POWER function: Description, Usage, Syntax, Examples and Explanation
What is POWER function in Excel?
POWER function is one of the Math and Trig functions in Microsoft Excel that returns the result of a number raised to a power.
Let’s say you want to calculate an extremely small tolerance level for a machined part or the vast distance between two galaxies. To raise a number to a power, use the POWER function.
Syntax of POWER function
POWER(number, power)
The POWER function syntax has the following arguments:
- Number: The base number. It can be any real number.
- Power: The exponent to which the base number is raised.
POWER formula explanation
The “^” operator can be used instead of POWER to indicate to what power the base number is to be raised, such as in 5^2.
Example of POWER function
Steps to follow:
1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1
Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.
You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.
| Formula | Description | Result |
| =POWER(5,2) | 5 squared. | 25 |
| =POWER(98.6,3.2) | 98.6 raised to the power of 3.2. | 2401077.222 |
| =POWER(4,5/4) | 4 raised to the power of 5/4. | 5.656854249 |