What is the E in Calculator

by
👤 Reviewed by David Chen, CFA Updated: October 2023

When you see the letter “e” on a calculator display, it represents scientific notation. Use this calculator to solve for the value, coefficient, or exponent in the standard $a \times 10^n$ format.

Scientific Notation Calculator

Enter any two variables to calculate the third.

What is the ‘e’ in Calculator Formula:

$$Value = a \times 10^e$$

Source: NASA Science Education | Britannica

Variables:

  • Value (Number): The full standard representation of the number (e.g., 1,000,000).
  • Coefficient (a): A number typically between 1 and 10.
  • Exponent (e): The power to which 10 is raised, indicating how many places to move the decimal point.

Related Calculators:

What is “e” in a Calculator?

In the context of a calculator display, the letter “e” (or “E”) stands for Exponent. It is a shorthand for scientific notation, which allows calculators to display extremely large or small numbers that wouldn’t fit on the standard screen. For example, $5e+6$ is interpreted as $5 \times 10^6$, or 5,000,000.

It is important not to confuse this with Euler’s Number (e ≈ 2.718). While Euler’s number is a mathematical constant used in calculus and natural logs, the “e” appearing in a sequence like $1.23e10$ is strictly a notation for powers of ten.

How to Calculate “e” in Calculator (Example):

  1. Identify the coefficient (the number before the ‘e’). Example: 2.5.
  2. Identify the exponent (the number after the ‘e’). Example: 4.
  3. Write the formula: $2.5 \times 10^4$.
  4. Multiply: $2.5 \times 10,000 = 25,000$.
  5. For negative exponents (e.g., $5e-3$), divide by the power: $5 \div 10^3 = 0.005$.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Is the “e” on a calculator the same as Euler’s number?

Usually no. If it appears in a number (like $2E6$), it means $10^6$. If it’s a standalone button, it might be Euler’s constant ($2.71828$).

What does $1e-4$ mean?

It means $1 \times 10^{-4}$, which equals $0.0001$. A negative sign indicates a very small decimal number.

Why do calculators use “E” instead of “$10^n$”?

It saves space on old digital displays that had limited characters. “E” is a globally recognized shorthand in programming and mathematics.

What is the maximum “e” a calculator can show?

Most standard calculators go up to $e+99$ or $e+308$, depending on whether they use 32-bit or 64-bit floating-point math.

V}

Leave a Comment