Real semantics of rational powers and fused minus-one exponentials #
For nonnegative bases in the stated domain, the executable result equals Section 4.1 rounding of the exact real power. Negative bases with integral exponents round the exact rational integer power. NaR, zero to a nonpositive power, and negative bases with nonintegral exponents have their own exceptional-value theorems.
The proofs establish correctness, including ties and saturation. Exact boundary equality makes the logarithm search terminate at every boundary, but no theorem bounds its running time near a tie.
Exact boundary comparisons round a positive-base real power exactly once.
In its nonnegative real domain, the executable power rounds the exact real power once. A zero base requires a positive exponent, and a positive base allows every exponent.
Zero to zero or a negative exponent produces NaR, excluding total-field conventions.
Zero to a positive exponent is represented exactly.
A base of one returns rounded one without expanding denominator-sized boundary powers.
Finite nonnegative posit powers round the exact real power once in its real domain.
A finite negative posit base with an integral exponent rounds its exact rational power.
Negative bases with finite nonintegral posit exponents produce NaR.
Shifting the rational candidates fuses subtraction with the final signed real rounding.
Base-two exponential minus one propagates NaR.
Base-ten exponential minus one propagates NaR.