# dotPow() Function & Examples

Use the dotPow() operators function in Calcul.io. Review its syntax, edit working examples, understand the result, and explore related math functions.

## dotPow

#### x .^ y

#### dotPow(x, y)

Try it yourself:

```calculio
a = [1, 2, 3; 4, 5, 6]
a .^ 2
```

[pow](https://calcul.io/function/pow/index.md)

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## dotPow(): Element-Wise Powers

**dotPow()** raises every entry of an array or matrix to a matching exponent. It is useful for squaring residuals, applying per-channel exponents, and nonlinear transforms while preserving shape.

## Choose the intended operation

dotPow differs from [pow()](https://calcul.io/function/pow/index.md) when collections are involved: it makes entry-by-entry intent explicit. Check shapes with [size()](https://calcul.io/function/size/index.md). Negative bases with non-integer exponents may not have real results, and zero raised to a negative exponent is undefined.

Pair it with [dotMultiply()](https://calcul.io/function/dotMultiply/index.md) for weighted transformations or [sqrt()](https://calcul.io/function/sqrt/index.md) for inverse square-root style work. Preserve precision for high powers, which can overflow quickly.

[All functions](https://calcul.io/functions/index.md)