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From: Dan_Ciarniello@cc.sfu.ca
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: COMB(X,Y) function on 48sx
Message-ID: <3238343@cc.sfu.ca>
Date: 22 Jun 91 16:32:12 GMT
Article-I.D.: cc.3238343
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Return-path: <Dan_Ciarniello@cc.sfu.ca>
To: handhelds@gac.edu

>Does anyone know as to why the 48sx does not like negatives
>in the COMB function.  They should be valid.
>
>eg. COMB(-8,4) should return (-8)(-9)(-10)(-11)/(4!) = 330.
>
>It isn't like HP to screw up on important functions like this.
>Or, then again, is it...Hmmm :^).
>
>
>--Dave.
 
HP didn't screw up on this function.  COMB(x,y) returns the number of 
possible combinations of x distinct objects taken y at a time.  In 
this context negative numbers make no sense (how many objects are 
-8).
 
Also, the factorial function is defined only for the positive integers
(including 0).  It is not defined for the negative integers.  The gamma
function *is* defined for negative numbers but it is undefined for the 
negative integers (the 48 gives an Infinite Result error).
 
Dan Ciarniello
Physics Department
Capilano College
North Vancouver, B. C.