Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
About Math pow Function
2.1.
Syntax
2.2.
Math pow Function in Javascript
2.2.1.
Syntax 
2.2.2.
Code
2.2.3.
Output
2.3.
Math pow Function in Java
2.3.1.
Syntax 
2.3.2.
Code
2.3.3.
Output
2.4.
Math pow Function in Python
2.4.1.
Syntax
2.4.2.
Code
2.4.3.
Output
2.5.
Math pow Function in C++
2.5.1.
Syntax
2.5.2.
Code
2.5.3.
Output
3.
Uses of Math pow Function in Programming
4.
Limitations of Math pow Function in Programming
5.
Frequently  Asked Questions
5.1.
What is math pow in programming?
5.2.
How pow() is different from **?
5.3.
What parameters are accepted by the pow() function?
6.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024
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Math pow

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Introduction

While writing a program, we often encounter scenarios where we have to perform certain mathematical computations, which may require a lot of time. Therefore, many in-built functions are used in programming languages for performing mathematical calculations.

math pow

Do you know that math pow is one such in-built function? If not, then don't worry; in this article, we will discuss about math pow and its variations in different programming languages. We will also see some examples to understand the concept.

Also see, Swap Function in Java

About Math pow Function

The ‘math pow’ is an in-built function in programming languages that helps users calculate a number raised to a specific power.

For example, 2^3, 2 is a base, while 3 is the exponent.

Manually this can be calculated by multiplying 2 three times, but by using math pow, we can do this efficiently without performing complex computations.

Syntax

While different languages have the syntax of math pow function, a basic syntax can be referred to as:

pow_function(base, exponent)
  • In the above syntax, pow_function is the name of the function according to the specific programming language.
     
  • The ‘base’ is the number we want to raise to a specific power.
     
  • The ‘Exponent’ is the power to which a base is to be raised.

Math pow Function in Javascript

Let's see the pow function in Javascript.

In javascript, the Math.pow() method returns the value of a variable ‘a’ raised to the power ‘b’ (a^b). 

The time complexity of the pow() function is O(logN) or O(1), depending upon different browsers. Math.pow() is an ECMAScript (ES1) feature supported by all browsers.

Syntax 

Math.pow(base, exponent)
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See the below example for better understanding.

Code

let NinjaResult=Math.pow(2,3)
console.log("Result of 2 raised to power 3 is ",NinjaResult)
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Output

output

In the example above, 2 is the base, and 3 is the exponent.

Math pow Function in Java

In Java, the 'Math. pow()' function is used to return the first parameter's value raised to the power of the second parameter. If the second parameter is not a number, we get NaN. 

The time complexity of the Math.pow() function is O(logN).

Syntax 

Math.pow(base,exponent)
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See the below example for better understanding.

Code

class NinjaPowExample
{
    public static void main(String[] args) 
    {
        double NinjaVar1 = 3;
        double NinjaVar2 = 2;
        
        System.out.println("3 raised to power 2 is "+Math.pow(NinjaVar1 , NinjaVar2 ));
    }
}
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Output

output

Math pow Function in Python

In Python, the pow() function returns the first parameter's value raised to the power of the second parameter. 

The time complexity of the Math.pow() function is O(logN).

Syntax

pow(a,b)

If the user provides the third variable in Python, the modulo operation is applied between the exponential result and the third variable.

For example, 

pow(a,b,c)   // results in pow(a,b)%c or a^b %c 
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The third parameter is optional. See the below example for better understanding.

Code

NinjaResult = pow(5, 3, 4)
print("5 raised to power 3 and modulated by 4 is:",NinjaResult)
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Output

output

Math pow Function in C++

In CPP, the pow() function returns the first parameter's value raised to the power of the second parameter.

The time complexity of the pow() function is O(logN) or O(1), depending upon compilers or libraries.

For using the pow() function in cpp, we must include <cmath> header file in our program. This library also includes functions such as sqrt(), sin(), cos(), etc.
 

Syntax

pow(a,b)
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In the syntax above, ‘a’ is the first parameter, and ‘b’ is the second parameter. See the below example for better understanding.

Code

#include <iostream>
#include <cmath>
using namespace std;


int main() {
    
  cout <<"3 raised to power 4 is: "<<pow(3, 4);


  return 0;
}
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Output

output

Uses of Math pow Function in Programming

Below are the uses of math.pow() function:

  • The pow() function is used in cryptography for performing exponentiation operations for decryption and encryption.
     
  • The pow() function is used for performing the calculations where we need to find the exponentiation without performing complex calculations.
     
  • This function is widely used in function plotting for generating values at multiple locations.
     
  • The pow() function is used wisely in data analytics and transformation.

Limitations of Math pow Function in Programming

While Math pow is useful in many scenarios, it also has some limitations. Let's discuss some of them.

  • The pow function is not efficient for working with large range values.
     
  • If we want to compute the negative number (base) raised to a non-integer number (exponent), the pow function results in an error. 
    It returns ‘nan’ in Python and cpp, ‘NaN’ in javascript and Java. This means “not a  valid number”
     
  • In some programming languages, the math pow function does not support the complex number. To do this kind of complex computation, we may require certain libraries.
     
  • Errors in the math pow function cannot be handled explicitly. Therefore the function simply returns NaN and requires such cases to be handled explicitly.

Frequently  Asked Questions

What is math pow in programming?

‘math pow’ is an in-built function in programming languages that helps users calculate a number raised to a specific power. For example, 2^3, 2 is a base, while 3 is the exponent.

How pow() is different from **?

In programming languages such as Java and JavaScript, the ‘**’ operator can perform the same calculations done by the Math.pow() function.But the '**' operator supports negative bases and non-integer exponents.

What parameters are accepted by the pow() function?

In the pow(a,b) function, ‘a’ is the first parameter, and ‘b’ is the second parameter. The pow() function is used to return the first parameter's value raised to the power of the second parameter.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed about math pow and its variations in different programming languages. We have also discussed some examples to understand the concept. You can read more such articles on our platform, Coding Ninjas Studio.
 

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