Scientific notation of most numbers consists of expressing the value with one digit to the left of the decimal place. Exponents are used to indicate the powers of ten which are involved. The number 0.000032 is expressed as 3.2 e -5 in scientific notation. These are, of course, thousands, thousandths, millions, and so on. The number .000032 is usually expressed as 32 x 10 -6 in engineering notation.
Many engineers use a version of engineering notation in their speech, as well.
In fact, in some languages the comma is used for the decimal point. The comma should never be used as a separator in SI work. On these pages I will use American engineering notation. You should ask your instructor whether engineering notation is required, or whether the use of scientific notation is an acceptable option in your work.