http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=48738
--- Comment #1 from Richard Guenther <rguenth at gcc dot gnu.org> 2011-04-23 09:20:46 UTC --- Integer exponent powers are computed using TYPE NAME (TYPE x, int m) { unsigned int n = m < 0 ? -m : m; TYPE y = n % 2 ? x : 1; while (n >>= 1) { x = x * x; if (n % 2) y = y * x; } return m < 0 ? 1/y : y; } or optimal power series expansion for constant exponents starting with GCC 4.5. ISTR the standard allows this. You should use a double exponent to use the real power function, pow (2., -1024.)