title: Printf E-notation
body: <p>For all those playing along at home I'm reading Absolute Java 5th Edition by Walter Savitch (Chapter 2 Page 66).</p>
  
  <p><strong>The Expression</strong></p>
  
  <pre><code>double d = 12345.123456789;
  System.out.printf("START%12.5e END %n", d);
  </code></pre>
  
  <p><strong>The Answer</strong></p>
  
  <pre><code>START 1.23451e+04END
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I understand the basic principles of this printf method's arguments for example I know the '%' represents the start of the parameters. '12' is the number of spacing, '.5' is the times the decimal point will move.... I see the decimal point has moved 4 places towards the left... can someone explain the principles of e-notation. Also how this expression came to this answer =). </p>
  
  <p>As far as e-notation go's its meant to be scientific notation;</p>
  
  <p>So like 5.89e-4 would mean 0.000589 (move the decimal place if minus left if not move the decimal place right). </p>