Formula for power in excel

In mathematics, we had exponents, the power to a given base number. In Excel, we have a similar built-in function known as the POWER function, which is used to calculate the power of a given number or base. To use this function, we can use the keyword =POWER( in a cell and provide two arguments, one as the number and another as power.

For example, suppose the base number 4 is raised to the power number 3. i.e., 4 cube. =4*4*4 = 64.

A POWER in Excel is a Math/Trigonometric function that computes and returns the result of a number raised to a power. The POWER Excel function takes two arguments: the base (any real number) and the exponent (power that signifies how many times the given number will be multiplied by itself). For example, 5 multiplied by a power of 2 is the same as 5 x5.

The Formula of POWER Function

Explanation of POWER Function in Excel

The POWER function in Excel takes both arguments as a numeric value. Hence, the arguments passed are of integer type where the number is the base number, and the POWER is the exponent. Both arguments are required and are not optional.

We can use the POWER function in Excel in many ways, like for mathematical operations. For example, we can use the POWER function equation to compute the relational algebraic functions.

How to Use POWER Function in Excel

The Excel POWER function is very simple and easy to use. Let us understand the working of POWER in Excel by some examples.

You can download this POWER Function Excel Template here – POWER Function Excel Template

POWER in Excel Example #1

We have a POWER function equation y=x^n (x to the power n), where y is dependent on the value of x, and n is the exponent. We also want to draw the graph of this f(x, y) function for given values of x and n=2. For example, the values of x are:

So, in this case, since the value of y depends upon the nth power of x, we will calculate the value of Y using the POWER function in Excel.

• 1^st value of y will be 2^2 (=POWER(2,2)
• 2^nd value of y will be 4^2 (=POWER(4,2)
• ……………………………………………………………
• ……………………………………………………………
• 10^th value of y will be 10^2 (=POWER(10,2)

Now, selecting the values of x and y from range B4:K5, choose the graph (in this example, we have chosen the scatter graph with smooth lines) from the “Insert” tab.

So, we get a linear, exponential graph for the given POWER function equation.

POWER in Excel Example #2

In algebra, we have the quadratic POWER function equation, represented as ax2+bx+c=0, where x is unknown, and a, b and c are the coefficients. The solution of this POWER function equation gives the roots of the equation, which are the values of x.

The roots of the quadratic POWER function equation are computed by following mathematical formula:

• x = (-b+ (b²-4ac)^1/2)/2a
• x = (-b- (b²-4ac)^1/2)/2a

b2-4ac is called discriminant and describes a quadratic POWER function equation’s number of roots.

Now, we have a list of quadratic POWER function equations given in column A. But, first, we need to find the roots of the equations.

^ is the exponential operator used to represent the power (exponent). For example, X2 is the same as x^2.

We have five quadratic POWER function equations, and we will solve them using the formula with the help of the POWER function in Excel to find the roots.

In the first POWER function equation, a=4, b=56, and c = -96. If we mathematically solve them using the above formula, we have the roots -15.5 and 1.5.

To implement this in Excel formula, we will use the POWER function in Excel and the formula will be:

• =((-56+POWER(POWER(56,2)-(4*4*(-93)),1/2)))/(2*4) will give the first root and
• =((-56-POWER(POWER(56,2)-(4*4*(-93)),1/2)))/(2*4) will give the second root of the equation

So, the complete formula will be,

=”Roots of equations are”&” “&((-56+POWER(POWER(56,2)-(4*4*(-93)),1/2)))/(2*4)&” , “&((-56-POWER(POWER(56,2)-(4*4*(-93)),1/2)))/(2*4)

The formulas are concatenated with the string “Roots of equation are.”

Using the same formula for other POWER function equations, we have:

Output:

POWER in Excel Example #3

So, we can use the POWER function in Excel for different mathematical calculations.

Suppose we have to find out the compound interestCompound interest is the interest charged on the sum of the principal amount and the total interest amassed on it so far. It plays a crucial role in generating higher rewards from an investment.read more for which the formula is:

Amount = Principal (1 + r/n)^nt

• Where r is the interest rate, n is the number of times interest is compounded per year, and t is the time.
• If an amount of $4,000 is deposited into an account (saving) at an interest rate of 5% annually, compounded monthly, the value of the investment after 5 years can be calculated using the above compound interest formula.
• When, Principal = $4000, rate = 5/100 that is 0.05, n =12 (compounded monthly), time =5 years.

We have the formula using the compound interest formula and implementing it into the Excel formula using the POWER function.

=B2*(POWER((1+(B3/B5)),(B4*B5)))

So, the investment balance after 5 years is $5.133.43.

POWER in Excel Example #4

According to Newton’s gravitation law, two bodies at a distance of r from their center of gravity attract each other in the universe according to a gravitational POWER Excel formula.

F = (G*M*m)/r²

When F is the magnitude of the gravitational force, G is called the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the first body, m is the mass of the second body, and r is the distance between the bodies from their center of gravity.

Let us calculate the magnitude of gravitational force by which the sun pulls the earth.

• The mass of the sun is 1.98*10^30 kg.
• The mass of the earth is 5.97*10^24 kg.
• The distance between the sun and the earth is 1.496 x 10^11 meters.
• Gravitational constant value is 6.67*10^-11 m3kg-1s-2.

In Excel, if we want to calculate the gravitational force, we will again be using the POWER in Excel that can operate over big numeric values.

• So, we can convert the scientific notation values into the POWER Excel formula using the POWER in Excel.
• 1.98*10^30 will be represented as 1.98*Power(10,30), similarly to other values.
• So, the POWER Excel formula to calculate the force will be: = (6.67*POWER(10,-11)*1.98*POWER(10,30)*5.97*POWER(10,24))/POWER(1.496*POWER(10,11),2)

Since the value obtained as force is a big number Excel expressed it scientific notationIn Excel, scientific notation is a specific style of writing numbers in scientific and exponential forms. Scientific notation compactly helps display values, allowing us to compare and use the same in calculations.read more. To change it into a fraction, change the format to the fraction.

Output:

So, the sun pulls the earth with a force of magnitude 35229150283107900000000 Newton.

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POWER in Excel (Table of Contents)

• POWER in Excel
• POWER Formula in Excel
• How to Use POWER Function in Excel?

POWER in Excel

I still remember the days when my maths teacher beat me almost every day for not remembering the SQUARE ROOT of numbers. I literally cried when maths period is on the way. There are many instances where I bunked the math class just to get away from those beatings from my maths teacher.

Ok, now I need not to remember all those SQUARE ROOTS; instead, I can rely on a beautiful function called the POWER Function.

POWER function helps in raising the number to another number of times to the power.

For example: What is the value of 5 to the square of 3? The answer is 5*5*5 = 125.

POWER Formula in Excel

Below is the POWER Formula:

The Power Function includes two parameters, and both are required arguments.

• Number: The number you need to raise the power, i.e. the base number of any real number.
• Power: The number of times you need to raise the base number. It is the exponent to raise the base number.

The symbol or operator ^ (caret operator) acts as an exponent. For example: 6^2 = 36. This is not 6 is multiplied by 2 rather 6 * 6 = 36. Six is multiplied by the six itself twice.

The simple equation is 5 * 5 * 5 * 5 = 625

How to Use the POWER Function in Excel?

This POWER function is very simple easy to use. Let us now see how to use the POWER Function with the help of some examples.

You can download this POWER Function in Excel Template here – POWER Function in Excel Template

Example #1

Assume you have base numbers from A2:A6 and the power number (exponential numbers) from B2:B6. Show the power of values in column A by using power numbers in column B.

Apply Power formula in the cell C2

The answer will be:

Drag and drop the formula to other cells.

• The first value is base number 8 is raised to the power number 3. i.e. 8 cube. =8*8*8 = 512.

Secondly, base number 11 is raised to the power number 6, i.e. 11 is multiplied 6 times to the 11 itself. =11 * 11* 11* 11* 11* 11 = 17, 71,561. Similarly, all the values have resulted in that way.

Example #2

Use the same data from the above example. Instead of using the POWER Function, we use the caret operator (^) to do the calculation. The results will be the same, though.

Apply formula in the cell H2

The answer will be:

Drag and drop the formula to other cells.

Example #3

Using POWER Function along with other functions. From the below data, raise all the even numbers power by 2; if the number is not even, then raise the power by 5.

Here, first, we need to test whether the number is even or not. If the number found, raise the power by 2; if not, raise the power by 5.

This type of problem can be addressed by using the IF condition to test whether the number is even or not.

Apply formula in cell B2.

The answer will be:

Drag and drop the formula to other cells.

• IF condition tests whether the supplied number is equal to an even number or not. =IF(A2=EVEN(A2),
• If the IF logic is true then the POWER function will raise the power by 2. =POWER(A2,2),
• If the IF logic is false, then the POWER function will raise the power by 5. =POWER(A2,5),

POWER Function in VBA

In VBA, also we can use the POWER function. However, the thing is, we do not get to see many of these live examples in our day-to-day life.

Step 1: Open your VBA editor (ALT + F11).

Step 2: Go to insert and insert Module. This would instantly create a new module to write our code for the POWER function.

Step 3: Copy and paste the below code inside the new module.

Sub Power_Function_Example ()
Dim My_Result As String
My_Result = Application.WorksheetFunction.Power(6, 3)
MsgBox My_Result
End Sub

Now your window should look like the one below one.

If you run the code, you will get the below result.

Things to Remember about POWER Function

• For a better understanding, we can represent the power function in this way. POWER(X, Y) or POWER(X^Y) both are the same only.
• The POWER function is applied only for numerical values. Anything other than numerical values, it will throw the error as #VALUE! If any one of the parameters contains non-numerical values, we will get the error. The below image shows an example of the error.

It will show an error.

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This has been a guide to POWER Function. Here we discuss the POWER Formula and how to use the POWER Function along with practical examples and downloadable excel templates. You can also go through our other suggested articles –

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