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Scientific Notation Calculator

Enter two numbers as a value and an exponent of 10, pick an operation, and press Calculate. The answer appears in scientific notation, E notation, and decimal notation.

What this tool does

The calculator works with two numbers, each entered as a value times a power of 10. Type the first number and its exponent, choose one of the four operations (+, −, ×, ÷), then type the second number and its exponent.

Nothing is calculated until you press Calculate. The answer then appears in cards below the button, and you can copy the result to the clipboard or clear the form to start again.

The three result formats

Every answer is shown in three forms: scientific notation, E notation, and decimal notation. For example, (2 × 10^3) + (3 × 10^2) gives 2.3 × 10^3 in scientific notation, 2.3e+3 in E notation, and 2300 in decimal notation.

When an answer does not come out exact, the result is approximate. Dividing (1 × 10^0) by (3 × 10^0) gives about 3.33333333333333 × 10^-1, shown as 0.333333333333333 in decimal notation.

Scientific notation formula

Each entry is a number multiplied by 10 raised to its exponent, so every calculation follows the rules for powers of ten. In the multiplication example, (2 × 10^3) × (3 × 10^2) = 6 × 10^5: the number parts are multiplied and the exponents are added.

Division works the other way, with the number parts divided and the exponents subtracted, as in (2 × 10^3) ÷ (4 × 10^1) = 5 × 10^1. Addition and subtraction line up the powers of ten first and then combine the number parts, as in (2 × 10^3) + (3 × 10^2) = 2.3 × 10^3 and (2 × 10^3) − (3 × 10^2) = 1.7 × 10^3.