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How do I calculate an exponent or a power?

Short answer

Raising a number to an exponent means multiplying it by itself that many times, so 2 to the power 5 is 2 times 2 times 2 times 2 times 2, which is 32. The browser-based scientific calculator evaluates exponents along with roots and other functions, entirely in your browser with nothing uploaded.

What an exponent does

An exponent, or power, tells you how many times to multiply the base by itself. In 2 to the power 5, the base is 2 and the exponent is 5, so the result is 2 multiplied by itself five times, which is 32. A power of 2, like 3 squared, means 3 times 3, or 9. A negative exponent means one divided by the positive power, and an exponent of zero always gives 1.

Evaluating powers cleanly

For large exponents or non-integer powers, doing the multiplication by hand is slow and error-prone. The scientific calculator evaluates exponents together with square roots, logarithms, trigonometric functions and the constants pi and e, using parentheses so a full expression stays unambiguous. It runs in your browser, keeping your input private.

Step by step

  1. Open the calculator. Open the scientific calculator in your browser.
  2. Enter the power. Type the base and the exponent you want to raise it to.
  3. Read the result. The result is evaluated instantly on your device.

Frequently asked questions

What does an exponent of zero give?

Any nonzero number raised to the power of zero is 1.

What does a negative exponent mean?

A negative exponent means one divided by the number raised to the matching positive power.

Is my input uploaded?

No. The scientific calculator runs entirely in your browser.

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