How to Put E on Calculator

Scientific notation using the 'e' symbol is a powerful tool for working with very large or very small numbers. This guide explains how to properly input and use E notation on calculators, including common models from brands like Casio, Texas Instruments, and HP.

What is E notation?

E notation (also called scientific notation) is a way to express very large or very small numbers in a compact form. It uses the format:

a × 10ⁿ = a e n

Where:

a is a number between 1 and 10
n is an integer exponent
e represents "times ten raised to the power of"

For example, 6,500,000 can be written as 6.5 e 6, and 0.00045 is 4.5 e -4.

How to enter E on a calculator

On most scientific calculators

Enter the coefficient (the number before the e)
Press the EE or EXP button (often labeled with a small 'e')
Enter the exponent (the number after the e)
Press the equals (=) button to see the result

Note: Some calculators use EEX instead of EE. Check your calculator's manual if you're unsure.

On graphing calculators

Many graphing calculators use the caret (^) symbol for exponents. For E notation, you can either:

Use the EE button if available
Multiply by 10 and use the caret symbol: 6.5 × 10^6

Why use E notation?

E notation provides several advantages:

Makes very large and very small numbers easier to read and work with
Reduces the chance of errors when entering numbers
Standard format in scientific and engineering fields
Conserves calculator display space

For example, comparing 6500000 and 6.5 e 6 shows the same value but the E notation version is much clearer.

Common mistakes

Avoid these common errors when using E notation:

Using a coefficient outside the 1-10 range (e.g., 12 e 3 instead of 1.2 e 4)
Forgetting to press the EE/EXP button before entering the exponent
Using a decimal point in the exponent (e.g., 5.2 e 3.1)
Confusing E notation with multiplication (e.g., 5 e 3 instead of 5 × 10^3)

Examples

Example 1: Large number

Express 1,234,000,000 in E notation:

1.234 e 9

Example 2: Small number

Express 0.00000567 in E notation:

5.67 e -6

FAQ

What does the 'e' stand for in scientific notation?: The 'e' stands for "exponent" and represents "times ten raised to the power of."
Can I use E notation with negative exponents?: Yes, negative exponents represent very small numbers. For example, 3 e -2 equals 0.03.
Is E notation the same as scientific notation?: Yes, E notation is just a shorthand version of scientific notation using the 'e' symbol.
How do I convert E notation to standard form?: Multiply the coefficient by 10 raised to the exponent. For example, 2.5 e 3 = 2.5 × 10³ = 2500.
Why does my calculator show numbers in E notation?: Calculators use E notation automatically for very large or small numbers to save display space.