In this tutorial, we will delve into the Python built-in function known as pow()
. This function is used to calculate the power of a number and can also find the modulus of the first two arguments.
Basic Usage of pow()
The basic syntax for using pow()
is as follows:
pow(x, y)
This will return x raised to the power y. Here’s an example:
print(pow(2, 3)) # Output: 8
The Third Argument in pow()
A unique feature of Python’s pow()
function is its ability to take a third argument. The syntax looks like this:
pow(x, y, z)
In this case, it returns (x**y) % z. In other words, it raises x to the power y and then takes the modulus of that result with z. Here’s an example:
print(pow(10, 2, 5)) # Output: 0
Tips for Using pow()
- All three arguments must be numbers (either integers or floats).
- If you use floating point numbers, keep in mind that due to their imprecision you may not get exact results.
- If you only provide one argument or more than three arguments to
pow()
, you’ll get a TypeError. - The third argument cannot be zero because division by zero raises a ZeroDivisionError.
Conclusion
The Python pow()
function is a powerful tool for performing exponentiation and modulus operations. Its ability to handle three arguments sets it apart from the standard exponentiation operator (**), making it a versatile addition to your Python toolkit.
We hope this tutorial has been helpful in understanding how to use the pow()
function effectively. Happy coding!