Retro Review: Texas Instruments BA-Solar

Retro Review: Texas Instruments BA-Solar

Finance + Solar + 1980s

Quick Facts

Model:  BA-Solar

Company:  Texas Instruments

Years:  1986 - 1990s; a refresh , BA-35 SOLAR was produced 1996-2000s

Type:  Finance

Batteries: Solar 

Operating Modes:  Chain

Number of Registers: 1, |MEM|

Display:  1 line, 10 digits

Features

The [ MODE ] key is used to toggle between three modes:

FIN Mode:  Time Value of Money  (FIN indicator)

N:  number of payments

%i:  periodic interest rate

PV:  present value

PMT:  payment

FV:  future value

The current cash flow convention is not used, instead the following equation is (I think) used in solving time value of money calculations: 

PV = FV *  SPPV + PMT * USPV

SPPV = single present value factor

USPV = present value annuity factor

We also have amortization functions:

BAL:  balance after any payment

I/P:  interest and principal at any payment

payment_1 P1/P2 payment_2 I/P:  cumulative interest and principal

There are ×12 and ÷12 aids, but we still have to press [ N ] and [ %i ] to register the values, they are not automatic.  

STAT Mode:  Statistics  (STAT indicator)

The BA-SOLAR (and the later BA-35 SOLAR) has both single variable statistics and linear regression.

In linear regression, use the [x<>y] key to change between x and y.   The key will also be used to switch between results.  

Prediction values can be calculated with x' and y'.

The equation used for linear regression is y = a*x + b,  a = slope, b = intercept.

Profit Mode (no indicator)

The profit mode makes the following solver available:

CST:  cost

SEL:  sell

MAR:  margin

MU:  markup

Functions Available in All Modes

Percent Calculations (%):

Add %:  x [ + ] y [ % ] [ = ]

Subtract %:  x [ - ] y [ % ] [ = ]

Multiply %:  x [ × ] y [ % ] [ = ]

Percent Ratio:  part [ ÷ ] whole [ % ] [ = ]

Percent Change:  new [ 2nd ] ( ⊿% ) old [ = ]

rate >EFF payments/year:  convert to effective rate

rate >APR payments/year:  convert to APR/nominal rate

Mathematics:

Natural logarithm and antilogarithm:  ln x, ^x

Square and square root

Power

Reciprocal

Final Thoughts

This is a great basic financial calculator.  I have both the BA-SOLAR and BA-35 SOLAR.   To be honest, I like the keyboard of the original BA-SOLAR better, the keys feel a bit more solid and responsive.  Even though they are no longer in production, the BA-SOLAR is still reasonably available on sites such as eBay and other online stores.  

Source:

Woerner, Joerg.  "Texas Instruments BA-SOLAR"  Last Updated December 5, 2001.   http://www.datamath.org/Sci/Modern/BA-SOLAR.htm   Retrieved May 19, 2022.

Eddie

All original content copyright, © 2011-2022.  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. 

HP 15C: Pricing Calculations (Gamo)

HP 15C:  Pricing Calculations (Gamo)

Introduction

The following program is a solver for cost, price, markup, and margin – developed by Gamo, which was emailed to me. The program (shown for the HP 15C).  Program listed here with permission and much thanks and gratitude to Gamo. 

HP 11C and HP 15C Program:  Pricing Calculations

Note:  Key codes are for the HP 15C. 

Step	Key Code	Key	Comment
001	42, 21, 11	LBL A	Start Cost Routine
002	44, 1	STO 1
003	0	0
004	43, 30, 6	TEST 6, x≠y
005	43, 32	RTN
006	45, 2	RCL 2
007	1	1
008	45, 3	RCL 3
009	43, 14	%
010	40	+
011	10	÷
012	43, 32	RTN
013	42, 21, 12	LBL B	Start Price Routine
014	44, 2	STO 2
015	0	0
016	43, 30, 6	TEST 6 , x≠y
017	43, 32	RTN
018	45, 1	RCL 1
019	45, 3	RCL 3
020	43, 14	%
021	40	+
022	43, 32	RTN
023	42, 21, 13	LBL C	Enter Markup Routine
024	44, 3	STO 3
025	0	0
026	43, 30, 6	TEST 6, x≠ y
027	43, 32	RTN
028	45, 1	RCL 1
029	45, 2	RCL 2
030	43, 15	Δ%
031	43, 32	RTN
032	42, 21, 14	LBL D	Margin to Markup routine
033	44, 4	STO 4
034	0	0
035	43, 30, 6	TEST 6, x≠y
036	43, 32	RTN
037	45, 3	RCL 3
038	15	1/x
039	26	EEX
040	16	CHS
041	2	2
042	40	+
043	15	1/x
044	43, 32	RTN
045	42, 21, 15	LBL E	Markup to Margin routine
046	44, 3	STO 3
047	0	0
048	43, 30, 6	TEST 6, x≠y
049	43, 32	RTN
050	45, 4	RCL 4
051	15	1/x
052	26	EEX
053	16	CHS
054	2	2
055	30	-
056	15	1/x
057	43, 32	RTN

Registers: 

R1 = Cost

R2 = Price

R3 = Markup

R4 = Margin

Instructions:

The program primary runs on the cost-price-markup calculation, which belongs to labels A, B, and C, respectively.

Conversions between margin and markup are used between labels D and E.  Gamo recommends that you set the calculator in FIX 2 mode and press [ f ] (USER) prior to running this program.

This program is set up to be a solver similar to the HP 12C and Hewlett Packard other financial calculators. 

Examples

It is assumed that FIX 2 is set and USER mode is turned on.

Example 1: (from Gamo)

Cost = 66.46

Price = 105.00

Keystrokes:

66.46 [ A ]

105.00 [ B ]

[ C ], Markup =  57.99

[ C ] [ D ], Margin = 36.70

Example 2: 

Cost = 2500.00

Margin = 10.00

2500 [ A ]

10 [ D ]

[ E ] [ C ] [ B ],  Price = 2777.78

Example 3:

Price = 48.75

Markup = 10.00

48.75 [ B ]

10.00 [ C ]

[ A ], Cost = 44.32

Example 4:  Margin/Markup Calculation

Markup = 54.00

54.00 [ E ]

[ D ],  Margin = 35.06

Eddie

 All original content copyright, © 2011-2018.  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.  Please contact the author if you have questions.