HP HP-20S - Page 47

When you switch to a new base:
® The number in the display is converted to the new mode.
® When you switch from decimal to another base, the integer part of
the number is displayed in the new base. Internally, the 12-digit
representation of the decimal number is preserved. When you
switch back to decimal base, the full decimal number is displayed
in the current display format. Numbers are truncated to integers in-
ternally only when they are used in an arithmetic operation in
hexadecimal, octal, or binary base.
B Hexadecimal, octal, and binary numbers are right-justified in the
display—that is, they are displayed as far to the right as possible.
B In Octal and Binary modes: certain keys are inactive. For example,
8 and 9 do not function in Octal mode; 2 through 9 do not function
in Binary mode. If you press an inactive key, the base annunciator
will blink.
B In Hexadecimal mode: The top-row keys become the hexadecimal
digits A through F.
B In Binary mode: If the binary number is longer than eight bits, the
right-most (least significant) eight bits are shown, and a window
number appears at the left of the display.
Window number ap- Least significant 8 dig-
pears if number has / its of binary number.
more than 8 digits. 0 11111011
Press (-] to view the other eight-bit segments.
The binary number 101101101111110110111100010111010111 looks
like this in the windows:
4 1011 3 01101111 2 11011011 1 11000101 O 11010111
! } t f f
Window Numbers
4: Base Conversions and Base Arithmetic 45