Quick Start Guide
16 Quick Start Guide
There is extensive help available for each command. The help provides the syntax of each command, a description of the 
command, and an example. If you enter a command but need the syntax, press ^ to display its syntax. For example, if 
you have entered int( ) in CAS view, pressing ^ displays help on the integral command.
Finally, if you have online help open, you can tap   and enter a keyword to search help for that keyword.
Understanding the user interface
Computer algebra system (CAS)
The computer algebra system (CAS) enables you to perform symbolic calculations. By default, the CAS works in exact mode. 
On the other hand, non-CAS calculations, such as those performed in Home view or by an app, are numerical calculations 
and often approximations limited by the precision of the calculator (to 10
–12
 in the case of the HP Prime calculator). For 
example,   yields the approximate answer .619047619047 in Home view (with Standard numerical format), but   in 
the CAS.
Menu items
The bottom of the 
display contains a 
menu of up to six 
items. You choose an 
item by tapping it 
once with your 
finger. 
The menu items 
change depending 
on what screen is 
showing, or what 
item you last chose.
Check boxes
A check box enables you 
select or deselect a 
single option. To change 
a current selection, tap it 
once to select it, and tap 
again to switch the value 
to its alternate setting. 
You can also use the 
cursor keys to scroll to 
the check box and tap 
.
Choose boxes
A choose box 
displays one item 
from a menu of 
items. To select an 
item other than the 
one showing, tap 
the box and then tap 
the item.
Pressing + (or 
:) will cycle 
forward (or 
backward) through 
the options. 
You can also use the cursor keys to highlight a choose 
box, tap  , use the cursor keys to select an item, 
and then press E . 
Input fields
To enter data into an 
empty input field, tap the 
field and begin entering 
the data. What you enter 
appears on the entry line. 
If the input field already 
has data in it, tapping it 
twice places the data on 
the entry line with the 
cursor at the end, ready 
for you to make your 
changes.
When you have finished entering or changing the data, tap 
 or press E. You can also tap   to reject the 
addition or alteration you have made.
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