[discrete]
[[esql-pow]]
=== `POW`

*Syntax*

[.text-center]
image::esql/functions/signature/pow.svg[Embedded,opts=inline]

*Parameters*

`base`::
Numeric expression. If `null`, the function returns `null`.

`exponent`::
Numeric expression. If `null`, the function returns `null`.

*Description*

Returns the value of `base` raised to the power of `exponent`. Both arguments
must be numeric. The output is always a double.  Note that it is still possible
to overflow a double result here; in that case, null will be returned.

*Supported types*

include::types/pow.asciidoc[]

*Examples*

[source.merge.styled,esql]
----
include::{esql-specs}/math.csv-spec[tag=powDI]
----
[%header.monospaced.styled,format=dsv,separator=|]
|===
include::{esql-specs}/math.csv-spec[tag=powDI-result]
|===

The exponent can be a fraction, which is similar to performing a root.
For example, the exponent of `0.5` will give the square root of the base:

[source.merge.styled,esql]
----
include::{esql-specs}/math.csv-spec[tag=powID-sqrt]
----
[%header.monospaced.styled,format=dsv,separator=|]
|===
include::{esql-specs}/math.csv-spec[tag=powID-sqrt-result]
|===