🔢 Python Arithmetic Operators: Complete Guide

What are Arithmetic Operators?

In Python programming, arithmetic operators are symbols used to perform mathematical operations on operands. They work on numerical values (integers, floats, and complex numbers) and are fundamental to any Python program.

Before diving into arithmetic operators, let's understand some key terms:

• Operator: A symbol that performs an action on operands (e.g., +, -, *, /)
• Operand: A variable or constant on which the operation is performed
• Expression: A combination of operands and operators that computes a value

Python provides 7 arithmetic operators that work on two operands (binary operators).

1. Addition (+)

The addition operator (+) is used to add two operands together. It works with integers, floats, and even strings (concatenation).

# Addition examples
x = 10
y = 5
z = x + y
print("x + y =", z)  # Output: x + y = 15

# Addition with floats
a = 3.5
b = 2.5
print("a + b =", a + b)  # Output: a + b = 6.0

# String concatenation
first = "Hello"
second = "World"
print(first + " " + second)  # Output: Hello World

2. Subtraction (-)

The subtraction operator (-) subtracts the right operand from the left operand.

# Subtraction examples
x = 10
y = 5
z = x - y
print("x - y =", z)  # Output: x - y = 5

# Subtraction with floats
a = 7.5
b = 3.2
print("a - b =", a - b)  # Output: a - b = 4.3

3. Multiplication (*)

The multiplication operator (*) multiplies two operands together.

# Multiplication examples
x = 9
y = 4
z = x * y
print("x * y =", z)  # Output: x * y = 36

# Multiplication with floats
a = 2.5
b = 4.0
print("a * b =", a * b)  # Output: a * b = 10.0

4. Division (/)

The division operator (/) divides the left operand by the right operand and returns a float result.

# Division examples
x = 9
y = 4
z = x / y
print("x / y =", z)  # Output: x / y = 2.25

# Division that results in integer
a = 10
b = 2
print("a / b =", a / b)  # Output: a / b = 5.0

5. Modulus (%)

The modulus operator (%) returns the remainder of the division of the left operand by the right operand.

# Modulus examples
x = 9
y = 4
z = x % y
print("x % y =", z)  # Output: x % y = 1

# Modulus with different numbers
a = 10
b = 3
print("a % b =", a % b)  # Output: a % b = 1

6. Exponentiation (**)

The exponentiation operator (**) raises the left operand to the power of the right operand.

# Exponentiation examples
x = 9
y = 4
z = x ** y
print("x ** y =", z)  # Output: x ** y = 6561

# Square of a number
a = 5
print("a ** 2 =", a ** 2)  # Output: a ** 2 = 25

# Cube of a number
b = 3
print("b ** 3 =", b ** 3)  # Output: b ** 3 = 27

7. Floor Division (//)

The floor division operator (//) divides the left operand by the right operand and returns the largest integer less than or equal to the result (rounds down).

# Floor division examples
x = 9
y = 4
z = x // y
print("x // y =", z)  # Output: x // y = 2

# Floor division with negative numbers
a = -9
b = 4
print("a // b =", a // b)  # Output: a // b = -3

# Positive numbers
c = 10
d = 3
print("c // d =", c // d)  # Output: c // d = 3

Complete Example with All Operators

Let's see all arithmetic operators in action with a complete program.

# Working of arithmetic operators in Python
x = 9
y = 4

z = x + y
print("x + y =", z)      # Output: x + y = 13

z = x - y
print("x - y =", z)      # Output: x - y = 5

z = x * y
print("x * y =", z)      # Output: x * y = 36

z = x / y
print("x / y =", z)      # Output: x / y = 2.25

z = x % y
print("Remainder when", x, "divided by", y, "=", z)  
# Output: Remainder when 9 divided by 4 = 1

z = x // y
print("x // y =", z)     # Output: x // y = 2

z = x ** y
print("x ** y =", z)     # Output: x ** y = 6561

# Output:
# x + y = 13
# x - y = 5
# x * y = 36
# x / y = 2.25
# Remainder when 9 divided by 4 = 1
# x // y = 2
# x ** y = 6561

Try It Yourself!

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📚 Where to Go From Here

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