Math.pow

The Math.pow() function returns the base to the exponent power, that is, baseexponent.

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

Because pow() is a static method of Math, you always use it as Math.pow(), rather than as a method of a Math object you created (Math has no constructor).

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	Status	Comment
ECMAScript 1st Edition (ECMA-262)	Standard	Initial definition. Implemented in JavaScript 1.0.
ECMAScript 5.1 (ECMA-262) The definition of 'Math.pow' in that specification.	Standard
ECMAScript 2015 (6th Edition, ECMA-262) The definition of 'Math.pow' in that specification.	Standard
ECMAScript 2017 Draft (ECMA-262) The definition of 'Math.pow' in that specification.	Draft

Browser compatibility

See also

• Math.cbrt()
• Math.exp()
• Math.log()
• Math.sqrt()
• Exponentiation operator