I'm trying to calculate and display several values in my C program: specifically, x^(z), x^(y^z), the absolute value of y, and the square root of (xy)^z. I expected the output to be: 172.47, 340002948455826440449068892160.00, 6.50, and 262.43 when I input x = 5.0, y = 6.5, and z = 3.2. However, for x^(y^z), I'm getting this enormous number instead: 1299514340173291847944888222454096680406359467394869842822896855861359540099003162021314702450630135156156308105484282322494504248948112276458052916387683581883958470273183113833082792841084022625221924710514275477514431221941309074902723560128693022611517590199421155673053855744.00. All other calculations are fine. I reached out for help, and someone suggested that C can't handle this operation, and I'd need an additional library. Unfortunately, I can't install anything as I'm completing this on Zybooks, which requires us to use their built-in C compiler. Can anyone help with this? I know my code might look messy, but I'm stuck to the requirements of Zybooks, and I want to make sure I'm doing this correctly. Here's my code snippet: #include #include int main(void) { double x; double y; double z; double base; double base2; double absl; double sqRoot; scanf("%lf", &x); scanf("%lf", &y); scanf("%lf", &z); base = pow(x, z); base2 = pow(x, pow(y, z)); absl = fabs(y); sqRoot = sqrt(pow((x*y), z)); printf("n%0.2lf ", base); printf("%0.2lf ", base2); printf("%0.2lf ", absl); printf("%0.2lf ", sqRoot); return 0; }
3 Answers
First off, I think there might be some confusion about what you're supposed to be calculating. Your code calculates x^(y^z), which is why you're getting that massive number. The expected output seems to suggest that you should be computing x^(y*z) instead, which means you’d be multiplying y and z before using them as the exponent. That’s where you might be going wrong.
Your issue with the expected output might stem from the fact that Zybooks sometimes provides incorrect example outputs. If your calculations are accurate according to your code, then I'd question whether the expectation of 340002948455826440449068892160.00 is just a mistake on their part. Have you tried breaking down the steps and confirming them one by one?
Good point! I might have to double-check my calculations versus what's given to me on the quiz.
Yeah, I've run into these sorts of problems with large exponentials in C too. Just be careful with floating point precision when dealing with huge numbers. Even though C can handle calculations like this, the output can sometimes get wonky due to rounding errors. Check the exact calculation on Wolfram Alpha or something to confirm you’re getting the right values.
You're right! I mistyped before, it was supposed to be x^(y*z). Thanks for clarifying that for me.