Value of e

e means the "10" exponent on your calculator. e+08 means 10⁸. A tonne is a metric ton = 1000 kg.

e can be calculated as

e = 1 + 1/1! + 1/2! + 1/3! + 1/4! + . . . . .

The e in your post however is used to indicate the exponent of 10

you need to multiply the value with.

example 3e+03 would be 3 x 10³ = 3000.

3e-03 would then be 3 / 1000 = 0.003

Er, is this particular e being confused for the above e, perhaps?

Just to confuse you more

e+03 can also mean e³ which can be calculated as

1 + x + x²/2! + x³/3! + . . . . . . (where x = 3 or whatever)

but it would be highly exceptional if used that way.

Poor edgar, please follow #1

ie m= 8.478 x 10⁸ Tonne = 8.478 x 10¹¹ Kgs