Retro Review: Hot Rod Calculator

 Retro Review:   Hot Rod Calculator

Quick Facts:

Model:  8703, Hot Rod Calc

Company:  Mr. Gasket Co/Calculated Industries

Years of Production: 2009 - 2020*

Memory Registers:  1

Batteries:  2 LR-44

Operating System:  Chain

Display:  8 digits, unit indicators 

New Price: $80 retail; can be found on sale or clearance

* I can no longer find the Hot Rod calculator as a new calculator on the Calculated Industries website.  However, the Hot Rod app for both iOS and Android.  

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

The Hot Rod Calc is a specialty calculator that emphasizes on automotive mathematics, with solvers and applications including:  

*  Air Temperature, Relative Humidity (Moisture), Elevation

*  Vehicle Weight, Elapsed Time (1/4 mile traveled in seconds), MPH

*  Bore, Stroke, RPM, Torque, Engine Displacement

*  Tire Ratio, Gear Ratio

*  Engine Volumetric Efficiency

*  Carburetor Size

*  Vehicle Weight, Horsepower, Elapsed Time

*  Conversions including length, area, volume, temperature, mass, velocity (speed)

You can download a PDF version of the manual here: 

https://documents.holley.com/mr_gasket_instructions_hot_rod_calculator_8703.pdf

The manual has several reference tables:

*  Drag Coefficients depending on the automobile type

*  Holley Jet Chart

*  Jet Orifice Area Conversation Chart

Keyboard

The calculator comes in a bright red Armadillo Gear case.   The keys are bright and colorful, with most of them sporting a warm color palette (red, orange).  The keys are responsive, but have a rubber feel to them.  I believe the keys are made to handle dirt and oils given the target audience of the Hot Rod Calc.

The case has a quick reference guide.

Example Calculations

The calculator is set to U.S. units (default)

Example 1:

Calculate Air Temperature given:

Elevation:  1,284 ft

Air Pressure:  30.12 inHg

Humidity:  33%

1284 [ Elev/ADI ]

33 [ Moisture ]

30.12 [ Conv ] [Air Temp] (Pressure)

[Air Temp],  Result:  55.4211 °F

Example 2:

Find the weight of a vehicle given:

It's horsepower:  426 HP

It's elapsed time:  9.73 sec to run 1/4 mi

426 [ HP ]

9.73 [ ET ]

[ Vehicle Wt ],  Result:  1999.7337 lb

Example 3:

Find the speed, in miles per hour, for an automobile traveling with the following specifications:

1st Gear:  3.26

Final Drive Gear: 3.03

RPM: 5800 (revolutions per minute)

Diameter of the tires: 26 inches

3.26 [ × ] 3.03 [ Gear Ratio ]

5800 [ RPM ]

26 [ Conv ] [ Gear Ratio ] (New Tire Dia)

[ MPH ],  Result:  45.417902  mph

Verdict

If you are into racing, hot rods, and automobiles, and you need a quick mathematics tool, the Hot Rod calculator is worth the investment.  Its user manual is a well written.  Now may be the best time to purchase one before the calculator becomes a rare item.  

Eddie

All original content copyright, © 2011-2021.  Edward Shore.   Unauthorized use and/or unauthorized distribution for commercial purposes without express and written permission from the author is strictly prohibited.  This blog entry may be distributed for noncommercial purposes, provided that full credit is given to the author. 

Setting up Equations for Integration/Solve - HP 15C

Setting up equations for the integration and solve functions for the HP 15C. Since the release of the HP 15C Limited Edition, the processing speed has increased.

The most important thing to remember is that the equation starts with "x" on the x-register of the stack.

With integration, "x" is the variable to be integrated.

With the solve function, "x" is the variable to be solved for.

Depending on the equation, in general, you will need to duplicate "x" with [ENTER] as many times as "x" appears in the equation. Algebraic manipulation of the equation can be helpful. A technique known as Horner's Method can be used for polynomials. It also helps to handle the innermost expressions first, working outside.

I often straw a stack diagram:

ST X, ST Y, ST Z, ST T

Several things to remember:

Most two-argument functions (arithmetic, power, combination, permutation, etc):

ST T retains what was in ST T
ST Z copies the contents of ST T
ST Y the contents of ST Z moves here
ST X result of the function

Pressing ENTER, recalling from a memory register, or entering π

ST T the contents of ST Z moves here
ST Z the contents of ST Y moves here
ST Y the contents of ST X moves here
ST X the number just entered or recalled


Horner's Method

Let the polynomial p(x) = a_n * x^n + a_n-1 * x^(n-1) + ... + a1 * x + a0

Applying Horner's Method to p(x):

( ... (a_n * x + a_n-1) * x + a_n-2) * x + a_n-3) ... + a1 ) * x + a0

Functions

Integration: [ f ] [ x ] label

Solve: [ f ] [ ÷ ] label


This blog provides examples of integration, but ideas can be taken from the examples for use in solving equations.

Examples are in the format of:

b
∫ f(x) dx
a

All results shown here are rounded to 4 decimal places (FIX 4).

Example 1:

5
∫ x^2 * cos x dx
1

KEY		ST X	ST Y	ST Z	ST T
LBL 1		x	-	-	-
ENTER		x	x	-	-
COS		cos(x)	x	-	-
x<>y		x	cos(x)	-	-
x^2		x^2	cos(x)	-	-
×		f(x)	-	-	-

Result: -19.4578


Example 2:

π
∫ x sin((π * x)/4) dx
0

KEY		ST X	ST Y	ST Z	ST T
LBL 2		x	-	-	-
ENTER		x	x	-	-
π		π	x	x	-
× 		π*x	x	-	-
4		4	π*x	x	-
÷		(π*x)/4	x	-	-
SIN	sin(π*x/4)	x	-	-
×		f(x)	-	-	-
RTN 

Result: 4.1369

Example 3

3.5
∫ x / (x^2 + 3x - 4 ) dx =
3

3.5
∫ x / ((x + 3) *x - 4) dx
3

KEY	ST X	ST Y	ST Z	ST T
LBL 5	x	-	-	-
ENTER	x	x	-	-
ENTER	x	x	x	-
3	3	x	x	x
+	x+3	x	x	x
× 	x(x+3)	 x	x	x
4	4	x(x+3)	 x	x
-	x(x+3)-4 x	x	x
1/x	1/...	x	x	x
×	f(x)	x	x	x
RTN

Result: 0.0998

Example 4:

3
∫ √(x^3 - 2x + 1)/x dx
1



Let ø = √(x^3 -2x+1)

KEY		ST X		ST Y		ST Z		ST T
LBL 3		x		-		-		-
ENTER		x		x		-		-
ENTER		x		x		x		-
3		3		x		x		x
y^x		x^3		x		x		x
x<>y		x		x^3		x		x
2		2		x		x^3		x
×		2x		x^3		x		x
-		x^3-2x		x		x		x
1		1		x^3-2x		x		x
+		x^3-2x+1	x		x		x
√		ø		x		x		x
x<>y		x		ø		x		x
÷		f(x)		x		x		x
RTN

Result: 2.0912

Here are a few more examples of integrals. Try and draw the stack diagram for each step.

Example 5:

8.5
∫ x * √(x^2 - 3*x - 4) dx =
4.5

8.5
∫ x * √((x - 3) * x - 4) dx
4.5

LBL 6
ENTER
ENTER
3
-
× 
4
-
√ 
×
RTN

Result: 117.2455

Example 6:
π/4
∫ x * (( sin(x-2) )/(cos x)) dx
0

LBL 7
ENTER
ENTER
2
-
SIN
x<>y
COS
÷
× 
RTN

Result: -0.3578


I hope you find this blog helpful. Until next time, Eddie



This blog is property of Edward Shore. © 2012

3rd Order Runge-Kutta - HP 15C

This program uses a 3rd Order Runge-Kutta method to assist in solving a first order-differential equation.

Given the initial condition (x0, y0) to the differential equation:

dy/dx = f(x, y)

Find the value of y1 where h is a given step size (preferably small). The value of y1 is given by the following equations:

y1 = y0 + k1/4 + (3 * k3)/4

Where:
k1 = h * f(x0, y0)
k2 = h * f(x0 + h/3, y0 + k1/3)
k3 = h * f(x0 + (2 * h)/3, y0 + (2 * k2)/3)

Error estimated on the order of h^4

Source: Smith, Jon M. Scientific Analysis on the Pocket Calculator. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: New York 1975 pg 174

Memory Registers Used

R0 = h
R1 = x
R2 = y
R3 = x1 (result)
R4 = y1 (result)
R5 = x0 (copied from R1)
R6 = y0 (copied from R2)
R7 = k1
R8 = k2
R9 = k3

Labels Used

Label A = Main Program
Label 0 = Program where equation is maintained

Instructions

1. Store h, x0, and y0 in memory registers R0, R1, and R2 respectively.
2. Enter or edit the equation in program mode using Label 0. Use RCL 1 for x and RCL 2 for y.
3. Run Program A. The first answer is x1. Press [R/S] for y1.
4. To find (x2, y2), store x1 in R1 and y1 in R2 and run Program A again. You can do this by pressing [STO] [ 2 ] [x<>y] [STO] [ 1 ] [ f ] [ √ ] (A) immediately following program execution.

There are 59 program steps in the main program.

Key		Code
LBL A		42	21	11
RCL 1			45	1
STO 5			44	5
RCL+ 0		45	40	0
STO 3			44	3
RCL 2			45	2
STO 6			44	6
GSB 0			32	0
RCLx 0		45	20	0
STO 7			44	7
RCL 5			45	5
RCL 0			45	0
3				3
÷				10
+				40
STO 1			44	1
RCL 6			45	6
RCL 7			45 	7
3				3
÷				10
+				40
STO 2			44	2
GSB 0			32	0
RCLx 0		45	44	0
STO 8			44	8
RCL 5			45	5
RCL 0			45	0
2				2
x				20
3				3
÷				10
+				40
STO 1			44	1
RCL 6			45	6
RCL 8			45	8
2				2
x				20
3				3
÷				10
+				40
STO 2			44	2
GSB 0			32	0
RCLx 0		45	20	0
STO 9			44	9
RCL 3			45	3
R/S				31
RCL 6			45	6
RCL 7			45	7
4				4
÷				10
+				40
RCL 9			45	9
3				3
x				20
4				4
÷				10
+				40
STO 4			44	4
RTN			43	32

Example 1

dy/dx = x^2 + sin(x * y)

Initial Conditions: (1, 1), let h = 0.01

Program for equation:

 
LBL 0
RAD
RCL 1
x^2
RCL 1
RCLx 2
SIN
+
RTN

Results:

x	y
1.0000	1.0000
1.0100	1.0186
1.0200	1.0375
1.0300	1.0568

Example 2

dy/dx = x^3 * y - y

Initial Condition: (1,1); Step size h = 0.01

Program for the equation:

 
LBL 0
RCL 1
3
y^x
RCLx 2
RCL- 2
RTN

Results:

x	y
1.0000	1.0000
1.0100	1.0002
1.0200	1.0006
1.0300	1.0014

This blog is property of Edward Shore. © 2012

RPN Basics

RPN Basics
(updated 9/25/2011)

This is a basic tutorial of reverse polish notation (RPN).  RPN is an operating system that some calculators use, primarily those manufactured by Hewlett Packard.  RPN removes the need to enter parenthesis during long calculations and allows for immediate feedback during calculations; you will not need to enter a long operation before getting feedback - thus eliminating errors.  A lot of times, the number of keystrokes required to make a calculation is reduced using RPN compared to algebraic systems.

Typically, a RPN calculator uses a stack with four registers, named X, Y, Z, and T.  Each register is stacked on top of another.  A four-register stack diagram looks like this:

T

---

Z

---

Y

---

X [DISPLAY]                                                                                                                                         

Most displays will only show the contents of the X register. 

What is required of the user to execute a desired operation depends on the number of arguments (for our purpose, numbers) the function requires.  Most scientific calculator functions require one or two arguments.

One-argument functions operate on whatever is in the display, or the X register.  For one-argument functions, simply execute the desired operation.  One-argument functions include all the trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, tangent), logarithms, exponential (e^), reciprocal, square root, and factorial (x!).  The change sign operation fits under the category of one-number operations because it simply multiplies the number by -1.  The change sign operation is often labeled either CHS (HP 12C, HP 15C) or +/- (HP 35S).

Two-argument functions operate on the contents on the Y and X registers.  Common two-argument functions include the arithmetic operators (+, -, x, ÷), powers (y^x), combination and permutations, percent and percent change (Δ%).  To use a two-argument function, enter the first number (y), then press ENTER.  ENTER terminates the entry and gets the calculator ready to receive another number.  Next, enter the second number (x).  A second ENTER is not required because executing the operation terminates the second entry.  In summary, to operate a two-argument function:

1.  Enter the first (y) argument,
2.  Press ENTER to terminate the first entry.
3.  Enter the second (x) argument,
4.  Execute the desired function.

When you link more than one operation, it is known as a chain calculation.  A simple example is adding a list four numbers.   Another example is adding two groups of numbers and then multiplying the two sums together.

In chain calculations, whatever in the display becomes the first argument of the operation.  All that is needed is to enter the second argument (number), and then the required function.  For chain calculations:

1.  Enter the next required argument
2.  Execute the desired function, no ENTER is required

A more detailed explanation of the stack can be found in manuals of the HP 12C, 15C, and 35S calculators.     HP Website

The scope of this blog is just to give a very basic tutorial of RPN.  A lot of examples are provided to illustrate how to use the functions on an RPN calculator. 

Calculators with RPN

Hewlett Packard:
Scientific: 15C (including Limited Edition), 35S, 48 Series, 32Sii, 41C, 50g+, and many others
Financial: 12C (all editions), 30b

iPod Apps:
GO-Sci 25, GO-Sci 21, just to name a couple.

You can look for RPN calculators online, many are available for the iPod, iPad, and Android operating mobile devices.

This tutorial is going to be a "do by example" tutorial.  Keystrokes are shown in blue.  All calculations on this blog are rounded to 4 decimal places.

* Note: This works for most models.  In these examples, you may need to press a shift key to access an operation depending on the calculator.  Since this tutorial covers a variety of calculators, the shift keys are omitted.  Please check your manual.

Examples:  Calculating with RPN

#1:  5 + 8

Keystrokes:
5 [ENTER]       Display: 5.0000

8 [ + ]                Display: 13.0000


Result: 13


#2: 10 - 6
As in any calculation involving subtraction, the order is important.

Keystrokes:  
10 [ENTER]      Display: 10.0000

6 [ - ]                  Display: 4.0000


Result: 4

# 3:  6 x 2.95 + 2 x 1.28


Keystrokes:
6 [ENTER]       Display: 6.0000

2.95 [ x ]            Display: 17.7000

2 [ENTER]       Display:  2.0000

1.28 [ x ]            Display: 2.5600

[ + ]                    Display: 20.2600


Result: 20.26


# 4:  200 ÷ (3^2.5 - 1)

Keystrokes:

200 [ENTER]       Display:  200.0000

3 [ENTER]           Display: 3.0000

2.5 [y^x]               Display: 15.5885

1 [ - ]                     Display: 14.5885

[ ÷ ]                       Display: 13.7095

Result: 13.7095

# 5:  1/2 + 3/7 - √(25/64)


√ is the symbol for square root

Keystrokes (or one possible set of keystrokes):

2 [1/x]                   Display: 0.5000

3 [ENTER]           Display: 3.0000

7 [ ÷ ]                    Display: 0.4286

[ + ]                       Display: 0.9286

25 [ENTER]         Display: 25.0000

64 [ ÷ ]                  Display: 0.3906
[ √ ]                       Display: 0.6250

[ - ]                        Display: 0.3036

Result: 0.3036

# 6:  e^-3


Keystrokes:
3 [CHS] (or [+/-])      Display: -3
[e^x]                          Display: 0.0498


Result: 0.0498

# 7:  √(3^2 + 4^2)

Keystrokes:

If a square operation [x^2] is available:

3 [x^2]                    Display: 9.0000

4 [x^2]                    Display: 16.0000

[ + ]                         Display: 25.0000

[ √ ]                         Display: 5.0000

If a [x^2] is not available:

3 [ENTER] 2 [y^x]      Display: 9.0000

4 [ENTER] 2 [y^x]      Display: 16.0000

[ + ]                               Display: 25.0000

[ √ ]                               Display: 5.0000

Result: 5

# 8: Find the percent change between 19.99 (old) and 34.99 (new)

%CHG = Δ% =  [new - old] ÷ old x 100%

Keystrokes:

If a percent change function [Δ%] is available:

19.99 [ENTER]             Display: 19.9900

34.99 [Δ%]                    Display: 75.0375

If  [Δ%] is not available:
34.99 [ENTER] 19.99 [-]    Display: 15.0000

19.99 [÷]                              Display: 0.7504
100 [x]                                 Display: 75.0375


Result: The percent change is an increase of 75.0375%

Register Operations

Two common register operations are Swap and Roll Down.

Swap: This operation swaps the contents on the X and Y registers.  The key is typically labeled [x<>y].  The swap function is useful when arguments need to be switched before performing subtraction, division, and taking powers. 

#9:  2 - (-5 x 3)

Keystrokes:
5 [CHS] (or [+/-])       Display: -5
[ENTER] 3 [ x ]         Display: -15.0000
2                                 Display:  2       
[x<>y]                        Display: -15.0000

[ - ]                             Display: 17.0000

Result: 17

Roll Down:  This operation pushes down the contents of the register one level.

In a four stack scheme:
Whatever was in the T register goes to the Z register
Whatever was in the Z register goes to the Y register
Whatever was in the Y register goes to the X register
Whatever was in the X register goes to the T register

The key often labeled R with a down arrow next to it.  [R↓]

The Constant Pi (π)

The Pi key (or keystroke sequence) puts π on the X register (display) and lifts everything else one level.  On a four-register stack, whatever was held in the T register is lost.

#10: Find the area of a circle with a radius of 2.35 inches.

Area = π *radius^2

Keystrokes:
[π]                             Display: 3.1416

2.35 [x^2] [x]           Display: 17.3494


Result: 17.3494 square inches

Alternatively:  [ π ] 2.35 [ENTER] 2 [y^x] [ x ]

Additional Examples:

#11:  How many 5-card hands can be dealt out of a standard deck of 52 playing cards?

Combination = n! ÷ (k! x (n - k)!)

This function has several labels: Cy,x (HP 15C), COMB (HP 42S, HP 50g+), or nCr (most calculators)
The factorial function has several labels, typically x! or n!.

Keystrokes:

If a combination function is available:

52 [ENTER] 5 [nCr]

If a combination function is not available:

5 [x!]                                  Display: 120.0000

52 [ENTER]                      Display: 52.0000

5 [ - ]                                  Display: 47.0000

[x!]                                     Display: 2.5862     59   (2.5682 x 10^59)

[ x ] [1/x]                            Display: 3.2222    -62   (3.2222 x 10^-62)

52 [x!]                                Display: 8.0658      67  (8.0658 x 10^67)

[ x ]                                    Display: 2,598,960.000

Result: 2,598,960 possible 5-card hands

#12:  Find the sine of 30°

Keystrokes:
If necessary, set the calculator to degrees mode
30 [SIN]

Result: 0.5000

#13:  You have purchased a calculator for $99.99 and present a coupon for 15% for the purchase price.  Assume sales tax is 8.75%.  What is the final amount due?

In RPN calculators, the percent function [ % ] returns Y * X%.  The contents of the Y stack remain unchanged.

Keystrokes:
99.99 [ENTER] 15 [ % ]      Display: 14.9985   (99.99 x 15%)
[ - ]                                         Display: 84.9915
8.75 [ % ]                              Display: 7.4368     (84.9915 x 8.75%)

[ + ]                                        Display: 92.4283

Result: 92.4283 (The final bill is $92.43)

#14:  You deposit $1,000 in a bank account earning 3.5% interest for 5 years.  How much money will you have after 5 years?

FV = PV x (1 + i%)^n

Where FV is the future value, PV is the present value, i is the periodic interest rate, and n is the number of periods.  We are looking for FV with PV = 1,000, i = 3.5, and n = 5.

Keystrokes:

1000 [ENTER] 1 [ENTER] 3.5 [ % ]       Display: 0.0350

[ + ]                                                             Display: 1.0350

5 [ y^x ]                                                      Display: 1.1877

[ x ]                                                             Display: 1,187.6863

Result: 1,187.6863  ($1,187.68)


#15: On a right triangle, find the angle x in degrees:


                    /|
                  /  |
                /    |
        15  /      |
            /        |
          /x        |
         --------
               10

(my attempt at a right triangle, hopefully you get the picture)

x = arccos (10/15) = cos^-1 (10/15)

Keystrokes:

Set the calculator in Degrees mode if necessary.

10 [ENTER] 15 [ ÷ ]               Display: 0.6667
[COS^-1]                                Display: 48.1897

Result: The angle is 48.1897°


I hope you find this tutorial on RPN helpful.

Eddie

Many thanks to Xavier A. and Dieter on the MoHPC (The Museum of HP Calculators) Forum.