 - eps
18935 >1, -eps +, -eps +, -pi/2 + eps
18939 z arcsinh(z) arctan(z)
18940 -----------------------------------------------------
18941 0, (-1..1) 0, (-pi/2..pi/2) 0, any
18942 0, <-1 -, -pi/2 -pi/2, -
18943 +eps, <-1 +, -pi/2 + eps pi/2 - eps, -
18944 -eps, <-1 -, -pi/2 + eps -pi/2 + eps, -
18945 0, >1 +, pi/2 pi/2, +
18946 +eps, >1 +, pi/2 - eps pi/2 - eps, +
18947 -eps, >1 -, pi/2 - eps -pi/2 + eps, +
18950 Finally, the following identities help to illustrate the relationship
18951 between the complex trigonometric and hyperbolic functions. They
18952 are valid everywhere, including on the branch cuts.
18955 sin(i*z) = i*sinh(z) arcsin(i*z) = i*arcsinh(z)
18956 cos(i*z) = cosh(z) arcsinh(i*z) = i*arcsin(z)
18957 tan(i*z) = i*tanh(z) arctan(i*z) = i*arctanh(z)
18958 sinh(i*z) = i*sin(z) cosh(i*z) = cos(z)
18961 The ``advanced math'' functions (gamma, Bessel, etc.@:) are also defined
18962 for general complex arguments, but their branch cuts and principal values
18963 are not rigorously specified at present.
18965 @node Random Numbers, Combinatorial Functions, Branch Cuts, Scientific Functions
18966 @section Random Numbers
18970 @pindex calc-random
18972 The @kbd{k r} (@code{calc-random}) [@code{random}] command produces
18973 random numbers of various sorts.
18975 Given a positive numeric prefix argument @expr{M}, it produces a random
18976 integer @expr{N} in the range
18977 @texline @math{0 \le N < M}.
18978 @infoline @expr{0 <= N < M}.
18979 Each of the @expr{M} values appears with equal probability.
18981 With no numeric prefix argument, the @kbd{k r} command takes its argument
18982 from the stack instead. Once again, if this is a positive integer @expr{M}
18983 the result is a random integer less than @expr{M}. However, note that
18984 while numeric prefix arguments are limited to six digits or so, an @expr{M}
18985 taken from the stack can be arbitrarily large. If @expr{M} is negative,
18986 the result is a random integer in the range
18987 @texline @math{M < N \le 0}.
18988 @infoline @expr{M < N <= 0}.
18990 If the value on the stack is a floating-point number @expr{M}, the result
18991 is a random floating-point number @expr{N} in the range
18992 @texline @math{0 \le N < M}
18993 @infoline @expr{0 <= N < M}
18995 @texline @math{M < N \le 0},
18996 @infoline @expr{M < N <= 0},
18997 according to the sign of @expr{M}.
18999 If @expr{M} is zero, the result is a Gaussian-distributed random real
19000 number; the distribution has a mean of zero and a standard deviation
19001 of one. The algorithm used generates random numbers in pairs; thus,
19002 every other call to this function will be especially fast.
19004 If @expr{M} is an error form
19005 @texline @math{m} @code{+/-} @math{\sigma}
19006 @infoline @samp{m +/- s}
19008 @texline @math{\sigma}
19010 are both real numbers, the result uses a Gaussian distribution with mean
19011 @var{m} and standard deviation
19012 @texline @math{\sigma}.
19015 If @expr{M} is an interval form, the lower and upper bounds specify the
19016 acceptable limits of the random numbers. If both bounds are integers,
19017 the result is a random integer in the specified range. If either bound
19018 is floating-point, the result is a random real number in the specified
19019 range. If the interval is open at either end, the result will be sure
19020 not to equal that end value. (This makes a big difference for integer
19021 intervals, but for floating-point intervals it's relatively minor:
19022 with a precision of 6, @samp{random([1.0..2.0))} will return any of one
19023 million numbers from 1.00000 to 1.99999; @samp{random([1.0..2.0])} may
19024 additionally return 2.00000, but the probability of this happening is
19027 If @expr{M} is a vector, the result is one element taken at random from
19028 the vector. All elements of the vector are given equal probabilities.
19031 The sequence of numbers produced by @kbd{k r} is completely random by
19032 default, i.e., the sequence is seeded each time you start Calc using
19033 the current time and other information. You can get a reproducible
19034 sequence by storing a particular ``seed value'' in the Calc variable
19035 @code{RandSeed}. Any integer will do for a seed; integers of from 1
19036 to 12 digits are good. If you later store a different integer into
19037 @code{RandSeed}, Calc will switch to a different pseudo-random
19038 sequence. If you ``unstore'' @code{RandSeed}, Calc will re-seed itself
19039 from the current time. If you store the same integer that you used
19040 before back into @code{RandSeed}, you will get the exact same sequence
19041 of random numbers as before.
19043 @pindex calc-rrandom
19044 The @code{calc-rrandom} command (not on any key) produces a random real
19045 number between zero and one. It is equivalent to @samp{random(1.0)}.
19048 @pindex calc-random-again
19049 The @kbd{k a} (@code{calc-random-again}) command produces another random
19050 number, re-using the most recent value of @expr{M}. With a numeric
19051 prefix argument @var{n}, it produces @var{n} more random numbers using
19052 that value of @expr{M}.
19055 @pindex calc-shuffle
19057 The @kbd{k h} (@code{calc-shuffle}) command produces a vector of several
19058 random values with no duplicates. The value on the top of the stack
19059 specifies the set from which the random values are drawn, and may be any
19060 of the @expr{M} formats described above. The numeric prefix argument
19061 gives the length of the desired list. (If you do not provide a numeric
19062 prefix argument, the length of the list is taken from the top of the
19063 stack, and @expr{M} from second-to-top.)
19065 If @expr{M} is a floating-point number, zero, or an error form (so
19066 that the random values are being drawn from the set of real numbers)
19067 there is little practical difference between using @kbd{k h} and using
19068 @kbd{k r} several times. But if the set of possible values consists
19069 of just a few integers, or the elements of a vector, then there is
19070 a very real chance that multiple @kbd{k r}'s will produce the same
19071 number more than once. The @kbd{k h} command produces a vector whose
19072 elements are always distinct. (Actually, there is a slight exception:
19073 If @expr{M} is a vector, no given vector element will be drawn more
19074 than once, but if several elements of @expr{M} are equal, they may
19075 each make it into the result vector.)
19077 One use of @kbd{k h} is to rearrange a list at random. This happens
19078 if the prefix argument is equal to the number of values in the list:
19079 @kbd{[1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3] 5 k h} might produce the permuted list
19080 @samp{[2.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 2]}. As a convenient feature, if the argument
19081 @var{n} is negative it is replaced by the size of the set represented
19082 by @expr{M}. Naturally, this is allowed only when @expr{M} specifies
19083 a small discrete set of possibilities.
19085 To do the equivalent of @kbd{k h} but with duplications allowed,
19086 given @expr{M} on the stack and with @var{n} just entered as a numeric
19087 prefix, use @kbd{v b} to build a vector of copies of @expr{M}, then use
19088 @kbd{V M k r} to ``map'' the normal @kbd{k r} function over the
19089 elements of this vector. @xref{Matrix Functions}.
19092 * Random Number Generator:: (Complete description of Calc's algorithm)
19095 @node Random Number Generator, , Random Numbers, Random Numbers
19096 @subsection Random Number Generator
19098 Calc's random number generator uses several methods to ensure that
19099 the numbers it produces are highly random. Knuth's @emph{Art of
19100 Computer Programming}, Volume II, contains a thorough description
19101 of the theory of random number generators and their measurement and
19104 If @code{RandSeed} has no stored value, Calc calls Emacs' built-in
19105 @code{random} function to get a stream of random numbers, which it
19106 then treats in various ways to avoid problems inherent in the simple
19107 random number generators that many systems use to implement @code{random}.
19109 When Calc's random number generator is first invoked, it ``seeds''
19110 the low-level random sequence using the time of day, so that the
19111 random number sequence will be different every time you use Calc.
19113 Since Emacs Lisp doesn't specify the range of values that will be
19114 returned by its @code{random} function, Calc exercises the function
19115 several times to estimate the range. When Calc subsequently uses
19116 the @code{random} function, it takes only 10 bits of the result
19117 near the most-significant end. (It avoids at least the bottom
19118 four bits, preferably more, and also tries to avoid the top two
19119 bits.) This strategy works well with the linear congruential
19120 generators that are typically used to implement @code{random}.
19122 If @code{RandSeed} contains an integer, Calc uses this integer to
19123 seed an ``additive congruential'' method (Knuth's algorithm 3.2.2A,
19125 @texline @math{X_{n-55} - X_{n-24}}.
19126 @infoline @expr{X_n-55 - X_n-24}).
19127 This method expands the seed
19128 value into a large table which is maintained internally; the variable
19129 @code{RandSeed} is changed from, e.g., 42 to the vector @expr{[42]}
19130 to indicate that the seed has been absorbed into this table. When
19131 @code{RandSeed} contains a vector, @kbd{k r} and related commands
19132 continue to use the same internal table as last time. There is no
19133 way to extract the complete state of the random number generator
19134 so that you can restart it from any point; you can only restart it
19135 from the same initial seed value. A simple way to restart from the
19136 same seed is to type @kbd{s r RandSeed} to get the seed vector,
19137 @kbd{v u} to unpack it back into a number, then @kbd{s t RandSeed}
19138 to reseed the generator with that number.
19140 Calc uses a ``shuffling'' method as described in algorithm 3.2.2B
19141 of Knuth. It fills a table with 13 random 10-bit numbers. Then,
19142 to generate a new random number, it uses the previous number to
19143 index into the table, picks the value it finds there as the new
19144 random number, then replaces that table entry with a new value
19145 obtained from a call to the base random number generator (either
19146 the additive congruential generator or the @code{random} function
19147 supplied by the system). If there are any flaws in the base
19148 generator, shuffling will tend to even them out. But if the system
19149 provides an excellent @code{random} function, shuffling will not
19150 damage its randomness.
19152 To create a random integer of a certain number of digits, Calc
19153 builds the integer three decimal digits at a time. For each group
19154 of three digits, Calc calls its 10-bit shuffling random number generator
19155 (which returns a value from 0 to 1023); if the random value is 1000
19156 or more, Calc throws it out and tries again until it gets a suitable
19159 To create a random floating-point number with precision @var{p}, Calc
19160 simply creates a random @var{p}-digit integer and multiplies by
19161 @texline @math{10^{-p}}.
19162 @infoline @expr{10^-p}.
19163 The resulting random numbers should be very clean, but note
19164 that relatively small numbers will have few significant random digits.
19165 In other words, with a precision of 12, you will occasionally get
19166 numbers on the order of
19167 @texline @math{10^{-9}}
19168 @infoline @expr{10^-9}
19170 @texline @math{10^{-10}},
19171 @infoline @expr{10^-10},
19172 but those numbers will only have two or three random digits since they
19173 correspond to small integers times
19174 @texline @math{10^{-12}}.
19175 @infoline @expr{10^-12}.
19177 To create a random integer in the interval @samp{[0 .. @var{m})}, Calc
19178 counts the digits in @var{m}, creates a random integer with three
19179 additional digits, then reduces modulo @var{m}. Unless @var{m} is a
19180 power of ten the resulting values will be very slightly biased toward
19181 the lower numbers, but this bias will be less than 0.1%. (For example,
19182 if @var{m} is 42, Calc will reduce a random integer less than 100000
19183 modulo 42 to get a result less than 42. It is easy to show that the
19184 numbers 40 and 41 will be only 2380/2381 as likely to result from this
19185 modulo operation as numbers 39 and below.) If @var{m} is a power of
19186 ten, however, the numbers should be completely unbiased.
19188 The Gaussian random numbers generated by @samp{random(0.0)} use the
19189 ``polar'' method described in Knuth section 3.4.1C. This method
19190 generates a pair of Gaussian random numbers at a time, so only every
19191 other call to @samp{random(0.0)} will require significant calculations.
19193 @node Combinatorial Functions, Probability Distribution Functions, Random Numbers, Scientific Functions
19194 @section Combinatorial Functions
19197 Commands relating to combinatorics and number theory begin with the
19198 @kbd{k} key prefix.
19203 The @kbd{k g} (@code{calc-gcd}) [@code{gcd}] command computes the
19204 Greatest Common Divisor of two integers. It also accepts fractions;
19205 the GCD of two fractions is defined by taking the GCD of the
19206 numerators, and the LCM of the denominators. This definition is
19207 consistent with the idea that @samp{a / gcd(a,x)} should yield an
19208 integer for any @samp{a} and @samp{x}. For other types of arguments,
19209 the operation is left in symbolic form.
19214 The @kbd{k l} (@code{calc-lcm}) [@code{lcm}] command computes the
19215 Least Common Multiple of two integers or fractions. The product of
19216 the LCM and GCD of two numbers is equal to the product of the
19220 @pindex calc-extended-gcd
19222 The @kbd{k E} (@code{calc-extended-gcd}) [@code{egcd}] command computes
19223 the GCD of two integers @expr{x} and @expr{y} and returns a vector
19224 @expr{[g, a, b]} where
19225 @texline @math{g = \gcd(x,y) = a x + b y}.
19226 @infoline @expr{g = gcd(x,y) = a x + b y}.
19229 @pindex calc-factorial
19235 The @kbd{!} (@code{calc-factorial}) [@code{fact}] command computes the
19236 factorial of the number at the top of the stack. If the number is an
19237 integer, the result is an exact integer. If the number is an
19238 integer-valued float, the result is a floating-point approximation. If
19239 the number is a non-integral real number, the generalized factorial is used,
19240 as defined by the Euler Gamma function. Please note that computation of
19241 large factorials can be slow; using floating-point format will help
19242 since fewer digits must be maintained. The same is true of many of
19243 the commands in this section.
19246 @pindex calc-double-factorial
19252 The @kbd{k d} (@code{calc-double-factorial}) [@code{dfact}] command
19253 computes the ``double factorial'' of an integer. For an even integer,
19254 this is the product of even integers from 2 to @expr{N}. For an odd
19255 integer, this is the product of odd integers from 3 to @expr{N}. If
19256 the argument is an integer-valued float, the result is a floating-point
19257 approximation. This function is undefined for negative even integers.
19258 The notation @expr{N!!} is also recognized for double factorials.
19261 @pindex calc-choose
19263 The @kbd{k c} (@code{calc-choose}) [@code{choose}] command computes the
19264 binomial coefficient @expr{N}-choose-@expr{M}, where @expr{M} is the number
19265 on the top of the stack and @expr{N} is second-to-top. If both arguments
19266 are integers, the result is an exact integer. Otherwise, the result is a
19267 floating-point approximation. The binomial coefficient is defined for all
19269 @texline @math{N! \over M! (N-M)!\,}.
19270 @infoline @expr{N! / M! (N-M)!}.
19276 The @kbd{H k c} (@code{calc-perm}) [@code{perm}] command computes the
19277 number-of-permutations function @expr{N! / (N-M)!}.
19280 The \kbd{H k c} (\code{calc-perm}) [\code{perm}] command computes the
19281 number-of-perm\-utations function $N! \over (N-M)!\,$.
19286 @pindex calc-bernoulli-number
19288 The @kbd{k b} (@code{calc-bernoulli-number}) [@code{bern}] command
19289 computes a given Bernoulli number. The value at the top of the stack
19290 is a nonnegative integer @expr{n} that specifies which Bernoulli number
19291 is desired. The @kbd{H k b} command computes a Bernoulli polynomial,
19292 taking @expr{n} from the second-to-top position and @expr{x} from the
19293 top of the stack. If @expr{x} is a variable or formula the result is
19294 a polynomial in @expr{x}; if @expr{x} is a number the result is a number.
19298 @pindex calc-euler-number
19300 The @kbd{k e} (@code{calc-euler-number}) [@code{euler}] command similarly
19301 computes an Euler number, and @w{@kbd{H k e}} computes an Euler polynomial.
19302 Bernoulli and Euler numbers occur in the Taylor expansions of several
19307 @pindex calc-stirling-number
19310 The @kbd{k s} (@code{calc-stirling-number}) [@code{stir1}] command
19311 computes a Stirling number of the first
19312 @texline kind@tie{}@math{n \brack m},
19314 given two integers @expr{n} and @expr{m} on the stack. The @kbd{H k s}
19315 [@code{stir2}] command computes a Stirling number of the second
19316 @texline kind@tie{}@math{n \brace m}.
19318 These are the number of @expr{m}-cycle permutations of @expr{n} objects,
19319 and the number of ways to partition @expr{n} objects into @expr{m}
19320 non-empty sets, respectively.
19323 @pindex calc-prime-test
19325 The @kbd{k p} (@code{calc-prime-test}) command checks if the integer on
19326 the top of the stack is prime. For integers less than eight million, the
19327 answer is always exact and reasonably fast. For larger integers, a
19328 probabilistic method is used (see Knuth vol. II, section 4.5.4, algorithm P).
19329 The number is first checked against small prime factors (up to 13). Then,
19330 any number of iterations of the algorithm are performed. Each step either
19331 discovers that the number is non-prime, or substantially increases the
19332 certainty that the number is prime. After a few steps, the chance that
19333 a number was mistakenly described as prime will be less than one percent.
19334 (Indeed, this is a worst-case estimate of the probability; in practice
19335 even a single iteration is quite reliable.) After the @kbd{k p} command,
19336 the number will be reported as definitely prime or non-prime if possible,
19337 or otherwise ``probably'' prime with a certain probability of error.
19343 The normal @kbd{k p} command performs one iteration of the primality
19344 test. Pressing @kbd{k p} repeatedly for the same integer will perform
19345 additional iterations. Also, @kbd{k p} with a numeric prefix performs
19346 the specified number of iterations. There is also an algebraic function
19347 @samp{prime(n)} or @samp{prime(n,iters)} which returns 1 if @expr{n}
19348 is (probably) prime and 0 if not.
19351 @pindex calc-prime-factors
19353 The @kbd{k f} (@code{calc-prime-factors}) [@code{prfac}] command
19354 attempts to decompose an integer into its prime factors. For numbers up
19355 to 25 million, the answer is exact although it may take some time. The
19356 result is a vector of the prime factors in increasing order. For larger
19357 inputs, prime factors above 5000 may not be found, in which case the
19358 last number in the vector will be an unfactored integer greater than 25
19359 million (with a warning message). For negative integers, the first
19360 element of the list will be @mathit{-1}. For inputs @mathit{-1}, @mathit{0}, and
19361 @mathit{1}, the result is a list of the same number.
19364 @pindex calc-next-prime
19366 @mindex nextpr@idots
19369 The @kbd{k n} (@code{calc-next-prime}) [@code{nextprime}] command finds
19370 the next prime above a given number. Essentially, it searches by calling
19371 @code{calc-prime-test} on successive integers until it finds one that
19372 passes the test. This is quite fast for integers less than eight million,
19373 but once the probabilistic test comes into play the search may be rather
19374 slow. Ordinarily this command stops for any prime that passes one iteration
19375 of the primality test. With a numeric prefix argument, a number must pass
19376 the specified number of iterations before the search stops. (This only
19377 matters when searching above eight million.) You can always use additional
19378 @kbd{k p} commands to increase your certainty that the number is indeed
19382 @pindex calc-prev-prime
19384 @mindex prevpr@idots
19387 The @kbd{I k n} (@code{calc-prev-prime}) [@code{prevprime}] command
19388 analogously finds the next prime less than a given number.
19391 @pindex calc-totient
19393 The @kbd{k t} (@code{calc-totient}) [@code{totient}] command computes the
19395 @texline function@tie{}@math{\phi(n)},
19396 @infoline function,
19397 the number of integers less than @expr{n} which
19398 are relatively prime to @expr{n}.
19401 @pindex calc-moebius
19403 The @kbd{k m} (@code{calc-moebius}) [@code{moebius}] command computes the
19404 @texline M@"obius @math{\mu}
19405 @infoline Moebius ``mu''
19406 function. If the input number is a product of @expr{k}
19407 distinct factors, this is @expr{(-1)^k}. If the input number has any
19408 duplicate factors (i.e., can be divided by the same prime more than once),
19409 the result is zero.
19411 @node Probability Distribution Functions, , Combinatorial Functions, Scientific Functions
19412 @section Probability Distribution Functions
19415 The functions in this section compute various probability distributions.
19416 For continuous distributions, this is the integral of the probability
19417 density function from @expr{x} to infinity. (These are the ``upper
19418 tail'' distribution functions; there are also corresponding ``lower
19419 tail'' functions which integrate from minus infinity to @expr{x}.)
19420 For discrete distributions, the upper tail function gives the sum
19421 from @expr{x} to infinity; the lower tail function gives the sum
19422 from minus infinity up to, but not including,@w{ }@expr{x}.
19424 To integrate from @expr{x} to @expr{y}, just use the distribution
19425 function twice and subtract. For example, the probability that a
19426 Gaussian random variable with mean 2 and standard deviation 1 will
19427 lie in the range from 2.5 to 2.8 is @samp{utpn(2.5,2,1) - utpn(2.8,2,1)}
19428 (``the probability that it is greater than 2.5, but not greater than 2.8''),
19429 or equivalently @samp{ltpn(2.8,2,1) - ltpn(2.5,2,1)}.
19436 The @kbd{k B} (@code{calc-utpb}) [@code{utpb}] function uses the
19437 binomial distribution. Push the parameters @var{n}, @var{p}, and
19438 then @var{x} onto the stack; the result (@samp{utpb(x,n,p)}) is the
19439 probability that an event will occur @var{x} or more times out
19440 of @var{n} trials, if its probability of occurring in any given
19441 trial is @var{p}. The @kbd{I k B} [@code{ltpb}] function is
19442 the probability that the event will occur fewer than @var{x} times.
19444 The other probability distribution functions similarly take the
19445 form @kbd{k @var{X}} (@code{calc-utp@var{x}}) [@code{utp@var{x}}]
19446 and @kbd{I k @var{X}} [@code{ltp@var{x}}], for various letters
19447 @var{x}. The arguments to the algebraic functions are the value of
19448 the random variable first, then whatever other parameters define the
19449 distribution. Note these are among the few Calc functions where the
19450 order of the arguments in algebraic form differs from the order of
19451 arguments as found on the stack. (The random variable comes last on
19452 the stack, so that you can type, e.g., @kbd{2 @key{RET} 1 @key{RET} 2.5
19453 k N M-@key{RET} @key{DEL} 2.8 k N -}, using @kbd{M-@key{RET} @key{DEL}} to
19454 recover the original arguments but substitute a new value for @expr{x}.)
19467 The @samp{utpc(x,v)} function uses the chi-square distribution with
19468 @texline @math{\nu}
19470 degrees of freedom. It is the probability that a model is
19471 correct if its chi-square statistic is @expr{x}.
19484 The @samp{utpf(F,v1,v2)} function uses the F distribution, used in
19485 various statistical tests. The parameters
19486 @texline @math{\nu_1}
19487 @infoline @expr{v1}
19489 @texline @math{\nu_2}
19490 @infoline @expr{v2}
19491 are the degrees of freedom in the numerator and denominator,
19492 respectively, used in computing the statistic @expr{F}.
19505 The @samp{utpn(x,m,s)} function uses a normal (Gaussian) distribution
19506 with mean @expr{m} and standard deviation
19507 @texline @math{\sigma}.
19508 @infoline @expr{s}.
19509 It is the probability that such a normal-distributed random variable
19510 would exceed @expr{x}.
19523 The @samp{utpp(n,x)} function uses a Poisson distribution with
19524 mean @expr{x}. It is the probability that @expr{n} or more such
19525 Poisson random events will occur.
19538 The @samp{utpt(t,v)} function uses the Student's ``t'' distribution
19540 @texline @math{\nu}
19542 degrees of freedom. It is the probability that a
19543 t-distributed random variable will be greater than @expr{t}.
19544 (Note: This computes the distribution function
19545 @texline @math{A(t|\nu)}
19546 @infoline @expr{A(t|v)}
19548 @texline @math{A(0|\nu) = 1}
19549 @infoline @expr{A(0|v) = 1}
19551 @texline @math{A(\infty|\nu) \to 0}.
19552 @infoline @expr{A(inf|v) -> 0}.
19553 The @code{UTPT} operation on the HP-48 uses a different definition which
19554 returns half of Calc's value: @samp{UTPT(t,v) = .5*utpt(t,v)}.)
19556 While Calc does not provide inverses of the probability distribution
19557 functions, the @kbd{a R} command can be used to solve for the inverse.
19558 Since the distribution functions are monotonic, @kbd{a R} is guaranteed
19559 to be able to find a solution given any initial guess.
19560 @xref{Numerical Solutions}.
19562 @node Matrix Functions, Algebra, Scientific Functions, Top
19563 @chapter Vector/Matrix Functions
19566 Many of the commands described here begin with the @kbd{v} prefix.
19567 (For convenience, the shift-@kbd{V} prefix is equivalent to @kbd{v}.)
19568 The commands usually apply to both plain vectors and matrices; some
19569 apply only to matrices or only to square matrices. If the argument
19570 has the wrong dimensions the operation is left in symbolic form.
19572 Vectors are entered and displayed using @samp{[a,b,c]} notation.
19573 Matrices are vectors of which all elements are vectors of equal length.
19574 (Though none of the standard Calc commands use this concept, a
19575 three-dimensional matrix or rank-3 tensor could be defined as a
19576 vector of matrices, and so on.)
19579 * Packing and Unpacking::
19580 * Building Vectors::
19581 * Extracting Elements::
19582 * Manipulating Vectors::
19583 * Vector and Matrix Arithmetic::
19585 * Statistical Operations::
19586 * Reducing and Mapping::
19587 * Vector and Matrix Formats::
19590 @node Packing and Unpacking, Building Vectors, Matrix Functions, Matrix Functions
19591 @section Packing and Unpacking
19594 Calc's ``pack'' and ``unpack'' commands collect stack entries to build
19595 composite objects such as vectors and complex numbers. They are
19596 described in this chapter because they are most often used to build
19601 The @kbd{v p} (@code{calc-pack}) [@code{pack}] command collects several
19602 elements from the stack into a matrix, complex number, HMS form, error
19603 form, etc. It uses a numeric prefix argument to specify the kind of
19604 object to be built; this argument is referred to as the ``packing mode.''
19605 If the packing mode is a nonnegative integer, a vector of that
19606 length is created. For example, @kbd{C-u 5 v p} will pop the top
19607 five stack elements and push back a single vector of those five
19608 elements. (@kbd{C-u 0 v p} simply creates an empty vector.)
19610 The same effect can be had by pressing @kbd{[} to push an incomplete
19611 vector on the stack, using @key{TAB} (@code{calc-roll-down}) to sneak
19612 the incomplete object up past a certain number of elements, and
19613 then pressing @kbd{]} to complete the vector.
19615 Negative packing modes create other kinds of composite objects:
19619 Two values are collected to build a complex number. For example,
19620 @kbd{5 @key{RET} 7 C-u -1 v p} creates the complex number
19621 @expr{(5, 7)}. The result is always a rectangular complex
19622 number. The two input values must both be real numbers,
19623 i.e., integers, fractions, or floats. If they are not, Calc
19624 will instead build a formula like @samp{a + (0, 1) b}. (The
19625 other packing modes also create a symbolic answer if the
19626 components are not suitable.)
19629 Two values are collected to build a polar complex number.
19630 The first is the magnitude; the second is the phase expressed
19631 in either degrees or radians according to the current angular
19635 Three values are collected into an HMS form. The first
19636 two values (hours and minutes) must be integers or
19637 integer-valued floats. The third value may be any real
19641 Two values are collected into an error form. The inputs
19642 may be real numbers or formulas.
19645 Two values are collected into a modulo form. The inputs
19646 must be real numbers.
19649 Two values are collected into the interval @samp{[a .. b]}.
19650 The inputs may be real numbers, HMS or date forms, or formulas.
19653 Two values are collected into the interval @samp{[a .. b)}.
19656 Two values are collected into the interval @samp{(a .. b]}.
19659 Two values are collected into the interval @samp{(a .. b)}.
19662 Two integer values are collected into a fraction.
19665 Two values are collected into a floating-point number.
19666 The first is the mantissa; the second, which must be an
19667 integer, is the exponent. The result is the mantissa
19668 times ten to the power of the exponent.
19671 This is treated the same as @mathit{-11} by the @kbd{v p} command.
19672 When unpacking, @mathit{-12} specifies that a floating-point mantissa
19676 A real number is converted into a date form.
19679 Three numbers (year, month, day) are packed into a pure date form.
19682 Six numbers are packed into a date/time form.
19685 With any of the two-input negative packing modes, either or both
19686 of the inputs may be vectors. If both are vectors of the same
19687 length, the result is another vector made by packing corresponding
19688 elements of the input vectors. If one input is a vector and the
19689 other is a plain number, the number is packed along with each vector
19690 element to produce a new vector. For example, @kbd{C-u -4 v p}
19691 could be used to convert a vector of numbers and a vector of errors
19692 into a single vector of error forms; @kbd{C-u -5 v p} could convert
19693 a vector of numbers and a single number @var{M} into a vector of
19694 numbers modulo @var{M}.
19696 If you don't give a prefix argument to @kbd{v p}, it takes
19697 the packing mode from the top of the stack. The elements to
19698 be packed then begin at stack level 2. Thus
19699 @kbd{1 @key{RET} 2 @key{RET} 4 n v p} is another way to
19700 enter the error form @samp{1 +/- 2}.
19702 If the packing mode taken from the stack is a vector, the result is a
19703 matrix with the dimensions specified by the elements of the vector,
19704 which must each be integers. For example, if the packing mode is
19705 @samp{[2, 3]}, then six numbers will be taken from the stack and
19706 returned in the form @samp{[@w{[a, b, c]}, [d, e, f]]}.
19708 If any elements of the vector are negative, other kinds of
19709 packing are done at that level as described above. For
19710 example, @samp{[2, 3, -4]} takes 12 objects and creates a
19711 @texline @math{2\times3}
19713 matrix of error forms: @samp{[[a +/- b, c +/- d ... ]]}.
19714 Also, @samp{[-4, -10]} will convert four integers into an
19715 error form consisting of two fractions: @samp{a:b +/- c:d}.
19721 There is an equivalent algebraic function,
19722 @samp{pack(@var{mode}, @var{items})} where @var{mode} is a
19723 packing mode (an integer or a vector of integers) and @var{items}
19724 is a vector of objects to be packed (re-packed, really) according
19725 to that mode. For example, @samp{pack([3, -4], [a,b,c,d,e,f])}
19726 yields @samp{[a +/- b, @w{c +/- d}, e +/- f]}. The function is
19727 left in symbolic form if the packing mode is invalid, or if the
19728 number of data items does not match the number of items required
19732 @pindex calc-unpack
19733 The @kbd{v u} (@code{calc-unpack}) command takes the vector, complex
19734 number, HMS form, or other composite object on the top of the stack and
19735 ``unpacks'' it, pushing each of its elements onto the stack as separate
19736 objects. Thus, it is the ``inverse'' of @kbd{v p}. If the value
19737 at the top of the stack is a formula, @kbd{v u} unpacks it by pushing
19738 each of the arguments of the top-level operator onto the stack.
19740 You can optionally give a numeric prefix argument to @kbd{v u}
19741 to specify an explicit (un)packing mode. If the packing mode is
19742 negative and the input is actually a vector or matrix, the result
19743 will be two or more similar vectors or matrices of the elements.
19744 For example, given the vector @samp{[@w{a +/- b}, c^2, d +/- 7]},
19745 the result of @kbd{C-u -4 v u} will be the two vectors
19746 @samp{[a, c^2, d]} and @w{@samp{[b, 0, 7]}}.
19748 Note that the prefix argument can have an effect even when the input is
19749 not a vector. For example, if the input is the number @mathit{-5}, then
19750 @kbd{c-u -1 v u} yields @mathit{-5} and 0 (the components of @mathit{-5}
19751 when viewed as a rectangular complex number); @kbd{C-u -2 v u} yields 5
19752 and 180 (assuming Degrees mode); and @kbd{C-u -10 v u} yields @mathit{-5}
19753 and 1 (the numerator and denominator of @mathit{-5}, viewed as a rational
19754 number). Plain @kbd{v u} with this input would complain that the input
19755 is not a composite object.
19757 Unpacking mode @mathit{-11} converts a float into an integer mantissa and
19758 an integer exponent, where the mantissa is not divisible by 10
19759 (except that 0.0 is represented by a mantissa and exponent of 0).
19760 Unpacking mode @mathit{-12} converts a float into a floating-point mantissa
19761 and integer exponent, where the mantissa (for non-zero numbers)
19762 is guaranteed to lie in the range [1 .. 10). In both cases,
19763 the mantissa is shifted left or right (and the exponent adjusted
19764 to compensate) in order to satisfy these constraints.
19766 Positive unpacking modes are treated differently than for @kbd{v p}.
19767 A mode of 1 is much like plain @kbd{v u} with no prefix argument,
19768 except that in addition to the components of the input object,
19769 a suitable packing mode to re-pack the object is also pushed.
19770 Thus, @kbd{C-u 1 v u} followed by @kbd{v p} will re-build the
19773 A mode of 2 unpacks two levels of the object; the resulting
19774 re-packing mode will be a vector of length 2. This might be used
19775 to unpack a matrix, say, or a vector of error forms. Higher
19776 unpacking modes unpack the input even more deeply.
19782 There are two algebraic functions analogous to @kbd{v u}.
19783 The @samp{unpack(@var{mode}, @var{item})} function unpacks the
19784 @var{item} using the given @var{mode}, returning the result as
19785 a vector of components. Here the @var{mode} must be an
19786 integer, not a vector. For example, @samp{unpack(-4, a +/- b)}
19787 returns @samp{[a, b]}, as does @samp{unpack(1, a +/- b)}.
19793 The @code{unpackt} function is like @code{unpack} but instead
19794 of returning a simple vector of items, it returns a vector of
19795 two things: The mode, and the vector of items. For example,
19796 @samp{unpackt(1, 2:3 +/- 1:4)} returns @samp{[-4, [2:3, 1:4]]},
19797 and @samp{unpackt(2, 2:3 +/- 1:4)} returns @samp{[[-4, -10], [2, 3, 1, 4]]}.
19798 The identity for re-building the original object is
19799 @samp{apply(pack, unpackt(@var{n}, @var{x})) = @var{x}}. (The
19800 @code{apply} function builds a function call given the function
19801 name and a vector of arguments.)
19803 @cindex Numerator of a fraction, extracting
19804 Subscript notation is a useful way to extract a particular part
19805 of an object. For example, to get the numerator of a rational
19806 number, you can use @samp{unpack(-10, @var{x})_1}.
19808 @node Building Vectors, Extracting Elements, Packing and Unpacking, Matrix Functions
19809 @section Building Vectors
19812 Vectors and matrices can be added,
19813 subtracted, multiplied, and divided; @pxref{Basic Arithmetic}.
19816 @pindex calc-concat
19821 The @kbd{|} (@code{calc-concat}) [@code{vconcat}] command ``concatenates'' two vectors
19822 into one. For example, after @kbd{@w{[ 1 , 2 ]} [ 3 , 4 ] |}, the stack
19823 will contain the single vector @samp{[1, 2, 3, 4]}. If the arguments
19824 are matrices, the rows of the first matrix are concatenated with the
19825 rows of the second. (In other words, two matrices are just two vectors
19826 of row-vectors as far as @kbd{|} is concerned.)
19828 If either argument to @kbd{|} is a scalar (a non-vector), it is treated
19829 like a one-element vector for purposes of concatenation: @kbd{1 [ 2 , 3 ] |}
19830 produces the vector @samp{[1, 2, 3]}. Likewise, if one argument is a
19831 matrix and the other is a plain vector, the vector is treated as a
19836 The @kbd{H |} (@code{calc-append}) [@code{append}] command concatenates
19837 two vectors without any special cases. Both inputs must be vectors.
19838 Whether or not they are matrices is not taken into account. If either
19839 argument is a scalar, the @code{append} function is left in symbolic form.
19840 See also @code{cons} and @code{rcons} below.
19844 The @kbd{I |} and @kbd{H I |} commands are similar, but they use their
19845 two stack arguments in the opposite order. Thus @kbd{I |} is equivalent
19846 to @kbd{@key{TAB} |}, but possibly more convenient and also a bit faster.
19851 The @kbd{v d} (@code{calc-diag}) [@code{diag}] function builds a diagonal
19852 square matrix. The optional numeric prefix gives the number of rows
19853 and columns in the matrix. If the value at the top of the stack is a
19854 vector, the elements of the vector are used as the diagonal elements; the
19855 prefix, if specified, must match the size of the vector. If the value on
19856 the stack is a scalar, it is used for each element on the diagonal, and
19857 the prefix argument is required.
19859 To build a constant square matrix, e.g., a
19860 @texline @math{3\times3}
19862 matrix filled with ones, use @kbd{0 M-3 v d 1 +}, i.e., build a zero
19863 matrix first and then add a constant value to that matrix. (Another
19864 alternative would be to use @kbd{v b} and @kbd{v a}; see below.)
19869 The @kbd{v i} (@code{calc-ident}) [@code{idn}] function builds an identity
19870 matrix of the specified size. It is a convenient form of @kbd{v d}
19871 where the diagonal element is always one. If no prefix argument is given,
19872 this command prompts for one.
19874 In algebraic notation, @samp{idn(a,n)} acts much like @samp{diag(a,n)},
19875 except that @expr{a} is required to be a scalar (non-vector) quantity.
19876 If @expr{n} is omitted, @samp{idn(a)} represents @expr{a} times an
19877 identity matrix of unknown size. Calc can operate algebraically on
19878 such generic identity matrices, and if one is combined with a matrix
19879 whose size is known, it is converted automatically to an identity
19880 matrix of a suitable matching size. The @kbd{v i} command with an
19881 argument of zero creates a generic identity matrix, @samp{idn(1)}.
19882 Note that in dimensioned Matrix mode (@pxref{Matrix Mode}), generic
19883 identity matrices are immediately expanded to the current default
19889 The @kbd{v x} (@code{calc-index}) [@code{index}] function builds a vector
19890 of consecutive integers from 1 to @var{n}, where @var{n} is the numeric
19891 prefix argument. If you do not provide a prefix argument, you will be
19892 prompted to enter a suitable number. If @var{n} is negative, the result
19893 is a vector of negative integers from @var{n} to @mathit{-1}.
19895 With a prefix argument of just @kbd{C-u}, the @kbd{v x} command takes
19896 three values from the stack: @var{n}, @var{start}, and @var{incr} (with
19897 @var{incr} at top-of-stack). Counting starts at @var{start} and increases
19898 by @var{incr} for successive vector elements. If @var{start} or @var{n}
19899 is in floating-point format, the resulting vector elements will also be
19900 floats. Note that @var{start} and @var{incr} may in fact be any kind
19901 of numbers or formulas.
19903 When @var{start} and @var{incr} are specified, a negative @var{n} has a
19904 different interpretation: It causes a geometric instead of arithmetic
19905 sequence to be generated. For example, @samp{index(-3, a, b)} produces
19906 @samp{[a, a b, a b^2]}. If you omit @var{incr} in the algebraic form,
19907 @samp{index(@var{n}, @var{start})}, the default value for @var{incr}
19908 is one for positive @var{n} or two for negative @var{n}.
19911 @pindex calc-build-vector
19913 The @kbd{v b} (@code{calc-build-vector}) [@code{cvec}] function builds a
19914 vector of @var{n} copies of the value on the top of the stack, where @var{n}
19915 is the numeric prefix argument. In algebraic formulas, @samp{cvec(x,n,m)}
19916 can also be used to build an @var{n}-by-@var{m} matrix of copies of @var{x}.
19917 (Interactively, just use @kbd{v b} twice: once to build a row, then again
19918 to build a matrix of copies of that row.)
19926 The @kbd{v h} (@code{calc-head}) [@code{head}] function returns the first
19927 element of a vector. The @kbd{I v h} (@code{calc-tail}) [@code{tail}]
19928 function returns the vector with its first element removed. In both
19929 cases, the argument must be a non-empty vector.
19934 The @kbd{v k} (@code{calc-cons}) [@code{cons}] function takes a value @var{h}
19935 and a vector @var{t} from the stack, and produces the vector whose head is
19936 @var{h} and whose tail is @var{t}. This is similar to @kbd{|}, except
19937 if @var{h} is itself a vector, @kbd{|} will concatenate the two vectors
19938 whereas @code{cons} will insert @var{h} at the front of the vector @var{t}.
19958 Each of these three functions also accepts the Hyperbolic flag [@code{rhead},
19959 @code{rtail}, @code{rcons}] in which case @var{t} instead represents
19960 the @emph{last} single element of the vector, with @var{h}
19961 representing the remainder of the vector. Thus the vector
19962 @samp{[a, b, c, d] = cons(a, [b, c, d]) = rcons([a, b, c], d)}.
19963 Also, @samp{head([a, b, c, d]) = a}, @samp{tail([a, b, c, d]) = [b, c, d]},
19964 @samp{rhead([a, b, c, d]) = [a, b, c]}, and @samp{rtail([a, b, c, d]) = d}.
19966 @node Extracting Elements, Manipulating Vectors, Building Vectors, Matrix Functions
19967 @section Extracting Vector Elements
19973 The @kbd{v r} (@code{calc-mrow}) [@code{mrow}] command extracts one row of
19974 the matrix on the top of the stack, or one element of the plain vector on
19975 the top of the stack. The row or element is specified by the numeric
19976 prefix argument; the default is to prompt for the row or element number.
19977 The matrix or vector is replaced by the specified row or element in the
19978 form of a vector or scalar, respectively.
19980 @cindex Permutations, applying
19981 With a prefix argument of @kbd{C-u} only, @kbd{v r} takes the index of
19982 the element or row from the top of the stack, and the vector or matrix
19983 from the second-to-top position. If the index is itself a vector of
19984 integers, the result is a vector of the corresponding elements of the
19985 input vector, or a matrix of the corresponding rows of the input matrix.
19986 This command can be used to obtain any permutation of a vector.
19988 With @kbd{C-u}, if the index is an interval form with integer components,
19989 it is interpreted as a range of indices and the corresponding subvector or
19990 submatrix is returned.
19992 @cindex Subscript notation
19994 @pindex calc-subscript
19997 Subscript notation in algebraic formulas (@samp{a_b}) stands for the
19998 Calc function @code{subscr}, which is synonymous with @code{mrow}.
19999 Thus, @samp{[x, y, z]_k} produces @expr{x}, @expr{y}, or @expr{z} if
20000 @expr{k} is one, two, or three, respectively. A double subscript
20001 (@samp{M_i_j}, equivalent to @samp{subscr(subscr(M, i), j)}) will
20002 access the element at row @expr{i}, column @expr{j} of a matrix.
20003 The @kbd{a _} (@code{calc-subscript}) command creates a subscript
20004 formula @samp{a_b} out of two stack entries. (It is on the @kbd{a}
20005 ``algebra'' prefix because subscripted variables are often used
20006 purely as an algebraic notation.)
20009 Given a negative prefix argument, @kbd{v r} instead deletes one row or
20010 element from the matrix or vector on the top of the stack. Thus
20011 @kbd{C-u 2 v r} replaces a matrix with its second row, but @kbd{C-u -2 v r}
20012 replaces the matrix with the same matrix with its second row removed.
20013 In algebraic form this function is called @code{mrrow}.
20016 Given a prefix argument of zero, @kbd{v r} extracts the diagonal elements
20017 of a square matrix in the form of a vector. In algebraic form this
20018 function is called @code{getdiag}.
20024 The @kbd{v c} (@code{calc-mcol}) [@code{mcol} or @code{mrcol}] command is
20025 the analogous operation on columns of a matrix. Given a plain vector
20026 it extracts (or removes) one element, just like @kbd{v r}. If the
20027 index in @kbd{C-u v c} is an interval or vector and the argument is a
20028 matrix, the result is a submatrix with only the specified columns
20029 retained (and possibly permuted in the case of a vector index).
20031 To extract a matrix element at a given row and column, use @kbd{v r} to
20032 extract the row as a vector, then @kbd{v c} to extract the column element
20033 from that vector. In algebraic formulas, it is often more convenient to
20034 use subscript notation: @samp{m_i_j} gives row @expr{i}, column @expr{j}
20035 of matrix @expr{m}.
20038 @pindex calc-subvector
20040 The @kbd{v s} (@code{calc-subvector}) [@code{subvec}] command extracts
20041 a subvector of a vector. The arguments are the vector, the starting
20042 index, and the ending index, with the ending index in the top-of-stack
20043 position. The starting index indicates the first element of the vector
20044 to take. The ending index indicates the first element @emph{past} the
20045 range to be taken. Thus, @samp{subvec([a, b, c, d, e], 2, 4)} produces
20046 the subvector @samp{[b, c]}. You could get the same result using
20047 @samp{mrow([a, b, c, d, e], @w{[2 .. 4)})}.
20049 If either the start or the end index is zero or negative, it is
20050 interpreted as relative to the end of the vector. Thus
20051 @samp{subvec([a, b, c, d, e], 2, -2)} also produces @samp{[b, c]}. In
20052 the algebraic form, the end index can be omitted in which case it
20053 is taken as zero, i.e., elements from the starting element to the
20054 end of the vector are used. The infinity symbol, @code{inf}, also
20055 has this effect when used as the ending index.
20059 With the Inverse flag, @kbd{I v s} [@code{rsubvec}] removes a subvector
20060 from a vector. The arguments are interpreted the same as for the
20061 normal @kbd{v s} command. Thus, @samp{rsubvec([a, b, c, d, e], 2, 4)}
20062 produces @samp{[a, d, e]}. It is always true that @code{subvec} and
20063 @code{rsubvec} return complementary parts of the input vector.
20065 @xref{Selecting Subformulas}, for an alternative way to operate on
20066 vectors one element at a time.
20068 @node Manipulating Vectors, Vector and Matrix Arithmetic, Extracting Elements, Matrix Functions
20069 @section Manipulating Vectors
20073 @pindex calc-vlength
20075 The @kbd{v l} (@code{calc-vlength}) [@code{vlen}] command computes the
20076 length of a vector. The length of a non-vector is considered to be zero.
20077 Note that matrices are just vectors of vectors for the purposes of this
20082 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H v l} [@code{mdims}] computes a vector
20083 of the dimensions of a vector, matrix, or higher-order object. For
20084 example, @samp{mdims([[a,b,c],[d,e,f]])} returns @samp{[2, 3]} since
20086 @texline @math{2\times3}
20091 @pindex calc-vector-find
20093 The @kbd{v f} (@code{calc-vector-find}) [@code{find}] command searches
20094 along a vector for the first element equal to a given target. The target
20095 is on the top of the stack; the vector is in the second-to-top position.
20096 If a match is found, the result is the index of the matching element.
20097 Otherwise, the result is zero. The numeric prefix argument, if given,
20098 allows you to select any starting index for the search.
20101 @pindex calc-arrange-vector
20103 @cindex Arranging a matrix
20104 @cindex Reshaping a matrix
20105 @cindex Flattening a matrix
20106 The @kbd{v a} (@code{calc-arrange-vector}) [@code{arrange}] command
20107 rearranges a vector to have a certain number of columns and rows. The
20108 numeric prefix argument specifies the number of columns; if you do not
20109 provide an argument, you will be prompted for the number of columns.
20110 The vector or matrix on the top of the stack is @dfn{flattened} into a
20111 plain vector. If the number of columns is nonzero, this vector is
20112 then formed into a matrix by taking successive groups of @var{n} elements.
20113 If the number of columns does not evenly divide the number of elements
20114 in the vector, the last row will be short and the result will not be
20115 suitable for use as a matrix. For example, with the matrix
20116 @samp{[[1, 2], @w{[3, 4]}]} on the stack, @kbd{v a 4} produces
20117 @samp{[[1, 2, 3, 4]]} (a
20118 @texline @math{1\times4}
20120 matrix), @kbd{v a 1} produces @samp{[[1], [2], [3], [4]]} (a
20121 @texline @math{4\times1}
20123 matrix), @kbd{v a 2} produces @samp{[[1, 2], [3, 4]]} (the original
20124 @texline @math{2\times2}
20126 matrix), @w{@kbd{v a 3}} produces @samp{[[1, 2, 3], [4]]} (not a
20127 matrix), and @kbd{v a 0} produces the flattened list
20128 @samp{[1, 2, @w{3, 4}]}.
20130 @cindex Sorting data
20136 The @kbd{V S} (@code{calc-sort}) [@code{sort}] command sorts the elements of
20137 a vector into increasing order. Real numbers, real infinities, and
20138 constant interval forms come first in this ordering; next come other
20139 kinds of numbers, then variables (in alphabetical order), then finally
20140 come formulas and other kinds of objects; these are sorted according
20141 to a kind of lexicographic ordering with the useful property that
20142 one vector is less or greater than another if the first corresponding
20143 unequal elements are less or greater, respectively. Since quoted strings
20144 are stored by Calc internally as vectors of ASCII character codes
20145 (@pxref{Strings}), this means vectors of strings are also sorted into
20146 alphabetical order by this command.
20148 The @kbd{I V S} [@code{rsort}] command sorts a vector into decreasing order.
20150 @cindex Permutation, inverse of
20151 @cindex Inverse of permutation
20152 @cindex Index tables
20153 @cindex Rank tables
20159 The @kbd{V G} (@code{calc-grade}) [@code{grade}, @code{rgrade}] command
20160 produces an index table or permutation vector which, if applied to the
20161 input vector (as the index of @kbd{C-u v r}, say), would sort the vector.
20162 A permutation vector is just a vector of integers from 1 to @var{n}, where
20163 each integer occurs exactly once. One application of this is to sort a
20164 matrix of data rows using one column as the sort key; extract that column,
20165 grade it with @kbd{V G}, then use the result to reorder the original matrix
20166 with @kbd{C-u v r}. Another interesting property of the @code{V G} command
20167 is that, if the input is itself a permutation vector, the result will
20168 be the inverse of the permutation. The inverse of an index table is
20169 a rank table, whose @var{k}th element says where the @var{k}th original
20170 vector element will rest when the vector is sorted. To get a rank
20171 table, just use @kbd{V G V G}.
20173 With the Inverse flag, @kbd{I V G} produces an index table that would
20174 sort the input into decreasing order. Note that @kbd{V S} and @kbd{V G}
20175 use a ``stable'' sorting algorithm, i.e., any two elements which are equal
20176 will not be moved out of their original order. Generally there is no way
20177 to tell with @kbd{V S}, since two elements which are equal look the same,
20178 but with @kbd{V G} this can be an important issue. In the matrix-of-rows
20179 example, suppose you have names and telephone numbers as two columns and
20180 you wish to sort by phone number primarily, and by name when the numbers
20181 are equal. You can sort the data matrix by names first, and then again
20182 by phone numbers. Because the sort is stable, any two rows with equal
20183 phone numbers will remain sorted by name even after the second sort.
20187 @pindex calc-histogram
20189 @mindex histo@idots
20192 The @kbd{V H} (@code{calc-histogram}) [@code{histogram}] command builds a
20193 histogram of a vector of numbers. Vector elements are assumed to be
20194 integers or real numbers in the range [0..@var{n}) for some ``number of
20195 bins'' @var{n}, which is the numeric prefix argument given to the
20196 command. The result is a vector of @var{n} counts of how many times
20197 each value appeared in the original vector. Non-integers in the input
20198 are rounded down to integers. Any vector elements outside the specified
20199 range are ignored. (You can tell if elements have been ignored by noting
20200 that the counts in the result vector don't add up to the length of the
20204 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H V H} pulls two vectors from the stack.
20205 The second-to-top vector is the list of numbers as before. The top
20206 vector is an equal-sized list of ``weights'' to attach to the elements
20207 of the data vector. For example, if the first data element is 4.2 and
20208 the first weight is 10, then 10 will be added to bin 4 of the result
20209 vector. Without the hyperbolic flag, every element has a weight of one.
20212 @pindex calc-transpose
20214 The @kbd{v t} (@code{calc-transpose}) [@code{trn}] command computes
20215 the transpose of the matrix at the top of the stack. If the argument
20216 is a plain vector, it is treated as a row vector and transposed into
20217 a one-column matrix.
20220 @pindex calc-reverse-vector
20222 The @kbd{v v} (@code{calc-reverse-vector}) [@code{rev}] command reverses
20223 a vector end-for-end. Given a matrix, it reverses the order of the rows.
20224 (To reverse the columns instead, just use @kbd{v t v v v t}. The same
20225 principle can be used to apply other vector commands to the columns of
20229 @pindex calc-mask-vector
20231 The @kbd{v m} (@code{calc-mask-vector}) [@code{vmask}] command uses
20232 one vector as a mask to extract elements of another vector. The mask
20233 is in the second-to-top position; the target vector is on the top of
20234 the stack. These vectors must have the same length. The result is
20235 the same as the target vector, but with all elements which correspond
20236 to zeros in the mask vector deleted. Thus, for example,
20237 @samp{vmask([1, 0, 1, 0, 1], [a, b, c, d, e])} produces @samp{[a, c, e]}.
20238 @xref{Logical Operations}.
20241 @pindex calc-expand-vector
20243 The @kbd{v e} (@code{calc-expand-vector}) [@code{vexp}] command
20244 expands a vector according to another mask vector. The result is a
20245 vector the same length as the mask, but with nonzero elements replaced
20246 by successive elements from the target vector. The length of the target
20247 vector is normally the number of nonzero elements in the mask. If the
20248 target vector is longer, its last few elements are lost. If the target
20249 vector is shorter, the last few nonzero mask elements are left
20250 unreplaced in the result. Thus @samp{vexp([2, 0, 3, 0, 7], [a, b])}
20251 produces @samp{[a, 0, b, 0, 7]}.
20254 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H v e} takes a filler value from the
20255 top of the stack; the mask and target vectors come from the third and
20256 second elements of the stack. This filler is used where the mask is
20257 zero: @samp{vexp([2, 0, 3, 0, 7], [a, b], z)} produces
20258 @samp{[a, z, c, z, 7]}. If the filler value is itself a vector,
20259 then successive values are taken from it, so that the effect is to
20260 interleave two vectors according to the mask:
20261 @samp{vexp([2, 0, 3, 7, 0, 0], [a, b], [x, y])} produces
20262 @samp{[a, x, b, 7, y, 0]}.
20264 Another variation on the masking idea is to combine @samp{[a, b, c, d, e]}
20265 with the mask @samp{[1, 0, 1, 0, 1]} to produce @samp{[a, 0, c, 0, e]}.
20266 You can accomplish this with @kbd{V M a &}, mapping the logical ``and''
20267 operation across the two vectors. @xref{Logical Operations}. Note that
20268 the @code{? :} operation also discussed there allows other types of
20269 masking using vectors.
20271 @node Vector and Matrix Arithmetic, Set Operations, Manipulating Vectors, Matrix Functions
20272 @section Vector and Matrix Arithmetic
20275 Basic arithmetic operations like addition and multiplication are defined
20276 for vectors and matrices as well as for numbers. Division of matrices, in
20277 the sense of multiplying by the inverse, is supported. (Division by a
20278 matrix actually uses LU-decomposition for greater accuracy and speed.)
20279 @xref{Basic Arithmetic}.
20281 The following functions are applied element-wise if their arguments are
20282 vectors or matrices: @code{change-sign}, @code{conj}, @code{arg},
20283 @code{re}, @code{im}, @code{polar}, @code{rect}, @code{clean},
20284 @code{float}, @code{frac}. @xref{Function Index}.
20287 @pindex calc-conj-transpose
20289 The @kbd{V J} (@code{calc-conj-transpose}) [@code{ctrn}] command computes
20290 the conjugate transpose of its argument, i.e., @samp{conj(trn(x))}.
20295 @kindex A (vectors)
20296 @pindex calc-abs (vectors)
20300 @tindex abs (vectors)
20301 The @kbd{A} (@code{calc-abs}) [@code{abs}] command computes the
20302 Frobenius norm of a vector or matrix argument. This is the square
20303 root of the sum of the squares of the absolute values of the
20304 elements of the vector or matrix. If the vector is interpreted as
20305 a point in two- or three-dimensional space, this is the distance
20306 from that point to the origin.
20311 The @kbd{v n} (@code{calc-rnorm}) [@code{rnorm}] command computes
20312 the row norm, or infinity-norm, of a vector or matrix. For a plain
20313 vector, this is the maximum of the absolute values of the elements.
20314 For a matrix, this is the maximum of the row-absolute-value-sums,
20315 i.e., of the sums of the absolute values of the elements along the
20321 The @kbd{V N} (@code{calc-cnorm}) [@code{cnorm}] command computes
20322 the column norm, or one-norm, of a vector or matrix. For a plain
20323 vector, this is the sum of the absolute values of the elements.
20324 For a matrix, this is the maximum of the column-absolute-value-sums.
20325 General @expr{k}-norms for @expr{k} other than one or infinity are
20331 The @kbd{V C} (@code{calc-cross}) [@code{cross}] command computes the
20332 right-handed cross product of two vectors, each of which must have
20333 exactly three elements.
20338 @kindex & (matrices)
20339 @pindex calc-inv (matrices)
20343 @tindex inv (matrices)
20344 The @kbd{&} (@code{calc-inv}) [@code{inv}] command computes the
20345 inverse of a square matrix. If the matrix is singular, the inverse
20346 operation is left in symbolic form. Matrix inverses are recorded so
20347 that once an inverse (or determinant) of a particular matrix has been
20348 computed, the inverse and determinant of the matrix can be recomputed
20349 quickly in the future.
20351 If the argument to @kbd{&} is a plain number @expr{x}, this
20352 command simply computes @expr{1/x}. This is okay, because the
20353 @samp{/} operator also does a matrix inversion when dividing one
20359 The @kbd{V D} (@code{calc-mdet}) [@code{det}] command computes the
20360 determinant of a square matrix.
20365 The @kbd{V L} (@code{calc-mlud}) [@code{lud}] command computes the
20366 LU decomposition of a matrix. The result is a list of three matrices
20367 which, when multiplied together left-to-right, form the original matrix.
20368 The first is a permutation matrix that arises from pivoting in the
20369 algorithm, the second is lower-triangular with ones on the diagonal,
20370 and the third is upper-triangular.
20373 @pindex calc-mtrace
20375 The @kbd{V T} (@code{calc-mtrace}) [@code{tr}] command computes the
20376 trace of a square matrix. This is defined as the sum of the diagonal
20377 elements of the matrix.
20379 @node Set Operations, Statistical Operations, Vector and Matrix Arithmetic, Matrix Functions
20380 @section Set Operations using Vectors
20383 @cindex Sets, as vectors
20384 Calc includes several commands which interpret vectors as @dfn{sets} of
20385 objects. A set is a collection of objects; any given object can appear
20386 only once in the set. Calc stores sets as vectors of objects in
20387 sorted order. Objects in a Calc set can be any of the usual things,
20388 such as numbers, variables, or formulas. Two set elements are considered
20389 equal if they are identical, except that numerically equal numbers like
20390 the integer 4 and the float 4.0 are considered equal even though they
20391 are not ``identical.'' Variables are treated like plain symbols without
20392 attached values by the set operations; subtracting the set @samp{[b]}
20393 from @samp{[a, b]} always yields the set @samp{[a]} even though if
20394 the variables @samp{a} and @samp{b} both equaled 17, you might
20395 expect the answer @samp{[]}.
20397 If a set contains interval forms, then it is assumed to be a set of
20398 real numbers. In this case, all set operations require the elements
20399 of the set to be only things that are allowed in intervals: Real
20400 numbers, plus and minus infinity, HMS forms, and date forms. If
20401 there are variables or other non-real objects present in a real set,
20402 all set operations on it will be left in unevaluated form.
20404 If the input to a set operation is a plain number or interval form
20405 @var{a}, it is treated like the one-element vector @samp{[@var{a}]}.
20406 The result is always a vector, except that if the set consists of a
20407 single interval, the interval itself is returned instead.
20409 @xref{Logical Operations}, for the @code{in} function which tests if
20410 a certain value is a member of a given set. To test if the set @expr{A}
20411 is a subset of the set @expr{B}, use @samp{vdiff(A, B) = []}.
20414 @pindex calc-remove-duplicates
20416 The @kbd{V +} (@code{calc-remove-duplicates}) [@code{rdup}] command
20417 converts an arbitrary vector into set notation. It works by sorting
20418 the vector as if by @kbd{V S}, then removing duplicates. (For example,
20419 @kbd{[a, 5, 4, a, 4.0]} is sorted to @samp{[4, 4.0, 5, a, a]} and then
20420 reduced to @samp{[4, 5, a]}). Overlapping intervals are merged as
20421 necessary. You rarely need to use @kbd{V +} explicitly, since all the
20422 other set-based commands apply @kbd{V +} to their inputs before using
20426 @pindex calc-set-union
20428 The @kbd{V V} (@code{calc-set-union}) [@code{vunion}] command computes
20429 the union of two sets. An object is in the union of two sets if and
20430 only if it is in either (or both) of the input sets. (You could
20431 accomplish the same thing by concatenating the sets with @kbd{|},
20432 then using @kbd{V +}.)
20435 @pindex calc-set-intersect
20437 The @kbd{V ^} (@code{calc-set-intersect}) [@code{vint}] command computes
20438 the intersection of two sets. An object is in the intersection if
20439 and only if it is in both of the input sets. Thus if the input
20440 sets are disjoint, i.e., if they share no common elements, the result
20441 will be the empty vector @samp{[]}. Note that the characters @kbd{V}
20442 and @kbd{^} were chosen to be close to the conventional mathematical
20444 @texline union@tie{}(@math{A \cup B})
20447 @texline intersection@tie{}(@math{A \cap B}).
20448 @infoline intersection.
20451 @pindex calc-set-difference
20453 The @kbd{V -} (@code{calc-set-difference}) [@code{vdiff}] command computes
20454 the difference between two sets. An object is in the difference
20455 @expr{A - B} if and only if it is in @expr{A} but not in @expr{B}.
20456 Thus subtracting @samp{[y,z]} from a set will remove the elements
20457 @samp{y} and @samp{z} if they are present. You can also think of this
20458 as a general @dfn{set complement} operator; if @expr{A} is the set of
20459 all possible values, then @expr{A - B} is the ``complement'' of @expr{B}.
20460 Obviously this is only practical if the set of all possible values in
20461 your problem is small enough to list in a Calc vector (or simple
20462 enough to express in a few intervals).
20465 @pindex calc-set-xor
20467 The @kbd{V X} (@code{calc-set-xor}) [@code{vxor}] command computes
20468 the ``exclusive-or,'' or ``symmetric difference'' of two sets.
20469 An object is in the symmetric difference of two sets if and only
20470 if it is in one, but @emph{not} both, of the sets. Objects that
20471 occur in both sets ``cancel out.''
20474 @pindex calc-set-complement
20476 The @kbd{V ~} (@code{calc-set-complement}) [@code{vcompl}] command
20477 computes the complement of a set with respect to the real numbers.
20478 Thus @samp{vcompl(x)} is equivalent to @samp{vdiff([-inf .. inf], x)}.
20479 For example, @samp{vcompl([2, (3 .. 4]])} evaluates to
20480 @samp{[[-inf .. 2), (2 .. 3], (4 .. inf]]}.
20483 @pindex calc-set-floor
20485 The @kbd{V F} (@code{calc-set-floor}) [@code{vfloor}] command
20486 reinterprets a set as a set of integers. Any non-integer values,
20487 and intervals that do not enclose any integers, are removed. Open
20488 intervals are converted to equivalent closed intervals. Successive
20489 integers are converted into intervals of integers. For example, the
20490 complement of the set @samp{[2, 6, 7, 8]} is messy, but if you wanted
20491 the complement with respect to the set of integers you could type
20492 @kbd{V ~ V F} to get @samp{[[-inf .. 1], [3 .. 5], [9 .. inf]]}.
20495 @pindex calc-set-enumerate
20497 The @kbd{V E} (@code{calc-set-enumerate}) [@code{venum}] command
20498 converts a set of integers into an explicit vector. Intervals in
20499 the set are expanded out to lists of all integers encompassed by
20500 the intervals. This only works for finite sets (i.e., sets which
20501 do not involve @samp{-inf} or @samp{inf}).
20504 @pindex calc-set-span
20506 The @kbd{V :} (@code{calc-set-span}) [@code{vspan}] command converts any
20507 set of reals into an interval form that encompasses all its elements.
20508 The lower limit will be the smallest element in the set; the upper
20509 limit will be the largest element. For an empty set, @samp{vspan([])}
20510 returns the empty interval @w{@samp{[0 .. 0)}}.
20513 @pindex calc-set-cardinality
20515 The @kbd{V #} (@code{calc-set-cardinality}) [@code{vcard}] command counts
20516 the number of integers in a set. The result is the length of the vector
20517 that would be produced by @kbd{V E}, although the computation is much
20518 more efficient than actually producing that vector.
20520 @cindex Sets, as binary numbers
20521 Another representation for sets that may be more appropriate in some
20522 cases is binary numbers. If you are dealing with sets of integers
20523 in the range 0 to 49, you can use a 50-bit binary number where a
20524 particular bit is 1 if the corresponding element is in the set.
20525 @xref{Binary Functions}, for a list of commands that operate on
20526 binary numbers. Note that many of the above set operations have
20527 direct equivalents in binary arithmetic: @kbd{b o} (@code{calc-or}),
20528 @kbd{b a} (@code{calc-and}), @kbd{b d} (@code{calc-diff}),
20529 @kbd{b x} (@code{calc-xor}), and @kbd{b n} (@code{calc-not}),
20530 respectively. You can use whatever representation for sets is most
20535 @pindex calc-pack-bits
20536 @pindex calc-unpack-bits
20539 The @kbd{b u} (@code{calc-unpack-bits}) [@code{vunpack}] command
20540 converts an integer that represents a set in binary into a set
20541 in vector/interval notation. For example, @samp{vunpack(67)}
20542 returns @samp{[[0 .. 1], 6]}. If the input is negative, the set
20543 it represents is semi-infinite: @samp{vunpack(-4) = [2 .. inf)}.
20544 Use @kbd{V E} afterwards to expand intervals to individual
20545 values if you wish. Note that this command uses the @kbd{b}
20546 (binary) prefix key.
20548 The @kbd{b p} (@code{calc-pack-bits}) [@code{vpack}] command
20549 converts the other way, from a vector or interval representing
20550 a set of nonnegative integers into a binary integer describing
20551 the same set. The set may include positive infinity, but must
20552 not include any negative numbers. The input is interpreted as a
20553 set of integers in the sense of @kbd{V F} (@code{vfloor}). Beware
20554 that a simple input like @samp{[100]} can result in a huge integer
20556 @texline (@math{2^{100}}, a 31-digit integer, in this case).
20557 @infoline (@expr{2^100}, a 31-digit integer, in this case).
20559 @node Statistical Operations, Reducing and Mapping, Set Operations, Matrix Functions
20560 @section Statistical Operations on Vectors
20563 @cindex Statistical functions
20564 The commands in this section take vectors as arguments and compute
20565 various statistical measures on the data stored in the vectors. The
20566 references used in the definitions of these functions are Bevington's
20567 @emph{Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences},
20568 and @emph{Numerical Recipes} by Press, Flannery, Teukolsky and
20571 The statistical commands use the @kbd{u} prefix key followed by
20572 a shifted letter or other character.
20574 @xref{Manipulating Vectors}, for a description of @kbd{V H}
20575 (@code{calc-histogram}).
20577 @xref{Curve Fitting}, for the @kbd{a F} command for doing
20578 least-squares fits to statistical data.
20580 @xref{Probability Distribution Functions}, for several common
20581 probability distribution functions.
20584 * Single-Variable Statistics::
20585 * Paired-Sample Statistics::
20588 @node Single-Variable Statistics, Paired-Sample Statistics, Statistical Operations, Statistical Operations
20589 @subsection Single-Variable Statistics
20592 These functions do various statistical computations on single
20593 vectors. Given a numeric prefix argument, they actually pop
20594 @var{n} objects from the stack and combine them into a data
20595 vector. Each object may be either a number or a vector; if a
20596 vector, any sub-vectors inside it are ``flattened'' as if by
20597 @kbd{v a 0}; @pxref{Manipulating Vectors}. By default one object
20598 is popped, which (in order to be useful) is usually a vector.
20600 If an argument is a variable name, and the value stored in that
20601 variable is a vector, then the stored vector is used. This method
20602 has the advantage that if your data vector is large, you can avoid
20603 the slow process of manipulating it directly on the stack.
20605 These functions are left in symbolic form if any of their arguments
20606 are not numbers or vectors, e.g., if an argument is a formula, or
20607 a non-vector variable. However, formulas embedded within vector
20608 arguments are accepted; the result is a symbolic representation
20609 of the computation, based on the assumption that the formula does
20610 not itself represent a vector. All varieties of numbers such as
20611 error forms and interval forms are acceptable.
20613 Some of the functions in this section also accept a single error form
20614 or interval as an argument. They then describe a property of the
20615 normal or uniform (respectively) statistical distribution described
20616 by the argument. The arguments are interpreted in the same way as
20617 the @var{M} argument of the random number function @kbd{k r}. In
20618 particular, an interval with integer limits is considered an integer
20619 distribution, so that @samp{[2 .. 6)} is the same as @samp{[2 .. 5]}.
20620 An interval with at least one floating-point limit is a continuous
20621 distribution: @samp{[2.0 .. 6.0)} is @emph{not} the same as
20622 @samp{[2.0 .. 5.0]}!
20625 @pindex calc-vector-count
20627 The @kbd{u #} (@code{calc-vector-count}) [@code{vcount}] command
20628 computes the number of data values represented by the inputs.
20629 For example, @samp{vcount(1, [2, 3], [[4, 5], [], x, y])} returns 7.
20630 If the argument is a single vector with no sub-vectors, this
20631 simply computes the length of the vector.
20635 @pindex calc-vector-sum
20636 @pindex calc-vector-prod
20639 @cindex Summations (statistical)
20640 The @kbd{u +} (@code{calc-vector-sum}) [@code{vsum}] command
20641 computes the sum of the data values. The @kbd{u *}
20642 (@code{calc-vector-prod}) [@code{vprod}] command computes the
20643 product of the data values. If the input is a single flat vector,
20644 these are the same as @kbd{V R +} and @kbd{V R *}
20645 (@pxref{Reducing and Mapping}).
20649 @pindex calc-vector-max
20650 @pindex calc-vector-min
20653 The @kbd{u X} (@code{calc-vector-max}) [@code{vmax}] command
20654 computes the maximum of the data values, and the @kbd{u N}
20655 (@code{calc-vector-min}) [@code{vmin}] command computes the minimum.
20656 If the argument is an interval, this finds the minimum or maximum
20657 value in the interval. (Note that @samp{vmax([2..6)) = 5} as
20658 described above.) If the argument is an error form, this returns
20659 plus or minus infinity.
20662 @pindex calc-vector-mean
20664 @cindex Mean of data values
20665 The @kbd{u M} (@code{calc-vector-mean}) [@code{vmean}] command
20666 computes the average (arithmetic mean) of the data values.
20667 If the inputs are error forms
20668 @texline @math{x \pm \sigma},
20669 @infoline @samp{x +/- s},
20670 this is the weighted mean of the @expr{x} values with weights
20671 @texline @math{1 /\sigma^2}.
20672 @infoline @expr{1 / s^2}.
20675 $$ \mu = { \displaystyle \sum { x_i \over \sigma_i^2 } \over
20676 \displaystyle \sum { 1 \over \sigma_i^2 } } $$
20678 If the inputs are not error forms, this is simply the sum of the
20679 values divided by the count of the values.
20681 Note that a plain number can be considered an error form with
20683 @texline @math{\sigma = 0}.
20684 @infoline @expr{s = 0}.
20685 If the input to @kbd{u M} is a mixture of
20686 plain numbers and error forms, the result is the mean of the
20687 plain numbers, ignoring all values with non-zero errors. (By the
20688 above definitions it's clear that a plain number effectively
20689 has an infinite weight, next to which an error form with a finite
20690 weight is completely negligible.)
20692 This function also works for distributions (error forms or
20693 intervals). The mean of an error form `@var{a} @tfn{+/-} @var{b}' is simply
20694 @expr{a}. The mean of an interval is the mean of the minimum
20695 and maximum values of the interval.
20698 @pindex calc-vector-mean-error
20700 The @kbd{I u M} (@code{calc-vector-mean-error}) [@code{vmeane}]
20701 command computes the mean of the data points expressed as an
20702 error form. This includes the estimated error associated with
20703 the mean. If the inputs are error forms, the error is the square
20704 root of the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the squares
20705 of the input errors. (I.e., the variance is the reciprocal of the
20706 sum of the reciprocals of the variances.)
20709 $$ \sigma_\mu^2 = {1 \over \displaystyle \sum {1 \over \sigma_i^2}} $$
20711 If the inputs are plain
20712 numbers, the error is equal to the standard deviation of the values
20713 divided by the square root of the number of values. (This works
20714 out to be equivalent to calculating the standard deviation and
20715 then assuming each value's error is equal to this standard
20719 $$ \sigma_\mu^2 = {\sigma^2 \over N} $$
20723 @pindex calc-vector-median
20725 @cindex Median of data values
20726 The @kbd{H u M} (@code{calc-vector-median}) [@code{vmedian}]
20727 command computes the median of the data values. The values are
20728 first sorted into numerical order; the median is the middle
20729 value after sorting. (If the number of data values is even,
20730 the median is taken to be the average of the two middle values.)
20731 The median function is different from the other functions in
20732 this section in that the arguments must all be real numbers;
20733 variables are not accepted even when nested inside vectors.
20734 (Otherwise it is not possible to sort the data values.) If
20735 any of the input values are error forms, their error parts are
20738 The median function also accepts distributions. For both normal
20739 (error form) and uniform (interval) distributions, the median is
20740 the same as the mean.
20743 @pindex calc-vector-harmonic-mean
20745 @cindex Harmonic mean
20746 The @kbd{H I u M} (@code{calc-vector-harmonic-mean}) [@code{vhmean}]
20747 command computes the harmonic mean of the data values. This is
20748 defined as the reciprocal of the arithmetic mean of the reciprocals
20752 $$ { N \over \displaystyle \sum {1 \over x_i} } $$
20756 @pindex calc-vector-geometric-mean
20758 @cindex Geometric mean
20759 The @kbd{u G} (@code{calc-vector-geometric-mean}) [@code{vgmean}]
20760 command computes the geometric mean of the data values. This
20761 is the @var{n}th root of the product of the values. This is also
20762 equal to the @code{exp} of the arithmetic mean of the logarithms
20763 of the data values.
20766 $$ \exp \left ( \sum { \ln x_i } \right ) =
20767 \left ( \prod { x_i } \right)^{1 / N} $$
20772 The @kbd{H u G} [@code{agmean}] command computes the ``arithmetic-geometric
20773 mean'' of two numbers taken from the stack. This is computed by
20774 replacing the two numbers with their arithmetic mean and geometric
20775 mean, then repeating until the two values converge.
20778 $$ a_{i+1} = { a_i + b_i \over 2 } , \qquad b_{i+1} = \sqrt{a_i b_i} $$
20781 @cindex Root-mean-square
20782 Another commonly used mean, the RMS (root-mean-square), can be computed
20783 for a vector of numbers simply by using the @kbd{A} command.
20786 @pindex calc-vector-sdev
20788 @cindex Standard deviation
20789 @cindex Sample statistics
20790 The @kbd{u S} (@code{calc-vector-sdev}) [@code{vsdev}] command
20791 computes the standard
20792 @texline deviation@tie{}@math{\sigma}
20793 @infoline deviation
20794 of the data values. If the values are error forms, the errors are used
20795 as weights just as for @kbd{u M}. This is the @emph{sample} standard
20796 deviation, whose value is the square root of the sum of the squares of
20797 the differences between the values and the mean of the @expr{N} values,
20798 divided by @expr{N-1}.
20801 $$ \sigma^2 = {1 \over N - 1} \sum (x_i - \mu)^2 $$
20804 This function also applies to distributions. The standard deviation
20805 of a single error form is simply the error part. The standard deviation
20806 of a continuous interval happens to equal the difference between the
20808 @texline @math{\sqrt{12}}.
20809 @infoline @expr{sqrt(12)}.
20810 The standard deviation of an integer interval is the same as the
20811 standard deviation of a vector of those integers.
20814 @pindex calc-vector-pop-sdev
20816 @cindex Population statistics
20817 The @kbd{I u S} (@code{calc-vector-pop-sdev}) [@code{vpsdev}]
20818 command computes the @emph{population} standard deviation.
20819 It is defined by the same formula as above but dividing
20820 by @expr{N} instead of by @expr{N-1}. The population standard
20821 deviation is used when the input represents the entire set of
20822 data values in the distribution; the sample standard deviation
20823 is used when the input represents a sample of the set of all
20824 data values, so that the mean computed from the input is itself
20825 only an estimate of the true mean.
20828 $$ \sigma^2 = {1 \over N} \sum (x_i - \mu)^2 $$
20831 For error forms and continuous intervals, @code{vpsdev} works
20832 exactly like @code{vsdev}. For integer intervals, it computes the
20833 population standard deviation of the equivalent vector of integers.
20837 @pindex calc-vector-variance
20838 @pindex calc-vector-pop-variance
20841 @cindex Variance of data values
20842 The @kbd{H u S} (@code{calc-vector-variance}) [@code{vvar}] and
20843 @kbd{H I u S} (@code{calc-vector-pop-variance}) [@code{vpvar}]
20844 commands compute the variance of the data values. The variance
20846 @texline square@tie{}@math{\sigma^2}
20848 of the standard deviation, i.e., the sum of the
20849 squares of the deviations of the data values from the mean.
20850 (This definition also applies when the argument is a distribution.)
20856 The @code{vflat} algebraic function returns a vector of its
20857 arguments, interpreted in the same way as the other functions
20858 in this section. For example, @samp{vflat(1, [2, [3, 4]], 5)}
20859 returns @samp{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.
20861 @node Paired-Sample Statistics, , Single-Variable Statistics, Statistical Operations
20862 @subsection Paired-Sample Statistics
20865 The functions in this section take two arguments, which must be
20866 vectors of equal size. The vectors are each flattened in the same
20867 way as by the single-variable statistical functions. Given a numeric
20868 prefix argument of 1, these functions instead take one object from
20869 the stack, which must be an
20870 @texline @math{N\times2}
20872 matrix of data values. Once again, variable names can be used in place
20873 of actual vectors and matrices.
20876 @pindex calc-vector-covariance
20879 The @kbd{u C} (@code{calc-vector-covariance}) [@code{vcov}] command
20880 computes the sample covariance of two vectors. The covariance
20881 of vectors @var{x} and @var{y} is the sum of the products of the
20882 differences between the elements of @var{x} and the mean of @var{x}
20883 times the differences between the corresponding elements of @var{y}
20884 and the mean of @var{y}, all divided by @expr{N-1}. Note that
20885 the variance of a vector is just the covariance of the vector
20886 with itself. Once again, if the inputs are error forms the
20887 errors are used as weight factors. If both @var{x} and @var{y}
20888 are composed of error forms, the error for a given data point
20889 is taken as the square root of the sum of the squares of the two
20893 $$ \sigma_{x\!y}^2 = {1 \over N-1} \sum (x_i - \mu_x) (y_i - \mu_y) $$
20894 $$ \sigma_{x\!y}^2 =
20895 {\displaystyle {1 \over N-1}
20896 \sum {(x_i - \mu_x) (y_i - \mu_y) \over \sigma_i^2}
20897 \over \displaystyle {1 \over N} \sum {1 \over \sigma_i^2}}
20902 @pindex calc-vector-pop-covariance
20904 The @kbd{I u C} (@code{calc-vector-pop-covariance}) [@code{vpcov}]
20905 command computes the population covariance, which is the same as the
20906 sample covariance computed by @kbd{u C} except dividing by @expr{N}
20907 instead of @expr{N-1}.
20910 @pindex calc-vector-correlation
20912 @cindex Correlation coefficient
20913 @cindex Linear correlation
20914 The @kbd{H u C} (@code{calc-vector-correlation}) [@code{vcorr}]
20915 command computes the linear correlation coefficient of two vectors.
20916 This is defined by the covariance of the vectors divided by the
20917 product of their standard deviations. (There is no difference
20918 between sample or population statistics here.)
20921 $$ r_{x\!y} = { \sigma_{x\!y}^2 \over \sigma_x^2 \sigma_y^2 } $$
20924 @node Reducing and Mapping, Vector and Matrix Formats, Statistical Operations, Matrix Functions
20925 @section Reducing and Mapping Vectors
20928 The commands in this section allow for more general operations on the
20929 elements of vectors.
20934 The simplest of these operations is @kbd{V A} (@code{calc-apply})
20935 [@code{apply}], which applies a given operator to the elements of a vector.
20936 For example, applying the hypothetical function @code{f} to the vector
20937 @w{@samp{[1, 2, 3]}} would produce the function call @samp{f(1, 2, 3)}.
20938 Applying the @code{+} function to the vector @samp{[a, b]} gives
20939 @samp{a + b}. Applying @code{+} to the vector @samp{[a, b, c]} is an
20940 error, since the @code{+} function expects exactly two arguments.
20942 While @kbd{V A} is useful in some cases, you will usually find that either
20943 @kbd{V R} or @kbd{V M}, described below, is closer to what you want.
20946 * Specifying Operators::
20949 * Nesting and Fixed Points::
20950 * Generalized Products::
20953 @node Specifying Operators, Mapping, Reducing and Mapping, Reducing and Mapping
20954 @subsection Specifying Operators
20957 Commands in this section (like @kbd{V A}) prompt you to press the key
20958 corresponding to the desired operator. Press @kbd{?} for a partial
20959 list of the available operators. Generally, an operator is any key or
20960 sequence of keys that would normally take one or more arguments from
20961 the stack and replace them with a result. For example, @kbd{V A H C}
20962 uses the hyperbolic cosine operator, @code{cosh}. (Since @code{cosh}
20963 expects one argument, @kbd{V A H C} requires a vector with a single
20964 element as its argument.)
20966 You can press @kbd{x} at the operator prompt to select any algebraic
20967 function by name to use as the operator. This includes functions you
20968 have defined yourself using the @kbd{Z F} command. (@xref{Algebraic
20969 Definitions}.) If you give a name for which no function has been
20970 defined, the result is left in symbolic form, as in @samp{f(1, 2, 3)}.
20971 Calc will prompt for the number of arguments the function takes if it
20972 can't figure it out on its own (say, because you named a function that
20973 is currently undefined). It is also possible to type a digit key before
20974 the function name to specify the number of arguments, e.g.,
20975 @kbd{V M 3 x f @key{RET}} calls @code{f} with three arguments even if it
20976 looks like it ought to have only two. This technique may be necessary
20977 if the function allows a variable number of arguments. For example,
20978 the @kbd{v e} [@code{vexp}] function accepts two or three arguments;
20979 if you want to map with the three-argument version, you will have to
20980 type @kbd{V M 3 v e}.
20982 It is also possible to apply any formula to a vector by treating that
20983 formula as a function. When prompted for the operator to use, press
20984 @kbd{'} (the apostrophe) and type your formula as an algebraic entry.
20985 You will then be prompted for the argument list, which defaults to a
20986 list of all variables that appear in the formula, sorted into alphabetic
20987 order. For example, suppose you enter the formula @w{@samp{x + 2y^x}}.
20988 The default argument list would be @samp{(x y)}, which means that if
20989 this function is applied to the arguments @samp{[3, 10]} the result will
20990 be @samp{3 + 2*10^3}. (If you plan to use a certain formula in this
20991 way often, you might consider defining it as a function with @kbd{Z F}.)
20993 Another way to specify the arguments to the formula you enter is with
20994 @kbd{$}, @kbd{$$}, and so on. For example, @kbd{V A ' $$ + 2$^$$}
20995 has the same effect as the previous example. The argument list is
20996 automatically taken to be @samp{($$ $)}. (The order of the arguments
20997 may seem backwards, but it is analogous to the way normal algebraic
20998 entry interacts with the stack.)
21000 If you press @kbd{$} at the operator prompt, the effect is similar to
21001 the apostrophe except that the relevant formula is taken from top-of-stack
21002 instead. The actual vector arguments of the @kbd{V A $} or related command
21003 then start at the second-to-top stack position. You will still be
21004 prompted for an argument list.
21006 @cindex Nameless functions
21007 @cindex Generic functions
21008 A function can be written without a name using the notation @samp{<#1 - #2>},
21009 which means ``a function of two arguments that computes the first
21010 argument minus the second argument.'' The symbols @samp{#1} and @samp{#2}
21011 are placeholders for the arguments. You can use any names for these
21012 placeholders if you wish, by including an argument list followed by a
21013 colon: @samp{<x, y : x - y>}. When you type @kbd{V A ' $$ + 2$^$$ @key{RET}},
21014 Calc builds the nameless function @samp{<#1 + 2 #2^#1>} as the function
21015 to map across the vectors. When you type @kbd{V A ' x + 2y^x @key{RET} @key{RET}},
21016 Calc builds the nameless function @w{@samp{<x, y : x + 2 y^x>}}. In both
21017 cases, Calc also writes the nameless function to the Trail so that you
21018 can get it back later if you wish.
21020 If there is only one argument, you can write @samp{#} in place of @samp{#1}.
21021 (Note that @samp{< >} notation is also used for date forms. Calc tells
21022 that @samp{<@var{stuff}>} is a nameless function by the presence of
21023 @samp{#} signs inside @var{stuff}, or by the fact that @var{stuff}
21024 begins with a list of variables followed by a colon.)
21026 You can type a nameless function directly to @kbd{V A '}, or put one on
21027 the stack and use it with @w{@kbd{V A $}}. Calc will not prompt for an
21028 argument list in this case, since the nameless function specifies the
21029 argument list as well as the function itself. In @kbd{V A '}, you can
21030 omit the @samp{< >} marks if you use @samp{#} notation for the arguments,
21031 so that @kbd{V A ' #1+#2 @key{RET}} is the same as @kbd{V A ' <#1+#2> @key{RET}},
21032 which in turn is the same as @kbd{V A ' $$+$ @key{RET}}.
21034 @cindex Lambda expressions
21039 The internal format for @samp{<x, y : x + y>} is @samp{lambda(x, y, x + y)}.
21040 (The word @code{lambda} derives from Lisp notation and the theory of
21041 functions.) The internal format for @samp{<#1 + #2>} is @samp{lambda(ArgA,
21042 ArgB, ArgA + ArgB)}. Note that there is no actual Calc function called
21043 @code{lambda}; the whole point is that the @code{lambda} expression is
21044 used in its symbolic form, not evaluated for an answer until it is applied
21045 to specific arguments by a command like @kbd{V A} or @kbd{V M}.
21047 (Actually, @code{lambda} does have one special property: Its arguments
21048 are never evaluated; for example, putting @samp{<(2/3) #>} on the stack
21049 will not simplify the @samp{2/3} until the nameless function is actually
21078 As usual, commands like @kbd{V A} have algebraic function name equivalents.
21079 For example, @kbd{V A k g} with an argument of @samp{v} is equivalent to
21080 @samp{apply(gcd, v)}. The first argument specifies the operator name,
21081 and is either a variable whose name is the same as the function name,
21082 or a nameless function like @samp{<#^3+1>}. Operators that are normally
21083 written as algebraic symbols have the names @code{add}, @code{sub},
21084 @code{mul}, @code{div}, @code{pow}, @code{neg}, @code{mod}, and
21091 The @code{call} function builds a function call out of several arguments:
21092 @samp{call(gcd, x, y)} is the same as @samp{apply(gcd, [x, y])}, which
21093 in turn is the same as @samp{gcd(x, y)}. The first argument of @code{call},
21094 like the other functions described here, may be either a variable naming a
21095 function, or a nameless function (@samp{call(<#1+2#2>, x, y)} is the same
21098 (Experts will notice that it's not quite proper to use a variable to name
21099 a function, since the name @code{gcd} corresponds to the Lisp variable
21100 @code{var-gcd} but to the Lisp function @code{calcFunc-gcd}. Calc
21101 automatically makes this translation, so you don't have to worry
21104 @node Mapping, Reducing, Specifying Operators, Reducing and Mapping
21105 @subsection Mapping
21111 The @kbd{V M} (@code{calc-map}) [@code{map}] command applies a given
21112 operator elementwise to one or more vectors. For example, mapping
21113 @code{A} [@code{abs}] produces a vector of the absolute values of the
21114 elements in the input vector. Mapping @code{+} pops two vectors from
21115 the stack, which must be of equal length, and produces a vector of the
21116 pairwise sums of the elements. If either argument is a non-vector, it
21117 is duplicated for each element of the other vector. For example,
21118 @kbd{[1,2,3] 2 V M ^} squares the elements of the specified vector.
21119 With the 2 listed first, it would have computed a vector of powers of
21120 two. Mapping a user-defined function pops as many arguments from the
21121 stack as the function requires. If you give an undefined name, you will
21122 be prompted for the number of arguments to use.
21124 If any argument to @kbd{V M} is a matrix, the operator is normally mapped
21125 across all elements of the matrix. For example, given the matrix
21126 @expr{[[1, -2, 3], [-4, 5, -6]]}, @kbd{V M A} takes six absolute values to
21128 @texline @math{3\times2}
21130 matrix, @expr{[[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6]]}.
21133 The command @kbd{V M _} [@code{mapr}] (i.e., type an underscore at the
21134 operator prompt) maps by rows instead. For example, @kbd{V M _ A} views
21135 the above matrix as a vector of two 3-element row vectors. It produces
21136 a new vector which contains the absolute values of those row vectors,
21137 namely @expr{[3.74, 8.77]}. (Recall, the absolute value of a vector is
21138 defined as the square root of the sum of the squares of the elements.)
21139 Some operators accept vectors and return new vectors; for example,
21140 @kbd{v v} reverses a vector, so @kbd{V M _ v v} would reverse each row
21141 of the matrix to get a new matrix, @expr{[[3, -2, 1], [-6, 5, -4]]}.
21143 Sometimes a vector of vectors (representing, say, strings, sets, or lists)
21144 happens to look like a matrix. If so, remember to use @kbd{V M _} if you
21145 want to map a function across the whole strings or sets rather than across
21146 their individual elements.
21149 The command @kbd{V M :} [@code{mapc}] maps by columns. Basically, it
21150 transposes the input matrix, maps by rows, and then, if the result is a
21151 matrix, transposes again. For example, @kbd{V M : A} takes the absolute
21152 values of the three columns of the matrix, treating each as a 2-vector,
21153 and @kbd{V M : v v} reverses the columns to get the matrix
21154 @expr{[[-4, 5, -6], [1, -2, 3]]}.
21156 (The symbols @kbd{_} and @kbd{:} were chosen because they had row-like
21157 and column-like appearances, and were not already taken by useful
21158 operators. Also, they appear shifted on most keyboards so they are easy
21159 to type after @kbd{V M}.)
21161 The @kbd{_} and @kbd{:} modifiers have no effect on arguments that are
21162 not matrices (so if none of the arguments are matrices, they have no
21163 effect at all). If some of the arguments are matrices and others are
21164 plain numbers, the plain numbers are held constant for all rows of the
21165 matrix (so that @kbd{2 V M _ ^} squares every row of a matrix; squaring
21166 a vector takes a dot product of the vector with itself).
21168 If some of the arguments are vectors with the same lengths as the
21169 rows (for @kbd{V M _}) or columns (for @kbd{V M :}) of the matrix
21170 arguments, those vectors are also held constant for every row or
21173 Sometimes it is useful to specify another mapping command as the operator
21174 to use with @kbd{V M}. For example, @kbd{V M _ V A +} applies @kbd{V A +}
21175 to each row of the input matrix, which in turn adds the two values on that
21176 row. If you give another vector-operator command as the operator for
21177 @kbd{V M}, it automatically uses map-by-rows mode if you don't specify
21178 otherwise; thus @kbd{V M V A +} is equivalent to @kbd{V M _ V A +}. (If
21179 you really want to map-by-elements another mapping command, you can use
21180 a triple-nested mapping command: @kbd{V M V M V A +} means to map
21181 @kbd{V M V A +} over the rows of the matrix; in turn, @kbd{V A +} is
21182 mapped over the elements of each row.)
21186 Previous versions of Calc had ``map across'' and ``map down'' modes
21187 that are now considered obsolete; the old ``map across'' is now simply
21188 @kbd{V M V A}, and ``map down'' is now @kbd{V M : V A}. The algebraic
21189 functions @code{mapa} and @code{mapd} are still supported, though.
21190 Note also that, while the old mapping modes were persistent (once you
21191 set the mode, it would apply to later mapping commands until you reset
21192 it), the new @kbd{:} and @kbd{_} modifiers apply only to the current
21193 mapping command. The default @kbd{V M} always means map-by-elements.
21195 @xref{Algebraic Manipulation}, for the @kbd{a M} command, which is like
21196 @kbd{V M} but for equations and inequalities instead of vectors.
21197 @xref{Storing Variables}, for the @kbd{s m} command which modifies a
21198 variable's stored value using a @kbd{V M}-like operator.
21200 @node Reducing, Nesting and Fixed Points, Mapping, Reducing and Mapping
21201 @subsection Reducing
21205 @pindex calc-reduce
21207 The @kbd{V R} (@code{calc-reduce}) [@code{reduce}] command applies a given
21208 binary operator across all the elements of a vector. A binary operator is
21209 a function such as @code{+} or @code{max} which takes two arguments. For
21210 example, reducing @code{+} over a vector computes the sum of the elements
21211 of the vector. Reducing @code{-} computes the first element minus each of
21212 the remaining elements. Reducing @code{max} computes the maximum element
21213 and so on. In general, reducing @code{f} over the vector @samp{[a, b, c, d]}
21214 produces @samp{f(f(f(a, b), c), d)}.
21218 The @kbd{I V R} [@code{rreduce}] command is similar to @kbd{V R} except
21219 that works from right to left through the vector. For example, plain
21220 @kbd{V R -} on the vector @samp{[a, b, c, d]} produces @samp{a - b - c - d}
21221 but @kbd{I V R -} on the same vector produces @samp{a - (b - (c - d))},
21222 or @samp{a - b + c - d}. This ``alternating sum'' occurs frequently
21223 in power series expansions.
21227 The @kbd{V U} (@code{calc-accumulate}) [@code{accum}] command does an
21228 accumulation operation. Here Calc does the corresponding reduction
21229 operation, but instead of producing only the final result, it produces
21230 a vector of all the intermediate results. Accumulating @code{+} over
21231 the vector @samp{[a, b, c, d]} produces the vector
21232 @samp{[a, a + b, a + b + c, a + b + c + d]}.
21236 The @kbd{I V U} [@code{raccum}] command does a right-to-left accumulation.
21237 For example, @kbd{I V U -} on the vector @samp{[a, b, c, d]} produces the
21238 vector @samp{[a - b + c - d, b - c + d, c - d, d]}.
21244 As for @kbd{V M}, @kbd{V R} normally reduces a matrix elementwise. For
21245 example, given the matrix @expr{[[a, b, c], [d, e, f]]}, @kbd{V R +} will
21246 compute @expr{a + b + c + d + e + f}. You can type @kbd{V R _} or
21247 @kbd{V R :} to modify this behavior. The @kbd{V R _} [@code{reducea}]
21248 command reduces ``across'' the matrix; it reduces each row of the matrix
21249 as a vector, then collects the results. Thus @kbd{V R _ +} of this
21250 matrix would produce @expr{[a + b + c, d + e + f]}. Similarly, @kbd{V R :}
21251 [@code{reduced}] reduces down; @kbd{V R : +} would produce @expr{[a + d,
21256 There is a third ``by rows'' mode for reduction that is occasionally
21257 useful; @kbd{V R =} [@code{reducer}] simply reduces the operator over
21258 the rows of the matrix themselves. Thus @kbd{V R = +} on the above
21259 matrix would get the same result as @kbd{V R : +}, since adding two
21260 row vectors is equivalent to adding their elements. But @kbd{V R = *}
21261 would multiply the two rows (to get a single number, their dot product),
21262 while @kbd{V R : *} would produce a vector of the products of the columns.
21264 These three matrix reduction modes work with @kbd{V R} and @kbd{I V R},
21265 but they are not currently supported with @kbd{V U} or @kbd{I V U}.
21269 The obsolete reduce-by-columns function, @code{reducec}, is still
21270 supported but there is no way to get it through the @kbd{V R} command.
21272 The commands @kbd{M-# :} and @kbd{M-# _} are equivalent to typing
21273 @kbd{M-# r} to grab a rectangle of data into Calc, and then typing
21274 @kbd{V R : +} or @kbd{V R _ +}, respectively, to sum the columns or
21275 rows of the matrix. @xref{Grabbing From Buffers}.
21277 @node Nesting and Fixed Points, Generalized Products, Reducing, Reducing and Mapping
21278 @subsection Nesting and Fixed Points
21283 The @kbd{H V R} [@code{nest}] command applies a function to a given
21284 argument repeatedly. It takes two values, @samp{a} and @samp{n}, from
21285 the stack, where @samp{n} must be an integer. It then applies the
21286 function nested @samp{n} times; if the function is @samp{f} and @samp{n}
21287 is 3, the result is @samp{f(f(f(a)))}. The number @samp{n} may be
21288 negative if Calc knows an inverse for the function @samp{f}; for
21289 example, @samp{nest(sin, a, -2)} returns @samp{arcsin(arcsin(a))}.
21293 The @kbd{H V U} [@code{anest}] command is an accumulating version of
21294 @code{nest}: It returns a vector of @samp{n+1} values, e.g.,
21295 @samp{[a, f(a), f(f(a)), f(f(f(a)))]}. If @samp{n} is negative and
21296 @samp{F} is the inverse of @samp{f}, then the result is of the
21297 form @samp{[a, F(a), F(F(a)), F(F(F(a)))]}.
21301 @cindex Fixed points
21302 The @kbd{H I V R} [@code{fixp}] command is like @kbd{H V R}, except
21303 that it takes only an @samp{a} value from the stack; the function is
21304 applied until it reaches a ``fixed point,'' i.e., until the result
21309 The @kbd{H I V U} [@code{afixp}] command is an accumulating @code{fixp}.
21310 The first element of the return vector will be the initial value @samp{a};
21311 the last element will be the final result that would have been returned
21314 For example, 0.739085 is a fixed point of the cosine function (in radians):
21315 @samp{cos(0.739085) = 0.739085}. You can find this value by putting, say,
21316 1.0 on the stack and typing @kbd{H I V U C}. (We use the accumulating
21317 version so we can see the intermediate results: @samp{[1, 0.540302, 0.857553,
21318 0.65329, ...]}. With a precision of six, this command will take 36 steps
21319 to converge to 0.739085.)
21321 Newton's method for finding roots is a classic example of iteration
21322 to a fixed point. To find the square root of five starting with an
21323 initial guess, Newton's method would look for a fixed point of the
21324 function @samp{(x + 5/x) / 2}. Putting a guess of 1 on the stack
21325 and typing @kbd{H I V R ' ($ + 5/$)/2 @key{RET}} quickly yields the result
21326 2.23607. This is equivalent to using the @kbd{a R} (@code{calc-find-root})
21327 command to find a root of the equation @samp{x^2 = 5}.
21329 These examples used numbers for @samp{a} values. Calc keeps applying
21330 the function until two successive results are equal to within the
21331 current precision. For complex numbers, both the real parts and the
21332 imaginary parts must be equal to within the current precision. If
21333 @samp{a} is a formula (say, a variable name), then the function is
21334 applied until two successive results are exactly the same formula.
21335 It is up to you to ensure that the function will eventually converge;
21336 if it doesn't, you may have to press @kbd{C-g} to stop the Calculator.
21338 The algebraic @code{fixp} function takes two optional arguments, @samp{n}
21339 and @samp{tol}. The first is the maximum number of steps to be allowed,
21340 and must be either an integer or the symbol @samp{inf} (infinity, the
21341 default). The second is a convergence tolerance. If a tolerance is
21342 specified, all results during the calculation must be numbers, not
21343 formulas, and the iteration stops when the magnitude of the difference
21344 between two successive results is less than or equal to the tolerance.
21345 (This implies that a tolerance of zero iterates until the results are
21348 Putting it all together, @samp{fixp(<(# + A/#)/2>, B, 20, 1e-10)}
21349 computes the square root of @samp{A} given the initial guess @samp{B},
21350 stopping when the result is correct within the specified tolerance, or
21351 when 20 steps have been taken, whichever is sooner.
21353 @node Generalized Products, , Nesting and Fixed Points, Reducing and Mapping
21354 @subsection Generalized Products
21357 @pindex calc-outer-product
21359 The @kbd{V O} (@code{calc-outer-product}) [@code{outer}] command applies
21360 a given binary operator to all possible pairs of elements from two
21361 vectors, to produce a matrix. For example, @kbd{V O *} with @samp{[a, b]}
21362 and @samp{[x, y, z]} on the stack produces a multiplication table:
21363 @samp{[[a x, a y, a z], [b x, b y, b z]]}. Element @var{r},@var{c} of
21364 the result matrix is obtained by applying the operator to element @var{r}
21365 of the lefthand vector and element @var{c} of the righthand vector.
21368 @pindex calc-inner-product
21370 The @kbd{V I} (@code{calc-inner-product}) [@code{inner}] command computes
21371 the generalized inner product of two vectors or matrices, given a
21372 ``multiplicative'' operator and an ``additive'' operator. These can each
21373 actually be any binary operators; if they are @samp{*} and @samp{+},
21374 respectively, the result is a standard matrix multiplication. Element
21375 @var{r},@var{c} of the result matrix is obtained by mapping the
21376 multiplicative operator across row @var{r} of the lefthand matrix and
21377 column @var{c} of the righthand matrix, and then reducing with the additive
21378 operator. Just as for the standard @kbd{*} command, this can also do a
21379 vector-matrix or matrix-vector inner product, or a vector-vector
21380 generalized dot product.
21382 Since @kbd{V I} requires two operators, it prompts twice. In each case,
21383 you can use any of the usual methods for entering the operator. If you
21384 use @kbd{$} twice to take both operator formulas from the stack, the
21385 first (multiplicative) operator is taken from the top of the stack
21386 and the second (additive) operator is taken from second-to-top.
21388 @node Vector and Matrix Formats, , Reducing and Mapping, Matrix Functions
21389 @section Vector and Matrix Display Formats
21392 Commands for controlling vector and matrix display use the @kbd{v} prefix
21393 instead of the usual @kbd{d} prefix. But they are display modes; in
21394 particular, they are influenced by the @kbd{I} and @kbd{H} prefix keys
21395 in the same way (@pxref{Display Modes}). Matrix display is also
21396 influenced by the @kbd{d O} (@code{calc-flat-language}) mode;
21397 @pxref{Normal Language Modes}.
21400 @pindex calc-matrix-left-justify
21402 @pindex calc-matrix-center-justify
21404 @pindex calc-matrix-right-justify
21405 The commands @kbd{v <} (@code{calc-matrix-left-justify}), @kbd{v >}
21406 (@code{calc-matrix-right-justify}), and @w{@kbd{v =}}
21407 (@code{calc-matrix-center-justify}) control whether matrix elements
21408 are justified to the left, right, or center of their columns.
21411 @pindex calc-vector-brackets
21413 @pindex calc-vector-braces
21415 @pindex calc-vector-parens
21416 The @kbd{v [} (@code{calc-vector-brackets}) command turns the square
21417 brackets that surround vectors and matrices displayed in the stack on
21418 and off. The @kbd{v @{} (@code{calc-vector-braces}) and @kbd{v (}
21419 (@code{calc-vector-parens}) commands use curly braces or parentheses,
21420 respectively, instead of square brackets. For example, @kbd{v @{} might
21421 be used in preparation for yanking a matrix into a buffer running
21422 Mathematica. (In fact, the Mathematica language mode uses this mode;
21423 @pxref{Mathematica Language Mode}.) Note that, regardless of the
21424 display mode, either brackets or braces may be used to enter vectors,
21425 and parentheses may never be used for this purpose.
21428 @pindex calc-matrix-brackets
21429 The @kbd{v ]} (@code{calc-matrix-brackets}) command controls the
21430 ``big'' style display of matrices. It prompts for a string of code
21431 letters; currently implemented letters are @code{R}, which enables
21432 brackets on each row of the matrix; @code{O}, which enables outer
21433 brackets in opposite corners of the matrix; and @code{C}, which
21434 enables commas or semicolons at the ends of all rows but the last.
21435 The default format is @samp{RO}. (Before Calc 2.00, the format
21436 was fixed at @samp{ROC}.) Here are some example matrices:
21440 [ [ 123, 0, 0 ] [ [ 123, 0, 0 ],
21441 [ 0, 123, 0 ] [ 0, 123, 0 ],
21442 [ 0, 0, 123 ] ] [ 0, 0, 123 ] ]
21451 [ 123, 0, 0 [ 123, 0, 0 ;
21452 0, 123, 0 0, 123, 0 ;
21453 0, 0, 123 ] 0, 0, 123 ]
21462 [ 123, 0, 0 ] 123, 0, 0
21463 [ 0, 123, 0 ] 0, 123, 0
21464 [ 0, 0, 123 ] 0, 0, 123
21471 Note that of the formats shown here, @samp{RO}, @samp{ROC}, and
21472 @samp{OC} are all recognized as matrices during reading, while
21473 the others are useful for display only.
21476 @pindex calc-vector-commas
21477 The @kbd{v ,} (@code{calc-vector-commas}) command turns commas on and
21478 off in vector and matrix display.
21480 In vectors of length one, and in all vectors when commas have been
21481 turned off, Calc adds extra parentheses around formulas that might
21482 otherwise be ambiguous. For example, @samp{[a b]} could be a vector
21483 of the one formula @samp{a b}, or it could be a vector of two
21484 variables with commas turned off. Calc will display the former
21485 case as @samp{[(a b)]}. You can disable these extra parentheses
21486 (to make the output less cluttered at the expense of allowing some
21487 ambiguity) by adding the letter @code{P} to the control string you
21488 give to @kbd{v ]} (as described above).
21491 @pindex calc-full-vectors
21492 The @kbd{v .} (@code{calc-full-vectors}) command turns abbreviated
21493 display of long vectors on and off. In this mode, vectors of six
21494 or more elements, or matrices of six or more rows or columns, will
21495 be displayed in an abbreviated form that displays only the first
21496 three elements and the last element: @samp{[a, b, c, ..., z]}.
21497 When very large vectors are involved this will substantially
21498 improve Calc's display speed.
21501 @pindex calc-full-trail-vectors
21502 The @kbd{t .} (@code{calc-full-trail-vectors}) command controls a
21503 similar mode for recording vectors in the Trail. If you turn on
21504 this mode, vectors of six or more elements and matrices of six or
21505 more rows or columns will be abbreviated when they are put in the
21506 Trail. The @kbd{t y} (@code{calc-trail-yank}) command will be
21507 unable to recover those vectors. If you are working with very
21508 large vectors, this mode will improve the speed of all operations
21509 that involve the trail.
21512 @pindex calc-break-vectors
21513 The @kbd{v /} (@code{calc-break-vectors}) command turns multi-line
21514 vector display on and off. Normally, matrices are displayed with one
21515 row per line but all other types of vectors are displayed in a single
21516 line. This mode causes all vectors, whether matrices or not, to be
21517 displayed with a single element per line. Sub-vectors within the
21518 vectors will still use the normal linear form.
21520 @node Algebra, Units, Matrix Functions, Top
21524 This section covers the Calc features that help you work with
21525 algebraic formulas. First, the general sub-formula selection
21526 mechanism is described; this works in conjunction with any Calc
21527 commands. Then, commands for specific algebraic operations are
21528 described. Finally, the flexible @dfn{rewrite rule} mechanism
21531 The algebraic commands use the @kbd{a} key prefix; selection
21532 commands use the @kbd{j} (for ``just a letter that wasn't used
21533 for anything else'') prefix.
21535 @xref{Editing Stack Entries}, to see how to manipulate formulas
21536 using regular Emacs editing commands.
21538 When doing algebraic work, you may find several of the Calculator's
21539 modes to be helpful, including Algebraic Simplification mode (@kbd{m A})
21540 or No-Simplification mode (@kbd{m O}),
21541 Algebraic entry mode (@kbd{m a}), Fraction mode (@kbd{m f}), and
21542 Symbolic mode (@kbd{m s}). @xref{Mode Settings}, for discussions
21543 of these modes. You may also wish to select Big display mode (@kbd{d B}).
21544 @xref{Normal Language Modes}.
21547 * Selecting Subformulas::
21548 * Algebraic Manipulation::
21549 * Simplifying Formulas::
21552 * Solving Equations::
21553 * Numerical Solutions::
21556 * Logical Operations::
21560 @node Selecting Subformulas, Algebraic Manipulation, Algebra, Algebra
21561 @section Selecting Sub-Formulas
21565 @cindex Sub-formulas
21566 @cindex Parts of formulas
21567 When working with an algebraic formula it is often necessary to
21568 manipulate a portion of the formula rather than the formula as a
21569 whole. Calc allows you to ``select'' a portion of any formula on
21570 the stack. Commands which would normally operate on that stack
21571 entry will now operate only on the sub-formula, leaving the
21572 surrounding part of the stack entry alone.
21574 One common non-algebraic use for selection involves vectors. To work
21575 on one element of a vector in-place, simply select that element as a
21576 ``sub-formula'' of the vector.
21579 * Making Selections::
21580 * Changing Selections::
21581 * Displaying Selections::
21582 * Operating on Selections::
21583 * Rearranging with Selections::
21586 @node Making Selections, Changing Selections, Selecting Subformulas, Selecting Subformulas
21587 @subsection Making Selections
21591 @pindex calc-select-here
21592 To select a sub-formula, move the Emacs cursor to any character in that
21593 sub-formula, and press @w{@kbd{j s}} (@code{calc-select-here}). Calc will
21594 highlight the smallest portion of the formula that contains that
21595 character. By default the sub-formula is highlighted by blanking out
21596 all of the rest of the formula with dots. Selection works in any
21597 display mode but is perhaps easiest in Big mode (@kbd{d B}).
21598 Suppose you enter the following formula:
21610 (by typing @kbd{' ((a+b)^3 + sqrt(c)) / (2x+1)}). If you move the
21611 cursor to the letter @samp{b} and press @w{@kbd{j s}}, the display changes
21624 Every character not part of the sub-formula @samp{b} has been changed
21625 to a dot. The @samp{*} next to the line number is to remind you that
21626 the formula has a portion of it selected. (In this case, it's very
21627 obvious, but it might not always be. If Embedded mode is enabled,
21628 the word @samp{Sel} also appears in the mode line because the stack
21629 may not be visible. @pxref{Embedded Mode}.)
21631 If you had instead placed the cursor on the parenthesis immediately to
21632 the right of the @samp{b}, the selection would have been:
21644 The portion selected is always large enough to be considered a complete
21645 formula all by itself, so selecting the parenthesis selects the whole
21646 formula that it encloses. Putting the cursor on the @samp{+} sign
21647 would have had the same effect.
21649 (Strictly speaking, the Emacs cursor is really the manifestation of
21650 the Emacs ``point,'' which is a position @emph{between} two characters
21651 in the buffer. So purists would say that Calc selects the smallest
21652 sub-formula which contains the character to the right of ``point.'')
21654 If you supply a numeric prefix argument @var{n}, the selection is
21655 expanded to the @var{n}th enclosing sub-formula. Thus, positioning
21656 the cursor on the @samp{b} and typing @kbd{C-u 1 j s} will select
21657 @samp{a + b}; typing @kbd{C-u 2 j s} will select @samp{(a + b)^3},
21660 If the cursor is not on any part of the formula, or if you give a
21661 numeric prefix that is too large, the entire formula is selected.
21663 If the cursor is on the @samp{.} line that marks the top of the stack
21664 (i.e., its normal ``rest position''), this command selects the entire
21665 formula at stack level 1. Most selection commands similarly operate
21666 on the formula at the top of the stack if you haven't positioned the
21667 cursor on any stack entry.
21670 @pindex calc-select-additional
21671 The @kbd{j a} (@code{calc-select-additional}) command enlarges the
21672 current selection to encompass the cursor. To select the smallest
21673 sub-formula defined by two different points, move to the first and
21674 press @kbd{j s}, then move to the other and press @kbd{j a}. This
21675 is roughly analogous to using @kbd{C-@@} (@code{set-mark-command}) to
21676 select the two ends of a region of text during normal Emacs editing.
21679 @pindex calc-select-once
21680 The @kbd{j o} (@code{calc-select-once}) command selects a formula in
21681 exactly the same way as @kbd{j s}, except that the selection will
21682 last only as long as the next command that uses it. For example,
21683 @kbd{j o 1 +} is a handy way to add one to the sub-formula indicated
21686 (A somewhat more precise definition: The @kbd{j o} command sets a flag
21687 such that the next command involving selected stack entries will clear
21688 the selections on those stack entries afterwards. All other selection
21689 commands except @kbd{j a} and @kbd{j O} clear this flag.)
21693 @pindex calc-select-here-maybe
21694 @pindex calc-select-once-maybe
21695 The @kbd{j S} (@code{calc-select-here-maybe}) and @kbd{j O}
21696 (@code{calc-select-once-maybe}) commands are equivalent to @kbd{j s}
21697 and @kbd{j o}, respectively, except that if the formula already
21698 has a selection they have no effect. This is analogous to the
21699 behavior of some commands such as @kbd{j r} (@code{calc-rewrite-selection};
21700 @pxref{Selections with Rewrite Rules}) and is mainly intended to be
21701 used in keyboard macros that implement your own selection-oriented
21704 Selection of sub-formulas normally treats associative terms like
21705 @samp{a + b - c + d} and @samp{x * y * z} as single levels of the formula.
21706 If you place the cursor anywhere inside @samp{a + b - c + d} except
21707 on one of the variable names and use @kbd{j s}, you will select the
21708 entire four-term sum.
21711 @pindex calc-break-selections
21712 The @kbd{j b} (@code{calc-break-selections}) command controls a mode
21713 in which the ``deep structure'' of these associative formulas shows
21714 through. Calc actually stores the above formulas as @samp{((a + b) - c) + d}
21715 and @samp{x * (y * z)}. (Note that for certain obscure reasons, Calc
21716 treats multiplication as right-associative.) Once you have enabled
21717 @kbd{j b} mode, selecting with the cursor on the @samp{-} sign would
21718 only select the @samp{a + b - c} portion, which makes sense when the
21719 deep structure of the sum is considered. There is no way to select
21720 the @samp{b - c + d} portion; although this might initially look
21721 like just as legitimate a sub-formula as @samp{a + b - c}, the deep
21722 structure shows that it isn't. The @kbd{d U} command can be used
21723 to view the deep structure of any formula (@pxref{Normal Language Modes}).
21725 When @kbd{j b} mode has not been enabled, the deep structure is
21726 generally hidden by the selection commands---what you see is what
21730 @pindex calc-unselect
21731 The @kbd{j u} (@code{calc-unselect}) command unselects the formula
21732 that the cursor is on. If there was no selection in the formula,
21733 this command has no effect. With a numeric prefix argument, it
21734 unselects the @var{n}th stack element rather than using the cursor
21738 @pindex calc-clear-selections
21739 The @kbd{j c} (@code{calc-clear-selections}) command unselects all
21742 @node Changing Selections, Displaying Selections, Making Selections, Selecting Subformulas
21743 @subsection Changing Selections
21747 @pindex calc-select-more
21748 Once you have selected a sub-formula, you can expand it using the
21749 @w{@kbd{j m}} (@code{calc-select-more}) command. If @samp{a + b} is
21750 selected, pressing @w{@kbd{j m}} repeatedly works as follows:
21755 (a + b) . . . (a + b) + V c (a + b) + V c
21756 1* ............... 1* ............... 1* ---------------
21757 . . . . . . . . 2 x + 1
21762 In the last example, the entire formula is selected. This is roughly
21763 the same as having no selection at all, but because there are subtle
21764 differences the @samp{*} character is still there on the line number.
21766 With a numeric prefix argument @var{n}, @kbd{j m} expands @var{n}
21767 times (or until the entire formula is selected). Note that @kbd{j s}
21768 with argument @var{n} is equivalent to plain @kbd{j s} followed by
21769 @kbd{j m} with argument @var{n}. If @w{@kbd{j m}} is used when there
21770 is no current selection, it is equivalent to @w{@kbd{j s}}.
21772 Even though @kbd{j m} does not explicitly use the location of the
21773 cursor within the formula, it nevertheless uses the cursor to determine
21774 which stack element to operate on. As usual, @kbd{j m} when the cursor
21775 is not on any stack element operates on the top stack element.
21778 @pindex calc-select-less
21779 The @kbd{j l} (@code{calc-select-less}) command reduces the current
21780 selection around the cursor position. That is, it selects the
21781 immediate sub-formula of the current selection which contains the
21782 cursor, the opposite of @kbd{j m}. If the cursor is not inside the
21783 current selection, the command de-selects the formula.
21786 @pindex calc-select-part
21787 The @kbd{j 1} through @kbd{j 9} (@code{calc-select-part}) commands
21788 select the @var{n}th sub-formula of the current selection. They are
21789 like @kbd{j l} (@code{calc-select-less}) except they use counting
21790 rather than the cursor position to decide which sub-formula to select.
21791 For example, if the current selection is @kbd{a + b + c} or
21792 @kbd{f(a, b, c)} or @kbd{[a, b, c]}, then @kbd{j 1} selects @samp{a},
21793 @kbd{j 2} selects @samp{b}, and @kbd{j 3} selects @samp{c}; in each of
21794 these cases, @kbd{j 4} through @kbd{j 9} would be errors.
21796 If there is no current selection, @kbd{j 1} through @kbd{j 9} select
21797 the @var{n}th top-level sub-formula. (In other words, they act as if
21798 the entire stack entry were selected first.) To select the @var{n}th
21799 sub-formula where @var{n} is greater than nine, you must instead invoke
21800 @w{@kbd{j 1}} with @var{n} as a numeric prefix argument.
21804 @pindex calc-select-next
21805 @pindex calc-select-previous
21806 The @kbd{j n} (@code{calc-select-next}) and @kbd{j p}
21807 (@code{calc-select-previous}) commands change the current selection
21808 to the next or previous sub-formula at the same level. For example,
21809 if @samp{b} is selected in @w{@samp{2 + a*b*c + x}}, then @kbd{j n}
21810 selects @samp{c}. Further @kbd{j n} commands would be in error because,
21811 even though there is something to the right of @samp{c} (namely, @samp{x}),
21812 it is not at the same level; in this case, it is not a term of the
21813 same product as @samp{b} and @samp{c}. However, @kbd{j m} (to select
21814 the whole product @samp{a*b*c} as a term of the sum) followed by
21815 @w{@kbd{j n}} would successfully select the @samp{x}.
21817 Similarly, @kbd{j p} moves the selection from the @samp{b} in this
21818 sample formula to the @samp{a}. Both commands accept numeric prefix
21819 arguments to move several steps at a time.
21821 It is interesting to compare Calc's selection commands with the
21822 Emacs Info system's commands for navigating through hierarchically
21823 organized documentation. Calc's @kbd{j n} command is completely
21824 analogous to Info's @kbd{n} command. Likewise, @kbd{j p} maps to
21825 @kbd{p}, @kbd{j 2} maps to @kbd{2}, and Info's @kbd{u} is like @kbd{j m}.
21826 (Note that @kbd{j u} stands for @code{calc-unselect}, not ``up''.)
21827 The Info @kbd{m} command is somewhat similar to Calc's @kbd{j s} and
21828 @kbd{j l}; in each case, you can jump directly to a sub-component
21829 of the hierarchy simply by pointing to it with the cursor.
21831 @node Displaying Selections, Operating on Selections, Changing Selections, Selecting Subformulas
21832 @subsection Displaying Selections
21836 @pindex calc-show-selections
21837 The @kbd{j d} (@code{calc-show-selections}) command controls how
21838 selected sub-formulas are displayed. One of the alternatives is
21839 illustrated in the above examples; if we press @kbd{j d} we switch
21840 to the other style in which the selected portion itself is obscured
21846 (a + b) . . . ## # ## + V c
21847 1* ............... 1* ---------------
21852 @node Operating on Selections, Rearranging with Selections, Displaying Selections, Selecting Subformulas
21853 @subsection Operating on Selections
21856 Once a selection is made, all Calc commands that manipulate items
21857 on the stack will operate on the selected portions of the items
21858 instead. (Note that several stack elements may have selections
21859 at once, though there can be only one selection at a time in any
21860 given stack element.)
21863 @pindex calc-enable-selections
21864 The @kbd{j e} (@code{calc-enable-selections}) command disables the
21865 effect that selections have on Calc commands. The current selections
21866 still exist, but Calc commands operate on whole stack elements anyway.
21867 This mode can be identified by the fact that the @samp{*} markers on
21868 the line numbers are gone, even though selections are visible. To
21869 reactivate the selections, press @kbd{j e} again.
21871 To extract a sub-formula as a new formula, simply select the
21872 sub-formula and press @key{RET}. This normally duplicates the top
21873 stack element; here it duplicates only the selected portion of that
21876 To replace a sub-formula with something different, you can enter the
21877 new value onto the stack and press @key{TAB}. This normally exchanges
21878 the top two stack elements; here it swaps the value you entered into
21879 the selected portion of the formula, returning the old selected
21880 portion to the top of the stack.
21885 (a + b) . . . 17 x y . . . 17 x y + V c
21886 2* ............... 2* ............. 2: -------------
21887 . . . . . . . . 2 x + 1
21890 1: 17 x y 1: (a + b) 1: (a + b)
21894 In this example we select a sub-formula of our original example,
21895 enter a new formula, @key{TAB} it into place, then deselect to see
21896 the complete, edited formula.
21898 If you want to swap whole formulas around even though they contain
21899 selections, just use @kbd{j e} before and after.
21902 @pindex calc-enter-selection
21903 The @kbd{j '} (@code{calc-enter-selection}) command is another way
21904 to replace a selected sub-formula. This command does an algebraic
21905 entry just like the regular @kbd{'} key. When you press @key{RET},
21906 the formula you type replaces the original selection. You can use
21907 the @samp{$} symbol in the formula to refer to the original
21908 selection. If there is no selection in the formula under the cursor,
21909 the cursor is used to make a temporary selection for the purposes of
21910 the command. Thus, to change a term of a formula, all you have to
21911 do is move the Emacs cursor to that term and press @kbd{j '}.
21914 @pindex calc-edit-selection
21915 The @kbd{j `} (@code{calc-edit-selection}) command is a similar
21916 analogue of the @kbd{`} (@code{calc-edit}) command. It edits the
21917 selected sub-formula in a separate buffer. If there is no
21918 selection, it edits the sub-formula indicated by the cursor.
21920 To delete a sub-formula, press @key{DEL}. This generally replaces
21921 the sub-formula with the constant zero, but in a few suitable contexts
21922 it uses the constant one instead. The @key{DEL} key automatically
21923 deselects and re-simplifies the entire formula afterwards. Thus:
21928 17 x y + # # 17 x y 17 # y 17 y
21929 1* ------------- 1: ------- 1* ------- 1: -------
21930 2 x + 1 2 x + 1 2 x + 1 2 x + 1
21934 In this example, we first delete the @samp{sqrt(c)} term; Calc
21935 accomplishes this by replacing @samp{sqrt(c)} with zero and
21936 resimplifying. We then delete the @kbd{x} in the numerator;
21937 since this is part of a product, Calc replaces it with @samp{1}
21940 If you select an element of a vector and press @key{DEL}, that
21941 element is deleted from the vector. If you delete one side of
21942 an equation or inequality, only the opposite side remains.
21944 @kindex j @key{DEL}
21945 @pindex calc-del-selection
21946 The @kbd{j @key{DEL}} (@code{calc-del-selection}) command is like
21947 @key{DEL} but with the auto-selecting behavior of @kbd{j '} and
21948 @kbd{j `}. It deletes the selected portion of the formula
21949 indicated by the cursor, or, in the absence of a selection, it
21950 deletes the sub-formula indicated by the cursor position.
21952 @kindex j @key{RET}
21953 @pindex calc-grab-selection
21954 (There is also an auto-selecting @kbd{j @key{RET}} (@code{calc-copy-selection})
21957 Normal arithmetic operations also apply to sub-formulas. Here we
21958 select the denominator, press @kbd{5 -} to subtract five from the
21959 denominator, press @kbd{n} to negate the denominator, then
21960 press @kbd{Q} to take the square root.
21964 .. . .. . .. . .. .
21965 1* ....... 1* ....... 1* ....... 1* ..........
21966 2 x + 1 2 x - 4 4 - 2 x _________
21971 Certain types of operations on selections are not allowed. For
21972 example, for an arithmetic function like @kbd{-} no more than one of
21973 the arguments may be a selected sub-formula. (As the above example
21974 shows, the result of the subtraction is spliced back into the argument
21975 which had the selection; if there were more than one selection involved,
21976 this would not be well-defined.) If you try to subtract two selections,
21977 the command will abort with an error message.
21979 Operations on sub-formulas sometimes leave the formula as a whole
21980 in an ``un-natural'' state. Consider negating the @samp{2 x} term
21981 of our sample formula by selecting it and pressing @kbd{n}
21982 (@code{calc-change-sign}).
21987 1* .......... 1* ...........
21988 ......... ..........
21989 . . . 2 x . . . -2 x
21993 Unselecting the sub-formula reveals that the minus sign, which would
21994 normally have cancelled out with the subtraction automatically, has
21995 not been able to do so because the subtraction was not part of the
21996 selected portion. Pressing @kbd{=} (@code{calc-evaluate}) or doing
21997 any other mathematical operation on the whole formula will cause it
22003 1: ----------- 1: ----------
22004 __________ _________
22005 V 4 - -2 x V 4 + 2 x
22009 @node Rearranging with Selections, , Operating on Selections, Selecting Subformulas
22010 @subsection Rearranging Formulas using Selections
22014 @pindex calc-commute-right
22015 The @kbd{j R} (@code{calc-commute-right}) command moves the selected
22016 sub-formula to the right in its surrounding formula. Generally the
22017 selection is one term of a sum or product; the sum or product is
22018 rearranged according to the commutative laws of algebra.
22020 As with @kbd{j '} and @kbd{j @key{DEL}}, the term under the cursor is used
22021 if there is no selection in the current formula. All commands described
22022 in this section share this property. In this example, we place the
22023 cursor on the @samp{a} and type @kbd{j R}, then repeat.
22026 1: a + b - c 1: b + a - c 1: b - c + a
22030 Note that in the final step above, the @samp{a} is switched with
22031 the @samp{c} but the signs are adjusted accordingly. When moving
22032 terms of sums and products, @kbd{j R} will never change the
22033 mathematical meaning of the formula.
22035 The selected term may also be an element of a vector or an argument
22036 of a function. The term is exchanged with the one to its right.
22037 In this case, the ``meaning'' of the vector or function may of
22038 course be drastically changed.
22041 1: [a, b, c] 1: [b, a, c] 1: [b, c, a]
22043 1: f(a, b, c) 1: f(b, a, c) 1: f(b, c, a)
22047 @pindex calc-commute-left
22048 The @kbd{j L} (@code{calc-commute-left}) command is like @kbd{j R}
22049 except that it swaps the selected term with the one to its left.
22051 With numeric prefix arguments, these commands move the selected
22052 term several steps at a time. It is an error to try to move a
22053 term left or right past the end of its enclosing formula.
22054 With numeric prefix arguments of zero, these commands move the
22055 selected term as far as possible in the given direction.
22058 @pindex calc-sel-distribute
22059 The @kbd{j D} (@code{calc-sel-distribute}) command mixes the selected
22060 sum or product into the surrounding formula using the distributive
22061 law. For example, in @samp{a * (b - c)} with the @samp{b - c}
22062 selected, the result is @samp{a b - a c}. This also distributes
22063 products or quotients into surrounding powers, and can also do
22064 transformations like @samp{exp(a + b)} to @samp{exp(a) exp(b)},
22065 where @samp{a + b} is the selected term, and @samp{ln(a ^ b)}
22066 to @samp{ln(a) b}, where @samp{a ^ b} is the selected term.
22068 For multiple-term sums or products, @kbd{j D} takes off one term
22069 at a time: @samp{a * (b + c - d)} goes to @samp{a * (c - d) + a b}
22070 with the @samp{c - d} selected so that you can type @kbd{j D}
22071 repeatedly to expand completely. The @kbd{j D} command allows a
22072 numeric prefix argument which specifies the maximum number of
22073 times to expand at once; the default is one time only.
22075 @vindex DistribRules
22076 The @kbd{j D} command is implemented using rewrite rules.
22077 @xref{Selections with Rewrite Rules}. The rules are stored in
22078 the Calc variable @code{DistribRules}. A convenient way to view
22079 these rules is to use @kbd{s e} (@code{calc-edit-variable}) which
22080 displays and edits the stored value of a variable. Press @kbd{C-c C-c}
22081 to return from editing mode; be careful not to make any actual changes
22082 or else you will affect the behavior of future @kbd{j D} commands!
22084 To extend @kbd{j D} to handle new cases, just edit @code{DistribRules}
22085 as described above. You can then use the @kbd{s p} command to save
22086 this variable's value permanently for future Calc sessions.
22087 @xref{Operations on Variables}.
22090 @pindex calc-sel-merge
22092 The @kbd{j M} (@code{calc-sel-merge}) command is the complement
22093 of @kbd{j D}; given @samp{a b - a c} with either @samp{a b} or
22094 @samp{a c} selected, the result is @samp{a * (b - c)}. Once
22095 again, @kbd{j M} can also merge calls to functions like @code{exp}
22096 and @code{ln}; examine the variable @code{MergeRules} to see all
22097 the relevant rules.
22100 @pindex calc-sel-commute
22101 @vindex CommuteRules
22102 The @kbd{j C} (@code{calc-sel-commute}) command swaps the arguments
22103 of the selected sum, product, or equation. It always behaves as
22104 if @kbd{j b} mode were in effect, i.e., the sum @samp{a + b + c} is
22105 treated as the nested sums @samp{(a + b) + c} by this command.
22106 If you put the cursor on the first @samp{+}, the result is
22107 @samp{(b + a) + c}; if you put the cursor on the second @samp{+}, the
22108 result is @samp{c + (a + b)} (which the default simplifications
22109 will rearrange to @samp{(c + a) + b}). The relevant rules are stored
22110 in the variable @code{CommuteRules}.
22112 You may need to turn default simplifications off (with the @kbd{m O}
22113 command) in order to get the full benefit of @kbd{j C}. For example,
22114 commuting @samp{a - b} produces @samp{-b + a}, but the default
22115 simplifications will ``simplify'' this right back to @samp{a - b} if
22116 you don't turn them off. The same is true of some of the other
22117 manipulations described in this section.
22120 @pindex calc-sel-negate
22121 @vindex NegateRules
22122 The @kbd{j N} (@code{calc-sel-negate}) command replaces the selected
22123 term with the negative of that term, then adjusts the surrounding
22124 formula in order to preserve the meaning. For example, given
22125 @samp{exp(a - b)} where @samp{a - b} is selected, the result is
22126 @samp{1 / exp(b - a)}. By contrast, selecting a term and using the
22127 regular @kbd{n} (@code{calc-change-sign}) command negates the
22128 term without adjusting the surroundings, thus changing the meaning
22129 of the formula as a whole. The rules variable is @code{NegateRules}.
22132 @pindex calc-sel-invert
22133 @vindex InvertRules
22134 The @kbd{j &} (@code{calc-sel-invert}) command is similar to @kbd{j N}
22135 except it takes the reciprocal of the selected term. For example,
22136 given @samp{a - ln(b)} with @samp{b} selected, the result is
22137 @samp{a + ln(1/b)}. The rules variable is @code{InvertRules}.
22140 @pindex calc-sel-jump-equals
22142 The @kbd{j E} (@code{calc-sel-jump-equals}) command moves the
22143 selected term from one side of an equation to the other. Given
22144 @samp{a + b = c + d} with @samp{c} selected, the result is
22145 @samp{a + b - c = d}. This command also works if the selected
22146 term is part of a @samp{*}, @samp{/}, or @samp{^} formula. The
22147 relevant rules variable is @code{JumpRules}.
22151 @pindex calc-sel-isolate
22152 The @kbd{j I} (@code{calc-sel-isolate}) command isolates the
22153 selected term on its side of an equation. It uses the @kbd{a S}
22154 (@code{calc-solve-for}) command to solve the equation, and the
22155 Hyperbolic flag affects it in the same way. @xref{Solving Equations}.
22156 When it applies, @kbd{j I} is often easier to use than @kbd{j E}.
22157 It understands more rules of algebra, and works for inequalities
22158 as well as equations.
22162 @pindex calc-sel-mult-both-sides
22163 @pindex calc-sel-div-both-sides
22164 The @kbd{j *} (@code{calc-sel-mult-both-sides}) command prompts for a
22165 formula using algebraic entry, then multiplies both sides of the
22166 selected quotient or equation by that formula. It simplifies each
22167 side with @kbd{a s} (@code{calc-simplify}) before re-forming the
22168 quotient or equation. You can suppress this simplification by
22169 providing any numeric prefix argument. There is also a @kbd{j /}
22170 (@code{calc-sel-div-both-sides}) which is similar to @kbd{j *} but
22171 dividing instead of multiplying by the factor you enter.
22173 As a special feature, if the numerator of the quotient is 1, then
22174 the denominator is expanded at the top level using the distributive
22175 law (i.e., using the @kbd{C-u -1 a x} command). Suppose the
22176 formula on the stack is @samp{1 / (sqrt(a) + 1)}, and you wish
22177 to eliminate the square root in the denominator by multiplying both
22178 sides by @samp{sqrt(a) - 1}. Calc's default simplifications would
22179 change the result @samp{(sqrt(a) - 1) / (sqrt(a) - 1) (sqrt(a) + 1)}
22180 right back to the original form by cancellation; Calc expands the
22181 denominator to @samp{sqrt(a) (sqrt(a) - 1) + sqrt(a) - 1} to prevent
22182 this. (You would now want to use an @kbd{a x} command to expand
22183 the rest of the way, whereupon the denominator would cancel out to
22184 the desired form, @samp{a - 1}.) When the numerator is not 1, this
22185 initial expansion is not necessary because Calc's default
22186 simplifications will not notice the potential cancellation.
22188 If the selection is an inequality, @kbd{j *} and @kbd{j /} will
22189 accept any factor, but will warn unless they can prove the factor
22190 is either positive or negative. (In the latter case the direction
22191 of the inequality will be switched appropriately.) @xref{Declarations},
22192 for ways to inform Calc that a given variable is positive or
22193 negative. If Calc can't tell for sure what the sign of the factor
22194 will be, it will assume it is positive and display a warning
22197 For selections that are not quotients, equations, or inequalities,
22198 these commands pull out a multiplicative factor: They divide (or
22199 multiply) by the entered formula, simplify, then multiply (or divide)
22200 back by the formula.
22204 @pindex calc-sel-add-both-sides
22205 @pindex calc-sel-sub-both-sides
22206 The @kbd{j +} (@code{calc-sel-add-both-sides}) and @kbd{j -}
22207 (@code{calc-sel-sub-both-sides}) commands analogously add to or
22208 subtract from both sides of an equation or inequality. For other
22209 types of selections, they extract an additive factor. A numeric
22210 prefix argument suppresses simplification of the intermediate
22214 @pindex calc-sel-unpack
22215 The @kbd{j U} (@code{calc-sel-unpack}) command replaces the
22216 selected function call with its argument. For example, given
22217 @samp{a + sin(x^2)} with @samp{sin(x^2)} selected, the result
22218 is @samp{a + x^2}. (The @samp{x^2} will remain selected; if you
22219 wanted to change the @code{sin} to @code{cos}, just press @kbd{C}
22220 now to take the cosine of the selected part.)
22223 @pindex calc-sel-evaluate
22224 The @kbd{j v} (@code{calc-sel-evaluate}) command performs the
22225 normal default simplifications on the selected sub-formula.
22226 These are the simplifications that are normally done automatically
22227 on all results, but which may have been partially inhibited by
22228 previous selection-related operations, or turned off altogether
22229 by the @kbd{m O} command. This command is just an auto-selecting
22230 version of the @w{@kbd{a v}} command (@pxref{Algebraic Manipulation}).
22232 With a numeric prefix argument of 2, @kbd{C-u 2 j v} applies
22233 the @kbd{a s} (@code{calc-simplify}) command to the selected
22234 sub-formula. With a prefix argument of 3 or more, e.g., @kbd{C-u j v}
22235 applies the @kbd{a e} (@code{calc-simplify-extended}) command.
22236 @xref{Simplifying Formulas}. With a negative prefix argument
22237 it simplifies at the top level only, just as with @kbd{a v}.
22238 Here the ``top'' level refers to the top level of the selected
22242 @pindex calc-sel-expand-formula
22243 The @kbd{j "} (@code{calc-sel-expand-formula}) command is to @kbd{a "}
22244 (@pxref{Algebraic Manipulation}) what @kbd{j v} is to @kbd{a v}.
22246 You can use the @kbd{j r} (@code{calc-rewrite-selection}) command
22247 to define other algebraic operations on sub-formulas. @xref{Rewrite Rules}.
22249 @node Algebraic Manipulation, Simplifying Formulas, Selecting Subformulas, Algebra
22250 @section Algebraic Manipulation
22253 The commands in this section perform general-purpose algebraic
22254 manipulations. They work on the whole formula at the top of the
22255 stack (unless, of course, you have made a selection in that
22258 Many algebra commands prompt for a variable name or formula. If you
22259 answer the prompt with a blank line, the variable or formula is taken
22260 from top-of-stack, and the normal argument for the command is taken
22261 from the second-to-top stack level.
22264 @pindex calc-alg-evaluate
22265 The @kbd{a v} (@code{calc-alg-evaluate}) command performs the normal
22266 default simplifications on a formula; for example, @samp{a - -b} is
22267 changed to @samp{a + b}. These simplifications are normally done
22268 automatically on all Calc results, so this command is useful only if
22269 you have turned default simplifications off with an @kbd{m O}
22270 command. @xref{Simplification Modes}.
22272 It is often more convenient to type @kbd{=}, which is like @kbd{a v}
22273 but which also substitutes stored values for variables in the formula.
22274 Use @kbd{a v} if you want the variables to ignore their stored values.
22276 If you give a numeric prefix argument of 2 to @kbd{a v}, it simplifies
22277 as if in Algebraic Simplification mode. This is equivalent to typing
22278 @kbd{a s}; @pxref{Simplifying Formulas}. If you give a numeric prefix
22279 of 3 or more, it uses Extended Simplification mode (@kbd{a e}).
22281 If you give a negative prefix argument @mathit{-1}, @mathit{-2}, or @mathit{-3},
22282 it simplifies in the corresponding mode but only works on the top-level
22283 function call of the formula. For example, @samp{(2 + 3) * (2 + 3)} will
22284 simplify to @samp{(2 + 3)^2}, without simplifying the sub-formulas
22285 @samp{2 + 3}. As another example, typing @kbd{V R +} to sum the vector
22286 @samp{[1, 2, 3, 4]} produces the formula @samp{reduce(add, [1, 2, 3, 4])}
22287 in No-Simplify mode. Using @kbd{a v} will evaluate this all the way to
22288 10; using @kbd{C-u - a v} will evaluate it only to @samp{1 + 2 + 3 + 4}.
22289 (@xref{Reducing and Mapping}.)
22293 The @kbd{=} command corresponds to the @code{evalv} function, and
22294 the related @kbd{N} command, which is like @kbd{=} but temporarily
22295 disables Symbolic mode (@kbd{m s}) during the evaluation, corresponds
22296 to the @code{evalvn} function. (These commands interpret their prefix
22297 arguments differently than @kbd{a v}; @kbd{=} treats the prefix as
22298 the number of stack elements to evaluate at once, and @kbd{N} treats
22299 it as a temporary different working precision.)
22301 The @code{evalvn} function can take an alternate working precision
22302 as an optional second argument. This argument can be either an
22303 integer, to set the precision absolutely, or a vector containing
22304 a single integer, to adjust the precision relative to the current
22305 precision. Note that @code{evalvn} with a larger than current
22306 precision will do the calculation at this higher precision, but the
22307 result will as usual be rounded back down to the current precision
22308 afterward. For example, @samp{evalvn(pi - 3.1415)} at a precision
22309 of 12 will return @samp{9.265359e-5}; @samp{evalvn(pi - 3.1415, 30)}
22310 will return @samp{9.26535897932e-5} (computing a 25-digit result which
22311 is then rounded down to 12); and @samp{evalvn(pi - 3.1415, [-2])}
22312 will return @samp{9.2654e-5}.
22315 @pindex calc-expand-formula
22316 The @kbd{a "} (@code{calc-expand-formula}) command expands functions
22317 into their defining formulas wherever possible. For example,
22318 @samp{deg(x^2)} is changed to @samp{180 x^2 / pi}. Most functions,
22319 like @code{sin} and @code{gcd}, are not defined by simple formulas
22320 and so are unaffected by this command. One important class of
22321 functions which @emph{can} be expanded is the user-defined functions
22322 created by the @kbd{Z F} command. @xref{Algebraic Definitions}.
22323 Other functions which @kbd{a "} can expand include the probability
22324 distribution functions, most of the financial functions, and the
22325 hyperbolic and inverse hyperbolic functions. A numeric prefix argument
22326 affects @kbd{a "} in the same way as it does @kbd{a v}: A positive
22327 argument expands all functions in the formula and then simplifies in
22328 various ways; a negative argument expands and simplifies only the
22329 top-level function call.
22332 @pindex calc-map-equation
22334 The @kbd{a M} (@code{calc-map-equation}) [@code{mapeq}] command applies
22335 a given function or operator to one or more equations. It is analogous
22336 to @kbd{V M}, which operates on vectors instead of equations.
22337 @pxref{Reducing and Mapping}. For example, @kbd{a M S} changes
22338 @samp{x = y+1} to @samp{sin(x) = sin(y+1)}, and @kbd{a M +} with
22339 @samp{x = y+1} and @expr{6} on the stack produces @samp{x+6 = y+7}.
22340 With two equations on the stack, @kbd{a M +} would add the lefthand
22341 sides together and the righthand sides together to get the two
22342 respective sides of a new equation.
22344 Mapping also works on inequalities. Mapping two similar inequalities
22345 produces another inequality of the same type. Mapping an inequality
22346 with an equation produces an inequality of the same type. Mapping a
22347 @samp{<=} with a @samp{<} or @samp{!=} (not-equal) produces a @samp{<}.
22348 If inequalities with opposite direction (e.g., @samp{<} and @samp{>})
22349 are mapped, the direction of the second inequality is reversed to
22350 match the first: Using @kbd{a M +} on @samp{a < b} and @samp{a > 2}
22351 reverses the latter to get @samp{2 < a}, which then allows the
22352 combination @samp{a + 2 < b + a}, which the @kbd{a s} command can
22353 then simplify to get @samp{2 < b}.
22355 Using @kbd{a M *}, @kbd{a M /}, @kbd{a M n}, or @kbd{a M &} to negate
22356 or invert an inequality will reverse the direction of the inequality.
22357 Other adjustments to inequalities are @emph{not} done automatically;
22358 @kbd{a M S} will change @w{@samp{x < y}} to @samp{sin(x) < sin(y)} even
22359 though this is not true for all values of the variables.
22363 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H a M} [@code{mapeqp}] does a plain
22364 mapping operation without reversing the direction of any inequalities.
22365 Thus, @kbd{H a M &} would change @kbd{x > 2} to @kbd{1/x > 0.5}.
22366 (This change is mathematically incorrect, but perhaps you were
22367 fixing an inequality which was already incorrect.)
22371 With the Inverse flag, @kbd{I a M} [@code{mapeqr}] always reverses
22372 the direction of the inequality. You might use @kbd{I a M C} to
22373 change @samp{x < y} to @samp{cos(x) > cos(y)} if you know you are
22374 working with small positive angles.
22377 @pindex calc-substitute
22379 The @kbd{a b} (@code{calc-substitute}) [@code{subst}] command substitutes
22381 of some variable or sub-expression of an expression with a new
22382 sub-expression. For example, substituting @samp{sin(x)} with @samp{cos(y)}
22383 in @samp{2 sin(x)^2 + x sin(x) + sin(2 x)} produces
22384 @samp{2 cos(y)^2 + x cos(y) + @w{sin(2 x)}}.
22385 Note that this is a purely structural substitution; the lone @samp{x} and
22386 the @samp{sin(2 x)} stayed the same because they did not look like
22387 @samp{sin(x)}. @xref{Rewrite Rules}, for a more general method for
22388 doing substitutions.
22390 The @kbd{a b} command normally prompts for two formulas, the old
22391 one and the new one. If you enter a blank line for the first
22392 prompt, all three arguments are taken from the stack (new, then old,
22393 then target expression). If you type an old formula but then enter a
22394 blank line for the new one, the new formula is taken from top-of-stack
22395 and the target from second-to-top. If you answer both prompts, the
22396 target is taken from top-of-stack as usual.
22398 Note that @kbd{a b} has no understanding of commutativity or
22399 associativity. The pattern @samp{x+y} will not match the formula
22400 @samp{y+x}. Also, @samp{y+z} will not match inside the formula @samp{x+y+z}
22401 because the @samp{+} operator is left-associative, so the ``deep
22402 structure'' of that formula is @samp{(x+y) + z}. Use @kbd{d U}
22403 (@code{calc-unformatted-language}) mode to see the true structure of
22404 a formula. The rewrite rule mechanism, discussed later, does not have
22407 As an algebraic function, @code{subst} takes three arguments:
22408 Target expression, old, new. Note that @code{subst} is always
22409 evaluated immediately, even if its arguments are variables, so if
22410 you wish to put a call to @code{subst} onto the stack you must
22411 turn the default simplifications off first (with @kbd{m O}).
22413 @node Simplifying Formulas, Polynomials, Algebraic Manipulation, Algebra
22414 @section Simplifying Formulas
22418 @pindex calc-simplify
22420 The @kbd{a s} (@code{calc-simplify}) [@code{simplify}] command applies
22421 various algebraic rules to simplify a formula. This includes rules which
22422 are not part of the default simplifications because they may be too slow
22423 to apply all the time, or may not be desirable all of the time. For
22424 example, non-adjacent terms of sums are combined, as in @samp{a + b + 2 a}
22425 to @samp{b + 3 a}, and some formulas like @samp{sin(arcsin(x))} are
22426 simplified to @samp{x}.
22428 The sections below describe all the various kinds of algebraic
22429 simplifications Calc provides in full detail. None of Calc's
22430 simplification commands are designed to pull rabbits out of hats;
22431 they simply apply certain specific rules to put formulas into
22432 less redundant or more pleasing forms. Serious algebra in Calc
22433 must be done manually, usually with a combination of selections
22434 and rewrite rules. @xref{Rearranging with Selections}.
22435 @xref{Rewrite Rules}.
22437 @xref{Simplification Modes}, for commands to control what level of
22438 simplification occurs automatically. Normally only the ``default
22439 simplifications'' occur.
22442 * Default Simplifications::
22443 * Algebraic Simplifications::
22444 * Unsafe Simplifications::
22445 * Simplification of Units::
22448 @node Default Simplifications, Algebraic Simplifications, Simplifying Formulas, Simplifying Formulas
22449 @subsection Default Simplifications
22452 @cindex Default simplifications
22453 This section describes the ``default simplifications,'' those which are
22454 normally applied to all results. For example, if you enter the variable
22455 @expr{x} on the stack twice and push @kbd{+}, Calc's default
22456 simplifications automatically change @expr{x + x} to @expr{2 x}.
22458 The @kbd{m O} command turns off the default simplifications, so that
22459 @expr{x + x} will remain in this form unless you give an explicit
22460 ``simplify'' command like @kbd{=} or @kbd{a v}. @xref{Algebraic
22461 Manipulation}. The @kbd{m D} command turns the default simplifications
22464 The most basic default simplification is the evaluation of functions.
22465 For example, @expr{2 + 3} is evaluated to @expr{5}, and @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(9)}
22466 is evaluated to @expr{3}. Evaluation does not occur if the arguments
22467 to a function are somehow of the wrong type @expr{@tfn{tan}([2,3,4])}),
22468 range (@expr{@tfn{tan}(90)}), or number (@expr{@tfn{tan}(3,5)}),
22469 or if the function name is not recognized (@expr{@tfn{f}(5)}), or if
22470 Symbolic mode (@pxref{Symbolic Mode}) prevents evaluation
22471 (@expr{@tfn{sqrt}(2)}).
22473 Calc simplifies (evaluates) the arguments to a function before it
22474 simplifies the function itself. Thus @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(5+4)} is
22475 simplified to @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(9)} before the @code{sqrt} function
22476 itself is applied. There are very few exceptions to this rule:
22477 @code{quote}, @code{lambda}, and @code{condition} (the @code{::}
22478 operator) do not evaluate their arguments, @code{if} (the @code{? :}
22479 operator) does not evaluate all of its arguments, and @code{evalto}
22480 does not evaluate its lefthand argument.
22482 Most commands apply the default simplifications to all arguments they
22483 take from the stack, perform a particular operation, then simplify
22484 the result before pushing it back on the stack. In the common special
22485 case of regular arithmetic commands like @kbd{+} and @kbd{Q} [@code{sqrt}],
22486 the arguments are simply popped from the stack and collected into a
22487 suitable function call, which is then simplified (the arguments being
22488 simplified first as part of the process, as described above).
22490 The default simplifications are too numerous to describe completely
22491 here, but this section will describe the ones that apply to the
22492 major arithmetic operators. This list will be rather technical in
22493 nature, and will probably be interesting to you only if you are
22494 a serious user of Calc's algebra facilities.
22500 As well as the simplifications described here, if you have stored
22501 any rewrite rules in the variable @code{EvalRules} then these rules
22502 will also be applied before any built-in default simplifications.
22503 @xref{Automatic Rewrites}, for details.
22509 And now, on with the default simplifications:
22511 Arithmetic operators like @kbd{+} and @kbd{*} always take two
22512 arguments in Calc's internal form. Sums and products of three or
22513 more terms are arranged by the associative law of algebra into
22514 a left-associative form for sums, @expr{((a + b) + c) + d}, and
22515 a right-associative form for products, @expr{a * (b * (c * d))}.
22516 Formulas like @expr{(a + b) + (c + d)} are rearranged to
22517 left-associative form, though this rarely matters since Calc's
22518 algebra commands are designed to hide the inner structure of
22519 sums and products as much as possible. Sums and products in
22520 their proper associative form will be written without parentheses
22521 in the examples below.
22523 Sums and products are @emph{not} rearranged according to the
22524 commutative law (@expr{a + b} to @expr{b + a}) except in a few
22525 special cases described below. Some algebra programs always
22526 rearrange terms into a canonical order, which enables them to
22527 see that @expr{a b + b a} can be simplified to @expr{2 a b}.
22528 Calc assumes you have put the terms into the order you want
22529 and generally leaves that order alone, with the consequence
22530 that formulas like the above will only be simplified if you
22531 explicitly give the @kbd{a s} command. @xref{Algebraic
22534 Differences @expr{a - b} are treated like sums @expr{a + (-b)}
22535 for purposes of simplification; one of the default simplifications
22536 is to rewrite @expr{a + (-b)} or @expr{(-b) + a}, where @expr{-b}
22537 represents a ``negative-looking'' term, into @expr{a - b} form.
22538 ``Negative-looking'' means negative numbers, negated formulas like
22539 @expr{-x}, and products or quotients in which either term is
22542 Other simplifications involving negation are @expr{-(-x)} to @expr{x};
22543 @expr{-(a b)} or @expr{-(a/b)} where either @expr{a} or @expr{b} is
22544 negative-looking, simplified by negating that term, or else where
22545 @expr{a} or @expr{b} is any number, by negating that number;
22546 @expr{-(a + b)} to @expr{-a - b}, and @expr{-(b - a)} to @expr{a - b}.
22547 (This, and rewriting @expr{(-b) + a} to @expr{a - b}, are the only
22548 cases where the order of terms in a sum is changed by the default
22551 The distributive law is used to simplify sums in some cases:
22552 @expr{a x + b x} to @expr{(a + b) x}, where @expr{a} represents
22553 a number or an implicit 1 or @mathit{-1} (as in @expr{x} or @expr{-x})
22554 and similarly for @expr{b}. Use the @kbd{a c}, @w{@kbd{a f}}, or
22555 @kbd{j M} commands to merge sums with non-numeric coefficients
22556 using the distributive law.
22558 The distributive law is only used for sums of two terms, or
22559 for adjacent terms in a larger sum. Thus @expr{a + b + b + c}
22560 is simplified to @expr{a + 2 b + c}, but @expr{a + b + c + b}
22561 is not simplified. The reason is that comparing all terms of a
22562 sum with one another would require time proportional to the
22563 square of the number of terms; Calc relegates potentially slow
22564 operations like this to commands that have to be invoked
22565 explicitly, like @kbd{a s}.
22567 Finally, @expr{a + 0} and @expr{0 + a} are simplified to @expr{a}.
22568 A consequence of the above rules is that @expr{0 - a} is simplified
22575 The products @expr{1 a} and @expr{a 1} are simplified to @expr{a};
22576 @expr{(-1) a} and @expr{a (-1)} are simplified to @expr{-a};
22577 @expr{0 a} and @expr{a 0} are simplified to @expr{0}, except that
22578 in Matrix mode where @expr{a} is not provably scalar the result
22579 is the generic zero matrix @samp{idn(0)}, and that if @expr{a} is
22580 infinite the result is @samp{nan}.
22582 Also, @expr{(-a) b} and @expr{a (-b)} are simplified to @expr{-(a b)},
22583 where this occurs for negated formulas but not for regular negative
22586 Products are commuted only to move numbers to the front:
22587 @expr{a b 2} is commuted to @expr{2 a b}.
22589 The product @expr{a (b + c)} is distributed over the sum only if
22590 @expr{a} and at least one of @expr{b} and @expr{c} are numbers:
22591 @expr{2 (x + 3)} goes to @expr{2 x + 6}. The formula
22592 @expr{(-a) (b - c)}, where @expr{-a} is a negative number, is
22593 rewritten to @expr{a (c - b)}.
22595 The distributive law of products and powers is used for adjacent
22596 terms of the product: @expr{x^a x^b} goes to
22597 @texline @math{x^{a+b}}
22598 @infoline @expr{x^(a+b)}
22599 where @expr{a} is a number, or an implicit 1 (as in @expr{x}),
22600 or the implicit one-half of @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(x)}, and similarly for
22601 @expr{b}. The result is written using @samp{sqrt} or @samp{1/sqrt}
22602 if the sum of the powers is @expr{1/2} or @expr{-1/2}, respectively.
22603 If the sum of the powers is zero, the product is simplified to
22604 @expr{1} or to @samp{idn(1)} if Matrix mode is enabled.
22606 The product of a negative power times anything but another negative
22607 power is changed to use division:
22608 @texline @math{x^{-2} y}
22609 @infoline @expr{x^(-2) y}
22610 goes to @expr{y / x^2} unless Matrix mode is
22611 in effect and neither @expr{x} nor @expr{y} are scalar (in which
22612 case it is considered unsafe to rearrange the order of the terms).
22614 Finally, @expr{a (b/c)} is rewritten to @expr{(a b)/c}, and also
22615 @expr{(a/b) c} is changed to @expr{(a c)/b} unless in Matrix mode.
22621 Simplifications for quotients are analogous to those for products.
22622 The quotient @expr{0 / x} is simplified to @expr{0}, with the same
22623 exceptions that were noted for @expr{0 x}. Likewise, @expr{x / 1}
22624 and @expr{x / (-1)} are simplified to @expr{x} and @expr{-x},
22627 The quotient @expr{x / 0} is left unsimplified or changed to an
22628 infinite quantity, as directed by the current infinite mode.
22629 @xref{Infinite Mode}.
22632 @texline @math{a / b^{-c}}
22633 @infoline @expr{a / b^(-c)}
22634 is changed to @expr{a b^c}, where @expr{-c} is any negative-looking
22635 power. Also, @expr{1 / b^c} is changed to
22636 @texline @math{b^{-c}}
22637 @infoline @expr{b^(-c)}
22638 for any power @expr{c}.
22640 Also, @expr{(-a) / b} and @expr{a / (-b)} go to @expr{-(a/b)};
22641 @expr{(a/b) / c} goes to @expr{a / (b c)}; and @expr{a / (b/c)}
22642 goes to @expr{(a c) / b} unless Matrix mode prevents this
22643 rearrangement. Similarly, @expr{a / (b:c)} is simplified to
22644 @expr{(c:b) a} for any fraction @expr{b:c}.
22646 The distributive law is applied to @expr{(a + b) / c} only if
22647 @expr{c} and at least one of @expr{a} and @expr{b} are numbers.
22648 Quotients of powers and square roots are distributed just as
22649 described for multiplication.
22651 Quotients of products cancel only in the leading terms of the
22652 numerator and denominator. In other words, @expr{a x b / a y b}
22653 is cancelled to @expr{x b / y b} but not to @expr{x / y}. Once
22654 again this is because full cancellation can be slow; use @kbd{a s}
22655 to cancel all terms of the quotient.
22657 Quotients of negative-looking values are simplified according
22658 to @expr{(-a) / (-b)} to @expr{a / b}, @expr{(-a) / (b - c)}
22659 to @expr{a / (c - b)}, and @expr{(a - b) / (-c)} to @expr{(b - a) / c}.
22665 The formula @expr{x^0} is simplified to @expr{1}, or to @samp{idn(1)}
22666 in Matrix mode. The formula @expr{0^x} is simplified to @expr{0}
22667 unless @expr{x} is a negative number, complex number or zero.
22668 If @expr{x} is negative, complex or @expr{0.0}, @expr{0^x} is an
22669 infinity or an unsimplified formula according to the current infinite
22670 mode. The expression @expr{0^0} is simplified to @expr{1}.
22672 Powers of products or quotients @expr{(a b)^c}, @expr{(a/b)^c}
22673 are distributed to @expr{a^c b^c}, @expr{a^c / b^c} only if @expr{c}
22674 is an integer, or if either @expr{a} or @expr{b} are nonnegative
22675 real numbers. Powers of powers @expr{(a^b)^c} are simplified to
22676 @texline @math{a^{b c}}
22677 @infoline @expr{a^(b c)}
22678 only when @expr{c} is an integer and @expr{b c} also
22679 evaluates to an integer. Without these restrictions these simplifications
22680 would not be safe because of problems with principal values.
22682 @texline @math{((-3)^{1/2})^2}
22683 @infoline @expr{((-3)^1:2)^2}
22684 is safe to simplify, but
22685 @texline @math{((-3)^2)^{1/2}}
22686 @infoline @expr{((-3)^2)^1:2}
22687 is not.) @xref{Declarations}, for ways to inform Calc that your
22688 variables satisfy these requirements.
22690 As a special case of this rule, @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(x)^n} is simplified to
22691 @texline @math{x^{n/2}}
22692 @infoline @expr{x^(n/2)}
22693 only for even integers @expr{n}.
22695 If @expr{a} is known to be real, @expr{b} is an even integer, and
22696 @expr{c} is a half- or quarter-integer, then @expr{(a^b)^c} is
22697 simplified to @expr{@tfn{abs}(a^(b c))}.
22699 Also, @expr{(-a)^b} is simplified to @expr{a^b} if @expr{b} is an
22700 even integer, or to @expr{-(a^b)} if @expr{b} is an odd integer,
22701 for any negative-looking expression @expr{-a}.
22703 Square roots @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(x)} generally act like one-half powers
22704 @texline @math{x^{1:2}}
22705 @infoline @expr{x^1:2}
22706 for the purposes of the above-listed simplifications.
22709 @texline @math{1 / x^{1:2}}
22710 @infoline @expr{1 / x^1:2}
22712 @texline @math{x^{-1:2}},
22713 @infoline @expr{x^(-1:2)},
22714 but @expr{1 / @tfn{sqrt}(x)} is left alone.
22720 Generic identity matrices (@pxref{Matrix Mode}) are simplified by the
22721 following rules: @expr{@tfn{idn}(a) + b} to @expr{a + b} if @expr{b}
22722 is provably scalar, or expanded out if @expr{b} is a matrix;
22723 @expr{@tfn{idn}(a) + @tfn{idn}(b)} to @expr{@tfn{idn}(a + b)};
22724 @expr{-@tfn{idn}(a)} to @expr{@tfn{idn}(-a)}; @expr{a @tfn{idn}(b)} to
22725 @expr{@tfn{idn}(a b)} if @expr{a} is provably scalar, or to @expr{a b}
22726 if @expr{a} is provably non-scalar; @expr{@tfn{idn}(a) @tfn{idn}(b)} to
22727 @expr{@tfn{idn}(a b)}; analogous simplifications for quotients involving
22728 @code{idn}; and @expr{@tfn{idn}(a)^n} to @expr{@tfn{idn}(a^n)} where
22729 @expr{n} is an integer.
22735 The @code{floor} function and other integer truncation functions
22736 vanish if the argument is provably integer-valued, so that
22737 @expr{@tfn{floor}(@tfn{round}(x))} simplifies to @expr{@tfn{round}(x)}.
22738 Also, combinations of @code{float}, @code{floor} and its friends,
22739 and @code{ffloor} and its friends, are simplified in appropriate
22740 ways. @xref{Integer Truncation}.
22742 The expression @expr{@tfn{abs}(-x)} changes to @expr{@tfn{abs}(x)}.
22743 The expression @expr{@tfn{abs}(@tfn{abs}(x))} changes to
22744 @expr{@tfn{abs}(x)}; in fact, @expr{@tfn{abs}(x)} changes to @expr{x} or
22745 @expr{-x} if @expr{x} is provably nonnegative or nonpositive
22746 (@pxref{Declarations}).
22748 While most functions do not recognize the variable @code{i} as an
22749 imaginary number, the @code{arg} function does handle the two cases
22750 @expr{@tfn{arg}(@tfn{i})} and @expr{@tfn{arg}(-@tfn{i})} just for convenience.
22752 The expression @expr{@tfn{conj}(@tfn{conj}(x))} simplifies to @expr{x}.
22753 Various other expressions involving @code{conj}, @code{re}, and
22754 @code{im} are simplified, especially if some of the arguments are
22755 provably real or involve the constant @code{i}. For example,
22756 @expr{@tfn{conj}(a + b i)} is changed to
22757 @expr{@tfn{conj}(a) - @tfn{conj}(b) i}, or to @expr{a - b i} if @expr{a}
22758 and @expr{b} are known to be real.
22760 Functions like @code{sin} and @code{arctan} generally don't have
22761 any default simplifications beyond simply evaluating the functions
22762 for suitable numeric arguments and infinity. The @kbd{a s} command
22763 described in the next section does provide some simplifications for
22764 these functions, though.
22766 One important simplification that does occur is that
22767 @expr{@tfn{ln}(@tfn{e})} is simplified to 1, and @expr{@tfn{ln}(@tfn{e}^x)} is
22768 simplified to @expr{x} for any @expr{x}. This occurs even if you have
22769 stored a different value in the Calc variable @samp{e}; but this would
22770 be a bad idea in any case if you were also using natural logarithms!
22772 Among the logical functions, @tfn{!(@var{a} <= @var{b})} changes to
22773 @tfn{@var{a} > @var{b}} and so on. Equations and inequalities where both sides
22774 are either negative-looking or zero are simplified by negating both sides
22775 and reversing the inequality. While it might seem reasonable to simplify
22776 @expr{!!x} to @expr{x}, this would not be valid in general because
22777 @expr{!!2} is 1, not 2.
22779 Most other Calc functions have few if any default simplifications
22780 defined, aside of course from evaluation when the arguments are
22783 @node Algebraic Simplifications, Unsafe Simplifications, Default Simplifications, Simplifying Formulas
22784 @subsection Algebraic Simplifications
22787 @cindex Algebraic simplifications
22788 The @kbd{a s} command makes simplifications that may be too slow to
22789 do all the time, or that may not be desirable all of the time.
22790 If you find these simplifications are worthwhile, you can type
22791 @kbd{m A} to have Calc apply them automatically.
22793 This section describes all simplifications that are performed by
22794 the @kbd{a s} command. Note that these occur in addition to the
22795 default simplifications; even if the default simplifications have
22796 been turned off by an @kbd{m O} command, @kbd{a s} will turn them
22797 back on temporarily while it simplifies the formula.
22799 There is a variable, @code{AlgSimpRules}, in which you can put rewrites
22800 to be applied by @kbd{a s}. Its use is analogous to @code{EvalRules},
22801 but without the special restrictions. Basically, the simplifier does
22802 @samp{@w{a r} AlgSimpRules} with an infinite repeat count on the whole
22803 expression being simplified, then it traverses the expression applying
22804 the built-in rules described below. If the result is different from
22805 the original expression, the process repeats with the default
22806 simplifications (including @code{EvalRules}), then @code{AlgSimpRules},
22807 then the built-in simplifications, and so on.
22813 Sums are simplified in two ways. Constant terms are commuted to the
22814 end of the sum, so that @expr{a + 2 + b} changes to @expr{a + b + 2}.
22815 The only exception is that a constant will not be commuted away
22816 from the first position of a difference, i.e., @expr{2 - x} is not
22817 commuted to @expr{-x + 2}.
22819 Also, terms of sums are combined by the distributive law, as in
22820 @expr{x + y + 2 x} to @expr{y + 3 x}. This always occurs for
22821 adjacent terms, but @kbd{a s} compares all pairs of terms including
22828 Products are sorted into a canonical order using the commutative
22829 law. For example, @expr{b c a} is commuted to @expr{a b c}.
22830 This allows easier comparison of products; for example, the default
22831 simplifications will not change @expr{x y + y x} to @expr{2 x y},
22832 but @kbd{a s} will; it first rewrites the sum to @expr{x y + x y},
22833 and then the default simplifications are able to recognize a sum
22834 of identical terms.
22836 The canonical ordering used to sort terms of products has the
22837 property that real-valued numbers, interval forms and infinities
22838 come first, and are sorted into increasing order. The @kbd{V S}
22839 command uses the same ordering when sorting a vector.
22841 Sorting of terms of products is inhibited when Matrix mode is
22842 turned on; in this case, Calc will never exchange the order of
22843 two terms unless it knows at least one of the terms is a scalar.
22845 Products of powers are distributed by comparing all pairs of
22846 terms, using the same method that the default simplifications
22847 use for adjacent terms of products.
22849 Even though sums are not sorted, the commutative law is still
22850 taken into account when terms of a product are being compared.
22851 Thus @expr{(x + y) (y + x)} will be simplified to @expr{(x + y)^2}.
22852 A subtle point is that @expr{(x - y) (y - x)} will @emph{not}
22853 be simplified to @expr{-(x - y)^2}; Calc does not notice that
22854 one term can be written as a constant times the other, even if
22855 that constant is @mathit{-1}.
22857 A fraction times any expression, @expr{(a:b) x}, is changed to
22858 a quotient involving integers: @expr{a x / b}. This is not
22859 done for floating-point numbers like @expr{0.5}, however. This
22860 is one reason why you may find it convenient to turn Fraction mode
22861 on while doing algebra; @pxref{Fraction Mode}.
22867 Quotients are simplified by comparing all terms in the numerator
22868 with all terms in the denominator for possible cancellation using
22869 the distributive law. For example, @expr{a x^2 b / c x^3 d} will
22870 cancel @expr{x^2} from the top and bottom to get @expr{a b / c x d}.
22871 (The terms in the denominator will then be rearranged to @expr{c d x}
22872 as described above.) If there is any common integer or fractional
22873 factor in the numerator and denominator, it is cancelled out;
22874 for example, @expr{(4 x + 6) / 8 x} simplifies to @expr{(2 x + 3) / 4 x}.
22876 Non-constant common factors are not found even by @kbd{a s}. To
22877 cancel the factor @expr{a} in @expr{(a x + a) / a^2} you could first
22878 use @kbd{j M} on the product @expr{a x} to Merge the numerator to
22879 @expr{a (1+x)}, which can then be simplified successfully.
22885 Integer powers of the variable @code{i} are simplified according
22886 to the identity @expr{i^2 = -1}. If you store a new value other
22887 than the complex number @expr{(0,1)} in @code{i}, this simplification
22888 will no longer occur. This is done by @kbd{a s} instead of by default
22889 in case someone (unwisely) uses the name @code{i} for a variable
22890 unrelated to complex numbers; it would be unfortunate if Calc
22891 quietly and automatically changed this formula for reasons the
22892 user might not have been thinking of.
22894 Square roots of integer or rational arguments are simplified in
22895 several ways. (Note that these will be left unevaluated only in
22896 Symbolic mode.) First, square integer or rational factors are
22897 pulled out so that @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(8)} is rewritten as
22898 @texline @math{2\,@tfn{sqrt}(2)}.
22899 @infoline @expr{2 sqrt(2)}.
22900 Conceptually speaking this implies factoring the argument into primes
22901 and moving pairs of primes out of the square root, but for reasons of
22902 efficiency Calc only looks for primes up to 29.
22904 Square roots in the denominator of a quotient are moved to the
22905 numerator: @expr{1 / @tfn{sqrt}(3)} changes to @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(3) / 3}.
22906 The same effect occurs for the square root of a fraction:
22907 @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(2:3)} changes to @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(6) / 3}.
22913 The @code{%} (modulo) operator is simplified in several ways
22914 when the modulus @expr{M} is a positive real number. First, if
22915 the argument is of the form @expr{x + n} for some real number
22916 @expr{n}, then @expr{n} is itself reduced modulo @expr{M}. For
22917 example, @samp{(x - 23) % 10} is simplified to @samp{(x + 7) % 10}.
22919 If the argument is multiplied by a constant, and this constant
22920 has a common integer divisor with the modulus, then this factor is
22921 cancelled out. For example, @samp{12 x % 15} is changed to
22922 @samp{3 (4 x % 5)} by factoring out 3. Also, @samp{(12 x + 1) % 15}
22923 is changed to @samp{3 ((4 x + 1:3) % 5)}. While these forms may
22924 not seem ``simpler,'' they allow Calc to discover useful information
22925 about modulo forms in the presence of declarations.
22927 If the modulus is 1, then Calc can use @code{int} declarations to
22928 evaluate the expression. For example, the idiom @samp{x % 2} is
22929 often used to check whether a number is odd or even. As described
22930 above, @w{@samp{2 n % 2}} and @samp{(2 n + 1) % 2} are simplified to
22931 @samp{2 (n % 1)} and @samp{2 ((n + 1:2) % 1)}, respectively; Calc
22932 can simplify these to 0 and 1 (respectively) if @code{n} has been
22933 declared to be an integer.
22939 Trigonometric functions are simplified in several ways. Whenever a
22940 products of two trigonometric functions can be replaced by a single
22941 function, the replacement is made; for example,
22942 @expr{@tfn{tan}(x) @tfn{cos}(x)} is simplified to @expr{@tfn{sin}(x)}.
22943 Reciprocals of trigonometric functions are replaced by their reciprocal
22944 function; for example, @expr{1/@tfn{sec}(x)} is simplified to
22945 @expr{@tfn{cos}(x)}. The corresponding simplifications for the
22946 hyperbolic functions are also handled.
22948 Trigonometric functions of their inverse functions are
22949 simplified. The expression @expr{@tfn{sin}(@tfn{arcsin}(x))} is
22950 simplified to @expr{x}, and similarly for @code{cos} and @code{tan}.
22951 Trigonometric functions of inverses of different trigonometric
22952 functions can also be simplified, as in @expr{@tfn{sin}(@tfn{arccos}(x))}
22953 to @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(1 - x^2)}.
22955 If the argument to @code{sin} is negative-looking, it is simplified to
22956 @expr{-@tfn{sin}(x)}, and similarly for @code{cos} and @code{tan}.
22957 Finally, certain special values of the argument are recognized;
22958 @pxref{Trigonometric and Hyperbolic Functions}.
22960 Hyperbolic functions of their inverses and of negative-looking
22961 arguments are also handled, as are exponentials of inverse
22962 hyperbolic functions.
22964 No simplifications for inverse trigonometric and hyperbolic
22965 functions are known, except for negative arguments of @code{arcsin},
22966 @code{arctan}, @code{arcsinh}, and @code{arctanh}. Note that
22967 @expr{@tfn{arcsin}(@tfn{sin}(x))} can @emph{not} safely change to
22968 @expr{x}, since this only correct within an integer multiple of
22969 @texline @math{2 \pi}
22970 @infoline @expr{2 pi}
22971 radians or 360 degrees. However, @expr{@tfn{arcsinh}(@tfn{sinh}(x))} is
22972 simplified to @expr{x} if @expr{x} is known to be real.
22974 Several simplifications that apply to logarithms and exponentials
22975 are that @expr{@tfn{exp}(@tfn{ln}(x))},
22976 @texline @tfn{e}@math{^{\ln(x)}},
22977 @infoline @expr{e^@tfn{ln}(x)},
22979 @texline @math{10^{{\rm log10}(x)}}
22980 @infoline @expr{10^@tfn{log10}(x)}
22981 all reduce to @expr{x}. Also, @expr{@tfn{ln}(@tfn{exp}(x))}, etc., can
22982 reduce to @expr{x} if @expr{x} is provably real. The form
22983 @expr{@tfn{exp}(x)^y} is simplified to @expr{@tfn{exp}(x y)}. If @expr{x}
22984 is a suitable multiple of
22985 @texline @math{\pi i}
22986 @infoline @expr{pi i}
22987 (as described above for the trigonometric functions), then
22988 @expr{@tfn{exp}(x)} or @expr{e^x} will be expanded. Finally,
22989 @expr{@tfn{ln}(x)} is simplified to a form involving @code{pi} and
22990 @code{i} where @expr{x} is provably negative, positive imaginary, or
22991 negative imaginary.
22993 The error functions @code{erf} and @code{erfc} are simplified when
22994 their arguments are negative-looking or are calls to the @code{conj}
23001 Equations and inequalities are simplified by cancelling factors
23002 of products, quotients, or sums on both sides. Inequalities
23003 change sign if a negative multiplicative factor is cancelled.
23004 Non-constant multiplicative factors as in @expr{a b = a c} are
23005 cancelled from equations only if they are provably nonzero (generally
23006 because they were declared so; @pxref{Declarations}). Factors
23007 are cancelled from inequalities only if they are nonzero and their
23010 Simplification also replaces an equation or inequality with
23011 1 or 0 (``true'' or ``false'') if it can through the use of
23012 declarations. If @expr{x} is declared to be an integer greater
23013 than 5, then @expr{x < 3}, @expr{x = 3}, and @expr{x = 7.5} are
23014 all simplified to 0, but @expr{x > 3} is simplified to 1.
23015 By a similar analysis, @expr{abs(x) >= 0} is simplified to 1,
23016 as is @expr{x^2 >= 0} if @expr{x} is known to be real.
23018 @node Unsafe Simplifications, Simplification of Units, Algebraic Simplifications, Simplifying Formulas
23019 @subsection ``Unsafe'' Simplifications
23022 @cindex Unsafe simplifications
23023 @cindex Extended simplification
23025 @pindex calc-simplify-extended
23027 @mindex esimpl@idots
23030 The @kbd{a e} (@code{calc-simplify-extended}) [@code{esimplify}] command
23032 except that it applies some additional simplifications which are not
23033 ``safe'' in all cases. Use this only if you know the values in your
23034 formula lie in the restricted ranges for which these simplifications
23035 are valid. The symbolic integrator uses @kbd{a e};
23036 one effect of this is that the integrator's results must be used with
23037 caution. Where an integral table will often attach conditions like
23038 ``for positive @expr{a} only,'' Calc (like most other symbolic
23039 integration programs) will simply produce an unqualified result.
23041 Because @kbd{a e}'s simplifications are unsafe, it is sometimes better
23042 to type @kbd{C-u -3 a v}, which does extended simplification only
23043 on the top level of the formula without affecting the sub-formulas.
23044 In fact, @kbd{C-u -3 j v} allows you to target extended simplification
23045 to any specific part of a formula.
23047 The variable @code{ExtSimpRules} contains rewrites to be applied by
23048 the @kbd{a e} command. These are applied in addition to
23049 @code{EvalRules} and @code{AlgSimpRules}. (The @kbd{a r AlgSimpRules}
23050 step described above is simply followed by an @kbd{a r ExtSimpRules} step.)
23052 Following is a complete list of ``unsafe'' simplifications performed
23059 Inverse trigonometric or hyperbolic functions, called with their
23060 corresponding non-inverse functions as arguments, are simplified
23061 by @kbd{a e}. For example, @expr{@tfn{arcsin}(@tfn{sin}(x))} changes
23062 to @expr{x}. Also, @expr{@tfn{arcsin}(@tfn{cos}(x))} and
23063 @expr{@tfn{arccos}(@tfn{sin}(x))} both change to @expr{@tfn{pi}/2 - x}.
23064 These simplifications are unsafe because they are valid only for
23065 values of @expr{x} in a certain range; outside that range, values
23066 are folded down to the 360-degree range that the inverse trigonometric
23067 functions always produce.
23069 Powers of powers @expr{(x^a)^b} are simplified to
23070 @texline @math{x^{a b}}
23071 @infoline @expr{x^(a b)}
23072 for all @expr{a} and @expr{b}. These results will be valid only
23073 in a restricted range of @expr{x}; for example, in
23074 @texline @math{(x^2)^{1:2}}
23075 @infoline @expr{(x^2)^1:2}
23076 the powers cancel to get @expr{x}, which is valid for positive values
23077 of @expr{x} but not for negative or complex values.
23079 Similarly, @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(x^a)} and @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(x)^a} are both
23080 simplified (possibly unsafely) to
23081 @texline @math{x^{a/2}}.
23082 @infoline @expr{x^(a/2)}.
23084 Forms like @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(1 - sin(x)^2)} are simplified to, e.g.,
23085 @expr{@tfn{cos}(x)}. Calc has identities of this sort for @code{sin},
23086 @code{cos}, @code{tan}, @code{sinh}, and @code{cosh}.
23088 Arguments of square roots are partially factored to look for
23089 squared terms that can be extracted. For example,
23090 @expr{@tfn{sqrt}(a^2 b^3 + a^3 b^2)} simplifies to
23091 @expr{a b @tfn{sqrt}(a+b)}.
23093 The simplifications of @expr{@tfn{ln}(@tfn{exp}(x))},
23094 @expr{@tfn{ln}(@tfn{e}^x)}, and @expr{@tfn{log10}(10^x)} to @expr{x} are also
23095 unsafe because of problems with principal values (although these
23096 simplifications are safe if @expr{x} is known to be real).
23098 Common factors are cancelled from products on both sides of an
23099 equation, even if those factors may be zero: @expr{a x / b x}
23100 to @expr{a / b}. Such factors are never cancelled from
23101 inequalities: Even @kbd{a e} is not bold enough to reduce
23102 @expr{a x < b x} to @expr{a < b} (or @expr{a > b}, depending
23103 on whether you believe @expr{x} is positive or negative).
23104 The @kbd{a M /} command can be used to divide a factor out of
23105 both sides of an inequality.
23107 @node Simplification of Units, , Unsafe Simplifications, Simplifying Formulas
23108 @subsection Simplification of Units
23111 The simplifications described in this section are applied by the
23112 @kbd{u s} (@code{calc-simplify-units}) command. These are in addition
23113 to the regular @kbd{a s} (but not @kbd{a e}) simplifications described
23114 earlier. @xref{Basic Operations on Units}.
23116 The variable @code{UnitSimpRules} contains rewrites to be applied by
23117 the @kbd{u s} command. These are applied in addition to @code{EvalRules}
23118 and @code{AlgSimpRules}.
23120 Scalar mode is automatically put into effect when simplifying units.
23121 @xref{Matrix Mode}.
23123 Sums @expr{a + b} involving units are simplified by extracting the
23124 units of @expr{a} as if by the @kbd{u x} command (call the result
23125 @expr{u_a}), then simplifying the expression @expr{b / u_a}
23126 using @kbd{u b} and @kbd{u s}. If the result has units then the sum
23127 is inconsistent and is left alone. Otherwise, it is rewritten
23128 in terms of the units @expr{u_a}.
23130 If units auto-ranging mode is enabled, products or quotients in
23131 which the first argument is a number which is out of range for the
23132 leading unit are modified accordingly.
23134 When cancelling and combining units in products and quotients,
23135 Calc accounts for unit names that differ only in the prefix letter.
23136 For example, @samp{2 km m} is simplified to @samp{2000 m^2}.
23137 However, compatible but different units like @code{ft} and @code{in}
23138 are not combined in this way.
23140 Quotients @expr{a / b} are simplified in three additional ways. First,
23141 if @expr{b} is a number or a product beginning with a number, Calc
23142 computes the reciprocal of this number and moves it to the numerator.
23144 Second, for each pair of unit names from the numerator and denominator
23145 of a quotient, if the units are compatible (e.g., they are both
23146 units of area) then they are replaced by the ratio between those
23147 units. For example, in @samp{3 s in N / kg cm} the units
23148 @samp{in / cm} will be replaced by @expr{2.54}.
23150 Third, if the units in the quotient exactly cancel out, so that
23151 a @kbd{u b} command on the quotient would produce a dimensionless
23152 number for an answer, then the quotient simplifies to that number.
23154 For powers and square roots, the ``unsafe'' simplifications
23155 @expr{(a b)^c} to @expr{a^c b^c}, @expr{(a/b)^c} to @expr{a^c / b^c},
23156 and @expr{(a^b)^c} to
23157 @texline @math{a^{b c}}
23158 @infoline @expr{a^(b c)}
23159 are done if the powers are real numbers. (These are safe in the context
23160 of units because all numbers involved can reasonably be assumed to be
23163 Also, if a unit name is raised to a fractional power, and the
23164 base units in that unit name all occur to powers which are a
23165 multiple of the denominator of the power, then the unit name
23166 is expanded out into its base units, which can then be simplified
23167 according to the previous paragraph. For example, @samp{acre^1.5}
23168 is simplified by noting that @expr{1.5 = 3:2}, that @samp{acre}
23169 is defined in terms of @samp{m^2}, and that the 2 in the power of
23170 @code{m} is a multiple of 2 in @expr{3:2}. Thus, @code{acre^1.5} is
23171 replaced by approximately
23172 @texline @math{(4046 m^2)^{1.5}}
23173 @infoline @expr{(4046 m^2)^1.5},
23174 which is then changed to
23175 @texline @math{4046^{1.5} \, (m^2)^{1.5}},
23176 @infoline @expr{4046^1.5 (m^2)^1.5},
23177 then to @expr{257440 m^3}.
23179 The functions @code{float}, @code{frac}, @code{clean}, @code{abs},
23180 as well as @code{floor} and the other integer truncation functions,
23181 applied to unit names or products or quotients involving units, are
23182 simplified. For example, @samp{round(1.6 in)} is changed to
23183 @samp{round(1.6) round(in)}; the lefthand term evaluates to 2,
23184 and the righthand term simplifies to @code{in}.
23186 The functions @code{sin}, @code{cos}, and @code{tan} with arguments
23187 that have angular units like @code{rad} or @code{arcmin} are
23188 simplified by converting to base units (radians), then evaluating
23189 with the angular mode temporarily set to radians.
23191 @node Polynomials, Calculus, Simplifying Formulas, Algebra
23192 @section Polynomials
23194 A @dfn{polynomial} is a sum of terms which are coefficients times
23195 various powers of a ``base'' variable. For example, @expr{2 x^2 + 3 x - 4}
23196 is a polynomial in @expr{x}. Some formulas can be considered
23197 polynomials in several different variables: @expr{1 + 2 x + 3 y + 4 x y^2}
23198 is a polynomial in both @expr{x} and @expr{y}. Polynomial coefficients
23199 are often numbers, but they may in general be any formulas not
23200 involving the base variable.
23203 @pindex calc-factor
23205 The @kbd{a f} (@code{calc-factor}) [@code{factor}] command factors a
23206 polynomial into a product of terms. For example, the polynomial
23207 @expr{x^3 + 2 x^2 + x} is factored into @samp{x*(x+1)^2}. As another
23208 example, @expr{a c + b d + b c + a d} is factored into the product
23209 @expr{(a + b) (c + d)}.
23211 Calc currently has three algorithms for factoring. Formulas which are
23212 linear in several variables, such as the second example above, are
23213 merged according to the distributive law. Formulas which are
23214 polynomials in a single variable, with constant integer or fractional
23215 coefficients, are factored into irreducible linear and/or quadratic
23216 terms. The first example above factors into three linear terms
23217 (@expr{x}, @expr{x+1}, and @expr{x+1} again). Finally, formulas
23218 which do not fit the above criteria are handled by the algebraic
23221 Calc's polynomial factorization algorithm works by using the general
23222 root-finding command (@w{@kbd{a P}}) to solve for the roots of the
23223 polynomial. It then looks for roots which are rational numbers
23224 or complex-conjugate pairs, and converts these into linear and
23225 quadratic terms, respectively. Because it uses floating-point
23226 arithmetic, it may be unable to find terms that involve large
23227 integers (whose number of digits approaches the current precision).
23228 Also, irreducible factors of degree higher than quadratic are not
23229 found, and polynomials in more than one variable are not treated.
23230 (A more robust factorization algorithm may be included in a future
23233 @vindex FactorRules
23245 The rewrite-based factorization method uses rules stored in the variable
23246 @code{FactorRules}. @xref{Rewrite Rules}, for a discussion of the
23247 operation of rewrite rules. The default @code{FactorRules} are able
23248 to factor quadratic forms symbolically into two linear terms,
23249 @expr{(a x + b) (c x + d)}. You can edit these rules to include other
23250 cases if you wish. To use the rules, Calc builds the formula
23251 @samp{thecoefs(x, [a, b, c, ...])} where @code{x} is the polynomial
23252 base variable and @code{a}, @code{b}, etc., are polynomial coefficients
23253 (which may be numbers or formulas). The constant term is written first,
23254 i.e., in the @code{a} position. When the rules complete, they should have
23255 changed the formula into the form @samp{thefactors(x, [f1, f2, f3, ...])}
23256 where each @code{fi} should be a factored term, e.g., @samp{x - ai}.
23257 Calc then multiplies these terms together to get the complete
23258 factored form of the polynomial. If the rules do not change the
23259 @code{thecoefs} call to a @code{thefactors} call, @kbd{a f} leaves the
23260 polynomial alone on the assumption that it is unfactorable. (Note that
23261 the function names @code{thecoefs} and @code{thefactors} are used only
23262 as placeholders; there are no actual Calc functions by those names.)
23266 The @kbd{H a f} [@code{factors}] command also factors a polynomial,
23267 but it returns a list of factors instead of an expression which is the
23268 product of the factors. Each factor is represented by a sub-vector
23269 of the factor, and the power with which it appears. For example,
23270 @expr{x^5 + x^4 - 33 x^3 + 63 x^2} factors to @expr{(x + 7) x^2 (x - 3)^2}
23271 in @kbd{a f}, or to @expr{[ [x, 2], [x+7, 1], [x-3, 2] ]} in @kbd{H a f}.
23272 If there is an overall numeric factor, it always comes first in the list.
23273 The functions @code{factor} and @code{factors} allow a second argument
23274 when written in algebraic form; @samp{factor(x,v)} factors @expr{x} with
23275 respect to the specific variable @expr{v}. The default is to factor with
23276 respect to all the variables that appear in @expr{x}.
23279 @pindex calc-collect
23281 The @kbd{a c} (@code{calc-collect}) [@code{collect}] command rearranges a
23283 polynomial in a given variable, ordered in decreasing powers of that
23284 variable. For example, given @expr{1 + 2 x + 3 y + 4 x y^2} on
23285 the stack, @kbd{a c x} would produce @expr{(2 + 4 y^2) x + (1 + 3 y)},
23286 and @kbd{a c y} would produce @expr{(4 x) y^2 + 3 y + (1 + 2 x)}.
23287 The polynomial will be expanded out using the distributive law as
23288 necessary: Collecting @expr{x} in @expr{(x - 1)^3} produces
23289 @expr{x^3 - 3 x^2 + 3 x - 1}. Terms not involving @expr{x} will
23292 The ``variable'' you specify at the prompt can actually be any
23293 expression: @kbd{a c ln(x+1)} will collect together all terms multiplied
23294 by @samp{ln(x+1)} or integer powers thereof. If @samp{x} also appears
23295 in the formula in a context other than @samp{ln(x+1)}, @kbd{a c} will
23296 treat those occurrences as unrelated to @samp{ln(x+1)}, i.e., as constants.
23299 @pindex calc-expand
23301 The @kbd{a x} (@code{calc-expand}) [@code{expand}] command expands an
23302 expression by applying the distributive law everywhere. It applies to
23303 products, quotients, and powers involving sums. By default, it fully
23304 distributes all parts of the expression. With a numeric prefix argument,
23305 the distributive law is applied only the specified number of times, then
23306 the partially expanded expression is left on the stack.
23308 The @kbd{a x} and @kbd{j D} commands are somewhat redundant. Use
23309 @kbd{a x} if you want to expand all products of sums in your formula.
23310 Use @kbd{j D} if you want to expand a particular specified term of
23311 the formula. There is an exactly analogous correspondence between
23312 @kbd{a f} and @kbd{j M}. (The @kbd{j D} and @kbd{j M} commands
23313 also know many other kinds of expansions, such as
23314 @samp{exp(a + b) = exp(a) exp(b)}, which @kbd{a x} and @kbd{a f}
23317 Calc's automatic simplifications will sometimes reverse a partial
23318 expansion. For example, the first step in expanding @expr{(x+1)^3} is
23319 to write @expr{(x+1) (x+1)^2}. If @kbd{a x} stops there and tries
23320 to put this formula onto the stack, though, Calc will automatically
23321 simplify it back to @expr{(x+1)^3} form. The solution is to turn
23322 simplification off first (@pxref{Simplification Modes}), or to run
23323 @kbd{a x} without a numeric prefix argument so that it expands all
23324 the way in one step.
23329 The @kbd{a a} (@code{calc-apart}) [@code{apart}] command expands a
23330 rational function by partial fractions. A rational function is the
23331 quotient of two polynomials; @code{apart} pulls this apart into a
23332 sum of rational functions with simple denominators. In algebraic
23333 notation, the @code{apart} function allows a second argument that
23334 specifies which variable to use as the ``base''; by default, Calc
23335 chooses the base variable automatically.
23338 @pindex calc-normalize-rat
23340 The @kbd{a n} (@code{calc-normalize-rat}) [@code{nrat}] command
23341 attempts to arrange a formula into a quotient of two polynomials.
23342 For example, given @expr{1 + (a + b/c) / d}, the result would be
23343 @expr{(b + a c + c d) / c d}. The quotient is reduced, so that
23344 @kbd{a n} will simplify @expr{(x^2 + 2x + 1) / (x^2 - 1)} by dividing
23345 out the common factor @expr{x + 1}, yielding @expr{(x + 1) / (x - 1)}.
23348 @pindex calc-poly-div
23350 The @kbd{a \} (@code{calc-poly-div}) [@code{pdiv}] command divides
23351 two polynomials @expr{u} and @expr{v}, yielding a new polynomial
23352 @expr{q}. If several variables occur in the inputs, the inputs are
23353 considered multivariate polynomials. (Calc divides by the variable
23354 with the largest power in @expr{u} first, or, in the case of equal
23355 powers, chooses the variables in alphabetical order.) For example,
23356 dividing @expr{x^2 + 3 x + 2} by @expr{x + 2} yields @expr{x + 1}.
23357 The remainder from the division, if any, is reported at the bottom
23358 of the screen and is also placed in the Trail along with the quotient.
23360 Using @code{pdiv} in algebraic notation, you can specify the particular
23361 variable to be used as the base: @code{pdiv(@var{a},@var{b},@var{x})}.
23362 If @code{pdiv} is given only two arguments (as is always the case with
23363 the @kbd{a \} command), then it does a multivariate division as outlined
23367 @pindex calc-poly-rem
23369 The @kbd{a %} (@code{calc-poly-rem}) [@code{prem}] command divides
23370 two polynomials and keeps the remainder @expr{r}. The quotient
23371 @expr{q} is discarded. For any formulas @expr{a} and @expr{b}, the
23372 results of @kbd{a \} and @kbd{a %} satisfy @expr{a = q b + r}.
23373 (This is analogous to plain @kbd{\} and @kbd{%}, which compute the
23374 integer quotient and remainder from dividing two numbers.)
23378 @pindex calc-poly-div-rem
23381 The @kbd{a /} (@code{calc-poly-div-rem}) [@code{pdivrem}] command
23382 divides two polynomials and reports both the quotient and the
23383 remainder as a vector @expr{[q, r]}. The @kbd{H a /} [@code{pdivide}]
23384 command divides two polynomials and constructs the formula
23385 @expr{q + r/b} on the stack. (Naturally if the remainder is zero,
23386 this will immediately simplify to @expr{q}.)
23389 @pindex calc-poly-gcd
23391 The @kbd{a g} (@code{calc-poly-gcd}) [@code{pgcd}] command computes
23392 the greatest common divisor of two polynomials. (The GCD actually
23393 is unique only to within a constant multiplier; Calc attempts to
23394 choose a GCD which will be unsurprising.) For example, the @kbd{a n}
23395 command uses @kbd{a g} to take the GCD of the numerator and denominator
23396 of a quotient, then divides each by the result using @kbd{a \}. (The
23397 definition of GCD ensures that this division can take place without
23398 leaving a remainder.)
23400 While the polynomials used in operations like @kbd{a /} and @kbd{a g}
23401 often have integer coefficients, this is not required. Calc can also
23402 deal with polynomials over the rationals or floating-point reals.
23403 Polynomials with modulo-form coefficients are also useful in many
23404 applications; if you enter @samp{(x^2 + 3 x - 1) mod 5}, Calc
23405 automatically transforms this into a polynomial over the field of
23406 integers mod 5: @samp{(1 mod 5) x^2 + (3 mod 5) x + (4 mod 5)}.
23408 Congratulations and thanks go to Ove Ewerlid
23409 (@code{ewerlid@@mizar.DoCS.UU.SE}), who contributed many of the
23410 polynomial routines used in the above commands.
23412 @xref{Decomposing Polynomials}, for several useful functions for
23413 extracting the individual coefficients of a polynomial.
23415 @node Calculus, Solving Equations, Polynomials, Algebra
23419 The following calculus commands do not automatically simplify their
23420 inputs or outputs using @code{calc-simplify}. You may find it helps
23421 to do this by hand by typing @kbd{a s} or @kbd{a e}. It may also help
23422 to use @kbd{a x} and/or @kbd{a c} to arrange a result in the most
23426 * Differentiation::
23428 * Customizing the Integrator::
23429 * Numerical Integration::
23433 @node Differentiation, Integration, Calculus, Calculus
23434 @subsection Differentiation
23439 @pindex calc-derivative
23442 The @kbd{a d} (@code{calc-derivative}) [@code{deriv}] command computes
23443 the derivative of the expression on the top of the stack with respect to
23444 some variable, which it will prompt you to enter. Normally, variables
23445 in the formula other than the specified differentiation variable are
23446 considered constant, i.e., @samp{deriv(y,x)} is reduced to zero. With
23447 the Hyperbolic flag, the @code{tderiv} (total derivative) operation is used
23448 instead, in which derivatives of variables are not reduced to zero
23449 unless those variables are known to be ``constant,'' i.e., independent
23450 of any other variables. (The built-in special variables like @code{pi}
23451 are considered constant, as are variables that have been declared
23452 @code{const}; @pxref{Declarations}.)
23454 With a numeric prefix argument @var{n}, this command computes the
23455 @var{n}th derivative.
23457 When working with trigonometric functions, it is best to switch to
23458 Radians mode first (with @w{@kbd{m r}}). The derivative of @samp{sin(x)}
23459 in degrees is @samp{(pi/180) cos(x)}, probably not the expected
23462 If you use the @code{deriv} function directly in an algebraic formula,
23463 you can write @samp{deriv(f,x,x0)} which represents the derivative
23464 of @expr{f} with respect to @expr{x}, evaluated at the point
23465 @texline @math{x=x_0}.
23466 @infoline @expr{x=x0}.
23468 If the formula being differentiated contains functions which Calc does
23469 not know, the derivatives of those functions are produced by adding
23470 primes (apostrophe characters). For example, @samp{deriv(f(2x), x)}
23471 produces @samp{2 f'(2 x)}, where the function @code{f'} represents the
23472 derivative of @code{f}.
23474 For functions you have defined with the @kbd{Z F} command, Calc expands
23475 the functions according to their defining formulas unless you have
23476 also defined @code{f'} suitably. For example, suppose we define
23477 @samp{sinc(x) = sin(x)/x} using @kbd{Z F}. If we then differentiate
23478 the formula @samp{sinc(2 x)}, the formula will be expanded to
23479 @samp{sin(2 x) / (2 x)} and differentiated. However, if we also
23480 define @samp{sinc'(x) = dsinc(x)}, say, then Calc will write the
23481 result as @samp{2 dsinc(2 x)}. @xref{Algebraic Definitions}.
23483 For multi-argument functions @samp{f(x,y,z)}, the derivative with respect
23484 to the first argument is written @samp{f'(x,y,z)}; derivatives with
23485 respect to the other arguments are @samp{f'2(x,y,z)} and @samp{f'3(x,y,z)}.
23486 Various higher-order derivatives can be formed in the obvious way, e.g.,
23487 @samp{f'@var{}'(x)} (the second derivative of @code{f}) or
23488 @samp{f'@var{}'2'3(x,y,z)} (@code{f} differentiated with respect to each
23491 @node Integration, Customizing the Integrator, Differentiation, Calculus
23492 @subsection Integration
23496 @pindex calc-integral
23498 The @kbd{a i} (@code{calc-integral}) [@code{integ}] command computes the
23499 indefinite integral of the expression on the top of the stack with
23500 respect to a variable. The integrator is not guaranteed to work for
23501 all integrable functions, but it is able to integrate several large
23502 classes of formulas. In particular, any polynomial or rational function
23503 (a polynomial divided by a polynomial) is acceptable. (Rational functions
23504 don't have to be in explicit quotient form, however;
23505 @texline @math{x/(1+x^{-2})}
23506 @infoline @expr{x/(1+x^-2)}
23507 is not strictly a quotient of polynomials, but it is equivalent to
23508 @expr{x^3/(x^2+1)}, which is.) Also, square roots of terms involving
23509 @expr{x} and @expr{x^2} may appear in rational functions being
23510 integrated. Finally, rational functions involving trigonometric or
23511 hyperbolic functions can be integrated.
23514 If you use the @code{integ} function directly in an algebraic formula,
23515 you can also write @samp{integ(f,x,v)} which expresses the resulting
23516 indefinite integral in terms of variable @code{v} instead of @code{x}.
23517 With four arguments, @samp{integ(f(x),x,a,b)} represents a definite
23518 integral from @code{a} to @code{b}.
23521 If you use the @code{integ} function directly in an algebraic formula,
23522 you can also write @samp{integ(f,x,v)} which expresses the resulting
23523 indefinite integral in terms of variable @code{v} instead of @code{x}.
23524 With four arguments, @samp{integ(f(x),x,a,b)} represents a definite
23525 integral $\int_a^b f(x) \, dx$.
23528 Please note that the current implementation of Calc's integrator sometimes
23529 produces results that are significantly more complex than they need to
23530 be. For example, the integral Calc finds for
23531 @texline @math{1/(x+\sqrt{x^2+1})}
23532 @infoline @expr{1/(x+sqrt(x^2+1))}
23533 is several times more complicated than the answer Mathematica
23534 returns for the same input, although the two forms are numerically
23535 equivalent. Also, any indefinite integral should be considered to have
23536 an arbitrary constant of integration added to it, although Calc does not
23537 write an explicit constant of integration in its result. For example,
23538 Calc's solution for
23539 @texline @math{1/(1+\tan x)}
23540 @infoline @expr{1/(1+tan(x))}
23541 differs from the solution given in the @emph{CRC Math Tables} by a
23543 @texline @math{\pi i / 2}
23544 @infoline @expr{pi i / 2},
23545 due to a different choice of constant of integration.
23547 The Calculator remembers all the integrals it has done. If conditions
23548 change in a way that would invalidate the old integrals, say, a switch
23549 from Degrees to Radians mode, then they will be thrown out. If you
23550 suspect this is not happening when it should, use the
23551 @code{calc-flush-caches} command; @pxref{Caches}.
23554 Calc normally will pursue integration by substitution or integration by
23555 parts up to 3 nested times before abandoning an approach as fruitless.
23556 If the integrator is taking too long, you can lower this limit by storing
23557 a number (like 2) in the variable @code{IntegLimit}. (The @kbd{s I}
23558 command is a convenient way to edit @code{IntegLimit}.) If this variable
23559 has no stored value or does not contain a nonnegative integer, a limit
23560 of 3 is used. The lower this limit is, the greater the chance that Calc
23561 will be unable to integrate a function it could otherwise handle. Raising
23562 this limit allows the Calculator to solve more integrals, though the time
23563 it takes may grow exponentially. You can monitor the integrator's actions
23564 by creating an Emacs buffer called @code{*Trace*}. If such a buffer
23565 exists, the @kbd{a i} command will write a log of its actions there.
23567 If you want to manipulate integrals in a purely symbolic way, you can
23568 set the integration nesting limit to 0 to prevent all but fast
23569 table-lookup solutions of integrals. You might then wish to define
23570 rewrite rules for integration by parts, various kinds of substitutions,
23571 and so on. @xref{Rewrite Rules}.
23573 @node Customizing the Integrator, Numerical Integration, Integration, Calculus
23574 @subsection Customizing the Integrator
23578 Calc has two built-in rewrite rules called @code{IntegRules} and
23579 @code{IntegAfterRules} which you can edit to define new integration
23580 methods. @xref{Rewrite Rules}. At each step of the integration process,
23581 Calc wraps the current integrand in a call to the fictitious function
23582 @samp{integtry(@var{expr},@var{var})}, where @var{expr} is the
23583 integrand and @var{var} is the integration variable. If your rules
23584 rewrite this to be a plain formula (not a call to @code{integtry}), then
23585 Calc will use this formula as the integral of @var{expr}. For example,
23586 the rule @samp{integtry(mysin(x),x) := -mycos(x)} would define a rule to
23587 integrate a function @code{mysin} that acts like the sine function.
23588 Then, putting @samp{4 mysin(2y+1)} on the stack and typing @kbd{a i y}
23589 will produce the integral @samp{-2 mycos(2y+1)}. Note that Calc has
23590 automatically made various transformations on the integral to allow it
23591 to use your rule; integral tables generally give rules for
23592 @samp{mysin(a x + b)}, but you don't need to use this much generality
23593 in your @code{IntegRules}.
23595 @cindex Exponential integral Ei(x)
23600 As a more serious example, the expression @samp{exp(x)/x} cannot be
23601 integrated in terms of the standard functions, so the ``exponential
23602 integral'' function
23603 @texline @math{{\rm Ei}(x)}
23604 @infoline @expr{Ei(x)}
23605 was invented to describe it.
23606 We can get Calc to do this integral in terms of a made-up @code{Ei}
23607 function by adding the rule @samp{[integtry(exp(x)/x, x) := Ei(x)]}
23608 to @code{IntegRules}. Now entering @samp{exp(2x)/x} on the stack
23609 and typing @kbd{a i x} yields @samp{Ei(2 x)}. This new rule will
23610 work with Calc's various built-in integration methods (such as
23611 integration by substitution) to solve a variety of other problems
23612 involving @code{Ei}: For example, now Calc will also be able to
23613 integrate @samp{exp(exp(x))} and @samp{ln(ln(x))} (to get @samp{Ei(exp(x))}
23614 and @samp{x ln(ln(x)) - Ei(ln(x))}, respectively).
23616 Your rule may do further integration by calling @code{integ}. For
23617 example, @samp{integtry(twice(u),x) := twice(integ(u))} allows Calc
23618 to integrate @samp{twice(sin(x))} to get @samp{twice(-cos(x))}.
23619 Note that @code{integ} was called with only one argument. This notation
23620 is allowed only within @code{IntegRules}; it means ``integrate this
23621 with respect to the same integration variable.'' If Calc is unable
23622 to integrate @code{u}, the integration that invoked @code{IntegRules}
23623 also fails. Thus integrating @samp{twice(f(x))} fails, returning the
23624 unevaluated integral @samp{integ(twice(f(x)), x)}. It is still valid
23625 to call @code{integ} with two or more arguments, however; in this case,
23626 if @code{u} is not integrable, @code{twice} itself will still be
23627 integrated: If the above rule is changed to @samp{... := twice(integ(u,x))},
23628 then integrating @samp{twice(f(x))} will yield @samp{twice(integ(f(x),x))}.
23630 If a rule instead produces the formula @samp{integsubst(@var{sexpr},
23631 @var{svar})}, either replacing the top-level @code{integtry} call or
23632 nested anywhere inside the expression, then Calc will apply the
23633 substitution @samp{@var{u} = @var{sexpr}(@var{svar})} to try to
23634 integrate the original @var{expr}. For example, the rule
23635 @samp{sqrt(a) := integsubst(sqrt(x),x)} says that if Calc ever finds
23636 a square root in the integrand, it should attempt the substitution
23637 @samp{u = sqrt(x)}. (This particular rule is unnecessary because
23638 Calc always tries ``obvious'' substitutions where @var{sexpr} actually
23639 appears in the integrand.) The variable @var{svar} may be the same
23640 as the @var{var} that appeared in the call to @code{integtry}, but
23643 When integrating according to an @code{integsubst}, Calc uses the
23644 equation solver to find the inverse of @var{sexpr} (if the integrand
23645 refers to @var{var} anywhere except in subexpressions that exactly
23646 match @var{sexpr}). It uses the differentiator to find the derivative
23647 of @var{sexpr} and/or its inverse (it has two methods that use one
23648 derivative or the other). You can also specify these items by adding
23649 extra arguments to the @code{integsubst} your rules construct; the
23650 general form is @samp{integsubst(@var{sexpr}, @var{svar}, @var{sinv},
23651 @var{sprime})}, where @var{sinv} is the inverse of @var{sexpr} (still
23652 written as a function of @var{svar}), and @var{sprime} is the
23653 derivative of @var{sexpr} with respect to @var{svar}. If you don't
23654 specify these things, and Calc is not able to work them out on its
23655 own with the information it knows, then your substitution rule will
23656 work only in very specific, simple cases.
23658 Calc applies @code{IntegRules} as if by @kbd{C-u 1 a r IntegRules};
23659 in other words, Calc stops rewriting as soon as any rule in your rule
23660 set succeeds. (If it weren't for this, the @samp{integsubst(sqrt(x),x)}
23661 example above would keep on adding layers of @code{integsubst} calls
23664 @vindex IntegSimpRules
23665 Another set of rules, stored in @code{IntegSimpRules}, are applied
23666 every time the integrator uses @kbd{a s} to simplify an intermediate
23667 result. For example, putting the rule @samp{twice(x) := 2 x} into
23668 @code{IntegSimpRules} would tell Calc to convert the @code{twice}
23669 function into a form it knows whenever integration is attempted.
23671 One more way to influence the integrator is to define a function with
23672 the @kbd{Z F} command (@pxref{Algebraic Definitions}). Calc's
23673 integrator automatically expands such functions according to their
23674 defining formulas, even if you originally asked for the function to
23675 be left unevaluated for symbolic arguments. (Certain other Calc
23676 systems, such as the differentiator and the equation solver, also
23679 @vindex IntegAfterRules
23680 Sometimes Calc is able to find a solution to your integral, but it
23681 expresses the result in a way that is unnecessarily complicated. If
23682 this happens, you can either use @code{integsubst} as described
23683 above to try to hint at a more direct path to the desired result, or
23684 you can use @code{IntegAfterRules}. This is an extra rule set that
23685 runs after the main integrator returns its result; basically, Calc does
23686 an @kbd{a r IntegAfterRules} on the result before showing it to you.
23687 (It also does an @kbd{a s}, without @code{IntegSimpRules}, after that
23688 to further simplify the result.) For example, Calc's integrator
23689 sometimes produces expressions of the form @samp{ln(1+x) - ln(1-x)};
23690 the default @code{IntegAfterRules} rewrite this into the more readable
23691 form @samp{2 arctanh(x)}. Note that, unlike @code{IntegRules},
23692 @code{IntegSimpRules} and @code{IntegAfterRules} are applied any number
23693 of times until no further changes are possible. Rewriting by
23694 @code{IntegAfterRules} occurs only after the main integrator has
23695 finished, not at every step as for @code{IntegRules} and
23696 @code{IntegSimpRules}.
23698 @node Numerical Integration, Taylor Series, Customizing the Integrator, Calculus
23699 @subsection Numerical Integration
23703 @pindex calc-num-integral
23705 If you want a purely numerical answer to an integration problem, you can
23706 use the @kbd{a I} (@code{calc-num-integral}) [@code{ninteg}] command. This
23707 command prompts for an integration variable, a lower limit, and an
23708 upper limit. Except for the integration variable, all other variables
23709 that appear in the integrand formula must have stored values. (A stored
23710 value, if any, for the integration variable itself is ignored.)
23712 Numerical integration works by evaluating your formula at many points in
23713 the specified interval. Calc uses an ``open Romberg'' method; this means
23714 that it does not evaluate the formula actually at the endpoints (so that
23715 it is safe to integrate @samp{sin(x)/x} from zero, for example). Also,
23716 the Romberg method works especially well when the function being
23717 integrated is fairly smooth. If the function is not smooth, Calc will
23718 have to evaluate it at quite a few points before it can accurately
23719 determine the value of the integral.
23721 Integration is much faster when the current precision is small. It is
23722 best to set the precision to the smallest acceptable number of digits
23723 before you use @kbd{a I}. If Calc appears to be taking too long, press
23724 @kbd{C-g} to halt it and try a lower precision. If Calc still appears
23725 to need hundreds of evaluations, check to make sure your function is
23726 well-behaved in the specified interval.
23728 It is possible for the lower integration limit to be @samp{-inf} (minus
23729 infinity). Likewise, the upper limit may be plus infinity. Calc
23730 internally transforms the integral into an equivalent one with finite
23731 limits. However, integration to or across singularities is not supported:
23732 The integral of @samp{1/sqrt(x)} from 0 to 1 exists (it can be found
23733 by Calc's symbolic integrator, for example), but @kbd{a I} will fail
23734 because the integrand goes to infinity at one of the endpoints.
23736 @node Taylor Series, , Numerical Integration, Calculus
23737 @subsection Taylor Series
23741 @pindex calc-taylor
23743 The @kbd{a t} (@code{calc-taylor}) [@code{taylor}] command computes a
23744 power series expansion or Taylor series of a function. You specify the
23745 variable and the desired number of terms. You may give an expression of
23746 the form @samp{@var{var} = @var{a}} or @samp{@var{var} - @var{a}} instead
23747 of just a variable to produce a Taylor expansion about the point @var{a}.
23748 You may specify the number of terms with a numeric prefix argument;
23749 otherwise the command will prompt you for the number of terms. Note that
23750 many series expansions have coefficients of zero for some terms, so you
23751 may appear to get fewer terms than you asked for.
23753 If the @kbd{a i} command is unable to find a symbolic integral for a
23754 function, you can get an approximation by integrating the function's
23757 @node Solving Equations, Numerical Solutions, Calculus, Algebra
23758 @section Solving Equations
23762 @pindex calc-solve-for
23764 @cindex Equations, solving
23765 @cindex Solving equations
23766 The @kbd{a S} (@code{calc-solve-for}) [@code{solve}] command rearranges
23767 an equation to solve for a specific variable. An equation is an
23768 expression of the form @expr{L = R}. For example, the command @kbd{a S x}
23769 will rearrange @expr{y = 3x + 6} to the form, @expr{x = y/3 - 2}. If the
23770 input is not an equation, it is treated like an equation of the
23773 This command also works for inequalities, as in @expr{y < 3x + 6}.
23774 Some inequalities cannot be solved where the analogous equation could
23775 be; for example, solving
23776 @texline @math{a < b \, c}
23777 @infoline @expr{a < b c}
23778 for @expr{b} is impossible
23779 without knowing the sign of @expr{c}. In this case, @kbd{a S} will
23781 @texline @math{b \mathbin{\hbox{\code{!=}}} a/c}
23782 @infoline @expr{b != a/c}
23783 (using the not-equal-to operator) to signify that the direction of the
23784 inequality is now unknown. The inequality
23785 @texline @math{a \le b \, c}
23786 @infoline @expr{a <= b c}
23787 is not even partially solved. @xref{Declarations}, for a way to tell
23788 Calc that the signs of the variables in a formula are in fact known.
23790 Two useful commands for working with the result of @kbd{a S} are
23791 @kbd{a .} (@pxref{Logical Operations}), which converts @expr{x = y/3 - 2}
23792 to @expr{y/3 - 2}, and @kbd{s l} (@pxref{Let Command}) which evaluates
23793 another formula with @expr{x} set equal to @expr{y/3 - 2}.
23796 * Multiple Solutions::
23797 * Solving Systems of Equations::
23798 * Decomposing Polynomials::
23801 @node Multiple Solutions, Solving Systems of Equations, Solving Equations, Solving Equations
23802 @subsection Multiple Solutions
23807 Some equations have more than one solution. The Hyperbolic flag
23808 (@code{H a S}) [@code{fsolve}] tells the solver to report the fully
23809 general family of solutions. It will invent variables @code{n1},
23810 @code{n2}, @dots{}, which represent independent arbitrary integers, and
23811 @code{s1}, @code{s2}, @dots{}, which represent independent arbitrary
23812 signs (either @mathit{+1} or @mathit{-1}). If you don't use the Hyperbolic
23813 flag, Calc will use zero in place of all arbitrary integers, and plus
23814 one in place of all arbitrary signs. Note that variables like @code{n1}
23815 and @code{s1} are not given any special interpretation in Calc except by
23816 the equation solver itself. As usual, you can use the @w{@kbd{s l}}
23817 (@code{calc-let}) command to obtain solutions for various actual values
23818 of these variables.
23820 For example, @kbd{' x^2 = y @key{RET} H a S x @key{RET}} solves to
23821 get @samp{x = s1 sqrt(y)}, indicating that the two solutions to the
23822 equation are @samp{sqrt(y)} and @samp{-sqrt(y)}. Another way to
23823 think about it is that the square-root operation is really a
23824 two-valued function; since every Calc function must return a
23825 single result, @code{sqrt} chooses to return the positive result.
23826 Then @kbd{H a S} doctors this result using @code{s1} to indicate
23827 the full set of possible values of the mathematical square-root.
23829 There is a similar phenomenon going the other direction: Suppose
23830 we solve @samp{sqrt(y) = x} for @code{y}. Calc squares both sides
23831 to get @samp{y = x^2}. This is correct, except that it introduces
23832 some dubious solutions. Consider solving @samp{sqrt(y) = -3}:
23833 Calc will report @expr{y = 9} as a valid solution, which is true
23834 in the mathematical sense of square-root, but false (there is no
23835 solution) for the actual Calc positive-valued @code{sqrt}. This
23836 happens for both @kbd{a S} and @kbd{H a S}.
23838 @cindex @code{GenCount} variable
23848 If you store a positive integer in the Calc variable @code{GenCount},
23849 then Calc will generate formulas of the form @samp{as(@var{n})} for
23850 arbitrary signs, and @samp{an(@var{n})} for arbitrary integers,
23851 where @var{n} represents successive values taken by incrementing
23852 @code{GenCount} by one. While the normal arbitrary sign and
23853 integer symbols start over at @code{s1} and @code{n1} with each
23854 new Calc command, the @code{GenCount} approach will give each
23855 arbitrary value a name that is unique throughout the entire Calc
23856 session. Also, the arbitrary values are function calls instead
23857 of variables, which is advantageous in some cases. For example,
23858 you can make a rewrite rule that recognizes all arbitrary signs
23859 using a pattern like @samp{as(n)}. The @kbd{s l} command only works
23860 on variables, but you can use the @kbd{a b} (@code{calc-substitute})
23861 command to substitute actual values for function calls like @samp{as(3)}.
23863 The @kbd{s G} (@code{calc-edit-GenCount}) command is a convenient
23864 way to create or edit this variable. Press @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish.
23866 If you have not stored a value in @code{GenCount}, or if the value
23867 in that variable is not a positive integer, the regular
23868 @code{s1}/@code{n1} notation is used.
23874 With the Inverse flag, @kbd{I a S} [@code{finv}] treats the expression
23875 on top of the stack as a function of the specified variable and solves
23876 to find the inverse function, written in terms of the same variable.
23877 For example, @kbd{I a S x} inverts @expr{2x + 6} to @expr{x/2 - 3}.
23878 You can use both Inverse and Hyperbolic [@code{ffinv}] to obtain a
23879 fully general inverse, as described above.
23882 @pindex calc-poly-roots
23884 Some equations, specifically polynomials, have a known, finite number
23885 of solutions. The @kbd{a P} (@code{calc-poly-roots}) [@code{roots}]
23886 command uses @kbd{H a S} to solve an equation in general form, then, for
23887 all arbitrary-sign variables like @code{s1}, and all arbitrary-integer
23888 variables like @code{n1} for which @code{n1} only usefully varies over
23889 a finite range, it expands these variables out to all their possible
23890 values. The results are collected into a vector, which is returned.
23891 For example, @samp{roots(x^4 = 1, x)} returns the four solutions
23892 @samp{[1, -1, (0, 1), (0, -1)]}. Generally an @var{n}th degree
23893 polynomial will always have @var{n} roots on the complex plane.
23894 (If you have given a @code{real} declaration for the solution
23895 variable, then only the real-valued solutions, if any, will be
23896 reported; @pxref{Declarations}.)
23898 Note that because @kbd{a P} uses @kbd{H a S}, it is able to deliver
23899 symbolic solutions if the polynomial has symbolic coefficients. Also
23900 note that Calc's solver is not able to get exact symbolic solutions
23901 to all polynomials. Polynomials containing powers up to @expr{x^4}
23902 can always be solved exactly; polynomials of higher degree sometimes
23903 can be: @expr{x^6 + x^3 + 1} is converted to @expr{(x^3)^2 + (x^3) + 1},
23904 which can be solved for @expr{x^3} using the quadratic equation, and then
23905 for @expr{x} by taking cube roots. But in many cases, like
23906 @expr{x^6 + x + 1}, Calc does not know how to rewrite the polynomial
23907 into a form it can solve. The @kbd{a P} command can still deliver a
23908 list of numerical roots, however, provided that Symbolic mode (@kbd{m s})
23909 is not turned on. (If you work with Symbolic mode on, recall that the
23910 @kbd{N} (@code{calc-eval-num}) key is a handy way to reevaluate the
23911 formula on the stack with Symbolic mode temporarily off.) Naturally,
23912 @kbd{a P} can only provide numerical roots if the polynomial coefficients
23913 are all numbers (real or complex).
23915 @node Solving Systems of Equations, Decomposing Polynomials, Multiple Solutions, Solving Equations
23916 @subsection Solving Systems of Equations
23919 @cindex Systems of equations, symbolic
23920 You can also use the commands described above to solve systems of
23921 simultaneous equations. Just create a vector of equations, then
23922 specify a vector of variables for which to solve. (You can omit
23923 the surrounding brackets when entering the vector of variables
23926 For example, putting @samp{[x + y = a, x - y = b]} on the stack
23927 and typing @kbd{a S x,y @key{RET}} produces the vector of solutions
23928 @samp{[x = a - (a-b)/2, y = (a-b)/2]}. The result vector will
23929 have the same length as the variables vector, and the variables
23930 will be listed in the same order there. Note that the solutions
23931 are not always simplified as far as possible; the solution for
23932 @expr{x} here could be improved by an application of the @kbd{a n}
23935 Calc's algorithm works by trying to eliminate one variable at a
23936 time by solving one of the equations for that variable and then
23937 substituting into the other equations. Calc will try all the
23938 possibilities, but you can speed things up by noting that Calc
23939 first tries to eliminate the first variable with the first
23940 equation, then the second variable with the second equation,
23941 and so on. It also helps to put the simpler (e.g., more linear)
23942 equations toward the front of the list. Calc's algorithm will
23943 solve any system of linear equations, and also many kinds of
23950 Normally there will be as many variables as equations. If you
23951 give fewer variables than equations (an ``over-determined'' system
23952 of equations), Calc will find a partial solution. For example,
23953 typing @kbd{a S y @key{RET}} with the above system of equations
23954 would produce @samp{[y = a - x]}. There are now several ways to
23955 express this solution in terms of the original variables; Calc uses
23956 the first one that it finds. You can control the choice by adding
23957 variable specifiers of the form @samp{elim(@var{v})} to the
23958 variables list. This says that @var{v} should be eliminated from
23959 the equations; the variable will not appear at all in the solution.
23960 For example, typing @kbd{a S y,elim(x)} would yield
23961 @samp{[y = a - (b+a)/2]}.
23963 If the variables list contains only @code{elim} specifiers,
23964 Calc simply eliminates those variables from the equations
23965 and then returns the resulting set of equations. For example,
23966 @kbd{a S elim(x)} produces @samp{[a - 2 y = b]}. Every variable
23967 eliminated will reduce the number of equations in the system
23970 Again, @kbd{a S} gives you one solution to the system of
23971 equations. If there are several solutions, you can use @kbd{H a S}
23972 to get a general family of solutions, or, if there is a finite
23973 number of solutions, you can use @kbd{a P} to get a list. (In
23974 the latter case, the result will take the form of a matrix where
23975 the rows are different solutions and the columns correspond to the
23976 variables you requested.)
23978 Another way to deal with certain kinds of overdetermined systems of
23979 equations is the @kbd{a F} command, which does least-squares fitting
23980 to satisfy the equations. @xref{Curve Fitting}.
23982 @node Decomposing Polynomials, , Solving Systems of Equations, Solving Equations
23983 @subsection Decomposing Polynomials
23990 The @code{poly} function takes a polynomial and a variable as
23991 arguments, and returns a vector of polynomial coefficients (constant
23992 coefficient first). For example, @samp{poly(x^3 + 2 x, x)} returns
23993 @expr{[0, 2, 0, 1]}. If the input is not a polynomial in @expr{x},
23994 the call to @code{poly} is left in symbolic form. If the input does
23995 not involve the variable @expr{x}, the input is returned in a list
23996 of length one, representing a polynomial with only a constant
23997 coefficient. The call @samp{poly(x, x)} returns the vector @expr{[0, 1]}.
23998 The last element of the returned vector is guaranteed to be nonzero;
23999 note that @samp{poly(0, x)} returns the empty vector @expr{[]}.
24000 Note also that @expr{x} may actually be any formula; for example,
24001 @samp{poly(sin(x)^2 - sin(x) + 3, sin(x))} returns @expr{[3, -1, 1]}.
24003 @cindex Coefficients of polynomial
24004 @cindex Degree of polynomial
24005 To get the @expr{x^k} coefficient of polynomial @expr{p}, use
24006 @samp{poly(p, x)_(k+1)}. To get the degree of polynomial @expr{p},
24007 use @samp{vlen(poly(p, x)) - 1}. For example, @samp{poly((x+1)^4, x)}
24008 returns @samp{[1, 4, 6, 4, 1]}, so @samp{poly((x+1)^4, x)_(2+1)}
24009 gives the @expr{x^2} coefficient of this polynomial, 6.
24015 One important feature of the solver is its ability to recognize
24016 formulas which are ``essentially'' polynomials. This ability is
24017 made available to the user through the @code{gpoly} function, which
24018 is used just like @code{poly}: @samp{gpoly(@var{expr}, @var{var})}.
24019 If @var{expr} is a polynomial in some term which includes @var{var}, then
24020 this function will return a vector @samp{[@var{x}, @var{c}, @var{a}]}
24021 where @var{x} is the term that depends on @var{var}, @var{c} is a
24022 vector of polynomial coefficients (like the one returned by @code{poly}),
24023 and @var{a} is a multiplier which is usually 1. Basically,
24024 @samp{@var{expr} = @var{a}*(@var{c}_1 + @var{c}_2 @var{x} +
24025 @var{c}_3 @var{x}^2 + ...)}. The last element of @var{c} is
24026 guaranteed to be non-zero, and @var{c} will not equal @samp{[1]}
24027 (i.e., the trivial decomposition @var{expr} = @var{x} is not
24028 considered a polynomial). One side effect is that @samp{gpoly(x, x)}
24029 and @samp{gpoly(6, x)}, both of which might be expected to recognize
24030 their arguments as polynomials, will not because the decomposition
24031 is considered trivial.
24033 For example, @samp{gpoly((x-2)^2, x)} returns @samp{[x, [4, -4, 1], 1]},
24034 since the expanded form of this polynomial is @expr{4 - 4 x + x^2}.
24036 The term @var{x} may itself be a polynomial in @var{var}. This is
24037 done to reduce the size of the @var{c} vector. For example,
24038 @samp{gpoly(x^4 + x^2 - 1, x)} returns @samp{[x^2, [-1, 1, 1], 1]},
24039 since a quadratic polynomial in @expr{x^2} is easier to solve than
24040 a quartic polynomial in @expr{x}.
24042 A few more examples of the kinds of polynomials @code{gpoly} can
24046 sin(x) - 1 [sin(x), [-1, 1], 1]
24047 x + 1/x - 1 [x, [1, -1, 1], 1/x]
24048 x + 1/x [x^2, [1, 1], 1/x]
24049 x^3 + 2 x [x^2, [2, 1], x]
24050 x + x^2:3 + sqrt(x) [x^1:6, [1, 1, 0, 1], x^1:2]
24051 x^(2a) + 2 x^a + 5 [x^a, [5, 2, 1], 1]
24052 (exp(-x) + exp(x)) / 2 [e^(2 x), [0.5, 0.5], e^-x]
24055 The @code{poly} and @code{gpoly} functions accept a third integer argument
24056 which specifies the largest degree of polynomial that is acceptable.
24057 If this is @expr{n}, then only @var{c} vectors of length @expr{n+1}
24058 or less will be returned. Otherwise, the @code{poly} or @code{gpoly}
24059 call will remain in symbolic form. For example, the equation solver
24060 can handle quartics and smaller polynomials, so it calls
24061 @samp{gpoly(@var{expr}, @var{var}, 4)} to discover whether @var{expr}
24062 can be treated by its linear, quadratic, cubic, or quartic formulas.
24068 The @code{pdeg} function computes the degree of a polynomial;
24069 @samp{pdeg(p,x)} is the highest power of @code{x} that appears in
24070 @code{p}. This is the same as @samp{vlen(poly(p,x))-1}, but is
24071 much more efficient. If @code{p} is constant with respect to @code{x},
24072 then @samp{pdeg(p,x) = 0}. If @code{p} is not a polynomial in @code{x}
24073 (e.g., @samp{pdeg(2 cos(x), x)}, the function remains unevaluated.
24074 It is possible to omit the second argument @code{x}, in which case
24075 @samp{pdeg(p)} returns the highest total degree of any term of the
24076 polynomial, counting all variables that appear in @code{p}. Note
24077 that @code{pdeg(c) = pdeg(c,x) = 0} for any nonzero constant @code{c};
24078 the degree of the constant zero is considered to be @code{-inf}
24085 The @code{plead} function finds the leading term of a polynomial.
24086 Thus @samp{plead(p,x)} is equivalent to @samp{poly(p,x)_vlen(poly(p,x))},
24087 though again more efficient. In particular, @samp{plead((2x+1)^10, x)}
24088 returns 1024 without expanding out the list of coefficients. The
24089 value of @code{plead(p,x)} will be zero only if @expr{p = 0}.
24095 The @code{pcont} function finds the @dfn{content} of a polynomial. This
24096 is the greatest common divisor of all the coefficients of the polynomial.
24097 With two arguments, @code{pcont(p,x)} effectively uses @samp{poly(p,x)}
24098 to get a list of coefficients, then uses @code{pgcd} (the polynomial
24099 GCD function) to combine these into an answer. For example,
24100 @samp{pcont(4 x y^2 + 6 x^2 y, x)} is @samp{2 y}. The content is
24101 basically the ``biggest'' polynomial that can be divided into @code{p}
24102 exactly. The sign of the content is the same as the sign of the leading
24105 With only one argument, @samp{pcont(p)} computes the numerical
24106 content of the polynomial, i.e., the @code{gcd} of the numerical
24107 coefficients of all the terms in the formula. Note that @code{gcd}
24108 is defined on rational numbers as well as integers; it computes
24109 the @code{gcd} of the numerators and the @code{lcm} of the
24110 denominators. Thus @samp{pcont(4:3 x y^2 + 6 x^2 y)} returns 2:3.
24111 Dividing the polynomial by this number will clear all the
24112 denominators, as well as dividing by any common content in the
24113 numerators. The numerical content of a polynomial is negative only
24114 if all the coefficients in the polynomial are negative.
24120 The @code{pprim} function finds the @dfn{primitive part} of a
24121 polynomial, which is simply the polynomial divided (using @code{pdiv}
24122 if necessary) by its content. If the input polynomial has rational
24123 coefficients, the result will have integer coefficients in simplest
24126 @node Numerical Solutions, Curve Fitting, Solving Equations, Algebra
24127 @section Numerical Solutions
24130 Not all equations can be solved symbolically. The commands in this
24131 section use numerical algorithms that can find a solution to a specific
24132 instance of an equation to any desired accuracy. Note that the
24133 numerical commands are slower than their algebraic cousins; it is a
24134 good idea to try @kbd{a S} before resorting to these commands.
24136 (@xref{Curve Fitting}, for some other, more specialized, operations
24137 on numerical data.)
24142 * Numerical Systems of Equations::
24145 @node Root Finding, Minimization, Numerical Solutions, Numerical Solutions
24146 @subsection Root Finding
24150 @pindex calc-find-root
24152 @cindex Newton's method
24153 @cindex Roots of equations
24154 @cindex Numerical root-finding
24155 The @kbd{a R} (@code{calc-find-root}) [@code{root}] command finds a
24156 numerical solution (or @dfn{root}) of an equation. (This command treats
24157 inequalities the same as equations. If the input is any other kind
24158 of formula, it is interpreted as an equation of the form @expr{X = 0}.)
24160 The @kbd{a R} command requires an initial guess on the top of the
24161 stack, and a formula in the second-to-top position. It prompts for a
24162 solution variable, which must appear in the formula. All other variables
24163 that appear in the formula must have assigned values, i.e., when
24164 a value is assigned to the solution variable and the formula is
24165 evaluated with @kbd{=}, it should evaluate to a number. Any assigned
24166 value for the solution variable itself is ignored and unaffected by
24169 When the command completes, the initial guess is replaced on the stack
24170 by a vector of two numbers: The value of the solution variable that
24171 solves the equation, and the difference between the lefthand and
24172 righthand sides of the equation at that value. Ordinarily, the second
24173 number will be zero or very nearly zero. (Note that Calc uses a
24174 slightly higher precision while finding the root, and thus the second
24175 number may be slightly different from the value you would compute from
24176 the equation yourself.)
24178 The @kbd{v h} (@code{calc-head}) command is a handy way to extract
24179 the first element of the result vector, discarding the error term.
24181 The initial guess can be a real number, in which case Calc searches
24182 for a real solution near that number, or a complex number, in which
24183 case Calc searches the whole complex plane near that number for a
24184 solution, or it can be an interval form which restricts the search
24185 to real numbers inside that interval.
24187 Calc tries to use @kbd{a d} to take the derivative of the equation.
24188 If this succeeds, it uses Newton's method. If the equation is not
24189 differentiable Calc uses a bisection method. (If Newton's method
24190 appears to be going astray, Calc switches over to bisection if it
24191 can, or otherwise gives up. In this case it may help to try again
24192 with a slightly different initial guess.) If the initial guess is a
24193 complex number, the function must be differentiable.
24195 If the formula (or the difference between the sides of an equation)
24196 is negative at one end of the interval you specify and positive at
24197 the other end, the root finder is guaranteed to find a root.
24198 Otherwise, Calc subdivides the interval into small parts looking for
24199 positive and negative values to bracket the root. When your guess is
24200 an interval, Calc will not look outside that interval for a root.
24204 The @kbd{H a R} [@code{wroot}] command is similar to @kbd{a R}, except
24205 that if the initial guess is an interval for which the function has
24206 the same sign at both ends, then rather than subdividing the interval
24207 Calc attempts to widen it to enclose a root. Use this mode if
24208 you are not sure if the function has a root in your interval.
24210 If the function is not differentiable, and you give a simple number
24211 instead of an interval as your initial guess, Calc uses this widening
24212 process even if you did not type the Hyperbolic flag. (If the function
24213 @emph{is} differentiable, Calc uses Newton's method which does not
24214 require a bounding interval in order to work.)
24216 If Calc leaves the @code{root} or @code{wroot} function in symbolic
24217 form on the stack, it will normally display an explanation for why
24218 no root was found. If you miss this explanation, press @kbd{w}
24219 (@code{calc-why}) to get it back.
24221 @node Minimization, Numerical Systems of Equations, Root Finding, Numerical Solutions
24222 @subsection Minimization
24229 @pindex calc-find-minimum
24230 @pindex calc-find-maximum
24233 @cindex Minimization, numerical
24234 The @kbd{a N} (@code{calc-find-minimum}) [@code{minimize}] command
24235 finds a minimum value for a formula. It is very similar in operation
24236 to @kbd{a R} (@code{calc-find-root}): You give the formula and an initial
24237 guess on the stack, and are prompted for the name of a variable. The guess
24238 may be either a number near the desired minimum, or an interval enclosing
24239 the desired minimum. The function returns a vector containing the
24240 value of the variable which minimizes the formula's value, along
24241 with the minimum value itself.
24243 Note that this command looks for a @emph{local} minimum. Many functions
24244 have more than one minimum; some, like
24245 @texline @math{x \sin x},
24246 @infoline @expr{x sin(x)},
24247 have infinitely many. In fact, there is no easy way to define the
24248 ``global'' minimum of
24249 @texline @math{x \sin x}
24250 @infoline @expr{x sin(x)}
24251 but Calc can still locate any particular local minimum
24252 for you. Calc basically goes downhill from the initial guess until it
24253 finds a point at which the function's value is greater both to the left
24254 and to the right. Calc does not use derivatives when minimizing a function.
24256 If your initial guess is an interval and it looks like the minimum
24257 occurs at one or the other endpoint of the interval, Calc will return
24258 that endpoint only if that endpoint is closed; thus, minimizing @expr{17 x}
24259 over @expr{[2..3]} will return @expr{[2, 38]}, but minimizing over
24260 @expr{(2..3]} would report no minimum found. In general, you should
24261 use closed intervals to find literally the minimum value in that
24262 range of @expr{x}, or open intervals to find the local minimum, if
24263 any, that happens to lie in that range.
24265 Most functions are smooth and flat near their minimum values. Because
24266 of this flatness, if the current precision is, say, 12 digits, the
24267 variable can only be determined meaningfully to about six digits. Thus
24268 you should set the precision to twice as many digits as you need in your
24279 The @kbd{H a N} [@code{wminimize}] command, analogously to @kbd{H a R},
24280 expands the guess interval to enclose a minimum rather than requiring
24281 that the minimum lie inside the interval you supply.
24283 The @kbd{a X} (@code{calc-find-maximum}) [@code{maximize}] and
24284 @kbd{H a X} [@code{wmaximize}] commands effectively minimize the
24285 negative of the formula you supply.
24287 The formula must evaluate to a real number at all points inside the
24288 interval (or near the initial guess if the guess is a number). If
24289 the initial guess is a complex number the variable will be minimized
24290 over the complex numbers; if it is real or an interval it will
24291 be minimized over the reals.
24293 @node Numerical Systems of Equations, , Minimization, Numerical Solutions
24294 @subsection Systems of Equations
24297 @cindex Systems of equations, numerical
24298 The @kbd{a R} command can also solve systems of equations. In this
24299 case, the equation should instead be a vector of equations, the
24300 guess should instead be a vector of numbers (intervals are not
24301 supported), and the variable should be a vector of variables. You
24302 can omit the brackets while entering the list of variables. Each
24303 equation must be differentiable by each variable for this mode to
24304 work. The result will be a vector of two vectors: The variable
24305 values that solved the system of equations, and the differences
24306 between the sides of the equations with those variable values.
24307 There must be the same number of equations as variables. Since
24308 only plain numbers are allowed as guesses, the Hyperbolic flag has
24309 no effect when solving a system of equations.
24311 It is also possible to minimize over many variables with @kbd{a N}
24312 (or maximize with @kbd{a X}). Once again the variable name should
24313 be replaced by a vector of variables, and the initial guess should
24314 be an equal-sized vector of initial guesses. But, unlike the case of
24315 multidimensional @kbd{a R}, the formula being minimized should
24316 still be a single formula, @emph{not} a vector. Beware that
24317 multidimensional minimization is currently @emph{very} slow.
24319 @node Curve Fitting, Summations, Numerical Solutions, Algebra
24320 @section Curve Fitting
24323 The @kbd{a F} command fits a set of data to a @dfn{model formula},
24324 such as @expr{y = m x + b} where @expr{m} and @expr{b} are parameters
24325 to be determined. For a typical set of measured data there will be
24326 no single @expr{m} and @expr{b} that exactly fit the data; in this
24327 case, Calc chooses values of the parameters that provide the closest
24332 * Polynomial and Multilinear Fits::
24333 * Error Estimates for Fits::
24334 * Standard Nonlinear Models::
24335 * Curve Fitting Details::
24339 @node Linear Fits, Polynomial and Multilinear Fits, Curve Fitting, Curve Fitting
24340 @subsection Linear Fits
24344 @pindex calc-curve-fit
24346 @cindex Linear regression
24347 @cindex Least-squares fits
24348 The @kbd{a F} (@code{calc-curve-fit}) [@code{fit}] command attempts
24349 to fit a set of data (@expr{x} and @expr{y} vectors of numbers) to a
24350 straight line, polynomial, or other function of @expr{x}. For the
24351 moment we will consider only the case of fitting to a line, and we
24352 will ignore the issue of whether or not the model was in fact a good
24355 In a standard linear least-squares fit, we have a set of @expr{(x,y)}
24356 data points that we wish to fit to the model @expr{y = m x + b}
24357 by adjusting the parameters @expr{m} and @expr{b} to make the @expr{y}
24358 values calculated from the formula be as close as possible to the actual
24359 @expr{y} values in the data set. (In a polynomial fit, the model is
24360 instead, say, @expr{y = a x^3 + b x^2 + c x + d}. In a multilinear fit,
24361 we have data points of the form @expr{(x_1,x_2,x_3,y)} and our model is
24362 @expr{y = a x_1 + b x_2 + c x_3 + d}. These will be discussed later.)
24364 In the model formula, variables like @expr{x} and @expr{x_2} are called
24365 the @dfn{independent variables}, and @expr{y} is the @dfn{dependent
24366 variable}. Variables like @expr{m}, @expr{a}, and @expr{b} are called
24367 the @dfn{parameters} of the model.
24369 The @kbd{a F} command takes the data set to be fitted from the stack.
24370 By default, it expects the data in the form of a matrix. For example,
24371 for a linear or polynomial fit, this would be a
24372 @texline @math{2\times N}
24374 matrix where the first row is a list of @expr{x} values and the second
24375 row has the corresponding @expr{y} values. For the multilinear fit
24376 shown above, the matrix would have four rows (@expr{x_1}, @expr{x_2},
24377 @expr{x_3}, and @expr{y}, respectively).
24379 If you happen to have an
24380 @texline @math{N\times2}
24382 matrix instead of a
24383 @texline @math{2\times N}
24385 matrix, just press @kbd{v t} first to transpose the matrix.
24387 After you type @kbd{a F}, Calc prompts you to select a model. For a
24388 linear fit, press the digit @kbd{1}.
24390 Calc then prompts for you to name the variables. By default it chooses
24391 high letters like @expr{x} and @expr{y} for independent variables and
24392 low letters like @expr{a} and @expr{b} for parameters. (The dependent
24393 variable doesn't need a name.) The two kinds of variables are separated
24394 by a semicolon. Since you generally care more about the names of the
24395 independent variables than of the parameters, Calc also allows you to
24396 name only those and let the parameters use default names.
24398 For example, suppose the data matrix
24403 [ [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ]
24404 [ 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 ] ]
24412 $$ \pmatrix{ 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 \cr
24413 5 & 7 & 9 & 11 & 13 }
24419 is on the stack and we wish to do a simple linear fit. Type
24420 @kbd{a F}, then @kbd{1} for the model, then @key{RET} to use
24421 the default names. The result will be the formula @expr{3 + 2 x}
24422 on the stack. Calc has created the model expression @kbd{a + b x},
24423 then found the optimal values of @expr{a} and @expr{b} to fit the
24424 data. (In this case, it was able to find an exact fit.) Calc then
24425 substituted those values for @expr{a} and @expr{b} in the model
24428 The @kbd{a F} command puts two entries in the trail. One is, as
24429 always, a copy of the result that went to the stack; the other is
24430 a vector of the actual parameter values, written as equations:
24431 @expr{[a = 3, b = 2]}, in case you'd rather read them in a list
24432 than pick them out of the formula. (You can type @kbd{t y}
24433 to move this vector to the stack; see @ref{Trail Commands}.
24435 Specifying a different independent variable name will affect the
24436 resulting formula: @kbd{a F 1 k @key{RET}} produces @kbd{3 + 2 k}.
24437 Changing the parameter names (say, @kbd{a F 1 k;b,m @key{RET}}) will affect
24438 the equations that go into the trail.
24444 To see what happens when the fit is not exact, we could change
24445 the number 13 in the data matrix to 14 and try the fit again.
24452 Evaluating this formula, say with @kbd{v x 5 @key{RET} @key{TAB} V M $ @key{RET}}, shows
24453 a reasonably close match to the y-values in the data.
24456 [4.8, 7., 9.2, 11.4, 13.6]
24459 Since there is no line which passes through all the @var{n} data points,
24460 Calc has chosen a line that best approximates the data points using
24461 the method of least squares. The idea is to define the @dfn{chi-square}
24466 chi^2 = sum((y_i - (a + b x_i))^2, i, 1, N)
24472 $$ \chi^2 = \sum_{i=1}^N (y_i - (a + b x_i))^2 $$
24477 which is clearly zero if @expr{a + b x} exactly fits all data points,
24478 and increases as various @expr{a + b x_i} values fail to match the
24479 corresponding @expr{y_i} values. There are several reasons why the
24480 summand is squared, one of them being to ensure that
24481 @texline @math{\chi^2 \ge 0}.
24482 @infoline @expr{chi^2 >= 0}.
24483 Least-squares fitting simply chooses the values of @expr{a} and @expr{b}
24484 for which the error
24485 @texline @math{\chi^2}
24486 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
24487 is as small as possible.
24489 Other kinds of models do the same thing but with a different model
24490 formula in place of @expr{a + b x_i}.
24496 A numeric prefix argument causes the @kbd{a F} command to take the
24497 data in some other form than one big matrix. A positive argument @var{n}
24498 will take @var{N} items from the stack, corresponding to the @var{n} rows
24499 of a data matrix. In the linear case, @var{n} must be 2 since there
24500 is always one independent variable and one dependent variable.
24502 A prefix of zero or plain @kbd{C-u} is a compromise; Calc takes two
24503 items from the stack, an @var{n}-row matrix of @expr{x} values, and a
24504 vector of @expr{y} values. If there is only one independent variable,
24505 the @expr{x} values can be either a one-row matrix or a plain vector,
24506 in which case the @kbd{C-u} prefix is the same as a @w{@kbd{C-u 2}} prefix.
24508 @node Polynomial and Multilinear Fits, Error Estimates for Fits, Linear Fits, Curve Fitting
24509 @subsection Polynomial and Multilinear Fits
24512 To fit the data to higher-order polynomials, just type one of the
24513 digits @kbd{2} through @kbd{9} when prompted for a model. For example,
24514 we could fit the original data matrix from the previous section
24515 (with 13, not 14) to a parabola instead of a line by typing
24516 @kbd{a F 2 @key{RET}}.
24519 2.00000000001 x - 1.5e-12 x^2 + 2.99999999999
24522 Note that since the constant and linear terms are enough to fit the
24523 data exactly, it's no surprise that Calc chose a tiny contribution
24524 for @expr{x^2}. (The fact that it's not exactly zero is due only
24525 to roundoff error. Since our data are exact integers, we could get
24526 an exact answer by typing @kbd{m f} first to get Fraction mode.
24527 Then the @expr{x^2} term would vanish altogether. Usually, though,
24528 the data being fitted will be approximate floats so Fraction mode
24531 Doing the @kbd{a F 2} fit on the data set with 14 instead of 13
24532 gives a much larger @expr{x^2} contribution, as Calc bends the
24533 line slightly to improve the fit.
24536 0.142857142855 x^2 + 1.34285714287 x + 3.59999999998
24539 An important result from the theory of polynomial fitting is that it
24540 is always possible to fit @var{n} data points exactly using a polynomial
24541 of degree @mathit{@var{n}-1}, sometimes called an @dfn{interpolating polynomial}.
24542 Using the modified (14) data matrix, a model number of 4 gives
24543 a polynomial that exactly matches all five data points:
24546 0.04167 x^4 - 0.4167 x^3 + 1.458 x^2 - 0.08333 x + 4.
24549 The actual coefficients we get with a precision of 12, like
24550 @expr{0.0416666663588}, clearly suffer from loss of precision.
24551 It is a good idea to increase the working precision to several
24552 digits beyond what you need when you do a fitting operation.
24553 Or, if your data are exact, use Fraction mode to get exact
24556 You can type @kbd{i} instead of a digit at the model prompt to fit
24557 the data exactly to a polynomial. This just counts the number of
24558 columns of the data matrix to choose the degree of the polynomial
24561 Fitting data ``exactly'' to high-degree polynomials is not always
24562 a good idea, though. High-degree polynomials have a tendency to
24563 wiggle uncontrollably in between the fitting data points. Also,
24564 if the exact-fit polynomial is going to be used to interpolate or
24565 extrapolate the data, it is numerically better to use the @kbd{a p}
24566 command described below. @xref{Interpolation}.
24572 Another generalization of the linear model is to assume the
24573 @expr{y} values are a sum of linear contributions from several
24574 @expr{x} values. This is a @dfn{multilinear} fit, and it is also
24575 selected by the @kbd{1} digit key. (Calc decides whether the fit
24576 is linear or multilinear by counting the rows in the data matrix.)
24578 Given the data matrix,
24582 [ [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ]
24584 [ 14.5, 15, 18.5, 22.5, 24 ] ]
24589 the command @kbd{a F 1 @key{RET}} will call the first row @expr{x} and the
24590 second row @expr{y}, and will fit the values in the third row to the
24591 model @expr{a + b x + c y}.
24597 Calc can do multilinear fits with any number of independent variables
24598 (i.e., with any number of data rows).
24604 Yet another variation is @dfn{homogeneous} linear models, in which
24605 the constant term is known to be zero. In the linear case, this
24606 means the model formula is simply @expr{a x}; in the multilinear
24607 case, the model might be @expr{a x + b y + c z}; and in the polynomial
24608 case, the model could be @expr{a x + b x^2 + c x^3}. You can get
24609 a homogeneous linear or multilinear model by pressing the letter
24610 @kbd{h} followed by a regular model key, like @kbd{1} or @kbd{2}.
24612 It is certainly possible to have other constrained linear models,
24613 like @expr{2.3 + a x} or @expr{a - 4 x}. While there is no single
24614 key to select models like these, a later section shows how to enter
24615 any desired model by hand. In the first case, for example, you
24616 would enter @kbd{a F ' 2.3 + a x}.
24618 Another class of models that will work but must be entered by hand
24619 are multinomial fits, e.g., @expr{a + b x + c y + d x^2 + e y^2 + f x y}.
24621 @node Error Estimates for Fits, Standard Nonlinear Models, Polynomial and Multilinear Fits, Curve Fitting
24622 @subsection Error Estimates for Fits
24627 With the Hyperbolic flag, @kbd{H a F} [@code{efit}] performs the same
24628 fitting operation as @kbd{a F}, but reports the coefficients as error
24629 forms instead of plain numbers. Fitting our two data matrices (first
24630 with 13, then with 14) to a line with @kbd{H a F} gives the results,
24634 2.6 +/- 0.382970843103 + 2.2 +/- 0.115470053838 x
24637 In the first case the estimated errors are zero because the linear
24638 fit is perfect. In the second case, the errors are nonzero but
24639 moderately small, because the data are still very close to linear.
24641 It is also possible for the @emph{input} to a fitting operation to
24642 contain error forms. The data values must either all include errors
24643 or all be plain numbers. Error forms can go anywhere but generally
24644 go on the numbers in the last row of the data matrix. If the last
24645 row contains error forms
24646 @texline `@var{y_i}@w{ @tfn{+/-} }@math{\sigma_i}',
24647 @infoline `@var{y_i}@w{ @tfn{+/-} }@var{sigma_i}',
24649 @texline @math{\chi^2}
24650 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
24655 chi^2 = sum(((y_i - (a + b x_i)) / sigma_i)^2, i, 1, N)
24661 $$ \chi^2 = \sum_{i=1}^N \left(y_i - (a + b x_i) \over \sigma_i\right)^2 $$
24666 so that data points with larger error estimates contribute less to
24667 the fitting operation.
24669 If there are error forms on other rows of the data matrix, all the
24670 errors for a given data point are combined; the square root of the
24671 sum of the squares of the errors forms the
24672 @texline @math{\sigma_i}
24673 @infoline @expr{sigma_i}
24674 used for the data point.
24676 Both @kbd{a F} and @kbd{H a F} can accept error forms in the input
24677 matrix, although if you are concerned about error analysis you will
24678 probably use @kbd{H a F} so that the output also contains error
24681 If the input contains error forms but all the
24682 @texline @math{\sigma_i}
24683 @infoline @expr{sigma_i}
24684 values are the same, it is easy to see that the resulting fitted model
24685 will be the same as if the input did not have error forms at all
24686 @texline (@math{\chi^2}
24687 @infoline (@expr{chi^2}
24688 is simply scaled uniformly by
24689 @texline @math{1 / \sigma^2},
24690 @infoline @expr{1 / sigma^2},
24691 which doesn't affect where it has a minimum). But there @emph{will} be
24692 a difference in the estimated errors of the coefficients reported by
24695 Consult any text on statistical modeling of data for a discussion
24696 of where these error estimates come from and how they should be
24705 With the Inverse flag, @kbd{I a F} [@code{xfit}] produces even more
24706 information. The result is a vector of six items:
24710 The model formula with error forms for its coefficients or
24711 parameters. This is the result that @kbd{H a F} would have
24715 A vector of ``raw'' parameter values for the model. These are the
24716 polynomial coefficients or other parameters as plain numbers, in the
24717 same order as the parameters appeared in the final prompt of the
24718 @kbd{I a F} command. For polynomials of degree @expr{d}, this vector
24719 will have length @expr{M = d+1} with the constant term first.
24722 The covariance matrix @expr{C} computed from the fit. This is
24723 an @var{m}x@var{m} symmetric matrix; the diagonal elements
24724 @texline @math{C_{jj}}
24725 @infoline @expr{C_j_j}
24727 @texline @math{\sigma_j^2}
24728 @infoline @expr{sigma_j^2}
24729 of the parameters. The other elements are covariances
24730 @texline @math{\sigma_{ij}^2}
24731 @infoline @expr{sigma_i_j^2}
24732 that describe the correlation between pairs of parameters. (A related
24733 set of numbers, the @dfn{linear correlation coefficients}
24734 @texline @math{r_{ij}},
24735 @infoline @expr{r_i_j},
24737 @texline @math{\sigma_{ij}^2 / \sigma_i \, \sigma_j}.)
24738 @infoline @expr{sigma_i_j^2 / sigma_i sigma_j}.)
24741 A vector of @expr{M} ``parameter filter'' functions whose
24742 meanings are described below. If no filters are necessary this
24743 will instead be an empty vector; this is always the case for the
24744 polynomial and multilinear fits described so far.
24748 @texline @math{\chi^2}
24749 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
24750 for the fit, calculated by the formulas shown above. This gives a
24751 measure of the quality of the fit; statisticians consider
24752 @texline @math{\chi^2 \approx N - M}
24753 @infoline @expr{chi^2 = N - M}
24754 to indicate a moderately good fit (where again @expr{N} is the number of
24755 data points and @expr{M} is the number of parameters).
24758 A measure of goodness of fit expressed as a probability @expr{Q}.
24759 This is computed from the @code{utpc} probability distribution
24761 @texline @math{\chi^2}
24762 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
24763 with @expr{N - M} degrees of freedom. A
24764 value of 0.5 implies a good fit; some texts recommend that often
24765 @expr{Q = 0.1} or even 0.001 can signify an acceptable fit. In
24767 @texline @math{\chi^2}
24768 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
24769 statistics assume the errors in your inputs
24770 follow a normal (Gaussian) distribution; if they don't, you may
24771 have to accept smaller values of @expr{Q}.
24773 The @expr{Q} value is computed only if the input included error
24774 estimates. Otherwise, Calc will report the symbol @code{nan}
24775 for @expr{Q}. The reason is that in this case the
24776 @texline @math{\chi^2}
24777 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
24778 value has effectively been used to estimate the original errors
24779 in the input, and thus there is no redundant information left
24780 over to use for a confidence test.
24783 @node Standard Nonlinear Models, Curve Fitting Details, Error Estimates for Fits, Curve Fitting
24784 @subsection Standard Nonlinear Models
24787 The @kbd{a F} command also accepts other kinds of models besides
24788 lines and polynomials. Some common models have quick single-key
24789 abbreviations; others must be entered by hand as algebraic formulas.
24791 Here is a complete list of the standard models recognized by @kbd{a F}:
24795 Linear or multilinear. @mathit{a + b x + c y + d z}.
24797 Polynomials. @mathit{a + b x + c x^2 + d x^3}.
24799 Exponential. @mathit{a} @tfn{exp}@mathit{(b x)} @tfn{exp}@mathit{(c y)}.
24801 Base-10 exponential. @mathit{a} @tfn{10^}@mathit{(b x)} @tfn{10^}@mathit{(c y)}.
24803 Exponential (alternate notation). @tfn{exp}@mathit{(a + b x + c y)}.
24805 Base-10 exponential (alternate). @tfn{10^}@mathit{(a + b x + c y)}.
24807 Logarithmic. @mathit{a + b} @tfn{ln}@mathit{(x) + c} @tfn{ln}@mathit{(y)}.
24809 Base-10 logarithmic. @mathit{a + b} @tfn{log10}@mathit{(x) + c} @tfn{log10}@mathit{(y)}.
24811 General exponential. @mathit{a b^x c^y}.
24813 Power law. @mathit{a x^b y^c}.
24815 Quadratic. @mathit{a + b (x-c)^2 + d (x-e)^2}.
24818 @texline @math{{a \over b \sqrt{2 \pi}} \exp\left( -{1 \over 2} \left( x - c \over b \right)^2 \right)}.
24819 @infoline @mathit{(a / b sqrt(2 pi)) exp(-0.5*((x-c)/b)^2)}.
24822 All of these models are used in the usual way; just press the appropriate
24823 letter at the model prompt, and choose variable names if you wish. The
24824 result will be a formula as shown in the above table, with the best-fit
24825 values of the parameters substituted. (You may find it easier to read
24826 the parameter values from the vector that is placed in the trail.)
24828 All models except Gaussian and polynomials can generalize as shown to any
24829 number of independent variables. Also, all the built-in models have an
24830 additive or multiplicative parameter shown as @expr{a} in the above table
24831 which can be replaced by zero or one, as appropriate, by typing @kbd{h}
24832 before the model key.
24834 Note that many of these models are essentially equivalent, but express
24835 the parameters slightly differently. For example, @expr{a b^x} and
24836 the other two exponential models are all algebraic rearrangements of
24837 each other. Also, the ``quadratic'' model is just a degree-2 polynomial
24838 with the parameters expressed differently. Use whichever form best
24839 matches the problem.
24841 The HP-28/48 calculators support four different models for curve
24842 fitting, called @code{LIN}, @code{LOG}, @code{EXP}, and @code{PWR}.
24843 These correspond to Calc models @samp{a + b x}, @samp{a + b ln(x)},
24844 @samp{a exp(b x)}, and @samp{a x^b}, respectively. In each case,
24845 @expr{a} is what the HP-48 identifies as the ``intercept,'' and
24846 @expr{b} is what it calls the ``slope.''
24852 If the model you want doesn't appear on this list, press @kbd{'}
24853 (the apostrophe key) at the model prompt to enter any algebraic
24854 formula, such as @kbd{m x - b}, as the model. (Not all models
24855 will work, though---see the next section for details.)
24857 The model can also be an equation like @expr{y = m x + b}.
24858 In this case, Calc thinks of all the rows of the data matrix on
24859 equal terms; this model effectively has two parameters
24860 (@expr{m} and @expr{b}) and two independent variables (@expr{x}
24861 and @expr{y}), with no ``dependent'' variables. Model equations
24862 do not need to take this @expr{y =} form. For example, the
24863 implicit line equation @expr{a x + b y = 1} works fine as a
24866 When you enter a model, Calc makes an alphabetical list of all
24867 the variables that appear in the model. These are used for the
24868 default parameters, independent variables, and dependent variable
24869 (in that order). If you enter a plain formula (not an equation),
24870 Calc assumes the dependent variable does not appear in the formula
24871 and thus does not need a name.
24873 For example, if the model formula has the variables @expr{a,mu,sigma,t,x},
24874 and the data matrix has three rows (meaning two independent variables),
24875 Calc will use @expr{a,mu,sigma} as the default parameters, and the
24876 data rows will be named @expr{t} and @expr{x}, respectively. If you
24877 enter an equation instead of a plain formula, Calc will use @expr{a,mu}
24878 as the parameters, and @expr{sigma,t,x} as the three independent
24881 You can, of course, override these choices by entering something
24882 different at the prompt. If you leave some variables out of the list,
24883 those variables must have stored values and those stored values will
24884 be used as constants in the model. (Stored values for the parameters
24885 and independent variables are ignored by the @kbd{a F} command.)
24886 If you list only independent variables, all the remaining variables
24887 in the model formula will become parameters.
24889 If there are @kbd{$} signs in the model you type, they will stand
24890 for parameters and all other variables (in alphabetical order)
24891 will be independent. Use @kbd{$} for one parameter, @kbd{$$} for
24892 another, and so on. Thus @kbd{$ x + $$} is another way to describe
24895 If you type a @kbd{$} instead of @kbd{'} at the model prompt itself,
24896 Calc will take the model formula from the stack. (The data must then
24897 appear at the second stack level.) The same conventions are used to
24898 choose which variables in the formula are independent by default and
24899 which are parameters.
24901 Models taken from the stack can also be expressed as vectors of
24902 two or three elements, @expr{[@var{model}, @var{vars}]} or
24903 @expr{[@var{model}, @var{vars}, @var{params}]}. Each of @var{vars}
24904 and @var{params} may be either a variable or a vector of variables.
24905 (If @var{params} is omitted, all variables in @var{model} except
24906 those listed as @var{vars} are parameters.)
24908 When you enter a model manually with @kbd{'}, Calc puts a 3-vector
24909 describing the model in the trail so you can get it back if you wish.
24917 Finally, you can store a model in one of the Calc variables
24918 @code{Model1} or @code{Model2}, then use this model by typing
24919 @kbd{a F u} or @kbd{a F U} (respectively). The value stored in
24920 the variable can be any of the formats that @kbd{a F $} would
24921 accept for a model on the stack.
24927 Calc uses the principal values of inverse functions like @code{ln}
24928 and @code{arcsin} when doing fits. For example, when you enter
24929 the model @samp{y = sin(a t + b)} Calc actually uses the easier
24930 form @samp{arcsin(y) = a t + b}. The @code{arcsin} function always
24931 returns results in the range from @mathit{-90} to 90 degrees (or the
24932 equivalent range in radians). Suppose you had data that you
24933 believed to represent roughly three oscillations of a sine wave,
24934 so that the argument of the sine might go from zero to
24935 @texline @math{3\times360}
24936 @infoline @mathit{3*360}
24938 The above model would appear to be a good way to determine the
24939 true frequency and phase of the sine wave, but in practice it
24940 would fail utterly. The righthand side of the actual model
24941 @samp{arcsin(y) = a t + b} will grow smoothly with @expr{t}, but
24942 the lefthand side will bounce back and forth between @mathit{-90} and 90.
24943 No values of @expr{a} and @expr{b} can make the two sides match,
24944 even approximately.
24946 There is no good solution to this problem at present. You could
24947 restrict your data to small enough ranges so that the above problem
24948 doesn't occur (i.e., not straddling any peaks in the sine wave).
24949 Or, in this case, you could use a totally different method such as
24950 Fourier analysis, which is beyond the scope of the @kbd{a F} command.
24951 (Unfortunately, Calc does not currently have any facilities for
24952 taking Fourier and related transforms.)
24954 @node Curve Fitting Details, Interpolation, Standard Nonlinear Models, Curve Fitting
24955 @subsection Curve Fitting Details
24958 Calc's internal least-squares fitter can only handle multilinear
24959 models. More precisely, it can handle any model of the form
24960 @expr{a f(x,y,z) + b g(x,y,z) + c h(x,y,z)}, where @expr{a,b,c}
24961 are the parameters and @expr{x,y,z} are the independent variables
24962 (of course there can be any number of each, not just three).
24964 In a simple multilinear or polynomial fit, it is easy to see how
24965 to convert the model into this form. For example, if the model
24966 is @expr{a + b x + c x^2}, then @expr{f(x) = 1}, @expr{g(x) = x},
24967 and @expr{h(x) = x^2} are suitable functions.
24969 For other models, Calc uses a variety of algebraic manipulations
24970 to try to put the problem into the form
24973 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)
24977 where @expr{Y,A,B,C,F,G,H} are arbitrary functions. It computes
24978 @expr{Y}, @expr{F}, @expr{G}, and @expr{H} for all the data points,
24979 does a standard linear fit to find the values of @expr{A}, @expr{B},
24980 and @expr{C}, then uses the equation solver to solve for @expr{a,b,c}
24981 in terms of @expr{A,B,C}.
24983 A remarkable number of models can be cast into this general form.
24984 We'll look at two examples here to see how it works. The power-law
24985 model @expr{y = a x^b} with two independent variables and two parameters
24986 can be rewritten as follows:
24991 y = exp(ln(a) + b ln(x))
24992 ln(y) = ln(a) + b ln(x)
24996 which matches the desired form with
24997 @texline @math{Y = \ln(y)},
24998 @infoline @expr{Y = ln(y)},
24999 @texline @math{A = \ln(a)},
25000 @infoline @expr{A = ln(a)},
25001 @expr{F = 1}, @expr{B = b}, and
25002 @texline @math{G = \ln(x)}.
25003 @infoline @expr{G = ln(x)}.
25004 Calc thus computes the logarithms of your @expr{y} and @expr{x} values,
25005 does a linear fit for @expr{A} and @expr{B}, then solves to get
25006 @texline @math{a = \exp(A)}
25007 @infoline @expr{a = exp(A)}
25010 Another interesting example is the ``quadratic'' model, which can
25011 be handled by expanding according to the distributive law.
25014 y = a + b*(x - c)^2
25015 y = a + b c^2 - 2 b c x + b x^2
25019 which matches with @expr{Y = y}, @expr{A = a + b c^2}, @expr{F = 1},
25020 @expr{B = -2 b c}, @expr{G = x} (the @mathit{-2} factor could just as easily
25021 have been put into @expr{G} instead of @expr{B}), @expr{C = b}, and
25024 The Gaussian model looks quite complicated, but a closer examination
25025 shows that it's actually similar to the quadratic model but with an
25026 exponential that can be brought to the top and moved into @expr{Y}.
25028 An example of a model that cannot be put into general linear
25029 form is a Gaussian with a constant background added on, i.e.,
25030 @expr{d} + the regular Gaussian formula. If you have a model like
25031 this, your best bet is to replace enough of your parameters with
25032 constants to make the model linearizable, then adjust the constants
25033 manually by doing a series of fits. You can compare the fits by
25034 graphing them, by examining the goodness-of-fit measures returned by
25035 @kbd{I a F}, or by some other method suitable to your application.
25036 Note that some models can be linearized in several ways. The
25037 Gaussian-plus-@var{d} model can be linearized by setting @expr{d}
25038 (the background) to a constant, or by setting @expr{b} (the standard
25039 deviation) and @expr{c} (the mean) to constants.
25041 To fit a model with constants substituted for some parameters, just
25042 store suitable values in those parameter variables, then omit them
25043 from the list of parameters when you answer the variables prompt.
25049 A last desperate step would be to use the general-purpose
25050 @code{minimize} function rather than @code{fit}. After all, both
25051 functions solve the problem of minimizing an expression (the
25052 @texline @math{\chi^2}
25053 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
25054 sum) by adjusting certain parameters in the expression. The @kbd{a F}
25055 command is able to use a vastly more efficient algorithm due to its
25056 special knowledge about linear chi-square sums, but the @kbd{a N}
25057 command can do the same thing by brute force.
25059 A compromise would be to pick out a few parameters without which the
25060 fit is linearizable, and use @code{minimize} on a call to @code{fit}
25061 which efficiently takes care of the rest of the parameters. The thing
25062 to be minimized would be the value of
25063 @texline @math{\chi^2}
25064 @infoline @expr{chi^2}
25065 returned as the fifth result of the @code{xfit} function:
25068 minimize(xfit(gaus(a,b,c,d,x), x, [a,b,c], data)_5, d, guess)
25072 where @code{gaus} represents the Gaussian model with background,
25073 @code{data} represents the data matrix, and @code{guess} represents
25074 the initial guess for @expr{d} that @code{minimize} requires.
25075 This operation will only be, shall we say, extraordinarily slow
25076 rather than astronomically slow (as would be the case if @code{minimize}
25077 were used by itself to solve the problem).
25083 The @kbd{I a F} [@code{xfit}] command is somewhat trickier when
25084 nonlinear models are used. The second item in the result is the
25085 vector of ``raw'' parameters @expr{A}, @expr{B}, @expr{C}. The
25086 covariance matrix is written in terms of those raw parameters.
25087 The fifth item is a vector of @dfn{filter} expressions. This
25088 is the empty vector @samp{[]} if the raw parameters were the same
25089 as the requested parameters, i.e., if @expr{A = a}, @expr{B = b},
25090 and so on (which is always true if the model is already linear
25091 in the parameters as written, e.g., for polynomial fits). If the
25092 parameters had to be rearranged, the fifth item is instead a vector
25093 of one formula per parameter in the original model. The raw
25094 parameters are expressed in these ``filter'' formulas as
25095 @samp{fitdummy(1)} for @expr{A}, @samp{fitdummy(2)} for @expr{B},
25098 When Calc needs to modify the model to return the result, it replaces
25099 @samp{fitdummy(1)} in all the filters with the first item in the raw
25100 parameters list, and so on for the other raw parameters, then
25101 evaluates the resulting filter formulas to get the actual parameter
25102 values to be substituted into the original model. In the case of
25103 @kbd{H a F} and @kbd{I a F} where the parameters must be error forms,
25104 Calc uses the square roots of the diagonal entries of the covariance
25105 matrix as error values for the raw parameters, then lets Calc's
25106 standard error-form arithmetic take it from there.
25108 If you use @kbd{I a F} with a nonlinear model, be sure to remember
25109 that the covariance matrix is in terms of the raw parameters,
25110 @emph{not} the actual requested parameters. It's up to you to
25111 figure out how to interpret the covariances in the presence of
25112 nontrivial filter functions.
25114 Things are also complicated when the input contains error forms.
25115 Suppose there are three independent and dependent variables, @expr{x},
25116 @expr{y}, and @expr{z}, one or more of which are error forms in the
25117 data. Calc combines all the error values by taking the square root
25118 of the sum of the squares of the errors. It then changes @expr{x}
25119 and @expr{y} to be plain numbers, and makes @expr{z} into an error
25120 form with this combined error. The @expr{Y(x,y,z)} part of the
25121 linearized model is evaluated, and the result should be an error
25122 form. The error part of that result is used for
25123 @texline @math{\sigma_i}
25124 @infoline @expr{sigma_i}
25125 for the data point. If for some reason @expr{Y(x,y,z)} does not return
25126 an error form, the combined error from @expr{z} is used directly for
25127 @texline @math{\sigma_i}.
25128 @infoline @expr{sigma_i}.
25129 Finally, @expr{z} is also stripped of its error
25130 for use in computing @expr{F(x,y,z)}, @expr{G(x,y,z)} and so on;
25131 the righthand side of the linearized model is computed in regular
25132 arithmetic with no error forms.
25134 (While these rules may seem complicated, they are designed to do
25135 the most reasonable thing in the typical case that @expr{Y(x,y,z)}
25136 depends only on the dependent variable @expr{z}, and in fact is
25137 often simply equal to @expr{z}. For common cases like polynomials
25138 and multilinear models, the combined error is simply used as the
25139 @texline @math{\sigma}
25140 @infoline @expr{sigma}
25141 for the data point with no further ado.)
25148 It may be the case that the model you wish to use is linearizable,
25149 but Calc's built-in rules are unable to figure it out. Calc uses
25150 its algebraic rewrite mechanism to linearize a model. The rewrite
25151 rules are kept in the variable @code{FitRules}. You can edit this
25152 variable using the @kbd{s e FitRules} command; in fact, there is
25153 a special @kbd{s F} command just for editing @code{FitRules}.
25154 @xref{Operations on Variables}.
25156 @xref{Rewrite Rules}, for a discussion of rewrite rules.
25190 Calc uses @code{FitRules} as follows. First, it converts the model
25191 to an equation if necessary and encloses the model equation in a
25192 call to the function @code{fitmodel} (which is not actually a defined
25193 function in Calc; it is only used as a placeholder by the rewrite rules).
25194 Parameter variables are renamed to function calls @samp{fitparam(1)},
25195 @samp{fitparam(2)}, and so on, and independent variables are renamed
25196 to @samp{fitvar(1)}, @samp{fitvar(2)}, etc. The dependent variable
25197 is the highest-numbered @code{fitvar}. For example, the power law
25198 model @expr{a x^b} is converted to @expr{y = a x^b}, then to
25202 fitmodel(fitvar(2) = fitparam(1) fitvar(1)^fitparam(2))
25206 Calc then applies the rewrites as if by @samp{C-u 0 a r FitRules}.
25207 (The zero prefix means that rewriting should continue until no further
25208 changes are possible.)
25210 When rewriting is complete, the @code{fitmodel} call should have
25211 been replaced by a @code{fitsystem} call that looks like this:
25214 fitsystem(@var{Y}, @var{FGH}, @var{abc})
25218 where @var{Y} is a formula that describes the function @expr{Y(x,y,z)},
25219 @var{FGH} is the vector of formulas @expr{[F(x,y,z), G(x,y,z), H(x,y,z)]},
25220 and @var{abc} is the vector of parameter filters which refer to the
25221 raw parameters as @samp{fitdummy(1)} for @expr{A}, @samp{fitdummy(2)}
25222 for @expr{B}, etc. While the number of raw parameters (the length of
25223 the @var{FGH} vector) is usually the same as the number of original
25224 parameters (the length of the @var{abc} vector), this is not required.
25226 The power law model eventually boils down to
25230 fitsystem(ln(fitvar(2)),
25231 [1, ln(fitvar(1))],
25232 [exp(fitdummy(1)), fitdummy(2)])
25236 The actual implementation of @code{FitRules} is complicated; it
25237 proceeds in four phases. First, common rearrangements are done
25238 to try to bring linear terms together and to isolate functions like
25239 @code{exp} and @code{ln} either all the way ``out'' (so that they
25240 can be put into @var{Y}) or all the way ``in'' (so that they can
25241 be put into @var{abc} or @var{FGH}). In particular, all
25242 non-constant powers are converted to logs-and-exponentials form,
25243 and the distributive law is used to expand products of sums.
25244 Quotients are rewritten to use the @samp{fitinv} function, where
25245 @samp{fitinv(x)} represents @expr{1/x} while the @code{FitRules}
25246 are operating. (The use of @code{fitinv} makes recognition of
25247 linear-looking forms easier.) If you modify @code{FitRules}, you
25248 will probably only need to modify the rules for this phase.
25250 Phase two, whose rules can actually also apply during phases one
25251 and three, first rewrites @code{fitmodel} to a two-argument
25252 form @samp{fitmodel(@var{Y}, @var{model})}, where @var{Y} is
25253 initially zero and @var{model} has been changed from @expr{a=b}
25254 to @expr{a-b} form. It then tries to peel off invertible functions
25255 from the outside of @var{model} and put them into @var{Y} instead,
25256 calling the equation solver to invert the functions. Finally, when
25257 this is no longer possible, the @code{fitmodel} is changed to a
25258 four-argument @code{fitsystem}, where the fourth argument is
25259 @var{model} and the @var{FGH} and @var{abc} vectors are initially
25260 empty. (The last vector is really @var{ABC}, corresponding to
25261 raw parameters, for now.)
25263 Phase three converts a sum of items in the @var{model} to a sum
25264 of @samp{fitpart(@var{a}, @var{b}, @var{c})} terms which represent
25265 terms @samp{@var{a}*@var{b}*@var{c}} of the sum, where @var{a}
25266 is all factors that do not involve any variables, @var{b} is all
25267 factors that involve only parameters, and @var{c} is the factors
25268 that involve only independent variables. (If this decomposition
25269 is not possible, the rule set will not complete and Calc will
25270 complain that the model is too complex.) Then @code{fitpart}s
25271 with equal @var{b} or @var{c} components are merged back together
25272 using the distributive law in order to minimize the number of
25273 raw parameters needed.
25275 Phase four moves the @code{fitpart} terms into the @var{FGH} and
25276 @var{ABC} vectors. Also, some of the algebraic expansions that
25277 were done in phase 1 are undone now to make the formulas more
25278 computationally efficient. Finally, it calls the solver one more
25279 time to convert the @var{ABC} vector to an @var{abc} vector, and
25280 removes the fourth @var{model} argument (which by now will be zero)
25281 to obtain the three-argument @code{fitsystem} that the linear
25282 least-squares solver wants to see.
25288 @mindex hasfit@idots
25290 @tindex hasfitparams
25298 Two functions which are useful in connection with @code{FitRules}
25299 are @samp{hasfitparams(x)} and @samp{hasfitvars(x)}, which check
25300 whether @expr{x} refers to any parameters or independent variables,
25301 respectively. Specifically, these functions return ``true'' if the
25302 argument contains any @code{fitparam} (or @code{fitvar}) function
25303 calls, and ``false'' otherwise. (Recall that ``true'' means a
25304 nonzero number, and ``false'' means zero. The actual nonzero number
25305 returned is the largest @var{n} from all the @samp{fitparam(@var{n})}s
25306 or @samp{fitvar(@var{n})}s, respectively, that appear in the formula.)
25312 The @code{fit} function in algebraic notation normally takes four
25313 arguments, @samp{fit(@var{model}, @var{vars}, @var{params}, @var{data})},
25314 where @var{model} is the model formula as it would be typed after
25315 @kbd{a F '}, @var{vars} is the independent variable or a vector of
25316 independent variables, @var{params} likewise gives the parameter(s),
25317 and @var{data} is the data matrix. Note that the length of @var{vars}
25318 must be equal to the number of rows in @var{data} if @var{model} is
25319 an equation, or one less than the number of rows if @var{model} is
25320 a plain formula. (Actually, a name for the dependent variable is
25321 allowed but will be ignored in the plain-formula case.)
25323 If @var{params} is omitted, the parameters are all variables in
25324 @var{model} except those that appear in @var{vars}. If @var{vars}
25325 is also omitted, Calc sorts all the variables that appear in
25326 @var{model} alphabetically and uses the higher ones for @var{vars}
25327 and the lower ones for @var{params}.
25329 Alternatively, @samp{fit(@var{modelvec}, @var{data})} is allowed
25330 where @var{modelvec} is a 2- or 3-vector describing the model
25331 and variables, as discussed previously.
25333 If Calc is unable to do the fit, the @code{fit} function is left
25334 in symbolic form, ordinarily with an explanatory message. The
25335 message will be ``Model expression is too complex'' if the
25336 linearizer was unable to put the model into the required form.
25338 The @code{efit} (corresponding to @kbd{H a F}) and @code{xfit}
25339 (for @kbd{I a F}) functions are completely analogous.
25341 @node Interpolation, , Curve Fitting Details, Curve Fitting
25342 @subsection Polynomial Interpolation
25345 @pindex calc-poly-interp
25347 The @kbd{a p} (@code{calc-poly-interp}) [@code{polint}] command does
25348 a polynomial interpolation at a particular @expr{x} value. It takes
25349 two arguments from the stack: A data matrix of the sort used by
25350 @kbd{a F}, and a single number which represents the desired @expr{x}
25351 value. Calc effectively does an exact polynomial fit as if by @kbd{a F i},
25352 then substitutes the @expr{x} value into the result in order to get an
25353 approximate @expr{y} value based on the fit. (Calc does not actually
25354 use @kbd{a F i}, however; it uses a direct method which is both more
25355 efficient and more numerically stable.)
25357 The result of @kbd{a p} is actually a vector of two values: The @expr{y}
25358 value approximation, and an error measure @expr{dy} that reflects Calc's
25359 estimation of the probable error of the approximation at that value of
25360 @expr{x}. If the input @expr{x} is equal to any of the @expr{x} values
25361 in the data matrix, the output @expr{y} will be the corresponding @expr{y}
25362 value from the matrix, and the output @expr{dy} will be exactly zero.
25364 A prefix argument of 2 causes @kbd{a p} to take separate x- and
25365 y-vectors from the stack instead of one data matrix.
25367 If @expr{x} is a vector of numbers, @kbd{a p} will return a matrix of
25368 interpolated results for each of those @expr{x} values. (The matrix will
25369 have two columns, the @expr{y} values and the @expr{dy} values.)
25370 If @expr{x} is a formula instead of a number, the @code{polint} function
25371 remains in symbolic form; use the @kbd{a "} command to expand it out to
25372 a formula that describes the fit in symbolic terms.
25374 In all cases, the @kbd{a p} command leaves the data vectors or matrix
25375 on the stack. Only the @expr{x} value is replaced by the result.
25379 The @kbd{H a p} [@code{ratint}] command does a rational function
25380 interpolation. It is used exactly like @kbd{a p}, except that it
25381 uses as its model the quotient of two polynomials. If there are
25382 @expr{N} data points, the numerator and denominator polynomials will
25383 each have degree @expr{N/2} (if @expr{N} is odd, the denominator will
25384 have degree one higher than the numerator).
25386 Rational approximations have the advantage that they can accurately
25387 describe functions that have poles (points at which the function's value
25388 goes to infinity, so that the denominator polynomial of the approximation
25389 goes to zero). If @expr{x} corresponds to a pole of the fitted rational
25390 function, then the result will be a division by zero. If Infinite mode
25391 is enabled, the result will be @samp{[uinf, uinf]}.
25393 There is no way to get the actual coefficients of the rational function
25394 used by @kbd{H a p}. (The algorithm never generates these coefficients
25395 explicitly, and quotients of polynomials are beyond @w{@kbd{a F}}'s
25396 capabilities to fit.)
25398 @node Summations, Logical Operations, Curve Fitting, Algebra
25399 @section Summations
25402 @cindex Summation of a series
25404 @pindex calc-summation
25406 The @kbd{a +} (@code{calc-summation}) [@code{sum}] command computes
25407 the sum of a formula over a certain range of index values. The formula
25408 is taken from the top of the stack; the command prompts for the
25409 name of the summation index variable, the lower limit of the
25410 sum (any formula), and the upper limit of the sum. If you
25411 enter a blank line at any of these prompts, that prompt and
25412 any later ones are answered by reading additional elements from
25413 the stack. Thus, @kbd{' k^2 @key{RET} ' k @key{RET} 1 @key{RET} 5 @key{RET} a + @key{RET}}
25414 produces the result 55.
25417 $$ \sum_{k=1}^5 k^2 = 55 $$
25420 The choice of index variable is arbitrary, but it's best not to
25421 use a variable with a stored value. In particular, while
25422 @code{i} is often a favorite index variable, it should be avoided
25423 in Calc because @code{i} has the imaginary constant @expr{(0, 1)}
25424 as a value. If you pressed @kbd{=} on a sum over @code{i}, it would
25425 be changed to a nonsensical sum over the ``variable'' @expr{(0, 1)}!
25426 If you really want to use @code{i} as an index variable, use
25427 @w{@kbd{s u i @key{RET}}} first to ``unstore'' this variable.
25428 (@xref{Storing Variables}.)
25430 A numeric prefix argument steps the index by that amount rather
25431 than by one. Thus @kbd{' a_k @key{RET} C-u -2 a + k @key{RET} 10 @key{RET} 0 @key{RET}}
25432 yields @samp{a_10 + a_8 + a_6 + a_4 + a_2 + a_0}. A prefix
25433 argument of plain @kbd{C-u} causes @kbd{a +} to prompt for the
25434 step value, in which case you can enter any formula or enter
25435 a blank line to take the step value from the stack. With the
25436 @kbd{C-u} prefix, @kbd{a +} can take up to five arguments from
25437 the stack: The formula, the variable, the lower limit, the
25438 upper limit, and (at the top of the stack), the step value.
25440 Calc knows how to do certain sums in closed form. For example,
25441 @samp{sum(6 k^2, k, 1, n) = @w{2 n^3} + 3 n^2 + n}. In particular,
25442 this is possible if the formula being summed is polynomial or
25443 exponential in the index variable. Sums of logarithms are
25444 transformed into logarithms of products. Sums of trigonometric
25445 and hyperbolic functions are transformed to sums of exponentials
25446 and then done in closed form. Also, of course, sums in which the
25447 lower and upper limits are both numbers can always be evaluated
25448 just by grinding them out, although Calc will use closed forms
25449 whenever it can for the sake of efficiency.
25451 The notation for sums in algebraic formulas is
25452 @samp{sum(@var{expr}, @var{var}, @var{low}, @var{high}, @var{step})}.
25453 If @var{step} is omitted, it defaults to one. If @var{high} is
25454 omitted, @var{low} is actually the upper limit and the lower limit
25455 is one. If @var{low} is also omitted, the limits are @samp{-inf}
25456 and @samp{inf}, respectively.
25458 Infinite sums can sometimes be evaluated: @samp{sum(.5^k, k, 1, inf)}
25459 returns @expr{1}. This is done by evaluating the sum in closed
25460 form (to @samp{1. - 0.5^n} in this case), then evaluating this
25461 formula with @code{n} set to @code{inf}. Calc's usual rules
25462 for ``infinite'' arithmetic can find the answer from there. If
25463 infinite arithmetic yields a @samp{nan}, or if the sum cannot be
25464 solved in closed form, Calc leaves the @code{sum} function in
25465 symbolic form. @xref{Infinities}.
25467 As a special feature, if the limits are infinite (or omitted, as
25468 described above) but the formula includes vectors subscripted by
25469 expressions that involve the iteration variable, Calc narrows
25470 the limits to include only the range of integers which result in
25471 valid subscripts for the vector. For example, the sum
25472 @samp{sum(k [a,b,c,d,e,f,g]_(2k),k)} evaluates to @samp{b + 2 d + 3 f}.
25474 The limits of a sum do not need to be integers. For example,
25475 @samp{sum(a_k, k, 0, 2 n, n)} produces @samp{a_0 + a_n + a_(2 n)}.
25476 Calc computes the number of iterations using the formula
25477 @samp{1 + (@var{high} - @var{low}) / @var{step}}, which must,
25478 after simplification as if by @kbd{a s}, evaluate to an integer.
25480 If the number of iterations according to the above formula does
25481 not come out to an integer, the sum is invalid and will be left
25482 in symbolic form. However, closed forms are still supplied, and
25483 you are on your honor not to misuse the resulting formulas by
25484 substituting mismatched bounds into them. For example,
25485 @samp{sum(k, k, 1, 10, 2)} is invalid, but Calc will go ahead and
25486 evaluate the closed form solution for the limits 1 and 10 to get
25487 the rather dubious answer, 29.25.
25489 If the lower limit is greater than the upper limit (assuming a
25490 positive step size), the result is generally zero. However,
25491 Calc only guarantees a zero result when the upper limit is
25492 exactly one step less than the lower limit, i.e., if the number
25493 of iterations is @mathit{-1}. Thus @samp{sum(f(k), k, n, n-1)} is zero
25494 but the sum from @samp{n} to @samp{n-2} may report a nonzero value
25495 if Calc used a closed form solution.
25497 Calc's logical predicates like @expr{a < b} return 1 for ``true''
25498 and 0 for ``false.'' @xref{Logical Operations}. This can be
25499 used to advantage for building conditional sums. For example,
25500 @samp{sum(prime(k)*k^2, k, 1, 20)} is the sum of the squares of all
25501 prime numbers from 1 to 20; the @code{prime} predicate returns 1 if
25502 its argument is prime and 0 otherwise. You can read this expression
25503 as ``the sum of @expr{k^2}, where @expr{k} is prime.'' Indeed,
25504 @samp{sum(prime(k)*k^2, k)} would represent the sum of @emph{all} primes
25505 squared, since the limits default to plus and minus infinity, but
25506 there are no such sums that Calc's built-in rules can do in
25509 As another example, @samp{sum((k != k_0) * f(k), k, 1, n)} is the
25510 sum of @expr{f(k)} for all @expr{k} from 1 to @expr{n}, excluding
25511 one value @expr{k_0}. Slightly more tricky is the summand
25512 @samp{(k != k_0) / (k - k_0)}, which is an attempt to describe
25513 the sum of all @expr{1/(k-k_0)} except at @expr{k = k_0}, where
25514 this would be a division by zero. But at @expr{k = k_0}, this
25515 formula works out to the indeterminate form @expr{0 / 0}, which
25516 Calc will not assume is zero. Better would be to use
25517 @samp{(k != k_0) ? 1/(k-k_0) : 0}; the @samp{? :} operator does
25518 an ``if-then-else'' test: This expression says, ``if
25519 @texline @math{k \ne k_0},
25520 @infoline @expr{k != k_0},
25521 then @expr{1/(k-k_0)}, else zero.'' Now the formula @expr{1/(k-k_0)}
25522 will not even be evaluated by Calc when @expr{k = k_0}.
25524 @cindex Alternating sums
25526 @pindex calc-alt-summation
25528 The @kbd{a -} (@code{calc-alt-summation}) [@code{asum}] command
25529 computes an alternating sum. Successive terms of the sequence
25530 are given alternating signs, with the first term (corresponding
25531 to the lower index value) being positive. Alternating sums
25532 are converted to normal sums with an extra term of the form
25533 @samp{(-1)^(k-@var{low})}. This formula is adjusted appropriately
25534 if the step value is other than one. For example, the Taylor
25535 series for the sine function is @samp{asum(x^k / k!, k, 1, inf, 2)}.
25536 (Calc cannot evaluate this infinite series, but it can approximate
25537 it if you replace @code{inf} with any particular odd number.)
25538 Calc converts this series to a regular sum with a step of one,
25539 namely @samp{sum((-1)^k x^(2k+1) / (2k+1)!, k, 0, inf)}.
25541 @cindex Product of a sequence
25543 @pindex calc-product
25545 The @kbd{a *} (@code{calc-product}) [@code{prod}] command is
25546 the analogous way to take a product of many terms. Calc also knows
25547 some closed forms for products, such as @samp{prod(k, k, 1, n) = n!}.
25548 Conditional products can be written @samp{prod(k^prime(k), k, 1, n)}
25549 or @samp{prod(prime(k) ? k : 1, k, 1, n)}.
25552 @pindex calc-tabulate
25554 The @kbd{a T} (@code{calc-tabulate}) [@code{table}] command
25555 evaluates a formula at a series of iterated index values, just
25556 like @code{sum} and @code{prod}, but its result is simply a
25557 vector of the results. For example, @samp{table(a_i, i, 1, 7, 2)}
25558 produces @samp{[a_1, a_3, a_5, a_7]}.
25560 @node Logical Operations, Rewrite Rules, Summations, Algebra
25561 @section Logical Operations
25564 The following commands and algebraic functions return true/false values,
25565 where 1 represents ``true'' and 0 represents ``false.'' In cases where
25566 a truth value is required (such as for the condition part of a rewrite
25567 rule, or as the condition for a @w{@kbd{Z [ Z ]}} control structure), any
25568 nonzero value is accepted to mean ``true.'' (Specifically, anything
25569 for which @code{dnonzero} returns 1 is ``true,'' and anything for
25570 which @code{dnonzero} returns 0 or cannot decide is assumed ``false.''
25571 Note that this means that @w{@kbd{Z [ Z ]}} will execute the ``then''
25572 portion if its condition is provably true, but it will execute the
25573 ``else'' portion for any condition like @expr{a = b} that is not
25574 provably true, even if it might be true. Algebraic functions that
25575 have conditions as arguments, like @code{? :} and @code{&&}, remain
25576 unevaluated if the condition is neither provably true nor provably
25577 false. @xref{Declarations}.)
25580 @pindex calc-equal-to
25584 The @kbd{a =} (@code{calc-equal-to}) command, or @samp{eq(a,b)} function
25585 (which can also be written @samp{a = b} or @samp{a == b} in an algebraic
25586 formula) is true if @expr{a} and @expr{b} are equal, either because they
25587 are identical expressions, or because they are numbers which are
25588 numerically equal. (Thus the integer 1 is considered equal to the float
25589 1.0.) If the equality of @expr{a} and @expr{b} cannot be determined,
25590 the comparison is left in symbolic form. Note that as a command, this
25591 operation pops two values from the stack and pushes back either a 1 or
25592 a 0, or a formula @samp{a = b} if the values' equality cannot be determined.
25594 Many Calc commands use @samp{=} formulas to represent @dfn{equations}.
25595 For example, the @kbd{a S} (@code{calc-solve-for}) command rearranges
25596 an equation to solve for a given variable. The @kbd{a M}
25597 (@code{calc-map-equation}) command can be used to apply any
25598 function to both sides of an equation; for example, @kbd{2 a M *}
25599 multiplies both sides of the equation by two. Note that just
25600 @kbd{2 *} would not do the same thing; it would produce the formula
25601 @samp{2 (a = b)} which represents 2 if the equality is true or
25604 The @code{eq} function with more than two arguments (e.g., @kbd{C-u 3 a =}
25605 or @samp{a = b = c}) tests if all of its arguments are equal. In
25606 algebraic notation, the @samp{=} operator is unusual in that it is
25607 neither left- nor right-associative: @samp{a = b = c} is not the
25608 same as @samp{(a = b) = c} or @samp{a = (b = c)} (which each compare
25609 one variable with the 1 or 0 that results from comparing two other
25613 @pindex calc-not-equal-to
25616 The @kbd{a #} (@code{calc-not-equal-to}) command, or @samp{neq(a,b)} or
25617 @samp{a != b} function, is true if @expr{a} and @expr{b} are not equal.
25618 This also works with more than two arguments; @samp{a != b != c != d}
25619 tests that all four of @expr{a}, @expr{b}, @expr{c}, and @expr{d} are
25636 @pindex calc-less-than
25637 @pindex calc-greater-than
25638 @pindex calc-less-equal
25639 @pindex calc-greater-equal
25668 The @kbd{a <} (@code{calc-less-than}) [@samp{lt(a,b)} or @samp{a < b}]
25669 operation is true if @expr{a} is less than @expr{b}. Similar functions
25670 are @kbd{a >} (@code{calc-greater-than}) [@samp{gt(a,b)} or @samp{a > b}],
25671 @kbd{a [} (@code{calc-less-equal}) [@samp{leq(a,b)} or @samp{a <= b}], and
25672 @kbd{a ]} (@code{calc-greater-equal}) [@samp{geq(a,b)} or @samp{a >= b}].
25674 While the inequality functions like @code{lt} do not accept more
25675 than two arguments, the syntax @w{@samp{a <= b < c}} is translated to an
25676 equivalent expression involving intervals: @samp{b in [a .. c)}.
25677 (See the description of @code{in} below.) All four combinations
25678 of @samp{<} and @samp{<=} are allowed, or any of the four combinations
25679 of @samp{>} and @samp{>=}. Four-argument constructions like
25680 @samp{a < b < c < d}, and mixtures like @w{@samp{a < b = c}} that
25681 involve both equalities and inequalities, are not allowed.
25684 @pindex calc-remove-equal
25686 The @kbd{a .} (@code{calc-remove-equal}) [@code{rmeq}] command extracts
25687 the righthand side of the equation or inequality on the top of the
25688 stack. It also works elementwise on vectors. For example, if
25689 @samp{[x = 2.34, y = z / 2]} is on the stack, then @kbd{a .} produces
25690 @samp{[2.34, z / 2]}. As a special case, if the righthand side is a
25691 variable and the lefthand side is a number (as in @samp{2.34 = x}), then
25692 Calc keeps the lefthand side instead. Finally, this command works with
25693 assignments @samp{x := 2.34} as well as equations, always taking the
25694 the righthand side, and for @samp{=>} (evaluates-to) operators, always
25695 taking the lefthand side.
25698 @pindex calc-logical-and
25701 The @kbd{a &} (@code{calc-logical-and}) [@samp{land(a,b)} or @samp{a && b}]
25702 function is true if both of its arguments are true, i.e., are
25703 non-zero numbers. In this case, the result will be either @expr{a} or
25704 @expr{b}, chosen arbitrarily. If either argument is zero, the result is
25705 zero. Otherwise, the formula is left in symbolic form.
25708 @pindex calc-logical-or
25711 The @kbd{a |} (@code{calc-logical-or}) [@samp{lor(a,b)} or @samp{a || b}]
25712 function is true if either or both of its arguments are true (nonzero).
25713 The result is whichever argument was nonzero, choosing arbitrarily if both
25714 are nonzero. If both @expr{a} and @expr{b} are zero, the result is
25718 @pindex calc-logical-not
25721 The @kbd{a !} (@code{calc-logical-not}) [@samp{lnot(a)} or @samp{!@: a}]
25722 function is true if @expr{a} is false (zero), or false if @expr{a} is
25723 true (nonzero). It is left in symbolic form if @expr{a} is not a
25727 @pindex calc-logical-if
25737 @cindex Arguments, not evaluated
25738 The @kbd{a :} (@code{calc-logical-if}) [@samp{if(a,b,c)} or @samp{a ? b :@: c}]
25739 function is equal to either @expr{b} or @expr{c} if @expr{a} is a nonzero
25740 number or zero, respectively. If @expr{a} is not a number, the test is
25741 left in symbolic form and neither @expr{b} nor @expr{c} is evaluated in
25742 any way. In algebraic formulas, this is one of the few Calc functions
25743 whose arguments are not automatically evaluated when the function itself
25744 is evaluated. The others are @code{lambda}, @code{quote}, and
25747 One minor surprise to watch out for is that the formula @samp{a?3:4}
25748 will not work because the @samp{3:4} is parsed as a fraction instead of
25749 as three separate symbols. Type something like @samp{a ? 3 : 4} or
25750 @samp{a?(3):4} instead.
25752 As a special case, if @expr{a} evaluates to a vector, then both @expr{b}
25753 and @expr{c} are evaluated; the result is a vector of the same length
25754 as @expr{a} whose elements are chosen from corresponding elements of
25755 @expr{b} and @expr{c} according to whether each element of @expr{a}
25756 is zero or nonzero. Each of @expr{b} and @expr{c} must be either a
25757 vector of the same length as @expr{a}, or a non-vector which is matched
25758 with all elements of @expr{a}.
25761 @pindex calc-in-set
25763 The @kbd{a @{} (@code{calc-in-set}) [@samp{in(a,b)}] function is true if
25764 the number @expr{a} is in the set of numbers represented by @expr{b}.
25765 If @expr{b} is an interval form, @expr{a} must be one of the values
25766 encompassed by the interval. If @expr{b} is a vector, @expr{a} must be
25767 equal to one of the elements of the vector. (If any vector elements are
25768 intervals, @expr{a} must be in any of the intervals.) If @expr{b} is a
25769 plain number, @expr{a} must be numerically equal to @expr{b}.
25770 @xref{Set Operations}, for a group of commands that manipulate sets
25777 The @samp{typeof(a)} function produces an integer or variable which
25778 characterizes @expr{a}. If @expr{a} is a number, vector, or variable,
25779 the result will be one of the following numbers:
25784 3 Floating-point number
25786 5 Rectangular complex number
25787 6 Polar complex number
25793 12 Infinity (inf, uinf, or nan)
25795 101 Vector (but not a matrix)
25799 Otherwise, @expr{a} is a formula, and the result is a variable which
25800 represents the name of the top-level function call.
25814 The @samp{integer(a)} function returns true if @expr{a} is an integer.
25815 The @samp{real(a)} function
25816 is true if @expr{a} is a real number, either integer, fraction, or
25817 float. The @samp{constant(a)} function returns true if @expr{a} is
25818 any of the objects for which @code{typeof} would produce an integer
25819 code result except for variables, and provided that the components of
25820 an object like a vector or error form are themselves constant.
25821 Note that infinities do not satisfy any of these tests, nor do
25822 special constants like @code{pi} and @code{e}.
25824 @xref{Declarations}, for a set of similar functions that recognize
25825 formulas as well as actual numbers. For example, @samp{dint(floor(x))}
25826 is true because @samp{floor(x)} is provably integer-valued, but
25827 @samp{integer(floor(x))} does not because @samp{floor(x)} is not
25828 literally an integer constant.
25834 The @samp{refers(a,b)} function is true if the variable (or sub-expression)
25835 @expr{b} appears in @expr{a}, or false otherwise. Unlike the other
25836 tests described here, this function returns a definite ``no'' answer
25837 even if its arguments are still in symbolic form. The only case where
25838 @code{refers} will be left unevaluated is if @expr{a} is a plain
25839 variable (different from @expr{b}).
25845 The @samp{negative(a)} function returns true if @expr{a} ``looks'' negative,
25846 because it is a negative number, because it is of the form @expr{-x},
25847 or because it is a product or quotient with a term that looks negative.
25848 This is most useful in rewrite rules. Beware that @samp{negative(a)}
25849 evaluates to 1 or 0 for @emph{any} argument @expr{a}, so it can only
25850 be stored in a formula if the default simplifications are turned off
25851 first with @kbd{m O} (or if it appears in an unevaluated context such
25852 as a rewrite rule condition).
25858 The @samp{variable(a)} function is true if @expr{a} is a variable,
25859 or false if not. If @expr{a} is a function call, this test is left
25860 in symbolic form. Built-in variables like @code{pi} and @code{inf}
25861 are considered variables like any others by this test.
25867 The @samp{nonvar(a)} function is true if @expr{a} is a non-variable.
25868 If its argument is a variable it is left unsimplified; it never
25869 actually returns zero. However, since Calc's condition-testing
25870 commands consider ``false'' anything not provably true, this is
25889 @cindex Linearity testing
25890 The functions @code{lin}, @code{linnt}, @code{islin}, and @code{islinnt}
25891 check if an expression is ``linear,'' i.e., can be written in the form
25892 @expr{a + b x} for some constants @expr{a} and @expr{b}, and some
25893 variable or subformula @expr{x}. The function @samp{islin(f,x)} checks
25894 if formula @expr{f} is linear in @expr{x}, returning 1 if so. For
25895 example, @samp{islin(x,x)}, @samp{islin(-x,x)}, @samp{islin(3,x)}, and
25896 @samp{islin(x y / 3 - 2, x)} all return 1. The @samp{lin(f,x)} function
25897 is similar, except that instead of returning 1 it returns the vector
25898 @expr{[a, b, x]}. For the above examples, this vector would be
25899 @expr{[0, 1, x]}, @expr{[0, -1, x]}, @expr{[3, 0, x]}, and
25900 @expr{[-2, y/3, x]}, respectively. Both @code{lin} and @code{islin}
25901 generally remain unevaluated for expressions which are not linear,
25902 e.g., @samp{lin(2 x^2, x)} and @samp{lin(sin(x), x)}. The second
25903 argument can also be a formula; @samp{islin(2 + 3 sin(x), sin(x))}
25906 The @code{linnt} and @code{islinnt} functions perform a similar check,
25907 but require a ``non-trivial'' linear form, which means that the
25908 @expr{b} coefficient must be non-zero. For example, @samp{lin(2,x)}
25909 returns @expr{[2, 0, x]} and @samp{lin(y,x)} returns @expr{[y, 0, x]},
25910 but @samp{linnt(2,x)} and @samp{linnt(y,x)} are left unevaluated
25911 (in other words, these formulas are considered to be only ``trivially''
25912 linear in @expr{x}).
25914 All four linearity-testing functions allow you to omit the second
25915 argument, in which case the input may be linear in any non-constant
25916 formula. Here, the @expr{a=0}, @expr{b=1} case is also considered
25917 trivial, and only constant values for @expr{a} and @expr{b} are
25918 recognized. Thus, @samp{lin(2 x y)} returns @expr{[0, 2, x y]},
25919 @samp{lin(2 - x y)} returns @expr{[2, -1, x y]}, and @samp{lin(x y)}
25920 returns @expr{[0, 1, x y]}. The @code{linnt} function would allow the
25921 first two cases but not the third. Also, neither @code{lin} nor
25922 @code{linnt} accept plain constants as linear in the one-argument
25923 case: @samp{islin(2,x)} is true, but @samp{islin(2)} is false.
25929 The @samp{istrue(a)} function returns 1 if @expr{a} is a nonzero
25930 number or provably nonzero formula, or 0 if @expr{a} is anything else.
25931 Calls to @code{istrue} can only be manipulated if @kbd{m O} mode is
25932 used to make sure they are not evaluated prematurely. (Note that
25933 declarations are used when deciding whether a formula is true;
25934 @code{istrue} returns 1 when @code{dnonzero} would return 1, and
25935 it returns 0 when @code{dnonzero} would return 0 or leave itself
25938 @node Rewrite Rules, , Logical Operations, Algebra
25939 @section Rewrite Rules
25942 @cindex Rewrite rules
25943 @cindex Transformations
25944 @cindex Pattern matching
25946 @pindex calc-rewrite
25948 The @kbd{a r} (@code{calc-rewrite}) [@code{rewrite}] command makes
25949 substitutions in a formula according to a specified pattern or patterns
25950 known as @dfn{rewrite rules}. Whereas @kbd{a b} (@code{calc-substitute})
25951 matches literally, so that substituting @samp{sin(x)} with @samp{cos(x)}
25952 matches only the @code{sin} function applied to the variable @code{x},
25953 rewrite rules match general kinds of formulas; rewriting using the rule
25954 @samp{sin(x) := cos(x)} matches @code{sin} of any argument and replaces
25955 it with @code{cos} of that same argument. The only significance of the
25956 name @code{x} is that the same name is used on both sides of the rule.
25958 Rewrite rules rearrange formulas already in Calc's memory.
25959 @xref{Syntax Tables}, to read about @dfn{syntax rules}, which are
25960 similar to algebraic rewrite rules but operate when new algebraic
25961 entries are being parsed, converting strings of characters into
25965 * Entering Rewrite Rules::
25966 * Basic Rewrite Rules::
25967 * Conditional Rewrite Rules::
25968 * Algebraic Properties of Rewrite Rules::
25969 * Other Features of Rewrite Rules::
25970 * Composing Patterns in Rewrite Rules::
25971 * Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules::
25972 * Multi-Phase Rewrite Rules::
25973 * Selections with Rewrite Rules::
25974 * Matching Commands::
25975 * Automatic Rewrites::
25976 * Debugging Rewrites::
25977 * Examples of Rewrite Rules::
25980 @node Entering Rewrite Rules, Basic Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
25981 @subsection Entering Rewrite Rules
25984 Rewrite rules normally use the ``assignment'' operator
25985 @samp{@var{old} := @var{new}}.
25986 This operator is equivalent to the function call @samp{assign(old, new)}.
25987 The @code{assign} function is undefined by itself in Calc, so an
25988 assignment formula such as a rewrite rule will be left alone by ordinary
25989 Calc commands. But certain commands, like the rewrite system, interpret
25990 assignments in special ways.
25992 For example, the rule @samp{sin(x)^2 := 1-cos(x)^2} says to replace
25993 every occurrence of the sine of something, squared, with one minus the
25994 square of the cosine of that same thing. All by itself as a formula
25995 on the stack it does nothing, but when given to the @kbd{a r} command
25996 it turns that command into a sine-squared-to-cosine-squared converter.
25998 To specify a set of rules to be applied all at once, make a vector of
26001 When @kbd{a r} prompts you to enter the rewrite rules, you can answer
26006 With a rule: @kbd{f(x) := g(x) @key{RET}}.
26008 With a vector of rules: @kbd{[f1(x) := g1(x), f2(x) := g2(x)] @key{RET}}.
26009 (You can omit the enclosing square brackets if you wish.)
26011 With the name of a variable that contains the rule or rules vector:
26012 @kbd{myrules @key{RET}}.
26014 With any formula except a rule, a vector, or a variable name; this
26015 will be interpreted as the @var{old} half of a rewrite rule,
26016 and you will be prompted a second time for the @var{new} half:
26017 @kbd{f(x) @key{RET} g(x) @key{RET}}.
26019 With a blank line, in which case the rule, rules vector, or variable
26020 will be taken from the top of the stack (and the formula to be
26021 rewritten will come from the second-to-top position).
26024 If you enter the rules directly (as opposed to using rules stored
26025 in a variable), those rules will be put into the Trail so that you
26026 can retrieve them later. @xref{Trail Commands}.
26028 It is most convenient to store rules you use often in a variable and
26029 invoke them by giving the variable name. The @kbd{s e}
26030 (@code{calc-edit-variable}) command is an easy way to create or edit a
26031 rule set stored in a variable. You may also wish to use @kbd{s p}
26032 (@code{calc-permanent-variable}) to save your rules permanently;
26033 @pxref{Operations on Variables}.
26035 Rewrite rules are compiled into a special internal form for faster
26036 matching. If you enter a rule set directly it must be recompiled
26037 every time. If you store the rules in a variable and refer to them
26038 through that variable, they will be compiled once and saved away
26039 along with the variable for later reference. This is another good
26040 reason to store your rules in a variable.
26042 Calc also accepts an obsolete notation for rules, as vectors
26043 @samp{[@var{old}, @var{new}]}. But because it is easily confused with a
26044 vector of two rules, the use of this notation is no longer recommended.
26046 @node Basic Rewrite Rules, Conditional Rewrite Rules, Entering Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
26047 @subsection Basic Rewrite Rules
26050 To match a particular formula @expr{x} with a particular rewrite rule
26051 @samp{@var{old} := @var{new}}, Calc compares the structure of @expr{x} with
26052 the structure of @var{old}. Variables that appear in @var{old} are
26053 treated as @dfn{meta-variables}; the corresponding positions in @expr{x}
26054 may contain any sub-formulas. For example, the pattern @samp{f(x,y)}
26055 would match the expression @samp{f(12, a+1)} with the meta-variable
26056 @samp{x} corresponding to 12 and with @samp{y} corresponding to
26057 @samp{a+1}. However, this pattern would not match @samp{f(12)} or
26058 @samp{g(12, a+1)}, since there is no assignment of the meta-variables
26059 that will make the pattern match these expressions. Notice that if
26060 the pattern is a single meta-variable, it will match any expression.
26062 If a given meta-variable appears more than once in @var{old}, the
26063 corresponding sub-formulas of @expr{x} must be identical. Thus
26064 the pattern @samp{f(x,x)} would match @samp{f(12, 12)} and
26065 @samp{f(a+1, a+1)} but not @samp{f(12, a+1)} or @samp{f(a+b, b+a)}.
26066 (@xref{Conditional Rewrite Rules}, for a way to match the latter.)
26068 Things other than variables must match exactly between the pattern
26069 and the target formula. To match a particular variable exactly, use
26070 the pseudo-function @samp{quote(v)} in the pattern. For example, the
26071 pattern @samp{x+quote(y)} matches @samp{x+y}, @samp{2+y}, or
26074 The special variable names @samp{e}, @samp{pi}, @samp{i}, @samp{phi},
26075 @samp{gamma}, @samp{inf}, @samp{uinf}, and @samp{nan} always match
26076 literally. Thus the pattern @samp{sin(d + e + f)} acts exactly like
26077 @samp{sin(d + quote(e) + f)}.
26079 If the @var{old} pattern is found to match a given formula, that
26080 formula is replaced by @var{new}, where any occurrences in @var{new}
26081 of meta-variables from the pattern are replaced with the sub-formulas
26082 that they matched. Thus, applying the rule @samp{f(x,y) := g(y+x,x)}
26083 to @samp{f(12, a+1)} would produce @samp{g(a+13, 12)}.
26085 The normal @kbd{a r} command applies rewrite rules over and over
26086 throughout the target formula until no further changes are possible
26087 (up to a limit of 100 times). Use @kbd{C-u 1 a r} to make only one
26090 @node Conditional Rewrite Rules, Algebraic Properties of Rewrite Rules, Basic Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
26091 @subsection Conditional Rewrite Rules
26094 A rewrite rule can also be @dfn{conditional}, written in the form
26095 @samp{@var{old} := @var{new} :: @var{cond}}. (There is also the obsolete
26096 form @samp{[@var{old}, @var{new}, @var{cond}]}.) If a @var{cond} part
26098 rule, this is an additional condition that must be satisfied before
26099 the rule is accepted. Once @var{old} has been successfully matched
26100 to the target expression, @var{cond} is evaluated (with all the
26101 meta-variables substituted for the values they matched) and simplified
26102 with @kbd{a s} (@code{calc-simplify}). If the result is a nonzero
26103 number or any other object known to be nonzero (@pxref{Declarations}),
26104 the rule is accepted. If the result is zero or if it is a symbolic
26105 formula that is not known to be nonzero, the rule is rejected.
26106 @xref{Logical Operations}, for a number of functions that return
26107 1 or 0 according to the results of various tests.
26109 For example, the formula @samp{n > 0} simplifies to 1 or 0 if @expr{n}
26110 is replaced by a positive or nonpositive number, respectively (or if
26111 @expr{n} has been declared to be positive or nonpositive). Thus,
26112 the rule @samp{f(x,y) := g(y+x,x) :: x+y > 0} would apply to
26113 @samp{f(0, 4)} but not to @samp{f(-3, 2)} or @samp{f(12, a+1)}
26114 (assuming no outstanding declarations for @expr{a}). In the case of
26115 @samp{f(-3, 2)}, the condition can be shown not to be satisfied; in
26116 the case of @samp{f(12, a+1)}, the condition merely cannot be shown
26117 to be satisfied, but that is enough to reject the rule.
26119 While Calc will use declarations to reason about variables in the
26120 formula being rewritten, declarations do not apply to meta-variables.
26121 For example, the rule @samp{f(a) := g(a+1)} will match for any values
26122 of @samp{a}, such as complex numbers, vectors, or formulas, even if
26123 @samp{a} has been declared to be real or scalar. If you want the
26124 meta-variable @samp{a} to match only literal real numbers, use
26125 @samp{f(a) := g(a+1) :: real(a)}. If you want @samp{a} to match only
26126 reals and formulas which are provably real, use @samp{dreal(a)} as
26129 The @samp{::} operator is a shorthand for the @code{condition}
26130 function; @samp{@var{old} := @var{new} :: @var{cond}} is equivalent to
26131 the formula @samp{condition(assign(@var{old}, @var{new}), @var{cond})}.
26133 If you have several conditions, you can use @samp{... :: c1 :: c2 :: c3}
26134 or @samp{... :: c1 && c2 && c3}. The two are entirely equivalent.
26136 It is also possible to embed conditions inside the pattern:
26137 @samp{f(x :: x>0, y) := g(y+x, x)}. This is purely a notational
26138 convenience, though; where a condition appears in a rule has no
26139 effect on when it is tested. The rewrite-rule compiler automatically
26140 decides when it is best to test each condition while a rule is being
26143 Certain conditions are handled as special cases by the rewrite rule
26144 system and are tested very efficiently: Where @expr{x} is any
26145 meta-variable, these conditions are @samp{integer(x)}, @samp{real(x)},
26146 @samp{constant(x)}, @samp{negative(x)}, @samp{x >= y} where @expr{y}
26147 is either a constant or another meta-variable and @samp{>=} may be
26148 replaced by any of the six relational operators, and @samp{x % a = b}
26149 where @expr{a} and @expr{b} are constants. Other conditions, like
26150 @samp{x >= y+1} or @samp{dreal(x)}, will be less efficient to check
26151 since Calc must bring the whole evaluator and simplifier into play.
26153 An interesting property of @samp{::} is that neither of its arguments
26154 will be touched by Calc's default simplifications. This is important
26155 because conditions often are expressions that cannot safely be
26156 evaluated early. For example, the @code{typeof} function never
26157 remains in symbolic form; entering @samp{typeof(a)} will put the
26158 number 100 (the type code for variables like @samp{a}) on the stack.
26159 But putting the condition @samp{... :: typeof(a) = 6} on the stack
26160 is safe since @samp{::} prevents the @code{typeof} from being
26161 evaluated until the condition is actually used by the rewrite system.
26163 Since @samp{::} protects its lefthand side, too, you can use a dummy
26164 condition to protect a rule that must itself not evaluate early.
26165 For example, it's not safe to put @samp{a(f,x) := apply(f, [x])} on
26166 the stack because it will immediately evaluate to @samp{a(f,x) := f(x)},
26167 where the meta-variable-ness of @code{f} on the righthand side has been
26168 lost. But @samp{a(f,x) := apply(f, [x]) :: 1} is safe, and of course
26169 the condition @samp{1} is always true (nonzero) so it has no effect on
26170 the functioning of the rule. (The rewrite compiler will ensure that
26171 it doesn't even impact the speed of matching the rule.)
26173 @node Algebraic Properties of Rewrite Rules, Other Features of Rewrite Rules, Conditional Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
26174 @subsection Algebraic Properties of Rewrite Rules
26177 The rewrite mechanism understands the algebraic properties of functions
26178 like @samp{+} and @samp{*}. In particular, pattern matching takes
26179 the associativity and commutativity of the following functions into
26183 + - * = != && || and or xor vint vunion vxor gcd lcm max min beta
26186 For example, the rewrite rule:
26189 a x + b x := (a + b) x
26193 will match formulas of the form,
26196 a x + b x, x a + x b, a x + x b, x a + b x
26199 Rewrites also understand the relationship between the @samp{+} and @samp{-}
26200 operators. The above rewrite rule will also match the formulas,
26203 a x - b x, x a - x b, a x - x b, x a - b x
26207 by matching @samp{b} in the pattern to @samp{-b} from the formula.
26209 Applied to a sum of many terms like @samp{r + a x + s + b x + t}, this
26210 pattern will check all pairs of terms for possible matches. The rewrite
26211 will take whichever suitable pair it discovers first.
26213 In general, a pattern using an associative operator like @samp{a + b}
26214 will try @var{2 n} different ways to match a sum of @var{n} terms
26215 like @samp{x + y + z - w}. First, @samp{a} is matched against each
26216 of @samp{x}, @samp{y}, @samp{z}, and @samp{-w} in turn, with @samp{b}
26217 being matched to the remainders @samp{y + z - w}, @samp{x + z - w}, etc.
26218 If none of these succeed, then @samp{b} is matched against each of the
26219 four terms with @samp{a} matching the remainder. Half-and-half matches,
26220 like @samp{(x + y) + (z - w)}, are not tried.
26222 Note that @samp{*} is not commutative when applied to matrices, but
26223 rewrite rules pretend that it is. If you type @kbd{m v} to enable
26224 Matrix mode (@pxref{Matrix Mode}), rewrite rules will match @samp{*}
26225 literally, ignoring its usual commutativity property. (In the
26226 current implementation, the associativity also vanishes---it is as
26227 if the pattern had been enclosed in a @code{plain} marker; see below.)
26228 If you are applying rewrites to formulas with matrices, it's best to
26229 enable Matrix mode first to prevent algebraically incorrect rewrites
26232 The pattern @samp{-x} will actually match any expression. For example,
26240 will rewrite @samp{f(a)} to @samp{-f(-a)}. To avoid this, either use
26241 a @code{plain} marker as described below, or add a @samp{negative(x)}
26242 condition. The @code{negative} function is true if its argument
26243 ``looks'' negative, for example, because it is a negative number or
26244 because it is a formula like @samp{-x}. The new rule using this
26248 f(x) := -f(-x) :: negative(x) @r{or, equivalently,}
26249 f(-x) := -f(x) :: negative(-x)
26252 In the same way, the pattern @samp{x - y} will match the sum @samp{a + b}
26253 by matching @samp{y} to @samp{-b}.
26255 The pattern @samp{a b} will also match the formula @samp{x/y} if
26256 @samp{y} is a number. Thus the rule @samp{a x + @w{b x} := (a+b) x}
26257 will also convert @samp{a x + x / 2} to @samp{(a + 0.5) x} (or
26258 @samp{(a + 1:2) x}, depending on the current fraction mode).
26260 Calc will @emph{not} take other liberties with @samp{*}, @samp{/}, and
26261 @samp{^}. For example, the pattern @samp{f(a b)} will not match
26262 @samp{f(x^2)}, and @samp{f(a + b)} will not match @samp{f(2 x)}, even
26263 though conceivably these patterns could match with @samp{a = b = x}.
26264 Nor will @samp{f(a b)} match @samp{f(x / y)} if @samp{y} is not a
26265 constant, even though it could be considered to match with @samp{a = x}
26266 and @samp{b = 1/y}. The reasons are partly for efficiency, and partly
26267 because while few mathematical operations are substantively different
26268 for addition and subtraction, often it is preferable to treat the cases
26269 of multiplication, division, and integer powers separately.
26271 Even more subtle is the rule set
26274 [ f(a) + f(b) := f(a + b), -f(a) := f(-a) ]
26278 attempting to match @samp{f(x) - f(y)}. You might think that Calc
26279 will view this subtraction as @samp{f(x) + (-f(y))} and then apply
26280 the above two rules in turn, but actually this will not work because
26281 Calc only does this when considering rules for @samp{+} (like the
26282 first rule in this set). So it will see first that @samp{f(x) + (-f(y))}
26283 does not match @samp{f(a) + f(b)} for any assignments of the
26284 meta-variables, and then it will see that @samp{f(x) - f(y)} does
26285 not match @samp{-f(a)} for any assignment of @samp{a}. Because Calc
26286 tries only one rule at a time, it will not be able to rewrite
26287 @samp{f(x) - f(y)} with this rule set. An explicit @samp{f(a) - f(b)}
26288 rule will have to be added.
26290 Another thing patterns will @emph{not} do is break up complex numbers.
26291 The pattern @samp{myconj(a + @w{b i)} := a - b i} will work for formulas
26292 involving the special constant @samp{i} (such as @samp{3 - 4 i}), but
26293 it will not match actual complex numbers like @samp{(3, -4)}. A version
26294 of the above rule for complex numbers would be
26297 myconj(a) := re(a) - im(a) (0,1) :: im(a) != 0
26301 (Because the @code{re} and @code{im} functions understand the properties
26302 of the special constant @samp{i}, this rule will also work for
26303 @samp{3 - 4 i}. In fact, this particular rule would probably be better
26304 without the @samp{im(a) != 0} condition, since if @samp{im(a) = 0} the
26305 righthand side of the rule will still give the correct answer for the
26306 conjugate of a real number.)
26308 It is also possible to specify optional arguments in patterns. The rule
26311 opt(a) x + opt(b) (x^opt(c) + opt(d)) := f(a, b, c, d)
26315 will match the formula
26322 in a fairly straightforward manner, but it will also match reduced
26326 x + x^2, 2(x + 1) - x, x + x
26330 producing, respectively,
26333 f(1, 1, 2, 0), f(-1, 2, 1, 1), f(1, 1, 1, 0)
26336 (The latter two formulas can be entered only if default simplifications
26337 have been turned off with @kbd{m O}.)
26339 The default value for a term of a sum is zero. The default value
26340 for a part of a product, for a power, or for the denominator of a
26341 quotient, is one. Also, @samp{-x} matches the pattern @samp{opt(a) b}
26342 with @samp{a = -1}.
26344 In particular, the distributive-law rule can be refined to
26347 opt(a) x + opt(b) x := (a + b) x
26351 so that it will convert, e.g., @samp{a x - x}, to @samp{(a - 1) x}.
26353 The pattern @samp{opt(a) + opt(b) x} matches almost any formulas which
26354 are linear in @samp{x}. You can also use the @code{lin} and @code{islin}
26355 functions with rewrite conditions to test for this; @pxref{Logical
26356 Operations}. These functions are not as convenient to use in rewrite
26357 rules, but they recognize more kinds of formulas as linear:
26358 @samp{x/z} is considered linear with @expr{b = 1/z} by @code{lin},
26359 but it will not match the above pattern because that pattern calls
26360 for a multiplication, not a division.
26362 As another example, the obvious rule to replace @samp{sin(x)^2 + cos(x)^2}
26366 sin(x)^2 + cos(x)^2 := 1
26370 misses many cases because the sine and cosine may both be multiplied by
26371 an equal factor. Here's a more successful rule:
26374 opt(a) sin(x)^2 + opt(a) cos(x)^2 := a
26377 Note that this rule will @emph{not} match @samp{sin(x)^2 + 6 cos(x)^2}
26378 because one @expr{a} would have ``matched'' 1 while the other matched 6.
26380 Calc automatically converts a rule like
26390 f(temp, x) := g(x) :: temp = x-1
26394 (where @code{temp} stands for a new, invented meta-variable that
26395 doesn't actually have a name). This modified rule will successfully
26396 match @samp{f(6, 7)}, binding @samp{temp} and @samp{x} to 6 and 7,
26397 respectively, then verifying that they differ by one even though
26398 @samp{6} does not superficially look like @samp{x-1}.
26400 However, Calc does not solve equations to interpret a rule. The
26404 f(x-1, x+1) := g(x)
26408 will not work. That is, it will match @samp{f(a - 1 + b, a + 1 + b)}
26409 but not @samp{f(6, 8)}. Calc always interprets at least one occurrence
26410 of a variable by literal matching. If the variable appears ``isolated''
26411 then Calc is smart enough to use it for literal matching. But in this
26412 last example, Calc is forced to rewrite the rule to @samp{f(x-1, temp)
26413 := g(x) :: temp = x+1} where the @samp{x-1} term must correspond to an
26414 actual ``something-minus-one'' in the target formula.
26416 A successful way to write this would be @samp{f(x, x+2) := g(x+1)}.
26417 You could make this resemble the original form more closely by using
26418 @code{let} notation, which is described in the next section:
26421 f(xm1, x+1) := g(x) :: let(x := xm1+1)
26424 Calc does this rewriting or ``conditionalizing'' for any sub-pattern
26425 which involves only the functions in the following list, operating
26426 only on constants and meta-variables which have already been matched
26427 elsewhere in the pattern. When matching a function call, Calc is
26428 careful to match arguments which are plain variables before arguments
26429 which are calls to any of the functions below, so that a pattern like
26430 @samp{f(x-1, x)} can be conditionalized even though the isolated
26431 @samp{x} comes after the @samp{x-1}.
26434 + - * / \ % ^ abs sign round rounde roundu trunc floor ceil
26435 max min re im conj arg
26438 You can suppress all of the special treatments described in this
26439 section by surrounding a function call with a @code{plain} marker.
26440 This marker causes the function call which is its argument to be
26441 matched literally, without regard to commutativity, associativity,
26442 negation, or conditionalization. When you use @code{plain}, the
26443 ``deep structure'' of the formula being matched can show through.
26447 plain(a - a b) := f(a, b)
26451 will match only literal subtractions. However, the @code{plain}
26452 marker does not affect its arguments' arguments. In this case,
26453 commutativity and associativity is still considered while matching
26454 the @w{@samp{a b}} sub-pattern, so the whole pattern will match
26455 @samp{x - y x} as well as @samp{x - x y}. We could go still
26459 plain(a - plain(a b)) := f(a, b)
26463 which would do a completely strict match for the pattern.
26465 By contrast, the @code{quote} marker means that not only the
26466 function name but also the arguments must be literally the same.
26467 The above pattern will match @samp{x - x y} but
26470 quote(a - a b) := f(a, b)
26474 will match only the single formula @samp{a - a b}. Also,
26477 quote(a - quote(a b)) := f(a, b)
26481 will match only @samp{a - quote(a b)}---probably not the desired
26484 A certain amount of algebra is also done when substituting the
26485 meta-variables on the righthand side of a rule. For example,
26489 a + f(b) := f(a + b)
26493 matching @samp{f(x) - y} would produce @samp{f((-y) + x)} if
26494 taken literally, but the rewrite mechanism will simplify the
26495 righthand side to @samp{f(x - y)} automatically. (Of course,
26496 the default simplifications would do this anyway, so this
26497 special simplification is only noticeable if you have turned the
26498 default simplifications off.) This rewriting is done only when
26499 a meta-variable expands to a ``negative-looking'' expression.
26500 If this simplification is not desirable, you can use a @code{plain}
26501 marker on the righthand side:
26504 a + f(b) := f(plain(a + b))
26508 In this example, we are still allowing the pattern-matcher to
26509 use all the algebra it can muster, but the righthand side will
26510 always simplify to a literal addition like @samp{f((-y) + x)}.
26512 @node Other Features of Rewrite Rules, Composing Patterns in Rewrite Rules, Algebraic Properties of Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
26513 @subsection Other Features of Rewrite Rules
26516 Certain ``function names'' serve as markers in rewrite rules.
26517 Here is a complete list of these markers. First are listed the
26518 markers that work inside a pattern; then come the markers that
26519 work in the righthand side of a rule.
26525 One kind of marker, @samp{import(x)}, takes the place of a whole
26526 rule. Here @expr{x} is the name of a variable containing another
26527 rule set; those rules are ``spliced into'' the rule set that
26528 imports them. For example, if @samp{[f(a+b) := f(a) + f(b),
26529 f(a b) := a f(b) :: real(a)]} is stored in variable @samp{linearF},
26530 then the rule set @samp{[f(0) := 0, import(linearF)]} will apply
26531 all three rules. It is possible to modify the imported rules
26532 slightly: @samp{import(x, v1, x1, v2, x2, @dots{})} imports
26533 the rule set @expr{x} with all occurrences of
26534 @texline @math{v_1},
26535 @infoline @expr{v1},
26536 as either a variable name or a function name, replaced with
26537 @texline @math{x_1}
26538 @infoline @expr{x1}
26540 @texline @math{v_1}
26541 @infoline @expr{v1}
26542 is used as a function name, then
26543 @texline @math{x_1}
26544 @infoline @expr{x1}
26545 must be either a function name itself or a @w{@samp{< >}} nameless
26546 function; @pxref{Specifying Operators}.) For example, @samp{[g(0) := 0,
26547 import(linearF, f, g)]} applies the linearity rules to the function
26548 @samp{g} instead of @samp{f}. Imports can be nested, but the
26549 import-with-renaming feature may fail to rename sub-imports properly.
26551 The special functions allowed in patterns are:
26559 This pattern matches exactly @expr{x}; variable names in @expr{x} are
26560 not interpreted as meta-variables. The only flexibility is that
26561 numbers are compared for numeric equality, so that the pattern
26562 @samp{f(quote(12))} will match both @samp{f(12)} and @samp{f(12.0)}.
26563 (Numbers are always treated this way by the rewrite mechanism:
26564 The rule @samp{f(x,x) := g(x)} will match @samp{f(12, 12.0)}.
26565 The rewrite may produce either @samp{g(12)} or @samp{g(12.0)}
26566 as a result in this case.)
26573 Here @expr{x} must be a function call @samp{f(x1,x2,@dots{})}. This
26574 pattern matches a call to function @expr{f} with the specified
26575 argument patterns. No special knowledge of the properties of the
26576 function @expr{f} is used in this case; @samp{+} is not commutative or
26577 associative. Unlike @code{quote}, the arguments @samp{x1,x2,@dots{}}
26578 are treated as patterns. If you wish them to be treated ``plainly''
26579 as well, you must enclose them with more @code{plain} markers:
26580 @samp{plain(plain(@w{-a}) + plain(b c))}.
26587 Here @expr{x} must be a variable name. This must appear as an
26588 argument to a function or an element of a vector; it specifies that
26589 the argument or element is optional.
26590 As an argument to @samp{+}, @samp{-}, @samp{*}, @samp{&&}, or @samp{||},
26591 or as the second argument to @samp{/} or @samp{^}, the value @var{def}
26592 may be omitted. The pattern @samp{x + opt(y)} matches a sum by
26593 binding one summand to @expr{x} and the other to @expr{y}, and it
26594 matches anything else by binding the whole expression to @expr{x} and
26595 zero to @expr{y}. The other operators above work similarly.
26597 For general miscellaneous functions, the default value @code{def}
26598 must be specified. Optional arguments are dropped starting with
26599 the rightmost one during matching. For example, the pattern
26600 @samp{f(opt(a,0), b, opt(c,b))} will match @samp{f(b)}, @samp{f(a,b)},
26601 or @samp{f(a,b,c)}. Default values of zero and @expr{b} are
26602 supplied in this example for the omitted arguments. Note that
26603 the literal variable @expr{b} will be the default in the latter
26604 case, @emph{not} the value that matched the meta-variable @expr{b}.
26605 In other words, the default @var{def} is effectively quoted.
26607 @item condition(x,c)
26613 This matches the pattern @expr{x}, with the attached condition
26614 @expr{c}. It is the same as @samp{x :: c}.
26622 This matches anything that matches both pattern @expr{x} and
26623 pattern @expr{y}. It is the same as @samp{x &&& y}.
26624 @pxref{Composing Patterns in Rewrite Rules}.
26632 This matches anything that matches either pattern @expr{x} or
26633 pattern @expr{y}. It is the same as @w{@samp{x ||| y}}.
26641 This matches anything that does not match pattern @expr{x}.
26642 It is the same as @samp{!!! x}.
26648 @tindex cons (rewrites)
26649 This matches any vector of one or more elements. The first
26650 element is matched to @expr{h}; a vector of the remaining
26651 elements is matched to @expr{t}. Note that vectors of fixed
26652 length can also be matched as actual vectors: The rule
26653 @samp{cons(a,cons(b,[])) := cons(a+b,[])} is equivalent
26654 to the rule @samp{[a,b] := [a+b]}.
26660 @tindex rcons (rewrites)
26661 This is like @code{cons}, except that the @emph{last} element
26662 is matched to @expr{h}, with the remaining elements matched
26665 @item apply(f,args)
26669 @tindex apply (rewrites)
26670 This matches any function call. The name of the function, in
26671 the form of a variable, is matched to @expr{f}. The arguments
26672 of the function, as a vector of zero or more objects, are
26673 matched to @samp{args}. Constants, variables, and vectors
26674 do @emph{not} match an @code{apply} pattern. For example,
26675 @samp{apply(f,x)} matches any function call, @samp{apply(quote(f),x)}
26676 matches any call to the function @samp{f}, @samp{apply(f,[a,b])}
26677 matches any function call with exactly two arguments, and
26678 @samp{apply(quote(f), cons(a,cons(b,x)))} matches any call
26679 to the function @samp{f} with two or more arguments. Another
26680 way to implement the latter, if the rest of the rule does not
26681 need to refer to the first two arguments of @samp{f} by name,
26682 would be @samp{apply(quote(f), x :: vlen(x) >= 2)}.
26683 Here's a more interesting sample use of @code{apply}:
26686 apply(f,[x+n]) := n + apply(f,[x])
26687 :: in(f, [floor,ceil,round,trunc]) :: integer(n)
26690 Note, however, that this will be slower to match than a rule
26691 set with four separate rules. The reason is that Calc sorts
26692 the rules of a rule set according to top-level function name;
26693 if the top-level function is @code{apply}, Calc must try the
26694 rule for every single formula and sub-formula. If the top-level
26695 function in the pattern is, say, @code{floor}, then Calc invokes
26696 the rule only for sub-formulas which are calls to @code{floor}.
26698 Formulas normally written with operators like @code{+} are still
26699 considered function calls: @code{apply(f,x)} matches @samp{a+b}
26700 with @samp{f = add}, @samp{x = [a,b]}.
26702 You must use @code{apply} for meta-variables with function names
26703 on both sides of a rewrite rule: @samp{apply(f, [x]) := f(x+1)}
26704 is @emph{not} correct, because it rewrites @samp{spam(6)} into
26705 @samp{f(7)}. The righthand side should be @samp{apply(f, [x+1])}.
26706 Also note that you will have to use No-Simplify mode (@kbd{m O})
26707 when entering this rule so that the @code{apply} isn't
26708 evaluated immediately to get the new rule @samp{f(x) := f(x+1)}.
26709 Or, use @kbd{s e} to enter the rule without going through the stack,
26710 or enter the rule as @samp{apply(f, [x]) := apply(f, [x+1]) @w{:: 1}}.
26711 @xref{Conditional Rewrite Rules}.
26718 This is used for applying rules to formulas with selections;
26719 @pxref{Selections with Rewrite Rules}.
26722 Special functions for the righthand sides of rules are:
26726 The notation @samp{quote(x)} is changed to @samp{x} when the
26727 righthand side is used. As far as the rewrite rule is concerned,
26728 @code{quote} is invisible. However, @code{quote} has the special
26729 property in Calc that its argument is not evaluated. Thus,
26730 while it will not work to put the rule @samp{t(a) := typeof(a)}
26731 on the stack because @samp{typeof(a)} is evaluated immediately
26732 to produce @samp{t(a) := 100}, you can use @code{quote} to
26733 protect the righthand side: @samp{t(a) := quote(typeof(a))}.
26734 (@xref{Conditional Rewrite Rules}, for another trick for
26735 protecting rules from evaluation.)
26738 Special properties of and simplifications for the function call
26739 @expr{x} are not used. One interesting case where @code{plain}
26740 is useful is the rule, @samp{q(x) := quote(x)}, trying to expand a
26741 shorthand notation for the @code{quote} function. This rule will
26742 not work as shown; instead of replacing @samp{q(foo)} with
26743 @samp{quote(foo)}, it will replace it with @samp{foo}! The correct
26744 rule would be @samp{q(x) := plain(quote(x))}.
26747 Where @expr{t} is a vector, this is converted into an expanded
26748 vector during rewrite processing. Note that @code{cons} is a regular
26749 Calc function which normally does this anyway; the only way @code{cons}
26750 is treated specially by rewrites is that @code{cons} on the righthand
26751 side of a rule will be evaluated even if default simplifications
26752 have been turned off.
26755 Analogous to @code{cons} except putting @expr{h} at the @emph{end} of
26756 the vector @expr{t}.
26758 @item apply(f,args)
26759 Where @expr{f} is a variable and @var{args} is a vector, this
26760 is converted to a function call. Once again, note that @code{apply}
26761 is also a regular Calc function.
26768 The formula @expr{x} is handled in the usual way, then the
26769 default simplifications are applied to it even if they have
26770 been turned off normally. This allows you to treat any function
26771 similarly to the way @code{cons} and @code{apply} are always
26772 treated. However, there is a slight difference: @samp{cons(2+3, [])}
26773 with default simplifications off will be converted to @samp{[2+3]},
26774 whereas @samp{eval(cons(2+3, []))} will be converted to @samp{[5]}.
26781 The formula @expr{x} has meta-variables substituted in the usual
26782 way, then algebraically simplified as if by the @kbd{a s} command.
26784 @item evalextsimp(x)
26788 @tindex evalextsimp
26789 The formula @expr{x} has meta-variables substituted in the normal
26790 way, then ``extendedly'' simplified as if by the @kbd{a e} command.
26793 @xref{Selections with Rewrite Rules}.
26796 There are also some special functions you can use in conditions.
26804 The expression @expr{x} is evaluated with meta-variables substituted.
26805 The @kbd{a s} command's simplifications are @emph{not} applied by
26806 default, but @expr{x} can include calls to @code{evalsimp} or
26807 @code{evalextsimp} as described above to invoke higher levels
26808 of simplification. The
26809 result of @expr{x} is then bound to the meta-variable @expr{v}. As
26810 usual, if this meta-variable has already been matched to something
26811 else the two values must be equal; if the meta-variable is new then
26812 it is bound to the result of the expression. This variable can then
26813 appear in later conditions, and on the righthand side of the rule.
26814 In fact, @expr{v} may be any pattern in which case the result of
26815 evaluating @expr{x} is matched to that pattern, binding any
26816 meta-variables that appear in that pattern. Note that @code{let}
26817 can only appear by itself as a condition, or as one term of an
26818 @samp{&&} which is a whole condition: It cannot be inside
26819 an @samp{||} term or otherwise buried.
26821 The alternate, equivalent form @samp{let(v, x)} is also recognized.
26822 Note that the use of @samp{:=} by @code{let}, while still being
26823 assignment-like in character, is unrelated to the use of @samp{:=}
26824 in the main part of a rewrite rule.
26826 As an example, @samp{f(a) := g(ia) :: let(ia := 1/a) :: constant(ia)}
26827 replaces @samp{f(a)} with @samp{g} of the inverse of @samp{a}, if
26828 that inverse exists and is constant. For example, if @samp{a} is a
26829 singular matrix the operation @samp{1/a} is left unsimplified and
26830 @samp{constant(ia)} fails, but if @samp{a} is an invertible matrix
26831 then the rule succeeds. Without @code{let} there would be no way
26832 to express this rule that didn't have to invert the matrix twice.
26833 Note that, because the meta-variable @samp{ia} is otherwise unbound
26834 in this rule, the @code{let} condition itself always ``succeeds''
26835 because no matter what @samp{1/a} evaluates to, it can successfully
26836 be bound to @code{ia}.
26838 Here's another example, for integrating cosines of linear
26839 terms: @samp{myint(cos(y),x) := sin(y)/b :: let([a,b,x] := lin(y,x))}.
26840 The @code{lin} function returns a 3-vector if its argument is linear,
26841 or leaves itself unevaluated if not. But an unevaluated @code{lin}
26842 call will not match the 3-vector on the lefthand side of the @code{let},
26843 so this @code{let} both verifies that @code{y} is linear, and binds
26844 the coefficients @code{a} and @code{b} for use elsewhere in the rule.
26845 (It would have been possible to use @samp{sin(a x + b)/b} for the
26846 righthand side instead, but using @samp{sin(y)/b} avoids gratuitous
26847 rearrangement of the argument of the sine.)
26853 Similarly, here is a rule that implements an inverse-@code{erf}
26854 function. It uses @code{root} to search for a solution. If
26855 @code{root} succeeds, it will return a vector of two numbers
26856 where the first number is the desired solution. If no solution
26857 is found, @code{root} remains in symbolic form. So we use
26858 @code{let} to check that the result was indeed a vector.
26861 ierf(x) := y :: let([y,z] := root(erf(a) = x, a, .5))
26865 The meta-variable @var{v}, which must already have been matched
26866 to something elsewhere in the rule, is compared against pattern
26867 @var{p}. Since @code{matches} is a standard Calc function, it
26868 can appear anywhere in a condition. But if it appears alone or
26869 as a term of a top-level @samp{&&}, then you get the special
26870 extra feature that meta-variables which are bound to things
26871 inside @var{p} can be used elsewhere in the surrounding rewrite
26874 The only real difference between @samp{let(p := v)} and
26875 @samp{matches(v, p)} is that the former evaluates @samp{v} using
26876 the default simplifications, while the latter does not.
26880 This is actually a variable, not a function. If @code{remember}
26881 appears as a condition in a rule, then when that rule succeeds
26882 the original expression and rewritten expression are added to the
26883 front of the rule set that contained the rule. If the rule set
26884 was not stored in a variable, @code{remember} is ignored. The
26885 lefthand side is enclosed in @code{quote} in the added rule if it
26886 contains any variables.
26888 For example, the rule @samp{f(n) := n f(n-1) :: remember} applied
26889 to @samp{f(7)} will add the rule @samp{f(7) := 7 f(6)} to the front
26890 of the rule set. The rule set @code{EvalRules} works slightly
26891 differently: There, the evaluation of @samp{f(6)} will complete before
26892 the result is added to the rule set, in this case as @samp{f(7) := 5040}.
26893 Thus @code{remember} is most useful inside @code{EvalRules}.
26895 It is up to you to ensure that the optimization performed by
26896 @code{remember} is safe. For example, the rule @samp{foo(n) := n
26897 :: evalv(eatfoo) > 0 :: remember} is a bad idea (@code{evalv} is
26898 the function equivalent of the @kbd{=} command); if the variable
26899 @code{eatfoo} ever contains 1, rules like @samp{foo(7) := 7} will
26900 be added to the rule set and will continue to operate even if
26901 @code{eatfoo} is later changed to 0.
26908 Remember the match as described above, but only if condition @expr{c}
26909 is true. For example, @samp{remember(n % 4 = 0)} in the above factorial
26910 rule remembers only every fourth result. Note that @samp{remember(1)}
26911 is equivalent to @samp{remember}, and @samp{remember(0)} has no effect.
26914 @node Composing Patterns in Rewrite Rules, Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules, Other Features of Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
26915 @subsection Composing Patterns in Rewrite Rules
26918 There are three operators, @samp{&&&}, @samp{|||}, and @samp{!!!},
26919 that combine rewrite patterns to make larger patterns. The
26920 combinations are ``and,'' ``or,'' and ``not,'' respectively, and
26921 these operators are the pattern equivalents of @samp{&&}, @samp{||}
26922 and @samp{!} (which operate on zero-or-nonzero logical values).
26924 Note that @samp{&&&}, @samp{|||}, and @samp{!!!} are left in symbolic
26925 form by all regular Calc features; they have special meaning only in
26926 the context of rewrite rule patterns.
26928 The pattern @samp{@var{p1} &&& @var{p2}} matches anything that
26929 matches both @var{p1} and @var{p2}. One especially useful case is
26930 when one of @var{p1} or @var{p2} is a meta-variable. For example,
26931 here is a rule that operates on error forms:
26934 f(x &&& a +/- b, x) := g(x)
26937 This does the same thing, but is arguably simpler than, the rule
26940 f(a +/- b, a +/- b) := g(a +/- b)
26947 Here's another interesting example:
26950 ends(cons(a, x) &&& rcons(y, b)) := [a, b]
26954 which effectively clips out the middle of a vector leaving just
26955 the first and last elements. This rule will change a one-element
26956 vector @samp{[a]} to @samp{[a, a]}. The similar rule
26959 ends(cons(a, rcons(y, b))) := [a, b]
26963 would do the same thing except that it would fail to match a
26964 one-element vector.
26970 The pattern @samp{@var{p1} ||| @var{p2}} matches anything that
26971 matches either @var{p1} or @var{p2}. Calc first tries matching
26972 against @var{p1}; if that fails, it goes on to try @var{p2}.
26978 A simple example of @samp{|||} is
26981 curve(inf ||| -inf) := 0
26985 which converts both @samp{curve(inf)} and @samp{curve(-inf)} to zero.
26987 Here is a larger example:
26990 log(a, b) ||| (ln(a) :: let(b := e)) := mylog(a, b)
26993 This matches both generalized and natural logarithms in a single rule.
26994 Note that the @samp{::} term must be enclosed in parentheses because
26995 that operator has lower precedence than @samp{|||} or @samp{:=}.
26997 (In practice this rule would probably include a third alternative,
26998 omitted here for brevity, to take care of @code{log10}.)
27000 While Calc generally treats interior conditions exactly the same as
27001 conditions on the outside of a rule, it does guarantee that if all the
27002 variables in the condition are special names like @code{e}, or already
27003 bound in the pattern to which the condition is attached (say, if
27004 @samp{a} had appeared in this condition), then Calc will process this
27005 condition right after matching the pattern to the left of the @samp{::}.
27006 Thus, we know that @samp{b} will be bound to @samp{e} only if the
27007 @code{ln} branch of the @samp{|||} was taken.
27009 Note that this rule was careful to bind the same set of meta-variables
27010 on both sides of the @samp{|||}. Calc does not check this, but if
27011 you bind a certain meta-variable only in one branch and then use that
27012 meta-variable elsewhere in the rule, results are unpredictable:
27015 f(a,b) ||| g(b) := h(a,b)
27018 Here if the pattern matches @samp{g(17)}, Calc makes no promises about
27019 the value that will be substituted for @samp{a} on the righthand side.
27025 The pattern @samp{!!! @var{pat}} matches anything that does not
27026 match @var{pat}. Any meta-variables that are bound while matching
27027 @var{pat} remain unbound outside of @var{pat}.
27032 f(x &&& !!! a +/- b, !!![]) := g(x)
27036 converts @code{f} whose first argument is anything @emph{except} an
27037 error form, and whose second argument is not the empty vector, into
27038 a similar call to @code{g} (but without the second argument).
27040 If we know that the second argument will be a vector (empty or not),
27041 then an equivalent rule would be:
27044 f(x, y) := g(x) :: typeof(x) != 7 :: vlen(y) > 0
27048 where of course 7 is the @code{typeof} code for error forms.
27049 Another final condition, that works for any kind of @samp{y},
27050 would be @samp{!istrue(y == [])}. (The @code{istrue} function
27051 returns an explicit 0 if its argument was left in symbolic form;
27052 plain @samp{!(y == [])} or @samp{y != []} would not work to replace
27053 @samp{!!![]} since these would be left unsimplified, and thus cause
27054 the rule to fail, if @samp{y} was something like a variable name.)
27056 It is possible for a @samp{!!!} to refer to meta-variables bound
27057 elsewhere in the pattern. For example,
27064 matches any call to @code{f} with different arguments, changing
27065 this to @code{g} with only the first argument.
27067 If a function call is to be matched and one of the argument patterns
27068 contains a @samp{!!!} somewhere inside it, that argument will be
27076 will be careful to bind @samp{a} to the second argument of @code{f}
27077 before testing the first argument. If Calc had tried to match the
27078 first argument of @code{f} first, the results would have been
27079 disastrous: since @code{a} was unbound so far, the pattern @samp{a}
27080 would have matched anything at all, and the pattern @samp{!!!a}
27081 therefore would @emph{not} have matched anything at all!
27083 @node Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules, Multi-Phase Rewrite Rules, Composing Patterns in Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
27084 @subsection Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules
27087 When @kbd{a r} (@code{calc-rewrite}) is used, it takes an expression from
27088 the top of the stack and attempts to match any of the specified rules
27089 to any part of the expression, starting with the whole expression
27090 and then, if that fails, trying deeper and deeper sub-expressions.
27091 For each part of the expression, the rules are tried in the order
27092 they appear in the rules vector. The first rule to match the first
27093 sub-expression wins; it replaces the matched sub-expression according
27094 to the @var{new} part of the rule.
27096 Often, the rule set will match and change the formula several times.
27097 The top-level formula is first matched and substituted repeatedly until
27098 it no longer matches the pattern; then, sub-formulas are tried, and
27099 so on. Once every part of the formula has gotten its chance, the
27100 rewrite mechanism starts over again with the top-level formula
27101 (in case a substitution of one of its arguments has caused it again
27102 to match). This continues until no further matches can be made
27103 anywhere in the formula.
27105 It is possible for a rule set to get into an infinite loop. The
27106 most obvious case, replacing a formula with itself, is not a problem
27107 because a rule is not considered to ``succeed'' unless the righthand
27108 side actually comes out to something different than the original
27109 formula or sub-formula that was matched. But if you accidentally
27110 had both @samp{ln(a b) := ln(a) + ln(b)} and the reverse
27111 @samp{ln(a) + ln(b) := ln(a b)} in your rule set, Calc would
27112 run forever switching a formula back and forth between the two
27115 To avoid disaster, Calc normally stops after 100 changes have been
27116 made to the formula. This will be enough for most multiple rewrites,
27117 but it will keep an endless loop of rewrites from locking up the
27118 computer forever. (On most systems, you can also type @kbd{C-g} to
27119 halt any Emacs command prematurely.)
27121 To change this limit, give a positive numeric prefix argument.
27122 In particular, @kbd{M-1 a r} applies only one rewrite at a time,
27123 useful when you are first testing your rule (or just if repeated
27124 rewriting is not what is called for by your application).
27133 You can also put a ``function call'' @samp{iterations(@var{n})}
27134 in place of a rule anywhere in your rules vector (but usually at
27135 the top). Then, @var{n} will be used instead of 100 as the default
27136 number of iterations for this rule set. You can use
27137 @samp{iterations(inf)} if you want no iteration limit by default.
27138 A prefix argument will override the @code{iterations} limit in the
27146 More precisely, the limit controls the number of ``iterations,''
27147 where each iteration is a successful matching of a rule pattern whose
27148 righthand side, after substituting meta-variables and applying the
27149 default simplifications, is different from the original sub-formula
27152 A prefix argument of zero sets the limit to infinity. Use with caution!
27154 Given a negative numeric prefix argument, @kbd{a r} will match and
27155 substitute the top-level expression up to that many times, but
27156 will not attempt to match the rules to any sub-expressions.
27158 In a formula, @code{rewrite(@var{expr}, @var{rules}, @var{n})}
27159 does a rewriting operation. Here @var{expr} is the expression
27160 being rewritten, @var{rules} is the rule, vector of rules, or
27161 variable containing the rules, and @var{n} is the optional
27162 iteration limit, which may be a positive integer, a negative
27163 integer, or @samp{inf} or @samp{-inf}. If @var{n} is omitted
27164 the @code{iterations} value from the rule set is used; if both
27165 are omitted, 100 is used.
27167 @node Multi-Phase Rewrite Rules, Selections with Rewrite Rules, Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
27168 @subsection Multi-Phase Rewrite Rules
27171 It is possible to separate a rewrite rule set into several @dfn{phases}.
27172 During each phase, certain rules will be enabled while certain others
27173 will be disabled. A @dfn{phase schedule} controls the order in which
27174 phases occur during the rewriting process.
27181 If a call to the marker function @code{phase} appears in the rules
27182 vector in place of a rule, all rules following that point will be
27183 members of the phase(s) identified in the arguments to @code{phase}.
27184 Phases are given integer numbers. The markers @samp{phase()} and
27185 @samp{phase(all)} both mean the following rules belong to all phases;
27186 this is the default at the start of the rule set.
27188 If you do not explicitly schedule the phases, Calc sorts all phase
27189 numbers that appear in the rule set and executes the phases in
27190 ascending order. For example, the rule set
27207 has three phases, 1 through 3. Phase 1 consists of the @code{f0},
27208 @code{f1}, and @code{f4} rules (in that order). Phase 2 consists of
27209 @code{f0}, @code{f2}, and @code{f4}. Phase 3 consists of @code{f0}
27212 When Calc rewrites a formula using this rule set, it first rewrites
27213 the formula using only the phase 1 rules until no further changes are
27214 possible. Then it switches to the phase 2 rule set and continues
27215 until no further changes occur, then finally rewrites with phase 3.
27216 When no more phase 3 rules apply, rewriting finishes. (This is
27217 assuming @kbd{a r} with a large enough prefix argument to allow the
27218 rewriting to run to completion; the sequence just described stops
27219 early if the number of iterations specified in the prefix argument,
27220 100 by default, is reached.)
27222 During each phase, Calc descends through the nested levels of the
27223 formula as described previously. (@xref{Nested Formulas with Rewrite
27224 Rules}.) Rewriting starts at the top of the formula, then works its
27225 way down to the parts, then goes back to the top and works down again.
27226 The phase 2 rules do not begin until no phase 1 rules apply anywhere
27233 A @code{schedule} marker appearing in the rule set (anywhere, but
27234 conventionally at the top) changes the default schedule of phases.
27235 In the simplest case, @code{schedule} has a sequence of phase numbers
27236 for arguments; each phase number is invoked in turn until the
27237 arguments to @code{schedule} are exhausted. Thus adding
27238 @samp{schedule(3,2,1)} at the top of the above rule set would
27239 reverse the order of the phases; @samp{schedule(1,2,3)} would have
27240 no effect since this is the default schedule; and @samp{schedule(1,2,1,3)}
27241 would give phase 1 a second chance after phase 2 has completed, before
27242 moving on to phase 3.
27244 Any argument to @code{schedule} can instead be a vector of phase
27245 numbers (or even of sub-vectors). Then the sub-sequence of phases
27246 described by the vector are tried repeatedly until no change occurs
27247 in any phase in the sequence. For example, @samp{schedule([1, 2], 3)}
27248 tries phase 1, then phase 2, then, if either phase made any changes
27249 to the formula, repeats these two phases until they can make no
27250 further progress. Finally, it goes on to phase 3 for finishing
27253 Also, items in @code{schedule} can be variable names as well as
27254 numbers. A variable name is interpreted as the name of a function
27255 to call on the whole formula. For example, @samp{schedule(1, simplify)}
27256 says to apply the phase-1 rules (presumably, all of them), then to
27257 call @code{simplify} which is the function name equivalent of @kbd{a s}.
27258 Likewise, @samp{schedule([1, simplify])} says to alternate between
27259 phase 1 and @kbd{a s} until no further changes occur.
27261 Phases can be used purely to improve efficiency; if it is known that
27262 a certain group of rules will apply only at the beginning of rewriting,
27263 and a certain other group will apply only at the end, then rewriting
27264 will be faster if these groups are identified as separate phases.
27265 Once the phase 1 rules are done, Calc can put them aside and no longer
27266 spend any time on them while it works on phase 2.
27268 There are also some problems that can only be solved with several
27269 rewrite phases. For a real-world example of a multi-phase rule set,
27270 examine the set @code{FitRules}, which is used by the curve-fitting
27271 command to convert a model expression to linear form.
27272 @xref{Curve Fitting Details}. This set is divided into four phases.
27273 The first phase rewrites certain kinds of expressions to be more
27274 easily linearizable, but less computationally efficient. After the
27275 linear components have been picked out, the final phase includes the
27276 opposite rewrites to put each component back into an efficient form.
27277 If both sets of rules were included in one big phase, Calc could get
27278 into an infinite loop going back and forth between the two forms.
27280 Elsewhere in @code{FitRules}, the components are first isolated,
27281 then recombined where possible to reduce the complexity of the linear
27282 fit, then finally packaged one component at a time into vectors.
27283 If the packaging rules were allowed to begin before the recombining
27284 rules were finished, some components might be put away into vectors
27285 before they had a chance to recombine. By putting these rules in
27286 two separate phases, this problem is neatly avoided.
27288 @node Selections with Rewrite Rules, Matching Commands, Multi-Phase Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
27289 @subsection Selections with Rewrite Rules
27292 If a sub-formula of the current formula is selected (as by @kbd{j s};
27293 @pxref{Selecting Subformulas}), the @kbd{a r} (@code{calc-rewrite})
27294 command applies only to that sub-formula. Together with a negative
27295 prefix argument, you can use this fact to apply a rewrite to one
27296 specific part of a formula without affecting any other parts.
27299 @pindex calc-rewrite-selection
27300 The @kbd{j r} (@code{calc-rewrite-selection}) command allows more
27301 sophisticated operations on selections. This command prompts for
27302 the rules in the same way as @kbd{a r}, but it then applies those
27303 rules to the whole formula in question even though a sub-formula
27304 of it has been selected. However, the selected sub-formula will
27305 first have been surrounded by a @samp{select( )} function call.
27306 (Calc's evaluator does not understand the function name @code{select};
27307 this is only a tag used by the @kbd{j r} command.)
27309 For example, suppose the formula on the stack is @samp{2 (a + b)^2}
27310 and the sub-formula @samp{a + b} is selected. This formula will
27311 be rewritten to @samp{2 select(a + b)^2} and then the rewrite
27312 rules will be applied in the usual way. The rewrite rules can
27313 include references to @code{select} to tell where in the pattern
27314 the selected sub-formula should appear.
27316 If there is still exactly one @samp{select( )} function call in
27317 the formula after rewriting is done, it indicates which part of
27318 the formula should be selected afterwards. Otherwise, the
27319 formula will be unselected.
27321 You can make @kbd{j r} act much like @kbd{a r} by enclosing both parts
27322 of the rewrite rule with @samp{select()}. However, @kbd{j r}
27323 allows you to use the current selection in more flexible ways.
27324 Suppose you wished to make a rule which removed the exponent from
27325 the selected term; the rule @samp{select(a)^x := select(a)} would
27326 work. In the above example, it would rewrite @samp{2 select(a + b)^2}
27327 to @samp{2 select(a + b)}. This would then be returned to the
27328 stack as @samp{2 (a + b)} with the @samp{a + b} selected.
27330 The @kbd{j r} command uses one iteration by default, unlike
27331 @kbd{a r} which defaults to 100 iterations. A numeric prefix
27332 argument affects @kbd{j r} in the same way as @kbd{a r}.
27333 @xref{Nested Formulas with Rewrite Rules}.
27335 As with other selection commands, @kbd{j r} operates on the stack
27336 entry that contains the cursor. (If the cursor is on the top-of-stack
27337 @samp{.} marker, it works as if the cursor were on the formula
27340 If you don't specify a set of rules, the rules are taken from the
27341 top of the stack, just as with @kbd{a r}. In this case, the
27342 cursor must indicate stack entry 2 or above as the formula to be
27343 rewritten (otherwise the same formula would be used as both the
27344 target and the rewrite rules).
27346 If the indicated formula has no selection, the cursor position within
27347 the formula temporarily selects a sub-formula for the purposes of this
27348 command. If the cursor is not on any sub-formula (e.g., it is in
27349 the line-number area to the left of the formula), the @samp{select( )}
27350 markers are ignored by the rewrite mechanism and the rules are allowed
27351 to apply anywhere in the formula.
27353 As a special feature, the normal @kbd{a r} command also ignores
27354 @samp{select( )} calls in rewrite rules. For example, if you used the
27355 above rule @samp{select(a)^x := select(a)} with @kbd{a r}, it would apply
27356 the rule as if it were @samp{a^x := a}. Thus, you can write general
27357 purpose rules with @samp{select( )} hints inside them so that they
27358 will ``do the right thing'' in both @kbd{a r} and @kbd{j r},
27359 both with and without selections.
27361 @node Matching Commands, Automatic Rewrites, Selections with Rewrite Rules, Rewrite Rules
27362 @subsection Matching Commands
27368 The @kbd{a m} (@code{calc-match}) [@code{match}] function takes a
27369 vector of formulas and a rewrite-rule-style pattern, and produces
27370 a vector of all formulas which match the pattern. The command
27371 prompts you to enter the pattern; as for @kbd{a r}, you can enter
27372 a single pattern (i.e., a formula with meta-variables), or a
27373 vector of patterns, or a variable which contains patterns, or
27374 you can give a blank response in which case the patterns are taken
27375 from the top of the stack. The pattern set will be compiled once
27376 and saved if it is stored in a variable. If there are several
27377 patterns in the set, vector elements are kept if they match any
27380 For example, @samp{match(a+b, [x, x+y, x-y, 7, x+y+z])}
27381 will return @samp{[x+y, x-y, x+y+z]}.
27383 The @code{import} mechanism is not available for pattern sets.
27385 The @kbd{a m} command can also be used to extract all vector elements
27386 which satisfy any condition: The pattern @samp{x :: x>0} will select
27387 all the positive vector elements.
27391 With the Inverse flag [@code{matchnot}], this command extracts all
27392 vector elements which do @emph{not} match the given pattern.
27398 There is also a function @samp{matches(@var{x}, @var{p})} which
27399 evaluates to 1 if expression @var{x} matches pattern @var{p}, or
27400 to 0 otherwise. This is sometimes useful for including into the
27401 conditional clauses of other rewrite rules.
27407 The function @code{vmatches} is just like @code{matches}, except
27408 that if the match succeeds it returns a vector of assignments to
27409 the meta-variables instead of the number 1. For example,
27410 @samp{vmatches(f(1,2), f(a,b))} returns @samp{[a := 1, b := 2]}.
27411 If the match fails, the function returns the number 0.
27413 @node Automatic Rewrites, Debugging Rewrites, Matching Commands, Rewrite Rules
27414 @subsection Automatic Rewrites
27417 @cindex @code{EvalRules} variable
27419 It is possible to get Calc to apply a set of rewrite rules on all
27420 results, effectively adding to the built-in set of default
27421 simplifications. To do this, simply store your rule set in the
27422 variable @code{EvalRules}. There is a convenient @kbd{s E} command
27423 for editing @code{EvalRules}; @pxref{Operations on Variables}.
27425 For example, suppose you want @samp{sin(a + b)} to be expanded out
27426 to @samp{sin(b) cos(a) + cos(b) sin(a)} wherever it appears, and
27427 similarly for @samp{cos(a + b)}. The corresponding rewrite rule
27432 [ sin(a + b) := cos(a) sin(b) + sin(a) cos(b),
27433 cos(a + b) := cos(a) cos(b) - sin(a) sin(b) ]
27437 To apply these manually, you could put them in a variable called
27438 @code{trigexp} and then use @kbd{a r trigexp} every time you wanted
27439 to expand trig functions. But if instead you store them in the
27440 variable @code{EvalRules}, they will automatically be applied to all
27441 sines and cosines of sums. Then, with @samp{2 x} and @samp{45} on
27442 the stack, typing @kbd{+ S} will (assuming Degrees mode) result in
27443 @samp{0.7071 sin(2 x) + 0.7071 cos(2 x)} automatically.
27445 As each level of a formula is evaluated, the rules from
27446 @code{EvalRules} are applied before the default simplifications.
27447 Rewriting continues until no further @code{EvalRules} apply.
27448 Note that this is different from the usual order of application of
27449 rewrite rules: @code{EvalRules} works from the bottom up, simplifying
27450 the arguments to a function before the function itself, while @kbd{a r}
27451 applies rules from the top down.
27453 Because the @code{EvalRules} are tried first, you can use them to
27454 override the normal behavior of any built-in Calc function.
27456 It is important not to write a rule that will get into an infinite
27457 loop. For example, the rule set @samp{[f(0) := 1, f(n) := n f(n-1)]}
27458 appears to be a good definition of a factorial function, but it is
27459 unsafe. Imagine what happens if @samp{f(2.5)} is simplified. Calc
27460 will continue to subtract 1 from this argument forever without reaching
27461 zero. A safer second rule would be @samp{f(n) := n f(n-1) :: n>0}.
27462 Another dangerous rule is @samp{g(x, y) := g(y, x)}. Rewriting
27463 @samp{g(2, 4)}, this would bounce back and forth between that and
27464 @samp{g(4, 2)} forever. If an infinite loop in @code{EvalRules}
27465 occurs, Emacs will eventually stop with a ``Computation got stuck
27466 or ran too long'' message.
27468 Another subtle difference between @code{EvalRules} and regular rewrites
27469 concerns rules that rewrite a formula into an identical formula. For
27470 example, @samp{f(n) := f(floor(n))} ``fails to match'' when @expr{n} is
27471 already an integer. But in @code{EvalRules} this case is detected only
27472 if the righthand side literally becomes the original formula before any
27473 further simplification. This means that @samp{f(n) := f(floor(n))} will
27474 get into an infinite loop if it occurs in @code{EvalRules}. Calc will
27475 replace @samp{f(6)} with @samp{f(floor(6))}, which is different from
27476 @samp{f(6)}, so it will consider the rule to have matched and will
27477 continue simplifying that formula; first the argument is simplified
27478 to get @samp{f(6)}, then the rule matches again to get @samp{f(floor(6))}
27479 again, ad infinitum. A much safer rule would check its argument first,
27480 say, with @samp{f(n) := f(floor(n)) :: !dint(n)}.
27482 (What really happens is that the rewrite mechanism substitutes the
27483 meta-variables in the righthand side of a rule, compares to see if the
27484 result is the same as the original formula and fails if so, then uses
27485 the default simplifications to simplify the result and compares again
27486 (and again fails if the formula has simplified back to its original
27487 form). The only special wrinkle for the @code{EvalRules} is that the
27488 same rules will come back into play when the default simplifications
27489 are used. What Calc wants to do is build @samp{f(floor(6))}, see that
27490 this is different from the original formula, simplify to @samp{f(6)},
27491 see that this is the same as the original formula, and thus halt the
27492 rewriting. But while simplifying, @samp{f(6)} will again trigger
27493 the same @code{EvalRules} rule and Calc will get into a loop inside
27494 the rewrite mechanism itself.)
27496 The @code{phase}, @code{schedule}, and @code{iterations} markers do
27497 not work in @code{EvalRules}. If the rule set is divided into phases,
27498 only the phase 1 rules are applied, and the schedule is ignored.
27499 The rules are always repeated as many times as possible.
27501 The @code{EvalRules} are applied to all function calls in a formula,
27502 but not to numbers (and other number-like objects like error forms),
27503 nor to vectors or individual variable names. (Though they will apply
27504 to @emph{components} of vectors and error forms when appropriate.) You
27505 might try to make a variable @code{phihat} which automatically expands
27506 to its definition without the need to press @kbd{=} by writing the
27507 rule @samp{quote(phihat) := (1-sqrt(5))/2}, but unfortunately this rule
27508 will not work as part of @code{EvalRules}.
27510 Finally, another limitation is that Calc sometimes calls its built-in
27511 functions directly rather than going through the default simplifications.
27512 When it does this, @code{EvalRules} will not be able to override those
27513 functions. For example, when you take the absolute value of the complex
27514 number @expr{(2, 3)}, Calc computes @samp{sqrt(2*2 + 3*3)} by calling
27515 the multiplication, addition, and square root functions directly rather
27516 than applying the default simplifications to this formula. So an
27517 @code{EvalRules} rule that (perversely) rewrites @samp{sqrt(13) := 6}
27518 would not apply. (However, if you put Calc into Symbolic mode so that
27519 @samp{sqrt(13)} will be left in symbolic form by the built-in square
27520 root function, your rule will be able to apply. But if the complex
27521 number were @expr{(3,4)}, so that @samp{sqrt(25)} must be calculated,
27522 then Symbolic mode will not help because @samp{sqrt(25)} can be
27523 evaluated exactly to 5.)
27525 One subtle restriction that normally only manifests itself with
27526 @code{EvalRules} is that while a given rewrite rule is in the process
27527 of being checked, that same rule cannot be recursively applied. Calc
27528 effectively removes the rule from its rule set while checking the rule,
27529 then puts it back once the match succeeds or fails. (The technical
27530 reason for this is that compiled pattern programs are not reentrant.)
27531 For example, consider the rule @samp{foo(x) := x :: foo(x/2) > 0}
27532 attempting to match @samp{foo(8)}. This rule will be inactive while
27533 the condition @samp{foo(4) > 0} is checked, even though it might be
27534 an integral part of evaluating that condition. Note that this is not
27535 a problem for the more usual recursive type of rule, such as
27536 @samp{foo(x) := foo(x/2)}, because there the rule has succeeded and
27537 been reactivated by the time the righthand side is evaluated.
27539 If @code{EvalRules} has no stored value (its default state), or if
27540 anything but a vector is stored in it, then it is ignored.
27542 Even though Calc's rewrite mechanism is designed to compare rewrite
27543 rules to formulas as quickly as possible, storing rules in
27544 @code{EvalRules} may make Calc run substantially slower. This is
27545 particularly true of rules where the top-level call is a commonly used
27546 function, or is not fixed. The rule @samp{f(n) := n f(n-1) :: n>0} will
27547 only activate the rewrite mechanism for calls to the function @code{f},
27548 but @samp{lg(n) + lg(m) := lg(n m)} will check every @samp{+} operator.
27551 apply(f, [a*b]) := apply(f, [a]) + apply(f, [b]) :: in(f, [ln, log10])
27555 may seem more ``efficient'' than two separate rules for @code{ln} and
27556 @code{log10}, but actually it is vastly less efficient because rules
27557 with @code{apply} as the top-level pattern must be tested against
27558 @emph{every} function call that is simplified.
27560 @cindex @code{AlgSimpRules} variable
27561 @vindex AlgSimpRules
27562 Suppose you want @samp{sin(a + b)} to be expanded out not all the time,
27563 but only when @kbd{a s} is used to simplify the formula. The variable
27564 @code{AlgSimpRules} holds rules for this purpose. The @kbd{a s} command
27565 will apply @code{EvalRules} and @code{AlgSimpRules} to the formula, as
27566 well as all of its built-in simplifications.
27568 Most of the special limitations for @code{EvalRules} don't apply to
27569 @code{AlgSimpRules}. Calc simply does an @kbd{a r AlgSimpRules}
27570 command with an infinite repeat count as the first step of @kbd{a s}.
27571 It then applies its own built-in simplifications throughout the
27572 formula, and then repeats these two steps (along with applying the
27573 default simplifications) until no further changes are possible.
27575 @cindex @code{ExtSimpRules} variable
27576 @cindex @code{UnitSimpRules} variable
27577 @vindex ExtSimpRules
27578 @vindex UnitSimpRules
27579 There are also @code{ExtSimpRules} and @code{UnitSimpRules} variables
27580 that are used by @kbd{a e} and @kbd{u s}, respectively; these commands
27581 also apply @code{EvalRules} and @code{AlgSimpRules}. The variable
27582 @code{IntegSimpRules} contains simplification rules that are used
27583 only during integration by @kbd{a i}.
27585 @node Debugging Rewrites, Examples of Rewrite Rules, Automatic Rewrites, Rewrite Rules
27586 @subsection Debugging Rewrites
27589 If a buffer named @samp{*Trace*} exists, the rewrite mechanism will
27590 record some useful information there as it operates. The original
27591 formula is written there, as is the result of each successful rewrite,
27592 and the final result of the rewriting. All phase changes are also
27595 Calc always appends to @samp{*Trace*}. You must empty this buffer
27596 yourself periodically if it is in danger of growing unwieldy.
27598 Note that the rewriting mechanism is substantially slower when the
27599 @samp{*Trace*} buffer exists, even if the buffer is not visible on
27600 the screen. Once you are done, you will probably want to kill this
27601 buffer (with @kbd{C-x k *Trace* @key{RET}}). If you leave it in
27602 existence and forget about it, all your future rewrite commands will
27603 be needlessly slow.
27605 @node Examples of Rewrite Rules, , Debugging Rewrites, Rewrite Rules
27606 @subsection Examples of Rewrite Rules
27609 Returning to the example of substituting the pattern
27610 @samp{sin(x)^2 + cos(x)^2} with 1, we saw that the rule
27611 @samp{opt(a) sin(x)^2 + opt(a) cos(x)^2 := a} does a good job of
27612 finding suitable cases. Another solution would be to use the rule
27613 @samp{cos(x)^2 := 1 - sin(x)^2}, followed by algebraic simplification
27614 if necessary. This rule will be the most effective way to do the job,
27615 but at the expense of making some changes that you might not desire.
27617 Another algebraic rewrite rule is @samp{exp(x+y) := exp(x) exp(y)}.
27618 To make this work with the @w{@kbd{j r}} command so that it can be
27619 easily targeted to a particular exponential in a large formula,
27620 you might wish to write the rule as @samp{select(exp(x+y)) :=
27621 select(exp(x) exp(y))}. The @samp{select} markers will be
27622 ignored by the regular @kbd{a r} command
27623 (@pxref{Selections with Rewrite Rules}).
27625 A surprisingly useful rewrite rule is @samp{a/(b-c) := a*(b+c)/(b^2-c^2)}.
27626 This will simplify the formula whenever @expr{b} and/or @expr{c} can
27627 be made simpler by squaring. For example, applying this rule to
27628 @samp{2 / (sqrt(2) + 3)} yields @samp{6:7 - 2:7 sqrt(2)} (assuming
27629 Symbolic mode has been enabled to keep the square root from being
27630 evaluated to a floating-point approximation). This rule is also
27631 useful when working with symbolic complex numbers, e.g.,
27632 @samp{(a + b i) / (c + d i)}.
27634 As another example, we could define our own ``triangular numbers'' function
27635 with the rules @samp{[tri(0) := 0, tri(n) := n + tri(n-1) :: n>0]}. Enter
27636 this vector and store it in a variable: @kbd{@w{s t} trirules}. Now, given
27637 a suitable formula like @samp{tri(5)} on the stack, type @samp{a r trirules}
27638 to apply these rules repeatedly. After six applications, @kbd{a r} will
27639 stop with 15 on the stack. Once these rules are debugged, it would probably
27640 be most useful to add them to @code{EvalRules} so that Calc will evaluate
27641 the new @code{tri} function automatically. We could then use @kbd{Z K} on
27642 the keyboard macro @kbd{' tri($) @key{RET}} to make a command that applies
27643 @code{tri} to the value on the top of the stack. @xref{Programming}.
27645 @cindex Quaternions
27646 The following rule set, contributed by
27647 @texline Fran\c cois
27649 Pinard, implements @dfn{quaternions}, a generalization of the concept of
27650 complex numbers. Quaternions have four components, and are here
27651 represented by function calls @samp{quat(@var{w}, [@var{x}, @var{y},
27652 @var{z}])} with ``real part'' @var{w} and the three ``imaginary'' parts
27653 collected into a vector. Various arithmetical operations on quaternions
27654 are supported. To use these rules, either add them to @code{EvalRules},
27655 or create a command based on @kbd{a r} for simplifying quaternion
27656 formulas. A convenient way to enter quaternions would be a command
27657 defined by a keyboard macro containing: @kbd{' quat($$$$, [$$$, $$, $])
27661 [ quat(w, x, y, z) := quat(w, [x, y, z]),
27662 quat(w, [0, 0, 0]) := w,
27663 abs(quat(w, v)) := hypot(w, v),
27664 -quat(w, v) := quat(-w, -v),
27665 r + quat(w, v) := quat(r + w, v) :: real(r),
27666 r - quat(w, v) := quat(r - w, -v) :: real(r),
27667 quat(w1, v1) + quat(w2, v2) := quat(w1 + w2, v1 + v2),
27668 r * quat(w, v) := quat(r * w, r * v) :: real(r),
27669 plain(quat(w1, v1) * quat(w2, v2))
27670 := quat(w1 * w2 - v1 * v2, w1 * v2 + w2 * v1 + cross(v1, v2)),
27671 quat(w1, v1) / r := quat(w1 / r, v1 / r) :: real(r),
27672 z / quat(w, v) := z * quatinv(quat(w, v)),
27673 quatinv(quat(w, v)) := quat(w, -v) / (w^2 + v^2),
27674 quatsqr(quat(w, v)) := quat(w^2 - v^2, 2 * w * v),
27675 quat(w, v)^k := quatsqr(quat(w, v)^(k / 2))
27676 :: integer(k) :: k > 0 :: k % 2 = 0,
27677 quat(w, v)^k := quatsqr(quat(w, v)^((k - 1) / 2)) * quat(w, v)
27678 :: integer(k) :: k > 2,
27679 quat(w, v)^-k := quatinv(quat(w, v)^k) :: integer(k) :: k > 0 ]
27682 Quaternions, like matrices, have non-commutative multiplication.
27683 In other words, @expr{q1 * q2 = q2 * q1} is not necessarily true if
27684 @expr{q1} and @expr{q2} are @code{quat} forms. The @samp{quat*quat}
27685 rule above uses @code{plain} to prevent Calc from rearranging the
27686 product. It may also be wise to add the line @samp{[quat(), matrix]}
27687 to the @code{Decls} matrix, to ensure that Calc's other algebraic
27688 operations will not rearrange a quaternion product. @xref{Declarations}.
27690 These rules also accept a four-argument @code{quat} form, converting
27691 it to the preferred form in the first rule. If you would rather see
27692 results in the four-argument form, just append the two items
27693 @samp{phase(2), quat(w, [x, y, z]) := quat(w, x, y, z)} to the end
27694 of the rule set. (But remember that multi-phase rule sets don't work
27695 in @code{EvalRules}.)
27697 @node Units, Store and Recall, Algebra, Top
27698 @chapter Operating on Units
27701 One special interpretation of algebraic formulas is as numbers with units.
27702 For example, the formula @samp{5 m / s^2} can be read ``five meters
27703 per second squared.'' The commands in this chapter help you
27704 manipulate units expressions in this form. Units-related commands
27705 begin with the @kbd{u} prefix key.
27708 * Basic Operations on Units::
27709 * The Units Table::
27710 * Predefined Units::
27711 * User-Defined Units::
27714 @node Basic Operations on Units, The Units Table, Units, Units
27715 @section Basic Operations on Units
27718 A @dfn{units expression} is a formula which is basically a number
27719 multiplied and/or divided by one or more @dfn{unit names}, which may
27720 optionally be raised to integer powers. Actually, the value part need not
27721 be a number; any product or quotient involving unit names is a units
27722 expression. Many of the units commands will also accept any formula,
27723 where the command applies to all units expressions which appear in the
27726 A unit name is a variable whose name appears in the @dfn{unit table},
27727 or a variable whose name is a prefix character like @samp{k} (for ``kilo'')
27728 or @samp{u} (for ``micro'') followed by a name in the unit table.
27729 A substantial table of built-in units is provided with Calc;
27730 @pxref{Predefined Units}. You can also define your own unit names;
27731 @pxref{User-Defined Units}.
27733 Note that if the value part of a units expression is exactly @samp{1},
27734 it will be removed by the Calculator's automatic algebra routines: The
27735 formula @samp{1 mm} is ``simplified'' to @samp{mm}. This is only a
27736 display anomaly, however; @samp{mm} will work just fine as a
27737 representation of one millimeter.
27739 You may find that Algebraic mode (@pxref{Algebraic Entry}) makes working
27740 with units expressions easier. Otherwise, you will have to remember
27741 to hit the apostrophe key every time you wish to enter units.
27744 @pindex calc-simplify-units
27746 @mindex usimpl@idots
27749 The @kbd{u s} (@code{calc-simplify-units}) [@code{usimplify}] command
27751 expression. It uses @kbd{a s} (@code{calc-simplify}) to simplify the
27752 expression first as a regular algebraic formula; it then looks for
27753 features that can be further simplified by converting one object's units
27754 to be compatible with another's. For example, @samp{5 m + 23 mm} will
27755 simplify to @samp{5.023 m}. When different but compatible units are
27756 added, the righthand term's units are converted to match those of the
27757 lefthand term. @xref{Simplification Modes}, for a way to have this done
27758 automatically at all times.
27760 Units simplification also handles quotients of two units with the same
27761 dimensionality, as in @w{@samp{2 in s/L cm}} to @samp{5.08 s/L}; fractional
27762 powers of unit expressions, as in @samp{sqrt(9 mm^2)} to @samp{3 mm} and
27763 @samp{sqrt(9 acre)} to a quantity in meters; and @code{floor},
27764 @code{ceil}, @code{round}, @code{rounde}, @code{roundu}, @code{trunc},
27765 @code{float}, @code{frac}, @code{abs}, and @code{clean}
27766 applied to units expressions, in which case
27767 the operation in question is applied only to the numeric part of the
27768 expression. Finally, trigonometric functions of quantities with units
27769 of angle are evaluated, regardless of the current angular mode.
27772 @pindex calc-convert-units
27773 The @kbd{u c} (@code{calc-convert-units}) command converts a units
27774 expression to new, compatible units. For example, given the units
27775 expression @samp{55 mph}, typing @kbd{u c m/s @key{RET}} produces
27776 @samp{24.5872 m/s}. If the units you request are inconsistent with
27777 the original units, the number will be converted into your units
27778 times whatever ``remainder'' units are left over. For example,
27779 converting @samp{55 mph} into acres produces @samp{6.08e-3 acre / m s}.
27780 (Recall that multiplication binds more strongly than division in Calc
27781 formulas, so the units here are acres per meter-second.) Remainder
27782 units are expressed in terms of ``fundamental'' units like @samp{m} and
27783 @samp{s}, regardless of the input units.
27785 One special exception is that if you specify a single unit name, and
27786 a compatible unit appears somewhere in the units expression, then
27787 that compatible unit will be converted to the new unit and the
27788 remaining units in the expression will be left alone. For example,
27789 given the input @samp{980 cm/s^2}, the command @kbd{u c ms} will
27790 change the @samp{s} to @samp{ms} to get @samp{9.8e-4 cm/ms^2}.
27791 The ``remainder unit'' @samp{cm} is left alone rather than being
27792 changed to the base unit @samp{m}.
27794 You can use explicit unit conversion instead of the @kbd{u s} command
27795 to gain more control over the units of the result of an expression.
27796 For example, given @samp{5 m + 23 mm}, you can type @kbd{u c m} or
27797 @kbd{u c mm} to express the result in either meters or millimeters.
27798 (For that matter, you could type @kbd{u c fath} to express the result
27799 in fathoms, if you preferred!)
27801 In place of a specific set of units, you can also enter one of the
27802 units system names @code{si}, @code{mks} (equivalent), or @code{cgs}.
27803 For example, @kbd{u c si @key{RET}} converts the expression into
27804 International System of Units (SI) base units. Also, @kbd{u c base}
27805 converts to Calc's base units, which are the same as @code{si} units
27806 except that @code{base} uses @samp{g} as the fundamental unit of mass
27807 whereas @code{si} uses @samp{kg}.
27809 @cindex Composite units
27810 The @kbd{u c} command also accepts @dfn{composite units}, which
27811 are expressed as the sum of several compatible unit names. For
27812 example, converting @samp{30.5 in} to units @samp{mi+ft+in} (miles,
27813 feet, and inches) produces @samp{2 ft + 6.5 in}. Calc first
27814 sorts the unit names into order of decreasing relative size.
27815 It then accounts for as much of the input quantity as it can
27816 using an integer number times the largest unit, then moves on
27817 to the next smaller unit, and so on. Only the smallest unit
27818 may have a non-integer amount attached in the result. A few
27819 standard unit names exist for common combinations, such as
27820 @code{mfi} for @samp{mi+ft+in}, and @code{tpo} for @samp{ton+lb+oz}.
27821 Composite units are expanded as if by @kbd{a x}, so that
27822 @samp{(ft+in)/hr} is first converted to @samp{ft/hr+in/hr}.
27824 If the value on the stack does not contain any units, @kbd{u c} will
27825 prompt first for the old units which this value should be considered
27826 to have, then for the new units. Assuming the old and new units you
27827 give are consistent with each other, the result also will not contain
27828 any units. For example, @kbd{@w{u c} cm @key{RET} in @key{RET}} converts the number
27829 2 on the stack to 5.08.
27832 @pindex calc-base-units
27833 The @kbd{u b} (@code{calc-base-units}) command is shorthand for
27834 @kbd{u c base}; it converts the units expression on the top of the
27835 stack into @code{base} units. If @kbd{u s} does not simplify a
27836 units expression as far as you would like, try @kbd{u b}.
27838 The @kbd{u c} and @kbd{u b} commands treat temperature units (like
27839 @samp{degC} and @samp{K}) as relative temperatures. For example,
27840 @kbd{u c} converts @samp{10 degC} to @samp{18 degF}: A change of 10
27841 degrees Celsius corresponds to a change of 18 degrees Fahrenheit.
27844 @pindex calc-convert-temperature
27845 @cindex Temperature conversion
27846 The @kbd{u t} (@code{calc-convert-temperature}) command converts
27847 absolute temperatures. The value on the stack must be a simple units
27848 expression with units of temperature only. This command would convert
27849 @samp{10 degC} to @samp{50 degF}, the equivalent temperature on the
27853 @pindex calc-remove-units
27855 @pindex calc-extract-units
27856 The @kbd{u r} (@code{calc-remove-units}) command removes units from the
27857 formula at the top of the stack. The @kbd{u x}
27858 (@code{calc-extract-units}) command extracts only the units portion of a
27859 formula. These commands essentially replace every term of the formula
27860 that does or doesn't (respectively) look like a unit name by the
27861 constant 1, then resimplify the formula.
27864 @pindex calc-autorange-units
27865 The @kbd{u a} (@code{calc-autorange-units}) command turns on and off a
27866 mode in which unit prefixes like @code{k} (``kilo'') are automatically
27867 applied to keep the numeric part of a units expression in a reasonable
27868 range. This mode affects @kbd{u s} and all units conversion commands
27869 except @kbd{u b}. For example, with autoranging on, @samp{12345 Hz}
27870 will be simplified to @samp{12.345 kHz}. Autoranging is useful for
27871 some kinds of units (like @code{Hz} and @code{m}), but is probably
27872 undesirable for non-metric units like @code{ft} and @code{tbsp}.
27873 (Composite units are more appropriate for those; see above.)
27875 Autoranging always applies the prefix to the leftmost unit name.
27876 Calc chooses the largest prefix that causes the number to be greater
27877 than or equal to 1.0. Thus an increasing sequence of adjusted times
27878 would be @samp{1 ms, 10 ms, 100 ms, 1 s, 10 s, 100 s, 1 ks}.
27879 Generally the rule of thumb is that the number will be adjusted
27880 to be in the interval @samp{[1 .. 1000)}, although there are several
27881 exceptions to this rule. First, if the unit has a power then this
27882 is not possible; @samp{0.1 s^2} simplifies to @samp{100000 ms^2}.
27883 Second, the ``centi-'' prefix is allowed to form @code{cm} (centimeters),
27884 but will not apply to other units. The ``deci-,'' ``deka-,'' and
27885 ``hecto-'' prefixes are never used. Thus the allowable interval is
27886 @samp{[1 .. 10)} for millimeters and @samp{[1 .. 100)} for centimeters.
27887 Finally, a prefix will not be added to a unit if the resulting name
27888 is also the actual name of another unit; @samp{1e-15 t} would normally
27889 be considered a ``femto-ton,'' but it is written as @samp{1000 at}
27890 (1000 atto-tons) instead because @code{ft} would be confused with feet.
27892 @node The Units Table, Predefined Units, Basic Operations on Units, Units
27893 @section The Units Table
27897 @pindex calc-enter-units-table
27898 The @kbd{u v} (@code{calc-enter-units-table}) command displays the units table
27899 in another buffer called @code{*Units Table*}. Each entry in this table
27900 gives the unit name as it would appear in an expression, the definition
27901 of the unit in terms of simpler units, and a full name or description of
27902 the unit. Fundamental units are defined as themselves; these are the
27903 units produced by the @kbd{u b} command. The fundamental units are
27904 meters, seconds, grams, kelvins, amperes, candelas, moles, radians,
27907 The Units Table buffer also displays the Unit Prefix Table. Note that
27908 two prefixes, ``kilo'' and ``hecto,'' accept either upper- or lower-case
27909 prefix letters. @samp{Meg} is also accepted as a synonym for the @samp{M}
27910 prefix. Whenever a unit name can be interpreted as either a built-in name
27911 or a prefix followed by another built-in name, the former interpretation
27912 wins. For example, @samp{2 pt} means two pints, not two pico-tons.
27914 The Units Table buffer, once created, is not rebuilt unless you define
27915 new units. To force the buffer to be rebuilt, give any numeric prefix
27916 argument to @kbd{u v}.
27919 @pindex calc-view-units-table
27920 The @kbd{u V} (@code{calc-view-units-table}) command is like @kbd{u v} except
27921 that the cursor is not moved into the Units Table buffer. You can
27922 type @kbd{u V} again to remove the Units Table from the display. To
27923 return from the Units Table buffer after a @kbd{u v}, type @kbd{M-# c}
27924 again or use the regular Emacs @w{@kbd{C-x o}} (@code{other-window})
27925 command. You can also kill the buffer with @kbd{C-x k} if you wish;
27926 the actual units table is safely stored inside the Calculator.
27929 @pindex calc-get-unit-definition
27930 The @kbd{u g} (@code{calc-get-unit-definition}) command retrieves a unit's
27931 defining expression and pushes it onto the Calculator stack. For example,
27932 @kbd{u g in} will produce the expression @samp{2.54 cm}. This is the
27933 same definition for the unit that would appear in the Units Table buffer.
27934 Note that this command works only for actual unit names; @kbd{u g km}
27935 will report that no such unit exists, for example, because @code{km} is
27936 really the unit @code{m} with a @code{k} (``kilo'') prefix. To see a
27937 definition of a unit in terms of base units, it is easier to push the
27938 unit name on the stack and then reduce it to base units with @kbd{u b}.
27941 @pindex calc-explain-units
27942 The @kbd{u e} (@code{calc-explain-units}) command displays an English
27943 description of the units of the expression on the stack. For example,
27944 for the expression @samp{62 km^2 g / s^2 mol K}, the description is
27945 ``Square-Kilometer Gram per (Second-squared Mole Degree-Kelvin).'' This
27946 command uses the English descriptions that appear in the righthand
27947 column of the Units Table.
27949 @node Predefined Units, User-Defined Units, The Units Table, Units
27950 @section Predefined Units
27953 Since the exact definitions of many kinds of units have evolved over the
27954 years, and since certain countries sometimes have local differences in
27955 their definitions, it is a good idea to examine Calc's definition of a
27956 unit before depending on its exact value. For example, there are three
27957 different units for gallons, corresponding to the US (@code{gal}),
27958 Canadian (@code{galC}), and British (@code{galUK}) definitions. Also,
27959 note that @code{oz} is a standard ounce of mass, @code{ozt} is a Troy
27960 ounce, and @code{ozfl} is a fluid ounce.
27962 The temperature units corresponding to degrees Kelvin and Centigrade
27963 (Celsius) are the same in this table, since most units commands treat
27964 temperatures as being relative. The @code{calc-convert-temperature}
27965 command has special rules for handling the different absolute magnitudes
27966 of the various temperature scales.
27968 The unit of volume ``liters'' can be referred to by either the lower-case
27969 @code{l} or the upper-case @code{L}.
27971 The unit @code{A} stands for Amperes; the name @code{Ang} is used
27979 The unit @code{pt} stands for pints; the name @code{point} stands for
27980 a typographical point, defined by @samp{72 point = 1 in}. There is
27981 also @code{tpt}, which stands for a printer's point as defined by the
27982 @TeX{} typesetting system: @samp{72.27 tpt = 1 in}.
27984 The unit @code{e} stands for the elementary (electron) unit of charge;
27985 because algebra command could mistake this for the special constant
27986 @expr{e}, Calc provides the alternate unit name @code{ech} which is
27987 preferable to @code{e}.
27989 The name @code{g} stands for one gram of mass; there is also @code{gf},
27990 one gram of force. (Likewise for @kbd{lb}, pounds, and @kbd{lbf}.)
27991 Meanwhile, one ``@expr{g}'' of acceleration is denoted @code{ga}.
27993 The unit @code{ton} is a U.S. ton of @samp{2000 lb}, and @code{t} is
27994 a metric ton of @samp{1000 kg}.
27996 The names @code{s} (or @code{sec}) and @code{min} refer to units of
27997 time; @code{arcsec} and @code{arcmin} are units of angle.
27999 Some ``units'' are really physical constants; for example, @code{c}
28000 represents the speed of light, and @code{h} represents Planck's
28001 constant. You can use these just like other units: converting
28002 @samp{.5 c} to @samp{m/s} expresses one-half the speed of light in
28003 meters per second. You can also use this merely as a handy reference;
28004 the @kbd{u g} command gets the definition of one of these constants
28005 in its normal terms, and @kbd{u b} expresses the definition in base
28008 Two units, @code{pi} and @code{fsc} (the fine structure constant,
28009 approximately @mathit{1/137}) are dimensionless. The units simplification
28010 commands simply treat these names as equivalent to their corresponding
28011 values. However you can, for example, use @kbd{u c} to convert a pure
28012 number into multiples of the fine structure constant, or @kbd{u b} to
28013 convert this back into a pure number. (When @kbd{u c} prompts for the
28014 ``old units,'' just enter a blank line to signify that the value
28015 really is unitless.)
28017 @c Describe angular units, luminosity vs. steradians problem.
28019 @node User-Defined Units, , Predefined Units, Units
28020 @section User-Defined Units
28023 Calc provides ways to get quick access to your selected ``favorite''
28024 units, as well as ways to define your own new units.
28027 @pindex calc-quick-units
28029 @cindex @code{Units} variable
28030 @cindex Quick units
28031 To select your favorite units, store a vector of unit names or
28032 expressions in the Calc variable @code{Units}. The @kbd{u 1}
28033 through @kbd{u 9} commands (@code{calc-quick-units}) provide access
28034 to these units. If the value on the top of the stack is a plain
28035 number (with no units attached), then @kbd{u 1} gives it the
28036 specified units. (Basically, it multiplies the number by the
28037 first item in the @code{Units} vector.) If the number on the
28038 stack @emph{does} have units, then @kbd{u 1} converts that number
28039 to the new units. For example, suppose the vector @samp{[in, ft]}
28040 is stored in @code{Units}. Then @kbd{30 u 1} will create the
28041 expression @samp{30 in}, and @kbd{u 2} will convert that expression
28044 The @kbd{u 0} command accesses the tenth element of @code{Units}.
28045 Only ten quick units may be defined at a time. If the @code{Units}
28046 variable has no stored value (the default), or if its value is not
28047 a vector, then the quick-units commands will not function. The
28048 @kbd{s U} command is a convenient way to edit the @code{Units}
28049 variable; @pxref{Operations on Variables}.
28052 @pindex calc-define-unit
28053 @cindex User-defined units
28054 The @kbd{u d} (@code{calc-define-unit}) command records the units
28055 expression on the top of the stack as the definition for a new,
28056 user-defined unit. For example, putting @samp{16.5 ft} on the stack and
28057 typing @kbd{u d rod} defines the new unit @samp{rod} to be equivalent to
28058 16.5 feet. The unit conversion and simplification commands will now
28059 treat @code{rod} just like any other unit of length. You will also be
28060 prompted for an optional English description of the unit, which will
28061 appear in the Units Table.
28064 @pindex calc-undefine-unit
28065 The @kbd{u u} (@code{calc-undefine-unit}) command removes a user-defined
28066 unit. It is not possible to remove one of the predefined units,
28069 If you define a unit with an existing unit name, your new definition
28070 will replace the original definition of that unit. If the unit was a
28071 predefined unit, the old definition will not be replaced, only
28072 ``shadowed.'' The built-in definition will reappear if you later use
28073 @kbd{u u} to remove the shadowing definition.
28075 To create a new fundamental unit, use either 1 or the unit name itself
28076 as the defining expression. Otherwise the expression can involve any
28077 other units that you like (except for composite units like @samp{mfi}).
28078 You can create a new composite unit with a sum of other units as the
28079 defining expression. The next unit operation like @kbd{u c} or @kbd{u v}
28080 will rebuild the internal unit table incorporating your modifications.
28081 Note that erroneous definitions (such as two units defined in terms of
28082 each other) will not be detected until the unit table is next rebuilt;
28083 @kbd{u v} is a convenient way to force this to happen.
28085 Temperature units are treated specially inside the Calculator; it is not
28086 possible to create user-defined temperature units.
28089 @pindex calc-permanent-units
28090 @cindex Calc init file, user-defined units
28091 The @kbd{u p} (@code{calc-permanent-units}) command stores the user-defined
28092 units in your Calc init file (the file given by the variable
28093 @code{calc-settings-file}, typically @file{~/.calc.el}), so that the
28094 units will still be available in subsequent Emacs sessions. If there
28095 was already a set of user-defined units in your Calc init file, it
28096 is replaced by the new set. (@xref{General Mode Commands}, for a way to
28097 tell Calc to use a different file for the Calc init file.)
28099 @node Store and Recall, Graphics, Units, Top
28100 @chapter Storing and Recalling
28103 Calculator variables are really just Lisp variables that contain numbers
28104 or formulas in a form that Calc can understand. The commands in this
28105 section allow you to manipulate variables conveniently. Commands related
28106 to variables use the @kbd{s} prefix key.
28109 * Storing Variables::
28110 * Recalling Variables::
28111 * Operations on Variables::
28113 * Evaluates-To Operator::
28116 @node Storing Variables, Recalling Variables, Store and Recall, Store and Recall
28117 @section Storing Variables
28122 @cindex Storing variables
28123 @cindex Quick variables
28126 The @kbd{s s} (@code{calc-store}) command stores the value at the top of
28127 the stack into a specified variable. It prompts you to enter the
28128 name of the variable. If you press a single digit, the value is stored
28129 immediately in one of the ``quick'' variables @code{q0} through
28130 @code{q9}. Or you can enter any variable name.
28133 @pindex calc-store-into
28134 The @kbd{s s} command leaves the stored value on the stack. There is
28135 also an @kbd{s t} (@code{calc-store-into}) command, which removes a
28136 value from the stack and stores it in a variable.
28138 If the top of stack value is an equation @samp{a = 7} or assignment
28139 @samp{a := 7} with a variable on the lefthand side, then Calc will
28140 assign that variable with that value by default, i.e., if you type
28141 @kbd{s s @key{RET}} or @kbd{s t @key{RET}}. In this example, the
28142 value 7 would be stored in the variable @samp{a}. (If you do type
28143 a variable name at the prompt, the top-of-stack value is stored in
28144 its entirety, even if it is an equation: @samp{s s b @key{RET}}
28145 with @samp{a := 7} on the stack stores @samp{a := 7} in @code{b}.)
28147 In fact, the top of stack value can be a vector of equations or
28148 assignments with different variables on their lefthand sides; the
28149 default will be to store all the variables with their corresponding
28150 righthand sides simultaneously.
28152 It is also possible to type an equation or assignment directly at
28153 the prompt for the @kbd{s s} or @kbd{s t} command: @kbd{s s foo = 7}.
28154 In this case the expression to the right of the @kbd{=} or @kbd{:=}
28155 symbol is evaluated as if by the @kbd{=} command, and that value is
28156 stored in the variable. No value is taken from the stack; @kbd{s s}
28157 and @kbd{s t} are equivalent when used in this way.
28161 The prefix keys @kbd{s} and @kbd{t} may be followed immediately by a
28162 digit; @kbd{s 9} is equivalent to @kbd{s s 9}, and @kbd{t 9} is
28163 equivalent to @kbd{s t 9}. (The @kbd{t} prefix is otherwise used
28164 for trail and time/date commands.)
28200 @pindex calc-store-plus
28201 @pindex calc-store-minus
28202 @pindex calc-store-times
28203 @pindex calc-store-div
28204 @pindex calc-store-power
28205 @pindex calc-store-concat
28206 @pindex calc-store-neg
28207 @pindex calc-store-inv
28208 @pindex calc-store-decr
28209 @pindex calc-store-incr
28210 There are also several ``arithmetic store'' commands. For example,
28211 @kbd{s +} removes a value from the stack and adds it to the specified
28212 variable. The other arithmetic stores are @kbd{s -}, @kbd{s *}, @kbd{s /},
28213 @kbd{s ^}, and @w{@kbd{s |}} (vector concatenation), plus @kbd{s n} and
28214 @kbd{s &} which negate or invert the value in a variable, and @w{@kbd{s [}}
28215 and @kbd{s ]} which decrease or increase a variable by one.
28217 All the arithmetic stores accept the Inverse prefix to reverse the
28218 order of the operands. If @expr{v} represents the contents of the
28219 variable, and @expr{a} is the value drawn from the stack, then regular
28220 @w{@kbd{s -}} assigns
28221 @texline @math{v \coloneq v - a},
28222 @infoline @expr{v := v - a},
28223 but @kbd{I s -} assigns
28224 @texline @math{v \coloneq a - v}.
28225 @infoline @expr{v := a - v}.
28226 While @kbd{I s *} might seem pointless, it is
28227 useful if matrix multiplication is involved. Actually, all the
28228 arithmetic stores use formulas designed to behave usefully both
28229 forwards and backwards:
28233 s + v := v + a v := a + v
28234 s - v := v - a v := a - v
28235 s * v := v * a v := a * v
28236 s / v := v / a v := a / v
28237 s ^ v := v ^ a v := a ^ v
28238 s | v := v | a v := a | v
28239 s n v := v / (-1) v := (-1) / v
28240 s & v := v ^ (-1) v := (-1) ^ v
28241 s [ v := v - 1 v := 1 - v
28242 s ] v := v - (-1) v := (-1) - v
28246 In the last four cases, a numeric prefix argument will be used in
28247 place of the number one. (For example, @kbd{M-2 s ]} increases
28248 a variable by 2, and @kbd{M-2 I s ]} replaces a variable by
28249 minus-two minus the variable.
28251 The first six arithmetic stores can also be typed @kbd{s t +}, @kbd{s t -},
28252 etc. The commands @kbd{s s +}, @kbd{s s -}, and so on are analogous
28253 arithmetic stores that don't remove the value @expr{a} from the stack.
28255 All arithmetic stores report the new value of the variable in the
28256 Trail for your information. They signal an error if the variable
28257 previously had no stored value. If default simplifications have been
28258 turned off, the arithmetic stores temporarily turn them on for numeric
28259 arguments only (i.e., they temporarily do an @kbd{m N} command).
28260 @xref{Simplification Modes}. Large vectors put in the trail by
28261 these commands always use abbreviated (@kbd{t .}) mode.
28264 @pindex calc-store-map
28265 The @kbd{s m} command is a general way to adjust a variable's value
28266 using any Calc function. It is a ``mapping'' command analogous to
28267 @kbd{V M}, @kbd{V R}, etc. @xref{Reducing and Mapping}, to see
28268 how to specify a function for a mapping command. Basically,
28269 all you do is type the Calc command key that would invoke that
28270 function normally. For example, @kbd{s m n} applies the @kbd{n}
28271 key to negate the contents of the variable, so @kbd{s m n} is
28272 equivalent to @kbd{s n}. Also, @kbd{s m Q} takes the square root
28273 of the value stored in a variable, @kbd{s m v v} uses @kbd{v v} to
28274 reverse the vector stored in the variable, and @kbd{s m H I S}
28275 takes the hyperbolic arcsine of the variable contents.
28277 If the mapping function takes two or more arguments, the additional
28278 arguments are taken from the stack; the old value of the variable
28279 is provided as the first argument. Thus @kbd{s m -} with @expr{a}
28280 on the stack computes @expr{v - a}, just like @kbd{s -}. With the
28281 Inverse prefix, the variable's original value becomes the @emph{last}
28282 argument instead of the first. Thus @kbd{I s m -} is also
28283 equivalent to @kbd{I s -}.
28286 @pindex calc-store-exchange
28287 The @kbd{s x} (@code{calc-store-exchange}) command exchanges the value
28288 of a variable with the value on the top of the stack. Naturally, the
28289 variable must already have a stored value for this to work.
28291 You can type an equation or assignment at the @kbd{s x} prompt. The
28292 command @kbd{s x a=6} takes no values from the stack; instead, it
28293 pushes the old value of @samp{a} on the stack and stores @samp{a = 6}.
28296 @pindex calc-unstore
28297 @cindex Void variables
28298 @cindex Un-storing variables
28299 Until you store something in them, most variables are ``void,'' that is,
28300 they contain no value at all. If they appear in an algebraic formula
28301 they will be left alone even if you press @kbd{=} (@code{calc-evaluate}).
28302 The @kbd{s u} (@code{calc-unstore}) command returns a variable to the
28306 @pindex calc-copy-variable
28307 The @kbd{s c} (@code{calc-copy-variable}) command copies the stored
28308 value of one variable to another. One way it differs from a simple
28309 @kbd{s r} followed by an @kbd{s t} (aside from saving keystrokes) is
28310 that the value never goes on the stack and thus is never rounded,
28311 evaluated, or simplified in any way; it is not even rounded down to the
28314 The only variables with predefined values are the ``special constants''
28315 @code{pi}, @code{e}, @code{i}, @code{phi}, and @code{gamma}. You are free
28316 to unstore these variables or to store new values into them if you like,
28317 although some of the algebraic-manipulation functions may assume these
28318 variables represent their standard values. Calc displays a warning if
28319 you change the value of one of these variables, or of one of the other
28320 special variables @code{inf}, @code{uinf}, and @code{nan} (which are
28323 Note that @code{pi} doesn't actually have 3.14159265359 stored in it,
28324 but rather a special magic value that evaluates to @cpi{} at the current
28325 precision. Likewise @code{e}, @code{i}, and @code{phi} evaluate
28326 according to the current precision or polar mode. If you recall a value
28327 from @code{pi} and store it back, this magic property will be lost. The
28328 magic property is preserved, however, when a variable is copied with
28332 @pindex calc-copy-special-constant
28333 If one of the ``special constants'' is redefined (or undefined) so that
28334 it no longer has its magic property, the property can be restored with
28335 @kbd{s k} (@code{calc-copy-special-constant}). This command will prompt
28336 for a special constant and a variable to store it in, and so a special
28337 constant can be stored in any variable. Here, the special constant that
28338 you enter doesn't depend on the value of the corresponding variable;
28339 @code{pi} will represent 3.14159@dots{} regardless of what is currently
28340 stored in the Calc variable @code{pi}. If one of the other special
28341 variables, @code{inf}, @code{uinf} or @code{nan}, is given a value, its
28342 original behavior can be restored by voiding it with @kbd{s u}.
28344 @node Recalling Variables, Operations on Variables, Storing Variables, Store and Recall
28345 @section Recalling Variables
28349 @pindex calc-recall
28350 @cindex Recalling variables
28351 The most straightforward way to extract the stored value from a variable
28352 is to use the @kbd{s r} (@code{calc-recall}) command. This command prompts
28353 for a variable name (similarly to @code{calc-store}), looks up the value
28354 of the specified variable, and pushes that value onto the stack. It is
28355 an error to try to recall a void variable.
28357 It is also possible to recall the value from a variable by evaluating a
28358 formula containing that variable. For example, @kbd{' a @key{RET} =} is
28359 the same as @kbd{s r a @key{RET}} except that if the variable is void, the
28360 former will simply leave the formula @samp{a} on the stack whereas the
28361 latter will produce an error message.
28364 The @kbd{r} prefix may be followed by a digit, so that @kbd{r 9} is
28365 equivalent to @kbd{s r 9}. (The @kbd{r} prefix is otherwise unused
28366 in the current version of Calc.)
28368 @node Operations on Variables, Let Command, Recalling Variables, Store and Recall
28369 @section Other Operations on Variables
28373 @pindex calc-edit-variable
28374 The @kbd{s e} (@code{calc-edit-variable}) command edits the stored
28375 value of a variable without ever putting that value on the stack
28376 or simplifying or evaluating the value. It prompts for the name of
28377 the variable to edit. If the variable has no stored value, the
28378 editing buffer will start out empty. If the editing buffer is
28379 empty when you press @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish, the variable will
28380 be made void. @xref{Editing Stack Entries}, for a general
28381 description of editing.
28383 The @kbd{s e} command is especially useful for creating and editing
28384 rewrite rules which are stored in variables. Sometimes these rules
28385 contain formulas which must not be evaluated until the rules are
28386 actually used. (For example, they may refer to @samp{deriv(x,y)},
28387 where @code{x} will someday become some expression involving @code{y};
28388 if you let Calc evaluate the rule while you are defining it, Calc will
28389 replace @samp{deriv(x,y)} with 0 because the formula @code{x} does
28390 not itself refer to @code{y}.) By contrast, recalling the variable,
28391 editing with @kbd{`}, and storing will evaluate the variable's value
28392 as a side effect of putting the value on the stack.
28440 @pindex calc-store-AlgSimpRules
28441 @pindex calc-store-Decls
28442 @pindex calc-store-EvalRules
28443 @pindex calc-store-FitRules
28444 @pindex calc-store-GenCount
28445 @pindex calc-store-Holidays
28446 @pindex calc-store-IntegLimit
28447 @pindex calc-store-LineStyles
28448 @pindex calc-store-PointStyles
28449 @pindex calc-store-PlotRejects
28450 @pindex calc-store-TimeZone
28451 @pindex calc-store-Units
28452 @pindex calc-store-ExtSimpRules
28453 There are several special-purpose variable-editing commands that
28454 use the @kbd{s} prefix followed by a shifted letter:
28458 Edit @code{AlgSimpRules}. @xref{Algebraic Simplifications}.
28460 Edit @code{Decls}. @xref{Declarations}.
28462 Edit @code{EvalRules}. @xref{Default Simplifications}.
28464 Edit @code{FitRules}. @xref{Curve Fitting}.
28466 Edit @code{GenCount}. @xref{Solving Equations}.
28468 Edit @code{Holidays}. @xref{Business Days}.
28470 Edit @code{IntegLimit}. @xref{Calculus}.
28472 Edit @code{LineStyles}. @xref{Graphics}.
28474 Edit @code{PointStyles}. @xref{Graphics}.
28476 Edit @code{PlotRejects}. @xref{Graphics}.
28478 Edit @code{TimeZone}. @xref{Time Zones}.
28480 Edit @code{Units}. @xref{User-Defined Units}.
28482 Edit @code{ExtSimpRules}. @xref{Unsafe Simplifications}.
28485 These commands are just versions of @kbd{s e} that use fixed variable
28486 names rather than prompting for the variable name.
28489 @pindex calc-permanent-variable
28490 @cindex Storing variables
28491 @cindex Permanent variables
28492 @cindex Calc init file, variables
28493 The @kbd{s p} (@code{calc-permanent-variable}) command saves a
28494 variable's value permanently in your Calc init file (the file given by
28495 the variable @code{calc-settings-file}, typically @file{~/.calc.el}), so
28496 that its value will still be available in future Emacs sessions. You
28497 can re-execute @w{@kbd{s p}} later on to update the saved value, but the
28498 only way to remove a saved variable is to edit your calc init file
28499 by hand. (@xref{General Mode Commands}, for a way to tell Calc to
28500 use a different file for the Calc init file.)
28502 If you do not specify the name of a variable to save (i.e.,
28503 @kbd{s p @key{RET}}), all Calc variables with defined values
28504 are saved except for the special constants @code{pi}, @code{e},
28505 @code{i}, @code{phi}, and @code{gamma}; the variables @code{TimeZone}
28506 and @code{PlotRejects};
28507 @code{FitRules}, @code{DistribRules}, and other built-in rewrite
28508 rules; and @code{PlotData@var{n}} variables generated
28509 by the graphics commands. (You can still save these variables by
28510 explicitly naming them in an @kbd{s p} command.)
28513 @pindex calc-insert-variables
28514 The @kbd{s i} (@code{calc-insert-variables}) command writes
28515 the values of all Calc variables into a specified buffer.
28516 The variables are written with the prefix @code{var-} in the form of
28517 Lisp @code{setq} commands
28518 which store the values in string form. You can place these commands
28519 in your Calc init file (or @file{.emacs}) if you wish, though in this case it
28520 would be easier to use @kbd{s p @key{RET}}. (Note that @kbd{s i}
28521 omits the same set of variables as @w{@kbd{s p @key{RET}}}; the difference
28522 is that @kbd{s i} will store the variables in any buffer, and it also
28523 stores in a more human-readable format.)
28525 @node Let Command, Evaluates-To Operator, Operations on Variables, Store and Recall
28526 @section The Let Command
28531 @cindex Variables, temporary assignment
28532 @cindex Temporary assignment to variables
28533 If you have an expression like @samp{a+b^2} on the stack and you wish to
28534 compute its value where @expr{b=3}, you can simply store 3 in @expr{b} and
28535 then press @kbd{=} to reevaluate the formula. This has the side-effect
28536 of leaving the stored value of 3 in @expr{b} for future operations.
28538 The @kbd{s l} (@code{calc-let}) command evaluates a formula under a
28539 @emph{temporary} assignment of a variable. It stores the value on the
28540 top of the stack into the specified variable, then evaluates the
28541 second-to-top stack entry, then restores the original value (or lack of one)
28542 in the variable. Thus after @kbd{'@w{ }a+b^2 @key{RET} 3 s l b @key{RET}},
28543 the stack will contain the formula @samp{a + 9}. The subsequent command
28544 @kbd{@w{5 s l a} @key{RET}} will replace this formula with the number 14.
28545 The variables @samp{a} and @samp{b} are not permanently affected in any way
28548 The value on the top of the stack may be an equation or assignment, or
28549 a vector of equations or assignments, in which case the default will be
28550 analogous to the case of @kbd{s t @key{RET}}. @xref{Storing Variables}.
28552 Also, you can answer the variable-name prompt with an equation or
28553 assignment: @kbd{s l b=3 @key{RET}} is the same as storing 3 on the stack
28554 and typing @kbd{s l b @key{RET}}.
28556 The @kbd{a b} (@code{calc-substitute}) command is another way to substitute
28557 a variable with a value in a formula. It does an actual substitution
28558 rather than temporarily assigning the variable and evaluating. For
28559 example, letting @expr{n=2} in @samp{f(n pi)} with @kbd{a b} will
28560 produce @samp{f(2 pi)}, whereas @kbd{s l} would give @samp{f(6.28)}
28561 since the evaluation step will also evaluate @code{pi}.
28563 @node Evaluates-To Operator, , Let Command, Store and Recall
28564 @section The Evaluates-To Operator
28569 @cindex Evaluates-to operator
28570 @cindex @samp{=>} operator
28571 The special algebraic symbol @samp{=>} is known as the @dfn{evaluates-to
28572 operator}. (It will show up as an @code{evalto} function call in
28573 other language modes like Pascal and La@TeX{}.) This is a binary
28574 operator, that is, it has a lefthand and a righthand argument,
28575 although it can be entered with the righthand argument omitted.
28577 A formula like @samp{@var{a} => @var{b}} is evaluated by Calc as
28578 follows: First, @var{a} is not simplified or modified in any
28579 way. The previous value of argument @var{b} is thrown away; the
28580 formula @var{a} is then copied and evaluated as if by the @kbd{=}
28581 command according to all current modes and stored variable values,
28582 and the result is installed as the new value of @var{b}.
28584 For example, suppose you enter the algebraic formula @samp{2 + 3 => 17}.
28585 The number 17 is ignored, and the lefthand argument is left in its
28586 unevaluated form; the result is the formula @samp{2 + 3 => 5}.
28589 @pindex calc-evalto
28590 You can enter an @samp{=>} formula either directly using algebraic
28591 entry (in which case the righthand side may be omitted since it is
28592 going to be replaced right away anyhow), or by using the @kbd{s =}
28593 (@code{calc-evalto}) command, which takes @var{a} from the stack
28594 and replaces it with @samp{@var{a} => @var{b}}.
28596 Calc keeps track of all @samp{=>} operators on the stack, and
28597 recomputes them whenever anything changes that might affect their
28598 values, i.e., a mode setting or variable value. This occurs only
28599 if the @samp{=>} operator is at the top level of the formula, or
28600 if it is part of a top-level vector. In other words, pushing
28601 @samp{2 + (a => 17)} will change the 17 to the actual value of
28602 @samp{a} when you enter the formula, but the result will not be
28603 dynamically updated when @samp{a} is changed later because the
28604 @samp{=>} operator is buried inside a sum. However, a vector
28605 of @samp{=>} operators will be recomputed, since it is convenient
28606 to push a vector like @samp{[a =>, b =>, c =>]} on the stack to
28607 make a concise display of all the variables in your problem.
28608 (Another way to do this would be to use @samp{[a, b, c] =>},
28609 which provides a slightly different format of display. You
28610 can use whichever you find easiest to read.)
28613 @pindex calc-auto-recompute
28614 The @kbd{m C} (@code{calc-auto-recompute}) command allows you to
28615 turn this automatic recomputation on or off. If you turn
28616 recomputation off, you must explicitly recompute an @samp{=>}
28617 operator on the stack in one of the usual ways, such as by
28618 pressing @kbd{=}. Turning recomputation off temporarily can save
28619 a lot of time if you will be changing several modes or variables
28620 before you look at the @samp{=>} entries again.
28622 Most commands are not especially useful with @samp{=>} operators
28623 as arguments. For example, given @samp{x + 2 => 17}, it won't
28624 work to type @kbd{1 +} to get @samp{x + 3 => 18}. If you want
28625 to operate on the lefthand side of the @samp{=>} operator on
28626 the top of the stack, type @kbd{j 1} (that's the digit ``one'')
28627 to select the lefthand side, execute your commands, then type
28628 @kbd{j u} to unselect.
28630 All current modes apply when an @samp{=>} operator is computed,
28631 including the current simplification mode. Recall that the
28632 formula @samp{x + y + x} is not handled by Calc's default
28633 simplifications, but the @kbd{a s} command will reduce it to
28634 the simpler form @samp{y + 2 x}. You can also type @kbd{m A}
28635 to enable an Algebraic Simplification mode in which the
28636 equivalent of @kbd{a s} is used on all of Calc's results.
28637 If you enter @samp{x + y + x =>} normally, the result will
28638 be @samp{x + y + x => x + y + x}. If you change to
28639 Algebraic Simplification mode, the result will be
28640 @samp{x + y + x => y + 2 x}. However, just pressing @kbd{a s}
28641 once will have no effect on @samp{x + y + x => x + y + x},
28642 because the righthand side depends only on the lefthand side
28643 and the current mode settings, and the lefthand side is not
28644 affected by commands like @kbd{a s}.
28646 The ``let'' command (@kbd{s l}) has an interesting interaction
28647 with the @samp{=>} operator. The @kbd{s l} command evaluates the
28648 second-to-top stack entry with the top stack entry supplying
28649 a temporary value for a given variable. As you might expect,
28650 if that stack entry is an @samp{=>} operator its righthand
28651 side will temporarily show this value for the variable. In
28652 fact, all @samp{=>}s on the stack will be updated if they refer
28653 to that variable. But this change is temporary in the sense
28654 that the next command that causes Calc to look at those stack
28655 entries will make them revert to the old variable value.
28659 2: a => a 2: a => 17 2: a => a
28660 1: a + 1 => a + 1 1: a + 1 => 18 1: a + 1 => a + 1
28663 17 s l a @key{RET} p 8 @key{RET}
28667 Here the @kbd{p 8} command changes the current precision,
28668 thus causing the @samp{=>} forms to be recomputed after the
28669 influence of the ``let'' is gone. The @kbd{d @key{SPC}} command
28670 (@code{calc-refresh}) is a handy way to force the @samp{=>}
28671 operators on the stack to be recomputed without any other
28675 @pindex calc-assign
28678 Embedded mode also uses @samp{=>} operators. In Embedded mode,
28679 the lefthand side of an @samp{=>} operator can refer to variables
28680 assigned elsewhere in the file by @samp{:=} operators. The
28681 assignment operator @samp{a := 17} does not actually do anything
28682 by itself. But Embedded mode recognizes it and marks it as a sort
28683 of file-local definition of the variable. You can enter @samp{:=}
28684 operators in Algebraic mode, or by using the @kbd{s :}
28685 (@code{calc-assign}) [@code{assign}] command which takes a variable
28686 and value from the stack and replaces them with an assignment.
28688 @xref{TeX and LaTeX Language Modes}, for the way @samp{=>} appears in
28689 @TeX{} language output. The @dfn{eqn} mode gives similar
28690 treatment to @samp{=>}.
28692 @node Graphics, Kill and Yank, Store and Recall, Top
28696 The commands for graphing data begin with the @kbd{g} prefix key. Calc
28697 uses GNUPLOT 2.0 or 3.0 to do graphics. These commands will only work
28698 if GNUPLOT is available on your system. (While GNUPLOT sounds like
28699 a relative of GNU Emacs, it is actually completely unrelated.
28700 However, it is free software and can be obtained from the Free
28701 Software Foundation's machine @samp{prep.ai.mit.edu}.)
28703 @vindex calc-gnuplot-name
28704 If you have GNUPLOT installed on your system but Calc is unable to
28705 find it, you may need to set the @code{calc-gnuplot-name} variable
28706 in your Calc init file or @file{.emacs}. You may also need to set some Lisp
28707 variables to show Calc how to run GNUPLOT on your system; these
28708 are described under @kbd{g D} and @kbd{g O} below. If you are
28709 using the X window system, Calc will configure GNUPLOT for you
28710 automatically. If you have GNUPLOT 3.0 and you are not using X,
28711 Calc will configure GNUPLOT to display graphs using simple character
28712 graphics that will work on any terminal.
28716 * Three Dimensional Graphics::
28717 * Managing Curves::
28718 * Graphics Options::
28722 @node Basic Graphics, Three Dimensional Graphics, Graphics, Graphics
28723 @section Basic Graphics
28727 @pindex calc-graph-fast
28728 The easiest graphics command is @kbd{g f} (@code{calc-graph-fast}).
28729 This command takes two vectors of equal length from the stack.
28730 The vector at the top of the stack represents the ``y'' values of
28731 the various data points. The vector in the second-to-top position
28732 represents the corresponding ``x'' values. This command runs
28733 GNUPLOT (if it has not already been started by previous graphing
28734 commands) and displays the set of data points. The points will
28735 be connected by lines, and there will also be some kind of symbol
28736 to indicate the points themselves.
28738 The ``x'' entry may instead be an interval form, in which case suitable
28739 ``x'' values are interpolated between the minimum and maximum values of
28740 the interval (whether the interval is open or closed is ignored).
28742 The ``x'' entry may also be a number, in which case Calc uses the
28743 sequence of ``x'' values @expr{x}, @expr{x+1}, @expr{x+2}, etc.
28744 (Generally the number 0 or 1 would be used for @expr{x} in this case.)
28746 The ``y'' entry may be any formula instead of a vector. Calc effectively
28747 uses @kbd{N} (@code{calc-eval-num}) to evaluate variables in the formula;
28748 the result of this must be a formula in a single (unassigned) variable.
28749 The formula is plotted with this variable taking on the various ``x''
28750 values. Graphs of formulas by default use lines without symbols at the
28751 computed data points. Note that if neither ``x'' nor ``y'' is a vector,
28752 Calc guesses at a reasonable number of data points to use. See the
28753 @kbd{g N} command below. (The ``x'' values must be either a vector
28754 or an interval if ``y'' is a formula.)
28760 If ``y'' is (or evaluates to) a formula of the form
28761 @samp{xy(@var{x}, @var{y})} then the result is a
28762 parametric plot. The two arguments of the fictitious @code{xy} function
28763 are used as the ``x'' and ``y'' coordinates of the curve, respectively.
28764 In this case the ``x'' vector or interval you specified is not directly
28765 visible in the graph. For example, if ``x'' is the interval @samp{[0..360]}
28766 and ``y'' is the formula @samp{xy(sin(t), cos(t))}, the resulting graph
28769 Also, ``x'' and ``y'' may each be variable names, in which case Calc
28770 looks for suitable vectors, intervals, or formulas stored in those
28773 The ``x'' and ``y'' values for the data points (as pulled from the vectors,
28774 calculated from the formulas, or interpolated from the intervals) should
28775 be real numbers (integers, fractions, or floats). If either the ``x''
28776 value or the ``y'' value of a given data point is not a real number, that
28777 data point will be omitted from the graph. The points on either side
28778 of the invalid point will @emph{not} be connected by a line.
28780 See the documentation for @kbd{g a} below for a description of the way
28781 numeric prefix arguments affect @kbd{g f}.
28783 @cindex @code{PlotRejects} variable
28784 @vindex PlotRejects
28785 If you store an empty vector in the variable @code{PlotRejects}
28786 (i.e., @kbd{[ ] s t PlotRejects}), Calc will append information to
28787 this vector for every data point which was rejected because its
28788 ``x'' or ``y'' values were not real numbers. The result will be
28789 a matrix where each row holds the curve number, data point number,
28790 ``x'' value, and ``y'' value for a rejected data point.
28791 @xref{Evaluates-To Operator}, for a handy way to keep tabs on the
28792 current value of @code{PlotRejects}. @xref{Operations on Variables},
28793 for the @kbd{s R} command which is another easy way to examine
28794 @code{PlotRejects}.
28797 @pindex calc-graph-clear
28798 To clear the graphics display, type @kbd{g c} (@code{calc-graph-clear}).
28799 If the GNUPLOT output device is an X window, the window will go away.
28800 Effects on other kinds of output devices will vary. You don't need
28801 to use @kbd{g c} if you don't want to---if you give another @kbd{g f}
28802 or @kbd{g p} command later on, it will reuse the existing graphics
28803 window if there is one.
28805 @node Three Dimensional Graphics, Managing Curves, Basic Graphics, Graphics
28806 @section Three-Dimensional Graphics
28809 @pindex calc-graph-fast-3d
28810 The @kbd{g F} (@code{calc-graph-fast-3d}) command makes a three-dimensional
28811 graph. It works only if you have GNUPLOT 3.0 or later; with GNUPLOT 2.0,
28812 you will see a GNUPLOT error message if you try this command.
28814 The @kbd{g F} command takes three values from the stack, called ``x'',
28815 ``y'', and ``z'', respectively. As was the case for 2D graphs, there
28816 are several options for these values.
28818 In the first case, ``x'' and ``y'' are each vectors (not necessarily of
28819 the same length); either or both may instead be interval forms. The
28820 ``z'' value must be a matrix with the same number of rows as elements
28821 in ``x'', and the same number of columns as elements in ``y''. The
28822 result is a surface plot where
28823 @texline @math{z_{ij}}
28824 @infoline @expr{z_ij}
28825 is the height of the point
28826 at coordinate @expr{(x_i, y_j)} on the surface. The 3D graph will
28827 be displayed from a certain default viewpoint; you can change this
28828 viewpoint by adding a @samp{set view} to the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*}
28829 buffer as described later. See the GNUPLOT 3.0 documentation for a
28830 description of the @samp{set view} command.
28832 Each point in the matrix will be displayed as a dot in the graph,
28833 and these points will be connected by a grid of lines (@dfn{isolines}).
28835 In the second case, ``x'', ``y'', and ``z'' are all vectors of equal
28836 length. The resulting graph displays a 3D line instead of a surface,
28837 where the coordinates of points along the line are successive triplets
28838 of values from the input vectors.
28840 In the third case, ``x'' and ``y'' are vectors or interval forms, and
28841 ``z'' is any formula involving two variables (not counting variables
28842 with assigned values). These variables are sorted into alphabetical
28843 order; the first takes on values from ``x'' and the second takes on
28844 values from ``y'' to form a matrix of results that are graphed as a
28851 If the ``z'' formula evaluates to a call to the fictitious function
28852 @samp{xyz(@var{x}, @var{y}, @var{z})}, then the result is a
28853 ``parametric surface.'' In this case, the axes of the graph are
28854 taken from the @var{x} and @var{y} values in these calls, and the
28855 ``x'' and ``y'' values from the input vectors or intervals are used only
28856 to specify the range of inputs to the formula. For example, plotting
28857 @samp{[0..360], [0..180], xyz(sin(x)*sin(y), cos(x)*sin(y), cos(y))}
28858 will draw a sphere. (Since the default resolution for 3D plots is
28859 5 steps in each of ``x'' and ``y'', this will draw a very crude
28860 sphere. You could use the @kbd{g N} command, described below, to
28861 increase this resolution, or specify the ``x'' and ``y'' values as
28862 vectors with more than 5 elements.
28864 It is also possible to have a function in a regular @kbd{g f} plot
28865 evaluate to an @code{xyz} call. Since @kbd{g f} plots a line, not
28866 a surface, the result will be a 3D parametric line. For example,
28867 @samp{[[0..720], xyz(sin(x), cos(x), x)]} will plot two turns of a
28868 helix (a three-dimensional spiral).
28870 As for @kbd{g f}, each of ``x'', ``y'', and ``z'' may instead be
28871 variables containing the relevant data.
28873 @node Managing Curves, Graphics Options, Three Dimensional Graphics, Graphics
28874 @section Managing Curves
28877 The @kbd{g f} command is really shorthand for the following commands:
28878 @kbd{C-u g d g a g p}. Likewise, @w{@kbd{g F}} is shorthand for
28879 @kbd{C-u g d g A g p}. You can gain more control over your graph
28880 by using these commands directly.
28883 @pindex calc-graph-add
28884 The @kbd{g a} (@code{calc-graph-add}) command adds the ``curve''
28885 represented by the two values on the top of the stack to the current
28886 graph. You can have any number of curves in the same graph. When
28887 you give the @kbd{g p} command, all the curves will be drawn superimposed
28890 The @kbd{g a} command (and many others that affect the current graph)
28891 will cause a special buffer, @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*}, to be displayed
28892 in another window. This buffer is a template of the commands that will
28893 be sent to GNUPLOT when it is time to draw the graph. The first
28894 @kbd{g a} command adds a @code{plot} command to this buffer. Succeeding
28895 @kbd{g a} commands add extra curves onto that @code{plot} command.
28896 Other graph-related commands put other GNUPLOT commands into this
28897 buffer. In normal usage you never need to work with this buffer
28898 directly, but you can if you wish. The only constraint is that there
28899 must be only one @code{plot} command, and it must be the last command
28900 in the buffer. If you want to save and later restore a complete graph
28901 configuration, you can use regular Emacs commands to save and restore
28902 the contents of the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer.
28906 If the values on the stack are not variable names, @kbd{g a} will invent
28907 variable names for them (of the form @samp{PlotData@var{n}}) and store
28908 the values in those variables. The ``x'' and ``y'' variables are what
28909 go into the @code{plot} command in the template. If you add a curve
28910 that uses a certain variable and then later change that variable, you
28911 can replot the graph without having to delete and re-add the curve.
28912 That's because the variable name, not the vector, interval or formula
28913 itself, is what was added by @kbd{g a}.
28915 A numeric prefix argument on @kbd{g a} or @kbd{g f} changes the way
28916 stack entries are interpreted as curves. With a positive prefix
28917 argument @expr{n}, the top @expr{n} stack entries are ``y'' values
28918 for @expr{n} different curves which share a common ``x'' value in
28919 the @expr{n+1}st stack entry. (Thus @kbd{g a} with no prefix
28920 argument is equivalent to @kbd{C-u 1 g a}.)
28922 A prefix of zero or plain @kbd{C-u} means to take two stack entries,
28923 ``x'' and ``y'' as usual, but to interpret ``y'' as a vector of
28924 ``y'' values for several curves that share a common ``x''.
28926 A negative prefix argument tells Calc to read @expr{n} vectors from
28927 the stack; each vector @expr{[x, y]} describes an independent curve.
28928 This is the only form of @kbd{g a} that creates several curves at once
28929 that don't have common ``x'' values. (Of course, the range of ``x''
28930 values covered by all the curves ought to be roughly the same if
28931 they are to look nice on the same graph.)
28933 For example, to plot
28934 @texline @math{\sin n x}
28935 @infoline @expr{sin(n x)}
28936 for integers @expr{n}
28937 from 1 to 5, you could use @kbd{v x} to create a vector of integers
28938 (@expr{n}), then @kbd{V M '} or @kbd{V M $} to map @samp{sin(n x)}
28939 across this vector. The resulting vector of formulas is suitable
28940 for use as the ``y'' argument to a @kbd{C-u g a} or @kbd{C-u g f}
28944 @pindex calc-graph-add-3d
28945 The @kbd{g A} (@code{calc-graph-add-3d}) command adds a 3D curve
28946 to the graph. It is not valid to intermix 2D and 3D curves in a
28947 single graph. This command takes three arguments, ``x'', ``y'',
28948 and ``z'', from the stack. With a positive prefix @expr{n}, it
28949 takes @expr{n+2} arguments (common ``x'' and ``y'', plus @expr{n}
28950 separate ``z''s). With a zero prefix, it takes three stack entries
28951 but the ``z'' entry is a vector of curve values. With a negative
28952 prefix @expr{-n}, it takes @expr{n} vectors of the form @expr{[x, y, z]}.
28953 The @kbd{g A} command works by adding a @code{splot} (surface-plot)
28954 command to the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer.
28956 (Although @kbd{g a} adds a 2D @code{plot} command to the
28957 @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer, Calc changes this to @code{splot}
28958 before sending it to GNUPLOT if it notices that the data points are
28959 evaluating to @code{xyz} calls. It will not work to mix 2D and 3D
28960 @kbd{g a} curves in a single graph, although Calc does not currently
28964 @pindex calc-graph-delete
28965 The @kbd{g d} (@code{calc-graph-delete}) command deletes the most
28966 recently added curve from the graph. It has no effect if there are
28967 no curves in the graph. With a numeric prefix argument of any kind,
28968 it deletes all of the curves from the graph.
28971 @pindex calc-graph-hide
28972 The @kbd{g H} (@code{calc-graph-hide}) command ``hides'' or ``unhides''
28973 the most recently added curve. A hidden curve will not appear in
28974 the actual plot, but information about it such as its name and line and
28975 point styles will be retained.
28978 @pindex calc-graph-juggle
28979 The @kbd{g j} (@code{calc-graph-juggle}) command moves the curve
28980 at the end of the list (the ``most recently added curve'') to the
28981 front of the list. The next-most-recent curve is thus exposed for
28982 @w{@kbd{g d}} or similar commands to use. With @kbd{g j} you can work
28983 with any curve in the graph even though curve-related commands only
28984 affect the last curve in the list.
28987 @pindex calc-graph-plot
28988 The @kbd{g p} (@code{calc-graph-plot}) command uses GNUPLOT to draw
28989 the graph described in the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer. Any
28990 GNUPLOT parameters which are not defined by commands in this buffer
28991 are reset to their default values. The variables named in the @code{plot}
28992 command are written to a temporary data file and the variable names
28993 are then replaced by the file name in the template. The resulting
28994 plotting commands are fed to the GNUPLOT program. See the documentation
28995 for the GNUPLOT program for more specific information. All temporary
28996 files are removed when Emacs or GNUPLOT exits.
28998 If you give a formula for ``y'', Calc will remember all the values that
28999 it calculates for the formula so that later plots can reuse these values.
29000 Calc throws out these saved values when you change any circumstances
29001 that may affect the data, such as switching from Degrees to Radians
29002 mode, or changing the value of a parameter in the formula. You can
29003 force Calc to recompute the data from scratch by giving a negative
29004 numeric prefix argument to @kbd{g p}.
29006 Calc uses a fairly rough step size when graphing formulas over intervals.
29007 This is to ensure quick response. You can ``refine'' a plot by giving
29008 a positive numeric prefix argument to @kbd{g p}. Calc goes through
29009 the data points it has computed and saved from previous plots of the
29010 function, and computes and inserts a new data point midway between
29011 each of the existing points. You can refine a plot any number of times,
29012 but beware that the amount of calculation involved doubles each time.
29014 Calc does not remember computed values for 3D graphs. This means the
29015 numerix prefix argument, if any, to @kbd{g p} is effectively ignored if
29016 the current graph is three-dimensional.
29019 @pindex calc-graph-print
29020 The @kbd{g P} (@code{calc-graph-print}) command is like @kbd{g p},
29021 except that it sends the output to a printer instead of to the
29022 screen. More precisely, @kbd{g p} looks for @samp{set terminal}
29023 or @samp{set output} commands in the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer;
29024 lacking these it uses the default settings. However, @kbd{g P}
29025 ignores @samp{set terminal} and @samp{set output} commands and
29026 uses a different set of default values. All of these values are
29027 controlled by the @kbd{g D} and @kbd{g O} commands discussed below.
29028 Provided everything is set up properly, @kbd{g p} will plot to
29029 the screen unless you have specified otherwise and @kbd{g P} will
29030 always plot to the printer.
29032 @node Graphics Options, Devices, Managing Curves, Graphics
29033 @section Graphics Options
29037 @pindex calc-graph-grid
29038 The @kbd{g g} (@code{calc-graph-grid}) command turns the ``grid''
29039 on and off. It is off by default; tick marks appear only at the
29040 edges of the graph. With the grid turned on, dotted lines appear
29041 across the graph at each tick mark. Note that this command only
29042 changes the setting in @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*}; to see the effects
29043 of the change you must give another @kbd{g p} command.
29046 @pindex calc-graph-border
29047 The @kbd{g b} (@code{calc-graph-border}) command turns the border
29048 (the box that surrounds the graph) on and off. It is on by default.
29049 This command will only work with GNUPLOT 3.0 and later versions.
29052 @pindex calc-graph-key
29053 The @kbd{g k} (@code{calc-graph-key}) command turns the ``key''
29054 on and off. The key is a chart in the corner of the graph that
29055 shows the correspondence between curves and line styles. It is
29056 off by default, and is only really useful if you have several
29057 curves on the same graph.
29060 @pindex calc-graph-num-points
29061 The @kbd{g N} (@code{calc-graph-num-points}) command allows you
29062 to select the number of data points in the graph. This only affects
29063 curves where neither ``x'' nor ``y'' is specified as a vector.
29064 Enter a blank line to revert to the default value (initially 15).
29065 With no prefix argument, this command affects only the current graph.
29066 With a positive prefix argument this command changes or, if you enter
29067 a blank line, displays the default number of points used for all
29068 graphs created by @kbd{g a} that don't specify the resolution explicitly.
29069 With a negative prefix argument, this command changes or displays
29070 the default value (initially 5) used for 3D graphs created by @kbd{g A}.
29071 Note that a 3D setting of 5 means that a total of @expr{5^2 = 25} points
29072 will be computed for the surface.
29074 Data values in the graph of a function are normally computed to a
29075 precision of five digits, regardless of the current precision at the
29076 time. This is usually more than adequate, but there are cases where
29077 it will not be. For example, plotting @expr{1 + x} with @expr{x} in the
29078 interval @samp{[0 ..@: 1e-6]} will round all the data points down
29079 to 1.0! Putting the command @samp{set precision @var{n}} in the
29080 @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer will cause the data to be computed
29081 at precision @var{n} instead of 5. Since this is such a rare case,
29082 there is no keystroke-based command to set the precision.
29085 @pindex calc-graph-header
29086 The @kbd{g h} (@code{calc-graph-header}) command sets the title
29087 for the graph. This will show up centered above the graph.
29088 The default title is blank (no title).
29091 @pindex calc-graph-name
29092 The @kbd{g n} (@code{calc-graph-name}) command sets the title of an
29093 individual curve. Like the other curve-manipulating commands, it
29094 affects the most recently added curve, i.e., the last curve on the
29095 list in the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer. To set the title of
29096 the other curves you must first juggle them to the end of the list
29097 with @kbd{g j}, or edit the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer by hand.
29098 Curve titles appear in the key; if the key is turned off they are
29103 @pindex calc-graph-title-x
29104 @pindex calc-graph-title-y
29105 The @kbd{g t} (@code{calc-graph-title-x}) and @kbd{g T}
29106 (@code{calc-graph-title-y}) commands set the titles on the ``x''
29107 and ``y'' axes, respectively. These titles appear next to the
29108 tick marks on the left and bottom edges of the graph, respectively.
29109 Calc does not have commands to control the tick marks themselves,
29110 but you can edit them into the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer if
29111 you wish. See the GNUPLOT documentation for details.
29115 @pindex calc-graph-range-x
29116 @pindex calc-graph-range-y
29117 The @kbd{g r} (@code{calc-graph-range-x}) and @kbd{g R}
29118 (@code{calc-graph-range-y}) commands set the range of values on the
29119 ``x'' and ``y'' axes, respectively. You are prompted to enter a
29120 suitable range. This should be either a pair of numbers of the
29121 form, @samp{@var{min}:@var{max}}, or a blank line to revert to the
29122 default behavior of setting the range based on the range of values
29123 in the data, or @samp{$} to take the range from the top of the stack.
29124 Ranges on the stack can be represented as either interval forms or
29125 vectors: @samp{[@var{min} ..@: @var{max}]} or @samp{[@var{min}, @var{max}]}.
29129 @pindex calc-graph-log-x
29130 @pindex calc-graph-log-y
29131 The @kbd{g l} (@code{calc-graph-log-x}) and @kbd{g L} (@code{calc-graph-log-y})
29132 commands allow you to set either or both of the axes of the graph to
29133 be logarithmic instead of linear.
29138 @pindex calc-graph-log-z
29139 @pindex calc-graph-range-z
29140 @pindex calc-graph-title-z
29141 For 3D plots, @kbd{g C-t}, @kbd{g C-r}, and @kbd{g C-l} (those are
29142 letters with the Control key held down) are the corresponding commands
29143 for the ``z'' axis.
29147 @pindex calc-graph-zero-x
29148 @pindex calc-graph-zero-y
29149 The @kbd{g z} (@code{calc-graph-zero-x}) and @kbd{g Z}
29150 (@code{calc-graph-zero-y}) commands control whether a dotted line is
29151 drawn to indicate the ``x'' and/or ``y'' zero axes. (These are the same
29152 dotted lines that would be drawn there anyway if you used @kbd{g g} to
29153 turn the ``grid'' feature on.) Zero-axis lines are on by default, and
29154 may be turned off only in GNUPLOT 3.0 and later versions. They are
29155 not available for 3D plots.
29158 @pindex calc-graph-line-style
29159 The @kbd{g s} (@code{calc-graph-line-style}) command turns the connecting
29160 lines on or off for the most recently added curve, and optionally selects
29161 the style of lines to be used for that curve. Plain @kbd{g s} simply
29162 toggles the lines on and off. With a numeric prefix argument, @kbd{g s}
29163 turns lines on and sets a particular line style. Line style numbers
29164 start at one and their meanings vary depending on the output device.
29165 GNUPLOT guarantees that there will be at least six different line styles
29166 available for any device.
29169 @pindex calc-graph-point-style
29170 The @kbd{g S} (@code{calc-graph-point-style}) command similarly turns
29171 the symbols at the data points on or off, or sets the point style.
29172 If you turn both lines and points off, the data points will show as
29175 @cindex @code{LineStyles} variable
29176 @cindex @code{PointStyles} variable
29178 @vindex PointStyles
29179 Another way to specify curve styles is with the @code{LineStyles} and
29180 @code{PointStyles} variables. These variables initially have no stored
29181 values, but if you store a vector of integers in one of these variables,
29182 the @kbd{g a} and @kbd{g f} commands will use those style numbers
29183 instead of the defaults for new curves that are added to the graph.
29184 An entry should be a positive integer for a specific style, or 0 to let
29185 the style be chosen automatically, or @mathit{-1} to turn off lines or points
29186 altogether. If there are more curves than elements in the vector, the
29187 last few curves will continue to have the default styles. Of course,
29188 you can later use @kbd{g s} and @kbd{g S} to change any of these styles.
29190 For example, @kbd{'[2 -1 3] @key{RET} s t LineStyles} causes the first curve
29191 to have lines in style number 2, the second curve to have no connecting
29192 lines, and the third curve to have lines in style 3. Point styles will
29193 still be assigned automatically, but you could store another vector in
29194 @code{PointStyles} to define them, too.
29196 @node Devices, , Graphics Options, Graphics
29197 @section Graphical Devices
29201 @pindex calc-graph-device
29202 The @kbd{g D} (@code{calc-graph-device}) command sets the device name
29203 (or ``terminal name'' in GNUPLOT lingo) to be used by @kbd{g p} commands
29204 on this graph. It does not affect the permanent default device name.
29205 If you enter a blank name, the device name reverts to the default.
29206 Enter @samp{?} to see a list of supported devices.
29208 With a positive numeric prefix argument, @kbd{g D} instead sets
29209 the default device name, used by all plots in the future which do
29210 not override it with a plain @kbd{g D} command. If you enter a
29211 blank line this command shows you the current default. The special
29212 name @code{default} signifies that Calc should choose @code{x11} if
29213 the X window system is in use (as indicated by the presence of a
29214 @code{DISPLAY} environment variable), or otherwise @code{dumb} under
29215 GNUPLOT 3.0 and later, or @code{postscript} under GNUPLOT 2.0.
29216 This is the initial default value.
29218 The @code{dumb} device is an interface to ``dumb terminals,'' i.e.,
29219 terminals with no special graphics facilities. It writes a crude
29220 picture of the graph composed of characters like @code{-} and @code{|}
29221 to a buffer called @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*}, which Calc then displays.
29222 The graph is made the same size as the Emacs screen, which on most
29223 dumb terminals will be
29224 @texline @math{80\times24}
29226 characters. The graph is displayed in
29227 an Emacs ``recursive edit''; type @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-c C-c} to exit
29228 the recursive edit and return to Calc. Note that the @code{dumb}
29229 device is present only in GNUPLOT 3.0 and later versions.
29231 The word @code{dumb} may be followed by two numbers separated by
29232 spaces. These are the desired width and height of the graph in
29233 characters. Also, the device name @code{big} is like @code{dumb}
29234 but creates a graph four times the width and height of the Emacs
29235 screen. You will then have to scroll around to view the entire
29236 graph. In the @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*} buffer, @key{SPC}, @key{DEL},
29237 @kbd{<}, and @kbd{>} are defined to scroll by one screenful in each
29238 of the four directions.
29240 With a negative numeric prefix argument, @kbd{g D} sets or displays
29241 the device name used by @kbd{g P} (@code{calc-graph-print}). This
29242 is initially @code{postscript}. If you don't have a PostScript
29243 printer, you may decide once again to use @code{dumb} to create a
29244 plot on any text-only printer.
29247 @pindex calc-graph-output
29248 The @kbd{g O} (@code{calc-graph-output}) command sets the name of
29249 the output file used by GNUPLOT. For some devices, notably @code{x11},
29250 there is no output file and this information is not used. Many other
29251 ``devices'' are really file formats like @code{postscript}; in these
29252 cases the output in the desired format goes into the file you name
29253 with @kbd{g O}. Type @kbd{g O stdout @key{RET}} to set GNUPLOT to write
29254 to its standard output stream, i.e., to @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*}.
29255 This is the default setting.
29257 Another special output name is @code{tty}, which means that GNUPLOT
29258 is going to write graphics commands directly to its standard output,
29259 which you wish Emacs to pass through to your terminal. Tektronix
29260 graphics terminals, among other devices, operate this way. Calc does
29261 this by telling GNUPLOT to write to a temporary file, then running a
29262 sub-shell executing the command @samp{cat tempfile >/dev/tty}. On
29263 typical Unix systems, this will copy the temporary file directly to
29264 the terminal, bypassing Emacs entirely. You will have to type @kbd{C-l}
29265 to Emacs afterwards to refresh the screen.
29267 Once again, @kbd{g O} with a positive or negative prefix argument
29268 sets the default or printer output file names, respectively. In each
29269 case you can specify @code{auto}, which causes Calc to invent a temporary
29270 file name for each @kbd{g p} (or @kbd{g P}) command. This temporary file
29271 will be deleted once it has been displayed or printed. If the output file
29272 name is not @code{auto}, the file is not automatically deleted.
29274 The default and printer devices and output files can be saved
29275 permanently by the @kbd{m m} (@code{calc-save-modes}) command. The
29276 default number of data points (see @kbd{g N}) and the X geometry
29277 (see @kbd{g X}) are also saved. Other graph information is @emph{not}
29278 saved; you can save a graph's configuration simply by saving the contents
29279 of the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer.
29281 @vindex calc-gnuplot-plot-command
29282 @vindex calc-gnuplot-default-device
29283 @vindex calc-gnuplot-default-output
29284 @vindex calc-gnuplot-print-command
29285 @vindex calc-gnuplot-print-device
29286 @vindex calc-gnuplot-print-output
29287 You may wish to configure the default and
29288 printer devices and output files for the whole system. The relevant
29289 Lisp variables are @code{calc-gnuplot-default-device} and @code{-output},
29290 and @code{calc-gnuplot-print-device} and @code{-output}. The output
29291 file names must be either strings as described above, or Lisp
29292 expressions which are evaluated on the fly to get the output file names.
29294 Other important Lisp variables are @code{calc-gnuplot-plot-command} and
29295 @code{calc-gnuplot-print-command}, which give the system commands to
29296 display or print the output of GNUPLOT, respectively. These may be
29297 @code{nil} if no command is necessary, or strings which can include
29298 @samp{%s} to signify the name of the file to be displayed or printed.
29299 Or, these variables may contain Lisp expressions which are evaluated
29300 to display or print the output. These variables are customizable
29301 (@pxref{Customizable Variables}).
29304 @pindex calc-graph-display
29305 The @kbd{g x} (@code{calc-graph-display}) command lets you specify
29306 on which X window system display your graphs should be drawn. Enter
29307 a blank line to see the current display name. This command has no
29308 effect unless the current device is @code{x11}.
29311 @pindex calc-graph-geometry
29312 The @kbd{g X} (@code{calc-graph-geometry}) command is a similar
29313 command for specifying the position and size of the X window.
29314 The normal value is @code{default}, which generally means your
29315 window manager will let you place the window interactively.
29316 Entering @samp{800x500+0+0} would create an 800-by-500 pixel
29317 window in the upper-left corner of the screen.
29319 The buffer called @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*} holds a transcript of the
29320 session with GNUPLOT. This shows the commands Calc has ``typed'' to
29321 GNUPLOT and the responses it has received. Calc tries to notice when an
29322 error message has appeared here and display the buffer for you when
29323 this happens. You can check this buffer yourself if you suspect
29324 something has gone wrong.
29327 @pindex calc-graph-command
29328 The @kbd{g C} (@code{calc-graph-command}) command prompts you to
29329 enter any line of text, then simply sends that line to the current
29330 GNUPLOT process. The @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*} buffer looks deceptively
29331 like a Shell buffer but you can't type commands in it yourself.
29332 Instead, you must use @kbd{g C} for this purpose.
29336 @pindex calc-graph-view-commands
29337 @pindex calc-graph-view-trail
29338 The @kbd{g v} (@code{calc-graph-view-commands}) and @kbd{g V}
29339 (@code{calc-graph-view-trail}) commands display the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*}
29340 and @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*} buffers, respectively, in another window.
29341 This happens automatically when Calc thinks there is something you
29342 will want to see in either of these buffers. If you type @kbd{g v}
29343 or @kbd{g V} when the relevant buffer is already displayed, the
29344 buffer is hidden again.
29346 One reason to use @kbd{g v} is to add your own commands to the
29347 @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer. Press @kbd{g v}, then use
29348 @kbd{C-x o} to switch into that window. For example, GNUPLOT has
29349 @samp{set label} and @samp{set arrow} commands that allow you to
29350 annotate your plots. Since Calc doesn't understand these commands,
29351 you have to add them to the @samp{*Gnuplot Commands*} buffer
29352 yourself, then use @w{@kbd{g p}} to replot using these new commands. Note
29353 that your commands must appear @emph{before} the @code{plot} command.
29354 To get help on any GNUPLOT feature, type, e.g., @kbd{g C help set label}.
29355 You may have to type @kbd{g C @key{RET}} a few times to clear the
29356 ``press return for more'' or ``subtopic of @dots{}'' requests.
29357 Note that Calc always sends commands (like @samp{set nolabel}) to
29358 reset all plotting parameters to the defaults before each plot, so
29359 to delete a label all you need to do is delete the @samp{set label}
29360 line you added (or comment it out with @samp{#}) and then replot
29364 @pindex calc-graph-quit
29365 You can use @kbd{g q} (@code{calc-graph-quit}) to kill the GNUPLOT
29366 process that is running. The next graphing command you give will
29367 start a fresh GNUPLOT process. The word @samp{Graph} appears in
29368 the Calc window's mode line whenever a GNUPLOT process is currently
29369 running. The GNUPLOT process is automatically killed when you
29370 exit Emacs if you haven't killed it manually by then.
29373 @pindex calc-graph-kill
29374 The @kbd{g K} (@code{calc-graph-kill}) command is like @kbd{g q}
29375 except that it also views the @samp{*Gnuplot Trail*} buffer so that
29376 you can see the process being killed. This is better if you are
29377 killing GNUPLOT because you think it has gotten stuck.
29379 @node Kill and Yank, Keypad Mode, Graphics, Top
29380 @chapter Kill and Yank Functions
29383 The commands in this chapter move information between the Calculator and
29384 other Emacs editing buffers.
29386 In many cases Embedded mode is an easier and more natural way to
29387 work with Calc from a regular editing buffer. @xref{Embedded Mode}.
29390 * Killing From Stack::
29391 * Yanking Into Stack::
29392 * Grabbing From Buffers::
29393 * Yanking Into Buffers::
29394 * X Cut and Paste::
29397 @node Killing From Stack, Yanking Into Stack, Kill and Yank, Kill and Yank
29398 @section Killing from the Stack
29404 @pindex calc-copy-as-kill
29406 @pindex calc-kill-region
29408 @pindex calc-copy-region-as-kill
29410 @dfn{Kill} commands are Emacs commands that insert text into the
29411 ``kill ring,'' from which it can later be ``yanked'' by a @kbd{C-y}
29412 command. Three common kill commands in normal Emacs are @kbd{C-k}, which
29413 kills one line, @kbd{C-w}, which kills the region between mark and point,
29414 and @kbd{M-w}, which puts the region into the kill ring without actually
29415 deleting it. All of these commands work in the Calculator, too. Also,
29416 @kbd{M-k} has been provided to complete the set; it puts the current line
29417 into the kill ring without deleting anything.
29419 The kill commands are unusual in that they pay attention to the location
29420 of the cursor in the Calculator buffer. If the cursor is on or below the
29421 bottom line, the kill commands operate on the top of the stack. Otherwise,
29422 they operate on whatever stack element the cursor is on. Calc's kill
29423 commands always operate on whole stack entries. (They act the same as their
29424 standard Emacs cousins except they ``round up'' the specified region to
29425 encompass full lines.) The text is copied into the kill ring exactly as
29426 it appears on the screen, including line numbers if they are enabled.
29428 A numeric prefix argument to @kbd{C-k} or @kbd{M-k} affects the number
29429 of lines killed. A positive argument kills the current line and @expr{n-1}
29430 lines below it. A negative argument kills the @expr{-n} lines above the
29431 current line. Again this mirrors the behavior of the standard Emacs
29432 @kbd{C-k} command. Although a whole line is always deleted, @kbd{C-k}
29433 with no argument copies only the number itself into the kill ring, whereas
29434 @kbd{C-k} with a prefix argument of 1 copies the number with its trailing
29437 @node Yanking Into Stack, Grabbing From Buffers, Killing From Stack, Kill and Yank
29438 @section Yanking into the Stack
29443 The @kbd{C-y} command yanks the most recently killed text back into the
29444 Calculator. It pushes this value onto the top of the stack regardless of
29445 the cursor position. In general it re-parses the killed text as a number
29446 or formula (or a list of these separated by commas or newlines). However if
29447 the thing being yanked is something that was just killed from the Calculator
29448 itself, its full internal structure is yanked. For example, if you have
29449 set the floating-point display mode to show only four significant digits,
29450 then killing and re-yanking 3.14159 (which displays as 3.142) will yank the
29451 full 3.14159, even though yanking it into any other buffer would yank the
29452 number in its displayed form, 3.142. (Since the default display modes
29453 show all objects to their full precision, this feature normally makes no
29456 @node Grabbing From Buffers, Yanking Into Buffers, Yanking Into Stack, Kill and Yank
29457 @section Grabbing from Other Buffers
29461 @pindex calc-grab-region
29462 The @kbd{M-# g} (@code{calc-grab-region}) command takes the text between
29463 point and mark in the current buffer and attempts to parse it as a
29464 vector of values. Basically, it wraps the text in vector brackets
29465 @samp{[ ]} unless the text already is enclosed in vector brackets,
29466 then reads the text as if it were an algebraic entry. The contents
29467 of the vector may be numbers, formulas, or any other Calc objects.
29468 If the @kbd{M-# g} command works successfully, it does an automatic
29469 @kbd{M-# c} to enter the Calculator buffer.
29471 A numeric prefix argument grabs the specified number of lines around
29472 point, ignoring the mark. A positive prefix grabs from point to the
29473 @expr{n}th following newline (so that @kbd{M-1 M-# g} grabs from point
29474 to the end of the current line); a negative prefix grabs from point
29475 back to the @expr{n+1}st preceding newline. In these cases the text
29476 that is grabbed is exactly the same as the text that @kbd{C-k} would
29477 delete given that prefix argument.
29479 A prefix of zero grabs the current line; point may be anywhere on the
29482 A plain @kbd{C-u} prefix interprets the region between point and mark
29483 as a single number or formula rather than a vector. For example,
29484 @kbd{M-# g} on the text @samp{2 a b} produces the vector of three
29485 values @samp{[2, a, b]}, but @kbd{C-u M-# g} on the same region
29486 reads a formula which is a product of three things: @samp{2 a b}.
29487 (The text @samp{a + b}, on the other hand, will be grabbed as a
29488 vector of one element by plain @kbd{M-# g} because the interpretation
29489 @samp{[a, +, b]} would be a syntax error.)
29491 If a different language has been specified (@pxref{Language Modes}),
29492 the grabbed text will be interpreted according to that language.
29495 @pindex calc-grab-rectangle
29496 The @kbd{M-# r} (@code{calc-grab-rectangle}) command takes the text between
29497 point and mark and attempts to parse it as a matrix. If point and mark
29498 are both in the leftmost column, the lines in between are parsed in their
29499 entirety. Otherwise, point and mark define the corners of a rectangle
29500 whose contents are parsed.
29502 Each line of the grabbed area becomes a row of the matrix. The result
29503 will actually be a vector of vectors, which Calc will treat as a matrix
29504 only if every row contains the same number of values.
29506 If a line contains a portion surrounded by square brackets (or curly
29507 braces), that portion is interpreted as a vector which becomes a row
29508 of the matrix. Any text surrounding the bracketed portion on the line
29511 Otherwise, the entire line is interpreted as a row vector as if it
29512 were surrounded by square brackets. Leading line numbers (in the
29513 format used in the Calc stack buffer) are ignored. If you wish to
29514 force this interpretation (even if the line contains bracketed
29515 portions), give a negative numeric prefix argument to the
29516 @kbd{M-# r} command.
29518 If you give a numeric prefix argument of zero or plain @kbd{C-u}, each
29519 line is instead interpreted as a single formula which is converted into
29520 a one-element vector. Thus the result of @kbd{C-u M-# r} will be a
29521 one-column matrix. For example, suppose one line of the data is the
29522 expression @samp{2 a}. A plain @w{@kbd{M-# r}} will interpret this as
29523 @samp{[2 a]}, which in turn is read as a two-element vector that forms
29524 one row of the matrix. But a @kbd{C-u M-# r} will interpret this row
29527 If you give a positive numeric prefix argument @var{n}, then each line
29528 will be split up into columns of width @var{n}; each column is parsed
29529 separately as a matrix element. If a line contained
29530 @w{@samp{2 +/- 3 4 +/- 5}}, then grabbing with a prefix argument of 8
29531 would correctly split the line into two error forms.
29533 @xref{Matrix Functions}, to see how to pull the matrix apart into its
29534 constituent rows and columns. (If it is a
29535 @texline @math{1\times1}
29537 matrix, just hit @kbd{v u} (@code{calc-unpack}) twice.)
29541 @pindex calc-grab-sum-across
29542 @pindex calc-grab-sum-down
29543 @cindex Summing rows and columns of data
29544 The @kbd{M-# :} (@code{calc-grab-sum-down}) command is a handy way to
29545 grab a rectangle of data and sum its columns. It is equivalent to
29546 typing @kbd{M-# r}, followed by @kbd{V R : +} (the vector reduction
29547 command that sums the columns of a matrix; @pxref{Reducing}). The
29548 result of the command will be a vector of numbers, one for each column
29549 in the input data. The @kbd{M-# _} (@code{calc-grab-sum-across}) command
29550 similarly grabs a rectangle and sums its rows by executing @w{@kbd{V R _ +}}.
29552 As well as being more convenient, @kbd{M-# :} and @kbd{M-# _} are also
29553 much faster because they don't actually place the grabbed vector on
29554 the stack. In a @kbd{M-# r V R : +} sequence, formatting the vector
29555 for display on the stack takes a large fraction of the total time
29556 (unless you have planned ahead and used @kbd{v .} and @kbd{t .} modes).
29558 For example, suppose we have a column of numbers in a file which we
29559 wish to sum. Go to one corner of the column and press @kbd{C-@@} to
29560 set the mark; go to the other corner and type @kbd{M-# :}. Since there
29561 is only one column, the result will be a vector of one number, the sum.
29562 (You can type @kbd{v u} to unpack this vector into a plain number if
29563 you want to do further arithmetic with it.)
29565 To compute the product of the column of numbers, we would have to do
29566 it ``by hand'' since there's no special grab-and-multiply command.
29567 Use @kbd{M-# r} to grab the column of numbers into the calculator in
29568 the form of a column matrix. The statistics command @kbd{u *} is a
29569 handy way to find the product of a vector or matrix of numbers.
29570 @xref{Statistical Operations}. Another approach would be to use
29571 an explicit column reduction command, @kbd{V R : *}.
29573 @node Yanking Into Buffers, X Cut and Paste, Grabbing From Buffers, Kill and Yank
29574 @section Yanking into Other Buffers
29578 @pindex calc-copy-to-buffer
29579 The plain @kbd{y} (@code{calc-copy-to-buffer}) command inserts the number
29580 at the top of the stack into the most recently used normal editing buffer.
29581 (More specifically, this is the most recently used buffer which is displayed
29582 in a window and whose name does not begin with @samp{*}. If there is no
29583 such buffer, this is the most recently used buffer except for Calculator
29584 and Calc Trail buffers.) The number is inserted exactly as it appears and
29585 without a newline. (If line-numbering is enabled, the line number is
29586 normally not included.) The number is @emph{not} removed from the stack.
29588 With a prefix argument, @kbd{y} inserts several numbers, one per line.
29589 A positive argument inserts the specified number of values from the top
29590 of the stack. A negative argument inserts the @expr{n}th value from the
29591 top of the stack. An argument of zero inserts the entire stack. Note
29592 that @kbd{y} with an argument of 1 is slightly different from @kbd{y}
29593 with no argument; the former always copies full lines, whereas the
29594 latter strips off the trailing newline.
29596 With a lone @kbd{C-u} as a prefix argument, @kbd{y} @emph{replaces} the
29597 region in the other buffer with the yanked text, then quits the
29598 Calculator, leaving you in that buffer. A typical use would be to use
29599 @kbd{M-# g} to read a region of data into the Calculator, operate on the
29600 data to produce a new matrix, then type @kbd{C-u y} to replace the
29601 original data with the new data. One might wish to alter the matrix
29602 display style (@pxref{Vector and Matrix Formats}) or change the current
29603 display language (@pxref{Language Modes}) before doing this. Also, note
29604 that this command replaces a linear region of text (as grabbed by
29605 @kbd{M-# g}), not a rectangle (as grabbed by @kbd{M-# r}).
29607 If the editing buffer is in overwrite (as opposed to insert) mode,
29608 and the @kbd{C-u} prefix was not used, then the yanked number will
29609 overwrite the characters following point rather than being inserted
29610 before those characters. The usual conventions of overwrite mode
29611 are observed; for example, characters will be inserted at the end of
29612 a line rather than overflowing onto the next line. Yanking a multi-line
29613 object such as a matrix in overwrite mode overwrites the next @var{n}
29614 lines in the buffer, lengthening or shortening each line as necessary.
29615 Finally, if the thing being yanked is a simple integer or floating-point
29616 number (like @samp{-1.2345e-3}) and the characters following point also
29617 make up such a number, then Calc will replace that number with the new
29618 number, lengthening or shortening as necessary. The concept of
29619 ``overwrite mode'' has thus been generalized from overwriting characters
29620 to overwriting one complete number with another.
29623 The @kbd{M-# y} key sequence is equivalent to @kbd{y} except that
29624 it can be typed anywhere, not just in Calc. This provides an easy
29625 way to guarantee that Calc knows which editing buffer you want to use!
29627 @node X Cut and Paste, , Yanking Into Buffers, Kill and Yank
29628 @section X Cut and Paste
29631 If you are using Emacs with the X window system, there is an easier
29632 way to move small amounts of data into and out of the calculator:
29633 Use the mouse-oriented cut and paste facilities of X.
29635 The default bindings for a three-button mouse cause the left button
29636 to move the Emacs cursor to the given place, the right button to
29637 select the text between the cursor and the clicked location, and
29638 the middle button to yank the selection into the buffer at the
29639 clicked location. So, if you have a Calc window and an editing
29640 window on your Emacs screen, you can use left-click/right-click
29641 to select a number, vector, or formula from one window, then
29642 middle-click to paste that value into the other window. When you
29643 paste text into the Calc window, Calc interprets it as an algebraic
29644 entry. It doesn't matter where you click in the Calc window; the
29645 new value is always pushed onto the top of the stack.
29647 The @code{xterm} program that is typically used for general-purpose
29648 shell windows in X interprets the mouse buttons in the same way.
29649 So you can use the mouse to move data between Calc and any other
29650 Unix program. One nice feature of @code{xterm} is that a double
29651 left-click selects one word, and a triple left-click selects a
29652 whole line. So you can usually transfer a single number into Calc
29653 just by double-clicking on it in the shell, then middle-clicking
29654 in the Calc window.
29656 @node Keypad Mode, Embedded Mode, Kill and Yank, Top
29657 @chapter Keypad Mode
29661 @pindex calc-keypad
29662 The @kbd{M-# k} (@code{calc-keypad}) command starts the Calculator
29663 and displays a picture of a calculator-style keypad. If you are using
29664 the X window system, you can click on any of the ``keys'' in the
29665 keypad using the left mouse button to operate the calculator.
29666 The original window remains the selected window; in Keypad mode
29667 you can type in your file while simultaneously performing
29668 calculations with the mouse.
29670 @pindex full-calc-keypad
29671 If you have used @kbd{M-# b} first, @kbd{M-# k} instead invokes
29672 the @code{full-calc-keypad} command, which takes over the whole
29673 Emacs screen and displays the keypad, the Calc stack, and the Calc
29674 trail all at once. This mode would normally be used when running
29675 Calc standalone (@pxref{Standalone Operation}).
29677 If you aren't using the X window system, you must switch into
29678 the @samp{*Calc Keypad*} window, place the cursor on the desired
29679 ``key,'' and type @key{SPC} or @key{RET}. If you think this
29680 is easier than using Calc normally, go right ahead.
29682 Calc commands are more or less the same in Keypad mode. Certain
29683 keypad keys differ slightly from the corresponding normal Calc
29684 keystrokes; all such deviations are described below.
29686 Keypad mode includes many more commands than will fit on the keypad
29687 at once. Click the right mouse button [@code{calc-keypad-menu}]
29688 to switch to the next menu. The bottom five rows of the keypad
29689 stay the same; the top three rows change to a new set of commands.
29690 To return to earlier menus, click the middle mouse button
29691 [@code{calc-keypad-menu-back}] or simply advance through the menus
29692 until you wrap around. Typing @key{TAB} inside the keypad window
29693 is equivalent to clicking the right mouse button there.
29695 You can always click the @key{EXEC} button and type any normal
29696 Calc key sequence. This is equivalent to switching into the
29697 Calc buffer, typing the keys, then switching back to your
29701 * Keypad Main Menu::
29702 * Keypad Functions Menu::
29703 * Keypad Binary Menu::
29704 * Keypad Vectors Menu::
29705 * Keypad Modes Menu::
29708 @node Keypad Main Menu, Keypad Functions Menu, Keypad Mode, Keypad Mode
29713 |----+-----Calc 2.1------+----1
29714 |FLR |CEIL|RND |TRNC|CLN2|FLT |
29715 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
29716 | LN |EXP | |ABS |IDIV|MOD |
29717 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
29718 |SIN |COS |TAN |SQRT|y^x |1/x |
29719 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
29720 | ENTER |+/- |EEX |UNDO| <- |
29721 |-----+---+-+--+--+-+---++----|
29722 | INV | 7 | 8 | 9 | / |
29723 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----|
29724 | HYP | 4 | 5 | 6 | * |
29725 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----|
29726 |EXEC | 1 | 2 | 3 | - |
29727 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----|
29728 | OFF | 0 | . | PI | + |
29729 |-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
29734 This is the menu that appears the first time you start Keypad mode.
29735 It will show up in a vertical window on the right side of your screen.
29736 Above this menu is the traditional Calc stack display. On a 24-line
29737 screen you will be able to see the top three stack entries.
29739 The ten digit keys, decimal point, and @key{EEX} key are used for
29740 entering numbers in the obvious way. @key{EEX} begins entry of an
29741 exponent in scientific notation. Just as with regular Calc, the
29742 number is pushed onto the stack as soon as you press @key{ENTER}
29743 or any other function key.
29745 The @key{+/-} key corresponds to normal Calc's @kbd{n} key. During
29746 numeric entry it changes the sign of the number or of the exponent.
29747 At other times it changes the sign of the number on the top of the
29750 The @key{INV} and @key{HYP} keys modify other keys. As well as
29751 having the effects described elsewhere in this manual, Keypad mode
29752 defines several other ``inverse'' operations. These are described
29753 below and in the following sections.
29755 The @key{ENTER} key finishes the current numeric entry, or otherwise
29756 duplicates the top entry on the stack.
29758 The @key{UNDO} key undoes the most recent Calc operation.
29759 @kbd{INV UNDO} is the ``redo'' command, and @kbd{HYP UNDO} is
29760 ``last arguments'' (@kbd{M-@key{RET}}).
29762 The @key{<-} key acts as a ``backspace'' during numeric entry.
29763 At other times it removes the top stack entry. @kbd{INV <-}
29764 clears the entire stack. @kbd{HYP <-} takes an integer from
29765 the stack, then removes that many additional stack elements.
29767 The @key{EXEC} key prompts you to enter any keystroke sequence
29768 that would normally work in Calc mode. This can include a
29769 numeric prefix if you wish. It is also possible simply to
29770 switch into the Calc window and type commands in it; there is
29771 nothing ``magic'' about this window when Keypad mode is active.
29773 The other keys in this display perform their obvious calculator
29774 functions. @key{CLN2} rounds the top-of-stack by temporarily
29775 reducing the precision by 2 digits. @key{FLT} converts an
29776 integer or fraction on the top of the stack to floating-point.
29778 The @key{INV} and @key{HYP} keys combined with several of these keys
29779 give you access to some common functions even if the appropriate menu
29780 is not displayed. Obviously you don't need to learn these keys
29781 unless you find yourself wasting time switching among the menus.
29785 is the same as @key{1/x}.
29787 is the same as @key{SQRT}.
29789 is the same as @key{CONJ}.
29791 is the same as @key{y^x}.
29793 is the same as @key{INV y^x} (the @expr{x}th root of @expr{y}).
29795 are the same as @key{SIN} / @kbd{INV SIN}.
29797 are the same as @key{COS} / @kbd{INV COS}.
29799 are the same as @key{TAN} / @kbd{INV TAN}.
29801 are the same as @key{LN} / @kbd{HYP LN}.
29803 are the same as @key{EXP} / @kbd{HYP EXP}.
29805 is the same as @key{ABS}.
29807 is the same as @key{RND} (@code{calc-round}).
29809 is the same as @key{CLN2}.
29811 is the same as @key{FLT} (@code{calc-float}).
29813 is the same as @key{IMAG}.
29815 is the same as @key{PREC}.
29817 is the same as @key{SWAP}.
29819 is the same as @key{RLL3}.
29820 @item INV HYP ENTER
29821 is the same as @key{OVER}.
29823 packs the top two stack entries as an error form.
29825 packs the top two stack entries as a modulo form.
29827 creates an interval form; this removes an integer which is one
29828 of 0 @samp{[]}, 1 @samp{[)}, 2 @samp{(]} or 3 @samp{()}, followed
29829 by the two limits of the interval.
29832 The @kbd{OFF} key turns Calc off; typing @kbd{M-# k} or @kbd{M-# M-#}
29833 again has the same effect. This is analogous to typing @kbd{q} or
29834 hitting @kbd{M-# c} again in the normal calculator. If Calc is
29835 running standalone (the @code{full-calc-keypad} command appeared in the
29836 command line that started Emacs), then @kbd{OFF} is replaced with
29837 @kbd{EXIT}; clicking on this actually exits Emacs itself.
29839 @node Keypad Functions Menu, Keypad Binary Menu, Keypad Main Menu, Keypad Mode
29840 @section Functions Menu
29844 |----+----+----+----+----+----2
29845 |IGAM|BETA|IBET|ERF |BESJ|BESY|
29846 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
29847 |IMAG|CONJ| RE |ATN2|RAND|RAGN|
29848 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
29849 |GCD |FACT|DFCT|BNOM|PERM|NXTP|
29850 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
29855 This menu provides various operations from the @kbd{f} and @kbd{k}
29858 @key{IMAG} multiplies the number on the stack by the imaginary
29859 number @expr{i = (0, 1)}.
29861 @key{RE} extracts the real part a complex number. @kbd{INV RE}
29862 extracts the imaginary part.
29864 @key{RAND} takes a number from the top of the stack and computes
29865 a random number greater than or equal to zero but less than that
29866 number. (@xref{Random Numbers}.) @key{RAGN} is the ``random
29867 again'' command; it computes another random number using the
29868 same limit as last time.
29870 @key{INV GCD} computes the LCM (least common multiple) function.
29872 @key{INV FACT} is the gamma function.
29873 @texline @math{\Gamma(x) = (x-1)!}.
29874 @infoline @expr{gamma(x) = (x-1)!}.
29876 @key{PERM} is the number-of-permutations function, which is on the
29877 @kbd{H k c} key in normal Calc.
29879 @key{NXTP} finds the next prime after a number. @kbd{INV NXTP}
29880 finds the previous prime.
29882 @node Keypad Binary Menu, Keypad Vectors Menu, Keypad Functions Menu, Keypad Mode
29883 @section Binary Menu
29887 |----+----+----+----+----+----3
29888 |AND | OR |XOR |NOT |LSH |RSH |
29889 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
29890 |DEC |HEX |OCT |BIN |WSIZ|ARSH|
29891 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
29892 | A | B | C | D | E | F |
29893 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
29898 The keys in this menu perform operations on binary integers.
29899 Note that both logical and arithmetic right-shifts are provided.
29900 @key{INV LSH} rotates one bit to the left.
29902 The ``difference'' function (normally on @kbd{b d}) is on @key{INV AND}.
29903 The ``clip'' function (normally on @w{@kbd{b c}}) is on @key{INV NOT}.
29905 The @key{DEC}, @key{HEX}, @key{OCT}, and @key{BIN} keys select the
29906 current radix for display and entry of numbers: Decimal, hexadecimal,
29907 octal, or binary. The six letter keys @key{A} through @key{F} are used
29908 for entering hexadecimal numbers.
29910 The @key{WSIZ} key displays the current word size for binary operations
29911 and allows you to enter a new word size. You can respond to the prompt
29912 using either the keyboard or the digits and @key{ENTER} from the keypad.
29913 The initial word size is 32 bits.
29915 @node Keypad Vectors Menu, Keypad Modes Menu, Keypad Binary Menu, Keypad Mode
29916 @section Vectors Menu
29920 |----+----+----+----+----+----4
29921 |SUM |PROD|MAX |MAP*|MAP^|MAP$|
29922 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
29923 |MINV|MDET|MTRN|IDNT|CRSS|"x" |
29924 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
29925 |PACK|UNPK|INDX|BLD |LEN |... |
29926 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
29931 The keys in this menu operate on vectors and matrices.
29933 @key{PACK} removes an integer @var{n} from the top of the stack;
29934 the next @var{n} stack elements are removed and packed into a vector,
29935 which is replaced onto the stack. Thus the sequence
29936 @kbd{1 ENTER 3 ENTER 5 ENTER 3 PACK} enters the vector
29937 @samp{[1, 3, 5]} onto the stack. To enter a matrix, build each row
29938 on the stack as a vector, then use a final @key{PACK} to collect the
29939 rows into a matrix.
29941 @key{UNPK} unpacks the vector on the stack, pushing each of its
29942 components separately.
29944 @key{INDX} removes an integer @var{n}, then builds a vector of
29945 integers from 1 to @var{n}. @kbd{INV INDX} takes three numbers
29946 from the stack: The vector size @var{n}, the starting number,
29947 and the increment. @kbd{BLD} takes an integer @var{n} and any
29948 value @var{x} and builds a vector of @var{n} copies of @var{x}.
29950 @key{IDNT} removes an integer @var{n}, then builds an @var{n}-by-@var{n}
29953 @key{LEN} replaces a vector by its length, an integer.
29955 @key{...} turns on or off ``abbreviated'' display mode for large vectors.
29957 @key{MINV}, @key{MDET}, @key{MTRN}, and @key{CROSS} are the matrix
29958 inverse, determinant, and transpose, and vector cross product.
29960 @key{SUM} replaces a vector by the sum of its elements. It is
29961 equivalent to @kbd{u +} in normal Calc (@pxref{Statistical Operations}).
29962 @key{PROD} computes the product of the elements of a vector, and
29963 @key{MAX} computes the maximum of all the elements of a vector.
29965 @key{INV SUM} computes the alternating sum of the first element
29966 minus the second, plus the third, minus the fourth, and so on.
29967 @key{INV MAX} computes the minimum of the vector elements.
29969 @key{HYP SUM} computes the mean of the vector elements.
29970 @key{HYP PROD} computes the sample standard deviation.
29971 @key{HYP MAX} computes the median.
29973 @key{MAP*} multiplies two vectors elementwise. It is equivalent
29974 to the @kbd{V M *} command. @key{MAP^} computes powers elementwise.
29975 The arguments must be vectors of equal length, or one must be a vector
29976 and the other must be a plain number. For example, @kbd{2 MAP^} squares
29977 all the elements of a vector.
29979 @key{MAP$} maps the formula on the top of the stack across the
29980 vector in the second-to-top position. If the formula contains
29981 several variables, Calc takes that many vectors starting at the
29982 second-to-top position and matches them to the variables in
29983 alphabetical order. The result is a vector of the same size as
29984 the input vectors, whose elements are the formula evaluated with
29985 the variables set to the various sets of numbers in those vectors.
29986 For example, you could simulate @key{MAP^} using @key{MAP$} with
29987 the formula @samp{x^y}.
29989 The @kbd{"x"} key pushes the variable name @expr{x} onto the
29990 stack. To build the formula @expr{x^2 + 6}, you would use the
29991 key sequence @kbd{"x" 2 y^x 6 +}. This formula would then be
29992 suitable for use with the @key{MAP$} key described above.
29993 With @key{INV}, @key{HYP}, or @key{INV} and @key{HYP}, the
29994 @kbd{"x"} key pushes the variable names @expr{y}, @expr{z}, and
29995 @expr{t}, respectively.
29997 @node Keypad Modes Menu, , Keypad Vectors Menu, Keypad Mode
29998 @section Modes Menu
30002 |----+----+----+----+----+----5
30003 |FLT |FIX |SCI |ENG |GRP | |
30004 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30005 |RAD |DEG |FRAC|POLR|SYMB|PREC|
30006 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30007 |SWAP|RLL3|RLL4|OVER|STO |RCL |
30008 |----+----+----+----+----+----|
30013 The keys in this menu manipulate modes, variables, and the stack.
30015 The @key{FLT}, @key{FIX}, @key{SCI}, and @key{ENG} keys select
30016 floating-point, fixed-point, scientific, or engineering notation.
30017 @key{FIX} displays two digits after the decimal by default; the
30018 others display full precision. With the @key{INV} prefix, these
30019 keys pop a number-of-digits argument from the stack.
30021 The @key{GRP} key turns grouping of digits with commas on or off.
30022 @kbd{INV GRP} enables grouping to the right of the decimal point as
30023 well as to the left.
30025 The @key{RAD} and @key{DEG} keys switch between radians and degrees
30026 for trigonometric functions.
30028 The @key{FRAC} key turns Fraction mode on or off. This affects
30029 whether commands like @kbd{/} with integer arguments produce
30030 fractional or floating-point results.
30032 The @key{POLR} key turns Polar mode on or off, determining whether
30033 polar or rectangular complex numbers are used by default.
30035 The @key{SYMB} key turns Symbolic mode on or off, in which
30036 operations that would produce inexact floating-point results
30037 are left unevaluated as algebraic formulas.
30039 The @key{PREC} key selects the current precision. Answer with
30040 the keyboard or with the keypad digit and @key{ENTER} keys.
30042 The @key{SWAP} key exchanges the top two stack elements.
30043 The @key{RLL3} key rotates the top three stack elements upwards.
30044 The @key{RLL4} key rotates the top four stack elements upwards.
30045 The @key{OVER} key duplicates the second-to-top stack element.
30047 The @key{STO} and @key{RCL} keys are analogous to @kbd{s t} and
30048 @kbd{s r} in regular Calc. @xref{Store and Recall}. Click the
30049 @key{STO} or @key{RCL} key, then one of the ten digits. (Named
30050 variables are not available in Keypad mode.) You can also use,
30051 for example, @kbd{STO + 3} to add to register 3.
30053 @node Embedded Mode, Programming, Keypad Mode, Top
30054 @chapter Embedded Mode
30057 Embedded mode in Calc provides an alternative to copying numbers
30058 and formulas back and forth between editing buffers and the Calc
30059 stack. In Embedded mode, your editing buffer becomes temporarily
30060 linked to the stack and this copying is taken care of automatically.
30063 * Basic Embedded Mode::
30064 * More About Embedded Mode::
30065 * Assignments in Embedded Mode::
30066 * Mode Settings in Embedded Mode::
30067 * Customizing Embedded Mode::
30070 @node Basic Embedded Mode, More About Embedded Mode, Embedded Mode, Embedded Mode
30071 @section Basic Embedded Mode
30075 @pindex calc-embedded
30076 To enter Embedded mode, position the Emacs point (cursor) on a
30077 formula in any buffer and press @kbd{M-# e} (@code{calc-embedded}).
30078 Note that @kbd{M-# e} is not to be used in the Calc stack buffer
30079 like most Calc commands, but rather in regular editing buffers that
30080 are visiting your own files.
30082 Calc will try to guess an appropriate language based on the major mode
30083 of the editing buffer. (@xref{Language Modes}.) If the current buffer is
30084 in @code{latex-mode}, for example, Calc will set its language to La@TeX{}.
30085 Similarly, Calc will use @TeX{} language for @code{tex-mode},
30086 @code{plain-tex-mode} and @code{context-mode}, C language for
30087 @code{c-mode} and @code{c++-mode}, FORTRAN language for
30088 @code{fortran-mode} and @code{f90-mode}, Pascal for @code{pascal-mode},
30089 and eqn for @code{nroff-mode} (@pxref{Customizable Variables}).
30090 These can be overridden with Calc's mode
30091 changing commands (@pxref{Mode Settings in Embedded Mode}). If no
30092 suitable language is available, Calc will continue with its current language.
30094 Calc normally scans backward and forward in the buffer for the
30095 nearest opening and closing @dfn{formula delimiters}. The simplest
30096 delimiters are blank lines. Other delimiters that Embedded mode
30101 The @TeX{} and La@TeX{} math delimiters @samp{$ $}, @samp{$$ $$},
30102 @samp{\[ \]}, and @samp{\( \)};
30104 Lines beginning with @samp{\begin} and @samp{\end} (except matrix delimiters);
30106 Lines beginning with @samp{@@} (Texinfo delimiters).
30108 Lines beginning with @samp{.EQ} and @samp{.EN} (@dfn{eqn} delimiters);
30110 Lines containing a single @samp{%} or @samp{.\"} symbol and nothing else.
30113 @xref{Customizing Embedded Mode}, to see how to make Calc recognize
30114 your own favorite delimiters. Delimiters like @samp{$ $} can appear
30115 on their own separate lines or in-line with the formula.
30117 If you give a positive or negative numeric prefix argument, Calc
30118 instead uses the current point as one end of the formula, and includes
30119 that many lines forward or backward (respectively, including the current
30120 line). Explicit delimiters are not necessary in this case.
30122 With a prefix argument of zero, Calc uses the current region (delimited
30123 by point and mark) instead of formula delimiters. With a prefix
30124 argument of @kbd{C-u} only, Calc uses the current line as the formula.
30127 @pindex calc-embedded-word
30128 The @kbd{M-# w} (@code{calc-embedded-word}) command will start Embedded
30129 mode on the current ``word''; in this case Calc will scan for the first
30130 non-numeric character (i.e., the first character that is not a digit,
30131 sign, decimal point, or upper- or lower-case @samp{e}) forward and
30132 backward to delimit the formula.
30134 When you enable Embedded mode for a formula, Calc reads the text
30135 between the delimiters and tries to interpret it as a Calc formula.
30136 Calc can generally identify @TeX{} formulas and
30137 Big-style formulas even if the language mode is wrong. If Calc
30138 can't make sense of the formula, it beeps and refuses to enter
30139 Embedded mode. But if the current language is wrong, Calc can
30140 sometimes parse the formula successfully (but incorrectly);
30141 for example, the C expression @samp{atan(a[1])} can be parsed
30142 in Normal language mode, but the @code{atan} won't correspond to
30143 the built-in @code{arctan} function, and the @samp{a[1]} will be
30144 interpreted as @samp{a} times the vector @samp{[1]}!
30146 If you press @kbd{M-# e} or @kbd{M-# w} to activate an embedded
30147 formula which is blank, say with the cursor on the space between
30148 the two delimiters @samp{$ $}, Calc will immediately prompt for
30149 an algebraic entry.
30151 Only one formula in one buffer can be enabled at a time. If you
30152 move to another area of the current buffer and give Calc commands,
30153 Calc turns Embedded mode off for the old formula and then tries
30154 to restart Embedded mode at the new position. Other buffers are
30155 not affected by Embedded mode.
30157 When Embedded mode begins, Calc pushes the current formula onto
30158 the stack. No Calc stack window is created; however, Calc copies
30159 the top-of-stack position into the original buffer at all times.
30160 You can create a Calc window by hand with @kbd{M-# o} if you
30161 find you need to see the entire stack.
30163 For example, typing @kbd{M-# e} while somewhere in the formula
30164 @samp{n>2} in the following line enables Embedded mode on that
30168 We define $F_n = F_(n-1)+F_(n-2)$ for all $n>2$.
30172 The formula @expr{n>2} will be pushed onto the Calc stack, and
30173 the top of stack will be copied back into the editing buffer.
30174 This means that spaces will appear around the @samp{>} symbol
30175 to match Calc's usual display style:
30178 We define $F_n = F_(n-1)+F_(n-2)$ for all $n > 2$.
30182 No spaces have appeared around the @samp{+} sign because it's
30183 in a different formula, one which we have not yet touched with
30186 Now that Embedded mode is enabled, keys you type in this buffer
30187 are interpreted as Calc commands. At this point we might use
30188 the ``commute'' command @kbd{j C} to reverse the inequality.
30189 This is a selection-based command for which we first need to
30190 move the cursor onto the operator (@samp{>} in this case) that
30191 needs to be commuted.
30194 We define $F_n = F_(n-1)+F_(n-2)$ for all $2 < n$.
30197 The @kbd{M-# o} command is a useful way to open a Calc window
30198 without actually selecting that window. Giving this command
30199 verifies that @samp{2 < n} is also on the Calc stack. Typing
30200 @kbd{17 @key{RET}} would produce:
30203 We define $F_n = F_(n-1)+F_(n-2)$ for all $17$.
30207 with @samp{2 < n} and @samp{17} on the stack; typing @key{TAB}
30208 at this point will exchange the two stack values and restore
30209 @samp{2 < n} to the embedded formula. Even though you can't
30210 normally see the stack in Embedded mode, it is still there and
30211 it still operates in the same way. But, as with old-fashioned
30212 RPN calculators, you can only see the value at the top of the
30213 stack at any given time (unless you use @kbd{M-# o}).
30215 Typing @kbd{M-# e} again turns Embedded mode off. The Calc
30216 window reveals that the formula @w{@samp{2 < n}} is automatically
30217 removed from the stack, but the @samp{17} is not. Entering
30218 Embedded mode always pushes one thing onto the stack, and
30219 leaving Embedded mode always removes one thing. Anything else
30220 that happens on the stack is entirely your business as far as
30221 Embedded mode is concerned.
30223 If you press @kbd{M-# e} in the wrong place by accident, it is
30224 possible that Calc will be able to parse the nearby text as a
30225 formula and will mangle that text in an attempt to redisplay it
30226 ``properly'' in the current language mode. If this happens,
30227 press @kbd{M-# e} again to exit Embedded mode, then give the
30228 regular Emacs ``undo'' command (@kbd{C-_} or @kbd{C-x u}) to put
30229 the text back the way it was before Calc edited it. Note that Calc's
30230 own Undo command (typed before you turn Embedded mode back off)
30231 will not do you any good, because as far as Calc is concerned
30232 you haven't done anything with this formula yet.
30234 @node More About Embedded Mode, Assignments in Embedded Mode, Basic Embedded Mode, Embedded Mode
30235 @section More About Embedded Mode
30238 When Embedded mode ``activates'' a formula, i.e., when it examines
30239 the formula for the first time since the buffer was created or
30240 loaded, Calc tries to sense the language in which the formula was
30241 written. If the formula contains any La@TeX{}-like @samp{\} sequences,
30242 it is parsed (i.e., read) in La@TeX{} mode. If the formula appears to
30243 be written in multi-line Big mode, it is parsed in Big mode. Otherwise,
30244 it is parsed according to the current language mode.
30246 Note that Calc does not change the current language mode according
30247 the formula it reads in. Even though it can read a La@TeX{} formula when
30248 not in La@TeX{} mode, it will immediately rewrite this formula using
30249 whatever language mode is in effect.
30256 @pindex calc-show-plain
30257 Calc's parser is unable to read certain kinds of formulas. For
30258 example, with @kbd{v ]} (@code{calc-matrix-brackets}) you can
30259 specify matrix display styles which the parser is unable to
30260 recognize as matrices. The @kbd{d p} (@code{calc-show-plain})
30261 command turns on a mode in which a ``plain'' version of a
30262 formula is placed in front of the fully-formatted version.
30263 When Calc reads a formula that has such a plain version in
30264 front, it reads the plain version and ignores the formatted
30267 Plain formulas are preceded and followed by @samp{%%%} signs
30268 by default. This notation has the advantage that the @samp{%}
30269 character begins a comment in @TeX{} and La@TeX{}, so if your formula is
30270 embedded in a @TeX{} or La@TeX{} document its plain version will be
30271 invisible in the final printed copy. @xref{Customizing
30272 Embedded Mode}, to see how to change the ``plain'' formula
30273 delimiters, say to something that @dfn{eqn} or some other
30274 formatter will treat as a comment.
30276 There are several notations which Calc's parser for ``big''
30277 formatted formulas can't yet recognize. In particular, it can't
30278 read the large symbols for @code{sum}, @code{prod}, and @code{integ},
30279 and it can't handle @samp{=>} with the righthand argument omitted.
30280 Also, Calc won't recognize special formats you have defined with
30281 the @kbd{Z C} command (@pxref{User-Defined Compositions}). In
30282 these cases it is important to use ``plain'' mode to make sure
30283 Calc will be able to read your formula later.
30285 Another example where ``plain'' mode is important is if you have
30286 specified a float mode with few digits of precision. Normally
30287 any digits that are computed but not displayed will simply be
30288 lost when you save and re-load your embedded buffer, but ``plain''
30289 mode allows you to make sure that the complete number is present
30290 in the file as well as the rounded-down number.
30296 Embedded buffers remember active formulas for as long as they
30297 exist in Emacs memory. Suppose you have an embedded formula
30298 which is @cpi{} to the normal 12 decimal places, and then
30299 type @w{@kbd{C-u 5 d n}} to display only five decimal places.
30300 If you then type @kbd{d n}, all 12 places reappear because the
30301 full number is still there on the Calc stack. More surprisingly,
30302 even if you exit Embedded mode and later re-enter it for that
30303 formula, typing @kbd{d n} will restore all 12 places because
30304 each buffer remembers all its active formulas. However, if you
30305 save the buffer in a file and reload it in a new Emacs session,
30306 all non-displayed digits will have been lost unless you used
30313 In some applications of Embedded mode, you will want to have a
30314 sequence of copies of a formula that show its evolution as you
30315 work on it. For example, you might want to have a sequence
30316 like this in your file (elaborating here on the example from
30317 the ``Getting Started'' chapter):
30326 @r{(the derivative of }ln(ln(x))@r{)}
30328 whose value at x = 2 is
30338 @pindex calc-embedded-duplicate
30339 The @kbd{M-# d} (@code{calc-embedded-duplicate}) command is a
30340 handy way to make sequences like this. If you type @kbd{M-# d},
30341 the formula under the cursor (which may or may not have Embedded
30342 mode enabled for it at the time) is copied immediately below and
30343 Embedded mode is then enabled for that copy.
30345 For this example, you would start with just
30354 and press @kbd{M-# d} with the cursor on this formula. The result
30367 with the second copy of the formula enabled in Embedded mode.
30368 You can now press @kbd{a d x @key{RET}} to take the derivative, and
30369 @kbd{M-# d M-# d} to make two more copies of the derivative.
30370 To complete the computations, type @kbd{3 s l x @key{RET}} to evaluate
30371 the last formula, then move up to the second-to-last formula
30372 and type @kbd{2 s l x @key{RET}}.
30374 Finally, you would want to press @kbd{M-# e} to exit Embedded
30375 mode, then go up and insert the necessary text in between the
30376 various formulas and numbers.
30384 @pindex calc-embedded-new-formula
30385 The @kbd{M-# f} (@code{calc-embedded-new-formula}) command
30386 creates a new embedded formula at the current point. It inserts
30387 some default delimiters, which are usually just blank lines,
30388 and then does an algebraic entry to get the formula (which is
30389 then enabled for Embedded mode). This is just shorthand for
30390 typing the delimiters yourself, positioning the cursor between
30391 the new delimiters, and pressing @kbd{M-# e}. The key sequence
30392 @kbd{M-# '} is equivalent to @kbd{M-# f}.
30396 @pindex calc-embedded-next
30397 @pindex calc-embedded-previous
30398 The @kbd{M-# n} (@code{calc-embedded-next}) and @kbd{M-# p}
30399 (@code{calc-embedded-previous}) commands move the cursor to the
30400 next or previous active embedded formula in the buffer. They
30401 can take positive or negative prefix arguments to move by several
30402 formulas. Note that these commands do not actually examine the
30403 text of the buffer looking for formulas; they only see formulas
30404 which have previously been activated in Embedded mode. In fact,
30405 @kbd{M-# n} and @kbd{M-# p} are a useful way to tell which
30406 embedded formulas are currently active. Also, note that these
30407 commands do not enable Embedded mode on the next or previous
30408 formula, they just move the cursor. (By the way, @kbd{M-# n} is
30409 not as awkward to type as it may seem, because @kbd{M-#} ignores
30410 Shift and Meta on the second keystroke: @kbd{M-# M-N} can be typed
30411 by holding down Shift and Meta and alternately typing two keys.)
30414 @pindex calc-embedded-edit
30415 The @kbd{M-# `} (@code{calc-embedded-edit}) command edits the
30416 embedded formula at the current point as if by @kbd{`} (@code{calc-edit}).
30417 Embedded mode does not have to be enabled for this to work. Press
30418 @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish the edit, or @kbd{C-x k} to cancel.
30420 @node Assignments in Embedded Mode, Mode Settings in Embedded Mode, More About Embedded Mode, Embedded Mode
30421 @section Assignments in Embedded Mode
30424 The @samp{:=} (assignment) and @samp{=>} (``evaluates-to'') operators
30425 are especially useful in Embedded mode. They allow you to make
30426 a definition in one formula, then refer to that definition in
30427 other formulas embedded in the same buffer.
30429 An embedded formula which is an assignment to a variable, as in
30436 records @expr{5} as the stored value of @code{foo} for the
30437 purposes of Embedded mode operations in the current buffer. It
30438 does @emph{not} actually store @expr{5} as the ``global'' value
30439 of @code{foo}, however. Regular Calc operations, and Embedded
30440 formulas in other buffers, will not see this assignment.
30442 One way to use this assigned value is simply to create an
30443 Embedded formula elsewhere that refers to @code{foo}, and to press
30444 @kbd{=} in that formula. However, this permanently replaces the
30445 @code{foo} in the formula with its current value. More interesting
30446 is to use @samp{=>} elsewhere:
30452 @xref{Evaluates-To Operator}, for a general discussion of @samp{=>}.
30454 If you move back and change the assignment to @code{foo}, any
30455 @samp{=>} formulas which refer to it are automatically updated.
30463 The obvious question then is, @emph{how} can one easily change the
30464 assignment to @code{foo}? If you simply select the formula in
30465 Embedded mode and type 17, the assignment itself will be replaced
30466 by the 17. The effect on the other formula will be that the
30467 variable @code{foo} becomes unassigned:
30475 The right thing to do is first to use a selection command (@kbd{j 2}
30476 will do the trick) to select the righthand side of the assignment.
30477 Then, @kbd{17 @key{TAB} @key{DEL}} will swap the 17 into place (@pxref{Selecting
30478 Subformulas}, to see how this works).
30481 @pindex calc-embedded-select
30482 The @kbd{M-# j} (@code{calc-embedded-select}) command provides an
30483 easy way to operate on assignments. It is just like @kbd{M-# e},
30484 except that if the enabled formula is an assignment, it uses
30485 @kbd{j 2} to select the righthand side. If the enabled formula
30486 is an evaluates-to, it uses @kbd{j 1} to select the lefthand side.
30487 A formula can also be a combination of both:
30490 bar := foo + 3 => 20
30494 in which case @kbd{M-# j} will select the middle part (@samp{foo + 3}).
30496 The formula is automatically deselected when you leave Embedded
30501 @pindex calc-embedded-update-formula
30502 Another way to change the assignment to @code{foo} would simply be
30503 to edit the number using regular Emacs editing rather than Embedded
30504 mode. Then, we have to find a way to get Embedded mode to notice
30505 the change. The @kbd{M-# u} or @kbd{M-# =}
30506 (@code{calc-embedded-update-formula}) command is a convenient way
30515 Pressing @kbd{M-# u} is much like pressing @kbd{M-# e = M-# e}, that
30516 is, temporarily enabling Embedded mode for the formula under the
30517 cursor and then evaluating it with @kbd{=}. But @kbd{M-# u} does
30518 not actually use @kbd{M-# e}, and in fact another formula somewhere
30519 else can be enabled in Embedded mode while you use @kbd{M-# u} and
30520 that formula will not be disturbed.
30522 With a numeric prefix argument, @kbd{M-# u} updates all active
30523 @samp{=>} formulas in the buffer. Formulas which have not yet
30524 been activated in Embedded mode, and formulas which do not have
30525 @samp{=>} as their top-level operator, are not affected by this.
30526 (This is useful only if you have used @kbd{m C}; see below.)
30528 With a plain @kbd{C-u} prefix, @kbd{C-u M-# u} updates only in the
30529 region between mark and point rather than in the whole buffer.
30531 @kbd{M-# u} is also a handy way to activate a formula, such as an
30532 @samp{=>} formula that has freshly been typed in or loaded from a
30536 @pindex calc-embedded-activate
30537 The @kbd{M-# a} (@code{calc-embedded-activate}) command scans
30538 through the current buffer and activates all embedded formulas
30539 that contain @samp{:=} or @samp{=>} symbols. This does not mean
30540 that Embedded mode is actually turned on, but only that the
30541 formulas' positions are registered with Embedded mode so that
30542 the @samp{=>} values can be properly updated as assignments are
30545 It is a good idea to type @kbd{M-# a} right after loading a file
30546 that uses embedded @samp{=>} operators. Emacs includes a nifty
30547 ``buffer-local variables'' feature that you can use to do this
30548 automatically. The idea is to place near the end of your file
30549 a few lines that look like this:
30552 --- Local Variables: ---
30553 --- eval:(calc-embedded-activate) ---
30558 where the leading and trailing @samp{---} can be replaced by
30559 any suitable strings (which must be the same on all three lines)
30560 or omitted altogether; in a @TeX{} or La@TeX{} file, @samp{%} would be a good
30561 leading string and no trailing string would be necessary. In a
30562 C program, @samp{/*} and @samp{*/} would be good leading and
30565 When Emacs loads a file into memory, it checks for a Local Variables
30566 section like this one at the end of the file. If it finds this
30567 section, it does the specified things (in this case, running
30568 @kbd{M-# a} automatically) before editing of the file begins.
30569 The Local Variables section must be within 3000 characters of the
30570 end of the file for Emacs to find it, and it must be in the last
30571 page of the file if the file has any page separators.
30572 @xref{File Variables, , Local Variables in Files, emacs, the
30575 Note that @kbd{M-# a} does not update the formulas it finds.
30576 To do this, type, say, @kbd{M-1 M-# u} after @w{@kbd{M-# a}}.
30577 Generally this should not be a problem, though, because the
30578 formulas will have been up-to-date already when the file was
30581 Normally, @kbd{M-# a} activates all the formulas it finds, but
30582 any previous active formulas remain active as well. With a
30583 positive numeric prefix argument, @kbd{M-# a} first deactivates
30584 all current active formulas, then actives the ones it finds in
30585 its scan of the buffer. With a negative prefix argument,
30586 @kbd{M-# a} simply deactivates all formulas.
30588 Embedded mode has two symbols, @samp{Active} and @samp{~Active},
30589 which it puts next to the major mode name in a buffer's mode line.
30590 It puts @samp{Active} if it has reason to believe that all
30591 formulas in the buffer are active, because you have typed @kbd{M-# a}
30592 and Calc has not since had to deactivate any formulas (which can
30593 happen if Calc goes to update an @samp{=>} formula somewhere because
30594 a variable changed, and finds that the formula is no longer there
30595 due to some kind of editing outside of Embedded mode). Calc puts
30596 @samp{~Active} in the mode line if some, but probably not all,
30597 formulas in the buffer are active. This happens if you activate
30598 a few formulas one at a time but never use @kbd{M-# a}, or if you
30599 used @kbd{M-# a} but then Calc had to deactivate a formula
30600 because it lost track of it. If neither of these symbols appears
30601 in the mode line, no embedded formulas are active in the buffer
30602 (e.g., before Embedded mode has been used, or after a @kbd{M-- M-# a}).
30604 Embedded formulas can refer to assignments both before and after them
30605 in the buffer. If there are several assignments to a variable, the
30606 nearest preceding assignment is used if there is one, otherwise the
30607 following assignment is used.
30621 As well as simple variables, you can also assign to subscript
30622 expressions of the form @samp{@var{var}_@var{number}} (as in
30623 @code{x_0}), or @samp{@var{var}_@var{var}} (as in @code{x_max}).
30624 Assignments to other kinds of objects can be represented by Calc,
30625 but the automatic linkage between assignments and references works
30626 only for plain variables and these two kinds of subscript expressions.
30628 If there are no assignments to a given variable, the global
30629 stored value for the variable is used (@pxref{Storing Variables}),
30630 or, if no value is stored, the variable is left in symbolic form.
30631 Note that global stored values will be lost when the file is saved
30632 and loaded in a later Emacs session, unless you have used the
30633 @kbd{s p} (@code{calc-permanent-variable}) command to save them;
30634 @pxref{Operations on Variables}.
30636 The @kbd{m C} (@code{calc-auto-recompute}) command turns automatic
30637 recomputation of @samp{=>} forms on and off. If you turn automatic
30638 recomputation off, you will have to use @kbd{M-# u} to update these
30639 formulas manually after an assignment has been changed. If you
30640 plan to change several assignments at once, it may be more efficient
30641 to type @kbd{m C}, change all the assignments, then use @kbd{M-1 M-# u}
30642 to update the entire buffer afterwards. The @kbd{m C} command also
30643 controls @samp{=>} formulas on the stack; @pxref{Evaluates-To
30644 Operator}. When you turn automatic recomputation back on, the
30645 stack will be updated but the Embedded buffer will not; you must
30646 use @kbd{M-# u} to update the buffer by hand.
30648 @node Mode Settings in Embedded Mode, Customizing Embedded Mode, Assignments in Embedded Mode, Embedded Mode
30649 @section Mode Settings in Embedded Mode
30652 @pindex calc-embedded-preserve-modes
30654 The mode settings can be changed while Calc is in embedded mode, but
30655 by default they will revert to their original values when embedded mode
30656 is ended. However, the modes saved when the mode-recording mode is
30657 @code{Save} (see below) and the modes in effect when the @kbd{m e}
30658 (@code{calc-embedded-preserve-modes}) command is given
30659 will be preserved when embedded mode is ended.
30661 Embedded mode has a rather complicated mechanism for handling mode
30662 settings in Embedded formulas. It is possible to put annotations
30663 in the file that specify mode settings either global to the entire
30664 file or local to a particular formula or formulas. In the latter
30665 case, different modes can be specified for use when a formula
30666 is the enabled Embedded mode formula.
30668 When you give any mode-setting command, like @kbd{m f} (for Fraction
30669 mode) or @kbd{d s} (for scientific notation), Embedded mode adds
30670 a line like the following one to the file just before the opening
30671 delimiter of the formula.
30674 % [calc-mode: fractions: t]
30675 % [calc-mode: float-format: (sci 0)]
30678 When Calc interprets an embedded formula, it scans the text before
30679 the formula for mode-setting annotations like these and sets the
30680 Calc buffer to match these modes. Modes not explicitly described
30681 in the file are not changed. Calc scans all the way to the top of
30682 the file, or up to a line of the form
30689 which you can insert at strategic places in the file if this backward
30690 scan is getting too slow, or just to provide a barrier between one
30691 ``zone'' of mode settings and another.
30693 If the file contains several annotations for the same mode, the
30694 closest one before the formula is used. Annotations after the
30695 formula are never used (except for global annotations, described
30698 The scan does not look for the leading @samp{% }, only for the
30699 square brackets and the text they enclose. You can edit the mode
30700 annotations to a style that works better in context if you wish.
30701 @xref{Customizing Embedded Mode}, to see how to change the style
30702 that Calc uses when it generates the annotations. You can write
30703 mode annotations into the file yourself if you know the syntax;
30704 the easiest way to find the syntax for a given mode is to let
30705 Calc write the annotation for it once and see what it does.
30707 If you give a mode-changing command for a mode that already has
30708 a suitable annotation just above the current formula, Calc will
30709 modify that annotation rather than generating a new, conflicting
30712 Mode annotations have three parts, separated by colons. (Spaces
30713 after the colons are optional.) The first identifies the kind
30714 of mode setting, the second is a name for the mode itself, and
30715 the third is the value in the form of a Lisp symbol, number,
30716 or list. Annotations with unrecognizable text in the first or
30717 second parts are ignored. The third part is not checked to make
30718 sure the value is of a valid type or range; if you write an
30719 annotation by hand, be sure to give a proper value or results
30720 will be unpredictable. Mode-setting annotations are case-sensitive.
30722 While Embedded mode is enabled, the word @code{Local} appears in
30723 the mode line. This is to show that mode setting commands generate
30724 annotations that are ``local'' to the current formula or set of
30725 formulas. The @kbd{m R} (@code{calc-mode-record-mode}) command
30726 causes Calc to generate different kinds of annotations. Pressing
30727 @kbd{m R} repeatedly cycles through the possible modes.
30729 @code{LocEdit} and @code{LocPerm} modes generate annotations
30730 that look like this, respectively:
30733 % [calc-edit-mode: float-format: (sci 0)]
30734 % [calc-perm-mode: float-format: (sci 5)]
30737 The first kind of annotation will be used only while a formula
30738 is enabled in Embedded mode. The second kind will be used only
30739 when the formula is @emph{not} enabled. (Whether the formula
30740 is ``active'' or not, i.e., whether Calc has seen this formula
30741 yet, is not relevant here.)
30743 @code{Global} mode generates an annotation like this at the end
30747 % [calc-global-mode: fractions t]
30750 Global mode annotations affect all formulas throughout the file,
30751 and may appear anywhere in the file. This allows you to tuck your
30752 mode annotations somewhere out of the way, say, on a new page of
30753 the file, as long as those mode settings are suitable for all
30754 formulas in the file.
30756 Enabling a formula with @kbd{M-# e} causes a fresh scan for local
30757 mode annotations; you will have to use this after adding annotations
30758 above a formula by hand to get the formula to notice them. Updating
30759 a formula with @kbd{M-# u} will also re-scan the local modes, but
30760 global modes are only re-scanned by @kbd{M-# a}.
30762 Another way that modes can get out of date is if you add a local
30763 mode annotation to a formula that has another formula after it.
30764 In this example, we have used the @kbd{d s} command while the
30765 first of the two embedded formulas is active. But the second
30766 formula has not changed its style to match, even though by the
30767 rules of reading annotations the @samp{(sci 0)} applies to it, too.
30770 % [calc-mode: float-format: (sci 0)]
30776 We would have to go down to the other formula and press @kbd{M-# u}
30777 on it in order to get it to notice the new annotation.
30779 Two more mode-recording modes selectable by @kbd{m R} are available
30780 which are also available outside of Embedded mode.
30781 (@pxref{General Mode Commands}.) They are @code{Save}, in which mode
30782 settings are recorded permanently in your Calc init file (the file given
30783 by the variable @code{calc-settings-file}, typically @file{~/.calc.el})
30784 rather than by annotating the current document, and no-recording
30785 mode (where there is no symbol like @code{Save} or @code{Local} in
30786 the mode line), in which mode-changing commands do not leave any
30787 annotations at all.
30789 When Embedded mode is not enabled, mode-recording modes except
30790 for @code{Save} have no effect.
30792 @node Customizing Embedded Mode, , Mode Settings in Embedded Mode, Embedded Mode
30793 @section Customizing Embedded Mode
30796 You can modify Embedded mode's behavior by setting various Lisp
30797 variables described here. These variables are customizable
30798 (@pxref{Customizable Variables}), or you can use @kbd{M-x set-variable}
30799 or @kbd{M-x edit-options} to adjust a variable on the fly.
30800 (Another possibility would
30801 be to use a file-local variable annotation at the end of the
30802 file; @pxref{File Variables, , Local Variables in Files, emacs, the
30805 While none of these variables will be buffer-local by default, you
30806 can make any of them local to any Embedded mode buffer. (Their
30807 values in the @samp{*Calculator*} buffer are never used.)
30809 @vindex calc-embedded-open-formula
30810 The @code{calc-embedded-open-formula} variable holds a regular
30811 expression for the opening delimiter of a formula. @xref{Regexp Search,
30812 , Regular Expression Search, emacs, the Emacs manual}, to see
30813 how regular expressions work. Basically, a regular expression is a
30814 pattern that Calc can search for. A regular expression that considers
30815 blank lines, @samp{$}, and @samp{$$} to be opening delimiters is
30816 @code{"\\`\\|^\n\\|\\$\\$?"}. Just in case the meaning of this
30817 regular expression is not completely plain, let's go through it
30820 The surrounding @samp{" "} marks quote the text between them as a
30821 Lisp string. If you left them off, @code{set-variable} or
30822 @code{edit-options} would try to read the regular expression as a
30825 The most obvious property of this regular expression is that it
30826 contains indecently many backslashes. There are actually two levels
30827 of backslash usage going on here. First, when Lisp reads a quoted
30828 string, all pairs of characters beginning with a backslash are
30829 interpreted as special characters. Here, @code{\n} changes to a
30830 new-line character, and @code{\\} changes to a single backslash.
30831 So the actual regular expression seen by Calc is
30832 @samp{\`\|^ @r{(newline)} \|\$\$?}.
30834 Regular expressions also consider pairs beginning with backslash
30835 to have special meanings. Sometimes the backslash is used to quote
30836 a character that otherwise would have a special meaning in a regular
30837 expression, like @samp{$}, which normally means ``end-of-line,''
30838 or @samp{?}, which means that the preceding item is optional. So
30839 @samp{\$\$?} matches either one or two dollar signs.
30841 The other codes in this regular expression are @samp{^}, which matches
30842 ``beginning-of-line,'' @samp{\|}, which means ``or,'' and @samp{\`},
30843 which matches ``beginning-of-buffer.'' So the whole pattern means
30844 that a formula begins at the beginning of the buffer, or on a newline
30845 that occurs at the beginning of a line (i.e., a blank line), or at
30846 one or two dollar signs.
30848 The default value of @code{calc-embedded-open-formula} looks just
30849 like this example, with several more alternatives added on to
30850 recognize various other common kinds of delimiters.
30852 By the way, the reason to use @samp{^\n} rather than @samp{^$}
30853 or @samp{\n\n}, which also would appear to match blank lines,
30854 is that the former expression actually ``consumes'' only one
30855 newline character as @emph{part of} the delimiter, whereas the
30856 latter expressions consume zero or two newlines, respectively.
30857 The former choice gives the most natural behavior when Calc
30858 must operate on a whole formula including its delimiters.
30860 See the Emacs manual for complete details on regular expressions.
30861 But just for your convenience, here is a list of all characters
30862 which must be quoted with backslash (like @samp{\$}) to avoid
30863 some special interpretation: @samp{. * + ? [ ] ^ $ \}. (Note
30864 the backslash in this list; for example, to match @samp{\[} you
30865 must use @code{"\\\\\\["}. An exercise for the reader is to
30866 account for each of these six backslashes!)
30868 @vindex calc-embedded-close-formula
30869 The @code{calc-embedded-close-formula} variable holds a regular
30870 expression for the closing delimiter of a formula. A closing
30871 regular expression to match the above example would be
30872 @code{"\\'\\|\n$\\|\\$\\$?"}. This is almost the same as the
30873 other one, except it now uses @samp{\'} (``end-of-buffer'') and
30874 @samp{\n$} (newline occurring at end of line, yet another way
30875 of describing a blank line that is more appropriate for this
30878 @vindex calc-embedded-open-word
30879 @vindex calc-embedded-close-word
30880 The @code{calc-embedded-open-word} and @code{calc-embedded-close-word}
30881 variables are similar expressions used when you type @kbd{M-# w}
30882 instead of @kbd{M-# e} to enable Embedded mode.
30884 @vindex calc-embedded-open-plain
30885 The @code{calc-embedded-open-plain} variable is a string which
30886 begins a ``plain'' formula written in front of the formatted
30887 formula when @kbd{d p} mode is turned on. Note that this is an
30888 actual string, not a regular expression, because Calc must be able
30889 to write this string into a buffer as well as to recognize it.
30890 The default string is @code{"%%% "} (note the trailing space).
30892 @vindex calc-embedded-close-plain
30893 The @code{calc-embedded-close-plain} variable is a string which
30894 ends a ``plain'' formula. The default is @code{" %%%\n"}. Without
30895 the trailing newline here, the first line of a Big mode formula
30896 that followed might be shifted over with respect to the other lines.
30898 @vindex calc-embedded-open-new-formula
30899 The @code{calc-embedded-open-new-formula} variable is a string
30900 which is inserted at the front of a new formula when you type
30901 @kbd{M-# f}. Its default value is @code{"\n\n"}. If this
30902 string begins with a newline character and the @kbd{M-# f} is
30903 typed at the beginning of a line, @kbd{M-# f} will skip this
30904 first newline to avoid introducing unnecessary blank lines in
30907 @vindex calc-embedded-close-new-formula
30908 The @code{calc-embedded-close-new-formula} variable is the corresponding
30909 string which is inserted at the end of a new formula. Its default
30910 value is also @code{"\n\n"}. The final newline is omitted by
30911 @w{@kbd{M-# f}} if typed at the end of a line. (It follows that if
30912 @kbd{M-# f} is typed on a blank line, both a leading opening
30913 newline and a trailing closing newline are omitted.)
30915 @vindex calc-embedded-announce-formula
30916 The @code{calc-embedded-announce-formula} variable is a regular
30917 expression which is sure to be followed by an embedded formula.
30918 The @kbd{M-# a} command searches for this pattern as well as for
30919 @samp{=>} and @samp{:=} operators. Note that @kbd{M-# a} will
30920 not activate just anything surrounded by formula delimiters; after
30921 all, blank lines are considered formula delimiters by default!
30922 But if your language includes a delimiter which can only occur
30923 actually in front of a formula, you can take advantage of it here.
30924 The default pattern is @code{"%Embed\n\\(% .*\n\\)*"}, which
30925 checks for @samp{%Embed} followed by any number of lines beginning
30926 with @samp{%} and a space. This last is important to make Calc
30927 consider mode annotations part of the pattern, so that the formula's
30928 opening delimiter really is sure to follow the pattern.
30930 @vindex calc-embedded-open-mode
30931 The @code{calc-embedded-open-mode} variable is a string (not a
30932 regular expression) which should precede a mode annotation.
30933 Calc never scans for this string; Calc always looks for the
30934 annotation itself. But this is the string that is inserted before
30935 the opening bracket when Calc adds an annotation on its own.
30936 The default is @code{"% "}.
30938 @vindex calc-embedded-close-mode
30939 The @code{calc-embedded-close-mode} variable is a string which
30940 follows a mode annotation written by Calc. Its default value
30941 is simply a newline, @code{"\n"}. If you change this, it is a
30942 good idea still to end with a newline so that mode annotations
30943 will appear on lines by themselves.
30945 @node Programming, Customizable Variables, Embedded Mode, Top
30946 @chapter Programming
30949 There are several ways to ``program'' the Emacs Calculator, depending
30950 on the nature of the problem you need to solve.
30954 @dfn{Keyboard macros} allow you to record a sequence of keystrokes
30955 and play them back at a later time. This is just the standard Emacs
30956 keyboard macro mechanism, dressed up with a few more features such
30957 as loops and conditionals.
30960 @dfn{Algebraic definitions} allow you to use any formula to define a
30961 new function. This function can then be used in algebraic formulas or
30962 as an interactive command.
30965 @dfn{Rewrite rules} are discussed in the section on algebra commands.
30966 @xref{Rewrite Rules}. If you put your rewrite rules in the variable
30967 @code{EvalRules}, they will be applied automatically to all Calc
30968 results in just the same way as an internal ``rule'' is applied to
30969 evaluate @samp{sqrt(9)} to 3 and so on. @xref{Automatic Rewrites}.
30972 @dfn{Lisp} is the programming language that Calc (and most of Emacs)
30973 is written in. If the above techniques aren't powerful enough, you
30974 can write Lisp functions to do anything that built-in Calc commands
30975 can do. Lisp code is also somewhat faster than keyboard macros or
30980 Programming features are available through the @kbd{z} and @kbd{Z}
30981 prefix keys. New commands that you define are two-key sequences
30982 beginning with @kbd{z}. Commands for managing these definitions
30983 use the shift-@kbd{Z} prefix. (The @kbd{Z T} (@code{calc-timing})
30984 command is described elsewhere; @pxref{Troubleshooting Commands}.
30985 The @kbd{Z C} (@code{calc-user-define-composition}) command is also
30986 described elsewhere; @pxref{User-Defined Compositions}.)
30989 * Creating User Keys::
30990 * Keyboard Macros::
30991 * Invocation Macros::
30992 * Algebraic Definitions::
30993 * Lisp Definitions::
30996 @node Creating User Keys, Keyboard Macros, Programming, Programming
30997 @section Creating User Keys
31001 @pindex calc-user-define
31002 Any Calculator command may be bound to a key using the @kbd{Z D}
31003 (@code{calc-user-define}) command. Actually, it is bound to a two-key
31004 sequence beginning with the lower-case @kbd{z} prefix.
31006 The @kbd{Z D} command first prompts for the key to define. For example,
31007 press @kbd{Z D a} to define the new key sequence @kbd{z a}. You are then
31008 prompted for the name of the Calculator command that this key should
31009 run. For example, the @code{calc-sincos} command is not normally
31010 available on a key. Typing @kbd{Z D s sincos @key{RET}} programs the
31011 @kbd{z s} key sequence to run @code{calc-sincos}. This definition will remain
31012 in effect for the rest of this Emacs session, or until you redefine
31013 @kbd{z s} to be something else.
31015 You can actually bind any Emacs command to a @kbd{z} key sequence by
31016 backspacing over the @samp{calc-} when you are prompted for the command name.
31018 As with any other prefix key, you can type @kbd{z ?} to see a list of
31019 all the two-key sequences you have defined that start with @kbd{z}.
31020 Initially, no @kbd{z} sequences (except @kbd{z ?} itself) are defined.
31022 User keys are typically letters, but may in fact be any key.
31023 (@key{META}-keys are not permitted, nor are a terminal's special
31024 function keys which generate multi-character sequences when pressed.)
31025 You can define different commands on the shifted and unshifted versions
31026 of a letter if you wish.
31029 @pindex calc-user-undefine
31030 The @kbd{Z U} (@code{calc-user-undefine}) command unbinds a user key.
31031 For example, the key sequence @kbd{Z U s} will undefine the @code{sincos}
31032 key we defined above.
31035 @pindex calc-user-define-permanent
31036 @cindex Storing user definitions
31037 @cindex Permanent user definitions
31038 @cindex Calc init file, user-defined commands
31039 The @kbd{Z P} (@code{calc-user-define-permanent}) command makes a key
31040 binding permanent so that it will remain in effect even in future Emacs
31041 sessions. (It does this by adding a suitable bit of Lisp code into
31042 your Calc init file; that is, the file given by the variable
31043 @code{calc-settings-file}, typically @file{~/.calc.el}.) For example,
31044 @kbd{Z P s} would register our @code{sincos} command permanently. If
31045 you later wish to unregister this command you must edit your Calc init
31046 file by hand. (@xref{General Mode Commands}, for a way to tell Calc to
31047 use a different file for the Calc init file.)
31049 The @kbd{Z P} command also saves the user definition, if any, for the
31050 command bound to the key. After @kbd{Z F} and @kbd{Z C}, a given user
31051 key could invoke a command, which in turn calls an algebraic function,
31052 which might have one or more special display formats. A single @kbd{Z P}
31053 command will save all of these definitions.
31054 To save an algebraic function, type @kbd{'} (the apostrophe)
31055 when prompted for a key, and type the function name. To save a command
31056 without its key binding, type @kbd{M-x} and enter a function name. (The
31057 @samp{calc-} prefix will automatically be inserted for you.)
31058 (If the command you give implies a function, the function will be saved,
31059 and if the function has any display formats, those will be saved, but
31060 not the other way around: Saving a function will not save any commands
31061 or key bindings associated with the function.)
31064 @pindex calc-user-define-edit
31065 @cindex Editing user definitions
31066 The @kbd{Z E} (@code{calc-user-define-edit}) command edits the definition
31067 of a user key. This works for keys that have been defined by either
31068 keyboard macros or formulas; further details are contained in the relevant
31069 following sections.
31071 @node Keyboard Macros, Invocation Macros, Creating User Keys, Programming
31072 @section Programming with Keyboard Macros
31076 @cindex Programming with keyboard macros
31077 @cindex Keyboard macros
31078 The easiest way to ``program'' the Emacs Calculator is to use standard
31079 keyboard macros. Press @w{@kbd{C-x (}} to begin recording a macro. From
31080 this point on, keystrokes you type will be saved away as well as
31081 performing their usual functions. Press @kbd{C-x )} to end recording.
31082 Press shift-@kbd{X} (or the standard Emacs key sequence @kbd{C-x e}) to
31083 execute your keyboard macro by replaying the recorded keystrokes.
31084 @xref{Keyboard Macros, , , emacs, the Emacs Manual}, for further
31087 When you use @kbd{X} to invoke a keyboard macro, the entire macro is
31088 treated as a single command by the undo and trail features. The stack
31089 display buffer is not updated during macro execution, but is instead
31090 fixed up once the macro completes. Thus, commands defined with keyboard
31091 macros are convenient and efficient. The @kbd{C-x e} command, on the
31092 other hand, invokes the keyboard macro with no special treatment: Each
31093 command in the macro will record its own undo information and trail entry,
31094 and update the stack buffer accordingly. If your macro uses features
31095 outside of Calc's control to operate on the contents of the Calc stack
31096 buffer, or if it includes Undo, Redo, or last-arguments commands, you
31097 must use @kbd{C-x e} to make sure the buffer and undo list are up-to-date
31098 at all times. You could also consider using @kbd{K} (@code{calc-keep-args})
31099 instead of @kbd{M-@key{RET}} (@code{calc-last-args}).
31101 Calc extends the standard Emacs keyboard macros in several ways.
31102 Keyboard macros can be used to create user-defined commands. Keyboard
31103 macros can include conditional and iteration structures, somewhat
31104 analogous to those provided by a traditional programmable calculator.
31107 * Naming Keyboard Macros::
31108 * Conditionals in Macros::
31109 * Loops in Macros::
31110 * Local Values in Macros::
31111 * Queries in Macros::
31114 @node Naming Keyboard Macros, Conditionals in Macros, Keyboard Macros, Keyboard Macros
31115 @subsection Naming Keyboard Macros
31119 @pindex calc-user-define-kbd-macro
31120 Once you have defined a keyboard macro, you can bind it to a @kbd{z}
31121 key sequence with the @kbd{Z K} (@code{calc-user-define-kbd-macro}) command.
31122 This command prompts first for a key, then for a command name. For
31123 example, if you type @kbd{C-x ( n @key{TAB} n @key{TAB} C-x )} you will
31124 define a keyboard macro which negates the top two numbers on the stack
31125 (@key{TAB} swaps the top two stack elements). Now you can type
31126 @kbd{Z K n @key{RET}} to define this keyboard macro onto the @kbd{z n} key
31127 sequence. The default command name (if you answer the second prompt with
31128 just the @key{RET} key as in this example) will be something like
31129 @samp{calc-User-n}. The keyboard macro will now be available as both
31130 @kbd{z n} and @kbd{M-x calc-User-n}. You can backspace and enter a more
31131 descriptive command name if you wish.
31133 Macros defined by @kbd{Z K} act like single commands; they are executed
31134 in the same way as by the @kbd{X} key. If you wish to define the macro
31135 as a standard no-frills Emacs macro (to be executed as if by @kbd{C-x e}),
31136 give a negative prefix argument to @kbd{Z K}.
31138 Once you have bound your keyboard macro to a key, you can use
31139 @kbd{Z P} to register it permanently with Emacs. @xref{Creating User Keys}.
31141 @cindex Keyboard macros, editing
31142 The @kbd{Z E} (@code{calc-user-define-edit}) command on a key that has
31143 been defined by a keyboard macro tries to use the @code{edmacro} package
31144 edit the macro. Type @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish editing and update
31145 the definition stored on the key, or, to cancel the edit, kill the
31146 buffer with @kbd{C-x k}.
31147 The special characters @code{RET}, @code{LFD}, @code{TAB}, @code{SPC},
31148 @code{DEL}, and @code{NUL} must be entered as these three character
31149 sequences, written in all uppercase, as must the prefixes @code{C-} and
31150 @code{M-}. Spaces and line breaks are ignored. Other characters are
31151 copied verbatim into the keyboard macro. Basically, the notation is the
31152 same as is used in all of this manual's examples, except that the manual
31153 takes some liberties with spaces: When we say @kbd{' [1 2 3] @key{RET}},
31154 we take it for granted that it is clear we really mean
31155 @kbd{' [1 @key{SPC} 2 @key{SPC} 3] @key{RET}}.
31158 @pindex read-kbd-macro
31159 The @kbd{M-# m} (@code{read-kbd-macro}) command reads an Emacs ``region''
31160 of spelled-out keystrokes and defines it as the current keyboard macro.
31161 It is a convenient way to define a keyboard macro that has been stored
31162 in a file, or to define a macro without executing it at the same time.
31164 @node Conditionals in Macros, Loops in Macros, Naming Keyboard Macros, Keyboard Macros
31165 @subsection Conditionals in Keyboard Macros
31170 @pindex calc-kbd-if
31171 @pindex calc-kbd-else
31172 @pindex calc-kbd-else-if
31173 @pindex calc-kbd-end-if
31174 @cindex Conditional structures
31175 The @kbd{Z [} (@code{calc-kbd-if}) and @kbd{Z ]} (@code{calc-kbd-end-if})
31176 commands allow you to put simple tests in a keyboard macro. When Calc
31177 sees the @kbd{Z [}, it pops an object from the stack and, if the object is
31178 a non-zero value, continues executing keystrokes. But if the object is
31179 zero, or if it is not provably nonzero, Calc skips ahead to the matching
31180 @kbd{Z ]} keystroke. @xref{Logical Operations}, for a set of commands for
31181 performing tests which conveniently produce 1 for true and 0 for false.
31183 For example, @kbd{@key{RET} 0 a < Z [ n Z ]} implements an absolute-value
31184 function in the form of a keyboard macro. This macro duplicates the
31185 number on the top of the stack, pushes zero and compares using @kbd{a <}
31186 (@code{calc-less-than}), then, if the number was less than zero,
31187 executes @kbd{n} (@code{calc-change-sign}). Otherwise, the change-sign
31188 command is skipped.
31190 To program this macro, type @kbd{C-x (}, type the above sequence of
31191 keystrokes, then type @kbd{C-x )}. Note that the keystrokes will be
31192 executed while you are making the definition as well as when you later
31193 re-execute the macro by typing @kbd{X}. Thus you should make sure a
31194 suitable number is on the stack before defining the macro so that you
31195 don't get a stack-underflow error during the definition process.
31197 Conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. However, there should be exactly
31198 one @kbd{Z ]} for each @kbd{Z [} in a keyboard macro.
31201 The @kbd{Z :} (@code{calc-kbd-else}) command allows you to choose between
31202 two keystroke sequences. The general format is @kbd{@var{cond} Z [
31203 @var{then-part} Z : @var{else-part} Z ]}. If @var{cond} is true
31204 (i.e., if the top of stack contains a non-zero number after @var{cond}
31205 has been executed), the @var{then-part} will be executed and the
31206 @var{else-part} will be skipped. Otherwise, the @var{then-part} will
31207 be skipped and the @var{else-part} will be executed.
31210 The @kbd{Z |} (@code{calc-kbd-else-if}) command allows you to choose
31211 between any number of alternatives. For example,
31212 @kbd{@var{cond1} Z [ @var{part1} Z : @var{cond2} Z | @var{part2} Z :
31213 @var{part3} Z ]} will execute @var{part1} if @var{cond1} is true,
31214 otherwise it will execute @var{part2} if @var{cond2} is true, otherwise
31215 it will execute @var{part3}.
31217 More precisely, @kbd{Z [} pops a number and conditionally skips to the
31218 next matching @kbd{Z :} or @kbd{Z ]} key. @w{@kbd{Z ]}} has no effect when
31219 actually executed. @kbd{Z :} skips to the next matching @kbd{Z ]}.
31220 @kbd{Z |} pops a number and conditionally skips to the next matching
31221 @kbd{Z :} or @kbd{Z ]}; thus, @kbd{Z [} and @kbd{Z |} are functionally
31222 equivalent except that @kbd{Z [} participates in nesting but @kbd{Z |}
31225 Calc's conditional and looping constructs work by scanning the
31226 keyboard macro for occurrences of character sequences like @samp{Z:}
31227 and @samp{Z]}. One side-effect of this is that if you use these
31228 constructs you must be careful that these character pairs do not
31229 occur by accident in other parts of the macros. Since Calc rarely
31230 uses shift-@kbd{Z} for any purpose except as a prefix character, this
31231 is not likely to be a problem. Another side-effect is that it will
31232 not work to define your own custom key bindings for these commands.
31233 Only the standard shift-@kbd{Z} bindings will work correctly.
31236 If Calc gets stuck while skipping characters during the definition of a
31237 macro, type @kbd{Z C-g} to cancel the definition. (Typing plain @kbd{C-g}
31238 actually adds a @kbd{C-g} keystroke to the macro.)
31240 @node Loops in Macros, Local Values in Macros, Conditionals in Macros, Keyboard Macros
31241 @subsection Loops in Keyboard Macros
31246 @pindex calc-kbd-repeat
31247 @pindex calc-kbd-end-repeat
31248 @cindex Looping structures
31249 @cindex Iterative structures
31250 The @kbd{Z <} (@code{calc-kbd-repeat}) and @kbd{Z >}
31251 (@code{calc-kbd-end-repeat}) commands pop a number from the stack,
31252 which must be an integer, then repeat the keystrokes between the brackets
31253 the specified number of times. If the integer is zero or negative, the
31254 body is skipped altogether. For example, @kbd{1 @key{TAB} Z < 2 * Z >}
31255 computes two to a nonnegative integer power. First, we push 1 on the
31256 stack and then swap the integer argument back to the top. The @kbd{Z <}
31257 pops that argument leaving the 1 back on top of the stack. Then, we
31258 repeat a multiply-by-two step however many times.
31260 Once again, the keyboard macro is executed as it is being entered.
31261 In this case it is especially important to set up reasonable initial
31262 conditions before making the definition: Suppose the integer 1000 just
31263 happened to be sitting on the stack before we typed the above definition!
31264 Another approach is to enter a harmless dummy definition for the macro,
31265 then go back and edit in the real one with a @kbd{Z E} command. Yet
31266 another approach is to type the macro as written-out keystroke names
31267 in a buffer, then use @kbd{M-# m} (@code{read-kbd-macro}) to read the
31272 The @kbd{Z /} (@code{calc-kbd-break}) command allows you to break out
31273 of a keyboard macro loop prematurely. It pops an object from the stack;
31274 if that object is true (a non-zero number), control jumps out of the
31275 innermost enclosing @kbd{Z <} @dots{} @kbd{Z >} loop and continues
31276 after the @kbd{Z >}. If the object is false, the @kbd{Z /} has no
31277 effect. Thus @kbd{@var{cond} Z /} is similar to @samp{if (@var{cond}) break;}
31282 @pindex calc-kbd-for
31283 @pindex calc-kbd-end-for
31284 The @kbd{Z (} (@code{calc-kbd-for}) and @kbd{Z )} (@code{calc-kbd-end-for})
31285 commands are similar to @kbd{Z <} and @kbd{Z >}, except that they make the
31286 value of the counter available inside the loop. The general layout is
31287 @kbd{@var{init} @var{final} Z ( @var{body} @var{step} Z )}. The @kbd{Z (}
31288 command pops initial and final values from the stack. It then creates
31289 a temporary internal counter and initializes it with the value @var{init}.
31290 The @kbd{Z (} command then repeatedly pushes the counter value onto the
31291 stack and executes @var{body} and @var{step}, adding @var{step} to the
31292 counter each time until the loop finishes.
31294 @cindex Summations (by keyboard macros)
31295 By default, the loop finishes when the counter becomes greater than (or
31296 less than) @var{final}, assuming @var{initial} is less than (greater
31297 than) @var{final}. If @var{initial} is equal to @var{final}, the body
31298 executes exactly once. The body of the loop always executes at least
31299 once. For example, @kbd{0 1 10 Z ( 2 ^ + 1 Z )} computes the sum of the
31300 squares of the integers from 1 to 10, in steps of 1.
31302 If you give a numeric prefix argument of 1 to @kbd{Z (}, the loop is
31303 forced to use upward-counting conventions. In this case, if @var{initial}
31304 is greater than @var{final} the body will not be executed at all.
31305 Note that @var{step} may still be negative in this loop; the prefix
31306 argument merely constrains the loop-finished test. Likewise, a prefix
31307 argument of @mathit{-1} forces downward-counting conventions.
31311 @pindex calc-kbd-loop
31312 @pindex calc-kbd-end-loop
31313 The @kbd{Z @{} (@code{calc-kbd-loop}) and @kbd{Z @}}
31314 (@code{calc-kbd-end-loop}) commands are similar to @kbd{Z <} and
31315 @kbd{Z >}, except that they do not pop a count from the stack---they
31316 effectively create an infinite loop. Every @kbd{Z @{} @dots{} @kbd{Z @}}
31317 loop ought to include at least one @kbd{Z /} to make sure the loop
31318 doesn't run forever. (If any error message occurs which causes Emacs
31319 to beep, the keyboard macro will also be halted; this is a standard
31320 feature of Emacs. You can also generally press @kbd{C-g} to halt a
31321 running keyboard macro, although not all versions of Unix support
31324 The conditional and looping constructs are not actually tied to
31325 keyboard macros, but they are most often used in that context.
31326 For example, the keystrokes @kbd{10 Z < 23 @key{RET} Z >} push
31327 ten copies of 23 onto the stack. This can be typed ``live'' just
31328 as easily as in a macro definition.
31330 @xref{Conditionals in Macros}, for some additional notes about
31331 conditional and looping commands.
31333 @node Local Values in Macros, Queries in Macros, Loops in Macros, Keyboard Macros
31334 @subsection Local Values in Macros
31337 @cindex Local variables
31338 @cindex Restoring saved modes
31339 Keyboard macros sometimes want to operate under known conditions
31340 without affecting surrounding conditions. For example, a keyboard
31341 macro may wish to turn on Fraction mode, or set a particular
31342 precision, independent of the user's normal setting for those
31347 @pindex calc-kbd-push
31348 @pindex calc-kbd-pop
31349 Macros also sometimes need to use local variables. Assignments to
31350 local variables inside the macro should not affect any variables
31351 outside the macro. The @kbd{Z `} (@code{calc-kbd-push}) and @kbd{Z '}
31352 (@code{calc-kbd-pop}) commands give you both of these capabilities.
31354 When you type @kbd{Z `} (with a backquote or accent grave character),
31355 the values of various mode settings are saved away. The ten ``quick''
31356 variables @code{q0} through @code{q9} are also saved. When
31357 you type @w{@kbd{Z '}} (with an apostrophe), these values are restored.
31358 Pairs of @kbd{Z `} and @kbd{Z '} commands may be nested.
31360 If a keyboard macro halts due to an error in between a @kbd{Z `} and
31361 a @kbd{Z '}, the saved values will be restored correctly even though
31362 the macro never reaches the @kbd{Z '} command. Thus you can use
31363 @kbd{Z `} and @kbd{Z '} without having to worry about what happens
31364 in exceptional conditions.
31366 If you type @kbd{Z `} ``live'' (not in a keyboard macro), Calc puts
31367 you into a ``recursive edit.'' You can tell you are in a recursive
31368 edit because there will be extra square brackets in the mode line,
31369 as in @samp{[(Calculator)]}. These brackets will go away when you
31370 type the matching @kbd{Z '} command. The modes and quick variables
31371 will be saved and restored in just the same way as if actual keyboard
31372 macros were involved.
31374 The modes saved by @kbd{Z `} and @kbd{Z '} are the current precision
31375 and binary word size, the angular mode (Deg, Rad, or HMS), the
31376 simplification mode, Algebraic mode, Symbolic mode, Infinite mode,
31377 Matrix or Scalar mode, Fraction mode, and the current complex mode
31378 (Polar or Rectangular). The ten ``quick'' variables' values (or lack
31379 thereof) are also saved.
31381 Most mode-setting commands act as toggles, but with a numeric prefix
31382 they force the mode either on (positive prefix) or off (negative
31383 or zero prefix). Since you don't know what the environment might
31384 be when you invoke your macro, it's best to use prefix arguments
31385 for all mode-setting commands inside the macro.
31387 In fact, @kbd{C-u Z `} is like @kbd{Z `} except that it sets the modes
31388 listed above to their default values. As usual, the matching @kbd{Z '}
31389 will restore the modes to their settings from before the @kbd{C-u Z `}.
31390 Also, @w{@kbd{Z `}} with a negative prefix argument resets the algebraic mode
31391 to its default (off) but leaves the other modes the same as they were
31392 outside the construct.
31394 The contents of the stack and trail, values of non-quick variables, and
31395 other settings such as the language mode and the various display modes,
31396 are @emph{not} affected by @kbd{Z `} and @kbd{Z '}.
31398 @node Queries in Macros, , Local Values in Macros, Keyboard Macros
31399 @subsection Queries in Keyboard Macros
31403 @c @pindex calc-kbd-report
31404 @c The @kbd{Z =} (@code{calc-kbd-report}) command displays an informative
31405 @c message including the value on the top of the stack. You are prompted
31406 @c to enter a string. That string, along with the top-of-stack value,
31407 @c is displayed unless @kbd{m w} (@code{calc-working}) has been used
31408 @c to turn such messages off.
31412 @pindex calc-kbd-query
31413 The @kbd{Z #} (@code{calc-kbd-query}) command prompts for an algebraic
31414 entry which takes its input from the keyboard, even during macro
31415 execution. All the normal conventions of algebraic input, including the
31416 use of @kbd{$} characters, are supported. The prompt message itself is
31417 taken from the top of the stack, and so must be entered (as a string)
31418 before the @kbd{Z #} command. (Recall, as a string it can be entered by
31419 pressing the @kbd{"} key and will appear as a vector when it is put on
31420 the stack. The prompt message is only put on the stack to provide a
31421 prompt for the @kbd{Z #} command; it will not play any role in any
31422 subsequent calculations.) This command allows your keyboard macros to
31423 accept numbers or formulas as interactive input.
31426 @kbd{2 @key{RET} "Power: " @key{RET} Z # 3 @key{RET} ^} will prompt for
31427 input with ``Power: '' in the minibuffer, then return 2 to the provided
31428 power. (The response to the prompt that's given, 3 in this example,
31429 will not be part of the macro.)
31431 @xref{Keyboard Macro Query, , , emacs, the Emacs Manual}, for a description of
31432 @kbd{C-x q} (@code{kbd-macro-query}), the standard Emacs way to accept
31433 keyboard input during a keyboard macro. In particular, you can use
31434 @kbd{C-x q} to enter a recursive edit, which allows the user to perform
31435 any Calculator operations interactively before pressing @kbd{C-M-c} to
31436 return control to the keyboard macro.
31438 @node Invocation Macros, Algebraic Definitions, Keyboard Macros, Programming
31439 @section Invocation Macros
31443 @pindex calc-user-invocation
31444 @pindex calc-user-define-invocation
31445 Calc provides one special keyboard macro, called up by @kbd{M-# z}
31446 (@code{calc-user-invocation}), that is intended to allow you to define
31447 your own special way of starting Calc. To define this ``invocation
31448 macro,'' create the macro in the usual way with @kbd{C-x (} and
31449 @kbd{C-x )}, then type @kbd{Z I} (@code{calc-user-define-invocation}).
31450 There is only one invocation macro, so you don't need to type any
31451 additional letters after @kbd{Z I}. From now on, you can type
31452 @kbd{M-# z} at any time to execute your invocation macro.
31454 For example, suppose you find yourself often grabbing rectangles of
31455 numbers into Calc and multiplying their columns. You can do this
31456 by typing @kbd{M-# r} to grab, and @kbd{V R : *} to multiply columns.
31457 To make this into an invocation macro, just type @kbd{C-x ( M-# r
31458 V R : * C-x )}, then @kbd{Z I}. Then, to multiply a rectangle of data,
31459 just mark the data in its buffer in the usual way and type @kbd{M-# z}.
31461 Invocation macros are treated like regular Emacs keyboard macros;
31462 all the special features described above for @kbd{Z K}-style macros
31463 do not apply. @kbd{M-# z} is just like @kbd{C-x e}, except that it
31464 uses the macro that was last stored by @kbd{Z I}. (In fact, the
31465 macro does not even have to have anything to do with Calc!)
31467 The @kbd{m m} command saves the last invocation macro defined by
31468 @kbd{Z I} along with all the other Calc mode settings.
31469 @xref{General Mode Commands}.
31471 @node Algebraic Definitions, Lisp Definitions, Invocation Macros, Programming
31472 @section Programming with Formulas
31476 @pindex calc-user-define-formula
31477 @cindex Programming with algebraic formulas
31478 Another way to create a new Calculator command uses algebraic formulas.
31479 The @kbd{Z F} (@code{calc-user-define-formula}) command stores the
31480 formula at the top of the stack as the definition for a key. This
31481 command prompts for five things: The key, the command name, the function
31482 name, the argument list, and the behavior of the command when given
31483 non-numeric arguments.
31485 For example, suppose we type @kbd{' a+2b @key{RET}} to push the formula
31486 @samp{a + 2*b} onto the stack. We now type @kbd{Z F m} to define this
31487 formula on the @kbd{z m} key sequence. The next prompt is for a command
31488 name, beginning with @samp{calc-}, which should be the long (@kbd{M-x}) form
31489 for the new command. If you simply press @key{RET}, a default name like
31490 @code{calc-User-m} will be constructed. In our example, suppose we enter
31491 @kbd{spam @key{RET}} to define the new command as @code{calc-spam}.
31493 If you want to give the formula a long-style name only, you can press
31494 @key{SPC} or @key{RET} when asked which single key to use. For example
31495 @kbd{Z F @key{RET} spam @key{RET}} defines the new command as
31496 @kbd{M-x calc-spam}, with no keyboard equivalent.
31498 The third prompt is for an algebraic function name. The default is to
31499 use the same name as the command name but without the @samp{calc-}
31500 prefix. (If this is of the form @samp{User-m}, the hyphen is removed so
31501 it won't be taken for a minus sign in algebraic formulas.)
31502 This is the name you will use if you want to enter your
31503 new function in an algebraic formula. Suppose we enter @kbd{yow @key{RET}}.
31504 Then the new function can be invoked by pushing two numbers on the
31505 stack and typing @kbd{z m} or @kbd{x spam}, or by entering the algebraic
31506 formula @samp{yow(x,y)}.
31508 The fourth prompt is for the function's argument list. This is used to
31509 associate values on the stack with the variables that appear in the formula.
31510 The default is a list of all variables which appear in the formula, sorted
31511 into alphabetical order. In our case, the default would be @samp{(a b)}.
31512 This means that, when the user types @kbd{z m}, the Calculator will remove
31513 two numbers from the stack, substitute these numbers for @samp{a} and
31514 @samp{b} (respectively) in the formula, then simplify the formula and
31515 push the result on the stack. In other words, @kbd{10 @key{RET} 100 z m}
31516 would replace the 10 and 100 on the stack with the number 210, which is
31517 @expr{a + 2 b} with @expr{a=10} and @expr{b=100}. Likewise, the formula
31518 @samp{yow(10, 100)} will be evaluated by substituting @expr{a=10} and
31519 @expr{b=100} in the definition.
31521 You can rearrange the order of the names before pressing @key{RET} to
31522 control which stack positions go to which variables in the formula. If
31523 you remove a variable from the argument list, that variable will be left
31524 in symbolic form by the command. Thus using an argument list of @samp{(b)}
31525 for our function would cause @kbd{10 z m} to replace the 10 on the stack
31526 with the formula @samp{a + 20}. If we had used an argument list of
31527 @samp{(b a)}, the result with inputs 10 and 100 would have been 120.
31529 You can also put a nameless function on the stack instead of just a
31530 formula, as in @samp{<a, b : a + 2 b>}. @xref{Specifying Operators}.
31531 In this example, the command will be defined by the formula @samp{a + 2 b}
31532 using the argument list @samp{(a b)}.
31534 The final prompt is a y-or-n question concerning what to do if symbolic
31535 arguments are given to your function. If you answer @kbd{y}, then
31536 executing @kbd{z m} (using the original argument list @samp{(a b)}) with
31537 arguments @expr{10} and @expr{x} will leave the function in symbolic
31538 form, i.e., @samp{yow(10,x)}. On the other hand, if you answer @kbd{n},
31539 then the formula will always be expanded, even for non-constant
31540 arguments: @samp{10 + 2 x}. If you never plan to feed algebraic
31541 formulas to your new function, it doesn't matter how you answer this
31544 If you answered @kbd{y} to this question you can still cause a function
31545 call to be expanded by typing @kbd{a "} (@code{calc-expand-formula}).
31546 Also, Calc will expand the function if necessary when you take a
31547 derivative or integral or solve an equation involving the function.
31550 @pindex calc-get-user-defn
31551 Once you have defined a formula on a key, you can retrieve this formula
31552 with the @kbd{Z G} (@code{calc-user-define-get-defn}) command. Press a
31553 key, and this command pushes the formula that was used to define that
31554 key onto the stack. Actually, it pushes a nameless function that
31555 specifies both the argument list and the defining formula. You will get
31556 an error message if the key is undefined, or if the key was not defined
31557 by a @kbd{Z F} command.
31559 The @kbd{Z E} (@code{calc-user-define-edit}) command on a key that has
31560 been defined by a formula uses a variant of the @code{calc-edit} command
31561 to edit the defining formula. Press @kbd{C-c C-c} to finish editing and
31562 store the new formula back in the definition, or kill the buffer with
31564 cancel the edit. (The argument list and other properties of the
31565 definition are unchanged; to adjust the argument list, you can use
31566 @kbd{Z G} to grab the function onto the stack, edit with @kbd{`}, and
31567 then re-execute the @kbd{Z F} command.)
31569 As usual, the @kbd{Z P} command records your definition permanently.
31570 In this case it will permanently record all three of the relevant
31571 definitions: the key, the command, and the function.
31573 You may find it useful to turn off the default simplifications with
31574 @kbd{m O} (@code{calc-no-simplify-mode}) when entering a formula to be
31575 used as a function definition. For example, the formula @samp{deriv(a^2,v)}
31576 which might be used to define a new function @samp{dsqr(a,v)} will be
31577 ``simplified'' to 0 immediately upon entry since @code{deriv} considers
31578 @expr{a} to be constant with respect to @expr{v}. Turning off
31579 default simplifications cures this problem: The definition will be stored
31580 in symbolic form without ever activating the @code{deriv} function. Press
31581 @kbd{m D} to turn the default simplifications back on afterwards.
31583 @node Lisp Definitions, , Algebraic Definitions, Programming
31584 @section Programming with Lisp
31587 The Calculator can be programmed quite extensively in Lisp. All you
31588 do is write a normal Lisp function definition, but with @code{defmath}
31589 in place of @code{defun}. This has the same form as @code{defun}, but it
31590 automagically replaces calls to standard Lisp functions like @code{+} and
31591 @code{zerop} with calls to the corresponding functions in Calc's own library.
31592 Thus you can write natural-looking Lisp code which operates on all of the
31593 standard Calculator data types. You can then use @kbd{Z D} if you wish to
31594 bind your new command to a @kbd{z}-prefix key sequence. The @kbd{Z E} command
31595 will not edit a Lisp-based definition.
31597 Emacs Lisp is described in the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual. This section
31598 assumes a familiarity with Lisp programming concepts; if you do not know
31599 Lisp, you may find keyboard macros or rewrite rules to be an easier way
31600 to program the Calculator.
31602 This section first discusses ways to write commands, functions, or
31603 small programs to be executed inside of Calc. Then it discusses how
31604 your own separate programs are able to call Calc from the outside.
31605 Finally, there is a list of internal Calc functions and data structures
31606 for the true Lisp enthusiast.
31609 * Defining Functions::
31610 * Defining Simple Commands::
31611 * Defining Stack Commands::
31612 * Argument Qualifiers::
31613 * Example Definitions::
31615 * Calling Calc from Your Programs::
31619 @node Defining Functions, Defining Simple Commands, Lisp Definitions, Lisp Definitions
31620 @subsection Defining New Functions
31624 The @code{defmath} function (actually a Lisp macro) is like @code{defun}
31625 except that code in the body of the definition can make use of the full
31626 range of Calculator data types. The prefix @samp{calcFunc-} is added
31627 to the specified name to get the actual Lisp function name. As a simple
31631 (defmath myfact (n)
31633 (* n (myfact (1- n)))
31638 This actually expands to the code,
31641 (defun calcFunc-myfact (n)
31643 (math-mul n (calcFunc-myfact (math-add n -1)))
31648 This function can be used in algebraic expressions, e.g., @samp{myfact(5)}.
31650 The @samp{myfact} function as it is defined above has the bug that an
31651 expression @samp{myfact(a+b)} will be simplified to 1 because the
31652 formula @samp{a+b} is not considered to be @code{posp}. A robust
31653 factorial function would be written along the following lines:
31656 (defmath myfact (n)
31658 (* n (myfact (1- n)))
31661 nil))) ; this could be simplified as: (and (= n 0) 1)
31664 If a function returns @code{nil}, it is left unsimplified by the Calculator
31665 (except that its arguments will be simplified). Thus, @samp{myfact(a+1+2)}
31666 will be simplified to @samp{myfact(a+3)} but no further. Beware that every
31667 time the Calculator reexamines this formula it will attempt to resimplify
31668 it, so your function ought to detect the returning-@code{nil} case as
31669 efficiently as possible.
31671 The following standard Lisp functions are treated by @code{defmath}:
31672 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}, @code{^} or
31673 @code{expt}, @code{=}, @code{<}, @code{>}, @code{<=}, @code{>=},
31674 @code{/=}, @code{1+}, @code{1-}, @code{logand}, @code{logior}, @code{logxor},
31675 @code{logandc2}, @code{lognot}. Also, @code{~=} is an abbreviation for
31676 @code{math-nearly-equal}, which is useful in implementing Taylor series.
31678 For other functions @var{func}, if a function by the name
31679 @samp{calcFunc-@var{func}} exists it is used, otherwise if a function by the
31680 name @samp{math-@var{func}} exists it is used, otherwise if @var{func} itself
31681 is defined as a function it is used, otherwise @samp{calcFunc-@var{func}} is
31682 used on the assumption that this is a to-be-defined math function. Also, if
31683 the function name is quoted as in @samp{('integerp a)} the function name is
31684 always used exactly as written (but not quoted).
31686 Variable names have @samp{var-} prepended to them unless they appear in
31687 the function's argument list or in an enclosing @code{let}, @code{let*},
31688 @code{for}, or @code{foreach} form,
31689 or their names already contain a @samp{-} character. Thus a reference to
31690 @samp{foo} is the same as a reference to @samp{var-foo}.
31692 A few other Lisp extensions are available in @code{defmath} definitions:
31696 The @code{elt} function accepts any number of index variables.
31697 Note that Calc vectors are stored as Lisp lists whose first
31698 element is the symbol @code{vec}; thus, @samp{(elt v 2)} yields
31699 the second element of vector @code{v}, and @samp{(elt m i j)}
31700 yields one element of a Calc matrix.
31703 The @code{setq} function has been extended to act like the Common
31704 Lisp @code{setf} function. (The name @code{setf} is recognized as
31705 a synonym of @code{setq}.) Specifically, the first argument of
31706 @code{setq} can be an @code{nth}, @code{elt}, @code{car}, or @code{cdr} form,
31707 in which case the effect is to store into the specified
31708 element of a list. Thus, @samp{(setq (elt m i j) x)} stores @expr{x}
31709 into one element of a matrix.
31712 A @code{for} looping construct is available. For example,
31713 @samp{(for ((i 0 10)) body)} executes @code{body} once for each
31714 binding of @expr{i} from zero to 10. This is like a @code{let}
31715 form in that @expr{i} is temporarily bound to the loop count
31716 without disturbing its value outside the @code{for} construct.
31717 Nested loops, as in @samp{(for ((i 0 10) (j 0 (1- i) 2)) body)},
31718 are also available. For each value of @expr{i} from zero to 10,
31719 @expr{j} counts from 0 to @expr{i-1} in steps of two. Note that
31720 @code{for} has the same general outline as @code{let*}, except
31721 that each element of the header is a list of three or four
31722 things, not just two.
31725 The @code{foreach} construct loops over elements of a list.
31726 For example, @samp{(foreach ((x (cdr v))) body)} executes
31727 @code{body} with @expr{x} bound to each element of Calc vector
31728 @expr{v} in turn. The purpose of @code{cdr} here is to skip over
31729 the initial @code{vec} symbol in the vector.
31732 The @code{break} function breaks out of the innermost enclosing
31733 @code{while}, @code{for}, or @code{foreach} loop. If given a
31734 value, as in @samp{(break x)}, this value is returned by the
31735 loop. (Lisp loops otherwise always return @code{nil}.)
31738 The @code{return} function prematurely returns from the enclosing
31739 function. For example, @samp{(return (+ x y))} returns @expr{x+y}
31740 as the value of a function. You can use @code{return} anywhere
31741 inside the body of the function.
31744 Non-integer numbers (and extremely large integers) cannot be included
31745 directly into a @code{defmath} definition. This is because the Lisp
31746 reader will fail to parse them long before @code{defmath} ever gets control.
31747 Instead, use the notation, @samp{:"3.1415"}. In fact, any algebraic
31748 formula can go between the quotes. For example,
31751 (defmath sqexp (x) ; sqexp(x) == sqrt(exp(x)) == exp(x*0.5)
31759 (defun calcFunc-sqexp (x)
31760 (and (math-numberp x)
31761 (calcFunc-exp (math-mul x '(float 5 -1)))))
31764 Note the use of @code{numberp} as a guard to ensure that the argument is
31765 a number first, returning @code{nil} if not. The exponential function
31766 could itself have been included in the expression, if we had preferred:
31767 @samp{:"exp(x * 0.5)"}. As another example, the multiplication-and-recursion
31768 step of @code{myfact} could have been written
31774 A good place to put your @code{defmath} commands is your Calc init file
31775 (the file given by @code{calc-settings-file}, typically
31776 @file{~/.calc.el}), which will not be loaded until Calc starts.
31777 If a file named @file{.emacs} exists in your home directory, Emacs reads
31778 and executes the Lisp forms in this file as it starts up. While it may
31779 seem reasonable to put your favorite @code{defmath} commands there,
31780 this has the unfortunate side-effect that parts of the Calculator must be
31781 loaded in to process the @code{defmath} commands whether or not you will
31782 actually use the Calculator! If you want to put the @code{defmath}
31783 commands there (for example, if you redefine @code{calc-settings-file}
31784 to be @file{.emacs}), a better effect can be had by writing
31787 (put 'calc-define 'thing '(progn
31794 @vindex calc-define
31795 The @code{put} function adds a @dfn{property} to a symbol. Each Lisp
31796 symbol has a list of properties associated with it. Here we add a
31797 property with a name of @code{thing} and a @samp{(progn ...)} form as
31798 its value. When Calc starts up, and at the start of every Calc command,
31799 the property list for the symbol @code{calc-define} is checked and the
31800 values of any properties found are evaluated as Lisp forms. The
31801 properties are removed as they are evaluated. The property names
31802 (like @code{thing}) are not used; you should choose something like the
31803 name of your project so as not to conflict with other properties.
31805 The net effect is that you can put the above code in your @file{.emacs}
31806 file and it will not be executed until Calc is loaded. Or, you can put
31807 that same code in another file which you load by hand either before or
31808 after Calc itself is loaded.
31810 The properties of @code{calc-define} are evaluated in the same order
31811 that they were added. They can assume that the Calc modules @file{calc.el},
31812 @file{calc-ext.el}, and @file{calc-macs.el} have been fully loaded, and
31813 that the @samp{*Calculator*} buffer will be the current buffer.
31815 If your @code{calc-define} property only defines algebraic functions,
31816 you can be sure that it will have been evaluated before Calc tries to
31817 call your function, even if the file defining the property is loaded
31818 after Calc is loaded. But if the property defines commands or key
31819 sequences, it may not be evaluated soon enough. (Suppose it defines the
31820 new command @code{tweak-calc}; the user can load your file, then type
31821 @kbd{M-x tweak-calc} before Calc has had chance to do anything.) To
31822 protect against this situation, you can put
31825 (run-hooks 'calc-check-defines)
31828 @findex calc-check-defines
31830 at the end of your file. The @code{calc-check-defines} function is what
31831 looks for and evaluates properties on @code{calc-define}; @code{run-hooks}
31832 has the advantage that it is quietly ignored if @code{calc-check-defines}
31833 is not yet defined because Calc has not yet been loaded.
31835 Examples of things that ought to be enclosed in a @code{calc-define}
31836 property are @code{defmath} calls, @code{define-key} calls that modify
31837 the Calc key map, and any calls that redefine things defined inside Calc.
31838 Ordinary @code{defun}s need not be enclosed with @code{calc-define}.
31840 @node Defining Simple Commands, Defining Stack Commands, Defining Functions, Lisp Definitions
31841 @subsection Defining New Simple Commands
31844 @findex interactive
31845 If a @code{defmath} form contains an @code{interactive} clause, it defines
31846 a Calculator command. Actually such a @code{defmath} results in @emph{two}
31847 function definitions: One, a @samp{calcFunc-} function as was just described,
31848 with the @code{interactive} clause removed. Two, a @samp{calc-} function
31849 with a suitable @code{interactive} clause and some sort of wrapper to make
31850 the command work in the Calc environment.
31852 In the simple case, the @code{interactive} clause has the same form as
31853 for normal Emacs Lisp commands:
31856 (defmath increase-precision (delta)
31857 "Increase precision by DELTA." ; This is the "documentation string"
31858 (interactive "p") ; Register this as a M-x-able command
31859 (setq calc-internal-prec (+ calc-internal-prec delta)))
31862 This expands to the pair of definitions,
31865 (defun calc-increase-precision (delta)
31866 "Increase precision by DELTA."
31869 (setq calc-internal-prec (math-add calc-internal-prec delta))))
31871 (defun calcFunc-increase-precision (delta)
31872 "Increase precision by DELTA."
31873 (setq calc-internal-prec (math-add calc-internal-prec delta)))
31877 where in this case the latter function would never really be used! Note
31878 that since the Calculator stores small integers as plain Lisp integers,
31879 the @code{math-add} function will work just as well as the native
31880 @code{+} even when the intent is to operate on native Lisp integers.
31882 @findex calc-wrapper
31883 The @samp{calc-wrapper} call invokes a macro which surrounds the body of
31884 the function with code that looks roughly like this:
31887 (let ((calc-command-flags nil))
31890 (calc-select-buffer)
31891 @emph{body of function}
31892 @emph{renumber stack}
31893 @emph{clear} Working @emph{message})
31894 @emph{realign cursor and window}
31895 @emph{clear Inverse, Hyperbolic, and Keep Args flags}
31896 @emph{update Emacs mode line}))
31899 @findex calc-select-buffer
31900 The @code{calc-select-buffer} function selects the @samp{*Calculator*}
31901 buffer if necessary, say, because the command was invoked from inside
31902 the @samp{*Calc Trail*} window.
31904 @findex calc-set-command-flag
31905 You can call, for example, @code{(calc-set-command-flag 'no-align)} to
31906 set the above-mentioned command flags. Calc routines recognize the
31907 following command flags:
31911 Stack line numbers @samp{1:}, @samp{2:}, and so on must be renumbered
31912 after this command completes. This is set by routines like
31915 @item clear-message
31916 Calc should call @samp{(message "")} if this command completes normally
31917 (to clear a ``Working@dots{}'' message out of the echo area).
31920 Do not move the cursor back to the @samp{.} top-of-stack marker.
31922 @item position-point
31923 Use the variables @code{calc-position-point-line} and
31924 @code{calc-position-point-column} to position the cursor after
31925 this command finishes.
31928 Do not clear @code{calc-inverse-flag}, @code{calc-hyperbolic-flag},
31929 and @code{calc-keep-args-flag} at the end of this command.
31932 Switch to buffer @samp{*Calc Edit*} after this command.
31935 Do not move trail pointer to end of trail when something is recorded
31941 @vindex calc-Y-help-msgs
31942 Calc reserves a special prefix key, shift-@kbd{Y}, for user-written
31943 extensions to Calc. There are no built-in commands that work with
31944 this prefix key; you must call @code{define-key} from Lisp (probably
31945 from inside a @code{calc-define} property) to add to it. Initially only
31946 @kbd{Y ?} is defined; it takes help messages from a list of strings
31947 (initially @code{nil}) in the variable @code{calc-Y-help-msgs}. All
31948 other undefined keys except for @kbd{Y} are reserved for use by
31949 future versions of Calc.
31951 If you are writing a Calc enhancement which you expect to give to
31952 others, it is best to minimize the number of @kbd{Y}-key sequences
31953 you use. In fact, if you have more than one key sequence you should
31954 consider defining three-key sequences with a @kbd{Y}, then a key that
31955 stands for your package, then a third key for the particular command
31956 within your package.
31958 Users may wish to install several Calc enhancements, and it is possible
31959 that several enhancements will choose to use the same key. In the
31960 example below, a variable @code{inc-prec-base-key} has been defined
31961 to contain the key that identifies the @code{inc-prec} package. Its
31962 value is initially @code{"P"}, but a user can change this variable
31963 if necessary without having to modify the file.
31965 Here is a complete file, @file{inc-prec.el}, which makes a @kbd{Y P I}
31966 command that increases the precision, and a @kbd{Y P D} command that
31967 decreases the precision.
31970 ;;; Increase and decrease Calc precision. Dave Gillespie, 5/31/91.
31971 ;;; (Include copyright or copyleft stuff here.)
31973 (defvar inc-prec-base-key "P"
31974 "Base key for inc-prec.el commands.")
31976 (put 'calc-define 'inc-prec '(progn
31978 (define-key calc-mode-map (format "Y%sI" inc-prec-base-key)
31979 'increase-precision)
31980 (define-key calc-mode-map (format "Y%sD" inc-prec-base-key)
31981 'decrease-precision)
31983 (setq calc-Y-help-msgs
31984 (cons (format "%s + Inc-prec, Dec-prec" inc-prec-base-key)
31987 (defmath increase-precision (delta)
31988 "Increase precision by DELTA."
31990 (setq calc-internal-prec (+ calc-internal-prec delta)))
31992 (defmath decrease-precision (delta)
31993 "Decrease precision by DELTA."
31995 (setq calc-internal-prec (- calc-internal-prec delta)))
31997 )) ; end of calc-define property
31999 (run-hooks 'calc-check-defines)
32002 @node Defining Stack Commands, Argument Qualifiers, Defining Simple Commands, Lisp Definitions
32003 @subsection Defining New Stack-Based Commands
32006 To define a new computational command which takes and/or leaves arguments
32007 on the stack, a special form of @code{interactive} clause is used.
32010 (interactive @var{num} @var{tag})
32014 where @var{num} is an integer, and @var{tag} is a string. The effect is
32015 to pop @var{num} values off the stack, resimplify them by calling
32016 @code{calc-normalize}, and hand them to your function according to the
32017 function's argument list. Your function may include @code{&optional} and
32018 @code{&rest} parameters, so long as calling the function with @var{num}
32019 parameters is valid.
32021 Your function must return either a number or a formula in a form
32022 acceptable to Calc, or a list of such numbers or formulas. These value(s)
32023 are pushed onto the stack when the function completes. They are also
32024 recorded in the Calc Trail buffer on a line beginning with @var{tag},
32025 a string of (normally) four characters or less. If you omit @var{tag}
32026 or use @code{nil} as a tag, the result is not recorded in the trail.
32028 As an example, the definition
32031 (defmath myfact (n)
32032 "Compute the factorial of the integer at the top of the stack."
32033 (interactive 1 "fact")
32035 (* n (myfact (1- n)))
32040 is a version of the factorial function shown previously which can be used
32041 as a command as well as an algebraic function. It expands to
32044 (defun calc-myfact ()
32045 "Compute the factorial of the integer at the top of the stack."
32048 (calc-enter-result 1 "fact"
32049 (cons 'calcFunc-myfact (calc-top-list-n 1)))))
32051 (defun calcFunc-myfact (n)
32052 "Compute the factorial of the integer at the top of the stack."
32054 (math-mul n (calcFunc-myfact (math-add n -1)))
32055 (and (math-zerop n) 1)))
32058 @findex calc-slow-wrapper
32059 The @code{calc-slow-wrapper} function is a version of @code{calc-wrapper}
32060 that automatically puts up a @samp{Working...} message before the
32061 computation begins. (This message can be turned off by the user
32062 with an @kbd{m w} (@code{calc-working}) command.)
32064 @findex calc-top-list-n
32065 The @code{calc-top-list-n} function returns a list of the specified number
32066 of values from the top of the stack. It resimplifies each value by
32067 calling @code{calc-normalize}. If its argument is zero it returns an
32068 empty list. It does not actually remove these values from the stack.
32070 @findex calc-enter-result
32071 The @code{calc-enter-result} function takes an integer @var{num} and string
32072 @var{tag} as described above, plus a third argument which is either a
32073 Calculator data object or a list of such objects. These objects are
32074 resimplified and pushed onto the stack after popping the specified number
32075 of values from the stack. If @var{tag} is non-@code{nil}, the values
32076 being pushed are also recorded in the trail.
32078 Note that if @code{calcFunc-myfact} returns @code{nil} this represents
32079 ``leave the function in symbolic form.'' To return an actual empty list,
32080 in the sense that @code{calc-enter-result} will push zero elements back
32081 onto the stack, you should return the special value @samp{'(nil)}, a list
32082 containing the single symbol @code{nil}.
32084 The @code{interactive} declaration can actually contain a limited
32085 Emacs-style code string as well which comes just before @var{num} and
32086 @var{tag}. Currently the only Emacs code supported is @samp{"p"}, as in
32089 (defmath foo (a b &optional c)
32090 (interactive "p" 2 "foo")
32094 In this example, the command @code{calc-foo} will evaluate the expression
32095 @samp{foo(a,b)} if executed with no argument, or @samp{foo(a,b,n)} if
32096 executed with a numeric prefix argument of @expr{n}.
32098 The other code string allowed is @samp{"m"} (unrelated to the usual @samp{"m"}
32099 code as used with @code{defun}). It uses the numeric prefix argument as the
32100 number of objects to remove from the stack and pass to the function.
32101 In this case, the integer @var{num} serves as a default number of
32102 arguments to be used when no prefix is supplied.
32104 @node Argument Qualifiers, Example Definitions, Defining Stack Commands, Lisp Definitions
32105 @subsection Argument Qualifiers
32108 Anywhere a parameter name can appear in the parameter list you can also use
32109 an @dfn{argument qualifier}. Thus the general form of a definition is:
32112 (defmath @var{name} (@var{param} @var{param...}
32113 &optional @var{param} @var{param...}
32119 where each @var{param} is either a symbol or a list of the form
32122 (@var{qual} @var{param})
32125 The following qualifiers are recognized:
32130 The argument must not be an incomplete vector, interval, or complex number.
32131 (This is rarely needed since the Calculator itself will never call your
32132 function with an incomplete argument. But there is nothing stopping your
32133 own Lisp code from calling your function with an incomplete argument.)
32137 The argument must be an integer. If it is an integer-valued float
32138 it will be accepted but converted to integer form. Non-integers and
32139 formulas are rejected.
32143 Like @samp{integer}, but the argument must be non-negative.
32147 Like @samp{integer}, but the argument must fit into a native Lisp integer,
32148 which on most systems means less than 2^23 in absolute value. The
32149 argument is converted into Lisp-integer form if necessary.
32153 The argument is converted to floating-point format if it is a number or
32154 vector. If it is a formula it is left alone. (The argument is never
32155 actually rejected by this qualifier.)
32158 The argument must satisfy predicate @var{pred}, which is one of the
32159 standard Calculator predicates. @xref{Predicates}.
32161 @item not-@var{pred}
32162 The argument must @emph{not} satisfy predicate @var{pred}.
32168 (defmath foo (a (constp (not-matrixp b)) &optional (float c)
32177 (defun calcFunc-foo (a b &optional c &rest d)
32178 (and (math-matrixp b)
32179 (math-reject-arg b 'not-matrixp))
32180 (or (math-constp b)
32181 (math-reject-arg b 'constp))
32182 (and c (setq c (math-check-float c)))
32183 (setq d (mapcar 'math-check-integer d))
32188 which performs the necessary checks and conversions before executing the
32189 body of the function.
32191 @node Example Definitions, Calling Calc from Your Programs, Argument Qualifiers, Lisp Definitions
32192 @subsection Example Definitions
32195 This section includes some Lisp programming examples on a larger scale.
32196 These programs make use of some of the Calculator's internal functions;
32200 * Bit Counting Example::
32204 @node Bit Counting Example, Sine Example, Example Definitions, Example Definitions
32205 @subsubsection Bit-Counting
32212 Calc does not include a built-in function for counting the number of
32213 ``one'' bits in a binary integer. It's easy to invent one using @kbd{b u}
32214 to convert the integer to a set, and @kbd{V #} to count the elements of
32215 that set; let's write a function that counts the bits without having to
32216 create an intermediate set.
32219 (defmath bcount ((natnum n))
32220 (interactive 1 "bcnt")
32224 (setq count (1+ count)))
32225 (setq n (lsh n -1)))
32230 When this is expanded by @code{defmath}, it will become the following
32231 Emacs Lisp function:
32234 (defun calcFunc-bcount (n)
32235 (setq n (math-check-natnum n))
32237 (while (math-posp n)
32239 (setq count (math-add count 1)))
32240 (setq n (calcFunc-lsh n -1)))
32244 If the input numbers are large, this function involves a fair amount
32245 of arithmetic. A binary right shift is essentially a division by two;
32246 recall that Calc stores integers in decimal form so bit shifts must
32247 involve actual division.
32249 To gain a bit more efficiency, we could divide the integer into
32250 @var{n}-bit chunks, each of which can be handled quickly because
32251 they fit into Lisp integers. It turns out that Calc's arithmetic
32252 routines are especially fast when dividing by an integer less than
32253 1000, so we can set @var{n = 9} bits and use repeated division by 512:
32256 (defmath bcount ((natnum n))
32257 (interactive 1 "bcnt")
32259 (while (not (fixnump n))
32260 (let ((qr (idivmod n 512)))
32261 (setq count (+ count (bcount-fixnum (cdr qr)))
32263 (+ count (bcount-fixnum n))))
32265 (defun bcount-fixnum (n)
32268 (setq count (+ count (logand n 1))
32274 Note that the second function uses @code{defun}, not @code{defmath}.
32275 Because this function deals only with native Lisp integers (``fixnums''),
32276 it can use the actual Emacs @code{+} and related functions rather
32277 than the slower but more general Calc equivalents which @code{defmath}
32280 The @code{idivmod} function does an integer division, returning both
32281 the quotient and the remainder at once. Again, note that while it
32282 might seem that @samp{(logand n 511)} and @samp{(lsh n -9)} are
32283 more efficient ways to split off the bottom nine bits of @code{n},
32284 actually they are less efficient because each operation is really
32285 a division by 512 in disguise; @code{idivmod} allows us to do the
32286 same thing with a single division by 512.
32288 @node Sine Example, , Bit Counting Example, Example Definitions
32289 @subsubsection The Sine Function
32296 A somewhat limited sine function could be defined as follows, using the
32297 well-known Taylor series expansion for
32298 @texline @math{\sin x}:
32299 @infoline @samp{sin(x)}:
32302 (defmath mysin ((float (anglep x)))
32303 (interactive 1 "mysn")
32304 (setq x (to-radians x)) ; Convert from current angular mode.
32305 (let ((sum x) ; Initial term of Taylor expansion of sin.
32307 (nfact 1) ; "nfact" equals "n" factorial at all times.
32308 (xnegsqr :"-(x^2)")) ; "xnegsqr" equals -x^2.
32309 (for ((n 3 100 2)) ; Upper limit of 100 is a good precaution.
32310 (working "mysin" sum) ; Display "Working" message, if enabled.
32311 (setq nfact (* nfact (1- n) n)
32313 newsum (+ sum (/ x nfact)))
32314 (if (~= newsum sum) ; If newsum is "nearly equal to" sum,
32315 (break)) ; then we are done.
32320 The actual @code{sin} function in Calc works by first reducing the problem
32321 to a sine or cosine of a nonnegative number less than @cpiover{4}. This
32322 ensures that the Taylor series will converge quickly. Also, the calculation
32323 is carried out with two extra digits of precision to guard against cumulative
32324 round-off in @samp{sum}. Finally, complex arguments are allowed and handled
32325 by a separate algorithm.
32328 (defmath mysin ((float (scalarp x)))
32329 (interactive 1 "mysn")
32330 (setq x (to-radians x)) ; Convert from current angular mode.
32331 (with-extra-prec 2 ; Evaluate with extra precision.
32332 (cond ((complexp x)
32335 (- (mysin-raw (- x))) ; Always call mysin-raw with x >= 0.
32336 (t (mysin-raw x))))))
32338 (defmath mysin-raw (x)
32340 (mysin-raw (% x (two-pi)))) ; Now x < 7.
32342 (- (mysin-raw (- x (pi))))) ; Now -pi/2 <= x <= pi/2.
32344 (mycos-raw (- x (pi-over-2)))) ; Now -pi/2 <= x <= pi/4.
32345 ((< x (- (pi-over-4)))
32346 (- (mycos-raw (+ x (pi-over-2))))) ; Now -pi/4 <= x <= pi/4,
32347 (t (mysin-series x)))) ; so the series will be efficient.
32351 where @code{mysin-complex} is an appropriate function to handle complex
32352 numbers, @code{mysin-series} is the routine to compute the sine Taylor
32353 series as before, and @code{mycos-raw} is a function analogous to
32354 @code{mysin-raw} for cosines.
32356 The strategy is to ensure that @expr{x} is nonnegative before calling
32357 @code{mysin-raw}. This function then recursively reduces its argument
32358 to a suitable range, namely, plus-or-minus @cpiover{4}. Note that each
32359 test, and particularly the first comparison against 7, is designed so
32360 that small roundoff errors cannot produce an infinite loop. (Suppose
32361 we compared with @samp{(two-pi)} instead; if due to roundoff problems
32362 the modulo operator ever returned @samp{(two-pi)} exactly, an infinite
32363 recursion could result!) We use modulo only for arguments that will
32364 clearly get reduced, knowing that the next rule will catch any reductions
32365 that this rule misses.
32367 If a program is being written for general use, it is important to code
32368 it carefully as shown in this second example. For quick-and-dirty programs,
32369 when you know that your own use of the sine function will never encounter
32370 a large argument, a simpler program like the first one shown is fine.
32372 @node Calling Calc from Your Programs, Internals, Example Definitions, Lisp Definitions
32373 @subsection Calling Calc from Your Lisp Programs
32376 A later section (@pxref{Internals}) gives a full description of
32377 Calc's internal Lisp functions. It's not hard to call Calc from
32378 inside your programs, but the number of these functions can be daunting.
32379 So Calc provides one special ``programmer-friendly'' function called
32380 @code{calc-eval} that can be made to do just about everything you
32381 need. It's not as fast as the low-level Calc functions, but it's
32382 much simpler to use!
32384 It may seem that @code{calc-eval} itself has a daunting number of
32385 options, but they all stem from one simple operation.
32387 In its simplest manifestation, @samp{(calc-eval "1+2")} parses the
32388 string @code{"1+2"} as if it were a Calc algebraic entry and returns
32389 the result formatted as a string: @code{"3"}.
32391 Since @code{calc-eval} is on the list of recommended @code{autoload}
32392 functions, you don't need to make any special preparations to load
32393 Calc before calling @code{calc-eval} the first time. Calc will be
32394 loaded and initialized for you.
32396 All the Calc modes that are currently in effect will be used when
32397 evaluating the expression and formatting the result.
32404 @subsubsection Additional Arguments to @code{calc-eval}
32407 If the input string parses to a list of expressions, Calc returns
32408 the results separated by @code{", "}. You can specify a different
32409 separator by giving a second string argument to @code{calc-eval}:
32410 @samp{(calc-eval "1+2,3+4" ";")} returns @code{"3;7"}.
32412 The ``separator'' can also be any of several Lisp symbols which
32413 request other behaviors from @code{calc-eval}. These are discussed
32416 You can give additional arguments to be substituted for
32417 @samp{$}, @samp{$$}, and so on in the main expression. For
32418 example, @samp{(calc-eval "$/$$" nil "7" "1+1")} evaluates the
32419 expression @code{"7/(1+1)"} to yield the result @code{"3.5"}
32420 (assuming Fraction mode is not in effect). Note the @code{nil}
32421 used as a placeholder for the item-separator argument.
32428 @subsubsection Error Handling
32431 If @code{calc-eval} encounters an error, it returns a list containing
32432 the character position of the error, plus a suitable message as a
32433 string. Note that @samp{1 / 0} is @emph{not} an error by Calc's
32434 standards; it simply returns the string @code{"1 / 0"} which is the
32435 division left in symbolic form. But @samp{(calc-eval "1/")} will
32436 return the list @samp{(2 "Expected a number")}.
32438 If you bind the variable @code{calc-eval-error} to @code{t}
32439 using a @code{let} form surrounding the call to @code{calc-eval},
32440 errors instead call the Emacs @code{error} function which aborts
32441 to the Emacs command loop with a beep and an error message.
32443 If you bind this variable to the symbol @code{string}, error messages
32444 are returned as strings instead of lists. The character position is
32447 As a courtesy to other Lisp code which may be using Calc, be sure
32448 to bind @code{calc-eval-error} using @code{let} rather than changing
32449 it permanently with @code{setq}.
32456 @subsubsection Numbers Only
32459 Sometimes it is preferable to treat @samp{1 / 0} as an error
32460 rather than returning a symbolic result. If you pass the symbol
32461 @code{num} as the second argument to @code{calc-eval}, results
32462 that are not constants are treated as errors. The error message
32463 reported is the first @code{calc-why} message if there is one,
32464 or otherwise ``Number expected.''
32466 A result is ``constant'' if it is a number, vector, or other
32467 object that does not include variables or function calls. If it
32468 is a vector, the components must themselves be constants.
32475 @subsubsection Default Modes
32478 If the first argument to @code{calc-eval} is a list whose first
32479 element is a formula string, then @code{calc-eval} sets all the
32480 various Calc modes to their default values while the formula is
32481 evaluated and formatted. For example, the precision is set to 12
32482 digits, digit grouping is turned off, and the Normal language
32485 This same principle applies to the other options discussed below.
32486 If the first argument would normally be @var{x}, then it can also
32487 be the list @samp{(@var{x})} to use the default mode settings.
32489 If there are other elements in the list, they are taken as
32490 variable-name/value pairs which override the default mode
32491 settings. Look at the documentation at the front of the
32492 @file{calc.el} file to find the names of the Lisp variables for
32493 the various modes. The mode settings are restored to their
32494 original values when @code{calc-eval} is done.
32496 For example, @samp{(calc-eval '("$+$$" calc-internal-prec 8) 'num a b)}
32497 computes the sum of two numbers, requiring a numeric result, and
32498 using default mode settings except that the precision is 8 instead
32499 of the default of 12.
32501 It's usually best to use this form of @code{calc-eval} unless your
32502 program actually considers the interaction with Calc's mode settings
32503 to be a feature. This will avoid all sorts of potential ``gotchas'';
32504 consider what happens with @samp{(calc-eval "sqrt(2)" 'num)}
32505 when the user has left Calc in Symbolic mode or No-Simplify mode.
32507 As another example, @samp{(equal (calc-eval '("$<$$") nil a b) "1")}
32508 checks if the number in string @expr{a} is less than the one in
32509 string @expr{b}. Without using a list, the integer 1 might
32510 come out in a variety of formats which would be hard to test for
32511 conveniently: @code{"1"}, @code{"8#1"}, @code{"00001"}. (But
32512 see ``Predicates'' mode, below.)
32519 @subsubsection Raw Numbers
32522 Normally all input and output for @code{calc-eval} is done with strings.
32523 You can do arithmetic with, say, @samp{(calc-eval "$+$$" nil a b)}
32524 in place of @samp{(+ a b)}, but this is very inefficient since the
32525 numbers must be converted to and from string format as they are passed
32526 from one @code{calc-eval} to the next.
32528 If the separator is the symbol @code{raw}, the result will be returned
32529 as a raw Calc data structure rather than a string. You can read about
32530 how these objects look in the following sections, but usually you can
32531 treat them as ``black box'' objects with no important internal
32534 There is also a @code{rawnum} symbol, which is a combination of
32535 @code{raw} (returning a raw Calc object) and @code{num} (signaling
32536 an error if that object is not a constant).
32538 You can pass a raw Calc object to @code{calc-eval} in place of a
32539 string, either as the formula itself or as one of the @samp{$}
32540 arguments. Thus @samp{(calc-eval "$+$$" 'raw a b)} is an
32541 addition function that operates on raw Calc objects. Of course
32542 in this case it would be easier to call the low-level @code{math-add}
32543 function in Calc, if you can remember its name.
32545 In particular, note that a plain Lisp integer is acceptable to Calc
32546 as a raw object. (All Lisp integers are accepted on input, but
32547 integers of more than six decimal digits are converted to ``big-integer''
32548 form for output. @xref{Data Type Formats}.)
32550 When it comes time to display the object, just use @samp{(calc-eval a)}
32551 to format it as a string.
32553 It is an error if the input expression evaluates to a list of
32554 values. The separator symbol @code{list} is like @code{raw}
32555 except that it returns a list of one or more raw Calc objects.
32557 Note that a Lisp string is not a valid Calc object, nor is a list
32558 containing a string. Thus you can still safely distinguish all the
32559 various kinds of error returns discussed above.
32566 @subsubsection Predicates
32569 If the separator symbol is @code{pred}, the result of the formula is
32570 treated as a true/false value; @code{calc-eval} returns @code{t} or
32571 @code{nil}, respectively. A value is considered ``true'' if it is a
32572 non-zero number, or false if it is zero or if it is not a number.
32574 For example, @samp{(calc-eval "$<$$" 'pred a b)} tests whether
32575 one value is less than another.
32577 As usual, it is also possible for @code{calc-eval} to return one of
32578 the error indicators described above. Lisp will interpret such an
32579 indicator as ``true'' if you don't check for it explicitly. If you
32580 wish to have an error register as ``false'', use something like
32581 @samp{(eq (calc-eval ...) t)}.
32588 @subsubsection Variable Values
32591 Variables in the formula passed to @code{calc-eval} are not normally
32592 replaced by their values. If you wish this, you can use the
32593 @code{evalv} function (@pxref{Algebraic Manipulation}). For example,
32594 if 4 is stored in Calc variable @code{a} (i.e., in Lisp variable
32595 @code{var-a}), then @samp{(calc-eval "a+pi")} will return the
32596 formula @code{"a + pi"}, but @samp{(calc-eval "evalv(a+pi)")}
32597 will return @code{"7.14159265359"}.
32599 To store in a Calc variable, just use @code{setq} to store in the
32600 corresponding Lisp variable. (This is obtained by prepending
32601 @samp{var-} to the Calc variable name.) Calc routines will
32602 understand either string or raw form values stored in variables,
32603 although raw data objects are much more efficient. For example,
32604 to increment the Calc variable @code{a}:
32607 (setq var-a (calc-eval "evalv(a+1)" 'raw))
32615 @subsubsection Stack Access
32618 If the separator symbol is @code{push}, the formula argument is
32619 evaluated (with possible @samp{$} expansions, as usual). The
32620 result is pushed onto the Calc stack. The return value is @code{nil}
32621 (unless there is an error from evaluating the formula, in which
32622 case the return value depends on @code{calc-eval-error} in the
32625 If the separator symbol is @code{pop}, the first argument to
32626 @code{calc-eval} must be an integer instead of a string. That
32627 many values are popped from the stack and thrown away. A negative
32628 argument deletes the entry at that stack level. The return value
32629 is the number of elements remaining in the stack after popping;
32630 @samp{(calc-eval 0 'pop)} is a good way to measure the size of
32633 If the separator symbol is @code{top}, the first argument to
32634 @code{calc-eval} must again be an integer. The value at that
32635 stack level is formatted as a string and returned. Thus
32636 @samp{(calc-eval 1 'top)} returns the top-of-stack value. If the
32637 integer is out of range, @code{nil} is returned.
32639 The separator symbol @code{rawtop} is just like @code{top} except
32640 that the stack entry is returned as a raw Calc object instead of
32643 In all of these cases the first argument can be made a list in
32644 order to force the default mode settings, as described above.
32645 Thus @samp{(calc-eval '(2 calc-number-radix 16) 'top)} returns the
32646 second-to-top stack entry, formatted as a string using the default
32647 instead of current display modes, except that the radix is
32648 hexadecimal instead of decimal.
32650 It is, of course, polite to put the Calc stack back the way you
32651 found it when you are done, unless the user of your program is
32652 actually expecting it to affect the stack.
32654 Note that you do not actually have to switch into the @samp{*Calculator*}
32655 buffer in order to use @code{calc-eval}; it temporarily switches into
32656 the stack buffer if necessary.
32663 @subsubsection Keyboard Macros
32666 If the separator symbol is @code{macro}, the first argument must be a
32667 string of characters which Calc can execute as a sequence of keystrokes.
32668 This switches into the Calc buffer for the duration of the macro.
32669 For example, @samp{(calc-eval "vx5\rVR+" 'macro)} pushes the
32670 vector @samp{[1,2,3,4,5]} on the stack and then replaces it
32671 with the sum of those numbers. Note that @samp{\r} is the Lisp
32672 notation for the carriage-return, @key{RET}, character.
32674 If your keyboard macro wishes to pop the stack, @samp{\C-d} is
32675 safer than @samp{\177} (the @key{DEL} character) because some
32676 installations may have switched the meanings of @key{DEL} and
32677 @kbd{C-h}. Calc always interprets @kbd{C-d} as a synonym for
32678 ``pop-stack'' regardless of key mapping.
32680 If you provide a third argument to @code{calc-eval}, evaluation
32681 of the keyboard macro will leave a record in the Trail using
32682 that argument as a tag string. Normally the Trail is unaffected.
32684 The return value in this case is always @code{nil}.
32691 @subsubsection Lisp Evaluation
32694 Finally, if the separator symbol is @code{eval}, then the Lisp
32695 @code{eval} function is called on the first argument, which must
32696 be a Lisp expression rather than a Calc formula. Remember to
32697 quote the expression so that it is not evaluated until inside
32700 The difference from plain @code{eval} is that @code{calc-eval}
32701 switches to the Calc buffer before evaluating the expression.
32702 For example, @samp{(calc-eval '(setq calc-internal-prec 17) 'eval)}
32703 will correctly affect the buffer-local Calc precision variable.
32705 An alternative would be @samp{(calc-eval '(calc-precision 17) 'eval)}.
32706 This is evaluating a call to the function that is normally invoked
32707 by the @kbd{p} key, giving it 17 as its ``numeric prefix argument.''
32708 Note that this function will leave a message in the echo area as
32709 a side effect. Also, all Calc functions switch to the Calc buffer
32710 automatically if not invoked from there, so the above call is
32711 also equivalent to @samp{(calc-precision 17)} by itself.
32712 In all cases, Calc uses @code{save-excursion} to switch back to
32713 your original buffer when it is done.
32715 As usual the first argument can be a list that begins with a Lisp
32716 expression to use default instead of current mode settings.
32718 The result of @code{calc-eval} in this usage is just the result
32719 returned by the evaluated Lisp expression.
32726 @subsubsection Example
32729 @findex convert-temp
32730 Here is a sample Emacs command that uses @code{calc-eval}. Suppose
32731 you have a document with lots of references to temperatures on the
32732 Fahrenheit scale, say ``98.6 F'', and you wish to convert these
32733 references to Centigrade. The following command does this conversion.
32734 Place the Emacs cursor right after the letter ``F'' and invoke the
32735 command to change ``98.6 F'' to ``37 C''. Or, if the temperature is
32736 already in Centigrade form, the command changes it back to Fahrenheit.
32739 (defun convert-temp ()
32742 (re-search-backward "[^-.0-9]\\([-.0-9]+\\) *\\([FC]\\)")
32743 (let* ((top1 (match-beginning 1))
32744 (bot1 (match-end 1))
32745 (number (buffer-substring top1 bot1))
32746 (top2 (match-beginning 2))
32747 (bot2 (match-end 2))
32748 (type (buffer-substring top2 bot2)))
32749 (if (equal type "F")
32751 number (calc-eval "($ - 32)*5/9" nil number))
32753 number (calc-eval "$*9/5 + 32" nil number)))
32755 (delete-region top2 bot2)
32756 (insert-before-markers type)
32758 (delete-region top1 bot1)
32759 (if (string-match "\\.$" number) ; change "37." to "37"
32760 (setq number (substring number 0 -1)))
32764 Note the use of @code{insert-before-markers} when changing between
32765 ``F'' and ``C'', so that the character winds up before the cursor
32766 instead of after it.
32768 @node Internals, , Calling Calc from Your Programs, Lisp Definitions
32769 @subsection Calculator Internals
32772 This section describes the Lisp functions defined by the Calculator that
32773 may be of use to user-written Calculator programs (as described in the
32774 rest of this chapter). These functions are shown by their names as they
32775 conventionally appear in @code{defmath}. Their full Lisp names are
32776 generally gotten by prepending @samp{calcFunc-} or @samp{math-} to their
32777 apparent names. (Names that begin with @samp{calc-} are already in
32778 their full Lisp form.) You can use the actual full names instead if you
32779 prefer them, or if you are calling these functions from regular Lisp.
32781 The functions described here are scattered throughout the various
32782 Calc component files. Note that @file{calc.el} includes @code{autoload}s
32783 for only a few component files; when Calc wants to call an advanced
32784 function it calls @samp{(calc-extensions)} first; this function
32785 autoloads @file{calc-ext.el}, which in turn autoloads all the functions
32786 in the remaining component files.
32788 Because @code{defmath} itself uses the extensions, user-written code
32789 generally always executes with the extensions already loaded, so
32790 normally you can use any Calc function and be confident that it will
32791 be autoloaded for you when necessary. If you are doing something
32792 special, check carefully to make sure each function you are using is
32793 from @file{calc.el} or its components, and call @samp{(calc-extensions)}
32794 before using any function based in @file{calc-ext.el} if you can't
32795 prove this file will already be loaded.
32798 * Data Type Formats::
32799 * Interactive Lisp Functions::
32800 * Stack Lisp Functions::
32802 * Computational Lisp Functions::
32803 * Vector Lisp Functions::
32804 * Symbolic Lisp Functions::
32805 * Formatting Lisp Functions::
32809 @node Data Type Formats, Interactive Lisp Functions, Internals, Internals
32810 @subsubsection Data Type Formats
32813 Integers are stored in either of two ways, depending on their magnitude.
32814 Integers less than one million in absolute value are stored as standard
32815 Lisp integers. This is the only storage format for Calc data objects
32816 which is not a Lisp list.
32818 Large integers are stored as lists of the form @samp{(bigpos @var{d0}
32819 @var{d1} @var{d2} @dots{})} for positive integers 1000000 or more, or
32820 @samp{(bigneg @var{d0} @var{d1} @var{d2} @dots{})} for negative integers
32821 @mathit{-1000000} or less. Each @var{d} is a base-1000 ``digit,'' a Lisp integer
32822 from 0 to 999. The least significant digit is @var{d0}; the last digit,
32823 @var{dn}, which is always nonzero, is the most significant digit. For
32824 example, the integer @mathit{-12345678} is stored as @samp{(bigneg 678 345 12)}.
32826 The distinction between small and large integers is entirely hidden from
32827 the user. In @code{defmath} definitions, the Lisp predicate @code{integerp}
32828 returns true for either kind of integer, and in general both big and small
32829 integers are accepted anywhere the word ``integer'' is used in this manual.
32830 If the distinction must be made, native Lisp integers are called @dfn{fixnums}
32831 and large integers are called @dfn{bignums}.
32833 Fractions are stored as a list of the form, @samp{(frac @var{n} @var{d})}
32834 where @var{n} is an integer (big or small) numerator, @var{d} is an
32835 integer denominator greater than one, and @var{n} and @var{d} are relatively
32836 prime. Note that fractions where @var{d} is one are automatically converted
32837 to plain integers by all math routines; fractions where @var{d} is negative
32838 are normalized by negating the numerator and denominator.
32840 Floating-point numbers are stored in the form, @samp{(float @var{mant}
32841 @var{exp})}, where @var{mant} (the ``mantissa'') is an integer less than
32842 @samp{10^@var{p}} in absolute value (@var{p} represents the current
32843 precision), and @var{exp} (the ``exponent'') is a fixnum. The value of
32844 the float is @samp{@var{mant} * 10^@var{exp}}. For example, the number
32845 @mathit{-3.14} is stored as @samp{(float -314 -2) = -314*10^-2}. Other constraints
32846 are that the number 0.0 is always stored as @samp{(float 0 0)}, and,
32847 except for the 0.0 case, the rightmost base-10 digit of @var{mant} is
32848 always nonzero. (If the rightmost digit is zero, the number is
32849 rearranged by dividing @var{mant} by ten and incrementing @var{exp}.)
32851 Rectangular complex numbers are stored in the form @samp{(cplx @var{re}
32852 @var{im})}, where @var{re} and @var{im} are each real numbers, either
32853 integers, fractions, or floats. The value is @samp{@var{re} + @var{im}i}.
32854 The @var{im} part is nonzero; complex numbers with zero imaginary
32855 components are converted to real numbers automatically.
32857 Polar complex numbers are stored in the form @samp{(polar @var{r}
32858 @var{theta})}, where @var{r} is a positive real value and @var{theta}
32859 is a real value or HMS form representing an angle. This angle is
32860 usually normalized to lie in the interval @samp{(-180 ..@: 180)} degrees,
32861 or @samp{(-pi ..@: pi)} radians, according to the current angular mode.
32862 If the angle is 0 the value is converted to a real number automatically.
32863 (If the angle is 180 degrees, the value is usually also converted to a
32864 negative real number.)
32866 Hours-minutes-seconds forms are stored as @samp{(hms @var{h} @var{m}
32867 @var{s})}, where @var{h} is an integer or an integer-valued float (i.e.,
32868 a float with @samp{@var{exp} >= 0}), @var{m} is an integer or integer-valued
32869 float in the range @w{@samp{[0 ..@: 60)}}, and @var{s} is any real number
32870 in the range @samp{[0 ..@: 60)}.
32872 Date forms are stored as @samp{(date @var{n})}, where @var{n} is
32873 a real number that counts days since midnight on the morning of
32874 January 1, 1 AD. If @var{n} is an integer, this is a pure date
32875 form. If @var{n} is a fraction or float, this is a date/time form.
32877 Modulo forms are stored as @samp{(mod @var{n} @var{m})}, where @var{m} is a
32878 positive real number or HMS form, and @var{n} is a real number or HMS
32879 form in the range @samp{[0 ..@: @var{m})}.
32881 Error forms are stored as @samp{(sdev @var{x} @var{sigma})}, where @var{x}
32882 is the mean value and @var{sigma} is the standard deviation. Each
32883 component is either a number, an HMS form, or a symbolic object
32884 (a variable or function call). If @var{sigma} is zero, the value is
32885 converted to a plain real number. If @var{sigma} is negative or
32886 complex, it is automatically normalized to be a positive real.
32888 Interval forms are stored as @samp{(intv @var{mask} @var{lo} @var{hi})},
32889 where @var{mask} is one of the integers 0, 1, 2, or 3, and @var{lo} and
32890 @var{hi} are real numbers, HMS forms, or symbolic objects. The @var{mask}
32891 is a binary integer where 1 represents the fact that the interval is
32892 closed on the high end, and 2 represents the fact that it is closed on
32893 the low end. (Thus 3 represents a fully closed interval.) The interval
32894 @w{@samp{(intv 3 @var{x} @var{x})}} is converted to the plain number @var{x};
32895 intervals @samp{(intv @var{mask} @var{x} @var{x})} for any other @var{mask}
32896 represent empty intervals. If @var{hi} is less than @var{lo}, the interval
32897 is converted to a standard empty interval by replacing @var{hi} with @var{lo}.
32899 Vectors are stored as @samp{(vec @var{v1} @var{v2} @dots{})}, where @var{v1}
32900 is the first element of the vector, @var{v2} is the second, and so on.
32901 An empty vector is stored as @samp{(vec)}. A matrix is simply a vector
32902 where all @var{v}'s are themselves vectors of equal lengths. Note that
32903 Calc vectors are unrelated to the Emacs Lisp ``vector'' type, which is
32904 generally unused by Calc data structures.
32906 Variables are stored as @samp{(var @var{name} @var{sym})}, where
32907 @var{name} is a Lisp symbol whose print name is used as the visible name
32908 of the variable, and @var{sym} is a Lisp symbol in which the variable's
32909 value is actually stored. Thus, @samp{(var pi var-pi)} represents the
32910 special constant @samp{pi}. Almost always, the form is @samp{(var
32911 @var{v} var-@var{v})}. If the variable name was entered with @code{#}
32912 signs (which are converted to hyphens internally), the form is
32913 @samp{(var @var{u} @var{v})}, where @var{u} is a symbol whose name
32914 contains @code{#} characters, and @var{v} is a symbol that contains
32915 @code{-} characters instead. The value of a variable is the Calc
32916 object stored in its @var{sym} symbol's value cell. If the symbol's
32917 value cell is void or if it contains @code{nil}, the variable has no
32918 value. Special constants have the form @samp{(special-const
32919 @var{value})} stored in their value cell, where @var{value} is a formula
32920 which is evaluated when the constant's value is requested. Variables
32921 which represent units are not stored in any special way; they are units
32922 only because their names appear in the units table. If the value
32923 cell contains a string, it is parsed to get the variable's value when
32924 the variable is used.
32926 A Lisp list with any other symbol as the first element is a function call.
32927 The symbols @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}, @code{^},
32928 and @code{|} represent special binary operators; these lists are always
32929 of the form @samp{(@var{op} @var{lhs} @var{rhs})} where @var{lhs} is the
32930 sub-formula on the lefthand side and @var{rhs} is the sub-formula on the
32931 right. The symbol @code{neg} represents unary negation; this list is always
32932 of the form @samp{(neg @var{arg})}. Any other symbol @var{func} represents a
32933 function that would be displayed in function-call notation; the symbol
32934 @var{func} is in general always of the form @samp{calcFunc-@var{name}}.
32935 The function cell of the symbol @var{func} should contain a Lisp function
32936 for evaluating a call to @var{func}. This function is passed the remaining
32937 elements of the list (themselves already evaluated) as arguments; such
32938 functions should return @code{nil} or call @code{reject-arg} to signify
32939 that they should be left in symbolic form, or they should return a Calc
32940 object which represents their value, or a list of such objects if they
32941 wish to return multiple values. (The latter case is allowed only for
32942 functions which are the outer-level call in an expression whose value is
32943 about to be pushed on the stack; this feature is considered obsolete
32944 and is not used by any built-in Calc functions.)
32946 @node Interactive Lisp Functions, Stack Lisp Functions, Data Type Formats, Internals
32947 @subsubsection Interactive Functions
32950 The functions described here are used in implementing interactive Calc
32951 commands. Note that this list is not exhaustive! If there is an
32952 existing command that behaves similarly to the one you want to define,
32953 you may find helpful tricks by checking the source code for that command.
32955 @defun calc-set-command-flag flag
32956 Set the command flag @var{flag}. This is generally a Lisp symbol, but
32957 may in fact be anything. The effect is to add @var{flag} to the list
32958 stored in the variable @code{calc-command-flags}, unless it is already
32959 there. @xref{Defining Simple Commands}.
32962 @defun calc-clear-command-flag flag
32963 If @var{flag} appears among the list of currently-set command flags,
32964 remove it from that list.
32967 @defun calc-record-undo rec
32968 Add the ``undo record'' @var{rec} to the list of steps to take if the
32969 current operation should need to be undone. Stack push and pop functions
32970 automatically call @code{calc-record-undo}, so the kinds of undo records
32971 you might need to create take the form @samp{(set @var{sym} @var{value})},
32972 which says that the Lisp variable @var{sym} was changed and had previously
32973 contained @var{value}; @samp{(store @var{var} @var{value})} which says that
32974 the Calc variable @var{var} (a string which is the name of the symbol that
32975 contains the variable's value) was stored and its previous value was
32976 @var{value} (either a Calc data object, or @code{nil} if the variable was
32977 previously void); or @samp{(eval @var{undo} @var{redo} @var{args} @dots{})},
32978 which means that to undo requires calling the function @samp{(@var{undo}
32979 @var{args} @dots{})} and, if the undo is later redone, calling
32980 @samp{(@var{redo} @var{args} @dots{})}.
32983 @defun calc-record-why msg args
32984 Record the error or warning message @var{msg}, which is normally a string.
32985 This message will be replayed if the user types @kbd{w} (@code{calc-why});
32986 if the message string begins with a @samp{*}, it is considered important
32987 enough to display even if the user doesn't type @kbd{w}. If one or more
32988 @var{args} are present, the displayed message will be of the form,
32989 @samp{@var{msg}: @var{arg1}, @var{arg2}, @dots{}}, where the arguments are
32990 formatted on the assumption that they are either strings or Calc objects of
32991 some sort. If @var{msg} is a symbol, it is the name of a Calc predicate
32992 (such as @code{integerp} or @code{numvecp}) which the arguments did not
32993 satisfy; it is expanded to a suitable string such as ``Expected an
32994 integer.'' The @code{reject-arg} function calls @code{calc-record-why}
32995 automatically; @pxref{Predicates}.
32998 @defun calc-is-inverse
32999 This predicate returns true if the current command is inverse,
33000 i.e., if the Inverse (@kbd{I} key) flag was set.
33003 @defun calc-is-hyperbolic
33004 This predicate is the analogous function for the @kbd{H} key.
33007 @node Stack Lisp Functions, Predicates, Interactive Lisp Functions, Internals
33008 @subsubsection Stack-Oriented Functions
33011 The functions described here perform various operations on the Calc
33012 stack and trail. They are to be used in interactive Calc commands.
33014 @defun calc-push-list vals n
33015 Push the Calc objects in list @var{vals} onto the stack at stack level
33016 @var{n}. If @var{n} is omitted it defaults to 1, so that the elements
33017 are pushed at the top of the stack. If @var{n} is greater than 1, the
33018 elements will be inserted into the stack so that the last element will
33019 end up at level @var{n}, the next-to-last at level @var{n}+1, etc.
33020 The elements of @var{vals} are assumed to be valid Calc objects, and
33021 are not evaluated, rounded, or renormalized in any way. If @var{vals}
33022 is an empty list, nothing happens.
33024 The stack elements are pushed without any sub-formula selections.
33025 You can give an optional third argument to this function, which must
33026 be a list the same size as @var{vals} of selections. Each selection
33027 must be @code{eq} to some sub-formula of the corresponding formula
33028 in @var{vals}, or @code{nil} if that formula should have no selection.
33031 @defun calc-top-list n m
33032 Return a list of the @var{n} objects starting at level @var{m} of the
33033 stack. If @var{m} is omitted it defaults to 1, so that the elements are
33034 taken from the top of the stack. If @var{n} is omitted, it also
33035 defaults to 1, so that the top stack element (in the form of a
33036 one-element list) is returned. If @var{m} is greater than 1, the
33037 @var{m}th stack element will be at the end of the list, the @var{m}+1st
33038 element will be next-to-last, etc. If @var{n} or @var{m} are out of
33039 range, the command is aborted with a suitable error message. If @var{n}
33040 is zero, the function returns an empty list. The stack elements are not
33041 evaluated, rounded, or renormalized.
33043 If any stack elements contain selections, and selections have not
33044 been disabled by the @kbd{j e} (@code{calc-enable-selections}) command,
33045 this function returns the selected portions rather than the entire
33046 stack elements. It can be given a third ``selection-mode'' argument
33047 which selects other behaviors. If it is the symbol @code{t}, then
33048 a selection in any of the requested stack elements produces an
33049 ``invalid operation on selections'' error. If it is the symbol @code{full},
33050 the whole stack entry is always returned regardless of selections.
33051 If it is the symbol @code{sel}, the selected portion is always returned,
33052 or @code{nil} if there is no selection. (This mode ignores the @kbd{j e}
33053 command.) If the symbol is @code{entry}, the complete stack entry in
33054 list form is returned; the first element of this list will be the whole
33055 formula, and the third element will be the selection (or @code{nil}).
33058 @defun calc-pop-stack n m
33059 Remove the specified elements from the stack. The parameters @var{n}
33060 and @var{m} are defined the same as for @code{calc-top-list}. The return
33061 value of @code{calc-pop-stack} is uninteresting.
33063 If there are any selected sub-formulas among the popped elements, and
33064 @kbd{j e} has not been used to disable selections, this produces an
33065 error without changing the stack. If you supply an optional third
33066 argument of @code{t}, the stack elements are popped even if they
33067 contain selections.
33070 @defun calc-record-list vals tag
33071 This function records one or more results in the trail. The @var{vals}
33072 are a list of strings or Calc objects. The @var{tag} is the four-character
33073 tag string to identify the values. If @var{tag} is omitted, a blank tag
33077 @defun calc-normalize n
33078 This function takes a Calc object and ``normalizes'' it. At the very
33079 least this involves re-rounding floating-point values according to the
33080 current precision and other similar jobs. Also, unless the user has
33081 selected No-Simplify mode (@pxref{Simplification Modes}), this involves
33082 actually evaluating a formula object by executing the function calls
33083 it contains, and possibly also doing algebraic simplification, etc.
33086 @defun calc-top-list-n n m
33087 This function is identical to @code{calc-top-list}, except that it calls
33088 @code{calc-normalize} on the values that it takes from the stack. They
33089 are also passed through @code{check-complete}, so that incomplete
33090 objects will be rejected with an error message. All computational
33091 commands should use this in preference to @code{calc-top-list}; the only
33092 standard Calc commands that operate on the stack without normalizing
33093 are stack management commands like @code{calc-enter} and @code{calc-roll-up}.
33094 This function accepts the same optional selection-mode argument as
33095 @code{calc-top-list}.
33098 @defun calc-top-n m
33099 This function is a convenient form of @code{calc-top-list-n} in which only
33100 a single element of the stack is taken and returned, rather than a list
33101 of elements. This also accepts an optional selection-mode argument.
33104 @defun calc-enter-result n tag vals
33105 This function is a convenient interface to most of the above functions.
33106 The @var{vals} argument should be either a single Calc object, or a list
33107 of Calc objects; the object or objects are normalized, and the top @var{n}
33108 stack entries are replaced by the normalized objects. If @var{tag} is
33109 non-@code{nil}, the normalized objects are also recorded in the trail.
33110 A typical stack-based computational command would take the form,
33113 (calc-enter-result @var{n} @var{tag} (cons 'calcFunc-@var{func}
33114 (calc-top-list-n @var{n})))
33117 If any of the @var{n} stack elements replaced contain sub-formula
33118 selections, and selections have not been disabled by @kbd{j e},
33119 this function takes one of two courses of action. If @var{n} is
33120 equal to the number of elements in @var{vals}, then each element of
33121 @var{vals} is spliced into the corresponding selection; this is what
33122 happens when you use the @key{TAB} key, or when you use a unary
33123 arithmetic operation like @code{sqrt}. If @var{vals} has only one
33124 element but @var{n} is greater than one, there must be only one
33125 selection among the top @var{n} stack elements; the element from
33126 @var{vals} is spliced into that selection. This is what happens when
33127 you use a binary arithmetic operation like @kbd{+}. Any other
33128 combination of @var{n} and @var{vals} is an error when selections
33132 @defun calc-unary-op tag func arg
33133 This function implements a unary operator that allows a numeric prefix
33134 argument to apply the operator over many stack entries. If the prefix
33135 argument @var{arg} is @code{nil}, this uses @code{calc-enter-result}
33136 as outlined above. Otherwise, it maps the function over several stack
33137 elements; @pxref{Prefix Arguments}. For example,
33140 (defun calc-zeta (arg)
33142 (calc-unary-op "zeta" 'calcFunc-zeta arg))
33146 @defun calc-binary-op tag func arg ident unary
33147 This function implements a binary operator, analogously to
33148 @code{calc-unary-op}. The optional @var{ident} and @var{unary}
33149 arguments specify the behavior when the prefix argument is zero or
33150 one, respectively. If the prefix is zero, the value @var{ident}
33151 is pushed onto the stack, if specified, otherwise an error message
33152 is displayed. If the prefix is one, the unary function @var{unary}
33153 is applied to the top stack element, or, if @var{unary} is not
33154 specified, nothing happens. When the argument is two or more,
33155 the binary function @var{func} is reduced across the top @var{arg}
33156 stack elements; when the argument is negative, the function is
33157 mapped between the next-to-top @mathit{-@var{arg}} stack elements and the
33161 @defun calc-stack-size
33162 Return the number of elements on the stack as an integer. This count
33163 does not include elements that have been temporarily hidden by stack
33164 truncation; @pxref{Truncating the Stack}.
33167 @defun calc-cursor-stack-index n
33168 Move the point to the @var{n}th stack entry. If @var{n} is zero, this
33169 will be the @samp{.} line. If @var{n} is from 1 to the current stack size,
33170 this will be the beginning of the first line of that stack entry's display.
33171 If line numbers are enabled, this will move to the first character of the
33172 line number, not the stack entry itself.
33175 @defun calc-substack-height n
33176 Return the number of lines between the beginning of the @var{n}th stack
33177 entry and the bottom of the buffer. If @var{n} is zero, this
33178 will be one (assuming no stack truncation). If all stack entries are
33179 one line long (i.e., no matrices are displayed), the return value will
33180 be equal @var{n}+1 as long as @var{n} is in range. (Note that in Big
33181 mode, the return value includes the blank lines that separate stack
33185 @defun calc-refresh
33186 Erase the @code{*Calculator*} buffer and reformat its contents from memory.
33187 This must be called after changing any parameter, such as the current
33188 display radix, which might change the appearance of existing stack
33189 entries. (During a keyboard macro invoked by the @kbd{X} key, refreshing
33190 is suppressed, but a flag is set so that the entire stack will be refreshed
33191 rather than just the top few elements when the macro finishes.)
33194 @node Predicates, Computational Lisp Functions, Stack Lisp Functions, Internals
33195 @subsubsection Predicates
33198 The functions described here are predicates, that is, they return a
33199 true/false value where @code{nil} means false and anything else means
33200 true. These predicates are expanded by @code{defmath}, for example,
33201 from @code{zerop} to @code{math-zerop}. In many cases they correspond
33202 to native Lisp functions by the same name, but are extended to cover
33203 the full range of Calc data types.
33206 Returns true if @var{x} is numerically zero, in any of the Calc data
33207 types. (Note that for some types, such as error forms and intervals,
33208 it never makes sense to return true.) In @code{defmath}, the expression
33209 @samp{(= x 0)} will automatically be converted to @samp{(math-zerop x)},
33210 and @samp{(/= x 0)} will be converted to @samp{(not (math-zerop x))}.
33214 Returns true if @var{x} is negative. This accepts negative real numbers
33215 of various types, negative HMS and date forms, and intervals in which
33216 all included values are negative. In @code{defmath}, the expression
33217 @samp{(< x 0)} will automatically be converted to @samp{(math-negp x)},
33218 and @samp{(>= x 0)} will be converted to @samp{(not (math-negp x))}.
33222 Returns true if @var{x} is positive (and non-zero). For complex
33223 numbers, none of these three predicates will return true.
33226 @defun looks-negp x
33227 Returns true if @var{x} is ``negative-looking.'' This returns true if
33228 @var{x} is a negative number, or a formula with a leading minus sign
33229 such as @samp{-a/b}. In other words, this is an object which can be
33230 made simpler by calling @code{(- @var{x})}.
33234 Returns true if @var{x} is an integer of any size.
33238 Returns true if @var{x} is a native Lisp integer.
33242 Returns true if @var{x} is a nonnegative integer of any size.
33245 @defun fixnatnump x
33246 Returns true if @var{x} is a nonnegative Lisp integer.
33249 @defun num-integerp x
33250 Returns true if @var{x} is numerically an integer, i.e., either a
33251 true integer or a float with no significant digits to the right of
33255 @defun messy-integerp x
33256 Returns true if @var{x} is numerically, but not literally, an integer.
33257 A value is @code{num-integerp} if it is @code{integerp} or
33258 @code{messy-integerp} (but it is never both at once).
33261 @defun num-natnump x
33262 Returns true if @var{x} is numerically a nonnegative integer.
33266 Returns true if @var{x} is an even integer.
33269 @defun looks-evenp x
33270 Returns true if @var{x} is an even integer, or a formula with a leading
33271 multiplicative coefficient which is an even integer.
33275 Returns true if @var{x} is an odd integer.
33279 Returns true if @var{x} is a rational number, i.e., an integer or a
33284 Returns true if @var{x} is a real number, i.e., an integer, fraction,
33285 or floating-point number.
33289 Returns true if @var{x} is a real number or HMS form.
33293 Returns true if @var{x} is a float, or a complex number, error form,
33294 interval, date form, or modulo form in which at least one component
33299 Returns true if @var{x} is a rectangular or polar complex number
33300 (but not a real number).
33303 @defun rect-complexp x
33304 Returns true if @var{x} is a rectangular complex number.
33307 @defun polar-complexp x
33308 Returns true if @var{x} is a polar complex number.
33312 Returns true if @var{x} is a real number or a complex number.
33316 Returns true if @var{x} is a real or complex number or an HMS form.
33320 Returns true if @var{x} is a vector (this simply checks if its argument
33321 is a list whose first element is the symbol @code{vec}).
33325 Returns true if @var{x} is a number or vector.
33329 Returns true if @var{x} is a matrix, i.e., a vector of one or more vectors,
33330 all of the same size.
33333 @defun square-matrixp x
33334 Returns true if @var{x} is a square matrix.
33338 Returns true if @var{x} is any numeric Calc object, including real and
33339 complex numbers, HMS forms, date forms, error forms, intervals, and
33340 modulo forms. (Note that error forms and intervals may include formulas
33341 as their components; see @code{constp} below.)
33345 Returns true if @var{x} is an object or a vector. This also accepts
33346 incomplete objects, but it rejects variables and formulas (except as
33347 mentioned above for @code{objectp}).
33351 Returns true if @var{x} is a ``primitive'' or ``atomic'' Calc object,
33352 i.e., one whose components cannot be regarded as sub-formulas. This
33353 includes variables, and all @code{objectp} types except error forms
33358 Returns true if @var{x} is constant, i.e., a real or complex number,
33359 HMS form, date form, or error form, interval, or vector all of whose
33360 components are @code{constp}.
33364 Returns true if @var{x} is numerically less than @var{y}. Returns false
33365 if @var{x} is greater than or equal to @var{y}, or if the order is
33366 undefined or cannot be determined. Generally speaking, this works
33367 by checking whether @samp{@var{x} - @var{y}} is @code{negp}. In
33368 @code{defmath}, the expression @samp{(< x y)} will automatically be
33369 converted to @samp{(lessp x y)}; expressions involving @code{>}, @code{<=},
33370 and @code{>=} are similarly converted in terms of @code{lessp}.
33374 Returns true if @var{x} comes before @var{y} in a canonical ordering
33375 of Calc objects. If @var{x} and @var{y} are both real numbers, this
33376 will be the same as @code{lessp}. But whereas @code{lessp} considers
33377 other types of objects to be unordered, @code{beforep} puts any two
33378 objects into a definite, consistent order. The @code{beforep}
33379 function is used by the @kbd{V S} vector-sorting command, and also
33380 by @kbd{a s} to put the terms of a product into canonical order:
33381 This allows @samp{x y + y x} to be simplified easily to @samp{2 x y}.
33385 This is the standard Lisp @code{equal} predicate; it returns true if
33386 @var{x} and @var{y} are structurally identical. This is the usual way
33387 to compare numbers for equality, but note that @code{equal} will treat
33388 0 and 0.0 as different.
33391 @defun math-equal x y
33392 Returns true if @var{x} and @var{y} are numerically equal, either because
33393 they are @code{equal}, or because their difference is @code{zerop}. In
33394 @code{defmath}, the expression @samp{(= x y)} will automatically be
33395 converted to @samp{(math-equal x y)}.
33398 @defun equal-int x n
33399 Returns true if @var{x} and @var{n} are numerically equal, where @var{n}
33400 is a fixnum which is not a multiple of 10. This will automatically be
33401 used by @code{defmath} in place of the more general @code{math-equal}
33405 @defun nearly-equal x y
33406 Returns true if @var{x} and @var{y}, as floating-point numbers, are
33407 equal except possibly in the last decimal place. For example,
33408 314.159 and 314.166 are considered nearly equal if the current
33409 precision is 6 (since they differ by 7 units), but not if the current
33410 precision is 7 (since they differ by 70 units). Most functions which
33411 use series expansions use @code{with-extra-prec} to evaluate the
33412 series with 2 extra digits of precision, then use @code{nearly-equal}
33413 to decide when the series has converged; this guards against cumulative
33414 error in the series evaluation without doing extra work which would be
33415 lost when the result is rounded back down to the current precision.
33416 In @code{defmath}, this can be written @samp{(~= @var{x} @var{y})}.
33417 The @var{x} and @var{y} can be numbers of any kind, including complex.
33420 @defun nearly-zerop x y
33421 Returns true if @var{x} is nearly zero, compared to @var{y}. This
33422 checks whether @var{x} plus @var{y} would by be @code{nearly-equal}
33423 to @var{y} itself, to within the current precision, in other words,
33424 if adding @var{x} to @var{y} would have a negligible effect on @var{y}
33425 due to roundoff error. @var{X} may be a real or complex number, but
33426 @var{y} must be real.
33430 Return true if the formula @var{x} represents a true value in
33431 Calc, not Lisp, terms. It tests if @var{x} is a non-zero number
33432 or a provably non-zero formula.
33435 @defun reject-arg val pred
33436 Abort the current function evaluation due to unacceptable argument values.
33437 This calls @samp{(calc-record-why @var{pred} @var{val})}, then signals a
33438 Lisp error which @code{normalize} will trap. The net effect is that the
33439 function call which led here will be left in symbolic form.
33442 @defun inexact-value
33443 If Symbolic mode is enabled, this will signal an error that causes
33444 @code{normalize} to leave the formula in symbolic form, with the message
33445 ``Inexact result.'' (This function has no effect when not in Symbolic mode.)
33446 Note that if your function calls @samp{(sin 5)} in Symbolic mode, the
33447 @code{sin} function will call @code{inexact-value}, which will cause your
33448 function to be left unsimplified. You may instead wish to call
33449 @samp{(normalize (list 'calcFunc-sin 5))}, which in Symbolic mode will
33450 return the formula @samp{sin(5)} to your function.
33454 This signals an error that will be reported as a floating-point overflow.
33458 This signals a floating-point underflow.
33461 @node Computational Lisp Functions, Vector Lisp Functions, Predicates, Internals
33462 @subsubsection Computational Functions
33465 The functions described here do the actual computational work of the
33466 Calculator. In addition to these, note that any function described in
33467 the main body of this manual may be called from Lisp; for example, if
33468 the documentation refers to the @code{calc-sqrt} [@code{sqrt}] command,
33469 this means @code{calc-sqrt} is an interactive stack-based square-root
33470 command and @code{sqrt} (which @code{defmath} expands to @code{calcFunc-sqrt})
33471 is the actual Lisp function for taking square roots.
33473 The functions @code{math-add}, @code{math-sub}, @code{math-mul},
33474 @code{math-div}, @code{math-mod}, and @code{math-neg} are not included
33475 in this list, since @code{defmath} allows you to write native Lisp
33476 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}, and unary @code{-},
33477 respectively, instead.
33479 @defun normalize val
33480 (Full form: @code{math-normalize}.)
33481 Reduce the value @var{val} to standard form. For example, if @var{val}
33482 is a fixnum, it will be converted to a bignum if it is too large, and
33483 if @var{val} is a bignum it will be normalized by clipping off trailing
33484 (i.e., most-significant) zero digits and converting to a fixnum if it is
33485 small. All the various data types are similarly converted to their standard
33486 forms. Variables are left alone, but function calls are actually evaluated
33487 in formulas. For example, normalizing @samp{(+ 2 (calcFunc-abs -4))} will
33490 If a function call fails, because the function is void or has the wrong
33491 number of parameters, or because it returns @code{nil} or calls
33492 @code{reject-arg} or @code{inexact-result}, @code{normalize} returns
33493 the formula still in symbolic form.
33495 If the current simplification mode is ``none'' or ``numeric arguments
33496 only,'' @code{normalize} will act appropriately. However, the more
33497 powerful simplification modes (like Algebraic Simplification) are
33498 not handled by @code{normalize}. They are handled by @code{calc-normalize},
33499 which calls @code{normalize} and possibly some other routines, such
33500 as @code{simplify} or @code{simplify-units}. Programs generally will
33501 never call @code{calc-normalize} except when popping or pushing values
33505 @defun evaluate-expr expr
33506 Replace all variables in @var{expr} that have values with their values,
33507 then use @code{normalize} to simplify the result. This is what happens
33508 when you press the @kbd{=} key interactively.
33511 @defmac with-extra-prec n body
33512 Evaluate the Lisp forms in @var{body} with precision increased by @var{n}
33513 digits. This is a macro which expands to
33517 (let ((calc-internal-prec (+ calc-internal-prec @var{n})))
33521 The surrounding call to @code{math-normalize} causes a floating-point
33522 result to be rounded down to the original precision afterwards. This
33523 is important because some arithmetic operations assume a number's
33524 mantissa contains no more digits than the current precision allows.
33527 @defun make-frac n d
33528 Build a fraction @samp{@var{n}:@var{d}}. This is equivalent to calling
33529 @samp{(normalize (list 'frac @var{n} @var{d}))}, but more efficient.
33532 @defun make-float mant exp
33533 Build a floating-point value out of @var{mant} and @var{exp}, both
33534 of which are arbitrary integers. This function will return a
33535 properly normalized float value, or signal an overflow or underflow
33536 if @var{exp} is out of range.
33539 @defun make-sdev x sigma
33540 Build an error form out of @var{x} and the absolute value of @var{sigma}.
33541 If @var{sigma} is zero, the result is the number @var{x} directly.
33542 If @var{sigma} is negative or complex, its absolute value is used.
33543 If @var{x} or @var{sigma} is not a valid type of object for use in
33544 error forms, this calls @code{reject-arg}.
33547 @defun make-intv mask lo hi
33548 Build an interval form out of @var{mask} (which is assumed to be an
33549 integer from 0 to 3), and the limits @var{lo} and @var{hi}. If
33550 @var{lo} is greater than @var{hi}, an empty interval form is returned.
33551 This calls @code{reject-arg} if @var{lo} or @var{hi} is unsuitable.
33554 @defun sort-intv mask lo hi
33555 Build an interval form, similar to @code{make-intv}, except that if
33556 @var{lo} is less than @var{hi} they are simply exchanged, and the
33557 bits of @var{mask} are swapped accordingly.
33560 @defun make-mod n m
33561 Build a modulo form out of @var{n} and the modulus @var{m}. Since modulo
33562 forms do not allow formulas as their components, if @var{n} or @var{m}
33563 is not a real number or HMS form the result will be a formula which
33564 is a call to @code{makemod}, the algebraic version of this function.
33568 Convert @var{x} to floating-point form. Integers and fractions are
33569 converted to numerically equivalent floats; components of complex
33570 numbers, vectors, HMS forms, date forms, error forms, intervals, and
33571 modulo forms are recursively floated. If the argument is a variable
33572 or formula, this calls @code{reject-arg}.
33576 Compare the numbers @var{x} and @var{y}, and return @mathit{-1} if
33577 @samp{(lessp @var{x} @var{y})}, 1 if @samp{(lessp @var{y} @var{x})},
33578 0 if @samp{(math-equal @var{x} @var{y})}, or 2 if the order is
33579 undefined or cannot be determined.
33583 Return the number of digits of integer @var{n}, effectively
33584 @samp{ceil(log10(@var{n}))}, but much more efficient. Zero is
33585 considered to have zero digits.
33588 @defun scale-int x n
33589 Shift integer @var{x} left @var{n} decimal digits, or right @mathit{-@var{n}}
33590 digits with truncation toward zero.
33593 @defun scale-rounding x n
33594 Like @code{scale-int}, except that a right shift rounds to the nearest
33595 integer rather than truncating.
33599 Return the integer @var{n} as a fixnum, i.e., a native Lisp integer.
33600 If @var{n} is outside the permissible range for Lisp integers (usually
33601 24 binary bits) the result is undefined.
33605 Compute the square of @var{x}; short for @samp{(* @var{x} @var{x})}.
33608 @defun quotient x y
33609 Divide integer @var{x} by integer @var{y}; return an integer quotient
33610 and discard the remainder. If @var{x} or @var{y} is negative, the
33611 direction of rounding is undefined.
33615 Perform an integer division; if @var{x} and @var{y} are both nonnegative
33616 integers, this uses the @code{quotient} function, otherwise it computes
33617 @samp{floor(@var{x}/@var{y})}. Thus the result is well-defined but
33618 slower than for @code{quotient}.
33622 Divide integer @var{x} by integer @var{y}; return the integer remainder
33623 and discard the quotient. Like @code{quotient}, this works only for
33624 integer arguments and is not well-defined for negative arguments.
33625 For a more well-defined result, use @samp{(% @var{x} @var{y})}.
33629 Divide integer @var{x} by integer @var{y}; return a cons cell whose
33630 @code{car} is @samp{(quotient @var{x} @var{y})} and whose @code{cdr}
33631 is @samp{(imod @var{x} @var{y})}.
33635 Compute @var{x} to the power @var{y}. In @code{defmath} code, this can
33636 also be written @samp{(^ @var{x} @var{y})} or
33637 @w{@samp{(expt @var{x} @var{y})}}.
33640 @defun abs-approx x
33641 Compute a fast approximation to the absolute value of @var{x}. For
33642 example, for a rectangular complex number the result is the sum of
33643 the absolute values of the components.
33647 @findex gamma-const
33653 @findex pi-over-180
33654 @findex sqrt-two-pi
33658 The function @samp{(pi)} computes @samp{pi} to the current precision.
33659 Other related constant-generating functions are @code{two-pi},
33660 @code{pi-over-2}, @code{pi-over-4}, @code{pi-over-180}, @code{sqrt-two-pi},
33661 @code{e}, @code{sqrt-e}, @code{ln-2}, @code{ln-10}, @code{phi} and
33662 @code{gamma-const}. Each function returns a floating-point value in the
33663 current precision, and each uses caching so that all calls after the
33664 first are essentially free.
33667 @defmac math-defcache @var{func} @var{initial} @var{form}
33668 This macro, usually used as a top-level call like @code{defun} or
33669 @code{defvar}, defines a new cached constant analogous to @code{pi}, etc.
33670 It defines a function @code{func} which returns the requested value;
33671 if @var{initial} is non-@code{nil} it must be a @samp{(float @dots{})}
33672 form which serves as an initial value for the cache. If @var{func}
33673 is called when the cache is empty or does not have enough digits to
33674 satisfy the current precision, the Lisp expression @var{form} is evaluated
33675 with the current precision increased by four, and the result minus its
33676 two least significant digits is stored in the cache. For example,
33677 calling @samp{(pi)} with a precision of 30 computes @samp{pi} to 34
33678 digits, rounds it down to 32 digits for future use, then rounds it
33679 again to 30 digits for use in the present request.
33682 @findex half-circle
33683 @findex quarter-circle
33684 @defun full-circle symb
33685 If the current angular mode is Degrees or HMS, this function returns the
33686 integer 360. In Radians mode, this function returns either the
33687 corresponding value in radians to the current precision, or the formula
33688 @samp{2*pi}, depending on the Symbolic mode. There are also similar
33689 function @code{half-circle} and @code{quarter-circle}.
33692 @defun power-of-2 n
33693 Compute two to the integer power @var{n}, as a (potentially very large)
33694 integer. Powers of two are cached, so only the first call for a
33695 particular @var{n} is expensive.
33698 @defun integer-log2 n
33699 Compute the base-2 logarithm of @var{n}, which must be an integer which
33700 is a power of two. If @var{n} is not a power of two, this function will
33704 @defun div-mod a b m
33705 Divide @var{a} by @var{b}, modulo @var{m}. This returns @code{nil} if
33706 there is no solution, or if any of the arguments are not integers.
33709 @defun pow-mod a b m
33710 Compute @var{a} to the power @var{b}, modulo @var{m}. If @var{a},
33711 @var{b}, and @var{m} are integers, this uses an especially efficient
33712 algorithm. Otherwise, it simply computes @samp{(% (^ a b) m)}.
33716 Compute the integer square root of @var{n}. This is the square root
33717 of @var{n} rounded down toward zero, i.e., @samp{floor(sqrt(@var{n}))}.
33718 If @var{n} is itself an integer, the computation is especially efficient.
33721 @defun to-hms a ang
33722 Convert the argument @var{a} into an HMS form. If @var{ang} is specified,
33723 it is the angular mode in which to interpret @var{a}, either @code{deg}
33724 or @code{rad}. Otherwise, the current angular mode is used. If @var{a}
33725 is already an HMS form it is returned as-is.
33728 @defun from-hms a ang
33729 Convert the HMS form @var{a} into a real number. If @var{ang} is specified,
33730 it is the angular mode in which to express the result, otherwise the
33731 current angular mode is used. If @var{a} is already a real number, it
33735 @defun to-radians a
33736 Convert the number or HMS form @var{a} to radians from the current
33740 @defun from-radians a
33741 Convert the number @var{a} from radians to the current angular mode.
33742 If @var{a} is a formula, this returns the formula @samp{deg(@var{a})}.
33745 @defun to-radians-2 a
33746 Like @code{to-radians}, except that in Symbolic mode a degrees to
33747 radians conversion yields a formula like @samp{@var{a}*pi/180}.
33750 @defun from-radians-2 a
33751 Like @code{from-radians}, except that in Symbolic mode a radians to
33752 degrees conversion yields a formula like @samp{@var{a}*180/pi}.
33755 @defun random-digit
33756 Produce a random base-1000 digit in the range 0 to 999.
33759 @defun random-digits n
33760 Produce a random @var{n}-digit integer; this will be an integer
33761 in the interval @samp{[0, 10^@var{n})}.
33764 @defun random-float
33765 Produce a random float in the interval @samp{[0, 1)}.
33768 @defun prime-test n iters
33769 Determine whether the integer @var{n} is prime. Return a list which has
33770 one of these forms: @samp{(nil @var{f})} means the number is non-prime
33771 because it was found to be divisible by @var{f}; @samp{(nil)} means it
33772 was found to be non-prime by table look-up (so no factors are known);
33773 @samp{(nil unknown)} means it is definitely non-prime but no factors
33774 are known because @var{n} was large enough that Fermat's probabilistic
33775 test had to be used; @samp{(t)} means the number is definitely prime;
33776 and @samp{(maybe @var{i} @var{p})} means that Fermat's test, after @var{i}
33777 iterations, is @var{p} percent sure that the number is prime. The
33778 @var{iters} parameter is the number of Fermat iterations to use, in the
33779 case that this is necessary. If @code{prime-test} returns ``maybe,''
33780 you can call it again with the same @var{n} to get a greater certainty;
33781 @code{prime-test} remembers where it left off.
33784 @defun to-simple-fraction f
33785 If @var{f} is a floating-point number which can be represented exactly
33786 as a small rational number. return that number, else return @var{f}.
33787 For example, 0.75 would be converted to 3:4. This function is very
33791 @defun to-fraction f tol
33792 Find a rational approximation to floating-point number @var{f} to within
33793 a specified tolerance @var{tol}; this corresponds to the algebraic
33794 function @code{frac}, and can be rather slow.
33797 @defun quarter-integer n
33798 If @var{n} is an integer or integer-valued float, this function
33799 returns zero. If @var{n} is a half-integer (i.e., an integer plus
33800 @mathit{1:2} or 0.5), it returns 2. If @var{n} is a quarter-integer,
33801 it returns 1 or 3. If @var{n} is anything else, this function
33802 returns @code{nil}.
33805 @node Vector Lisp Functions, Symbolic Lisp Functions, Computational Lisp Functions, Internals
33806 @subsubsection Vector Functions
33809 The functions described here perform various operations on vectors and
33812 @defun math-concat x y
33813 Do a vector concatenation; this operation is written @samp{@var{x} | @var{y}}
33814 in a symbolic formula. @xref{Building Vectors}.
33817 @defun vec-length v
33818 Return the length of vector @var{v}. If @var{v} is not a vector, the
33819 result is zero. If @var{v} is a matrix, this returns the number of
33820 rows in the matrix.
33823 @defun mat-dimens m
33824 Determine the dimensions of vector or matrix @var{m}. If @var{m} is not
33825 a vector, the result is an empty list. If @var{m} is a plain vector
33826 but not a matrix, the result is a one-element list containing the length
33827 of the vector. If @var{m} is a matrix with @var{r} rows and @var{c} columns,
33828 the result is the list @samp{(@var{r} @var{c})}. Higher-order tensors
33829 produce lists of more than two dimensions. Note that the object
33830 @samp{[[1, 2, 3], [4, 5]]} is a vector of vectors not all the same size,
33831 and is treated by this and other Calc routines as a plain vector of two
33835 @defun dimension-error
33836 Abort the current function with a message of ``Dimension error.''
33837 The Calculator will leave the function being evaluated in symbolic
33838 form; this is really just a special case of @code{reject-arg}.
33841 @defun build-vector args
33842 Return a Calc vector with @var{args} as elements.
33843 For example, @samp{(build-vector 1 2 3)} returns the Calc vector
33844 @samp{[1, 2, 3]}, stored internally as the list @samp{(vec 1 2 3)}.
33847 @defun make-vec obj dims
33848 Return a Calc vector or matrix all of whose elements are equal to
33849 @var{obj}. For example, @samp{(make-vec 27 3 4)} returns a 3x4 matrix
33853 @defun row-matrix v
33854 If @var{v} is a plain vector, convert it into a row matrix, i.e.,
33855 a matrix whose single row is @var{v}. If @var{v} is already a matrix,
33859 @defun col-matrix v
33860 If @var{v} is a plain vector, convert it into a column matrix, i.e., a
33861 matrix with each element of @var{v} as a separate row. If @var{v} is
33862 already a matrix, leave it alone.
33866 Map the Lisp function @var{f} over the Calc vector @var{v}. For example,
33867 @samp{(map-vec 'math-floor v)} returns a vector of the floored components
33871 @defun map-vec-2 f a b
33872 Map the Lisp function @var{f} over the two vectors @var{a} and @var{b}.
33873 If @var{a} and @var{b} are vectors of equal length, the result is a
33874 vector of the results of calling @samp{(@var{f} @var{ai} @var{bi})}
33875 for each pair of elements @var{ai} and @var{bi}. If either @var{a} or
33876 @var{b} is a scalar, it is matched with each value of the other vector.
33877 For example, @samp{(map-vec-2 'math-add v 1)} returns the vector @var{v}
33878 with each element increased by one. Note that using @samp{'+} would not
33879 work here, since @code{defmath} does not expand function names everywhere,
33880 just where they are in the function position of a Lisp expression.
33883 @defun reduce-vec f v
33884 Reduce the function @var{f} over the vector @var{v}. For example, if
33885 @var{v} is @samp{[10, 20, 30, 40]}, this calls @samp{(f (f (f 10 20) 30) 40)}.
33886 If @var{v} is a matrix, this reduces over the rows of @var{v}.
33889 @defun reduce-cols f m
33890 Reduce the function @var{f} over the columns of matrix @var{m}. For
33891 example, if @var{m} is @samp{[[1, 2], [3, 4], [5, 6]]}, the result
33892 is a vector of the two elements @samp{(f (f 1 3) 5)} and @samp{(f (f 2 4) 6)}.
33896 Return the @var{n}th row of matrix @var{m}. This is equivalent to
33897 @samp{(elt m n)}. For a slower but safer version, use @code{mrow}.
33898 (@xref{Extracting Elements}.)
33902 Return the @var{n}th column of matrix @var{m}, in the form of a vector.
33903 The arguments are not checked for correctness.
33906 @defun mat-less-row m n
33907 Return a copy of matrix @var{m} with its @var{n}th row deleted. The
33908 number @var{n} must be in range from 1 to the number of rows in @var{m}.
33911 @defun mat-less-col m n
33912 Return a copy of matrix @var{m} with its @var{n}th column deleted.
33916 Return the transpose of matrix @var{m}.
33919 @defun flatten-vector v
33920 Flatten nested vector @var{v} into a vector of scalars. For example,
33921 if @var{v} is @samp{[[1, 2, 3], [4, 5]]} the result is @samp{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.
33924 @defun copy-matrix m
33925 If @var{m} is a matrix, return a copy of @var{m}. This maps
33926 @code{copy-sequence} over the rows of @var{m}; in Lisp terms, each
33927 element of the result matrix will be @code{eq} to the corresponding
33928 element of @var{m}, but none of the @code{cons} cells that make up
33929 the structure of the matrix will be @code{eq}. If @var{m} is a plain
33930 vector, this is the same as @code{copy-sequence}.
33933 @defun swap-rows m r1 r2
33934 Exchange rows @var{r1} and @var{r2} of matrix @var{m} in-place. In
33935 other words, unlike most of the other functions described here, this
33936 function changes @var{m} itself rather than building up a new result
33937 matrix. The return value is @var{m}, i.e., @samp{(eq (swap-rows m 1 2) m)}
33938 is true, with the side effect of exchanging the first two rows of
33942 @node Symbolic Lisp Functions, Formatting Lisp Functions, Vector Lisp Functions, Internals
33943 @subsubsection Symbolic Functions
33946 The functions described here operate on symbolic formulas in the
33949 @defun calc-prepare-selection num
33950 Prepare a stack entry for selection operations. If @var{num} is
33951 omitted, the stack entry containing the cursor is used; otherwise,
33952 it is the number of the stack entry to use. This function stores
33953 useful information about the current stack entry into a set of
33954 variables. @code{calc-selection-cache-num} contains the number of
33955 the stack entry involved (equal to @var{num} if you specified it);
33956 @code{calc-selection-cache-entry} contains the stack entry as a
33957 list (such as @code{calc-top-list} would return with @code{entry}
33958 as the selection mode); and @code{calc-selection-cache-comp} contains
33959 a special ``tagged'' composition (@pxref{Formatting Lisp Functions})
33960 which allows Calc to relate cursor positions in the buffer with
33961 their corresponding sub-formulas.
33963 A slight complication arises in the selection mechanism because
33964 formulas may contain small integers. For example, in the vector
33965 @samp{[1, 2, 1]} the first and last elements are @code{eq} to each
33966 other; selections are recorded as the actual Lisp object that
33967 appears somewhere in the tree of the whole formula, but storing
33968 @code{1} would falsely select both @code{1}'s in the vector. So
33969 @code{calc-prepare-selection} also checks the stack entry and
33970 replaces any plain integers with ``complex number'' lists of the form
33971 @samp{(cplx @var{n} 0)}. This list will be displayed the same as a
33972 plain @var{n} and the change will be completely invisible to the
33973 user, but it will guarantee that no two sub-formulas of the stack
33974 entry will be @code{eq} to each other. Next time the stack entry
33975 is involved in a computation, @code{calc-normalize} will replace
33976 these lists with plain numbers again, again invisibly to the user.
33979 @defun calc-encase-atoms x
33980 This modifies the formula @var{x} to ensure that each part of the
33981 formula is a unique atom, using the @samp{(cplx @var{n} 0)} trick
33982 described above. This function may use @code{setcar} to modify
33983 the formula in-place.
33986 @defun calc-find-selected-part
33987 Find the smallest sub-formula of the current formula that contains
33988 the cursor. This assumes @code{calc-prepare-selection} has been
33989 called already. If the cursor is not actually on any part of the
33990 formula, this returns @code{nil}.
33993 @defun calc-change-current-selection selection
33994 Change the currently prepared stack element's selection to
33995 @var{selection}, which should be @code{eq} to some sub-formula
33996 of the stack element, or @code{nil} to unselect the formula.
33997 The stack element's appearance in the Calc buffer is adjusted
33998 to reflect the new selection.
34001 @defun calc-find-nth-part expr n
34002 Return the @var{n}th sub-formula of @var{expr}. This function is used
34003 by the selection commands, and (unless @kbd{j b} has been used) treats
34004 sums and products as flat many-element formulas. Thus if @var{expr}
34005 is @samp{((a + b) - c) + d}, calling @code{calc-find-nth-part} with
34006 @var{n} equal to four will return @samp{d}.
34009 @defun calc-find-parent-formula expr part
34010 Return the sub-formula of @var{expr} which immediately contains
34011 @var{part}. If @var{expr} is @samp{a*b + (c+1)*d} and @var{part}
34012 is @code{eq} to the @samp{c+1} term of @var{expr}, then this function
34013 will return @samp{(c+1)*d}. If @var{part} turns out not to be a
34014 sub-formula of @var{expr}, the function returns @code{nil}. If
34015 @var{part} is @code{eq} to @var{expr}, the function returns @code{t}.
34016 This function does not take associativity into account.
34019 @defun calc-find-assoc-parent-formula expr part
34020 This is the same as @code{calc-find-parent-formula}, except that
34021 (unless @kbd{j b} has been used) it continues widening the selection
34022 to contain a complete level of the formula. Given @samp{a} from
34023 @samp{((a + b) - c) + d}, @code{calc-find-parent-formula} will
34024 return @samp{a + b} but @code{calc-find-assoc-parent-formula} will
34025 return the whole expression.
34028 @defun calc-grow-assoc-formula expr part
34029 This expands sub-formula @var{part} of @var{expr} to encompass a
34030 complete level of the formula. If @var{part} and its immediate
34031 parent are not compatible associative operators, or if @kbd{j b}
34032 has been used, this simply returns @var{part}.
34035 @defun calc-find-sub-formula expr part
34036 This finds the immediate sub-formula of @var{expr} which contains
34037 @var{part}. It returns an index @var{n} such that
34038 @samp{(calc-find-nth-part @var{expr} @var{n})} would return @var{part}.
34039 If @var{part} is not a sub-formula of @var{expr}, it returns @code{nil}.
34040 If @var{part} is @code{eq} to @var{expr}, it returns @code{t}. This
34041 function does not take associativity into account.
34044 @defun calc-replace-sub-formula expr old new
34045 This function returns a copy of formula @var{expr}, with the
34046 sub-formula that is @code{eq} to @var{old} replaced by @var{new}.
34049 @defun simplify expr
34050 Simplify the expression @var{expr} by applying various algebraic rules.
34051 This is what the @w{@kbd{a s}} (@code{calc-simplify}) command uses. This
34052 always returns a copy of the expression; the structure @var{expr} points
34053 to remains unchanged in memory.
34055 More precisely, here is what @code{simplify} does: The expression is
34056 first normalized and evaluated by calling @code{normalize}. If any
34057 @code{AlgSimpRules} have been defined, they are then applied. Then
34058 the expression is traversed in a depth-first, bottom-up fashion; at
34059 each level, any simplifications that can be made are made until no
34060 further changes are possible. Once the entire formula has been
34061 traversed in this way, it is compared with the original formula (from
34062 before the call to @code{normalize}) and, if it has changed,
34063 the entire procedure is repeated (starting with @code{normalize})
34064 until no further changes occur. Usually only two iterations are
34065 needed:@: one to simplify the formula, and another to verify that no
34066 further simplifications were possible.
34069 @defun simplify-extended expr
34070 Simplify the expression @var{expr}, with additional rules enabled that
34071 help do a more thorough job, while not being entirely ``safe'' in all
34072 circumstances. (For example, this mode will simplify @samp{sqrt(x^2)}
34073 to @samp{x}, which is only valid when @var{x} is positive.) This is
34074 implemented by temporarily binding the variable @code{math-living-dangerously}
34075 to @code{t} (using a @code{let} form) and calling @code{simplify}.
34076 Dangerous simplification rules are written to check this variable
34077 before taking any action.
34080 @defun simplify-units expr
34081 Simplify the expression @var{expr}, treating variable names as units
34082 whenever possible. This works by binding the variable
34083 @code{math-simplifying-units} to @code{t} while calling @code{simplify}.
34086 @defmac math-defsimplify funcs body
34087 Register a new simplification rule; this is normally called as a top-level
34088 form, like @code{defun} or @code{defmath}. If @var{funcs} is a symbol
34089 (like @code{+} or @code{calcFunc-sqrt}), this simplification rule is
34090 applied to the formulas which are calls to the specified function. Or,
34091 @var{funcs} can be a list of such symbols; the rule applies to all
34092 functions on the list. The @var{body} is written like the body of a
34093 function with a single argument called @code{expr}. The body will be
34094 executed with @code{expr} bound to a formula which is a call to one of
34095 the functions @var{funcs}. If the function body returns @code{nil}, or
34096 if it returns a result @code{equal} to the original @code{expr}, it is
34097 ignored and Calc goes on to try the next simplification rule that applies.
34098 If the function body returns something different, that new formula is
34099 substituted for @var{expr} in the original formula.
34101 At each point in the formula, rules are tried in the order of the
34102 original calls to @code{math-defsimplify}; the search stops after the
34103 first rule that makes a change. Thus later rules for that same
34104 function will not have a chance to trigger until the next iteration
34105 of the main @code{simplify} loop.
34107 Note that, since @code{defmath} is not being used here, @var{body} must
34108 be written in true Lisp code without the conveniences that @code{defmath}
34109 provides. If you prefer, you can have @var{body} simply call another
34110 function (defined with @code{defmath}) which does the real work.
34112 The arguments of a function call will already have been simplified
34113 before any rules for the call itself are invoked. Since a new argument
34114 list is consed up when this happens, this means that the rule's body is
34115 allowed to rearrange the function's arguments destructively if that is
34116 convenient. Here is a typical example of a simplification rule:
34119 (math-defsimplify calcFunc-arcsinh
34120 (or (and (math-looks-negp (nth 1 expr))
34121 (math-neg (list 'calcFunc-arcsinh
34122 (math-neg (nth 1 expr)))))
34123 (and (eq (car-safe (nth 1 expr)) 'calcFunc-sinh)
34124 (or math-living-dangerously
34125 (math-known-realp (nth 1 (nth 1 expr))))
34126 (nth 1 (nth 1 expr)))))
34129 This is really a pair of rules written with one @code{math-defsimplify}
34130 for convenience; the first replaces @samp{arcsinh(-x)} with
34131 @samp{-arcsinh(x)}, and the second, which is safe only for real @samp{x},
34132 replaces @samp{arcsinh(sinh(x))} with @samp{x}.
34135 @defun common-constant-factor expr
34136 Check @var{expr} to see if it is a sum of terms all multiplied by the
34137 same rational value. If so, return this value. If not, return @code{nil}.
34138 For example, if called on @samp{6x + 9y + 12z}, it would return 3, since
34139 3 is a common factor of all the terms.
34142 @defun cancel-common-factor expr factor
34143 Assuming @var{expr} is a sum with @var{factor} as a common factor,
34144 divide each term of the sum by @var{factor}. This is done by
34145 destructively modifying parts of @var{expr}, on the assumption that
34146 it is being used by a simplification rule (where such things are
34147 allowed; see above). For example, consider this built-in rule for
34151 (math-defsimplify calcFunc-sqrt
34152 (let ((fac (math-common-constant-factor (nth 1 expr))))
34153 (and fac (not (eq fac 1))
34154 (math-mul (math-normalize (list 'calcFunc-sqrt fac))
34156 (list 'calcFunc-sqrt
34157 (math-cancel-common-factor
34158 (nth 1 expr) fac)))))))
34162 @defun frac-gcd a b
34163 Compute a ``rational GCD'' of @var{a} and @var{b}, which must both be
34164 rational numbers. This is the fraction composed of the GCD of the
34165 numerators of @var{a} and @var{b}, over the GCD of the denominators.
34166 It is used by @code{common-constant-factor}. Note that the standard
34167 @code{gcd} function uses the LCM to combine the denominators.
34170 @defun map-tree func expr many
34171 Try applying Lisp function @var{func} to various sub-expressions of
34172 @var{expr}. Initially, call @var{func} with @var{expr} itself as an
34173 argument. If this returns an expression which is not @code{equal} to
34174 @var{expr}, apply @var{func} again until eventually it does return
34175 @var{expr} with no changes. Then, if @var{expr} is a function call,
34176 recursively apply @var{func} to each of the arguments. This keeps going
34177 until no changes occur anywhere in the expression; this final expression
34178 is returned by @code{map-tree}. Note that, unlike simplification rules,
34179 @var{func} functions may @emph{not} make destructive changes to
34180 @var{expr}. If a third argument @var{many} is provided, it is an
34181 integer which says how many times @var{func} may be applied; the
34182 default, as described above, is infinitely many times.
34185 @defun compile-rewrites rules
34186 Compile the rewrite rule set specified by @var{rules}, which should
34187 be a formula that is either a vector or a variable name. If the latter,
34188 the compiled rules are saved so that later @code{compile-rules} calls
34189 for that same variable can return immediately. If there are problems
34190 with the rules, this function calls @code{error} with a suitable
34194 @defun apply-rewrites expr crules heads
34195 Apply the compiled rewrite rule set @var{crules} to the expression
34196 @var{expr}. This will make only one rewrite and only checks at the
34197 top level of the expression. The result @code{nil} if no rules
34198 matched, or if the only rules that matched did not actually change
34199 the expression. The @var{heads} argument is optional; if is given,
34200 it should be a list of all function names that (may) appear in
34201 @var{expr}. The rewrite compiler tags each rule with the
34202 rarest-looking function name in the rule; if you specify @var{heads},
34203 @code{apply-rewrites} can use this information to narrow its search
34204 down to just a few rules in the rule set.
34207 @defun rewrite-heads expr
34208 Compute a @var{heads} list for @var{expr} suitable for use with
34209 @code{apply-rewrites}, as discussed above.
34212 @defun rewrite expr rules many
34213 This is an all-in-one rewrite function. It compiles the rule set
34214 specified by @var{rules}, then uses @code{map-tree} to apply the
34215 rules throughout @var{expr} up to @var{many} (default infinity)
34219 @defun match-patterns pat vec not-flag
34220 Given a Calc vector @var{vec} and an uncompiled pattern set or
34221 pattern set variable @var{pat}, this function returns a new vector
34222 of all elements of @var{vec} which do (or don't, if @var{not-flag} is
34223 non-@code{nil}) match any of the patterns in @var{pat}.
34226 @defun deriv expr var value symb
34227 Compute the derivative of @var{expr} with respect to variable @var{var}
34228 (which may actually be any sub-expression). If @var{value} is specified,
34229 the derivative is evaluated at the value of @var{var}; otherwise, the
34230 derivative is left in terms of @var{var}. If the expression contains
34231 functions for which no derivative formula is known, new derivative
34232 functions are invented by adding primes to the names; @pxref{Calculus}.
34233 However, if @var{symb} is non-@code{nil}, the presence of undifferentiable
34234 functions in @var{expr} instead cancels the whole differentiation, and
34235 @code{deriv} returns @code{nil} instead.
34237 Derivatives of an @var{n}-argument function can be defined by
34238 adding a @code{math-derivative-@var{n}} property to the property list
34239 of the symbol for the function's derivative, which will be the
34240 function name followed by an apostrophe. The value of the property
34241 should be a Lisp function; it is called with the same arguments as the
34242 original function call that is being differentiated. It should return
34243 a formula for the derivative. For example, the derivative of @code{ln}
34247 (put 'calcFunc-ln\' 'math-derivative-1
34248 (function (lambda (u) (math-div 1 u))))
34251 The two-argument @code{log} function has two derivatives,
34253 (put 'calcFunc-log\' 'math-derivative-2 ; d(log(x,b)) / dx
34254 (function (lambda (x b) ... )))
34255 (put 'calcFunc-log\'2 'math-derivative-2 ; d(log(x,b)) / db
34256 (function (lambda (x b) ... )))
34260 @defun tderiv expr var value symb
34261 Compute the total derivative of @var{expr}. This is the same as
34262 @code{deriv}, except that variables other than @var{var} are not
34263 assumed to be constant with respect to @var{var}.
34266 @defun integ expr var low high
34267 Compute the integral of @var{expr} with respect to @var{var}.
34268 @xref{Calculus}, for further details.
34271 @defmac math-defintegral funcs body
34272 Define a rule for integrating a function or functions of one argument;
34273 this macro is very similar in format to @code{math-defsimplify}.
34274 The main difference is that here @var{body} is the body of a function
34275 with a single argument @code{u} which is bound to the argument to the
34276 function being integrated, not the function call itself. Also, the
34277 variable of integration is available as @code{math-integ-var}. If
34278 evaluation of the integral requires doing further integrals, the body
34279 should call @samp{(math-integral @var{x})} to find the integral of
34280 @var{x} with respect to @code{math-integ-var}; this function returns
34281 @code{nil} if the integral could not be done. Some examples:
34284 (math-defintegral calcFunc-conj
34285 (let ((int (math-integral u)))
34287 (list 'calcFunc-conj int))))
34289 (math-defintegral calcFunc-cos
34290 (and (equal u math-integ-var)
34291 (math-from-radians-2 (list 'calcFunc-sin u))))
34294 In the @code{cos} example, we define only the integral of @samp{cos(x) dx},
34295 relying on the general integration-by-substitution facility to handle
34296 cosines of more complicated arguments. An integration rule should return
34297 @code{nil} if it can't do the integral; if several rules are defined for
34298 the same function, they are tried in order until one returns a non-@code{nil}
34302 @defmac math-defintegral-2 funcs body
34303 Define a rule for integrating a function or functions of two arguments.
34304 This is exactly analogous to @code{math-defintegral}, except that @var{body}
34305 is written as the body of a function with two arguments, @var{u} and
34309 @defun solve-for lhs rhs var full
34310 Attempt to solve the equation @samp{@var{lhs} = @var{rhs}} by isolating
34311 the variable @var{var} on the lefthand side; return the resulting righthand
34312 side, or @code{nil} if the equation cannot be solved. The variable
34313 @var{var} must appear at least once in @var{lhs} or @var{rhs}. Note that
34314 the return value is a formula which does not contain @var{var}; this is
34315 different from the user-level @code{solve} and @code{finv} functions,
34316 which return a rearranged equation or a functional inverse, respectively.
34317 If @var{full} is non-@code{nil}, a full solution including dummy signs
34318 and dummy integers will be produced. User-defined inverses are provided
34319 as properties in a manner similar to derivatives:
34322 (put 'calcFunc-ln 'math-inverse
34323 (function (lambda (x) (list 'calcFunc-exp x))))
34326 This function can call @samp{(math-solve-get-sign @var{x})} to create
34327 a new arbitrary sign variable, returning @var{x} times that sign, and
34328 @samp{(math-solve-get-int @var{x})} to create a new arbitrary integer
34329 variable multiplied by @var{x}. These functions simply return @var{x}
34330 if the caller requested a non-``full'' solution.
34333 @defun solve-eqn expr var full
34334 This version of @code{solve-for} takes an expression which will
34335 typically be an equation or inequality. (If it is not, it will be
34336 interpreted as the equation @samp{@var{expr} = 0}.) It returns an
34337 equation or inequality, or @code{nil} if no solution could be found.
34340 @defun solve-system exprs vars full
34341 This function solves a system of equations. Generally, @var{exprs}
34342 and @var{vars} will be vectors of equal length.
34343 @xref{Solving Systems of Equations}, for other options.
34346 @defun expr-contains expr var
34347 Returns a non-@code{nil} value if @var{var} occurs as a subexpression
34350 This function might seem at first to be identical to
34351 @code{calc-find-sub-formula}. The key difference is that
34352 @code{expr-contains} uses @code{equal} to test for matches, whereas
34353 @code{calc-find-sub-formula} uses @code{eq}. In the formula
34354 @samp{f(a, a)}, the two @samp{a}s will be @code{equal} but not
34355 @code{eq} to each other.
34358 @defun expr-contains-count expr var
34359 Returns the number of occurrences of @var{var} as a subexpression
34360 of @var{expr}, or @code{nil} if there are no occurrences.
34363 @defun expr-depends expr var
34364 Returns true if @var{expr} refers to any variable the occurs in @var{var}.
34365 In other words, it checks if @var{expr} and @var{var} have any variables
34369 @defun expr-contains-vars expr
34370 Return true if @var{expr} contains any variables, or @code{nil} if @var{expr}
34371 contains only constants and functions with constant arguments.
34374 @defun expr-subst expr old new
34375 Returns a copy of @var{expr}, with all occurrences of @var{old} replaced
34376 by @var{new}. This treats @code{lambda} forms specially with respect
34377 to the dummy argument variables, so that the effect is always to return
34378 @var{expr} evaluated at @var{old} = @var{new}.
34381 @defun multi-subst expr old new
34382 This is like @code{expr-subst}, except that @var{old} and @var{new}
34383 are lists of expressions to be substituted simultaneously. If one
34384 list is shorter than the other, trailing elements of the longer list
34388 @defun expr-weight expr
34389 Returns the ``weight'' of @var{expr}, basically a count of the total
34390 number of objects and function calls that appear in @var{expr}. For
34391 ``primitive'' objects, this will be one.
34394 @defun expr-height expr
34395 Returns the ``height'' of @var{expr}, which is the deepest level to
34396 which function calls are nested. (Note that @samp{@var{a} + @var{b}}
34397 counts as a function call.) For primitive objects, this returns zero.
34400 @defun polynomial-p expr var
34401 Check if @var{expr} is a polynomial in variable (or sub-expression)
34402 @var{var}. If so, return the degree of the polynomial, that is, the
34403 highest power of @var{var} that appears in @var{expr}. For example,
34404 for @samp{(x^2 + 3)^3 + 4} this would return 6. This function returns
34405 @code{nil} unless @var{expr}, when expanded out by @kbd{a x}
34406 (@code{calc-expand}), would consist of a sum of terms in which @var{var}
34407 appears only raised to nonnegative integer powers. Note that if
34408 @var{var} does not occur in @var{expr}, then @var{expr} is considered
34409 a polynomial of degree 0.
34412 @defun is-polynomial expr var degree loose
34413 Check if @var{expr} is a polynomial in variable or sub-expression
34414 @var{var}, and, if so, return a list representation of the polynomial
34415 where the elements of the list are coefficients of successive powers of
34416 @var{var}: @samp{@var{a} + @var{b} x + @var{c} x^3} would produce the
34417 list @samp{(@var{a} @var{b} 0 @var{c})}, and @samp{(x + 1)^2} would
34418 produce the list @samp{(1 2 1)}. The highest element of the list will
34419 be non-zero, with the special exception that if @var{expr} is the
34420 constant zero, the returned value will be @samp{(0)}. Return @code{nil}
34421 if @var{expr} is not a polynomial in @var{var}. If @var{degree} is
34422 specified, this will not consider polynomials of degree higher than that
34423 value. This is a good precaution because otherwise an input of
34424 @samp{(x+1)^1000} will cause a huge coefficient list to be built. If
34425 @var{loose} is non-@code{nil}, then a looser definition of a polynomial
34426 is used in which coefficients are no longer required not to depend on
34427 @var{var}, but are only required not to take the form of polynomials
34428 themselves. For example, @samp{sin(x) x^2 + cos(x)} is a loose
34429 polynomial with coefficients @samp{((calcFunc-cos x) 0 (calcFunc-sin
34430 x))}. The result will never be @code{nil} in loose mode, since any
34431 expression can be interpreted as a ``constant'' loose polynomial.
34434 @defun polynomial-base expr pred
34435 Check if @var{expr} is a polynomial in any variable that occurs in it;
34436 if so, return that variable. (If @var{expr} is a multivariate polynomial,
34437 this chooses one variable arbitrarily.) If @var{pred} is specified, it should
34438 be a Lisp function which is called as @samp{(@var{pred} @var{subexpr})},
34439 and which should return true if @code{mpb-top-expr} (a global name for
34440 the original @var{expr}) is a suitable polynomial in @var{subexpr}.
34441 The default predicate uses @samp{(polynomial-p mpb-top-expr @var{subexpr})};
34442 you can use @var{pred} to specify additional conditions. Or, you could
34443 have @var{pred} build up a list of every suitable @var{subexpr} that
34447 @defun poly-simplify poly
34448 Simplify polynomial coefficient list @var{poly} by (destructively)
34449 clipping off trailing zeros.
34452 @defun poly-mix a ac b bc
34453 Mix two polynomial lists @var{a} and @var{b} (in the form returned by
34454 @code{is-polynomial}) in a linear combination with coefficient expressions
34455 @var{ac} and @var{bc}. The result is a (not necessarily simplified)
34456 polynomial list representing @samp{@var{ac} @var{a} + @var{bc} @var{b}}.
34459 @defun poly-mul a b
34460 Multiply two polynomial coefficient lists @var{a} and @var{b}. The
34461 result will be in simplified form if the inputs were simplified.
34464 @defun build-polynomial-expr poly var
34465 Construct a Calc formula which represents the polynomial coefficient
34466 list @var{poly} applied to variable @var{var}. The @kbd{a c}
34467 (@code{calc-collect}) command uses @code{is-polynomial} to turn an
34468 expression into a coefficient list, then @code{build-polynomial-expr}
34469 to turn the list back into an expression in regular form.
34472 @defun check-unit-name var
34473 Check if @var{var} is a variable which can be interpreted as a unit
34474 name. If so, return the units table entry for that unit. This
34475 will be a list whose first element is the unit name (not counting
34476 prefix characters) as a symbol and whose second element is the
34477 Calc expression which defines the unit. (Refer to the Calc sources
34478 for details on the remaining elements of this list.) If @var{var}
34479 is not a variable or is not a unit name, return @code{nil}.
34482 @defun units-in-expr-p expr sub-exprs
34483 Return true if @var{expr} contains any variables which can be
34484 interpreted as units. If @var{sub-exprs} is @code{t}, the entire
34485 expression is searched. If @var{sub-exprs} is @code{nil}, this
34486 checks whether @var{expr} is directly a units expression.
34489 @defun single-units-in-expr-p expr
34490 Check whether @var{expr} contains exactly one units variable. If so,
34491 return the units table entry for the variable. If @var{expr} does
34492 not contain any units, return @code{nil}. If @var{expr} contains
34493 two or more units, return the symbol @code{wrong}.
34496 @defun to-standard-units expr which
34497 Convert units expression @var{expr} to base units. If @var{which}
34498 is @code{nil}, use Calc's native base units. Otherwise, @var{which}
34499 can specify a units system, which is a list of two-element lists,
34500 where the first element is a Calc base symbol name and the second
34501 is an expression to substitute for it.
34504 @defun remove-units expr
34505 Return a copy of @var{expr} with all units variables replaced by ones.
34506 This expression is generally normalized before use.
34509 @defun extract-units expr
34510 Return a copy of @var{expr} with everything but units variables replaced
34514 @node Formatting Lisp Functions, Hooks, Symbolic Lisp Functions, Internals
34515 @subsubsection I/O and Formatting Functions
34518 The functions described here are responsible for parsing and formatting
34519 Calc numbers and formulas.
34521 @defun calc-eval str sep arg1 arg2 @dots{}
34522 This is the simplest interface to the Calculator from another Lisp program.
34523 @xref{Calling Calc from Your Programs}.
34526 @defun read-number str
34527 If string @var{str} contains a valid Calc number, either integer,
34528 fraction, float, or HMS form, this function parses and returns that
34529 number. Otherwise, it returns @code{nil}.
34532 @defun read-expr str
34533 Read an algebraic expression from string @var{str}. If @var{str} does
34534 not have the form of a valid expression, return a list of the form
34535 @samp{(error @var{pos} @var{msg})} where @var{pos} is an integer index
34536 into @var{str} of the general location of the error, and @var{msg} is
34537 a string describing the problem.
34540 @defun read-exprs str
34541 Read a list of expressions separated by commas, and return it as a
34542 Lisp list. If an error occurs in any expressions, an error list as
34543 shown above is returned instead.
34546 @defun calc-do-alg-entry initial prompt no-norm
34547 Read an algebraic formula or formulas using the minibuffer. All
34548 conventions of regular algebraic entry are observed. The return value
34549 is a list of Calc formulas; there will be more than one if the user
34550 entered a list of values separated by commas. The result is @code{nil}
34551 if the user presses Return with a blank line. If @var{initial} is
34552 given, it is a string which the minibuffer will initially contain.
34553 If @var{prompt} is given, it is the prompt string to use; the default
34554 is ``Algebraic:''. If @var{no-norm} is @code{t}, the formulas will
34555 be returned exactly as parsed; otherwise, they will be passed through
34556 @code{calc-normalize} first.
34558 To support the use of @kbd{$} characters in the algebraic entry, use
34559 @code{let} to bind @code{calc-dollar-values} to a list of the values
34560 to be substituted for @kbd{$}, @kbd{$$}, and so on, and bind
34561 @code{calc-dollar-used} to 0. Upon return, @code{calc-dollar-used}
34562 will have been changed to the highest number of consecutive @kbd{$}s
34563 that actually appeared in the input.
34566 @defun format-number a
34567 Convert the real or complex number or HMS form @var{a} to string form.
34570 @defun format-flat-expr a prec
34571 Convert the arbitrary Calc number or formula @var{a} to string form,
34572 in the style used by the trail buffer and the @code{calc-edit} command.
34573 This is a simple format designed
34574 mostly to guarantee the string is of a form that can be re-parsed by
34575 @code{read-expr}. Most formatting modes, such as digit grouping,
34576 complex number format, and point character, are ignored to ensure the
34577 result will be re-readable. The @var{prec} parameter is normally 0; if
34578 you pass a large integer like 1000 instead, the expression will be
34579 surrounded by parentheses unless it is a plain number or variable name.
34582 @defun format-nice-expr a width
34583 This is like @code{format-flat-expr} (with @var{prec} equal to 0),
34584 except that newlines will be inserted to keep lines down to the
34585 specified @var{width}, and vectors that look like matrices or rewrite
34586 rules are written in a pseudo-matrix format. The @code{calc-edit}
34587 command uses this when only one stack entry is being edited.
34590 @defun format-value a width
34591 Convert the Calc number or formula @var{a} to string form, using the
34592 format seen in the stack buffer. Beware the string returned may
34593 not be re-readable by @code{read-expr}, for example, because of digit
34594 grouping. Multi-line objects like matrices produce strings that
34595 contain newline characters to separate the lines. The @var{w}
34596 parameter, if given, is the target window size for which to format
34597 the expressions. If @var{w} is omitted, the width of the Calculator
34601 @defun compose-expr a prec
34602 Format the Calc number or formula @var{a} according to the current
34603 language mode, returning a ``composition.'' To learn about the
34604 structure of compositions, see the comments in the Calc source code.
34605 You can specify the format of a given type of function call by putting
34606 a @code{math-compose-@var{lang}} property on the function's symbol,
34607 whose value is a Lisp function that takes @var{a} and @var{prec} as
34608 arguments and returns a composition. Here @var{lang} is a language
34609 mode name, one of @code{normal}, @code{big}, @code{c}, @code{pascal},
34610 @code{fortran}, @code{tex}, @code{eqn}, @code{math}, or @code{maple}.
34611 In Big mode, Calc actually tries @code{math-compose-big} first, then
34612 tries @code{math-compose-normal}. If this property does not exist,
34613 or if the function returns @code{nil}, the function is written in the
34614 normal function-call notation for that language.
34617 @defun composition-to-string c w
34618 Convert a composition structure returned by @code{compose-expr} into
34619 a string. Multi-line compositions convert to strings containing
34620 newline characters. The target window size is given by @var{w}.
34621 The @code{format-value} function basically calls @code{compose-expr}
34622 followed by @code{composition-to-string}.
34625 @defun comp-width c
34626 Compute the width in characters of composition @var{c}.
34629 @defun comp-height c
34630 Compute the height in lines of composition @var{c}.
34633 @defun comp-ascent c
34634 Compute the portion of the height of composition @var{c} which is on or
34635 above the baseline. For a one-line composition, this will be one.
34638 @defun comp-descent c
34639 Compute the portion of the height of composition @var{c} which is below
34640 the baseline. For a one-line composition, this will be zero.
34643 @defun comp-first-char c
34644 If composition @var{c} is a ``flat'' composition, return the first
34645 (leftmost) character of the composition as an integer. Otherwise,
34649 @defun comp-last-char c
34650 If composition @var{c} is a ``flat'' composition, return the last
34651 (rightmost) character, otherwise return @code{nil}.
34654 @comment @node Lisp Variables, Hooks, Formatting Lisp Functions, Internals
34655 @comment @subsubsection Lisp Variables
34658 @comment (This section is currently unfinished.)
34660 @node Hooks, , Formatting Lisp Functions, Internals
34661 @subsubsection Hooks
34664 Hooks are variables which contain Lisp functions (or lists of functions)
34665 which are called at various times. Calc defines a number of hooks
34666 that help you to customize it in various ways. Calc uses the Lisp
34667 function @code{run-hooks} to invoke the hooks shown below. Several
34668 other customization-related variables are also described here.
34670 @defvar calc-load-hook
34671 This hook is called at the end of @file{calc.el}, after the file has
34672 been loaded, before any functions in it have been called, but after
34673 @code{calc-mode-map} and similar variables have been set up.
34676 @defvar calc-ext-load-hook
34677 This hook is called at the end of @file{calc-ext.el}.
34680 @defvar calc-start-hook
34681 This hook is called as the last step in a @kbd{M-x calc} command.
34682 At this point, the Calc buffer has been created and initialized if
34683 necessary, the Calc window and trail window have been created,
34684 and the ``Welcome to Calc'' message has been displayed.
34687 @defvar calc-mode-hook
34688 This hook is called when the Calc buffer is being created. Usually
34689 this will only happen once per Emacs session. The hook is called
34690 after Emacs has switched to the new buffer, the mode-settings file
34691 has been read if necessary, and all other buffer-local variables
34692 have been set up. After this hook returns, Calc will perform a
34693 @code{calc-refresh} operation, set up the mode line display, then
34694 evaluate any deferred @code{calc-define} properties that have not
34695 been evaluated yet.
34698 @defvar calc-trail-mode-hook
34699 This hook is called when the Calc Trail buffer is being created.
34700 It is called as the very last step of setting up the Trail buffer.
34701 Like @code{calc-mode-hook}, this will normally happen only once
34705 @defvar calc-end-hook
34706 This hook is called by @code{calc-quit}, generally because the user
34707 presses @kbd{q} or @kbd{M-# c} while in Calc. The Calc buffer will
34708 be the current buffer. The hook is called as the very first
34709 step, before the Calc window is destroyed.
34712 @defvar calc-window-hook
34713 If this hook is non-@code{nil}, it is called to create the Calc window.
34714 Upon return, this new Calc window should be the current window.
34715 (The Calc buffer will already be the current buffer when the
34716 hook is called.) If the hook is not defined, Calc will
34717 generally use @code{split-window}, @code{set-window-buffer},
34718 and @code{select-window} to create the Calc window.
34721 @defvar calc-trail-window-hook
34722 If this hook is non-@code{nil}, it is called to create the Calc Trail
34723 window. The variable @code{calc-trail-buffer} will contain the buffer
34724 which the window should use. Unlike @code{calc-window-hook}, this hook
34725 must @emph{not} switch into the new window.
34728 @defvar calc-edit-mode-hook
34729 This hook is called by @code{calc-edit} (and the other ``edit''
34730 commands) when the temporary editing buffer is being created.
34731 The buffer will have been selected and set up to be in
34732 @code{calc-edit-mode}, but will not yet have been filled with
34733 text. (In fact it may still have leftover text from a previous
34734 @code{calc-edit} command.)
34737 @defvar calc-mode-save-hook
34738 This hook is called by the @code{calc-save-modes} command,
34739 after Calc's own mode features have been inserted into the
34740 Calc init file and just before the ``End of mode settings''
34741 message is inserted.
34744 @defvar calc-reset-hook
34745 This hook is called after @kbd{M-# 0} (@code{calc-reset}) has
34746 reset all modes. The Calc buffer will be the current buffer.
34749 @defvar calc-other-modes
34750 This variable contains a list of strings. The strings are
34751 concatenated at the end of the modes portion of the Calc
34752 mode line (after standard modes such as ``Deg'', ``Inv'' and
34753 ``Hyp''). Each string should be a short, single word followed
34754 by a space. The variable is @code{nil} by default.
34757 @defvar calc-mode-map
34758 This is the keymap that is used by Calc mode. The best time
34759 to adjust it is probably in a @code{calc-mode-hook}. If the
34760 Calc extensions package (@file{calc-ext.el}) has not yet been
34761 loaded, many of these keys will be bound to @code{calc-missing-key},
34762 which is a command that loads the extensions package and
34763 ``retypes'' the key. If your @code{calc-mode-hook} rebinds
34764 one of these keys, it will probably be overridden when the
34765 extensions are loaded.
34768 @defvar calc-digit-map
34769 This is the keymap that is used during numeric entry. Numeric
34770 entry uses the minibuffer, but this map binds every non-numeric
34771 key to @code{calcDigit-nondigit} which generally calls
34772 @code{exit-minibuffer} and ``retypes'' the key.
34775 @defvar calc-alg-ent-map
34776 This is the keymap that is used during algebraic entry. This is
34777 mostly a copy of @code{minibuffer-local-map}.
34780 @defvar calc-store-var-map
34781 This is the keymap that is used during entry of variable names for
34782 commands like @code{calc-store} and @code{calc-recall}. This is
34783 mostly a copy of @code{minibuffer-local-completion-map}.
34786 @defvar calc-edit-mode-map
34787 This is the (sparse) keymap used by @code{calc-edit} and other
34788 temporary editing commands. It binds @key{RET}, @key{LFD},
34789 and @kbd{C-c C-c} to @code{calc-edit-finish}.
34792 @defvar calc-mode-var-list
34793 This is a list of variables which are saved by @code{calc-save-modes}.
34794 Each entry is a list of two items, the variable (as a Lisp symbol)
34795 and its default value. When modes are being saved, each variable
34796 is compared with its default value (using @code{equal}) and any
34797 non-default variables are written out.
34800 @defvar calc-local-var-list
34801 This is a list of variables which should be buffer-local to the
34802 Calc buffer. Each entry is a variable name (as a Lisp symbol).
34803 These variables also have their default values manipulated by
34804 the @code{calc} and @code{calc-quit} commands; @pxref{Multiple Calculators}.
34805 Since @code{calc-mode-hook} is called after this list has been
34806 used the first time, your hook should add a variable to the
34807 list and also call @code{make-local-variable} itself.
34810 @node Customizable Variables, Reporting Bugs, Programming, Top
34811 @appendix Customizable Variables
34813 GNU Calc is controlled by many variables, most of which can be reset
34814 from within Calc. Some variables are less involved with actual
34815 calculation, and can be set outside of Calc using Emacs's
34816 customization facilities. These variables are listed below.
34817 Typing @kbd{M-x customize-variable RET @var{variable-name} RET}
34818 will bring up a buffer in which the variable's value can be redefined.
34819 Typing @kbd{M-x customize-group RET calc RET} will bring up a buffer which
34820 contains all of Calc's customizable variables. (These variables can
34821 also be reset by putting the appropriate lines in your .emacs file;
34822 @xref{Init File, ,Init File, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.)
34824 Some of the customizable variables are regular expressions. A regular
34825 expression is basically a pattern that Calc can search for.
34826 See @ref{Regexp Search,, Regular Expression Search, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}
34827 to see how regular expressions work.
34829 @defvar calc-settings-file
34830 The variable @code{calc-settings-file} holds the file name in
34831 which commands like @kbd{m m} and @kbd{Z P} store ``permanent''
34833 If @code{calc-settings-file} is not your user init file (typically
34834 @file{~/.emacs}) and if the variable @code{calc-loaded-settings-file} is
34835 @code{nil}, then Calc will automatically load your settings file (if it
34836 exists) the first time Calc is invoked.
34838 The default value for this variable is @code{"~/.calc.el"}.
34841 @defvar calc-gnuplot-name
34842 See @ref{Graphics}.@*
34843 The variable @code{calc-gnuplot-name} should be the name of the
34844 GNUPLOT program (a string). If you have GNUPLOT installed on your
34845 system but Calc is unable to find it, you may need to set this
34846 variable. (@pxref{Customizable Variables})
34847 You may also need to set some Lisp variables to show Calc how to run
34848 GNUPLOT on your system, see @ref{Devices, ,Graphical Devices} . The default value
34849 of @code{calc-gnuplot-name} is @code{"gnuplot"}.
34852 @defvar calc-gnuplot-plot-command
34853 @defvarx calc-gnuplot-print-command
34854 See @ref{Devices, ,Graphical Devices}.@*
34855 The variables @code{calc-gnuplot-plot-command} and
34856 @code{calc-gnuplot-print-command} represent system commands to
34857 display and print the output of GNUPLOT, respectively. These may be
34858 @code{nil} if no command is necessary, or strings which can include
34859 @samp{%s} to signify the name of the file to be displayed or printed.
34860 Or, these variables may contain Lisp expressions which are evaluated
34861 to display or print the output.
34863 The default value of @code{calc-gnuplot-plot-command} is @code{nil},
34864 and the default value of @code{calc-gnuplot-print-command} is
34868 @defvar calc-language-alist
34869 See @ref{Basic Embedded Mode}.@*
34870 The variable @code{calc-language-alist} controls the languages that
34871 Calc will associate with major modes. When Calc embedded mode is
34872 enabled, it will try to use the current major mode to
34873 determine what language should be used. (This can be overridden using
34874 Calc's mode changing commands, @xref{Mode Settings in Embedded Mode}.)
34875 The variable @code{calc-language-alist} consists of a list of pairs of
34876 the form @code{(@var{MAJOR-MODE} . @var{LANGUAGE})}; for example,
34877 @code{(latex-mode . latex)} is one such pair. If Calc embedded is
34878 activated in a buffer whose major mode is @var{MAJOR-MODE}, it will set itself
34879 to use the language @var{LANGUAGE}.
34881 The default value of @code{calc-language-alist} is
34883 ((latex-mode . latex)
34885 (plain-tex-mode . tex)
34886 (context-mode . tex)
34888 (pascal-mode . pascal)
34891 (fortran-mode . fortran)
34892 (f90-mode . fortran))
34896 @defvar calc-embedded-announce-formula
34897 See @ref{Customizing Embedded Mode}.@*
34898 The variable @code{calc-embedded-announce-formula} helps determine
34899 what formulas @kbd{M-# a} will activate in a buffer. It is a
34900 regular expression, and when activating embedded formulas with
34901 @kbd{M-# a}, it will tell Calc that what follows is a formula to be
34902 activated. (Calc also uses other patterns to find formulas, such as
34903 @samp{=>} and @samp{:=}.)
34905 The default pattern is @code{"%Embed\n\\(% .*\n\\)*"}, which checks
34906 for @samp{%Embed} followed by any number of lines beginning with
34907 @samp{%} and a space.
34910 @defvar calc-embedded-open-formula
34911 @defvarx calc-embedded-close-formula
34912 See @ref{Customizing Embedded Mode}.@*
34913 The variables @code{calc-embedded-open-formula} and
34914 @code{calc-embedded-open-formula} control the region that Calc will
34915 activate as a formula when Embedded mode is entered with @kbd{M-# e}.
34916 They are regular expressions;
34917 Calc normally scans backward and forward in the buffer for the
34918 nearest text matching these regular expressions to be the ``formula
34921 The simplest delimiters are blank lines. Other delimiters that
34922 Embedded mode understands by default are:
34925 The @TeX{} and La@TeX{} math delimiters @samp{$ $}, @samp{$$ $$},
34926 @samp{\[ \]}, and @samp{\( \)};
34928 Lines beginning with @samp{\begin} and @samp{\end} (except matrix delimiters);
34930 Lines beginning with @samp{@@} (Texinfo delimiters).
34932 Lines beginning with @samp{.EQ} and @samp{.EN} (@dfn{eqn} delimiters);
34934 Lines containing a single @samp{%} or @samp{.\"} symbol and nothing else.
34938 @defvar calc-embedded-open-word
34939 @defvarx calc-embedded-close-word
34940 See @ref{Customizing Embedded Mode}.@*
34941 The variables @code{calc-embedded-open-word} and
34942 @code{calc-embedded-close-word} control the region that Calc will
34943 activate when Embedded mode is entered with @kbd{M-# w}. They are
34944 regular expressions.
34946 The default values of @code{calc-embedded-open-word} and
34947 @code{calc-embedded-close-word} are @code{"^\\|[^-+0-9.eE]"} and
34948 @code{"$\\|[^-+0-9.eE]"} respectively.
34951 @defvar calc-embedded-open-plain
34952 @defvarx calc-embedded-close-plain
34953 See @ref{Customizing Embedded Mode}.@*
34954 The variables @code{calc-embedded-open-plain} and
34955 @code{calc-embedded-open-plain} are used to delimit ``plain''
34956 formulas. Note that these are actual strings, not regular
34957 expressions, because Calc must be able to write these string into a
34958 buffer as well as to recognize them.
34960 The default string for @code{calc-embedded-open-plain} is
34961 @code{"%%% "}, note the trailing space. The default string for
34962 @code{calc-embedded-close-plain} is @code{" %%%\n"}, without
34963 the trailing newline here, the first line of a Big mode formula
34964 that followed might be shifted over with respect to the other lines.
34967 @defvar calc-embedded-open-new-formula
34968 @defvarx calc-embedded-close-new-formula
34969 See @ref{Customizing Embedded Mode}.@*
34970 The variables @code{calc-embedded-open-new-formula} and
34971 @code{calc-embedded-close-new-formula} are strings which are
34972 inserted before and after a new formula when you type @kbd{M-# f}.
34974 The default value of @code{calc-embedded-open-new-formula} is
34975 @code{"\n\n"}. If this string begins with a newline character and the
34976 @kbd{M-# f} is typed at the beginning of a line, @kbd{M-# f} will skip
34977 this first newline to avoid introducing unnecessary blank lines in the
34978 file. The default value of @code{calc-embedded-close-new-formula} is
34979 also @code{"\n\n"}. The final newline is omitted by @w{@kbd{M-# f}}
34980 if typed at the end of a line. (It follows that if @kbd{M-# f} is
34981 typed on a blank line, both a leading opening newline and a trailing
34982 closing newline are omitted.)
34985 @defvar calc-embedded-open-mode
34986 @defvarx calc-embedded-close-mode
34987 See @ref{Customizing Embedded Mode}.@*
34988 The variables @code{calc-embedded-open-mode} and
34989 @code{calc-embedded-close-mode} are strings which Calc will place before
34990 and after any mode annotations that it inserts. Calc never scans for
34991 these strings; Calc always looks for the annotation itself, so it is not
34992 necessary to add them to user-written annotations.
34994 The default value of @code{calc-embedded-open-mode} is @code{"% "}
34995 and the default value of @code{calc-embedded-close-mode} is
34997 If you change the value of @code{calc-embedded-close-mode}, it is a good
34998 idea still to end with a newline so that mode annotations will appear on
34999 lines by themselves.
35002 @node Reporting Bugs, Summary, Customizable Variables, Top
35003 @appendix Reporting Bugs
35006 If you find a bug in Calc, send e-mail to Jay Belanger,
35009 belanger@@truman.edu
35013 There is an automatic command @kbd{M-x report-calc-bug} which helps
35014 you to report bugs. This command prompts you for a brief subject
35015 line, then leaves you in a mail editing buffer. Type @kbd{C-c C-c} to
35016 send your mail. Make sure your subject line indicates that you are
35017 reporting a Calc bug; this command sends mail to the maintainer's
35020 If you have suggestions for additional features for Calc, please send
35021 them. Some have dared to suggest that Calc is already top-heavy with
35022 features; this obviously cannot be the case, so if you have ideas, send
35025 At the front of the source file, @file{calc.el}, is a list of ideas for
35026 future work. If any enthusiastic souls wish to take it upon themselves
35027 to work on these, please send a message (using @kbd{M-x report-calc-bug})
35028 so any efforts can be coordinated.
35030 The latest version of Calc is available from Savannah, in the Emacs
35031 CVS tree. See @uref{http://savannah.gnu.org/projects/emacs}.
35034 @node Summary, Key Index, Reporting Bugs, Top
35035 @appendix Calc Summary
35038 This section includes a complete list of Calc 2.1 keystroke commands.
35039 Each line lists the stack entries used by the command (top-of-stack
35040 last), the keystrokes themselves, the prompts asked by the command,
35041 and the result of the command (also with top-of-stack last).
35042 The result is expressed using the equivalent algebraic function.
35043 Commands which put no results on the stack show the full @kbd{M-x}
35044 command name in that position. Numbers preceding the result or
35045 command name refer to notes at the end.
35047 Algebraic functions and @kbd{M-x} commands that don't have corresponding
35048 keystrokes are not listed in this summary.
35049 @xref{Command Index}. @xref{Function Index}.
35054 \vskip-2\baselineskip \null
35055 \gdef\sumrow#1{\sumrowx#1\relax}%
35056 \gdef\sumrowx#1\:#2\:#3\:#4\:#5\:#6\relax{%
35059 \hbox to5em{\sl\hss#1}%
35060 \hbox to5em{\tt#2\hss}%
35061 \hbox to4em{\sl#3\hss}%
35062 \hbox to5em{\rm\hss#4}%
35067 \gdef\sumlpar{{\rm(}}%
35068 \gdef\sumrpar{{\rm)}}%
35069 \gdef\sumcomma{{\rm,\thinspace}}%
35070 \gdef\sumexcl{{\rm!}}%
35071 \gdef\sumbreak{\vskip-2.5\baselineskip\goodbreak}%
35072 \gdef\minus#1{{\tt-}}%
35076 @catcode`@(=@active @let(=@sumlpar
35077 @catcode`@)=@active @let)=@sumrpar
35078 @catcode`@,=@active @let,=@sumcomma
35079 @catcode`@!=@active @let!=@sumexcl
35083 @advance@baselineskip-2.5pt
35086 @r{ @: M-# a @: @: 33 @:calc-embedded-activate@:}
35087 @r{ @: M-# b @: @: @:calc-big-or-small@:}
35088 @r{ @: M-# c @: @: @:calc@:}
35089 @r{ @: M-# d @: @: @:calc-embedded-duplicate@:}
35090 @r{ @: M-# e @: @: 34 @:calc-embedded@:}
35091 @r{ @: M-# f @:formula @: @:calc-embedded-new-formula@:}
35092 @r{ @: M-# g @: @: 35 @:calc-grab-region@:}
35093 @r{ @: M-# i @: @: @:calc-info@:}
35094 @r{ @: M-# j @: @: @:calc-embedded-select@:}
35095 @r{ @: M-# k @: @: @:calc-keypad@:}
35096 @r{ @: M-# l @: @: @:calc-load-everything@:}
35097 @r{ @: M-# m @: @: @:read-kbd-macro@:}
35098 @r{ @: M-# n @: @: 4 @:calc-embedded-next@:}
35099 @r{ @: M-# o @: @: @:calc-other-window@:}
35100 @r{ @: M-# p @: @: 4 @:calc-embedded-previous@:}
35101 @r{ @: M-# q @:formula @: @:quick-calc@:}
35102 @r{ @: M-# r @: @: 36 @:calc-grab-rectangle@:}
35103 @r{ @: M-# s @: @: @:calc-info-summary@:}
35104 @r{ @: M-# t @: @: @:calc-tutorial@:}
35105 @r{ @: M-# u @: @: @:calc-embedded-update-formula@:}
35106 @r{ @: M-# w @: @: @:calc-embedded-word@:}
35107 @r{ @: M-# x @: @: @:calc-quit@:}
35108 @r{ @: M-# y @: @:1,28,49 @:calc-copy-to-buffer@:}
35109 @r{ @: M-# z @: @: @:calc-user-invocation@:}
35110 @r{ @: M-# = @: @: @:calc-embedded-update-formula@:}
35111 @r{ @: M-# : @: @: 36 @:calc-grab-sum-down@:}
35112 @r{ @: M-# _ @: @: 36 @:calc-grab-sum-across@:}
35113 @r{ @: M-# ` @:editing @: 30 @:calc-embedded-edit@:}
35114 @r{ @: M-# 0 @:(zero) @: @:calc-reset@:}
35117 @r{ @: 0-9 @:number @: @:@:number}
35118 @r{ @: . @:number @: @:@:0.number}
35119 @r{ @: _ @:number @: @:-@:number}
35120 @r{ @: e @:number @: @:@:1e number}
35121 @r{ @: # @:number @: @:@:current-radix@tfn{#}number}
35122 @r{ @: P @:(in number) @: @:+/-@:}
35123 @r{ @: M @:(in number) @: @:mod@:}
35124 @r{ @: @@ ' " @: (in number)@: @:@:HMS form}
35125 @r{ @: h m s @: (in number)@: @:@:HMS form}
35128 @r{ @: ' @:formula @: 37,46 @:@:formula}
35129 @r{ @: $ @:formula @: 37,46 @:$@:formula}
35130 @r{ @: " @:string @: 37,46 @:@:string}
35133 @r{ a b@: + @: @: 2 @:add@:(a,b) a+b}
35134 @r{ a b@: - @: @: 2 @:sub@:(a,b) a@minus{}b}
35135 @r{ a b@: * @: @: 2 @:mul@:(a,b) a b, a*b}
35136 @r{ a b@: / @: @: 2 @:div@:(a,b) a/b}
35137 @r{ a b@: ^ @: @: 2 @:pow@:(a,b) a^b}
35138 @r{ a b@: I ^ @: @: 2 @:nroot@:(a,b) a^(1/b)}
35139 @r{ a b@: % @: @: 2 @:mod@:(a,b) a%b}
35140 @r{ a b@: \ @: @: 2 @:idiv@:(a,b) a\b}
35141 @r{ a b@: : @: @: 2 @:fdiv@:(a,b)}
35142 @r{ a b@: | @: @: 2 @:vconcat@:(a,b) a|b}
35143 @r{ a b@: I | @: @: @:vconcat@:(b,a) b|a}
35144 @r{ a b@: H | @: @: 2 @:append@:(a,b)}
35145 @r{ a b@: I H | @: @: @:append@:(b,a)}
35146 @r{ a@: & @: @: 1 @:inv@:(a) 1/a}
35147 @r{ a@: ! @: @: 1 @:fact@:(a) a!}
35148 @r{ a@: = @: @: 1 @:evalv@:(a)}
35149 @r{ a@: M-% @: @: @:percent@:(a) a%}
35152 @r{ ... a@: @key{RET} @: @: 1 @:@:... a a}
35153 @r{ ... a@: @key{SPC} @: @: 1 @:@:... a a}
35154 @r{... a b@: @key{TAB} @: @: 3 @:@:... b a}
35155 @r{. a b c@: M-@key{TAB} @: @: 3 @:@:... b c a}
35156 @r{... a b@: @key{LFD} @: @: 1 @:@:... a b a}
35157 @r{ ... a@: @key{DEL} @: @: 1 @:@:...}
35158 @r{... a b@: M-@key{DEL} @: @: 1 @:@:... b}
35159 @r{ @: M-@key{RET} @: @: 4 @:calc-last-args@:}
35160 @r{ a@: ` @:editing @: 1,30 @:calc-edit@:}
35163 @r{ ... a@: C-d @: @: 1 @:@:...}
35164 @r{ @: C-k @: @: 27 @:calc-kill@:}
35165 @r{ @: C-w @: @: 27 @:calc-kill-region@:}
35166 @r{ @: C-y @: @: @:calc-yank@:}
35167 @r{ @: C-_ @: @: 4 @:calc-undo@:}
35168 @r{ @: M-k @: @: 27 @:calc-copy-as-kill@:}
35169 @r{ @: M-w @: @: 27 @:calc-copy-region-as-kill@:}
35172 @r{ @: [ @: @: @:@:[...}
35173 @r{[.. a b@: ] @: @: @:@:[a,b]}
35174 @r{ @: ( @: @: @:@:(...}
35175 @r{(.. a b@: ) @: @: @:@:(a,b)}
35176 @r{ @: , @: @: @:@:vector or rect complex}
35177 @r{ @: ; @: @: @:@:matrix or polar complex}
35178 @r{ @: .. @: @: @:@:interval}
35181 @r{ @: ~ @: @: @:calc-num-prefix@:}
35182 @r{ @: < @: @: 4 @:calc-scroll-left@:}
35183 @r{ @: > @: @: 4 @:calc-scroll-right@:}
35184 @r{ @: @{ @: @: 4 @:calc-scroll-down@:}
35185 @r{ @: @} @: @: 4 @:calc-scroll-up@:}
35186 @r{ @: ? @: @: @:calc-help@:}
35189 @r{ a@: n @: @: 1 @:neg@:(a) @minus{}a}
35190 @r{ @: o @: @: 4 @:calc-realign@:}
35191 @r{ @: p @:precision @: 31 @:calc-precision@:}
35192 @r{ @: q @: @: @:calc-quit@:}
35193 @r{ @: w @: @: @:calc-why@:}
35194 @r{ @: x @:command @: @:M-x calc-@:command}
35195 @r{ a@: y @: @:1,28,49 @:calc-copy-to-buffer@:}
35198 @r{ a@: A @: @: 1 @:abs@:(a)}
35199 @r{ a b@: B @: @: 2 @:log@:(a,b)}
35200 @r{ a b@: I B @: @: 2 @:alog@:(a,b) b^a}
35201 @r{ a@: C @: @: 1 @:cos@:(a)}
35202 @r{ a@: I C @: @: 1 @:arccos@:(a)}
35203 @r{ a@: H C @: @: 1 @:cosh@:(a)}
35204 @r{ a@: I H C @: @: 1 @:arccosh@:(a)}
35205 @r{ @: D @: @: 4 @:calc-redo@:}
35206 @r{ a@: E @: @: 1 @:exp@:(a)}
35207 @r{ a@: H E @: @: 1 @:exp10@:(a) 10.^a}
35208 @r{ a@: F @: @: 1,11 @:floor@:(a,d)}
35209 @r{ a@: I F @: @: 1,11 @:ceil@:(a,d)}
35210 @r{ a@: H F @: @: 1,11 @:ffloor@:(a,d)}
35211 @r{ a@: I H F @: @: 1,11 @:fceil@:(a,d)}
35212 @r{ a@: G @: @: 1 @:arg@:(a)}
35213 @r{ @: H @:command @: 32 @:@:Hyperbolic}
35214 @r{ @: I @:command @: 32 @:@:Inverse}
35215 @r{ a@: J @: @: 1 @:conj@:(a)}
35216 @r{ @: K @:command @: 32 @:@:Keep-args}
35217 @r{ a@: L @: @: 1 @:ln@:(a)}
35218 @r{ a@: H L @: @: 1 @:log10@:(a)}
35219 @r{ @: M @: @: @:calc-more-recursion-depth@:}
35220 @r{ @: I M @: @: @:calc-less-recursion-depth@:}
35221 @r{ a@: N @: @: 5 @:evalvn@:(a)}
35222 @r{ @: P @: @: @:@:pi}
35223 @r{ @: I P @: @: @:@:gamma}
35224 @r{ @: H P @: @: @:@:e}
35225 @r{ @: I H P @: @: @:@:phi}
35226 @r{ a@: Q @: @: 1 @:sqrt@:(a)}
35227 @r{ a@: I Q @: @: 1 @:sqr@:(a) a^2}
35228 @r{ a@: R @: @: 1,11 @:round@:(a,d)}
35229 @r{ a@: I R @: @: 1,11 @:trunc@:(a,d)}
35230 @r{ a@: H R @: @: 1,11 @:fround@:(a,d)}
35231 @r{ a@: I H R @: @: 1,11 @:ftrunc@:(a,d)}
35232 @r{ a@: S @: @: 1 @:sin@:(a)}
35233 @r{ a@: I S @: @: 1 @:arcsin@:(a)}
35234 @r{ a@: H S @: @: 1 @:sinh@:(a)}
35235 @r{ a@: I H S @: @: 1 @:arcsinh@:(a)}
35236 @r{ a@: T @: @: 1 @:tan@:(a)}
35237 @r{ a@: I T @: @: 1 @:arctan@:(a)}
35238 @r{ a@: H T @: @: 1 @:tanh@:(a)}
35239 @r{ a@: I H T @: @: 1 @:arctanh@:(a)}
35240 @r{ @: U @: @: 4 @:calc-undo@:}
35241 @r{ @: X @: @: 4 @:calc-call-last-kbd-macro@:}
35244 @r{ a b@: a = @: @: 2 @:eq@:(a,b) a=b}
35245 @r{ a b@: a # @: @: 2 @:neq@:(a,b) a!=b}
35246 @r{ a b@: a < @: @: 2 @:lt@:(a,b) a<b}
35247 @r{ a b@: a > @: @: 2 @:gt@:(a,b) a>b}
35248 @r{ a b@: a [ @: @: 2 @:leq@:(a,b) a<=b}
35249 @r{ a b@: a ] @: @: 2 @:geq@:(a,b) a>=b}
35250 @r{ a b@: a @{ @: @: 2 @:in@:(a,b)}
35251 @r{ a b@: a & @: @: 2,45 @:land@:(a,b) a&&b}
35252 @r{ a b@: a | @: @: 2,45 @:lor@:(a,b) a||b}
35253 @r{ a@: a ! @: @: 1,45 @:lnot@:(a) !a}
35254 @r{ a b c@: a : @: @: 45 @:if@:(a,b,c) a?b:c}
35255 @r{ a@: a . @: @: 1 @:rmeq@:(a)}
35256 @r{ a@: a " @: @: 7,8 @:calc-expand-formula@:}
35259 @r{ a@: a + @:i, l, h @: 6,38 @:sum@:(a,i,l,h)}
35260 @r{ a@: a - @:i, l, h @: 6,38 @:asum@:(a,i,l,h)}
35261 @r{ a@: a * @:i, l, h @: 6,38 @:prod@:(a,i,l,h)}
35262 @r{ a b@: a _ @: @: 2 @:subscr@:(a,b) a_b}
35265 @r{ a b@: a \ @: @: 2 @:pdiv@:(a,b)}
35266 @r{ a b@: a % @: @: 2 @:prem@:(a,b)}
35267 @r{ a b@: a / @: @: 2 @:pdivrem@:(a,b) [q,r]}
35268 @r{ a b@: H a / @: @: 2 @:pdivide@:(a,b) q+r/b}
35271 @r{ a@: a a @: @: 1 @:apart@:(a)}
35272 @r{ a@: a b @:old, new @: 38 @:subst@:(a,old,new)}
35273 @r{ a@: a c @:v @: 38 @:collect@:(a,v)}
35274 @r{ a@: a d @:v @: 4,38 @:deriv@:(a,v)}
35275 @r{ a@: H a d @:v @: 4,38 @:tderiv@:(a,v)}
35276 @r{ a@: a e @: @: @:esimplify@:(a)}
35277 @r{ a@: a f @: @: 1 @:factor@:(a)}
35278 @r{ a@: H a f @: @: 1 @:factors@:(a)}
35279 @r{ a b@: a g @: @: 2 @:pgcd@:(a,b)}
35280 @r{ a@: a i @:v @: 38 @:integ@:(a,v)}
35281 @r{ a@: a m @:pats @: 38 @:match@:(a,pats)}
35282 @r{ a@: I a m @:pats @: 38 @:matchnot@:(a,pats)}
35283 @r{ data x@: a p @: @: 28 @:polint@:(data,x)}
35284 @r{ data x@: H a p @: @: 28 @:ratint@:(data,x)}
35285 @r{ a@: a n @: @: 1 @:nrat@:(a)}
35286 @r{ a@: a r @:rules @:4,8,38 @:rewrite@:(a,rules,n)}
35287 @r{ a@: a s @: @: @:simplify@:(a)}
35288 @r{ a@: a t @:v, n @: 31,39 @:taylor@:(a,v,n)}
35289 @r{ a@: a v @: @: 7,8 @:calc-alg-evaluate@:}
35290 @r{ a@: a x @: @: 4,8 @:expand@:(a)}
35293 @r{ data@: a F @:model, vars @: 48 @:fit@:(m,iv,pv,data)}
35294 @r{ data@: I a F @:model, vars @: 48 @:xfit@:(m,iv,pv,data)}
35295 @r{ data@: H a F @:model, vars @: 48 @:efit@:(m,iv,pv,data)}
35296 @r{ a@: a I @:v, l, h @: 38 @:ninteg@:(a,v,l,h)}
35297 @r{ a b@: a M @:op @: 22 @:mapeq@:(op,a,b)}
35298 @r{ a b@: I a M @:op @: 22 @:mapeqr@:(op,a,b)}
35299 @r{ a b@: H a M @:op @: 22 @:mapeqp@:(op,a,b)}
35300 @r{ a g@: a N @:v @: 38 @:minimize@:(a,v,g)}
35301 @r{ a g@: H a N @:v @: 38 @:wminimize@:(a,v,g)}
35302 @r{ a@: a P @:v @: 38 @:roots@:(a,v)}
35303 @r{ a g@: a R @:v @: 38 @:root@:(a,v,g)}
35304 @r{ a g@: H a R @:v @: 38 @:wroot@:(a,v,g)}
35305 @r{ a@: a S @:v @: 38 @:solve@:(a,v)}
35306 @r{ a@: I a S @:v @: 38 @:finv@:(a,v)}
35307 @r{ a@: H a S @:v @: 38 @:fsolve@:(a,v)}
35308 @r{ a@: I H a S @:v @: 38 @:ffinv@:(a,v)}
35309 @r{ a@: a T @:i, l, h @: 6,38 @:table@:(a,i,l,h)}
35310 @r{ a g@: a X @:v @: 38 @:maximize@:(a,v,g)}
35311 @r{ a g@: H a X @:v @: 38 @:wmaximize@:(a,v,g)}
35314 @r{ a b@: b a @: @: 9 @:and@:(a,b,w)}
35315 @r{ a@: b c @: @: 9 @:clip@:(a,w)}
35316 @r{ a b@: b d @: @: 9 @:diff@:(a,b,w)}
35317 @r{ a@: b l @: @: 10 @:lsh@:(a,n,w)}
35318 @r{ a n@: H b l @: @: 9 @:lsh@:(a,n,w)}
35319 @r{ a@: b n @: @: 9 @:not@:(a,w)}
35320 @r{ a b@: b o @: @: 9 @:or@:(a,b,w)}
35321 @r{ v@: b p @: @: 1 @:vpack@:(v)}
35322 @r{ a@: b r @: @: 10 @:rsh@:(a,n,w)}
35323 @r{ a n@: H b r @: @: 9 @:rsh@:(a,n,w)}
35324 @r{ a@: b t @: @: 10 @:rot@:(a,n,w)}
35325 @r{ a n@: H b t @: @: 9 @:rot@:(a,n,w)}
35326 @r{ a@: b u @: @: 1 @:vunpack@:(a)}
35327 @r{ @: b w @:w @: 9,50 @:calc-word-size@:}
35328 @r{ a b@: b x @: @: 9 @:xor@:(a,b,w)}
35331 @r{c s l p@: b D @: @: @:ddb@:(c,s,l,p)}
35332 @r{ r n p@: b F @: @: @:fv@:(r,n,p)}
35333 @r{ r n p@: I b F @: @: @:fvb@:(r,n,p)}
35334 @r{ r n p@: H b F @: @: @:fvl@:(r,n,p)}
35335 @r{ v@: b I @: @: 19 @:irr@:(v)}
35336 @r{ v@: I b I @: @: 19 @:irrb@:(v)}
35337 @r{ a@: b L @: @: 10 @:ash@:(a,n,w)}
35338 @r{ a n@: H b L @: @: 9 @:ash@:(a,n,w)}
35339 @r{ r n a@: b M @: @: @:pmt@:(r,n,a)}
35340 @r{ r n a@: I b M @: @: @:pmtb@:(r,n,a)}
35341 @r{ r n a@: H b M @: @: @:pmtl@:(r,n,a)}
35342 @r{ r v@: b N @: @: 19 @:npv@:(r,v)}
35343 @r{ r v@: I b N @: @: 19 @:npvb@:(r,v)}
35344 @r{ r n p@: b P @: @: @:pv@:(r,n,p)}
35345 @r{ r n p@: I b P @: @: @:pvb@:(r,n,p)}
35346 @r{ r n p@: H b P @: @: @:pvl@:(r,n,p)}
35347 @r{ a@: b R @: @: 10 @:rash@:(a,n,w)}
35348 @r{ a n@: H b R @: @: 9 @:rash@:(a,n,w)}
35349 @r{ c s l@: b S @: @: @:sln@:(c,s,l)}
35350 @r{ n p a@: b T @: @: @:rate@:(n,p,a)}
35351 @r{ n p a@: I b T @: @: @:rateb@:(n,p,a)}
35352 @r{ n p a@: H b T @: @: @:ratel@:(n,p,a)}
35353 @r{c s l p@: b Y @: @: @:syd@:(c,s,l,p)}
35355 @r{ r p a@: b # @: @: @:nper@:(r,p,a)}
35356 @r{ r p a@: I b # @: @: @:nperb@:(r,p,a)}
35357 @r{ r p a@: H b # @: @: @:nperl@:(r,p,a)}
35358 @r{ a b@: b % @: @: @:relch@:(a,b)}
35361 @r{ a@: c c @: @: 5 @:pclean@:(a,p)}
35362 @r{ a@: c 0-9 @: @: @:pclean@:(a,p)}
35363 @r{ a@: H c c @: @: 5 @:clean@:(a,p)}
35364 @r{ a@: H c 0-9 @: @: @:clean@:(a,p)}
35365 @r{ a@: c d @: @: 1 @:deg@:(a)}
35366 @r{ a@: c f @: @: 1 @:pfloat@:(a)}
35367 @r{ a@: H c f @: @: 1 @:float@:(a)}
35368 @r{ a@: c h @: @: 1 @:hms@:(a)}
35369 @r{ a@: c p @: @: @:polar@:(a)}
35370 @r{ a@: I c p @: @: @:rect@:(a)}
35371 @r{ a@: c r @: @: 1 @:rad@:(a)}
35374 @r{ a@: c F @: @: 5 @:pfrac@:(a,p)}
35375 @r{ a@: H c F @: @: 5 @:frac@:(a,p)}
35378 @r{ a@: c % @: @: @:percent@:(a*100)}
35381 @r{ @: d . @:char @: 50 @:calc-point-char@:}
35382 @r{ @: d , @:char @: 50 @:calc-group-char@:}
35383 @r{ @: d < @: @: 13,50 @:calc-left-justify@:}
35384 @r{ @: d = @: @: 13,50 @:calc-center-justify@:}
35385 @r{ @: d > @: @: 13,50 @:calc-right-justify@:}
35386 @r{ @: d @{ @:label @: 50 @:calc-left-label@:}
35387 @r{ @: d @} @:label @: 50 @:calc-right-label@:}
35388 @r{ @: d [ @: @: 4 @:calc-truncate-up@:}
35389 @r{ @: d ] @: @: 4 @:calc-truncate-down@:}
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35726 @r{ d@: t W @: @: 17 @:newweek@:(d,w)}
35727 @r{ d@: t Y @: @: 17 @:newyear@:(d,n)}
35730 @r{ a b@: t + @: @: 2 @:badd@:(a,b)}
35731 @r{ a b@: t - @: @: 2 @:bsub@:(a,b)}
35734 @r{ @: u a @: @: 12 @:calc-autorange-units@:}
35735 @r{ a@: u b @: @: @:calc-base-units@:}
35736 @r{ a@: u c @:units @: 18 @:calc-convert-units@:}
35737 @r{ defn@: u d @:unit, descr @: @:calc-define-unit@:}
35738 @r{ @: u e @: @: @:calc-explain-units@:}
35739 @r{ @: u g @:unit @: @:calc-get-unit-definition@:}
35740 @r{ @: u p @: @: @:calc-permanent-units@:}
35741 @r{ a@: u r @: @: @:calc-remove-units@:}
35742 @r{ a@: u s @: @: @:usimplify@:(a)}
35743 @r{ a@: u t @:units @: 18 @:calc-convert-temperature@:}
35744 @r{ @: u u @:unit @: @:calc-undefine-unit@:}
35745 @r{ @: u v @: @: @:calc-enter-units-table@:}
35746 @r{ a@: u x @: @: @:calc-extract-units@:}
35747 @r{ a@: u 0-9 @: @: @:calc-quick-units@:}
35750 @r{ v1 v2@: u C @: @: 20 @:vcov@:(v1,v2)}
35751 @r{ v1 v2@: I u C @: @: 20 @:vpcov@:(v1,v2)}
35752 @r{ v1 v2@: H u C @: @: 20 @:vcorr@:(v1,v2)}
35753 @r{ v@: u G @: @: 19 @:vgmean@:(v)}
35754 @r{ a b@: H u G @: @: 2 @:agmean@:(a,b)}
35755 @r{ v@: u M @: @: 19 @:vmean@:(v)}
35756 @r{ v@: I u M @: @: 19 @:vmeane@:(v)}
35757 @r{ v@: H u M @: @: 19 @:vmedian@:(v)}
35758 @r{ v@: I H u M @: @: 19 @:vhmean@:(v)}
35759 @r{ v@: u N @: @: 19 @:vmin@:(v)}
35760 @r{ v@: u S @: @: 19 @:vsdev@:(v)}
35761 @r{ v@: I u S @: @: 19 @:vpsdev@:(v)}
35762 @r{ v@: H u S @: @: 19 @:vvar@:(v)}
35763 @r{ v@: I H u S @: @: 19 @:vpvar@:(v)}
35764 @r{ @: u V @: @: @:calc-view-units-table@:}
35765 @r{ v@: u X @: @: 19 @:vmax@:(v)}
35768 @r{ v@: u + @: @: 19 @:vsum@:(v)}
35769 @r{ v@: u * @: @: 19 @:vprod@:(v)}
35770 @r{ v@: u # @: @: 19 @:vcount@:(v)}
35773 @r{ @: V ( @: @: 50 @:calc-vector-parens@:}
35774 @r{ @: V @{ @: @: 50 @:calc-vector-braces@:}
35775 @r{ @: V [ @: @: 50 @:calc-vector-brackets@:}
35776 @r{ @: V ] @:ROCP @: 50 @:calc-matrix-brackets@:}
35777 @r{ @: V , @: @: 50 @:calc-vector-commas@:}
35778 @r{ @: V < @: @: 50 @:calc-matrix-left-justify@:}
35779 @r{ @: V = @: @: 50 @:calc-matrix-center-justify@:}
35780 @r{ @: V > @: @: 50 @:calc-matrix-right-justify@:}
35781 @r{ @: V / @: @: 12,50 @:calc-break-vectors@:}
35782 @r{ @: V . @: @: 12,50 @:calc-full-vectors@:}
35785 @r{ s t@: V ^ @: @: 2 @:vint@:(s,t)}
35786 @r{ s t@: V - @: @: 2 @:vdiff@:(s,t)}
35787 @r{ s@: V ~ @: @: 1 @:vcompl@:(s)}
35788 @r{ s@: V # @: @: 1 @:vcard@:(s)}
35789 @r{ s@: V : @: @: 1 @:vspan@:(s)}
35790 @r{ s@: V + @: @: 1 @:rdup@:(s)}
35793 @r{ m@: V & @: @: 1 @:inv@:(m) 1/m}
35796 @r{ v@: v a @:n @: @:arrange@:(v,n)}
35797 @r{ a@: v b @:n @: @:cvec@:(a,n)}
35798 @r{ v@: v c @:n >0 @: 21,31 @:mcol@:(v,n)}
35799 @r{ v@: v c @:n <0 @: 31 @:mrcol@:(v,-n)}
35800 @r{ m@: v c @:0 @: 31 @:getdiag@:(m)}
35801 @r{ v@: v d @: @: 25 @:diag@:(v,n)}
35802 @r{ v m@: v e @: @: 2 @:vexp@:(v,m)}
35803 @r{ v m f@: H v e @: @: 2 @:vexp@:(v,m,f)}
35804 @r{ v a@: v f @: @: 26 @:find@:(v,a,n)}
35805 @r{ v@: v h @: @: 1 @:head@:(v)}
35806 @r{ v@: I v h @: @: 1 @:tail@:(v)}
35807 @r{ v@: H v h @: @: 1 @:rhead@:(v)}
35808 @r{ v@: I H v h @: @: 1 @:rtail@:(v)}
35809 @r{ @: v i @:n @: 31 @:idn@:(1,n)}
35810 @r{ @: v i @:0 @: 31 @:idn@:(1)}
35811 @r{ h t@: v k @: @: 2 @:cons@:(h,t)}
35812 @r{ h t@: H v k @: @: 2 @:rcons@:(h,t)}
35813 @r{ v@: v l @: @: 1 @:vlen@:(v)}
35814 @r{ v@: H v l @: @: 1 @:mdims@:(v)}
35815 @r{ v m@: v m @: @: 2 @:vmask@:(v,m)}
35816 @r{ v@: v n @: @: 1 @:rnorm@:(v)}
35817 @r{ a b c@: v p @: @: 24 @:calc-pack@:}
35818 @r{ v@: v r @:n >0 @: 21,31 @:mrow@:(v,n)}
35819 @r{ v@: v r @:n <0 @: 31 @:mrrow@:(v,-n)}
35820 @r{ m@: v r @:0 @: 31 @:getdiag@:(m)}
35821 @r{ v i j@: v s @: @: @:subvec@:(v,i,j)}
35822 @r{ v i j@: I v s @: @: @:rsubvec@:(v,i,j)}
35823 @r{ m@: v t @: @: 1 @:trn@:(m)}
35824 @r{ v@: v u @: @: 24 @:calc-unpack@:}
35825 @r{ v@: v v @: @: 1 @:rev@:(v)}
35826 @r{ @: v x @:n @: 31 @:index@:(n)}
35827 @r{ n s i@: C-u v x @: @: @:index@:(n,s,i)}
35830 @r{ v@: V A @:op @: 22 @:apply@:(op,v)}
35831 @r{ v1 v2@: V C @: @: 2 @:cross@:(v1,v2)}
35832 @r{ m@: V D @: @: 1 @:det@:(m)}
35833 @r{ s@: V E @: @: 1 @:venum@:(s)}
35834 @r{ s@: V F @: @: 1 @:vfloor@:(s)}
35835 @r{ v@: V G @: @: @:grade@:(v)}
35836 @r{ v@: I V G @: @: @:rgrade@:(v)}
35837 @r{ v@: V H @:n @: 31 @:histogram@:(v,n)}
35838 @r{ v w@: H V H @:n @: 31 @:histogram@:(v,w,n)}
35839 @r{ v1 v2@: V I @:mop aop @: 22 @:inner@:(mop,aop,v1,v2)}
35840 @r{ m@: V J @: @: 1 @:ctrn@:(m)}
35841 @r{ m@: V L @: @: 1 @:lud@:(m)}
35842 @r{ v@: V M @:op @: 22,23 @:map@:(op,v)}
35843 @r{ v@: V N @: @: 1 @:cnorm@:(v)}
35844 @r{ v1 v2@: V O @:op @: 22 @:outer@:(op,v1,v2)}
35845 @r{ v@: V R @:op @: 22,23 @:reduce@:(op,v)}
35846 @r{ v@: I V R @:op @: 22,23 @:rreduce@:(op,v)}
35847 @r{ a n@: H V R @:op @: 22 @:nest@:(op,a,n)}
35848 @r{ a@: I H V R @:op @: 22 @:fixp@:(op,a)}
35849 @r{ v@: V S @: @: @:sort@:(v)}
35850 @r{ v@: I V S @: @: @:rsort@:(v)}
35851 @r{ m@: V T @: @: 1 @:tr@:(m)}
35852 @r{ v@: V U @:op @: 22 @:accum@:(op,v)}
35853 @r{ v@: I V U @:op @: 22 @:raccum@:(op,v)}
35854 @r{ a n@: H V U @:op @: 22 @:anest@:(op,a,n)}
35855 @r{ a@: I H V U @:op @: 22 @:afixp@:(op,a)}
35856 @r{ s t@: V V @: @: 2 @:vunion@:(s,t)}
35857 @r{ s t@: V X @: @: 2 @:vxor@:(s,t)}
35860 @r{ @: Y @: @: @:@:user commands}
35863 @r{ @: z @: @: @:@:user commands}
35866 @r{ c@: Z [ @: @: 45 @:calc-kbd-if@:}
35867 @r{ c@: Z | @: @: 45 @:calc-kbd-else-if@:}
35868 @r{ @: Z : @: @: @:calc-kbd-else@:}
35869 @r{ @: Z ] @: @: @:calc-kbd-end-if@:}
35872 @r{ @: Z @{ @: @: 4 @:calc-kbd-loop@:}
35873 @r{ c@: Z / @: @: 45 @:calc-kbd-break@:}
35874 @r{ @: Z @} @: @: @:calc-kbd-end-loop@:}
35875 @r{ n@: Z < @: @: @:calc-kbd-repeat@:}
35876 @r{ @: Z > @: @: @:calc-kbd-end-repeat@:}
35877 @r{ n m@: Z ( @: @: @:calc-kbd-for@:}
35878 @r{ s@: Z ) @: @: @:calc-kbd-end-for@:}
35881 @r{ @: Z C-g @: @: @:@:cancel if/loop command}
35884 @r{ @: Z ` @: @: @:calc-kbd-push@:}
35885 @r{ @: Z ' @: @: @:calc-kbd-pop@:}
35886 @r{ @: Z # @: @: @:calc-kbd-query@:}
35889 @r{ comp@: Z C @:func, args @: 50 @:calc-user-define-composition@:}
35890 @r{ @: Z D @:key, command @: @:calc-user-define@:}
35891 @r{ @: Z E @:key, editing @: 30 @:calc-user-define-edit@:}
35892 @r{ defn@: Z F @:k, c, f, a, n@: 28 @:calc-user-define-formula@:}
35893 @r{ @: Z G @:key @: @:calc-get-user-defn@:}
35894 @r{ @: Z I @: @: @:calc-user-define-invocation@:}
35895 @r{ @: Z K @:key, command @: @:calc-user-define-kbd-macro@:}
35896 @r{ @: Z P @:key @: @:calc-user-define-permanent@:}
35897 @r{ @: Z S @: @: 30 @:calc-edit-user-syntax@:}
35898 @r{ @: Z T @: @: 12 @:calc-timing@:}
35899 @r{ @: Z U @:key @: @:calc-user-undefine@:}
35909 Positive prefix arguments apply to @expr{n} stack entries.
35910 Negative prefix arguments apply to the @expr{-n}th stack entry.
35911 A prefix of zero applies to the entire stack. (For @key{LFD} and
35912 @kbd{M-@key{DEL}}, the meaning of the sign is reversed.)
35916 Positive prefix arguments apply to @expr{n} stack entries.
35917 Negative prefix arguments apply to the top stack entry
35918 and the next @expr{-n} stack entries.
35922 Positive prefix arguments rotate top @expr{n} stack entries by one.
35923 Negative prefix arguments rotate the entire stack by @expr{-n}.
35924 A prefix of zero reverses the entire stack.
35928 Prefix argument specifies a repeat count or distance.
35932 Positive prefix arguments specify a precision @expr{p}.
35933 Negative prefix arguments reduce the current precision by @expr{-p}.
35937 A prefix argument is interpreted as an additional step-size parameter.
35938 A plain @kbd{C-u} prefix means to prompt for the step size.
35942 A prefix argument specifies simplification level and depth.
35943 1=Default, 2=like @kbd{a s}, 3=like @kbd{a e}.
35947 A negative prefix operates only on the top level of the input formula.
35951 Positive prefix arguments specify a word size of @expr{w} bits, unsigned.
35952 Negative prefix arguments specify a word size of @expr{w} bits, signed.
35956 Prefix arguments specify the shift amount @expr{n}. The @expr{w} argument
35957 cannot be specified in the keyboard version of this command.
35961 From the keyboard, @expr{d} is omitted and defaults to zero.
35965 Mode is toggled; a positive prefix always sets the mode, and a negative
35966 prefix always clears the mode.
35970 Some prefix argument values provide special variations of the mode.
35974 A prefix argument, if any, is used for @expr{m} instead of taking
35975 @expr{m} from the stack. @expr{M} may take any of these values:
35977 {@advance@tableindent10pt
35981 Random integer in the interval @expr{[0 .. m)}.
35983 Random floating-point number in the interval @expr{[0 .. m)}.
35985 Gaussian with mean 1 and standard deviation 0.
35987 Gaussian with specified mean and standard deviation.
35989 Random integer or floating-point number in that interval.
35991 Random element from the vector.
35999 A prefix argument from 1 to 6 specifies number of date components
36000 to remove from the stack. @xref{Date Conversions}.
36004 A prefix argument specifies a time zone; @kbd{C-u} says to take the
36005 time zone number or name from the top of the stack. @xref{Time Zones}.
36009 A prefix argument specifies a day number (0-6, 0-31, or 0-366).
36013 If the input has no units, you will be prompted for both the old and
36018 With a prefix argument, collect that many stack entries to form the
36019 input data set. Each entry may be a single value or a vector of values.
36023 With a prefix argument of 1, take a single
36024 @texline @var{n}@math{\times2}
36025 @infoline @mathit{@var{N}x2}
36026 matrix from the stack instead of two separate data vectors.
36030 The row or column number @expr{n} may be given as a numeric prefix
36031 argument instead. A plain @kbd{C-u} prefix says to take @expr{n}
36032 from the top of the stack. If @expr{n} is a vector or interval,
36033 a subvector/submatrix of the input is created.
36037 The @expr{op} prompt can be answered with the key sequence for the
36038 desired function, or with @kbd{x} or @kbd{z} followed by a function name,
36039 or with @kbd{$} to take a formula from the top of the stack, or with
36040 @kbd{'} and a typed formula. In the last two cases, the formula may
36041 be a nameless function like @samp{<#1+#2>} or @samp{<x, y : x+y>}, or it
36042 may include @kbd{$}, @kbd{$$}, etc. (where @kbd{$} will correspond to the
36043 last argument of the created function), or otherwise you will be
36044 prompted for an argument list. The number of vectors popped from the
36045 stack by @kbd{V M} depends on the number of arguments of the function.
36049 One of the mapping direction keys @kbd{_} (horizontal, i.e., map
36050 by rows or reduce across), @kbd{:} (vertical, i.e., map by columns or
36051 reduce down), or @kbd{=} (map or reduce by rows) may be used before
36052 entering @expr{op}; these modify the function name by adding the letter
36053 @code{r} for ``rows,'' @code{c} for ``columns,'' @code{a} for ``across,''
36054 or @code{d} for ``down.''
36058 The prefix argument specifies a packing mode. A nonnegative mode
36059 is the number of items (for @kbd{v p}) or the number of levels
36060 (for @kbd{v u}). A negative mode is as described below. With no
36061 prefix argument, the mode is taken from the top of the stack and
36062 may be an integer or a vector of integers.
36064 {@advance@tableindent-20pt
36068 (@var{2}) Rectangular complex number.
36070 (@var{2}) Polar complex number.
36072 (@var{3}) HMS form.
36074 (@var{2}) Error form.
36076 (@var{2}) Modulo form.
36078 (@var{2}) Closed interval.
36080 (@var{2}) Closed .. open interval.
36082 (@var{2}) Open .. closed interval.
36084 (@var{2}) Open interval.
36086 (@var{2}) Fraction.
36088 (@var{2}) Float with integer mantissa.
36090 (@var{2}) Float with mantissa in @expr{[1 .. 10)}.
36092 (@var{1}) Date form (using date numbers).
36094 (@var{3}) Date form (using year, month, day).
36096 (@var{6}) Date form (using year, month, day, hour, minute, second).
36104 A prefix argument specifies the size @expr{n} of the matrix. With no
36105 prefix argument, @expr{n} is omitted and the size is inferred from
36110 The prefix argument specifies the starting position @expr{n} (default 1).
36114 Cursor position within stack buffer affects this command.
36118 Arguments are not actually removed from the stack by this command.
36122 Variable name may be a single digit or a full name.
36126 Editing occurs in a separate buffer. Press @kbd{C-c C-c} (or
36127 @key{LFD}, or in some cases @key{RET}) to finish the edit, or kill the
36128 buffer with @kbd{C-x k} to cancel the edit. The @key{LFD} key prevents evaluation
36129 of the result of the edit.
36133 The number prompted for can also be provided as a prefix argument.
36137 Press this key a second time to cancel the prefix.
36141 With a negative prefix, deactivate all formulas. With a positive
36142 prefix, deactivate and then reactivate from scratch.
36146 Default is to scan for nearest formula delimiter symbols. With a
36147 prefix of zero, formula is delimited by mark and point. With a
36148 non-zero prefix, formula is delimited by scanning forward or
36149 backward by that many lines.
36153 Parse the region between point and mark as a vector. A nonzero prefix
36154 parses @var{n} lines before or after point as a vector. A zero prefix
36155 parses the current line as a vector. A @kbd{C-u} prefix parses the
36156 region between point and mark as a single formula.
36160 Parse the rectangle defined by point and mark as a matrix. A positive
36161 prefix @var{n} divides the rectangle into columns of width @var{n}.
36162 A zero or @kbd{C-u} prefix parses each line as one formula. A negative
36163 prefix suppresses special treatment of bracketed portions of a line.
36167 A numeric prefix causes the current language mode to be ignored.
36171 Responding to a prompt with a blank line answers that and all
36172 later prompts by popping additional stack entries.
36176 Answer for @expr{v} may also be of the form @expr{v = v_0} or
36181 With a positive prefix argument, stack contains many @expr{y}'s and one
36182 common @expr{x}. With a zero prefix, stack contains a vector of
36183 @expr{y}s and a common @expr{x}. With a negative prefix, stack
36184 contains many @expr{[x,y]} vectors. (For 3D plots, substitute
36185 @expr{z} for @expr{y} and @expr{x,y} for @expr{x}.)
36189 With any prefix argument, all curves in the graph are deleted.
36193 With a positive prefix, refines an existing plot with more data points.
36194 With a negative prefix, forces recomputation of the plot data.
36198 With any prefix argument, set the default value instead of the
36199 value for this graph.
36203 With a negative prefix argument, set the value for the printer.
36207 Condition is considered ``true'' if it is a nonzero real or complex
36208 number, or a formula whose value is known to be nonzero; it is ``false''
36213 Several formulas separated by commas are pushed as multiple stack
36214 entries. Trailing @kbd{)}, @kbd{]}, @kbd{@}}, @kbd{>}, and @kbd{"}
36215 delimiters may be omitted. The notation @kbd{$$$} refers to the value
36216 in stack level three, and causes the formula to replace the top three
36217 stack levels. The notation @kbd{$3} refers to stack level three without
36218 causing that value to be removed from the stack. Use @key{LFD} in place
36219 of @key{RET} to prevent evaluation; use @kbd{M-=} in place of @key{RET}
36220 to evaluate variables.
36224 The variable is replaced by the formula shown on the right. The
36225 Inverse flag reverses the order of the operands, e.g., @kbd{I s - x}
36227 @texline @math{x \coloneq a-x}.
36228 @infoline @expr{x := a-x}.
36232 Press @kbd{?} repeatedly to see how to choose a model. Answer the
36233 variables prompt with @expr{iv} or @expr{iv;pv} to specify
36234 independent and parameter variables. A positive prefix argument
36235 takes @mathit{@var{n}+1} vectors from the stack; a zero prefix takes a matrix
36236 and a vector from the stack.
36240 With a plain @kbd{C-u} prefix, replace the current region of the
36241 destination buffer with the yanked text instead of inserting.
36245 All stack entries are reformatted; the @kbd{H} prefix inhibits this.
36246 The @kbd{I} prefix sets the mode temporarily, redraws the top stack
36247 entry, then restores the original setting of the mode.
36251 A negative prefix sets the default 3D resolution instead of the
36252 default 2D resolution.
36256 This grabs a vector of the form [@var{prec}, @var{wsize}, @var{ssize},
36257 @var{radix}, @var{flfmt}, @var{ang}, @var{frac}, @var{symb}, @var{polar},
36258 @var{matrix}, @var{simp}, @var{inf}]. A prefix argument from 1 to 12
36259 grabs the @var{n}th mode value only.
36263 (Space is provided below for you to keep your own written notes.)
36271 @node Key Index, Command Index, Summary, Top
36272 @unnumbered Index of Key Sequences
36276 @node Command Index, Function Index, Key Index, Top
36277 @unnumbered Index of Calculator Commands
36279 Since all Calculator commands begin with the prefix @samp{calc-}, the
36280 @kbd{x} key has been provided as a variant of @kbd{M-x} which automatically
36281 types @samp{calc-} for you. Thus, @kbd{x last-args} is short for
36282 @kbd{M-x calc-last-args}.
36286 @node Function Index, Concept Index, Command Index, Top
36287 @unnumbered Index of Algebraic Functions
36289 This is a list of built-in functions and operators usable in algebraic
36290 expressions. Their full Lisp names are derived by adding the prefix
36291 @samp{calcFunc-}, as in @code{calcFunc-sqrt}.
36293 All functions except those noted with ``*'' have corresponding
36294 Calc keystrokes and can also be found in the Calc Summary.
36299 @node Concept Index, Variable Index, Function Index, Top
36300 @unnumbered Concept Index
36304 @node Variable Index, Lisp Function Index, Concept Index, Top
36305 @unnumbered Index of Variables
36307 The variables in this list that do not contain dashes are accessible
36308 as Calc variables. Add a @samp{var-} prefix to get the name of the
36309 corresponding Lisp variable.
36311 The remaining variables are Lisp variables suitable for @code{setq}ing
36312 in your Calc init file or @file{.emacs} file.
36316 @node Lisp Function Index, , Variable Index, Top
36317 @unnumbered Index of Lisp Math Functions
36319 The following functions are meant to be used with @code{defmath}, not
36320 @code{defun} definitions. For names that do not start with @samp{calc-},
36321 the corresponding full Lisp name is derived by adding a prefix of
36335 arch-tag: 77a71809-fa4d-40be-b2cc-da3e8fb137c0