SOLUTION: I was using an online calculator to figure kinetic energy. Knowns are mass and velocity (mass = 395,000 lbs and velocity is 500 mph.) The answer given is 3.3011e+9 ft. lbs., but

Algebra ->  Exponents -> SOLUTION: I was using an online calculator to figure kinetic energy. Knowns are mass and velocity (mass = 395,000 lbs and velocity is 500 mph.) The answer given is 3.3011e+9 ft. lbs., but       Log On


   

Question 1024972: I was using an online calculator to figure kinetic energy. Knowns are mass and velocity (mass = 395,000 lbs and velocity is 500 mph.) The answer given is 3.3011e+9 ft. lbs., but I don't know what this means. Can someone decipher this, please?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This is called scientific notation.
It looks like:
+5.287931%2A10%5E11+
-------------------
The +5+ is always a units digit. You would
NOT have:
+52.87931%2A10%5E10+
even though it is the same value
So you have a units digit followed by
as many other significant digits that you need
-------------------
Then there is a multiplier which is 10 raised to
a power which can be any number, positive
or negative, for example:
+5.287931%2A10%5E%28-11%29+
This is the reciprocal of my example.
-------------------
The way you presented it:
3.3011e+9 is just another way of saying:
+3.3011%2A10%5E9+, and if you expand it:
+330110000+
( 9 places after decimal point )