How do you figure this out on the calc 8 x 10 ^8. The answer is supposed to be 8.3. I'm not sure if I should be using EE or 10^x on the calculator. Thank you!

Question

campbell_st · Answer

ok... so this looks like scientific notation... is that correct..?

campbell_st · Answer

I'd expect you need to use x 10^x key

whpalmer4 · Answer

I'm going to take the position that if you're trying to enter 8*10^8 on a calculator with an EE (enter exponent) key, you likely press 8 EE 8 (the first 8 is for the 8*, the second 8 is for the exponent).  You could use a 10^x key, if you have one, but in my experience (admittedly old), one usually didn't have both an EE and a 10^x key, but rather an EE key and a y^x key, and you'd need a few more button presses to achieve the same result with the y^x key.  

tl;dr if you have a key on your calculator that allows you to tack 10^exp on to the number you've just punched in, use it!