Scientific Notation Calculator

In scientific notation, the coefficient (significand) must be a number between 1 and 10 (e.g., 4.5 × 10⁴). In engineering notation, the coefficient can be between 1 and 1000, and the exponent must be a multiple of 3 (e.g., 45 × 10³), which aligns directly with metric prefixes like kilo, mega, micro, and nano.

The 'e' or 'E' stands for exponent (specifically base 10). It is a shorthand notation known as E-notation. For example, 6.02e23 is mathematically identical to 6.02 × 10²³.

In scientific notation, all digits written in the coefficient (significand) are significant. For example, in 3.00 × 10⁵, there are 3 significant figures. In 3 × 10⁵, there is only 1. The exponent part (10⁵) does not affect the number of significant figures.

A negative exponent indicates division rather than multiplication. For example, 10⁻³ is equal to 1 / 10³ or 1 / 1000 (which is 0.001). Therefore, 5.2 × 10⁻³ means 5.2 divided by 1000, which equals 0.0052.

To add or subtract, you must first rewrite the numbers so they have the same exponent. Once the exponents match, add or subtract the coefficients, and keep the common exponent. Finally, adjust the result back into standard scientific notation if necessary.