Calculators Troubleshooting HP50G Syntax Errors for MSOLV

AI Thread Summary
The HP50G calculator is experiencing syntax errors when attempting to solve simultaneous equations using the MSOLV command. The correct command is actually MSLV, which requires a specific syntax format. The proper usage includes enclosing the list of equations in square brackets, separating them with commas, and specifying the list of variables and initial values. For example, the correct syntax is MSLV('[equation1, equation2]', '[variables]', '[initial values]'). Additionally, users can adjust settings to display answers as fractions instead of decimals by changing the mode in the calculator's settings. There are also methods to convert decimals to fractions using specific key combinations. Some users express frustration with the HP50G's complexity compared to other calculators like the TI-89, which they find more user-friendly.
Clutch Cargo
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I recently purchased an HP50G as I caught my TI-89 giving me incorrect results when solving simultaneous equations. However I can't get the 50G to do anything but tell me invalid syntax. I am using MSOLV as follows:

MSOLV('[x/60+x/15+(x-y)/5-15=0][y/2+(y-x)/5+5=0][x,y]

This is the syntax copied straight out of the users guide. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?
 
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Clutch Cargo said:
I recently purchased an HP50G as I caught my TI-89 giving me incorrect results when solving simultaneous equations. However I can't get the 50G to do anything but tell me invalid syntax. I am using MSOLV as follows:

MSOLV('[x/60+x/15+(x-y)/5-15=0][y/2+(y-x)/5+5=0][x,y]

This is the syntax copied straight out of the users guide. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?

Looks like you may need a set of square brackets inclosing the entire matrix.

Is the HP able to correctly close the opening paren and tick mark?
 
I've tried that along with apostrophes before and after the square brackets as shown in the HP users guide. You have heard of Moore's law, well there is also a Mathieson Law that I came up with years ago: it states that user friendliness is inversly proportional to functionality. The HP50G proves that point.,
 
Clutch Cargo said:
I recently purchased an HP50G as I caught my TI-89 giving me incorrect results when solving simultaneous equations.

I wonder, was it the machine's fault, or operator error? In the end, a calculator is only as smart as the person using it. What simultaneous equations were you trying to solve?
 
Hmm... My user's guide lists a different syntax. Try

MSOLV('[x/60+x/15+(x-y)/5-15=0 , y/2+(y-x)/5+5=0]' , '[x,y]', '[0,0]')

I get 60,10
 
I am much happier with my TI-89 Titanium. I should put my HP on e-bay.

Besides, there are a number of good programs written for the 89.
 
For the HP 50

1. How can I get answers displayed as fractions rather than decimal ?

2. How can I convert decimals to fractions
 
pfinch said:
For the HP 50

1. How can I get answers displayed as fractions rather than decimal ?

2. How can I convert decimals to fractions


1. Go to MODE, then CAS, then uncheck APPROX. This will make the calc output exact fractions, rather than decimal approximations.

Personally, I keep my calc in this mode and use RSHIFT ENTER to convert from fraction to decimal as needed.

2. LSHIFT 6 (convert), then choose REWRITE, then ->Q to convert from decimal to fraction.
 
Some help please.
I'm writing a units application and I want to convert cubic meters /day into millions of cubic meters a gear. The first one is easy '1_m^3/d' but when I try '1_Mm^3/yr' it gets interpreted as 'million meters cubed per year.
I've tried putting brackets i.e. '1_M(m^3)/yr' and '1_M(m^3/yr)' but this results in nonsence.
I seem to remember reading about how to solve this problem in my old HP48sx manual, but I have long since lost that!
Has anybody got a solution?
Adrian
 
  • #10
Clutch Cargo said:
I recently purchased an HP50G as I caught my TI-89 giving me incorrect results when solving simultaneous equations. However I can't get the 50G to do anything but tell me invalid syntax. I am using MSOLV as follows:

MSOLV('[x/60+x/15+(x-y)/5-15=0][y/2+(y-x)/5+5=0][x,y]

This is the syntax copied straight out of the users guide. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?

There is not an MSOLV command; there _IS_ an MSLV command. The syntax is:

MSLV( '[x/60+x/15+(x-y)/5-15=0, y/2+(y-x)/5+5=0]' , '[x,y]' , [0,0] )

There are three arguments: '[ list of equations ]' , '[ list of variables ]' , [ list of initial values ]

I hope that is what you needed.

Han
 
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