Scientific Notation: Using your calculator

Although it's important for you to understand what numbers mean when they are written in scientific notation, often there is no need to go from decimal to scientific notation or reverse. Calculations are handled in both forms by your calculator, so they may be entered in whatever form they are given.
To enter a number in scientific notation on your calculator, look for a button labeled "EXP". (It may also be labeled "EE".) The label may be written over a button rather than on it, which means you need to press the "second" key (usually a colored button on the upper left) before you press the "EXP" button. The purpose of EXP is to indicate the power of 10 after the first part of the number has been entered.
Note that if you try these examples, the appearance of the number may differ from what is shown in the table. For example, the exponent (power of 10) may not be raised up as shown, or it may be preceded by the letter "E". Some (more expensive) calculators show the number 10 with it's exponent, exactly as you would print it.

No matter how your calculator displays a number in scientific notation, you should always print them by hand in the form A x 10N. You should always read the number as "A times 10 to the Nth power".

For example, to enter:

Use these keystrokes:

The number appears as:

4.25 x 10

4.25 EXP 6

4.25                  06

2.88 x 10-3

2.88 EXP -3

2.88             -03

IMPORTANT NOTES

EXERCISES TO TRY:

a. multiply: (3 x 108) x (4 x 105)

b. divide: (2.3 x 10-6) / (4.6 x 102)

c. multiply: (5.5 x 108) x (1.25 x 10-3)

ANSWERS: 1.2 x 1014, 5.0 x 10-9, 6.875 x 105