[erlang-questions] math:pow(X, Y).

[Jared Kofron]

Just a guess, but math:pow/2 is implemented as a NIF and C may not enjoy the size of the number you are trying to calculate.
Here's GHCI's answer:

Prelude> 42**909
Infinity

On Mar 19, 2012, at 10:17 AM, Yves S. Garret wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
>    That's the standard method that I use to raise a value to a power.  I compared this to the way Python does raising to a power and this is the result that I get:
> 
> Erlang:
> 11> math:pow(42, 909).
> ** exception error: bad argument in an arithmetic expression
>      in function  math:pow/2
>         called as math:pow(42,909)
> 
> Python:
> http://bin.cakephp.org/view/1006418268
> 
> Now.  Why is it in Erlang's case I get a float as a return value?  Is there a method that only returns a long?  Or do most erlang coders have a custom power function if they want ridiculously large numbers?
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