Number Variables Calculator
Number Variables
PowerOne can handle multiple data types. One of those is numbers. Number variables are defined with no value, or in either 1,000.00 or 1.000,00 format. Those numbers can start with a currency symbol, end with a percent, include units and descriptions.
Note that there are two ways to represent a number and the currency to display is customizable. Finally, whether Imperial or metric units should be displayed first can also be customized. All are defined in the Profile, which is available by selecting [icon--app-more | extras button].
[https://.../t/help_variables|Learn more about variables].
Creating Numbers
To create a number variable, define a variable followed by an equals sign. This defines a variable with no default value:
To create a number variable with a default value, set the default value after the number:
It is expected that any default values are entered using the selected number format in Profile. PowerOne will automatically convert any templates to use the desired format.
Currencies
To create a number variable with a currency symbol, insert the currency symbol after the equals sign (without and with a default value):
The currency symbol itself is not considered for any mathematics. It is purely decorative. The symbol itself can be any of the following at entry: $, €, £, ¤, ¥, ฿, ₡, ₨, ₩, ₪, ₫, ₭, ₮, ₱, ₴, ₹, ₺, or ₽. PowerOne will automatically translate that to the currency selected in Profile.
Percentages
To create a percentage, insert the percent symbol after the value (without and with a default value):
While currencies don't impact the mathematics, percentages do. When Tip, for instance, is used in an equation it is automatically translated to its decimal format and when Interest Rate is calculated it is automatically converted from its decimal format. Math functions that require a percent (i.e., Percent Change) assume the decimal format is supplied. If used with percent symbols there is no need for you to translate manually (multiply or divide by 100).
Descriptions
Number variables can be followed by a description. In this example, the description (TB or terabytes) helps define the value to be entered:
Number Formats
PowerOne supports two number formats: 1,000.00 and 1.000,00. This can be set in Profile. When entering a default value for a number variable, it expects the format designated in the Profile. The display will change automatically for template users that choose a different format.
Displayed Decimal Places
Each number variable has its own decimal place setting. To set the decimal places, select a number variable row then select **details** below the editor and finally change Decimals. Options include float, which shows as many places as possible less any trailing zeroes, or 0 through 9, which display that number of fixed places.
While the row will default to display the designated number of decimal places, each template user can override this setting. To change the decimal places for a template, choose [icon--app-more | extras button] and **Settings**.
Constants
A constant is a number variable that is set to its value and never re-calculated. Constants are useful when a value is used in multiple equations and may never change or changes only occasionally, making it easier to understand and update a template. These are also referred to as look-up values.
To set a constant, create a number variable with a default value then select **details** and check the constant checkbox.
While it doesn't appear any differently than a standard number variable, it won't be computed even if used in an equation. Note that constants are hidden by default.
Units
PowerOne supports certain Imperial and metric length, area, volume, mass, duration and temperature conversions. These units are entered after the value using the following abbreviations (², ³, and ° symbols can be found by selecting [icon--app-more | extras button] then **Insert Formatting**):
- Length: ft, in, yd, m, cm, mm
- Length: miles, km
- Area: ft², in², yd², m², cm², mm²
- Volume: ft³, in³, yd³, m³, cm³, mm³
- Volume: gal, ukgal, L
- Mass: oz, lb, g, kg
- Duration: days, hr, min, sec, msec
- Duration: months, years
- Temperature: °F, °C
In addition, a length can be entered in feet-inch (ft-in) format or fractional format (frin) and duration can be entered in hour:minute:second (hms) format. Examples include:
To designate a row's unit type but no default value, include the unit but not the value. For feet-inch values use ftin, for fractional inch values use frin, and for hours:minutes:seconds format use hms:
When using a unit in the template, converting is as simple as selecting the row then choosing a different unit type in the keypad. (This is also possible for read-only rows whose values contain units.)
Unit Storage and Math
PowerOne doesn't store the value as entered. Instead, PowerOne stores it in the unit type you designate. This makes math with units simple. Instead of adjusting equations for every unit, PowerOne performs a conversion to the stored unit format, math is performed in this stored unit, and the result is converted to the desired unit to display. You only need to write your equation for one unit type.
To designate a storage unit, select the desired unit row, select **details** then choose an option for **Stored Unit As**. PowerOne will store that row's unit value in that format.
For example, the cubic yards of concrete required to fill a box is calculated as length * width * height of the box where each length, width and height are in yards. If length is in inches, width is yards and height is centimeters, however, each of those values would need to be converted to yards before calculating.
PowerOne takes care of all that for you. Which unit used for input no longer matters. Set Stored Unit As to "yd" for each length, width and height and Concrete to "yd³". Here is each row's source code. Click on each to see the details associated:
And here's the resulting template. Change to different units to see how it calculates correctly:
Length = 0.9722222222222222
Width = 4
Height = 0.16404199475065617
Concrete = 0.6379410907
PowerOne makes no attempt to calculate a unit if it is left off or correct a unit that is incorrectly added. In the example above, for instance, if you asked Concrete to be displayed in ounces, it will gladly do that.
Displayed Feet-Inch and Fractional Inch Denominator
While all other units are shown in decimal format (i.e., 3.5m or 37°F), feet-inch and fractional inch values are shown with fractional inches. By default PowerOne rounds to the nearest 64th of an inch then reduces as appropriate. You can change this maximum inch denominator by selecting a length unit variable then selecting **details** and changing **Inches** to 2 (nearest 1/2 inch), 4 (nearest 1/4 inch), 8 (nearest 1/8 inch), 16 (nearest 1/16 inch), or 32 (nearest 1/32 inch).
While the row will default to display the designated denominator, each template user can override this setting. To change the **Inches** for a template, select [icon--app-more | extras button] then **Settings**.
Keywords
Length
Width
Height
Concrete
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Units
Currency
Currencies
Percentages
Descriptions
1,000.00
1.000,00
Number Formats
Displayed Decimal Places
Constants
Length
Area
Volume
Mass
Duration
Temperature
Feet
Inch
Yard
Meter
Metre
Centimeter
Centimetre
Millimeter
Millmetre
Ounce
Pound
Gram
Kilogram
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Milliseconds
Months
Years
Fahrenheit
Celsius
