In PostgreSQL, the power() function returns its first argument raised to the power of its second argument.

Syntax

The official syntax goes like this:

power(a dp, b dp)
power(a numeric, b numeric)

Where db is double precision.

Example

Here’s an example of how it works.

SELECT power(2, 3);

Result:

8

That is the equivalent of doing the following.

SELECT 2 * 2 * 2;

Result:

8

Negative Values

Here’s an example that uses negative values.

SELECT 
  power(-2, 3),
  power(2, -3),
  power(-2, -3);

Result:

 power | power | power
-------+-------+--------
    -8 | 0.125 | -0.125

Large Values

This example uses a larger number for both arguments, resulting in a very large result.

SELECT power(200, 30);

Result:

1.073741824e+69

To the Power of One

Any number raised to the power of 1 equals the number itself.

SELECT power(30, 1);

Result:

30

One To the Power of …

And 1 raised to the power of any number equals 1.

SELECT power(1, 30);

Result:

1

To the Power of Zero

Any number raised to the power of zero equals one.

SELECT power(30, 0);

Result:

1

Zero To the Power of Zero

In mathematics, zero raised to the power of zero has no agreed-upon value.

Common possibilities include 1 or leaving the expression undefined.

In Postgres, the power() function returns 1 for this expression.

SELECT power(0, 0);

Result:

1