The Maple Settings dialog ensures that the threshold for scientific notation cannot exceed the setting for the number of displayed digits. For example, when Digits Used in Display is set to 5, a setting for Threshold For Scientific Notation greater than 5 is not accepted.
If the number of digits to the left of the decimal is greater than the setting under Digits Used in Display, or if the number of leading zeroes is greater than or equal to that setting, choosing Evaluate Numerically always returns the number in scientific notation. Otherwise, the setting of Threshold for Scientific Notation determines the number of digits that leads to a response in scientific notation, based on the number of digits to the left of the decimal or the number of leading zeroes. The thresholds for a number and its negative are the same.
Some of the effects of different settings are illustrated in the following table.
| Digits Used | Threshold for | Number | Evaluate |
|---|---|---|---|
| in Display | Scientific Notation | Entered | Numerically |
| 6 | 3–6 | 100π | 314.159 |
| 6 | 1–2 | 100π | 3.14159×102 |
| 6 | 3–6 | -100π | -314.159 |
| 6 | 1–2 | -100π | -3.14159×102 |
| 5 | 5 | 56789 | 56789. |
| 5 | 1–4 | 56789 | 5.6789×104 |
| 4 | 1–4 | 56789 | 5.679×104 |
| 9 | 6–9 | .000001111 | .000001111 |
| 9 | 1–5 | .000001111 | 1.111×10-6 |
| 8 | 1–8 | .000001111 | 1.111×10-6 |