[Chapter 21] Reference: Math.pow()
Author: David Flanagan
Date: Fri Aug 29 11:17:55 1997

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| Chapter 21 JavaScript Reference |

# Math.pow() Function

## Name

Math.pow() Function---compute xy

## Availability

Navigator 2.0, Internet Explorer 3.0

## Synopsis

    Math.pow(x, y)

### Arguments

`x`

  The number or numeric expression to be raised to a power.

`y`

  The power that `x` is to be raised to.

### Returns

x to the power of y, xy

## Description

`Math.pow()` raises its first argument to the power of its second argument and returns the result.

## Usage

Any values of `x` and `y` may be passed to `Math.pow()`. However, if the result is an imaginary or complex number, then `Math.pow()` returns zero. In practice, this means that if `x` is negative, then `y` should be a positive or negative integer. Also, bear in mind that large exponents can easily cause floating-point overflow and return a value of infinity.

## See Also

"Math", "Math.exp()"

Math.PI |  | Math.random()