Thread: problem with function help

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    17

    Question problem with function help

    I have another problem I've spent a long time trying to solve. I know it's probably really simple but I cannot get it to work.

    Here's the problem:
    Write the definition of a function powerTo , which receives two parameters. The first is a double and the second is an int . The function returns a double .

    If the second parameter is negative, the function returns 0. Otherwise, it returns the value of the first parameter raised to the power of the second.

    Here's my attempt:

    Code:
    double powerTo(double base, int power)
    {
    int n;
    for (int k = 1; k < n; k++) {
    if (power < 0)
    return base *= power;
    else
    return 0;
    }
    }
    This is the error message I get from codelab:

    Code:
    Sometimes your code doesn't return a value.
    I really would appreciate someone's help on this, I think it's something pretty easy but I'm just lost on this one.

  2. #2
    Captain - Lover of the C
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    341
    I think you need to work out the logic on this one. Let's go through the steps of raising a number to a power. We know that raising to a power means multiplying by itself a number of times
    2^3 = 2 * 2 * 2
    Let's keep in mind that a number to the zeroth power is one
    2^0 = 1
    2^1 = 1 * 2
    2^4 = 1 * 2 *2 * 2 * 2
    So now for the logic of the function you're writing. First thing, check to make sure power is not < 0. If it is < 0 then return 0. Ok. Now we want a double that we are going to return. You need to initialize it to a certain number(you need to figure out which number for yourself). Then run a loop. The for loop you have set up is fine. For each cycle, you will want to multiply your return value not by the power but by the _______. After the loop return the return value. Good luck!
    Don't quote me on that... ...seriously

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