Scientific Notation in the Calculator
Use the [EXP] button to type Scientific Notation.
|
For This Number |
You Type This |
It Displays This |
Hints |
|
|
2 [EXP] 3 = |
2,000 |
|
|
|
2.5 [EXP] -1 = |
0.25 |
Use the [(-)] button |
|
|
123 [EXP] 4 = |
1,230,000 |
|
|
0.00000000001 |
0.00000000001= |
|
There are 10 zeroes between the decimal and 1 |
|
|
3 [EXP] 12 = |
|
The calculator writes the 10 really tiny. |
The calculator will write "normal" numbers if they
are not too long to fit on the display.
The last example
above would need a 3 and 12 zeroes, so 13 digits. But the
calculator can
only display 10 digits, so it writes the answer
in scientific notation (unchanged).
The LARGEST number the calculator can store is 
,
because the largest exponent it can display is 99. If you type
a larger number like 
,
the calculator displays "Math Error" or "Syntax Error".
We call this an overflow, because the number was too
big for the calculator - like pouring too much water into a bucket
and it spills out.
We can also have an underflow - when the exponent is smaller than -99.
