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scientific notation
noun
: a widely used floating-point system in which numbers are expressed as products consisting of a number between 1 and 10 multiplied by an appropriate power of 10 (as in 1.591 × 10−20)
Examples of scientific notation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Filesystems almost universally use the powers of two (standard scientific notation), whereas storage device specifications are almost universally in powers of ten.
—Jim Salter, Ars Technica, 19 Sep. 2019
The c is lower-case and italicized, as per the scientific notation for quickly light can move in a vacuum.
—Laura Hudson, The Verge, 19 May 2018
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Word History
First Known Use
1915, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of scientific notation was
in 1915
Dictionary Entries Near scientific notation
Cite this Entry
“Scientific notation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scientific%20notation. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
scientific notation
noun
: a system of writing numbers as the product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10
999.9 is expressed in scientific notation as 9.999 × 102
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