POWER

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Syntax

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Scalar

power(base, exponent)

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Arguments

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Returns

• Type: DOUBLE for a converted floating base; the decimal base type for a decimal base
• Possible values: The numeric power represented in the return type.
• NULL behavior: Returns NULL when an argument is NULL.

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Properties

• Approximation bound: No fixed maximum error is guaranteed.

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Usage notes

• INTEGER and INT mean the same type; STRING means VARCHAR text. NULL can be used with a supported type. Cast NULL explicitly when its type would otherwise be unclear.
• Exact result: Floating-point computation can round the mathematical result.

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Examples

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Value and NULL input

SELECT power(CAST(2 AS DOUBLE), CAST(3 AS DOUBLE)) AS "value", power(CAST(NULL AS DOUBLE), CAST(3 AS DOUBLE)) AS null_value;

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Negative and fractional exponents

SELECT power(CAST(2 AS DOUBLE), CAST(-2 AS DOUBLE)) AS reciprocal, power(CAST(9 AS DOUBLE), CAST(0.5 AS DOUBLE)) AS square_root;

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Limitations

• Zero raised to a negative exponent raises an execution error.
• Decimal powers keep the base’s precision and scale. They can overflow, and calculations using floating point can round the result.
• A DECIMAL base produces a DECIMAL result with the same precision and scale, even when query tools report DOUBLE. Integer powers can raise an overflow error. Rescaling these powers discards extra fractional digits.