How do I write numbers in scientific notation?

Format: a × 10^n where 1 ≤ a < 10. Example: 1,500 = 1.5 × 10³, 0.005 = 5 × 10⁻³. Move decimal to get coefficient between 1-10.

When should I use scientific notation?

Use for very large (astronomy, chemistry) or very small numbers (atomic scale, electronics). Makes calculations easier and reduces errors with many zeros.

How do I multiply numbers in scientific notation?

Multiply coefficients and add exponents: (2 × 10³) × (3 × 10⁴) = 6 × 10⁷. For division, divide coefficients and subtract exponents.

Scientific Notation Calculator

Q: When should I use scientific notation?

Use for very large (astronomy, chemistry) or very small numbers (atomic scale, electronics). Makes calculations easier and reduces errors with many zeros.

Q: How do I multiply numbers in scientific notation?

Multiply coefficients and add exponents: (2 × 10³) × (3 × 10⁴) = 6 × 10⁷. For division, divide coefficients and subtract exponents.

Convert numbers to and from scientific notation.

Input Number

Input Format

Number

Decimal Places

Scientific Notation

1.235 × 10⁸

Standard form

Coefficient

1.235

Mantissa

Exponent

Power of 10

Engineering Notation

123.457 × 10⁶

Powers of 3

Magnitude

Scale:Mega (10⁶)

Order of magnitude:10^8

How it works

Scientific notation writes very large or very small numbers compactly as a value between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of ten. The exponent counts how many places the decimal moves — positive for big numbers, negative for small ones.

Scientific notation

n = a × 10ᵇ   where   1 ≤ |a| < 10

a: the coefficient (mantissa)
b: the exponent (decimal places moved)

Worked example

Write 45,000 in scientific notation

Move the decimal 4 places left: 4.5
That's ×10⁴

45,000 = 4.5 × 10⁴.

Good to know

Small numbers use negative exponents: 0.00067 = 6.7 × 10⁻⁴.
To multiply, multiply the coefficients and add the exponents; to divide, divide and subtract.
It's the standard way to express significant figures cleanly in science and engineering.