Basic Facts - Physical Attributes - Functional Attributes   Functional Attributes Throughout this course, the new Monroe Classic (and 7100 series) will be used as the baseline as its design and features exceed those of all other calculators.   Separate Adding Machine Repeat Addition and Subtraction Add Mode Adding Machine Indicator Lamp Clear Add Symbol Grand Total Indicator Lamp Sequential Calculation Indicators Calculation Mode Correction Entry Only Display Running Subtotal Display Automatic Constants Group and Grand Total Crossfooting Percent Distribution Proration Basic Financial Functionality Real Time Clock Non-Add/Date Key Backspace Key Item Count (N-Count) Automatic Averaging Underflow Reverse Underflow Extended Capacity Automatic Clearance - Overflow/Error Percent Tax Key Mark Up Gross Margin Percent Change Rounding Summation X Summation of = and % Variable Add Mode Nickel Rounding Two-Column Addition Automatic Incremental Identifier Running Subtotal on Printer Paper Saver Mode Change Sign Independent Memory   Separate Adding Machine Just as it is important to have adding machine controls on the right, it is important to have calculator controls (times, divide, equals, etc.) on the left. The physical separation between the adding machine and calculator again pertains to the intended use of the calculator, i.e. most of the work performed on the calculator will be addition and subtraction. It is also extremely important that that separation exist functionally. Certain calculators use the +, -, and/or total keys as an equals key. This means that users may not add a column of figures and interrupt the addition to perform any other operation (multiplication and division for example). Inadvertent depression of the times or divide keys could clear the contents of the adding machine, thereby necessitating reentry of the column of figures. Back to top Repeat Addition and Subtraction This feature is standard on most calculators. It permits a user to press the plus key again, for example, to add the same number more than once. It also permits a user to touch the minus key following a depression of the plus key to correct an entry error. This feature eliminates the need to reenter like amounts when they follow each other in addition and subtraction. Back to top Add Mode Add mode is typically denoted on the decimal selectors of calculators as a + symbol or with an A. In Add mode, the user does not need to press the decimal point key when entering dollars and cents. The calculator will place the decimal point automatically, i.e., if one were to enter 1, 2, 3, then press the plus key, the calculator would accept the entry as $1.23. The add mode feature was first developed by Monroe because mechanical adding machines did not have decimal point keys, therefore entries were accepted as dollars and cents. Add Mode on the Monroe Classic and 7100 series goes far beyond simplifying the entry of figures for addition and subtraction. Since these products are no longer simply adding machines, the following applies when one performs multiplication or division with the decimal selector in Add Mode (+) position: Units/Price Mode – One of the most common applications performed on a calculator is checking an invoice. Invoices typically are formatted in much the same way, i.e. multiplying the number of units by a price in dollars and cents. On the Monroe 7100 series and Classic, if the decimal selector is in Add Mode, and one enters 12, touches the times key then enters 123, then equals, the calculator will automatically treat the entry of 12 as whole units and treat the second entry 123 as $1.23. This is referred to as units price mode. Most other calculators will treat both entries as whole numbers, but a few have included the ability to perform Units/Price mode because of its simplicity and usefulness. Units/Units Mode – Monroe Classic and 7100 series provide the option of changing the default position (Units/Price Mode described above) to other formats when the decimal selector is in the Add Mode position and the user is performing multiplication or division.  Units/Units Mode treats both entries in multiplication or division as whole numbers if no decimal point is entered. Price/Units Mode – There are invoices where price appears first followed by the number of units. To facilitate this type of invoice, the Monroe Classic and 7100 series provide another selectable format that accepts the first entry as dollars and cents and the second entry as a whole number. Price/Price Mode – Typical within the trucking industry, certain invoices have fractional quantities (weight) times price. To simplify entry, the Monroe Classic and 7100 series support price/price mode where both first and second entries are accepted as two decimal places automatically. Back to top Adding Machine Indicator Lamp The adding machine indicator lamp (provided on the 7100 series and Monroe Classic) visually informs the operator as to the state of the accumulator (adding machine register). If the lamp is illuminated, there is an amount in the adding machine. When beginning to use the calculator, most operators press the total key then the clear key to ensure the adding machine is clear prior to listing the column of figures. This is both a waste of paper and time eliminated with the Adding Machine Indicator Lamp. Back to top Clear Add Symbol Both the Monroe Classic and 7100 series print a unique symbol on the type called the “clear add symbol” if that entry was the first entry in a clear adding machine. The symbol *+ clearly indicates to the operator or anyone auditing the tape that the adding machine was clear prior to listing figures. Back to top Grand Total Indicator Lamp The Grand Total indicator lamp visually informs the user as to the contents or lack thereof of the Grand Total register. Without this indicator lamp, the user has to perform various clearing functions to make sure the grand total register is clear prior to adding multiple columns of figures. Back to top Sequential Calculation Indicators Special audit trial symbols are provided to indicate when a chain or sequential calculation is or has been performed. If brackets appear around the times symbol (x) or the divide symbol, a chain calculation is being performed. These indicators are especially useful in ensuring correct results and simplifying audits of results. Back to top Calculator Mode Correction How many times has a user entered a figure, pressed the times key instead of the divide key, or vice versa? Calculator Mode correction permits the operator (in the sequence described above) to immediately follow the times key depression with a depression of the divide key, which changes the mode from multiplication to division. Back to top Entry Only Display Most calculators (with the exception of the Monroe Classic and 7100 series) display a running subtotal.  The Monroe Classic and 7100 series allow the operator a choice of seeing the entry just made or the running subtotal in the display. Showing the entry only in the display is a superior audit tool, as it enables the user to quickly check the display for accurate entries. Back to top Running Subtotal Display Most calculators show the running subtotal in the display. Both Monroe Classic and 7100 series provide this format selectively. The operator has the choice of seeing the entry only or running subtotal in the display. Back to top Automatic Constants All Monroe calculators accept the first entry in multiplication and the second entry in division as an automatic constant. There are no K (constant) switches to move. For calculators with a K switch, users have to engage it to perform calculations with constants then disengage before adding a column of figures. Back to top Group and Grand Total GT, as it is often abbreviated, enables users to add several columns of figures for a “grand total” of all columns. Some calculators only provide the ability to achieve the total and are not capable of providing a grand subtotal. Full functionality is provided on the Monroe Classic and 7100 series. Back to top Crossfooting Crossfooting is not Group and Grand Total. In crossfooting, both columns and rows are totaled -- a common function performed by an Excel Spreadsheet. The new Monroe Classic provides the ability to perform automatic crossfooting with a matrix size of 99 columns by 99 rows. Each cell within this matrix is individually addressable. Back to top Percent Distribution The new Monroe Classic provides the ability to perform automatic percent distribution when the crossfooting function is engaged. Percent distribution means that each entry made to comprise the total of a column of figures is divided by the total and expressed as a percentage of that total. Back to top Proration The new Monroe Classic provides the ability to perform automatic proration when the crossfooting function is engaged. An amount can be prorated based upon its respective percentage of a total amount. In percent distribution, an amount would be divided based upon its percentage of the total. Back to top Basic Financial Functionality Financial functionality is ordinarily not found on desktop printing calculators. The new Monroe Classic provides the ability to solve for Amount Financed, Term or Payment Amount, given the entry of Interest Rate and two of the other three variables. When the basic financial functionality is selected, the user also has the ability to convert a figure to a monthly amount (x/12) or to annualize an amount (X x 12). Back to top Real Time Clock While some calculators provide for the display of time, very few provide the ability to calculate hours and minutes. The new Monroe Classic provides the ability to enter a decimal figure and convert it to hours and minutes, or vice versa, i.e. convert hours and minutes to decimal equivalent. It also enables the calculation of hours and minutes worked and can calculate days between future or past dates. Back to top Non Add/Date Key The non-add/date key on a calculator is used to place an identifying number or date on the tape to help identify a listing or calculation. Typical uses would be to enter the invoice number and date prior to checking the listing or invoice. In the past, the operator would typically write such identifying numbers on the tape to link it to the source document. Back to top Backspace Key The backspace key is designed to remove erroneously entered digits, one at a time. For all Monroe calculators, the backspace key will perform this function on live entries (entries not completed with a depression of a function key). Since many results are used for further calculations, preventing the backspace key from removing a digit saves an operator from reentering figures if the backspace key is inadvertently pressed. Back to top Item Count (N-Count) This feature counts the number of items in a column of figures or the number of lines calculated on an invoice. The 7100 Series and Monroe Classic have intelligent item count, meaning the calculator knows the difference between correcting an error or an intentional addition of a negative figure. If a user were to add 1, 2, 3 and determine after entering 3 and depressing the + key that 3 should have been 4, the operator would simply touch minus to take out the 3. The operator could then enter 4, press plus and then total for a total of 7 and an item count of 3. Some calculators have attempted to provide intelligent item count with a selection n+/-, for example. This is not an intelligent item count -- it increments the count for positive entries and decrements the count for negative entries, which does not reflect the actual number of legitimate entries. Back to top Automatic Averaging Automatic averaging provides the ability to divide the total by the number of items to determine the average of the items. This feature is of little use if the item count is apt to be incorrect. Intelligent Item count for the 7100 series and the Monroe Classic make automatic averaging worry free. Back to top Underflow Underflow is a feature designed to help the operator obtain the most significant result. For example, if the decimal selector was set at 6 and the number of whole digits (on a 12 digit display) was 8, the decimal point would be shifted to show 8 whole digits and only 4 decimal places in the answer. If a unit were not equipped with this feature, an error would be created and the operator would have to move the decimal selector to accommodate the result. Back to top Reverse Underflow Very few calculators have reverse underflow. The 7100 series and the new Monroe Classic are the exceptions. Reverse underflow means that if the result of a calculation would yield zero when displayed at the current decimal setting, the decimal point will shift to the left to show the most significant decimal amount instead. For example, if the decimal selector were set at 2 and the user divided 2 by 625, the answer would be zero on most calculators. For the Classic and 7100 series, the decimal automatically shifts to the left so the actual result 0.0032 is displayed.  Back to top Extended Capacity The 7100 series and Monroe Classic feature Extended Capacity. Rather than deliver an error when the answer exceeds the capacity of the calculator, the 7100 series and Classic present the answer in scientific notation. The calculation capacity of the 7130, 7140 and Classic is 24 digits even though the capacity of the display is 12 digits. Back to top Automatic Clearance – Overflow/Error There are times when Error and Overflow conditions are created. Dividing by zero, for example, creates an error as it is mathematically undefined. Both the 7100 series and the Monroe Classic automatically clear these conditions when encountered. Most calculators force the operator to clear such conditions before proceeding.  Back to top Percent The percent key changes an amount to a format we are more comfortable with. To multiply 100 by 3%, users are more comfortable entering 100, pressing the x key, then entering 3 and pressing the % key. Alternatively, users would have to enter the decimal equivalent (.03) to obtain the same result. The percent key also includes additional capabilities. Depressing the + or – keys immediately following the % key often automatically yields the respective percent increase or percent decrease. Back to top Tax Key Similar to the percent key, the tax key enables users to store a tax rate and determine the effect of applying that tax to an amount automatically. Additionally, operators can determine the net amount by using the Tax – function. Value-added taxes can also be calculated using these functions. Back to top Mark Up Mark up is not percent increase. The formula for mark up is cost, divided by 100 minus the percent of mark up. If an article costs $100 and a user applies a 25% mark up, the sales price would be $133.33. From the formula we are dividing 100 by .75. Back to top Gross Margin In the example used in the mark up section, the gross margin in dollars would be $33.33 and the gross margin percentage is 25%. Back to top Percent Change Percent Change is provided to assist in determining the percent and amount of change between two numbers, for example, comparing sales from last month to this month. Back to top Rounding Calculators usually provide a choice between three types of rounding -- truncate, round off and round up. To illustrate the difference, let us assume that the actual result of adding 1.444 twice is 2.888. If the decimal selector is set at 2, the calculator rounds the answer to 2 decimal places. If the rounding control were set to truncate, the answer would be 2.88 as the calculator would drop any digit past two decimal places. If the selector were set for round off (5/4), it would look at the third decimal digit and round the answer up to 2.89 if that third digit were 5 or greater or drop it if it were 4 or less. If the selector were set to round up, any non-zero digit in the third decimal position would cause the answer to be rounded up, again giving an answer of 2.89. Back to top Summation X Calculators providing for the summation of x enable the operator to accumulate amounts before pressing the times key. In an invoice for example, users might want to accumulate the quantity as well as the extended amounts to check for quantity or pricing errors. Back to top Summation of = and % The 7100 series and the Monroe Classic also provide the ability to automatically sum the results of depressions of the = key and or the % key. This saves times and generally prevents the inadvertent omission of moving such amounts to the memory. Back to top Variable Add Mode When we discuss add mode, it is ordinarily in the context of adding dollars and cents. The 7100 series and new Monroe Classic also have the ability to add other decimal amounts. If a user adds fractional weights at four decimal places, they could add the amounts without pressing the decimal key. Back to top Nickel Rounding Originally designed for the European market, nickel rounding is provided on the 7100 series and the Monroe Classic. If the United States eliminates the penny from the monetary system, nickel rounding can be selected, which would automatically round all amounts up to the nearest nickel. An answer of 2.22, for example, would become 2.25. Back to top Two-Column Addition Automatic two-column addition is a feature of both the 7100 series and the new Monroe Classic that provides the ability to add two columns of figures simultaneously. For example, if a user had a stack of invoices and wanted to add the invoice amount and the amount of tax at the same time, two-column addition would facilitate this. The alternative would be to add all invoice amounts first, then flip over the stack and add the tax amounts. Users could also use the memory, however the memory keys are generally located further away from the adding machine controls. Two-column addition on the 7100 series and the Monroe Classic format the tape for right column and left column, which provides easy audit of the tape and associates the tax amount with the invoice amount for example. Back to top Automatic Incremental Identifier A feature unique to the 7100 series and Monroe Classic, the automatic incremental identifier is useful in numerous applications. This feature allows the user to enter a beginning number using the non-add date key. Each subsequent amount added will be identified with an incremental number. Back to top Running Subtotal on the Printer This feature unique to the 7100 series and Monroe Classic enables a running subtotal to print on the tape after each entry is added. This feature is ideal for bank statement reconciliation. For example, when combined with this feature, the automatic incremental identifier prints the check number, amount of the check and declining balance when only the check amount is entered. Back to top Paper Saver Mode The 7100 series and Monroe Classic print the total and advance the paper above the tear off knife where it is easily read and facilitates tearing off the paper tape. In the event the user wishes to reduce the amount of spacing between totals, the paper saver mode can be set. Back to top Change Sign The change sign reverses the mathematical sign of the number. Back to top Independent Memories Most calculators have an independent memory. For a memory to be functional, it should have four keys associated with it, i.e., M+, M-, M subtotal and M total. Some calculators like the 7140, 7150 and Monroe Classic have (2) 4-key independent memories. Back to top