How to implement (x pow y) in java,where x,y are double?

Question

I want to calculate x power y and both x,y are double values. Why is java giving me a compilation error? What is the best way to do so?

I am currently using the following method:

x^y // attempt to calculate (x pow y)

Thanks.

You mentioned compilation error. In case you tried `x ^ y`, you should know that `^` in Java is _NOT_ an exponentiation operator. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1991380/what-does-the-operator-do-in-java/2672217#2672217 — polygenelubricants, Jul 16 '10 at 08:08

score 8 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 16 '10 at 08:03

8

Math.pow(x, y);

answered Jul 16 '10 at 08:03

Yuval Adam

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 16 '10 at 08:05

2

The simplest way to implement it remains, as always:

Take the logarithm (base 10) of x; multiply it by y, and take the inverse logarithm (base 10) of the result to get x pow y.

To simply calculate it, Math.pow(x,y);, as has been pointed out.

answered Jul 16 '10 at 08:05

Williham Totland

Why re-implement an existing solution? – Yuval Adam Jul 16 '10 at 08:34
3

I don't know, but that was his question. (well, actually, his question title, his question was how to calculate it.) – Williham Totland Jul 16 '10 at 08:43

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 16 '10 at 08:04

1

Math.pow(x,y);

example:

Math.pow(2.23, 3.45);

answered Jul 16 '10 at 08:04

Sadat

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Jul 16 '10 at 08:04

1

        Math.pow(a, b);

answered Jul 16 '10 at 08:04

Manuel Selva

score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Jul 16 '10 at 08:04

1

See the Math class. It has a static function pow, which accepts double values as arguments.

answered Jul 16 '10 at 08:04

Bozhidar Batsov

score 1 · Answer 6 · answered Jul 16 '10 at 08:06

1

    Double a = 3.0;
    Double b = 2.0;
    assert Math.pow(a, b) == 9.0;

answered Jul 16 '10 at 08:06

Noel M

6 Answers6