Item Count (N-Count)
This feature counts the number of items in a
column of figures or the number of lines
calculated on an invoice. The Ultimate has
intelligent item count, meaning the calculator
knows the difference between correcting an
error or an intentional addition of a negative
figure. If one were to add, 1, 2, 3 and determine
after entry of 3 and depression of the + key
that 3 should have been 4, the operator would
simply touch minus which takes out the 3.
The operator could then enter 4, press plus
and then total. The total is 7. The item count
is 3. Certain calculators have attempted to
provide intelligent item count. They may have
a selection n+/- for example. This is not an
intelligent item count. It increments the count
for positive entries and decrements the count
for negative entries. It is easy to see that this
count does not reflect the actual numbers of
entries legitimately made.
Automatic Averaging
From the discussion of Item count above,
automatic averaging provides the ability to
divide the total by the number of items to
determine the average for the items. This
feature is of little use, if as described above
the item count is apt to be incorrect. Intelligent
Item count for the Ultimate makes automatic
averaging worry free.
Underflow
Underflow is a feature designed to assist the
operator in obtaining the most significant result.
If the decimal selector was set at 6 for example
and the number of whole digits (on a 12 digit
display) was 8, the decimal point would be
shifted to show 8 whole digits and only 4
decimal places in the answer. If a unit were not
equipped with this feature, an error would be
created and the operator would have to move
the decimal selector to accommodate the result.
Reverse Underflow
Very few calculators have reverse underflow.
The 7100 series, Classic, Pro and Ultimate are
the exceptions. Reverse underflow means that if
the result of a calculation would yield zero, when
displayed at the current decimal setting, the
decimal point will shift to the left to show the
most significant decimal amount. For example,
if the decimal selector were set at 2 and one
attempted to divide 2 by 625, the answer would
(for most calculators) be zero. For the Ultimate
the decimal shifts to the left automatically so the
actual result 0.0032 can be displayed.
Extended Capacity
The Ultimate also features Extended Capacity.
Rather than deliver an error when the answer
exceeds the capacity of the calculator, the
Ultimate presents the answer in scientific
notation. The calculation capacity of the
Ultimate is 24 digits even though the capacity
of the calculator is 12 digits.
Automatic Clearance, Overflow/Error
There are times when Error and Overflow
conditions are created. Dividing by zero for
example creates an error as it is mathematically
undefined. The Ultimate automatically clears
these conditions when encountered. Most
calculators force the operator to clear such
conditions before proceeding. Again, more
manual and mental effort in such calculators.
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Monro-Manual-1-50 1/26/10 6:08 PM Page 141
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