How do you convert a number to scientific notation?

Scientific notation writes a number as a coefficient between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of ten. It keeps very large and very small values readable.

Take 45,000. Move the decimal until one non-zero digit is on its left: 4.5. The decimal moved four places left, so the result is 4.5 × 10⁴. For 0.0032, move it three places right to get 3.2 × 10⁻³.

Positive exponents describe numbers at least 10; negative exponents describe numbers smaller than 1. Count every decimal move carefully. A form such as 45 × 10³ is unfinished: adjust it to 4.5 × 10⁴ so the coefficient stays below 10.

Calculators may show E notation, such as 4.5E4, which means 4.5 × 10⁴. Significant figures still apply; scientific notation makes the intended digits clear in the coefficient.

To convert back, move the decimal right for a positive exponent and left for a negative one, adding zeros as needed. The method is useful for astronomy, biology, chemistry, and any calculation with long strings of zeros.

When checking homework, a scientificnotationcalculator.org can convert between standard and scientific form so you can confirm the exponent you counted by hand.