Scientific Notation Converter

This scientific notation calculator is used to convert scientific notation to other representations of numbers like engineering notation, decimal, and standard form. 

What is scientific notation?

Scientific notation is a representation of large or small numbers used in numerical and other scientific calculations.

It is a way of writing numbers such that the number is greater than or equal to 1 and smaller than 10. E.g:

• 2.7 x 10^-1
• 9.8 x 10³⁴

The numbers in the example above are in scientific notation. There is always a 10, raised to some power, involved in it. The power of 10 can be positive or negative depending on the nature of the number. 

How to convert scientific notation?

To write scientific notation in other forms, you can use the calculator above. But let’s also see the manual process.

Scientific notation to decimals:

Move the decimal point to the left or right equal to the power of 10 times. Meaning here is if the power of 10 is 3, move the decimal point to the right 3 times. 

The direction of movement of the decimal point depends on the nature of the power of 10. If the power is positive, move to the right, and if the power is a negative move to the left. 

See this example to understand more.

Example: 

Convert 2.3 x 10^-3 into decimal form.

Solution:

The power of ten is negative three. This means we have to move the decimal point three times to the left.

= 0.0023

To perform arithmetic operations on scientific notations, use our scientific notation calculator.

Scientific notation to standard form:

Scientific notation is also referred to as standard form in the UK number system. But in some regions, standard form means the real number form.

Depending on the number system you are using, leave the scientific notation or convert it into the real number form (decimals). 

Scientific notation to engineering notation:

Scientific notation is also similar to engineering notation. But there is a rule that separates engineering notation from scientific notation. The rule is that the power of 10 must be a multiple of 3.

Example:

How to represent the following numbers in engineering notation?

• 1.0 x 10⁴

• 3.5 x 10⁶

• 3.0 x 10^-7

Solution:

1. Converting 1.0 x 10⁴ in engineering notation:

= 10 x 10³  (moved the decimal point one place to the right)

2. Converting 3.5 x 10⁶ in engineering notation:

It is already in engineering notation. The power 6 is a multiple of 3.

3. Converting 3.0 x 10^-7 in engineering notation:

= 0.3 x 10^-6  (moved the decimal point to the left one time.)