Standard form
Explore how to use standard form to represent very large and very small numbers
Standard form, or standard index form, is a system of writing numbers which can be particularly useful for working with very large or very small numbers. It is based on using A number that is multiplied by itself one or more times is raised to a power. of 10 to express how big or small a number is.
Scientists use standard form when working with the speed of light and distances between galaxies, which can be enormous. The size of bacteria or atoms may also be referred to in standard form as they are so tiny. Standard form is also sometimes referred to as scientific notation.
Very large and very small numbers will not fit onto a standard calculator and they also take a while to write out if used in calculations. Standard form makes this easier.