The mantissa is the part of a logarithm or a floating-point number that represents the significant digits of that number, excluding the base or exponent. It is crucial in scientific notation and computing for maintaining precision in numerical representations.

Mantissa

The mantissa

part of a logarithm

floating-point number

Significant digits, also known as significant figures, are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision, reflecting the accuracy of a measurement or calculation. They include all non-zero digits, any zeros between significant digits, and any trailing zeros in a decimal number, ensuring clarity in scientific and mathematical communication.

significant digits

excluding the base

Excluding the exponent

Scientific notation is a method of expressing very large or very small numbers in a compact form by using powers of ten. It simplifies calculations and comparisons in scientific and engineering fields by reducing the number of digits needed to represent a number.

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