Scientific Notation Converter
123,400 written in scientific notation is 1.234 x 10^5. This scientific notation converter turns a standard number into scientific notation. Enter any value and it returns the coefficient between 1 and 10, the power of ten exponent, the full a x 10^b form, and the matching E-notation. It handles large numbers, small decimals, and negative values.
Quick answer
Scientific notation writes a number as a coefficient times a power of ten.
What this tells you
- •Scientific notation writes a number as a coefficient times a power of ten.
- •The coefficient is always 1 or more but less than 10.
- •A positive exponent means a large number, and a negative exponent means a small decimal.
- •E-notation is the same value written with the letter e, such as 1.234e+5.
How to Use
- 1Enter the number you want to convert in standard form.
- 2Use a negative sign for negative numbers and a decimal point for decimals.
- 3Click Calculate to get the scientific notation, coefficient, exponent, and E-notation.
How It Works
Formula
value = coefficient x 10^exponent, where 1 <= |coefficient| < 10To write a number in scientific notation, move the decimal point until one nonzero digit remains to its left. That gives the coefficient, and the number of places you moved the point is the exponent. Moving left gives a positive exponent, and moving right gives a negative exponent. For 123,400 the decimal moves 5 places left, giving 1.234 x 10^5.
Calculation note: values are processed in the order shown above, using the current input units.
Worked Examples
Convert 123,400 to scientific notation
Move the decimal point 5 places to the left so one digit stays in front, giving a coefficient of 1.234 and an exponent of 5.
Convert a small decimal, 0.00056
Move the decimal point 4 places to the right to get a coefficient of 5.6. Moving right makes the exponent negative, so the result is 5.6 x 10^-4.
Standard Numbers in Scientific Notation
Common values converted to scientific notation.
| Standard Number | Scientific Notation |
|---|---|
| 123,400 | 1.234 x 10^5 |
| 0.00056 | 5.6 x 10^-4 |
| 6,022,000,000 | 6.022 x 10^9 |
| -4,500 | -4.5 x 10^3 |
Common mistakes
- Leaving a coefficient of 10 or more. The coefficient must be at least 1 and less than 10, so 12 x 10^4 should be written as 1.2 x 10^5.
- Getting the exponent sign backward. Large numbers use a positive exponent and small decimals use a negative exponent.
- Counting decimal places in the wrong direction. Moving the point left raises the exponent, while moving it right lowers it.