Scientific Notation Calculator
Convert standard decimal numbers to scientific notation and vice versa. Handles positive and negative exponents with standard form formatting.
What is Scientific Notation?
Scientific notation is a method of writing very large or very small numbers. It takes the form:
a × 10ⁿ
- a (Coefficient): A number greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10 (e.g., 4.5).
- n (Exponent): An integer.
Examples
- 0.0045 = 4.5 × 10⁻³
- 125,000 = 1.25 × 10⁵
- -0.02 = -2.0 × 10⁻²
Why use it?
It simplifies arithmetic with huge numbers (like the distance to stars) or tiny numbers (like the size of atoms), making them easier to read and calculate without writing long strings of zeros.
? Frequently Asked Questions
E-Notation is a version of scientific notation where '× 10^' is replaced by 'e' or 'E'. For example, 1.25 × 10^5 is written as 1.25e5. This format is commonly used in calculators and programming.
Yes. A negative exponent indicates a number between 0 and 1 (a decimal). For example, 10⁻¹ is 0.1, and 10⁻³ is 0.001.
Most calculators have an 'EE' or 'EXP' button. Pressing this usually displays an 'E', followed by the exponent you wish to enter.