HP 35s Calculator Faction Mode Showing Wrong Numbers

[Tsu-chan]

This happened to me in the middle of a math test so it was really awkward.

I use an HP 35s calculator, and it's worked completely fine for me for a year.  I was using the fraction display mode that I discovered recently to convert some numbers into the lowest form, and so I punched in: 1201/5525 and it gives me 603/2774.  No matter how you think about it this is wrong.

It happened again with 24/5525 becoming 14/3223 and a few more times.  It's still like that.  I was trying to figure out what went wrong and found out that 24/5525 equals168/38675 while 14/3223 equals 168/38676.  It's the wrong number.  This might be fine for decimals but I'm working with exact fractions, and I need the exact answer.

It works just fine for stuff like 6/4 or 2/10, but as soon as it gets big it gives the answer off a few places.  Is there any way to fix this?

[Maké]

Hi!, Tsu-chan:

Welcome, to Forum !.

See ... http://h20331.www2.hp.com/Hpsub/downloads/35_15_Working_with_Fractions.pdf

Too, check, the DISPLAY MODE ...

Changing the display of HP 35s between fractional display mode and the current display setting in th...

The HP 35s allows entering fractions and displaying them in either decimal or fractional formats. In fractional display mode, numbers are evaluated internally as decimal numbers, and then displayed using the most precise fractions allowed. To toggle fractional display mode on and off, press .

Or, try, with Reset, your calculator. See, from ... https://www.educalc.net/1207487.page

Warning:

With reset, you lost, all data!.

[Joe_Horn · Accepted solution]

The fraction mode of the 35s is limited to a maximum denominator of 4095.  It never returns a denominator greater than that, so don't expect any. No, there is no way to set the maximum denominator to anything greater than 4095.  You can *lower* that maximum to any smaller integer (between 2 and 4095) by typing it and pressing the /c button (left-shift, decimal point).  A shortcut for 4095 /c is 0 /c.

Also, be sure that both flags 8 and 9 are clear, or it will totally mess up your fraction work.

Hope that helps!  Disclaimer: I don't work for HP, but HP works for me.

[Tsu-chan]

Aw, seriously?  Well that explains my problem.  Thanks for telling me.

[Maké]

Hi!, Tsu-chan:

See, in ... http://manualmachine.com/hp/35s/908544-user-manual/page:11/