What Is Scientific Notation?
Scientific notation is a way of writing very large or very small numbers as a number between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10. For example, 3,500,000 is written 3.5 × 10⁶, and 0.00042 is written 4.2 × 10⁻⁴. Calculators and computers often display it as 3.5E6.
Converting
Move the decimal point until one non-zero digit is to its left; the number of places moved is the exponent (positive for large numbers, negative for small ones).
Multiplying
Multiply the leading numbers and add the exponents: (2 × 10³) × (3 × 10⁴) = 6 × 10⁷.
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Last updated: September 29, 2026. This definition is for general educational purposes only. It is not financial, investment, tax, legal, or medical advice, and it does not recommend any product or course of action. For decisions about your own situation, consult a qualified professional.