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Python Arithmetic Operators

Last Updated : 09 Jan, 2025
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Python operators are fundamental for performing mathematical calculations. Arithmetic operators are symbols used to perform mathematical operations on numerical values. Arithmetic operators include addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), division (/), and modulus (%).

OperatorDescriptionSyntax
+Addition: adds two operandsx + y
–Subtraction: subtracts two operandsx – y
*Multiplication: multiplies two operandsx * y
/Division (float): divides the first operand by the secondx / y
//Division (floor): divides the first operand by the secondx // y
%Modulus: returns the remainder when the first operand is divided by the secondx % y
**Power: Returns first raised to power secondx ** y

Addition Operator

In Python, + is the addition operator. It is used to add 2 values.

Python
val1 = 2
val2 = 3

# using the addition operator
res = val1 + val2
print(res)

Output: 

5

Subtraction Operator

In Python, is the subtraction operator. It is used to subtract the second value from the first value.

Python
val1 = 2
val2 = 3

# using the subtraction operator
res = val1 - val2
print(res)

Output:

-1

Multiplication Operator

Python * operator is the multiplication operator. It is used to find the product of 2 values.

Python
val1 = 2
val2 = 3

# using the multiplication operator
res = val1 * val2
print(res)

Output : 

6

Division Operator 

In Python programming language Division Operators allow us to divide two numbers and return a quotient, i.e., the first number or number at the left is divided by the second number or number at the right and returns the quotient. 

There are two types of division operators: 

  1. Float division
  2. Floor division

Float division

The quotient returned by this operator is always a float number, no matter if two numbers are integers. For example:

Example:

Python
print(5/5)
print(10/2)
print(-10/2)
print(20.0/2)

Output
1.0
5.0
-5.0
10.0

Integer division( Floor division)

The quotient returned by this operator is dependent on the argument being passed. If any of the numbers is float, it returns output in float. It is also known as Floor division because, if any number is negative, then the output will be floored. For example:

Example:

Python
print(10//3)
print (-5//2)
print (5.0//2)
print (-5.0//2)

Output
3
-3
2.0
-3.0

Modulus Operator

The % in Python is the modulus operator. It is used to find the remainder when the first operand is divided by the second. 

Python
val1 = 3
val2 = 2

# using the modulus operator
res = val1 % val2
print(res)

Output:

1

Exponentiation Operator

In Python, ** is the exponentiation operator. It is used to raise the first operand to the power of the second. 

Python
val1 = 2
val2 = 3

# using the exponentiation operator
res = val1 ** val2
print(res)

Output:

8

Precedence of Arithmetic Operators in Python

Let us see the precedence and associativity of Python Arithmetic operators.

Operator

Description

Associativity

**

Exponentiation Operator

right-to-left

%, *, /, //

Modulos, Multiplication, Division, and Floor Division

left-to-right

+, –

Addition and Subtraction operators

left-to-right



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