1. What is Engineering Notation?

Engineering notation is a version of scientific notation where the exponent of 10 must be a multiple of 3 (i.e., ..., -6, -3, 0, 3, 6, ...). This makes it easier to align with SI prefixes like kilo (10³), mega (10⁶), milli (10⁻³), etc.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator converts any number to engineering notation:

Explanation: The calculator adjusts the exponent to be a multiple of 3 while keeping the mantissa between 1 and 1000 (or -1 and -1000 for negative numbers).

3. Importance of Engineering Notation

Details: Engineering notation is widely used in electrical engineering, physics, and other technical fields because it directly corresponds to SI unit prefixes, making it easier to read and interpret measurements.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter any real number (positive or negative). The calculator will convert it to proper engineering notation format with an exponent that's a multiple of 3.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is engineering notation different from scientific notation?
A: Scientific notation exponents can be any integer, while engineering notation exponents must be multiples of 3.

Q2: What are common engineering notation prefixes?
A: Common prefixes include pico (10⁻¹²), nano (10⁻⁹), micro (10⁻⁶), milli (10⁻³), kilo (10³), mega (10⁶), giga (10⁹), and tera (10¹²).

Q3: Why use multiples of 3?
A: Multiples of 3 align perfectly with the SI prefix system, making unit conversions straightforward.

Q4: How precise is the mantissa?
A: The calculator shows the mantissa with 4 significant digits for clarity.

Q5: Can I enter very large or small numbers?
A: Yes, the calculator handles numbers from 10⁻³⁰⁰ to 10³⁰⁰ (limited by PHP's float precision).