HP Introduces Its Most Intuitive Graphing Calculator to Date: The HP 39G; Easy-to-use Features Help High-school Students Learn How to Solve Complex Problems.

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 2000

Here at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) annual conference, Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HWP) today announced the HP 39G graphing calculator, designed to provide an intuitive learning experience for high-school students studying a variety of mathematical concepts.

An extension of the HP 38G family of graphing calculators, the HP 39G is built on the simplicity of the HP 38G with increased memory and functionality, and it's even easier-to-use than its predecessor. All of the calculator's more than 600 functions are accessed through easy-to-read menus, so that no keystroke memorization is required.

"We enlisted a team of educators to help design the HP 39G graphing calculator," said Jeff Blough, business manager for HP's North American Calculator Operation. "The result was an especially intuitive calculator that helps educators teach mathematics and students learn new concepts one step at a time. The HP 39G focuses the learning experience on the process of problem solving, rather than on just finding the correct answer."

The HP 39G graphing calculator contains an exciting learning tool from HP called e-lessons. These electronic lessons derive from topics in textbooks and are adapted to help students learn math and science at their own pace. Teachers and students can also design their own e-lessons, which can then be sent to other students' calculators via an infrared port.

"With a wealth of special features and lessons, the HP 39G is a tool that students can learn from in the classroom and at home," said Blough. "These tools complement and enhance the learning experience, while also making students more comfortable using calculators and technology."

Special features of the HP 39G graphing calculator include the following:

-- math features -- algebra, trigonometry, lists and sequences,

exponential and logarithmic functions, permutations,

combinations and factorials, differentiation and integration,

and the HP equation solver;

-- statistical features -- descriptive statistics and sample data

descriptions to help make inferences about populations with

hypothesis tests and confidence intervals; and

-- graphic features -- function, parametric, polar, conic and

statistical plots; function analysis; plotting with tracing

and zooming; and graphic, symbolic and numeric views.

With a smooth design and sturdy body in a dark, metallic blue with matching translucent blue slide-on cover, the HP 39G is ideal for handheld or desktop use. The HP 39G can be connected directly to a personal computer and supports an overhead display unit. Data, equations, notes and e-lessons may be sent to students using the built-in infrared port.

A Complete Learning Solution

Keeping in mind that time and resources are invaluable to teachers, HP has developed an innovative curriculum to help support math, science and engineering instructors who use the HP 39G graphing calculator in the classroom.

Curriculum, workshop schedules and other materials will be available through the Math Learning Center (http://www.mlc.pdx.edu/). Interested teachers can call [phone] to obtain a copy of the curriculum, information on how to receive an HP 39G graphing calculator for review and a schedule of the 15 workshops being conducted this summer.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The HP 39G graphing calculator is expected to be available in May for an estimated U.S. street price of $89.

A list of North American retailers that carry HP calculators can be found at http://www.hp.com/calculators/purchase/north_america.html.

About HP Calculators

HP offers a comprehensive range of calculators designed for math and science students, engineers, scientists, and financial and business consultants. Manufactured with the quality and durability that customers have come to expect from HP, HP calculators feature hundreds of built-in functions, user-friendly displays and easy-to-use features.

Information about HP calculators can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com/calculators.

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services for business and home -- is focused on capitalizing on the opportunities of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic services.

HP plans to spin off Agilent Technologies and distribute its shares to HP

shareowners by mid-calendar year 2000. Agilent consists of HP's test and measurement, semiconductor products, chemical analysis and healthcare solutions businesses, and has leading positions in multiple market segments.

HP has 85,400 employees worldwide and had total revenue from continuing operations of $42.4 billion in its 1999 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.