Retro Review: HP 40gs
Quick Facts
Model: HP 40gs
Company: Hewlett Packard
Years: 2006-2010s
Type: Graphing
Batteries: 4 x AAA plus backup batter CR2032
Operating Mode: Algebraic
Memory Registers: 27 real variables (A - Z, Θ); and 10 of Lists (L#), Statistics (C#), Complex Numbers (Z#), Matrices (M#), Graphic Objects (G#)
Original Price: about $100.00
Memory: 256 KB RAM and 2 MB Flash
Other Features
* Numerical calculus: integral and derivative
* Floor, ceiling, fraction, integer, mantissa, exponent parts
* Complex numbers
* Polynomial calculations and roots
* Matrices and lists
* Conversions and library of scientific constants
A great feature is the HELPWITH command, as called with the keystrokes [ SHIFT ] [ 2 ] (SYNTAX).
Keyboard
The keys are pretty responsive. The keyboard is a beautiful dark gray with light gray and black keys. The knocks: first, the alpha characters are in gold, which the font does not contrast well the background. Another thing I do not like is the alpha characters are placed below keys. For example: [ VARS ] has the character A, [ SIN ] has the character E.
Another challenge is that the double quotes and single quotes are not available directly from the keyboard, and must be accessed through the CHARS menu. In regular calculation, this may not make much of a difference, but in programming, it makes a big difference when it comes to messages and prompts. The alpha-lock is regulated to a soft key.
Equation Writer and CAS
The HP 40gs has two ways to operate computer algebra system commands:
* From Home, use of the symbolic variables which takes the form of S# (S1, S2, S3, etc).
* Equation writer, which is selected by the (CAS) soft key. In the equation writer, you can build and simplify equations. The equation writer can use any variable, and is similar to the HP 48S and 48G family (including the HP 50g).
Aplets
Aplets are the HP 40gs' applications which includes:
* Finance: Time Value of Money and Amortization Table
* Function: Plot up to ten functions, F#(X) where # 0-9
* Inference: Hypothesis tests
* Linear Solver: Solve 2 x 2 or 3 x 3 linear systems
* Parametric: Plot up to ten parametric pairs, X#(T), Y#(T)
* Polar: Plot up to ten polar equations, R#(Θ)
* Quad Explorer: Dynamic graphing, y = a*(x+h)^2 + v
* Sequences: Plot up to ten sequences, U#(N), with one or two initial conditions
* Solve: Store up to ten equations, solve for any one at a time
* Statistics: Statistics for 1 or 2 variables. In 2 variable statistics, 8 regressions plus a user-defined
* StreamSmart: Data streamer device which collects data, stream it, and analyze data
* Triangle Solve: Solves for right triangles and regular triangles
* Trig Explorer: Dynamic graphing: f = sin(x ± n*π) and f = cos(x ± n*π)
Aplets can be modified and copied.
Programming
The program language of the HP 40gs is the same as the HP 38G/39G series. Each line, except for the last line, must end with a colon (:). Arguments are separated with a semicolon (;).
The learning curve of the programming language is little complex, especially when it comes to setting views and customizing aplets. Thankfully the user guide is thorough, so make sure you have the book or the pdf download, which you can access here:
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00748685.pdf
Two Sample Programs
HP 40gs Program RANDLIST
Generate a list of random numbers of length N.
INPUT N; "LIST LENGTH"; "N:"; ""; 5:
MAKELIST(RANDOM,X,1,N,1)▶L0:
ΣLIST(L0)▶S:
S/N▶A:
-10 ▶Xmin:
10 ▶Xmax:
-10 ▶Ymin:
10 ▶Ymax:
ERASE:
DISPXY -6; 4; 2; "Σ:":
DISPXY 0; 4; 2; S:
DISPXY -6; 1; 2; "μ:":
DISPXY 0; 1; 2; A:
DISPXY -6; -2; 2; "n:":
DISPXY 0; -2; 2; N:
FREEZE:
HP 40gs Program PLOTPX
Asks for A, B, and C in a quadratic equation and stores it to the Function F0(X)
DISP 1; "2022-08-15 EWS":
DISP 2; "y=Ax^2+Bx+C":
FREEZE:
SELECT Function:
INPUT A; ""; "A"; ""; 1:
INPUT B; ""; "B"; ""; 1:
INPUT C; ""; "C"; ""; 1:
'A*X^2+B*X+C' ▶ F1(X)
CHECK 1:
MSGBOX "PRESS PLOT"
Note: This language is similar to the later HP Prime, which most line ending with a semicolon.
A Predecessor to the HP Prime? Final Thoughts
A lot of the features and structure of the HP 40gs would be present in the HP Prime: among other things, a solver, program that can select aplets (apps) and set custom views but most of all, a separate CAS mode.
The HP 40gs is a nice calculator with a ton of features. I think the HP 40gs was rarely available in the United States because of the CAS mode, because like the HP 39gs, the 40gs is aimed towards the education market. The key contrast could be better and adding the quotes to the keyboard would be nice.
Eddie
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