Abstract: A method suitable for calculating an expression having the form (A/B)K by a processor that features separate sets of floating point units which can operate in parallel for greater speed of execution. The processor issues instructions to determine an approximate reciprocal R0 of a first variable B. Further instructions are issued to raise a second variable to the power of a third variable K by a first set of arithmetic units of the processor, where the second variable is a function of the approximate reciprocal R0. Still further instructions are issued to calculate a polynomial q at a fourth variable delta by a second set of arithmetic units of the processor. The fourth variable delta is also a function of the approximate reciprocal R0. Finally, one or more instructions are issued to multiply the calculated polynomial by the second variable, having been raised to the power of the third variable, to yield (A/B)K.