Scientific Calculator · Practical guide
How to Do Exponents on a Scientific Calculator
Every power, square, and root runs through one key: xʸ. Type base, xʸ, exponent, equals — here is how each case works.
At a glance
The Short Answer
Enter the base, press the xʸ key, enter the exponent, and press =. On the calculator above, typing 2^10 returns 1024.000000, and squaring works the same way: 5^2 returns 25.000000. There is no dedicated x² key — the power key handles it all.
Interactive tool
Scientific Calculator
Enter your own values, then compare the result with the examples below.
History
Squares, Cubes, and Higher Powers
The xʸ key raises any base to any exponent, so the common cases are just special instances:
| You Type | Displayed | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 5^2 | 25.000000 | 5 squared |
| 3^4 | 81.000000 | 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 |
| 2^10 | 1024.000000 | 2 multiplied by itself 10 times |
| 10^6 | 1000000.000000 | one million |
Roots Are Just Fractional Powers
Any root can be written as a power of 1/n, so the power key covers roots too. The square root of 144 is 144^0.5 = 12, and the cube root of 8 is 8^(1/3), which displays 2.000000. Use parentheses around the fraction so the division happens before the exponent — 8^1/3 without them parses differently. For plain square roots the dedicated √ key is faster: sqrt(2) displays 1.414214.
Negative and Decimal Exponents
A negative exponent flips the base into the denominator: 2^(-3) = 1/8 = 0.125000. A decimal exponent mixes the two ideas — 4^1.5 is 4 × √4 = 8. Powers also obey the order of operations, so 2 + 3^2 evaluates to 11 while (2 + 3)^2 gives 25. When in doubt, add parentheses; they are never wrong, only sometimes unnecessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the exponent key on this calculator?
It is the xʸ button in the third row, between the √ and % keys. Pressing it inserts a caret (^) into your expression.
How do I square a number quickly?
Type the number, press xʸ, then 2, then =. For example, 9^2 displays 81.000000. There is no separate x² key.
Can I compute very large powers like 2^100?
Yes. The display prints the full number rather than abbreviating it into exponent form, so 2^100 appears as all 31 digits: 1267650600228229401496703205376.
Why did 8^1/3 give the wrong answer?
Without parentheses the calculator applies the exponent 1 first, then divides by 3. Type 8^(1/3) so the fraction evaluates as one exponent, returning 2.000000.