How to Use the Scientific Notation on a Calculator

A calculator can assist with numbers in scientific notation.

Scientific notation refers to a shorthand way of writing out very large or very small numbers by using powers of 10. Scientific notion has two parts: a number between 1 and 10 and 10 raised to a power. These two parts are multiplied by each other to find the actual number. For example, to represent 4,569 in scientific notation, you would write 4.569 x 10^3. When entering a number in scientific notation on the calculator, you need to know the right keys to use.

Instructions

1. Enter the number between 1 and 10 on the calculator. For example, in the expression 3.975 x 10^5, you would enter "3.975" on the calculator.

2. Push the scientific notation key on the calculator, usually represented by "EE" or "EXP." Do not push the multiplication key.

3. Enter the exponent 10 is raised to in the expression. In the example 3.975 x 10^5, five is the exponent, so you would enter "5" on the calculator.

4. Push the equals sign on the calculator to see the answer to the expression. In this example, when you push the equals sign, the calculator shows 39,750.

References

• Texas A&M University: Scientific Notation
• Clackamas Community College: Scientific Notation on Calculators