Switch HP 20b to Chain Mode

To switch the HP20b calculator in Algebraic mode press [Shift][Mode]. Press [Up Arrow] or [Down Arrow] repeatedly to scroll through the menu till you see "Algebraic" or "RPN" item is displayed, press[INPUT] key to cycle through till you see "Chain". To exit the Mode menu, press [ON/CE] key once.

Calculations in Chain mode are interpreted in the order in which they are entered.  For example, enter the following numbers and operations as written from left to right: 1+2*3. If you press an operator key, +-*/, after =, the calculation is continued using the currently displayed value. So in Chain mode, 1+2*3 = 9.

In Chain mode, if you wish to override the left to right order of entry, use parentheses () to prioritize operations.  For example, to calculate 1+ (2 x 3), you may enter the problem as written from left to right, with parentheses to prioritize the multiplication operation.  Press [=] the answer of 7.0 will be displayed.

HP 20b *New » HP20B Keyboard: 5. Switch between RPN and Algebraic ·

HP 20b Keyboard & Display Reference » HP 20 b Switch to Algebraic Mode · HP 20 b Switch to RPN Mode ·