Enter a base and an exponent to compute bᵉ instantly, with the result in both standard and scientific notation and the relevant exponent rule explained.
How to use this calculator
Enter the base b — any real number, including negative values.
Enter the exponent e — including negative or fractional exponents.
Read the result in both standard and scientific notation.
Formula & method
Power and exponent rules
bᵉ = b × b × … × b (e times) · b⁰ = 1 · b⁻ⁿ = 1/bⁿ · b^(m/n) = ⁿ√(bᵐ)
Computed using JavaScript Math.pow(b, e). For complex results (negative base, non-integer exponent), an error is returned.
Any non-zero number raised to the power 0 equals 1 (Zero Exponent Rule).
A negative exponent b⁻ⁿ = 1/bⁿ represents a reciprocal, not a negative number.
A fractional exponent b^(1/n) = ⁿ√b is an nth root.
Powers of 2 appear everywhere in computing: 2¹⁰ = 1,024 (≈ 1 kibibyte), 2²⁰ = 1,048,576.
How to interpret your result
Negative exponents
b⁻ⁿ = 1/bⁿ. Example: 2⁻³ = 1/8 = 0.125.
Fractional exponents
b^(m/n) = ⁿ√(bᵐ). Example: 8^(2/3) = ∛(64) = 4.
Scientific notation output
Very large or small results are automatically displayed in scientific notation to remain readable.
Frequently asked questions
What does a negative exponent mean?
b⁻ⁿ = 1/bⁿ. It represents the reciprocal of the positive power. For example, 5⁻² = 1/25 = 0.04.
What does a fractional exponent mean?
b^(1/n) = ⁿ√b. A fractional exponent is a root: 8^(1/3) = ∛8 = 2.
Can I compute negative base powers?
Yes for integer exponents. Negative bases raised to fractional exponents produce complex numbers, which are outside this calculator's scope.
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