Have you ever wanted to multiply a number by a power in Google Sheets? Well, you’re in luck! There are two functions and a symbol that can help you achieve this: Power(), Pow(), and the caret (^) sign. In this article, I’ll show you how to use these tools and unlock new possibilities in your spreadsheets.
How to Multiply a Number by a Power in Google Sheets
When you multiply a number by a power, you’re essentially multiplying that number (base) by itself a number of times equal to the power (exponent). Let’s dive into the different methods you can use to accomplish this in Google Sheets.
Multiply a Number by a Power Using the Power() Function
The Power() function, categorized as a Math function in Google Sheets, allows you to raise a base number to an exponent power. The syntax for using this function is as follows:
POWER(base, exponent)For example, if you want to calculate 10 raised to the power of 3, you would use the following formula:
=POWER(10,3)The result would be 1000, which is equal to 10 multiplied by 10 multiplied by 10.
Multiply a Number by a Power Using the Pow() Function
The Pow() function, categorized under Operator in Google Sheets, is another way to achieve the same result. In fact, both Power() and Pow() functions are interchangeable. The syntax for using Pow() is as follows:
POW(base, exponent)For instance, if you want to calculate 10 raised to the power of 3, you would use the following formula:
=POW(10,3)The result would be 1000, just like in the previous example.
Multiply a Number by a Power Using the Caret
If you prefer a more concise approach, you can use the caret symbol (^) in both Excel and Google Sheets. The syntax is straightforward:
=10^3This formula will also yield a result of 1000. The caret is an efficient way to raise a number to a power without the need for a specific function.
These are the three options at your disposal when it comes to multiplying a number by a power in Google Sheets.
Points to be Noted:
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The Power() and Pow() functions, as well as the caret symbol, also work in an Array. You can experiment and explore their usage in different scenarios.
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When using a negative number as the base in the Power() function, the exponent must be an integer. Otherwise, you may encounter the #NUM! error, indicating that the formula evaluates to an imaginary number.
Now, here’s a fun tip: Power(), Pow(), and the caret symbol can also be used creatively in other formulas. For example, I often employ the caret symbol in Query headers, Array_Constrain, and SORTN functions when I want to return all rows.
When you need a formula to return all rows without specifying a fixed number, you can use the Power() function. By employing this function, you can virtually say “All.” Let me provide you with an example.
Let’s consider the SORTN function, which returns a sorted list of ‘n’ unique values. If you’re unsure about the exact value of ‘n’ and want to include all unique values, you can use the caret symbol. Here’s how it looks:
=SORTN(range, ^, 2)In the above example, the number 2 immediately after the caret represents the Tie mode.
Make sure to check out the article about SORTN Tie Modes in Google Sheets if you want to delve deeper into this topic. And don’t miss the use of the Power function in Query – The Flexible Array Formula to Join Columns in Google Sheets.
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge of multiplying a number by a power in Google Sheets, you can enhance your spreadsheet skills and accomplish even more! If you want to learn more tips and tricks about Google Sheets, head over to Crawlan.com, your go-to resource for all things Google Sheets.
Happy calculating!
