Python Program to Find Power of a Number

You can find the power of a number in Python using the ** operator like result = base ** exponent.

Examples

Inputbase=2, exponent=3

Output8

Inputbase=5, exponent=0

Output1

Inputbase=3, exponent=4

Output81

How to Think About It

To find the power of a number, think of multiplying the base number by itself as many times as the exponent says. For example, 2 to the power 3 means 2 × 2 × 2. In Python, you can use the ** operator to do this easily.

Algorithm

1

Get the base number from the user or input.

2

Get the exponent number from the user or input.

3

Calculate the power by multiplying the base by itself exponent times or use the <code>**</code> operator.

4

Return or print the result.

Code

python

base = 2
exponent = 3
result = base ** exponent
print(result)

Output

8

Dry Run

Let's trace the example where base=2 and exponent=3 through the code.

1

Assign base

base = 2

2

Assign exponent

exponent = 3

3

Calculate power

result = 2 ** 3 = 8

4

Print result

Output: 8

Step	Operation	Value
1	base assigned	2
2	exponent assigned	3
3	power calculated	8
4	result printed	8

Why This Works

Step 1: Using the ** operator

The ** operator in Python raises the base to the power of the exponent, performing repeated multiplication internally.

Step 2: Assigning values

We assign the base and exponent to variables so the code can use them to calculate the power.

Step 3: Printing the result

The print() function outputs the final calculated power to the screen.

Alternative Approaches

Using pow() function

python

base = 2
exponent = 3
result = pow(base, exponent)
print(result)

The built-in <code>pow()</code> function does the same calculation and can be clearer for beginners.

Using a loop to multiply

python

base = 2
exponent = 3
result = 1
for _ in range(exponent):
    result *= base
print(result)

This manual method shows how repeated multiplication works but is longer and less efficient.

Complexity: O(1) time, O(1) space

Time Complexity

Using the ** operator or pow() function is done in constant time because Python handles the calculation internally.

Space Complexity

The calculation uses a fixed amount of memory regardless of input size, so space complexity is constant.

Which Approach is Fastest?

The ** operator and pow() function are fastest and most readable; using a loop is slower and more verbose.

Approach	Time	Space	Best For
** operator	O(1)	O(1)	Simple and fast power calculation
pow() function	O(1)	O(1)	Clear built-in function usage
Loop multiplication	O(n)	O(1)	Understanding repeated multiplication