PyPyPath

Module 3: Operators in Python

Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators let you do math in Python — add, subtract, multiply, divide, and more. You use them every day in data science for calculations.

About 10 minutes

Basic math operators

  • + addition
  • - subtraction
  • * multiplication
  • / division (always gives float)
  • // floor division (whole number part)
  • % modulo (remainder)
  • ** power (exponent)
Example code
print(10 + 3)   # 13
print(10 - 3)   # 7
print(10 * 3)   # 30
print(10 / 3)   # 3.333...
print(10 // 3)  # 3
print(10 % 3)   # 1
print(2 ** 4)   # 16
10 / 3 vs 10 // 3

10 / 3

3.333... (float)

10 // 3

3 (drops decimals)

Practice

Calculate the area of a rectangle: width 7, height 4. Print the result.

Key takeaways

  • Use +, -, *, / for everyday math.
  • / gives a float; // gives whole-number division.
  • % is remainder; ** is power.

Quick check: Arithmetic Operators

Question 1 of 2

What is 10 // 3 in Python?