Neat little HP 12C trick

testami

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Hi all. Here is a shortcut I use with the HP 12C to simplify many of the required percentage calculations. Thought some of you might find it interesting.

1. input the base number
2. press the [ENTER] key
3. input the second number
4. press the [%chg] key (it has the triangle on it)

Not only does this simply many of the equations, but it also gives the results in a more readable form (i.e. if the correct answer was 2.94 percent, the display would show 2.94 instead of .0294)

This simplifies several equations including:

serial returns (e.g. if inflation is 2% and the market retrun is 4%)
1. input 1.02
2. press the [ENTER] key
3. input 1.04
4. press the [%chg] key (it has the triangle on it)

result = 2.94%


index returns
e.g if an index starts the year at 630, pays $15 in dividends and ends the year at 700....what's the return?

1. input the 630
2. press the [ENTER] key
3. input 715 (you can add the dividends to the ending index value)
4. press the [%chg] key (it has the triangle on it)

result = 13.49 percent return

It can also be used in several other situations (e.g. forward discounts and foreign currency percent calculations, etc.)
 
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