Standard Form Calculator
Convert numbers to standard form (scientific notation). Calculate with standard form numbers.
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What is Standard Form?
Standard form (scientific notation) expresses numbers as a coefficient between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10. It's used in science and engineering for very large or very small numbers.
How to Use
- Enter any number (very large or very small)
- Click "Convert to Standard Form"
- View the scientific notation result
- See the coefficient and exponent breakdown
What is Standard Form Calculator?
Standard form (also called scientific notation) expresses numbers as a coefficient between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10. It's essential in science for handling extremely large numbers like distances in space or tiny numbers like atomic sizes.
Formula
Standard Form Format:
a × 10^n where 1 ≤ a < 10
Process:
1. Move decimal to get coefficient between 1-10
2. Count moves = exponent (left=positive, right=negative)
Examples
- 299,792,458 = 2.99792458 × 10⁸ (speed of light)
- 0.000001 = 1 × 10⁻⁶ (one millionth)
- 6,022,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 = 6.022 × 10²³
FAQ
What's the difference between standard form and scientific notation?
They're the same thing! 'Standard form' is the term used in the UK and some other countries, while 'scientific notation' is more common in the US. Both refer to a × 10^n format.
Why is the coefficient between 1 and 10?
This is a convention that ensures every number has a unique representation. Without this rule, 300 could be 3×10², 30×10¹, or 300×10⁰.
What does a negative exponent mean?
A negative exponent means the number is less than 1. For example, 10⁻³ = 0.001. Each negative power of 10 moves the decimal point one place to the left.