Math
POWER
Definition
POWER returns a number raised to a given power.
Syntax
=POWER(number, power)
Arguments
| Argument | Meaning |
|---|---|
number |
The base, or the cell holding it. |
power |
The exponent to raise the base to, such as 2 for a square. |
Worked example
A tile sheet squares each side length. Sides are in A2:A4.
| A: Side |
|---|
| 3 |
| 5 |
| 4 |
Formula: =POWER(A2,2)
Result: 9. 3 to the power 2 is 9. Filled down, the formula gives 9, 25, and 16.
Practice
Cell A2 holds 2 and cell B2 holds 3. In C2, write a formula that raises A2 to the power in B2.
- In C2, write a POWER formula that raises A2 to the power of B2.
- C2 should show A2 raised to the power of B2.
Step 1 of 2
Enter =POWER(A2,B2) in C2.
A2 is 2 and B2 is 3, so 2 to the power of 3 is 8.
Formulas here use English function names, such as SUM, and a period as the decimal separator, in every language.
Loading the sheet…
C2 uses POWER.
C2 now shows 8.
Related functions
ROUND can shorten a POWER result. SUM can add several POWER results.
Common mistake
Swapping the arguments, as in =POWER(B2,A2) when A2 is 2 and B2 is 3: that is 3 squared, not 2 cubed.