HP 48G - Page 5

ual keys. The machine therefore uses 3 shift keysto
alter the meanings of many keys: (&), () and ().
The purple (&) key changes most keys’ functions to
those labelled in purple above the keys; likewise for
the () key and the green labels.
(o) transforms the keys to the alpha keyboard, which
offers access to alphabetic characters and other sym-
bols (some appearing at the lower right of the keys).*
Any two of the three shifts may be in effect at any time,
except (9Hp), thus extending the keyboard’s func-
tional range nearly six-fold. Note that when any shift
isin effect, its symbol appears inthe annunciatorarea
atthe top of the display, which gives many such status
signals (e.g. X means “calculation in progress”).
Note also that a shifted mode usually lasts only one
keystroke (e.g. you may press(&)or (), then just one
other key before that shift mode ends)—unless you
hold the shift key down. But pressing will lock on
alpha mode; it then takes a third (o) to unlock it.
Editing an Object Already on the Stack
To alter an object that is already entered on the stack
(level 1), just press (q]EDIT—without starting a com-
mand line first. This sends the level 1 object to the
command line for modification—which you then do
exactly as if you had just now keyed it all in. After
making the changes you want, press to place
the edited version back at stack level 1. If you botch
the editing process and would prefer to restore the
original level 1 object, ((CANCEL)) aborts the edit.
Altering the Stack—the Common Commands
exchanges objects on stack levels 1 and 2.**
erases the object on level 1 and drops all re-
maining objects down a level.**
clears the stack of all objects.**
When the command line is clear, does a [OUP
command—duplicating the level 1 stack object onto
level 2 (and pushing everything else up a level).
*See page 11 for more about the various characters and how to type
them. Note also the reference keyboard on the front cover ofthis book.
“*To save keystrokes with this command, the (&) key is unnecessary if
the command line is clear (i.e. if (), («) and are inapplicable).
The Command Line and the Stack 3