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A way of writing very large or very small numbers as a number between 1 and 10 times a power of ten.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
A number in standard form is written A × 10ⁿ where A is at least 1 and less than 10, and n is an integer. 4,500 becomes 4.5 × 10³; 0.00032 becomes 3.2 × 10⁻⁴.
Where it applies
Maths at both tiers, and constantly in physics and chemistry where quantities range from atomic to astronomical.
How it works
It makes size comparisons immediate — the power of ten tells you the order of magnitude at a glance — and it keeps very long numbers writable.
Multiplying means multiplying the A parts and adding the powers; dividing means subtracting them.
How to use it in your work
Check A really is between 1 and 10. Writing 45 × 10² is the most common error and it is not standard form.
On a calculator, use the EXP or ×10ˣ button rather than typing "× 10 ^" — the second form goes wrong with negative powers under pressure.
Where to get help
Your teacher, your board's specification for what is on your paper, and Bitesize for worked examples. The maths song runs the topics in order.
Revise this with a song
These are ours. We write revision songs because a lot of people remember a tune when they cannot remember a page, and because revising out loud in the kitchen beats staring at a highlighter.
- The Maths Song The GCSE maths topics, in order.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.