Scientific Notation Calculator
Scientific Notation Converter
Provide a number below to get its scientific notation, E-notation, engineering notation, and real number format. It accepts numbers in the following formats 3672.2, 2.3e11, or 3.5x10^-12.
Scientific Notation Calculator
Use the calculator below to perform calculations using scientific notation.
Scientific notation
Scientific notation is a way to express numbers in a form that makes numbers that are too small or too large more convenient to write and perform calculations with. It is commonly used in mathematics, engineering, and science, as it can help simplify arithmetic operations. In scientific notation, numbers are written as a base, b, referred to as the significand, multiplied by 10 raised to an integer exponent, n, which is referred to as the order of magnitude:
b × 10n
Below are some examples of numbers written in decimal notation compared to scientific notation:
| Decimal notation | Scientific notation |
|---|---|
| 5 | 5 × 100 |
| 700 | 7 × 102 |
| 1,000,000 | 1 × 106 |
| 0.0004212 | 4.212 × 10-4 |
| -5,000,000,000 | -5 × 109 |
Calculations with scientific notation
Scientific notation can simplify the process of computing basic arithmetic operations by hand.
Addition and subtraction: To add and subtract in scientific notation, ensure that each number is converted to a number with the same power of 10. For example, 100 can be written as 1×102, 0.01×104, 0.0001×106, and so on. Once the numbers are all written to the same power of 10, add each respective digit. Consider the problem 1.432×102 + 800×10-1 – 0.001×105:
= 1.432×102 + 0.8×102 – 1×102
= (1.432 + 0.8 – 1)×102
= 1.232×102
Multiplication: To multiply numbers in scientific notation, separate the powers of 10 and digits. The digits are multiplied normally, and the exponents of the powers of 10 are added to determine the new power of 10 applied to the product of the digits. Consider 1.432×102 × 800×10-1 × 0.001×105:
102 × 10-1 × 105 = 102+(-1)+5 = 106
Thus: 1.432×102 × 800×10-1 × 0.001×105 = 1.1456×106
Division: To divide numbers in scientific notation, separate the powers of 10 and digits. Divide the digits normally and subtract the exponents of the powers of 10. By convention, the quotient is written such that there is only one non-zero digit to the left of the decimal. Consider (1.432×102) ÷ (800×10-1) ÷ (0.001×105):
102 ÷ 10-1 ÷ 105 = 10(2-(-1)-5) = 10-2
Thus: (1.432×102) ÷ (800×10-1) ÷ (0.001×105) = 1.79×10-2
If, for example, the solution had instead been 0.179×10-2, by convention, we would shift the decimal to the left such that the first digit left of the decimal point wouldn't be 1, then change the exponent accordingly: 0.179×10-2 = 1.79×10-3.
Engineering notation
Engineering notation is similar to scientific notation except that the exponent, n, is restricted to multiples of 3 such as: 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, -3, -6, etc. This is so that the numbers align with SI prefixes and can be read as such. For example, 103 would have the kilo prefix, 106 would have the mega prefix, and 109 would have the giga prefix. Note that the decimal place of the number can be moved to convert scientific notation into engineering notation. For example, 1.234 × 108 (scientific notation) can be converted to 123.4 × 106 (engineering notation).
E-notation
E-notation is almost the same as scientific notation except that the "× 10" in scientific notation is replaced with just "E." It is used in cases where the exponent cannot be conveniently displayed. It is written as bEn, where b is the base, E indicates "x 10" and the n is written after the E. Below is a comparison of scientific notation and E-notation:
| Scientific notation | E-notation |
|---|---|
| 5 × 100 | 5E0 |
| 7 × 102 | 7E2 |
| 1 × 106 | 1E6 |
| 4.212 × 10-4 | 4.212E-4 |
| -5 × 109 | -5E9 |
The "E" can also be written as "e" which is what is used by this calculator. It can also be written in other ways depending on the context, such as being represented differently in different programming languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert a number to scientific notation?
Move the decimal point until there is exactly one non-zero digit to its left, then count how many places you moved it. Moving left gives a positive exponent and moving right gives a negative one: 1,568,938 becomes 1.568938 × 106, and 0.0004212 becomes 4.212 × 10-4.
What is the difference between scientific notation and engineering notation?
Engineering notation restricts the exponent to multiples of 3 (0, 3, 6, 9, -3, -6, ...) so the exponent lines up with SI prefixes such as kilo (103), mega (106), and giga (109). The mantissa can then have one, two, or three digits before the decimal point.
What is E-notation?
E-notation is scientific notation written for displays that cannot show exponents: the × 10 part is replaced by the letter E, so 4.212 × 10-4 is written 4.212e-4 (this calculator uses the lowercase e).
What does the precision setting do in the calculator?
Precision is the number of digits kept after the decimal place in the result. Addition, subtraction, division, and square roots are truncated at that many decimal places; multiplication, squaring, and powers are exact.