the power function

[logicode]

Hi, I usualy try to solve class problems on my own but I am hitting a wall.
I am supposed to write a power function and call it in main but having problems like

void power(int base,int exponent)
{
   for( i=0; i<exponent: i++ )
   {
   //This is my trouble area please help. Thanks

   }             
}

[sicarie]

Ok, sure. Please use code tags to frame code next time - it helps with readability.

The trick there is to understand what the power function does. So, what does an exponent do, mathematically?

[faceboy]

check this out

code removed per FAQ

[logicode]

ok My apologies. the power function raises the base by the exponent
like x^y
the x is raised to the y power or
x^5 = x*x*x*x*x

[sicarie]

ok My apologies. the power function raises te base by the exponent like x^y
the x is raised to the y power or x^5 = x*x*x*x*x

It's not a big deal, it just helps with readability.

Right, so look at your for loop (specifically, 'exponent') variable, and think about how you could get that functionality.

[sicarie]

Also, how many times does it loop? What do you have to do each single time it loops to get the answer?

[logicode]

It's not a big deal, it just helps with readability.

Right, so look at your for loop (specifically, 'exponent') variable, and think about how you could get that functionality.

i"m stuck..... Can you throw me a hint

[sicarie]

i"m stuck..... Can you throw me a hint

I amended my last post with a reply - see if that helps.

[logicode]

Also, how many times does it loop? What do you have to do each single time it loops to get the answer, and how many times specifically does it loop?

the loop ends when the counter becomes less then the exponent. I was thinking that base=base*base but I knew that wouldnt work so I need a third variable I think to store the original base in and then multiply it by the base untill the loop ends

[faceboy]

faceboy, do not post code again, I have warned you twice, and PM'd you about this.

[sicarie]

the loop ends when the counter becomes less then the exponent. I was thinking that base=base+base but I knew that wouldnt work so I need a third variable I think to store the original base in and then multiply it by the base untill the loop ends

Well, look at your explanation of

x^5 = x*x*x*x*x

This needs to multiply x by x five times, correct?

In c/c++ you can do a nifty little shortcut of

variable += 1 as a shorthand of variable = variable +1

Now let me ask you - if you took x^2 * x^3, what do you get?

[logicode]

Well, look at your explanation of

x^5 = x*x*x*x*x

This needs to multiply x by x five times, correct?

In c/c++ you can do a nifty little shortcut of

variable += 1 as a shorthand of variable = variable +1

Now let me ask you - if you took x^2 * x^3, what do you get?

x^5 and using that method "variable += 1"confuses the crap out of me I rather just use the straight out one.

[sicarie]

x^5 and using that method "variable += 1"confuses the crap out of me I rather just use the straight out one.

That's fine - whatever helps you keep it straight.

Hmm, ok, let's break down the for loop

for (a counter; while the counter is less than 'exponent'; increment the counter)
do something here to get the resulting number

This is the same as
do something here to get the resulting number
do something here to get the resulting number
do something here....
.
.
.
'exponent' number of times.

Is that starting to look something like a possible specific example of x^5 = x*x*x*x*x ?

[logicode]

That's fine - whatever helps you keep it straight.

Hmm, ok, let's break down the for loop

for (a counter; while the counter is less than 'exponent'; increment the counter)
do something here to get the resulting number

This is the same as
do something here to get the resulting number
do something here to get the resulting number
do something here....
.
.
.
'exponent' number of times.

Is that starting to look something like a possible specific example of x^5 = x*x*x*x*x ?

ok...i'm on the edge I know it =] just not quit there

[sicarie]

ok...i'm on the edge I know it =] just not quit there

So you have a loop that will iterate exponent number of times, what action do you want to do one time for each iteration to get the final number?