Starting Calc
-------------

On most systems, you can type `M-#' to start the Calculator.  The
notation `M-#' is short for Meta-`#'.  On most keyboards this means
holding down the Meta (or Alt) and Shift keys while typing `3'.

Once again, if you don't have a Meta key on your keyboard you can type
ESC first, then `#', to accomplish the same thing.  If you don't even
have an ESC key, you can fake it by holding down Control or CTRL while
typing a left square bracket (that's `C-[' in Emacs notation).

`M-#' is a "prefix key"; when you press it, Emacs waits for you to
press a second key to complete the command.  In this case, you will
follow `M-#' with a letter (upper- or lower-case, it doesn't matter
for `M-#') that says which Calc interface you want to use.

To get Calc's standard interface, type `M-# c'.  To get Keypad Mode,
type `M-# k'.  Type `M-# ?' to get a brief list of the available
options, and type a second `?' to get a complete list.

To ease typing, `M-# M-#' (or `M-# #' if that's easier)
also works to start Calc.  It starts the same interface (either
`M-# c' or `M-# k') that you last used, selecting the
`M-# c' interface by default.  (If your installation has
a special function key set up to act like `M-#', hitting that
function key twice is just like hitting `M-# M-#'.)

If `M-#' doesn't work for you, you can always type explicit
commands like `M-x calc' (for the standard user interface) or
`M-x calc-keypad' (for Keypad Mode).  First type `M-x'
(that's Meta with the letter `x'), then, at the prompt,
type the full command (like `calc-keypad') and press Return.

If you type `M-x calc' and Emacs still doesn't recognize the command
(it will say `[No match]' when you try to press RET), then Calc has
not been properly installed.

The same commands (like `M-# c' or `M-# M-#') that start the
Calculator also turn it off if it is already on.