Notes for the bc(1) arbitrary precision calculator

Handy Variables

scale

Defines how some operations use digits after the decimal point . (Default 0) So if you type 5/5 bc interprets this as 5.00000/5.00000. and the answer is 1.00000

last

A variable that has the value of the last printed number. So if you have a running total in bc of 100, then last+10 would result in 110.

ibase

Define the conversion base for input numbers.

obase

Define the conversion base for output numbers.

Common Operations

Input numbers with a particular base but output them in a different base.

Say we want to add the binary numbers 101 and 111 but output the result in decimal.

obase=10
ibase=2
101+111
12

Note : Keep in mind if you set the ibase to a particular number, all variable values you set will need to be in that base.

For example : Say we have ibase=2 and obase=10. To change ibase to 10 (decimal) then we would do : ibase=1010

CategoryNotes