Python Operators

Operators are special symbols used to perform operations on variables and values. Operators help Python perform calculations, comparisons, and logical decisions.

Why Operators are Important?

Creating Variables

Before using operators, we first create variables.

a = 10
b = 5

Here:

Addition Operator (+)

The + operator adds two values together.

print(a + b)

Python calculates:

10 + 5

Now Python adds both numbers.

15

So the final answer becomes 15.

Subtraction Operator (-)

The - operator subtracts one value from another.

print(a - b)

Python calculates:

10 - 5

5

So the result becomes 5.

Multiplication Operator (*)

The * operator multiplies numbers.

print(a * b)

Python performs:

10 × 5

50

So the multiplication result becomes 50.

Division Operator (/)

The / operator divides one number by another.

print(a / b)

Python calculates:

10 ÷ 5

2.0

Notice the result is 2.0 instead of 2. Python division always returns decimal output.

Modulus Operator (%)

The modulus operator returns the remainder after division.

print(a % b)

Python checks:

10 ÷ 5

The remainder is:

0

Because 10 divides completely by 5.

Exponent Operator (**)

The ** operator is used for power calculations.

print(a ** b)

Python calculates:

10 × 10 × 10 × 10 × 10

100000

This means 10 raised to the power 5.

Floor Division Operator (//)

Floor division removes decimal values and returns only the whole number.

print(17 // 4)

Actual division:

17 ÷ 4 = 4.25

Floor division removes decimal part.

4

Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are shortcuts used to update variable values.

x = 10

Initially x stores value 10.

Add and Assign (+=)

x += 5

This means:

x = x + 5

Python calculates:

10 + 5 = 15

x = 15

Subtract and Assign (-=)

x -= 2

This means:

x = x - 2

Python calculates:

15 - 2 = 13

x = 13

Multiply and Assign (*=)

x *= 3

This means:

x = x * 3

Python calculates:

13 × 3 = 39

x = 39

Summary