Scientific Notation Calculator
Scientific Notation Calculator
Scientific notation is a way of expressing numbers that are too large or too small to be conveniently written in decimal form.
Conversion Formula
Move the decimal point until there is exactly one non-zero digit before it. Count the moves: right = negative exponent, left = positive exponent.
Step-by-Step Examples
12345.678 = 1.2345678 × 10⁴
Decimal moves 4 places left.
0.00042 = 4.2 × 10⁻⁴
Decimal moves 4 places right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is scientific notation?
Scientific notation expresses numbers as a coefficient (1 ≤ |a| < 10) multiplied by a power of 10. Example: 12,345 = 1.2345 × 10⁴.
Why use scientific notation?
It makes very large or very small numbers easier to read, write, and compare. Essential in science, engineering, and computing.
What does the exponent mean?
The exponent tells you how many places to move the decimal point. Positive = right (larger), negative = left (smaller).
How do you multiply numbers in scientific notation?
Multiply the coefficients and add the exponents. (2 × 10³) × (3 × 10⁴) = 6 × 10⁷.
What is E notation?
E notation is used in calculators and programming: 1.23E4 means 1.23 × 10⁴. The E stands for "exponent."