C++/Loop Programs/Program

Calculate the Power of a Number

Program to calculate base raised to the power of exponent

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

int main() {
    double base, exponent, result;
    
    cout << "Enter base: ";
    cin >> base;
    
    cout << "Enter exponent: ";
    cin >> exponent;
    
    result = pow(base, exponent);
    
    cout << base << " raised to the power " << exponent << " = " << result << endl;
    
    return 0;
}

Output

Enter base: 2
Enter exponent: 8
2 raised to the power 8 = 256

Calculate Power in C++

This program calculates the result of raising a base number to a given exponent (base^exponent). Exponentiation is a fundamental mathematical operation used extensively in programming, mathematics, physics, and computer science. The program demonstrates how to use the pow() function from the cmath library to perform this calculation efficiently.

What is Exponentiation?

Exponentiation is the mathematical operation of raising a base number to the power of an exponent.

Mathematical notation: base^exponent or base^exp

Examples:

  • 2^3 = 2 × 2 × 2 = ## 8
  • 5^2 = 5 × 5 = ## 25
  • 10^4 = 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 = ## 10,000
  • 2^8 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = ## 256

Special cases:

  • Any number^0 = ## 1 (by definition)
  • Any number^1 = ## the number itself
  • 1^any number = ## 1

Using pow() Function

result = pow(base, exponent);

Understanding pow() function:

Syntax: pow(base, exponent)

What it does:

  • Calculates base raised to the power of exponent
  • Returns the result as a double

Why use pow() instead of manual calculation?

  • Works with any real number (integer, decimal, negative)
  • Highly optimized and efficient
  • Handles edge cases automatically
  • More accurate for large numbers

Summary

  • Exponentiation calculates base^exponent
  • Use pow() function from <cmath> library
  • double data type handles both integer and decimal exponents
  • pow() is efficient and handles all cases (positive, negative, fractional)
  • Understanding exponentiation is crucial for many mathematical and programming problems

This program teaches:

  • Using library functions (pow())
  • Handling different data types (double)
  • Mathematical operations in programming
  • Understanding function parameters and return values
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