Python math.pow() Method

The math.pow() method, provided within the math module, is used to calculate the power of a number. It takes two arguments: the base number (which is the number you want to raise to a power) and the exponent. It returns the result of raising the base to the power of the exponent (which is the power to which the base is raised).

This method specifically deals with floating-point numbers and always returns a floating-point result, even if the base and exponent are integers.

In addition to the math.pow() method, Python provides the built-in pow() function. While both functions calculate powers, the difference lies in the data types they handle and the types of results they return.

Syntax

Following is the syntax of Python math.pow() method −

math.pow(x, y)

Parameters

Following are the parameters accepted by the Python math.pow() method −

  • x − number which is to be powered (base).

  • y − number which is to be powered with x (exponent).

Return Value

This method returns the value of xy.

Example 1

In the following example, we are using math.pow() with integers (2 as the base and 3 as the exponent). Despite both arguments being integers, this method consistently returns a floating-point result −

In the following example, we are using math.pow() with integers (2 as the base and 3 as the exponent). Despite both arguments being integers, this metho consistently returns a floating-point result −

import math

# Using math.pow() with integers
result = math.pow(2, 3)
print("Result:", result)

Output

When we execute the above program, it produces following result −

Result: 8.0

Example 2

In this example, we are using the math.pow() with a floating-point number "2.0" as the base and an integer "3" as the exponent. Similar to the previous example, the method returns a floating-point result −

import math

# Using math.pow() with integers
result = math.pow(2, 3)
print("Result:", result)

Output

When we execute the above program, it produces following result −

Result: 8.0

Example 3

In here, we are creating an exponent consisting of a negative number. We then use the math.pow() method to retrieve the result −

import math

# negative exponent
result = math.pow(5, -2)
print("Result:", result)

Output

Following is the output of the above code −

Result: 0.04
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