What scientific notation is and why calculators handle it differently
Scientific notation is a way of writing very large or very small numbers using powers of 10. Instead of writing 5,000,000, you write 5 × 106. Instead of 0.00003, you write 3 × 10−5. Calculators use a special button or key to enter these numbers because the keyboard doesn't have a superscript option.
Most calculators — whether on your phone, computer, or a physical device — use the EE or EXP button to enter scientific notation. Some older or specialized calculators may label it differently, but the function is the same. When you press this button, you're telling the calculator "the next number I type is the exponent, or power of 10."
Understanding how to use this button matters because it's faster than typing out long strings of zeros, and it's the only way some calculators will display answers to very large or very small calculations. If you've ever seen a number like 3.5E+8 on your calculator screen, that's scientific notation — the E stands for "times 10 to the power of."
Key Takeaways
- The EXP or EE button on your calculator lets you enter the exponent without typing it as a superscript.
- Press the button after typing the main number, then type the exponent value — do not type the 10 itself.
- A negative exponent (like 3E−5) means a small decimal number, while a positive exponent (like 3E+8) means a large number.
- Your calculator will automatically show results in scientific notation when numbers are too large or too small to display normally.
- The E on your screen means "times 10 to the power of" — it is not a separate number to multiply.
Finding and using the EXP or EE button
On most standard calculators, the EXP button is located near the number pad or in the top row of function buttons. On a scientific calculator, it's usually marked clearly. On a graphing calculator like a TI-84, it's often labeled EE and sits near the decimal point. On your phone's calculator app, you may need to rotate the phone to landscape mode or tap a "scientific" or "more" button to see it.
To enter a number in scientific notation, type the main number first, then press EXP (or EE), then type the exponent. For example, to enter 5 × 106, you would press: 5, then EXP, then 6. Your screen will show something like "5E6" or "5e6." Do not type the 10 — the calculator already knows that part.
If your exponent is negative, press the minus button (−) after pressing EXP. To enter 3 × 10−5, you press: 3, then EXP, then −, then 5. The screen will show "3E−5" or "3e-5."
Entering negative exponents correctly
A negative exponent means the number is very small — a decimal. The negative sign goes on the exponent itself, not on the main number. This is a common place where people make mistakes.
If you want to enter 0.00003 (which is 3 × 10−5), press 3, then EXP, then the minus button, then 5. You should see "3E−5" on the screen. If you accidentally press the minus button before EXP, you'll enter −3 × 105, which is a completely different number (−300,000).
If the main number itself is negative — for example, −5 × 106 — press the minus button first, before EXP. So the sequence would be: minus, 5, EXP, 6. This gives you "−5E6" on the screen, which equals −5,000,000.
Reading scientific notation on your calculator screen
When your calculator shows a result like 2.5E+12, it means 2.5 × 1012, or 2,500,000,000,000. The plus sign is optional — your calculator may show it or leave it out, but either way, a positive exponent means a large number. The E (or e) always means "times 10 to the power of."
If you see 1.8E−7, that means 1.8 × 10−7, or 0.00000018. The negative exponent tells you the number is very small. Count the negative exponent to understand where the decimal point goes: with −7, you move the decimal point 7 places to the left.
Your calculator switches to scientific notation automatically when a number is too large or too small to fit on the screen in regular form. You cannot change this — it's how the calculator displays the answer. If you need to see the number written out in full, you may be able to copy the result and paste it into a text editor or spreadsheet, which will sometimes show the full decimal form.
Doing calculations with scientific notation
Once you've entered a number in scientific notation, you can add, subtract, multiply, or divide it just like any other number. Press the operation button (+, −, ×, ÷) and then enter the next number. The calculator handles the powers of 10 automatically.
For example, to multiply 5 × 106 by 2 × 103, you press: 5, EXP, 6, ×, 2, EXP, 3, =. The calculator will show you the result in scientific notation. You don't need to think about the exponents — the calculator does that work for you.
If you're adding or subtracting numbers with different exponents, the calculator still handles it correctly. For instance, 1 × 105 plus 2 × 104 equals 1.2 × 105. You just enter the numbers and let the calculator do the math.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is typing the 10 separately. Remember: you press EXP, not EXP then 1 then 0. If you type 5, EXP, 1, 0, 6, your calculator will interpret that as 5 × 101 × 0 × 6, which is wrong. The EXP button already means "times 10 to the power of."
Another mistake is confusing the minus button with the negative exponent. If you want −5 × 106, press minus first, then 5, then EXP, then 6. If you press 5, EXP, minus, 6, you get 5 × 10−6, which is a much smaller number. The order matters.
Some people also forget that the E on the screen is not a number to multiply by. When you see 3E8, you don't calculate 3 × E × 8. The E is shorthand for "times 10 to the power of," so 3E8 means 3 × 108, which is 300,000,000.
Using scientific notation on phone calculators and computers
On an iPhone, open the Calculator app and rotate your phone to landscape mode. The scientific calculator will appear, and you'll see the EE button. On Android, open the calculator app and look for a menu or settings button — many Android calculators have a "scientific" mode you can toggle on.
On a Windows computer, open the Calculator app, click the menu button (three horizontal lines), and select "Scientific." On a Mac, open Calculator and go to View > Scientific. Both will show you the EXP button or a similar function.
If you're using a spreadsheet like Excel or Google Sheets, you can enter scientific notation directly into a cell. Type the number followed by the letter E and the exponent — for example, 5E6 — and the spreadsheet will understand it as 5,000,000. You can also use the EXP function in formulas, though that works differently (it calculates e raised to a power, where e is a mathematical constant).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the E mean on my calculator?
The E stands for "exponent" and means "times 10 to the power of." When you see 5E6 on your screen, it means 5 × 106, or 5,000,000. The E is just shorthand because calculators can't display superscripts.
Can I turn off scientific notation on my calculator?
Not always. Most calculators automatically switch to scientific notation when a number is too large or too small to display normally. Some graphing calculators and computer programs let you change the display mode, but the underlying number is the same either way.
Is 5E6 the same as 5 × 106?
Yes, exactly the same. 5E6 is how a calculator writes 5 × 106. Both equal 5,000,000. The E is just the calculator's way of showing the exponent when it can't use superscript.
What if I need to enter a decimal number in scientific notation?
You enter the decimal as the main number. For example, to enter 2.5 × 104, press 2.5, then EXP, then 4. The calculator will show "2.5E4," which equals 25,000. You don't need to do anything special — just type the decimal point normally.
Why does my calculator show a result in scientific notation when I didn't ask for it?
Your calculator automatically switches to scientific notation when the result is too large or too small to fit on the screen in regular form. This is normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong. The number is still correct — it's just displayed in a more compact way.