Calculator User Manual

Constants and Measurement Units 282

Using Parentheses with Units in a Calculation

Using Parentheses with Units in a CalculationUsing Parentheses with Units in a Calculation

Using Parentheses with Units in a Calculation

In a calculation, you may need to use parentheses ( ) to group a value and its units so

that they are evaluated properly. This is particularly true for division problems. For

example:

Note: If you have any doubt about how a value and its units will be evaluated, group

them within parentheses ( ).

Here’s why you get unexpected units if you do not use parentheses. In a calculation, a

unit is treated similar to a variable. For example:

100_m is treated as 100†_m and 2_s is

treated as

2†_s. Without parentheses, the entry is calculated as:

100†_m / 2†_s = †_s = 50. †_m †_s.

To calculate: Enter:

100_m

2_s

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100_m/(2_s) 50 •

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You must use parentheses

for (2_s). This is important

for division.

100_m/2_s 50. †_m †_s

If you omit the parentheses,

you will get unexpected units.

For example:

100

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