Python divmod() Function

The divmod() function in Python returns a tuple containing the quotient and the remainder when dividing two numbers. It's a quick way to get both results in one line.

Syntax

divmod(a, b)

Parameters:

• a – The dividend (numerator)
• b – The divisor (denominator); must not be 0

Returns:

• A tuple (quotient, remainder)

Example 1: Integer Division

result = divmod(10, 3)
print(result)

(3, 1)

Why? Because 10 ÷ 3 = 3 with a remainder of 1.

Example 2: Assigning Quotient and Remainder

q, r = divmod(22, 5)
print("Quotient:", q)
print("Remainder:", r)

Quotient: 4
Remainder: 2

Example 3: Using with Floats

print(divmod(7.5, 2.5))

(3.0, 0.0)

Use Cases

• Efficiently calculate both quotient and remainder in a single step
• Common in loops where both values are needed
• Useful in modular arithmetic problems

Common Mistakes

• Passing 0 as the second argument will raise ZeroDivisionError
• Both arguments must be numeric (int or float)

Interview Tip

In coding interviews, divmod() can simplify logic in problems involving floor division and modulo operations.

Summary

• divmod(a, b) returns (a // b, a % b)
• Works with both integers and floats
• Returns a tuple with two elements: quotient and remainder

Practice Problem

Write a program that reads two integers from the user and prints their quotient and remainder using divmod().

a = int(input("Enter first number: "))
b = int(input("Enter second number: "))
q, r = divmod(a, b)
print("Quotient:", q)
print("Remainder:", r)