Python and Powers Math

python math multiplication exponent
Interrupt picture Interrupt · Aug 20, 2012 · Viewed 93.4k times · Source

I've been learning Python but I'm a little confused. Online instructors tell me to use the operator ** as opposed to ^ when I'm trying to raise to a certain number. Example:

print 8^3

Gives an output of 11. But what I'm look for (I'm told) is more akin to: print 8**3 which gives the correct answer of 512. But why?

Can someone explain this to me? Why is it that 8^3 does not equal 512 as it is the correct answer? In what instance would 11 (the result of 8^3)?

I did try to search SO but I'm only seeing information concerning getting a modulus when dividing.

Answer

behnam picture behnam · Aug 20, 2012

Operator ^ is a bitwise operator, which does bitwise exclusive or.

The power operator is **, like 8**3 which equals to 512.

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