Click to explore updated revision resources for GCSE Maths: Standard form, with step-by-step slideshows, quizzes, practice exam questions, and more!

Standard form, or standard index form, is a system of writing numbers which can be particularly useful for working with very large or very small numbers. It is based on using powers of 10 to express how big or small a number is.

Scientists use standard form when working with the speed of light and distances between galaxies, which can be enormous. The size of bacteria or atoms may also be referred to in standard form as they are so tiny. Standard form is also sometimes referred to as scientific notation.

Very large and very small numbers will not fit onto a standard calculator and they also take a while to write out if used in calculations. Standard form makes this easier.