On a calculator display, the expression ‘E-4’ signifies scientific notation, indicating that the preceding number is multiplied by 10 raised to the power of -4. For instance, a display of ‘1.23E-4’ represents 1.23 10, which is equivalent to 0.000123.
This notation is particularly useful for representing extremely small or large numbers concisely. It avoids the cumbersome task of writing out numerous leading or trailing zeros, enhancing readability and reducing the risk of errors in manual transcription. Its adoption has streamlined calculations and data representation across various scientific and engineering disciplines.