Overview

Fraction calculator is a basic 4 function calculator for use with fractions. It is modeled after an RPN calculator, so you enter a fraction or two depending on the function you want to use and press the function. No equals key or parentheses are required for complex calculations involving fractions.

Features

• Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide fractions.
• Convert mixed fractions to and from improper fractions.
• Reduce fractions, i.e. 2/8 becomes 1/4.
• Reciprocate a fraction.
• Stack oriented display for saving intermediate results.

Planned Enhancements

• Greatest Common Divisor function (between 2 integers).
• Rewrite primary internal functions to take advantage of CASL v2 features.
• Stack Operations: Drop All, Rotate, Duplicate
• Default answer mode: Mixed or improper.

Operation

Use of the calculator is very similar to other RPN oriented calculators, except since this is a fraction calculator, and numerators and denominators are integers, the decimal point is used as the "/" character to seperate the numerator and denominator. It is also used to seperate the whole number portion from the fraction portion.

Examples: 3/4 is 3.4 on the display. 1 1/2 is 1.1.2 on the display, or 5.4 in improper form.

You use the decimal point to seperate the whole number portion from the numerator of the fraction and another decimal point to seperate the numerator from the denominator.

For example:

3.1.2 represents the number 3 and 1/2 (three and one half). This is known as a mixed fraction.

3.2 represents the number 3/2 (three halves). This is also known as an improper fraction.

For example, if you want to add the fraction 1/2 to the fraction 1/3 and find the result, you would use these keystrokes:

1 . 2 1 . 3 <+>

The display would then have on it: 5.6 which is read "five sixths".

Sample Screens

Key Definitions and Descriptions

• + add two fractions (fractions can be improper or mixed for all operations).
• - subtract two fractions. Negative fractions have "-" in front of them.
• * multiply two fractions.
• * divide two fractions. For you math wizards out there, you already know that division of fractions is simply multiplication by the reciprocal of the second fraction.
• +/- changes the sign of the fraction on the stack.
• 1/x reciprocate a fraction.
• Red show the reduced fraction, for example 2.4 becomes 1.2, or 5.2 becomes 1.1.2 (in other words the reduce function converts an improper fraction to a mixed fraction).
• Imp convert fraction to improper form from mixed form.
• x<>y swaps the two fractions displayed at the physical bottom of the stack which is the logical top of stack.
• . insert a seperator between the whole number and numerator, or between the numerator and denominator of the fraction.
• CLR clear entry of a fraction. Only works if you've begun entry of a fraction.
• DEL While in entry mode, DEL backspaces one digit. After entry mode, DEL erases the top most number on the stack (i.e. performs a DROP operation).

Known Limitations

• No bounds checking, other than division by zero, has been implemented.
• The largest number that can be entered is limited to 29 characters including the whole/numerator/denominator seperator character.
• You can not use Graffiti to enter numbers.
• All results of operations are displayed in reduced, mixed form. If you want the answer in improper form, you have to use the IMP button to convert the answer.
• Fraction Calculator is written in CASL, the Compact Applications Solution Language and requires the CASLrt_pro.prc file to be loaded on the Pilot. To find out more about CASL, see the Feras Information Technologies web page at http://www.caslsoft.com/

Release History

• 30 November 1997 Version 1.0 release of Fraction Calculator for CASL v2 runtime users, and the new On-Line Manual.
• 28 July 1997 Version 0.3 release of Fraction Calculator for CASL v1 runtime, bug fix version.
• 27 July 1997 Version 0.2, several enhancements, including the ability to save the state of the stack between uses.
• 20 July 1997 Version 0.1, the initial release.

Legal Notice

This software and documentation is copyright © 1997 by Marvin E. Wilborne III (mailto: wilborne@gamewood.net).

Fraction Calculator is FREE and as a result is provided "as-is" and without warranties of merchantability or fitness for any purpose. There are no warranties expressed or implied.

By using this program you agree that Marvin E. Wilborne III will not be held liable for any damage or data loss caused by the use of this program, or for any calculations made as a result of using the calculator.

USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Contact Information

Address:

	Marvin E. Wilborne III
	124 Matthew Circle
	Danville, VA 24540

Web Address: http://www3.gamewood.net/mew3/pilot/

E-mail Address: wilborne@gamewood.net