title: In Matlab how to use variables for the numbers in scientific notation (matissa and exponent)?
body: <p>I am using <strong>Matlab</strong> and using numbers in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_notation" rel="nofollow">scientific notation</a>, which are represented with the letter <code>e</code> for the exponent. An example in Matlab:</p>
  
  <pre><code>&gt;&gt; 2e5
  ans =
  200000
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Now would like to work with numbers in scientific notation, but using variables to hold the values of the <em>mantissa</em> and the <em>exponent</em> (left and right side of the <code>e</code> respectively). I do not understand how this can be done without the variable names merging with the letter <code>e</code> for the exponent. Eg:</p>
  
  <pre><code>&gt;&gt; rr=5;
  &gt;&gt; 2err
  ??? 2err
  |
  Error: Unexpected MATLAB operator.
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Can this still be done? Or must I use the manual approach:</p>
  
  <pre><code>&gt;&gt; 2*10^rr
  ans =
  200000
  </code></pre>