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From: HUBER@gacvx1.gac.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Derivatives with Units
Message-ID: <76FB00858000005B@gacvx1.gac.edu>
Date: 13 Jan 91 21:51:00 GMT
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I want to evaluate derivatives of two numbers which have units, however the
HP-48 chokes on some of the intermediate calculations because it plugs in the
units before eliminating terms which have multiplication by zero.  
 
For example,
if the variables X and T are NOT define, then
when I evaluate 
'X/T' 'T' \136 (where \136 is the deriviative operator)
it correctly evaluates to 
-(X/T^2) with symbolic mode ON.
 
It will also calculate correctly if X & T are defined without units 
(for example, for X=2 and T=3 it evaluates to -0.22222)
 
However, if the variables X and T are defined as
X = 2_m
T = 3_s
Then when I evaluate 
'X/T'
'T' \136 (where \136 is the derivative operator)
it comes up with "- Error : Inconsistant Units".
Apparently, it evaluates d/dT (X/T) as (T*(dX/dT) - X*(dT/dT))/T^2
and thus the two terms T*0 and X*1 will have different units.  This happens
with both SYM mode on or off.
 
In a program, is there any way (in general) to have the '48 reduce an 
expression algebraically BEFORE it plugs in the values?  
Thanks!
        Tom Huber,   Physics Department 
        Gustavus Adolphus College,   St. Peter, MN  56082
        Bitnet: HUBER@GACVAX1   Internet: HUBER@GAC.EDU  (507)933-7036