Common Formats used for Scientific Notation
This document presents the common conventions used to present Scientific Notation
and the conventions we will use in this course. See the table below to see the most common formats.
Word processing and type setting software can present Scientific Notation in standard style.
Some types of documents (text files for example) cannot produce subscripts or superscripts and therefore cannot reproduce the standard style for Scientific Notation. You may see this
Text
style often in this course.
Computers use their own compact style for Scientific Notation.
Unfortunately, different calculators may present Scientific Notation in different formats. It is your responsibility to read your calculator manual and learn how to correctly use, and interpret, Scientific Notation on your calculator.
Style
Examples
Standard
3 x 10
4
6.67 x 10
-11
3.22 x 10
41
Text
3 x 10^4
6.67 x 10^-11
3.22 x 10^41
Computer
3E+4
6.67E-11
3.22E+41
Calculator
3E+4
6.67E-11
3.22E+41
3e+4
6.67e-11
3.22e+41
3 4
6.67 -11
3.22 41
3
4
6.67
-11
3.22
41