Casio fx-4500P

Datasheet legend
Ab/c: Fractions calculation
AC: Alternating current
BaseN: Number base calculations
Card: Magnetic card storage
Cmem: Continuous memory
Cond: Conditional execution
Const: Scientific constants
Cplx: Complex number arithmetic
DC: Direct current
Eqlib: Equation library
Exp: Exponential/logarithmic functions
Fin: Financial functions
Grph: Graphing capability
Hyp: Hyperbolic functions
Ind: Indirect addressing
Intg: Numerical integration
Jump: Unconditional jump (GOTO)
Lbl: Program labels
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display
LED: Light-Emitting Diode
Li-ion: Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Lreg: Linear regression (2-variable statistics)
mA: Milliamperes of current
Mtrx: Matrix support
NiCd: Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable battery
NiMH: Nickel-metal-hydrite rechargeable battery
Prnt: Printer
RTC: Real-time clock
Sdev: Standard deviation (1-variable statistics)
Solv: Equation solver
Subr: Subroutine call capability
Symb: Symbolic computing
Tape: Magnetic tape storage
Trig: Trigonometric functions
Units: Unit conversions
VAC: Volts AC
VDC: Volts DC
Years of production: 1989  Display type: Numeric display  
New price:   Display color: Black  
    Display technology: Liquid crystal display 
Size: 6"×3"×½" Display size: 10+2 digits and 12 characters
Weight: 4 oz    
    Entry method: Formula entry 
Batteries: 1×"CR-2025" Lithium + 1×"CR-1216" Lithium Advanced functions: Trig Exp Hyp Lreg Intg Ab/c Cmem BaseN 
External power:   Memory functions:  
I/O:      
    Programming model: Formula programming 
Precision: 12 digits Program functions: Jump Cond Subr Lbl Ind  
Memories: 163(26) numbers Program display: Formula display  
Program memory: 1103 program steps Program editing: Formula entry  
Chipset:   Forensic result: 9.00001568547  

fx4500p.jpg (22723 bytes)And now for something completely different! Different, that is, from your typical Casio calculator. The fx-4500P prominently displays the words, "DOT MATRIX LCD", on top, but don't let it mislead you: this is not a graphing calculator. What it is is a fairly decent, high-end scientific programmable. With an over 1000-step program memory, and a comprehensive set of program instructions, it is a pleasant multifunction machine.

The programming model of the fx-4500P is somewhat idiosyncratic. Programs are stored in "files", which you select by name or number when you get into program entry mode. Each file has numbered lines. To execute a program, you use the Prog instruction, followed by the name of the file; a number will not suffice. In a program, assignment instructions are BASIC style: variable name, equation sign, followed by the expression. This differs from the way assignment instructions are implemented on Casio's graphing calculators.

Idiosyncratic, however, doesn't mean bad. About the only real complaint I have is this machine's cramped keyboard: three shift keys are used to invoke a variety of essential, but often cryptic, key combinations.

The programming model of the fx-4500P is demonstrated by the following example, which computes the logarithm of the Gamma function using the Lanczos approximation to a very high degree of accuracy:

F1 L1	X=Ans
F1 L2	Z=Abs X
F1 L3	G=2.506628275+6.3E-10+(225.5255846+1.9E-8)/Z-
	(268.2959738+4.1E-8)/(Z+1)+(80.90308069+3.5E-9)/(Z+2)-
	(5.007578639+7.1E-10)/(Z+3)
F1 L4	G=ln (G+1.146848954E-2+5.4E-12)/(Z+4))+(Z-.5)ln (Z+4.65)-Z-4.65
F1 L5	X>0⇒Goto 1.
F1 L6	G=ln (-π/Z/sin πZ)-G
F1 L7	Lbl 1
F1 L8	G