def latexify_number(str_float):
    """Change exponential notation into something nicer for latex.

    This will change exponential notation, e.g ``1.2e-03``, into
    ``1.2 \\times 10^{-3}`` for latex output which should be rendered
    like :math:`1.2 \\times 10^{-3}`.

    Parameters
    ----------
    str_float : string
        This is the string representation of a float.

    Returns
    -------
    out : string
        A formatted string for latex.
    """
    if 'e' in str_float:
        base, exp = str_float.split('e')
        return '${0} \\times 10^{{{1}}}$'.format(base, int(exp))
    else:
        return '${}$'.format(str_float)
