Python pow() built-in function
From the Python 3 documentation
The pow() function returns the power of a number.It takes two or three arguments: pow(base, exp): Returns base raised to the power of exp (base ** exp). pow(base, exp, mod): Returns (base ** exp) % mod (for modular arithmetic). Result is computed more efficiently than base ** exp % mod, if mod arg is present.
Introduction
The pow()
function is used for exponentiation. It can take two or three arguments.
pow(base, exp)
: This is equivalent tobase ** exp
.pow(base, exp, mod)
: This is equivalent to(base ** exp) % mod
, but is more efficient. This is useful for modular arithmetic.
Examples
# Using two arguments (base ** exp)
print(pow(2, 3)) # Output: 8
print(pow(3, 2)) # Output: 9
print(pow(2, -3)) # Output: 0.125 (equivalent to 1 / (2**3))
# Using three arguments ((base ** exp) % mod)
print(pow(3, 2, 4)) # Output: 1 (since 3**2 is 9, and 9 % 4 is 1)
print(pow(2, 3, 5)) # Output: 3 (since 2**3 is 8, and 8 % 5 is 3)