Confusing about the phrase "raise to"

Solution 1:

In a mathematical context, "to raise" means to apply the function f(x,y) = x^y.

The subject of this verb is the number to be used as the base (x) and it is typically followed by a prepositional phrase defining the exponent (y).

The two examples you provided both imply that 2 is raised to the power of 3, i.e. 2³. There is a slight difference in meaning between the two examples, but it is trivial in mathematical context. The first sentence is an instruction for the reader to raise, while the second sentence informs the reader that raising has occurred. In practical usage, they carry the same meaning. Often, the phrase is expanded to read "raise 2 to the power of 3," to eliminate confusion regarding which number is intended to be the base and which is intended to be the power.