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Exponent Calculator
Raise any base to any power, including negative and fractional exponents, and see the exact result.
Power Forge
Rapid Exponential Projection Engine
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About the Exponent Calculator
Raise any base to any power, including negative and fractional exponents, and see the exact result.
How to use the Exponent Calculator
- Enter the Base (x) and the Power (n).
- Press Calculate to see xⁿ.
Formula and method
xⁿ = x × x × ... × x (n times). Also x⁻ⁿ = 1 ÷ xⁿ and x^(1/n) is the nth root of x.
Worked example
2¹⁰ = 1,024. 5⁻² = 1 ÷ 25 = 0.04. 27^(1/3) = 3.
Powers of two. 210 = 1,024, which is why one kibibyte holds 1,024 bytes.
When to use the Exponent Calculator
- Working out powers such as 2¹⁰ or 5⁻².
- Modelling compound growth, decay and computing storage sizes.
- Checking maths and physics homework.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing −2² (which is −4) with (−2)² (which is 4).
- Adding the exponents when the bases differ.
Tips
- Any non-zero number to the power 0 equals 1.
- Multiplying like bases adds the exponents: xᵃ × xᵇ = xᵃ⁺ᵇ.
Frequently asked questions
What does a negative exponent mean?
It means the reciprocal. x⁻² is the same as 1 ÷ x².
What does a negative exponent mean?
It is the reciprocal: x⁻ⁿ = 1 ÷ xⁿ. For example 2⁻³ = 1/8.
What is anything to the power of zero?
One (except that zero to the power zero is treated specially).