
<A NAME=EXPT>

<TITLE>EXPT</TITLE></A>
<b><a href=r37_idx.html>INDEX</a></b><p><p>



<B>EXPT</B> _ _ _  _ _ _  _ _ _  _ _ _ <B>operator</B><P>
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The <em>expt</em> operator is both an infix and prefix binary exponentiation 
operator. It is identical to <em>^</em> or <em>**</em>. 
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syntax: </H3>
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<em>expt</em>(&lt;expression&gt;,&lt;expression&gt;) 
 or &lt;expression&gt; <em>expt</em> &lt;expression&gt; 
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examples: </H3>
<P><PRE><TT>
a expt b; 

   B
  A  


expt(a,b); 

   B
  A  


(x+y) expt 4; 

   4      3        2  2        3    4
  X  + 4*X *Y + 6*X *Y  + 4*X*Y  + Y

</TT></PRE><P>Scalar expressions may be raised to fractional and floating-point 
powers. 
Square matrix expressions may be raised to positive powers, and also to 
negative powers if non-singular. 
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<em>expt</em>is left associative. In other words, <em>a expt b expt c</em> is 
equivalent to <em>a expt (b*c)</em>, not <em>a expt (b expt c)</em>, which 
would be right associative. 
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