# What does sup mean?

I found this formula regarding calories burned:

Rate per Pound (Cal/lb-min)=A+BV+CV.sup.2 +KDV.sup.3 where:

V=Running Speed (mph)--limited to a minimum of 3 mph and a maximum of 14 mph

A=0.0395

B=0.00327

C=0.000455

D=[0.00801(W/154).sup.0.425 ]/W

W=Weight (lbs)

K=0 or 1 (0=Treadmill; 1=Outdoors)

But what do the .sup.2 and .sup.3stand for? What does it mean?

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I expect it is meant to indicate that what follows is an exponent. So (W/154).sup.0.425 means $(W/154)^{0.425}$; KDV.sup.3 maans $KDV^3$, etc. –  Arturo Magidin Jun 21 '12 at 21:20

## 2 Answers

It means superscript (usually an exponent). For example, the first equation is supposed to read: $$\text{Rate per pound (Cal/lb-min)} = A + BV + CV^2 + KDV^3$$

In my opinion, nobody really writes like that unless they have no way to insert a superscript, which I suspect is the case.

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Okay, that makes sense. I, as a programmer, would have have gone for pow for 'to the power'. Ah well, thanks! –  nhaarman Jun 21 '12 at 21:23
Presumably, that .sup. notation corresponds to some computer language. Back from the days when you didn't get a ^ character to use. –  GEdgar Jun 21 '12 at 21:43

I suppose it means $CV^2$ and $KDV^3$...

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