Scientific notation

Scientific notation or exponential notation is used to express very large or small numerical values by SINGLE or DOUBLE accuracy.

Usage: -9.7587E+04 or 4.6545D-9

• E denotes SINGLE precision accuracy and D denotes DOUBLE precision accuracy in Qbasic.
• To translate the notation, multiply the number preceding the letter by the value of 10 raised to the power following the letter.
• Note: Naturally calculating the value in Qbasic would return the same value expression!

Example 1: +2.184D+3 means to multiply 2.184 by 1,000 (1,000 is 10 raised to the third power, or 10 ^ 3 ).

To multiply by 10 raised to a positive power, just move the decimal point to the right by the power number.

The result is 2184 in DOUBLE accuracy.

Example 2: -5.412D-2 is negative 5.412 times .01 (10 raised to the -2 power or 10 ^ -2 ).

To multiply a number by 10 raised to a negative power, just move the decimal point to the left by the number of the power.

The result is -.05412 in DOUBLE accuracy.

Example 3: 3.07E+12 is a positive 3.07 times 1,000,000,000,000 (10 raised to the 12 power or 10 ^ 12).

To multiply a number by 10 raised to a positive power, just move the decimal point to the left by 12.

The result is 3,070,000,000,000 in SINGLE accuracy.

See also:

• ^ Exponential operator
• SINGLE, DOUBLE

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