The rule
Move the decimal point until one non-zero digit sits before it. The number you are left with is the coefficient, and it must be at least 1 and less than 10.
The exponent counts the places moved: positive for large numbers, negative for small ones.
Worked example
0.00042 becomes 4.2 x 10 to the power of -4, because the decimal point moves four places to the right.
320,000,000 becomes 3.2 x 10 to the power of 8, because the point moves eight places to the left.
Scientific notation and standard form
American textbooks say scientific notation and call the front number the coefficient or mantissa. British textbooks say standard form for the same thing.
Nothing about the arithmetic changes. A number written one way converts to the other without altering the digits.
Inputs for the scientific notation calculator
Number to convert
Any number, large or small. The answer keeps one digit before the decimal point.
CALCULATOR QUESTIONS
Scientific notation calculator questions
What is 0.00042 in scientific notation?
4.2 x 10 to the power of -4. The decimal point moves four places right to leave 4.2.
What is 320,000,000 in scientific notation?
3.2 x 10 to the power of 8.
Is scientific notation the same as standard form?
Yes. US courses say scientific notation and UK schools say standard form for the same notation.
What is the coefficient?
The number in front of the power of ten. It must be at least 1 and less than 10.