Three numbers in scientific form:

The same numbers to 3 precise digits:

The default display for a machine number:

Display more digits than the default:

Display fewer digits:

Format a complex number:

Format a high-precision number:

Use fewer digits:

Change the display of numbers in a vector:

A matrix:

Change the display of inexact numbers in a mixed expression:

Use 4 precise digits:

ScientificForm has a single digit to the left of the decimal by default:

NumberForm and PaddedForm include exponents higher than 5 by default:

EngineeringForm uses exponents that are multiples of 3:

AccountingForm does not have exponents:

Convert a number to base 2:

Represent the number in base 2:

Reconstruct the base 10 number:

Affect the display of numbers in MatrixForm or TableForm:

The typeset form of ScientificForm[expr] is interpreted the same as expr when used in input:

Copy the output and paste it into an input cell. The 1.23×10² is interpreted as 123.:

When an input evaluates to ScientificForm[expr], ScientificForm does not appear in the output:

Out is assigned the value 123., not ScientificForm[123.]:

Placeholder zeros may be needed if the requested precision is small:

Even when an output omits ScientificForm from the top level, it is not stripped from subexpressions:

The output does not have ScientificForm in it:

However, the variable e does have ScientificForm in it, which may affect subsequent evaluations:

The product is not evaluated due to the intervening ScientificForm:

Assign variables first and then apply ScientificForm to the result to maintain computability: