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What is a reverse polish notation calculator?

Do you know what a “reverse polish notation” calculator is?

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Answer #1

RPN calculators require the operator to enter formulae in postfix notation. More common algebraic calculators use infix notation.

With postfix notation the operator is entered after the operands.

With infix notation the operator is entered between the operands.

infix: “2 + 3 =”

postfix: “2 enter 3 +”

One of the advantages of postfix is that it removes the need for parentheses making entry of large formulae faster and less mistake prone.

While RPN seems awkward at first it is very quickly learned and once learned most people strongly prefer it. HP was famous for producing powerful RPN calculators that were prefered by many scientists and engineers.

My HP48 calculator helped me a great deal in my math classes. I don’t think HP even makes RPN calculators any more.

Answer #2

Wow I learned something there. . . Thanks Filletofspam.

Answer #3

It writes numbers backwards? I don’t know…

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