The pow() function in PHP is used to raise a number to a specified power (exponent). It takes two arguments: the base number and the exponent, and it calculates the result of raising the base to the power of the exponent.

Syntax:

pow(float $base, float $exponent): float

• $base: The base number that you want to raise.
• $exponent: The exponent to which the base number is raised.
• Return Value: Returns the result as a float.

Example 1: Basic Exponentiation

<?php
echo pow(2, 3);
?>

Output:

8

Explanation: $2^3$ (2 raised to the power of 3) equals 8 because $2 \times 2 \times 2 = 8$.

Example 2: Exponent with a Negative Base

<?php
echo pow(-2, 4);
?>

Output:

16

Explanation: $(-2)^4$ equals 16 because $-2 \times -2 \times -2 \times -2 = 16$.

Example 3: Exponent with a Fractional Base

<?php
echo pow(4, 0.5);
?>

Output:

2

Explanation: $4^{0.5}$ calculates the square root of 4, which is 2.

Example 4: Exponent with a Negative Exponent

<?php
echo pow(2, -2);
?>

Output:

0.25

Explanation: $2^{-2}$ equals 0.25 because it calculates $\frac{1}{2^2} = \frac{1}{4} = 0.25$.

Example 5: Exponent of Zero

<?php
echo pow(0, 5);
?>

Output:

0

Explanation: $0^5$ equals 0 because any number raised to a positive power remains 0.

Example 6: Exponent with a Decimal Base

<?php
echo pow(2.5, 3);
?>

Output:

15.625

Explanation: $2.5^3$ equals 15.625 because $2.5 \times 2.5 \times 2.5 = 15.625$.

Key Points:

• The pow() function can handle positive, negative, and fractional bases and exponents.
• It returns the result as a float, even if the output is a whole number.
• It is useful in various mathematical calculations, such as scientific computations, statistics, and geometry.

In summary, pow() is a versatile and powerful function in PHP for performing exponentiation, allowing developers to easily calculate powers of numbers.