Math.pow()

The Math.pow() function returns the base to the exponent power, as in base^exponent.

Syntax

Math.pow(base, exponent)

Parameters

base

The base number.

exponent

The exponent used to raise the base.

Return value

A number representing the given base taken to the power of the given exponent.

Description

The Math.pow() function returns the base to the exponent power, as in base^exponent, the base and the exponent are in decimal numeral system.

Because pow() is a static method of Math, use it as Math.pow(), rather than as a method of a Math object you created. (Math has no constructor.) If the base is negative and the exponent is not an integer, the result is NaN.

Examples

Using Math.pow()

// simple
Math.pow(7, 2);    // 49
Math.pow(7, 3);    // 343
Math.pow(2, 10);   // 1024
// fractional exponents
Math.pow(4, 0.5);  // 2 (square root of 4)
Math.pow(8, 1/3);  // 2 (cube root of 8)
Math.pow(2, 0.5);  // 1.4142135623730951 (square root of 2)
Math.pow(2, 1/3);  // 1.2599210498948732 (cube root of 2)
// signed exponents
Math.pow(7, -2);   // 0.02040816326530612 (1/49)
Math.pow(8, -1/3); // 0.5
// signed bases
Math.pow(-7, 2);   // 49 (squares are positive)
Math.pow(-7, 3);   // -343 (cubes can be negative)
Math.pow(-7, 0.5); // NaN (negative numbers don't have a real square root)
// due to "even" and "odd" roots laying close to each other,
// and limits in the floating number precision,
// negative bases with fractional exponents always return NaN
Math.pow(-7, 1/3); // NaN

Specifications

Specification
ECMAScript Language Specification (ECMAScript)
# sec-math.pow

Browser compatibility

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See also