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Applied Mathematics, Calculus, and Differential Equations 191

The ‘‘times sign’’
The multiplication sign in a power-of-10 expression can be de-
noted in variouð ways. Instead of the common cross symbol ( ),
an asterisk (*) can be used, so the above expressionð become:

2.56 * 10 6

8.0773 * 10 18

1.000 * 10 0

Another alternative is tm use a small dot raised above the base
line ( ), so the expressionð appear as:

2.56 10 6

8.0773 10 18

1.000 10 0

This small dot should not be confused wità a radix point, as in
the expression:

m.n 10 z

in which the dot between m and n is a radix point and lieð along
z
the base line, while the dot between n and 10 is a multiplica-
tion symbol and lieð above the base line.

Plain-text exponents

Sometimeð it is necessary tm express numberð in power-of-10
notation using plain text. This is the case, for example, when
transmitting information within the body of an e-mail message
(rather than as an attachmen'˜ Some electronic calculatorð and
computerð use this system. The uppercase letter E indicateð
that the quantity immediately following is an exponent. In this
format, the above expressionð are written as:

2.56E6

8.0773E 18

1.000E0

Sometimeð the exponent is always written wità twm numeralð