View source for HP-34C

{{Short description|Continuous memory calculator}}
{{About|a Hewlett-Packard product|a similarly named open-source calculator|WP 34S}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019|cs1-dates=y}}
[[Image:HP-34C programmable RPN calculator - edit.jpg|thumb|right|300px|upright|HP-34C Calculator]]
The '''HP-34C''' [[continuous memory]] calculator is an advanced [[scientific calculator|scientific]] [[programmable calculator]] of the [[HP 30 series]]. It was produced between 1979 (cost US$150) and 1983 (cost US$100).

== Features ==
=== Root-finding and integration ===
Significant to the HP-34C calculator is the capability for [[Integral|integration]] and [[Root-finding algorithm|root-finding]] (a first for any pocket calculator).<ref name = "Museum">{{cite web|url= http://www.hpmuseum.org/hp34.htm |title= HP‐34 | work = The Museum of HP Calculators |accessdate=2007-12-15}}</ref> Integration and root-finding works by having the user input a formula as a program. Multiple roots are found using the technique of first finding a root <math>x=x_0</math>, then dividing the equation by <math>(x-x_0)</math>, thus driving the solution of the equation away from the root at that point. This technique for multiple root-finding is referred to as "deflation".<ref>{{Citation | title = HP-34C Owner's Handbook and Programming Guide | publisher = Hewlett‐Packard}}.</ref> The user would usually programmatically recall the root value from a storage register to improve its precision.

===Programming===
The common method of converting registers to program memory allowed the calculator a maximum of 210 program steps.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.hpmuseum.org/features/34cf.htm | publisher = HP Museum | title = 34CF | contribution = Features}}.</ref><ref name = "Museum" /> Programming features such as indirect jumps provides substantial capability to the calculator's programmer.

The HP-34C shipped with an "applications" manual that included two games (Moon Rocket Lander and Nimb). This made the calculator probably one of the first pocket game computers ever invented. The winner was announced via [[calculator spelling]] by turning the display upside down and the words BLISS or I'LOSE (55178 or 3507,1) were displayed. A game of [[blackjack]] was easily programmable by converting some of the registers to lines of program.

==Pedigree==
The calculator was superseded, in 1982, by the [[HP-15C]].

Although it is argued the [[HP-41C]] (introduced late 1979 and only a matter of months after the HP-34C) was a replacement for the HP-34C, they were in fact differentiated as much by price (the HP-34C being 50% that of the HP-41C) as by functionality and performance (the HP-41C being the first HP LCD-based and module-expandable calculator, with its standard functionality lacking the root-finding and integration capabilities as well as the gamma-function implementation of the HP-34C though). This price difference allowed those with economic constraints to still buy a high-end HP (HP-34C) scientific programmable within a reasonable cost. As such they were sold side-by-side for a number of years.

==Design==
The HP-34C came in a number of variants, such as plastic- and metal-keyboard versions and those with soldered<ref>[http://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/hpmuseum/archv021.cgi?read=216753 HP 34C display problem]</ref> (later 1983 variants) vs pressure-mounted circuitry<ref name="tech30">[http://www.hpmuseum.org/tech30.htm 30 Series Technology And Packaging]</ref> (earlier variants 1979–1983).

== See also ==
* [[List of Hewlett-Packard products#Pocket calculators|List of Hewlett-Packard products: Pocket calculators]]
* [[HP calculators]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{cite web|url=http://www.rskey.org/detail.asp?manufacturer=Hewlett-Packard&model=HP-34C|title=Programmable Calculators - Hewlett-Packard HP-34C|publisher=rskey.org|accessdate=2013-07-14}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.hpmuseum.org/hp34.htm|title=HP-34C|publisher=Museum of HP Calculators|accessdate=2013-07-14}}

{{HP calculators}}

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[[Category:HP programmable calculators|34C]]