cell ref as exponent problem

[alpinescott]

hello,

i've run into a formatting problem (i think) that won't allow me to run a calculation that uses a cell ref. as an exponent.
here's what i've got:
the value that i'm trying to raise to the nth power is the result of this formula:
=((10*(AM3))/AO14) gives me this value (-4.479)
the exponent "a" is a result of this formula:
=(0.49+0.0179*(AO14)-(0.0000771*(AO14)^2)+(0.000000675*(AO14)^3))
gives me this value (.7962)
so the formula that's giving me troubles is
=(AR3)^AQ14
i've tried changing the formatting of both to numbers, the exponent "a" to a fraction, copying and pasting values to remove the formula ref. etc. and nothing works. when i enter the values into the formula (has to be both, not one value and one cell ref. i tried this too and it doesn't work) it will return the proper value. has anyone run across this problem before?
thanks, scott

 

[Mark W.]

IMPOWER is supplied by the Analysis ToolPak. You need to install that add-in.

 

[alpinescott]

thanks, i did that, but i've realized that the problem stems from trying to raise a negative number to an exponent. not an excel problem, but one with the guy trying to use excel.
thanks for the help.
scott

 

[Mark W.]

...i've realized that the problem stems from trying to raise a negative number to an exponent. not an excel problem, but one with the guy trying to use excel.
thanks for the help.
scott

That's what I've been trying to tell you. IMPOWER works for those cases.