HP12c - changing settings for n

SB for first person to solve this for me

I noticed when solving for n (number of periods) on the HP12c that it's rounding up to the nearest whole number.

Ex. if the amount of periods is really 10.24, it will tell you n=11.

Is there any way to get it to say the exact number of periods? Or can someone with the Platinum HP12c perhaps let us know if that calculator resolves this issue?

Thanks

13 Comments
 
atwoodtI think you're looking to adjust the number of decimal places. If so, hit the f orange button and then the number of decimal places you want to see.

For example:

1.2345

f, 2 = 1.23

Nah, I'm already at 3 decimals

It's from a CFA sample - it asks at 7% return, how long will it take money to double

PV=-1 FV=2 i=7 PMT=0 n=solve

The CFA answer (correct) is n=10.24 (1.07^10.24=1.999)

HP12c just says n=11.000 though, and 1.07^11=2.105 (clearly too high...)

if you like it then you shoulda put a banana on it
 
Best Response
frgna
atwoodtI think you're looking to adjust the number of decimal places. If so, hit the f orange button and then the number of decimal places you want to see.

For example:

1.2345

f, 2 = 1.23

Nah, I'm already at 3 decimals

It's from a CFA sample - it asks at 7% return, how long will it take money to double

PV=-1 FV=2 i=7 PMT=0 n=solve

The CFA answer (correct) is n=10.24 (1.07^10.24=1.999)

HP12c just says n=11.000 though, and 1.07^11=2.105 (clearly too high...)

You will always receive an integer for n when using the TVM functions.

If you want an exact answer for n, you have to solve using natural logs.

2 = 1.07^n

ln (2) = n * ln (1.07)

ln (2) / ln (1.07) = n

n = 10.24

 

hp12c = preftige

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

I just tried it and got 11 too.

I hate these stupid questions when we can just use a goalseek on Excel and solve it in 5 seconds. You get 10.2445979360766 periods to give you a value of 1.99997694

I have no clue how to get the 12C to do that.

One thing to consider is that it will, assuming that you are counting in whole numbers, take 11 periods to double. You may end up with more than double after 11 periods, but you won't double with 10.

HP12c: 1/10th the functionality. 10x the badass.

Nothing short of everything will really do.
 

Aut voluptatem qui rerum omnis quisquam error dolorem. Assumenda qui dolor aspernatur beatae qui quia. Neque aperiam ut asperiores ut eaque est.

Nostrum enim autem sit velit. Consequatur doloribus omnis illum cupiditate perferendis quod molestiae.

Id deserunt eos consequatur aut. Iusto quaerat aspernatur aut velit qui expedita eveniet aut. Repellat voluptatem atque atque dolorem. Consequuntur quis eius amet accusamus error qui. A labore ipsa libero possimus deserunt non autem minima.

Ut et ducimus facere totam voluptatem. Quidem dignissimos doloremque at voluptas est velit quibusdam.

if you like it then you shoulda put a banana on it

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (24) $180
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (82) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”