How to Adjust Decimal Places on a TI BA II Plus Calculator

The TI BA II Plus is a highly favored financial calculator, mainly due to its simplicity. By default, it displays numbers with 2 decimal places (e.g., 3.00) but with a few button presses, you can modify this setting. Once you access the |DEC = | display, you can easily configure the calculator to display anywhere from 0 to 8 decimal places or opt for a 'floating decimal' display that adjusts automatically.

To begin, turn on the calculator by pressing the [ON/OFF] button. If it's already on, you can directly proceed to adjust the decimal places. Interestingly, you can adjust the decimal places even for ongoing calculations.

• For instance, if the display currently shows |3.00| and you set it to 4 decimal places, the display will update to |3.0000| once you exit the decimal adjustment process.
• Regardless of the displayed setting, the calculator internally computes numbers to 13 decimal places. This means that although it may show |3.00|, it actually treats the number as 3.0000000000000.

Locate and press the [2nd] button positioned near the top left corner of the keypad. This button serves as the “second function” button. Most buttons on the TI BA II Plus have both a label on them and a label above them. Activating the [2nd] button allows you to access the upper labels (the “second functions”) for the next button press.

• For instance, if you wish to activate the “%” second function on the [5] button, simply press the [2nd] button just before pressing the [5] button.

Tap the [.] button situated at the center bottom of the keypad. This button is labeled “FORMAT” above it. Since you've just activated the [2nd] button, the [.] button now functions as the [FORMAT] button.

Verify that |DEC = 2.00| is displayed on the screen. This indicates that you have entered the formatting menu for the TI BA II Plus. The “DEC” signifies decimals, and the “2.00” indicates that the calculator is currently configured to display 2 decimal places (its default setting).

• If the decimal place setting has been previously modified, the screen will show the current setting. For example, if the calculator is set to display 3 decimal places, the screen will indicate |DEC = 3.000|.

Select a number button from 0 to 8 to specify the desired number of decimal places. Although having zero decimal places on a financial calculator is rare, you can set it by pressing the [0] button. Conversely, pressing the [8] button will configure the device to display up to 8 decimal places.

Press the number button [9] to opt for a “floating decimal” format. This unique feature of the TI BA II Plus adjusts the displayed decimal places based on the entered number. After configuring the decimal places, the calculator will show the minimum required decimals to represent the number accurately, up to a maximum of 9 decimal places.

• For example, inputting the number 3.5 yields different displays depending on the decimal setting:
  • In the default 2-decimal format, it appears as |3.50|.
  • With zero decimal places, it shows as |4.|.
  • With 3 decimal places, it displays as |3.500|.
  • With 8 decimal places, it reads |3.50000000|.
  • Opting for the “floating decimal” format (by pressing [9]), it shows as |3.5|.

After selecting your desired number button, press the [ENTER] button. Positioned as the second button from the left on the top row of the keypad, pressing [ENTER] finalizes the adjustment of the decimal place setting based on the entered number.

Ensure that the |DEC = | screen reflects your chosen decimal places. This screen will display one of the following:

• Zero places: |DEC = 0.|
• 1 place: |DEC = 1.0|
• 2 places: |DEC = 2.00|
• 3 places: |DEC = 3.000|
• 4 places: |DEC = 4.0000|
• 5 places: |DEC = 5.00000|
• 6 places: |DEC = 6.000000|
• 7 places: |DEC = 7.0000000|
• 8 places: |DEC = 8.00000000|
• Floating decimal: |DEC = 9.|

Press the [2nd] button, followed by the [CPT] button above it, to exit the |DEC = | screen. Activating the second function for the [CPT] button (labeled as “QUIT”) by pressing [2nd] allows you to exit the |DEC = | screen. Subsequently, the display will revert to its previous state with the updated decimal settings.

Proceed to use the calculator normally with the customized decimal places. The TI BA II Plus retains the adjusted decimal place setting until you decide to modify it again. However, there is one exception—restoring all default settings:

• Press [2nd], then [+/-] (its second function is “RESET”).
• Press [ENTER] to reset the calculator, erasing its memory, deleting any worksheet data, and reverting to default settings.