What Does E Mean on Calculator

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Reviewed by David Chen, CFA Updated: October 2023 | Expert in Financial Mathematics

Ever wondered why your calculator displays a small “e” or “E” followed by a number? This is Scientific Notation (also known as E-notation), a method used to represent extremely large or very small numbers efficiently. Use our solver below to convert numbers or solve for missing components.

Scientific Notation Solver

Enter any two values to solve for the third (V = m × 10n).

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Scientific Notation (E-Notation) Formula:

V = m × 10n
In calculator displays: mEn

Source: Wolfram MathWorld – Scientific Notation

Variables Explained:

  • m (Coefficient): A number typically between 1 and 10.
  • n (Exponent): The power of 10. If positive, the number is large. If negative, the number is a small decimal.
  • V (Value): The standard numeric representation of the scientific value.

What is ‘e’ on a Calculator?

On a calculator, the letter “e” (or “E”) stands for Exponent. It is a shorthand for “times ten raised to the power of.” For example, 5e6 does not mean 5 times the mathematical constant e, but rather 5 × 106, which equals 5,000,000.

Calculators use this notation because screen space is limited. Instead of showing twelve zeros for a trillion, it displays 1e12. It is an essential tool for scientists, engineers, and students dealing with cosmic scales or microscopic measurements.

How to Calculate E-Notation (Example):

  1. Identify the number: Let’s take 45,000.
  2. Move the decimal: Move it to create a number between 1 and 10. For 45,000, we move it 4 places left to get 4.5.
  3. Count the jumps: Since we moved 4 places left, our exponent (n) is 4.
  4. Write the result: 4.5 × 104 or 4.5e4.

Related Calculators:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Is ‘e’ on a calculator Euler’s number (2.718)?

Usually, no. In the context of a result display, ‘e’ is scientific notation. However, if you press an ‘e’ button for a calculation, it likely refers to Euler’s constant.

What does a negative exponent mean?

A negative exponent (e.g., 5e-3) means the number is very small. 5e-3 = 0.005.

Why does my calculator show ‘E’ automatically?

Most calculators switch to E-notation when a number exceeds the character limit of the screen (typically 10-12 digits).

How do I type ‘e’ into my calculator?

Look for a button labeled EXP, EE, or *10^x.

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