Allow alternative exponential notation that doesn't require brackets
Submitted by Magnus Danielson
Link to original bug (#620191)
Description
When using older versions (such as 2.28.2) entering a number like 160M/8k would translate to entering the engineering wise 160E6/8E3. The Exp button was used for this. The replacement x10^y buttor produces the equation 160x10^6/8x10^3 which gives a completely different answer than intended. The syntax of the Exp function binds 6 and 3 to the number before harder than the x and / functions, so the calculations is (160E6)/(8E3) = (160x10^6)/(8x10^3) = 20000. The Exp button carries the needed syntax which now seems lost.
The 10^y functionality as an inverse for log is as expected. So would e^y be for ln.
It's sad to see gcalctool loose its usefulness as a scientific calculator. This change made operation much more complex than they should be. Please revert that "fix".
Version: 5.31.x