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US 5,155,697 AGranted
Most precise fraction display method
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Company
InventorChris M. Bunsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a calculating device, a method for calculating a fraction that most accurately represents a related decimal value stored within the device. The user may select a maximum denominator value to limit the amount of calculation involved.
Claims8
A calculator comprising
- (a) a display;
- (b) a keyboard having a plurality of keys for entering numeric values, for entering a maximum denominator and for initiating calculation of a fractional representation of an entered numeric value;
- and
- (c) a processor for:
- storing, upon activation by a user of a function key on the keyboard, a value entered into the calculator as the maximum denominator for a frictional representation;
- displaying on the display a numeric value entered into the calculator for which a fractional representation is desired;
- calculating, upon activation by a user of a function key on the keyboard, a most precise fractional representation of the entered numeric value in which the denominator of the fractional representation does not exceed the maximum entered denominator;
- and
- displaying the fractional representation of the entered numeric value.
6 more elements
In a calculator, a method of displaying a fractional representation, within a preselected range of denominators, of an entered numeric value, comprising
- pressing a key for recognizing a value entered into the calculator as a maximum denominator for a fractional representation;
- displaying a numeric value entered into the calculator for which a fractional representation is desired;
- pressing a key for initiating the calculation of a most precise fractional representation of the entered numeric value in which the denominator of the fractional representation does not exceed the maximum denominator;
- and
- displaying, in response to pressing of the initiating key, the fractional representation of the entered numeric value.
2 more elements
In a calculator, a method of displaying a fractional representation of a stored numeric value, comprising:
- providing a key for entering a selected maximum denominator for the fractional representation;
- providing a key for initiating calculation of the fractional representation;
- entering a value as the maximum desired denominator;
- pressing the entering key to recognize the entered value as the maximum desired denominator;
- entering a numeric value for which a fractional representation is desired;
- pressing the initiating key to calculate with continued fractions a fractional representation of the numeric value, the calculation including comparing after each subcalculation the fractional representation against the maximum desired denominator to ensure that the denominator of fractional representation does not exceed the maximum denominator;
- and
- displaying the fractional representation of the entered numeric value.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.