> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://trizen.gitbook.io/perl6-rosettacode/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://trizen.gitbook.io/perl6-rosettacode/programming_tasks/e/exponentiation_order.md).

# Exponentiation order

Note that the reduction forms automatically go right-to-left because the base operator is right-associative. Most other operators are left-associative and would automatically reduce left-to-right instead.

```perl
use MONKEY-SEE-NO-EVAL;
sub demo($x) { say "  $x\t───► ", EVAL $x }

demo '5**3**2';      # show ** is right associative
demo '(5**3)**2';
demo '5**(3**2)';

demo '[**] 5,3,2';   # reduction form, show only final result
demo '[\**] 5,3,2';  # triangle reduction, show growing results

# Unicode postfix exponents are supported as well:

demo '(5³)²';
demo '5³²';
```

#### Output:

```
  5**3**2       ───► 1953125
  (5**3)**2     ───► 15625
  5**(3**2)     ───► 1953125
  [**] 5,3,2    ───► 1953125
  [\**] 5,3,2   ───► 2 9 1953125
  (5³)² ───► 15625
  5³²   ───► 23283064365386962890625
```

The Unicode exponent form without parentheses ends up raising to the 32nd power. Nor are you even allowed to parenthesize it the other way: `5(³²)` would be a syntax error. Despite all that, for programs that do a lot of squaring or cubing, the postfix forms can enhance both readability and concision.