I’d like to share a tip that could save you time and frustration, especially in competitive programming: avoid using C++’s pow function when working with integers.

Recently, I spent nearly an hour debugging a lengthy piece of code, only to realize that the issue stemmed from using pow. Despite its convenience, pow can sometimes introduce unexpected precision errors when working with integer calculations. This can lead to incorrect results, especially in competitive programming where accuracy is key.

Instead, consider writing a custom power function or using iterative multiplication for integer exponentiation. This approach is often more reliable and can help you avoid subtle bugs related to precision issues in pow.

Hope this tip saves you time in the future!

Thank you!