To switch the HP 20b calculator in (Hierarchical) Algebraic mode press [Shift][Mode]. Press [Up Arrow] or [Down Arrow] repeatedly to scroll through the menu till you see " Chain" or " RPN" item is displayed, press [INPUT] key to cycle through till you see “Algebraic”. To exit the Mode menu, press [ON/CE] key once. In (Hierarchical) Algebraic mode, multiplication and division have a higher priority than addition and subtraction. For example, in (Hierarchical) “Algebraic” mode, pressing 1+2*3 returns a result of 7.

To switch the HP20b calculator in RPN mode press [Shift][Mode]. Press [Up Arrow] or [Down Arrow] repeatedly to scrollthrough the menu till you see " Chain" or " Algebraic" item is displayed, press[INPUT] key to cycle through till you see “RPN”. To exit the Mode menu, press [ON/CE] key once. RPN is short for Reverse Polish Notation. In RPN mode, numbers are entered first, separated by pressing [INPUT], followed by an operation key.

Change Decimal Places for HP 20b to Display The Mode menu allows you to customize the calculator. To access the Mode menu, press [Shift][MODE]. Press [Up Arrow] or [Down Arrow] repeatedly to scroll through the menu starting with FIX=2 (the number of digits displayed to the right of the decimal point). The current number of digits displayed to the right of the decimal point. Default is 2. Key in the number of digits you want and press the [INPUT] key, or press [ = ] key until the number of digits you want is displayed.

HP 20b uses a new ‘soft touch & feel’ keyboard technology. Keyboard and Display: Time Value of Money keys. Cash Flows, IRR, and NPV menus. Data and Statistics menus. Large Input key. Memory key (shift). Up/Insert and Down/Delete keys. Shift key. On/Off key. Mathematical functions (Divide, Multiply, Minus, Plus Keys). Math Menu (shift). Backspace key and Reset menu (shift). Break-even menu. Recall key and Store key (shift). % key and Percent Calculation menu (shift).

Shifted Function Mathematical Operations [Shift][EEX] Keys in numbers with explicit powers of 10. [Shift][SIN] Calculates sine. [Shift][COS] Calculates cosine. [Shift][TAN] Calculates tangent. [Shift][LN] Natural log. [Shift][ex] Calculates natural exponent to the power of x. [Shift][x2] Returns square of x. [Shift][sqrt] Calculates square root. [Shift][RAND] Executes the Random function. Returns a random number in the range 0 < x <1. [Shift][ ! ] Calculates factorial of x(where 0 ≤ x≤ 253).

There are additional one-number functions available in the Math menu. To open the Math menu, press [Shift] [Math]. Press [Down Arrow] key to scroll through the menu items, starting with Trigonometry. The Trigonometry, Hyperbolic, and Probability items have sub-menus. Press [INPUT] key with an item displayed to access the functions within the sub menus. To exit the Mode menu, press the [ON/CE] key once.

The Mode menu allows you to customize the calculator. To access the Mode menu, press [Shift][Mode]. Press [Up Arrow] or [Down Arrow] repeatedly to scroll through the menu starting with FIX=2 (the number of digits displayed to the right of the decimal point). Once an item is displayed, press [INPUT] key to cycle through the other options for that setting. To exit the Mode menu, press [ON/CE] key once. Chain, Algebraic, or RPN operation mode.

Amortization or amortisation is the process of decreasing or accounting for an amount over a period of time. It is the allocation of a lump sum amount to different time periods,particularly for loans and other forms of finance, including related interest or other finance charges. The Amortization menu calculations are based on values stored in thefollowing TVM keys: [N], [I/YR], [PV], [PMT] and [P/YR]. To entercurrent data for the TVM keys, enter a number followed by the key forthe required item.