On Dec 7, 2008, at 10:55 AM, Harold Hallikainen wrote:

> A fair number of algebraic calculators use RPN for certain
> functions, such as square root.

Oh!  That's an interesting observation.  In fact, popping up my  
"scientific calculator" app, I would say that MANY of the functions  
beyond basic math are essentially RPN.  (all trig, 10^x, e^x, 1/x, ln,  
log, x^2, sqrt(x), factorial.)
Pretty much anything with a single argument.  (this leaves log-base- 
y(x) and x^y as about the only ones that aren't, and they're sorta  
"mixed")

Perhaps RPN calculators work out better simply because they're more  
consistent?

BillW

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