HP 49g Graphing Calculator - Manual (Page 158)

Vectors
A vector is a way of representing quairtities that are measured both by
magnitude and by direction. An example is velocity.
Most often you will work with 2- and 3-dimensional vectors, although
vectors of any dimension are possible. The HP 49G enables you to specify,
and work with, vectors of any dimension.
A 2-dimensional vector can be described in rectangular notation [x, y]—
or in polar notation—[/; 0]. For 3-dimensional vectors, you can use
rectangular notation—[x, y, z]— cylindrical notation—[r, 6, z]—or
spherical notation—[r, 0, (|)]. All these notations are available with the
HP 49G.
Creating vectors
You should first decide oir the notation you want to use.
Selecting vector notation
Tire currently set notation is indicated by the coordinates amumciator: H Vii!
indicates rectangular notation, indicates cylindrical notation, and Fh:;::::;
indicates spherical notation. You need to choose a new notation if the
currently set notation is not the one you want to use. (Note: you must
choose polar notation if you are creating a 3-D cylindrical vector.)
1. Press (MODQ to display the Calculator Modes input form.
2. Set the Coordinate System field to the notation that you want. (See
page 2-11 for information on changmg the fields on an input form.)
3. Press
OK
to set the notation you chose.
Selecting an angle unit
The currently set angle imit is indicated by the angle ararmrciator:
DEG indicates degrees, F?FiD iirdicates radians—the default setting—and
GRD indicates gradians. If you intend to use a vector notation that requires
an angle measurement ai\d the current airgle unit is not what you want,
reset the unit before entering your vector. See “Changing a mode” on
page 2-18 for instructions on resetting the angle imit.
Page 8-2 Vectors, lists, arrays, and matrices