Exponent Calculator
Calculate powers and exponents including negative exponents, fractions, and large numbers.
Power Calculator
Exponent Rules
- x^0 = 1
- x^1 = x
- x^(-n) = 1/x^n
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How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the base number (the number to be multiplied by itself)
- Enter the exponent (how many times to multiply the base, can be positive, negative, or fractional)
- Click Calculate to compute the result
- The calculator handles whole numbers, decimals, negative numbers, and fractional exponents (roots)
Formula
x^y = x × x × x... (y times). Calculated using: result = base^exponent. Special cases: x^0 = 1, x^1 = x, x^(-n) = 1/(x^n), x^(1/n) = nth root of x
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an exponent?▼
An exponent indicates how many times to multiply the base by itself. For example, 2^3 = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8. The base is 2 and the exponent is 3.
How do negative exponents work?▼
A negative exponent means reciprocal. x^(-n) = 1/(x^n). For example, 2^(-3) = 1/(2^3) = 1/8 = 0.125.
What about fractional exponents?▼
Fractional exponents represent roots. x^(1/n) is the nth root of x. For example, 8^(1/3) is the cube root of 8, which equals 2. Also, x^(m/n) = (nth root of x)^m.
Why is anything to the power of 0 equal to 1?▼
This follows from the exponent rules. When dividing same bases, we subtract exponents: x^n / x^n = x^(n-n) = x^0. Since x^n / x^n = 1, therefore x^0 = 1.