why does 2^0 return 2 in java

Question

Possible Duplicate:
What does the ^ operator do in Java?
The power ^ in Java?

I am sorry if this is a duplicate, but i didn´t found anything in SO.

So can someone explaint me why

     System.out.println((2^0));

this does return 2?

i was expecting a 1.

Suggested search in the future: `x operators`. Replace `x` with the language in question: it will cover most questions of "Why/What does a b ..?". — , Dec 27 '12 at 10:38

score 8 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 27 '12 at 10:37

8

Because the ^ operator does not mean "raise 2 to the 0th power". It's a bitwise exclusive OR operator.

In order to do that, your code should look like this:

double one = Math.pow(2.0, 0.0);  // Silly, but you can do it.

Don't be surprised if the answer comes out to something that's not exactly 1.0. You'll need to know about how floating point numbers work.

answered Dec 27 '12 at 10:37

duffymo

y thx, i just forgot that ^ is not the real pow operator ... – SomeJavaGuy Dec 27 '12 at 10:41

score 6 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 27 '12 at 10:37

6

The ^ sign means XOR and not pow. Try Math.Pow(2.0, 0.0) instead.

answered Dec 27 '12 at 10:37

rekire

score 4 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 27 '12 at 10:42

4

^ in Java is Bitwise exclusive-OR. so 2(1 0) ^(XOR) 0(0 0) =1 0 ie 2 !!! Got it?

answered Dec 27 '12 at 10:42

Saty

3 Answers3