HP 12C When I calculate for "N", my answer is always rounded up, can this be adjusted?

hp12c
7 years old
manual is free to read

on page 83 is your answer
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/277109/Hp-12c.html?page=83#manual


omg i read your manual for you,....

There is no contrast adjustment possible with the 12c. Most of the time, faint displays are due to weak batteries or poor contact with the battery or batteries.

The 12C is more expensive and more powerful than the BAII+Pro. The HP is also programmable, which the TI isn't. Starting from scratch (assuming you've never used a calculator before---a somewhat unreasonable assumption) the TI might be easier to learn, at least initially. But after a certain point, the HP will leave the TI behind. The HP is faster and more capable.

There are at least three different versions of the 12C available. There's the original 12C, the 12C Platinum, and the current 12C. The only way to tell the difference between the two non-Platinums is to look at the battery compartment---the original uses three button cells while the newer uses two coin cells. The newer one is MUCH faster. The Platinum, however, can use RPN or algebraic.

Unless your choice is limited to the 12C or the BAII (by the requirement of an exam, perhaps), you might want to look at the HP 20B and the HP 30B. Programmability aside, they're even more powerful and easier to use and faster than the 12C, and the 30B is also programmable.

There are other considerations, of course. Factors such as the feel of the keyboard, the 12C's landscape orientation as opposed to the others' portrait orientation, etc, are all matters of personal preference.

Disclaimer: I own multiple HP and multiple TI calculators. I tend to use HP calculators for calculating, while I use TI calculators to answer questions here at FixYa.

I assume you're not talking about an HP 12C but a TI calculator of some type.

You can always recreate a list. For example, to create L1, press 2ND { 0 STO> 2ND L1 ENTER

Most likely it's the process not the calculator that is failing. But there are so many things that could be shifting your results...

Are you rounding your values to two decimal places as you go? Because with accounting of very large numbers you need to not round until you get your final answer. The .001 cents lost each time you round a subtotal adds up and in the case of several millions of dollars can cause a few hundred dollar discrepancy.

Also, if you're calculating accrued interest make sure that you are compounding it correctly. Amounts compounded continuously will give you a dramatically different amount than interest compounded monthly or annually.

Finally, if you are using the memory function on the calculator make sure that you are pulling that value in correctly.

Check this HP FAQ:
Setting a Fixed Decimal Place You can download the manual and user guides for your calculator from here:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manualCategory?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=81575&lang=en&

For more information, Faqs & how-Tosgo the HP support homepage for your calculator:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=81575&

Introduction This document describes how to set the desired number of decimal places on the HP 12c calculator in standard format. It also covers how to enter a number in scientific notation. Instructions for standard format

1. Press and release .
2. Press the number key for the desired number of decimal places to be displayed to the right of the decimal point (0 through 9). The calculator displays a maximum of 10 digits.

The display will show the specified number of decimal places. The answer will be rounded to the number of digits selected. Example (standard format) If the number in the display is 14.87456320, the display will be changed as follows: Keystroke Display 14.8746 14.9 15 14.87456320 Instructions for scientific notation Use scientific notation for very large or very small numbers. Type in the mantissa. After pressing, the next numbers keyed in are exponents of 10. Press . If during an operation a result has more than 10 digits, the calculator automatically displays the number in scientific notation

Introduction This document describes how to set the desired number of decimal places on the HP 12c calculator in standard format. It also covers how to enter a number in scientific notation. Instructions for standard format

1. Press and release .
2. Press the number key for the desired number of decimal places to be displayed to the right of the decimal point (0 through 9). The calculator displays a maximum of 10 digits.

The display will show the specified number of decimal places. The answer will be rounded to the number of digits selected. Example (standard format) If the number in the display is 14.87456320, the display will be changed as follows: Keystroke Display 14.8746 14.9 15 14.87456320 Instructions for scientific notation Use scientific notation for very large or very small numbers. Type in the mantissa. After pressing, the next numbers keyed in are exponents of 10. Press . If during an operation a result has more than 10 digits, the calculator automatically displays the number in scientific notation

I couldn't find any reference to a HP calculator model 12p.
There is a HP 12c financial calculator and a 12c Platinum financial calculator.
Check both models (for images, specifications, functions, user guides, etc.) :
HP 12c Financial Calculator
HP 12c Platinum Financial Calculator

Hello,
Here is the self-test procedure for your calculator. If it does not answer as it should, it may need service. Sorry, I resized the picture but FixYa refuses the new dimensions. Hope it helps.

I found this solution on the HP website. Turn it on, and do what it says. Then turn it off and back on again, and the extra decimal places should show.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?dlc=en&lc=en&cc=us&docname=bpia5183 Introduction This document describes how to set the desired number of decimal places on the HP 12C Calculator in standard format and in scientific notation. Instructions for standard format

1. Press and release the gold PREFIX key (f).
2. Press the number key for the desired number of decimal places (0 through 9).

The display will show the specified number of decimal places. The answer will be rounded to the number of digits selected.

I'm doing this from memory because my 12c is at home, but I believe that there is a "fix" key. You need to enter shift-fix-2 (this will set the decimal places to 2).
Dan