Interpret Calculator 'E' Notation
Calculators and computers display very large or small numbers using E notation, where E means times 10 to the power of. The display 4.5E9 means 4.5 times 10 to the 9th power = 4,500,000,000. The display 7.1E-6 means 7.1 times 10 to the -6th power = 0.0000071. Reading E notation fluently is an 8th grade real numbers skill from enVision Mathematics, Grade 8, Chapter 1 that bridges calculator output with standard scientific notation used in science and math.
Key Concepts
Property: Calculator & Computer Notation Calculators and computer programs often use E or EE to represent "times 10 to the power of.".
Syntax: a E n Mathematical Equivalence: $$a \times 10^n$$.
Note: In this format, the "E" stands for Exponent . For example, 4.5 E 6 is read as "four point five times ten to the sixth power.".
Common Questions
What does E notation on a calculator mean?
E stands for times 10 to the power of. For example, 4.5E9 means 4.5 times 10 to the 9th power.
What number does 3.2E7 represent?
3.2 times 10 to the 7th = 3.2 times 10,000,000 = 32,000,000.
What number does 6.0E-4 represent?
6.0 times 10 to the -4th = 6.0 times 0.0001 = 0.0006.
How do I convert a calculator E notation result back to scientific notation?
Replace E with times 10 to the power of. For example, 2.85E11 in scientific notation is 2.85 times 10 to the 11th power.
Why do calculators use E notation instead of writing out powers of 10?
Screens have limited space. E notation compresses a large exponent expression into a compact form that fits on one line.
When do 8th graders learn to interpret E notation?
Chapter 1 of enVision Mathematics, Grade 8 covers E notation in the Real Numbers unit.