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In a regime of linear propagation (that is almost in any case covered by normal experience) two waves sharing the same space (for example two light waves or two sound waves) generate a third wave (called interference wave) whose amplitude is the sum of the original waves amplitudes and whose phase is the sum of the original waves phases.

If we evaluate the power of the interference wave it is not the sum of the original powers, but it strongly depends on the phases of the original waves.

In particular if the total phase in a point and in an instant is 90° (pi/2) the total power is minimum: it is equal to the difference between the powers of the original waves, that is zero if they had the same power and destructive interference happens.

On the contrary if the sum of the original phases is zero the total power is maximum: twice the sum of the original powers, that is four time the power of one wave if the initial powers were equal and constructive interference is said to happen.

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