Python Operators

Let’s look at operators

Notice
Operators combine values. / performs true division; // performs floor division, including for negative numbers.
Try
Follow the example, change its sample, and compare what happens.
Check
Explain the result and test your understanding.

Watch how it works

Focus on how the names, objects, and calculations change. We’ll inspect the printed output in the next section.

Explore the idea

Follow the code and watch its state change. Guided simulation.

Code

Python

number = 7
print(number / 2)
print(number // 2)
print(number % 2)

Live state

Top-level scope

number→Object 1

Object 1 · int7

This step

Operators combine values. / performs true division; // performs floor division, including for negative numbers.

Picture operators

EXAMPLE INSTRUCTIONS

number = 7
print(number / 2)
print(number // 2)
print(number % 2)

       |
       v

DISPLAYED RESULT

3.5
3
1

FINAL BINDINGS

number --> object 1 (int)
object 1: 7

Operators combine values. / performs true division; // performs floor division, including for negative numbers.

Image brief

Alt text: A diagram for Python Operators. Instructions: number = 7 print(number / 2) print(number // 2) print(number % 2). Displayed result: 3.5 3 1. The final example bindings are number --> object 1 (int). object 1: 7
Image generation prompt: Create a clean educational illustration for a Python programming lesson titled "Python Operators". Teaching focus: Operators combine values. / performs true division; // performs floor division, including for negative numbers. Depict exactly the relationships and labels in this reference diagram: EXAMPLE INSTRUCTIONS number = 7 print(number / 2) print(number // 2) print(number % 2) | v DISPLAYED RESULT 3.5 3 1 FINAL BINDINGS number --> object 1 (int) object 1: 7 Use a flat vector style, generous spacing, clear arrows and legible labels, with a restrained blue/teal palette on a plain background. The diagram must explain the programming idea accurately. Do not depict variables as boxes containing copied objects when they share a reference. Avoid mascots, decorative screenshots, logos, gradients and extra text. Landscape composition, approximately 3:2, suitable for a course card. Accessible description: A diagram for Python Operators. Instructions: number = 7 print(number / 2) print(number // 2) print(number % 2). Displayed result: 3.5 3 1. The final example bindings are number --> object 1 (int). object 1: 7

Follow the execution

Choose a different sample input, then follow every step through to the output. Before revealing it, predict what the program will display.

Execution workspace

Choose a sample and follow its execution. Guided simulation.

Sample input

Code

Python

number = 7
print(number / 2)
print(number // 2)
print(number % 2)

Live state

Top-level scope

number→Object 1

Object 1 · int7

This step

The example has finished. Compare the final output with the values and references above.

Terminal

Output

3.5
3
1

What do you expect this program to print?

number = 7
print(number / 2)
print(number // 2)
print(number % 2)

Operators

Operators in Python are symbols or keywords that help you perform different kinds of actions, like calculations, comparisons, or checking conditions. Let’s explore each type of operator with easy-to-understand examples.

1. Arithmetic Operators

These are used to do basic math like addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc.

Operator	Name	Example	Result
+	Addition	3 + 2	5
-	Subtraction	5 - 2	3
*	Multiplication	4 * 2	8
/	Division	6 / 2	3.0
%	Modulus (Remainder)	5 % 2	1
//	Floor Division	5 // 2	2
**	Exponent (Power)	2 ** 3	8

a = 10
b = 3

print("Addition:", a + b)        # 13
print("Subtraction:", a - b)     # 7
print("Multiplication:", a * b)  # 30
print("Division:", a / b)        # 3.333...
print("Modulus:", a % b)         # 1
print("Floor Division:", a // b) # 3
print("Exponent:", a ** b)       # 1000 (10³)

Addition: 13
Subtraction: 7
Multiplication: 30
Division: 3.3333333333333335
Modulus: 1
Floor Division: 3
Exponent: 1000

2. Comparison Operators

These are used to compare two values. The result is always either True or False.

Operator	Meaning	Example	Result
==	Equal to	3 == 3	True
!=	Not equal to	5 != 2	True
>	Greater than	5 > 3	True
<	Less than	2 < 4	True
>=	Greater or equal	4 >= 4	True
<=	Less or equal	3 <= 5	True

x = 7
y = 10

print(x == y)    # False, because 7 is not equal to 10
print(x != y)    # True, because 7 is not equal to 10
print(x > y)     # False, because 7 is not greater than 10
print(x < y)     # True, because 7 is less than 10
print(x >= y)    # False, because 7 is not greater than or equal to 10
print(x <= y)    # True, because 7 is less than or equal to 10

False
True
False
True
False
True

3. Assignment Operators

These are used to assign or update values of variables.

Operator	Meaning	Example
=	Assign	x = 5
+=	Add and assign	x += 3 (same as x = x + 3)
-=	Subtract and assign	x -= 2
*=	Multiply and assign	x *= 4
/=	Divide and assign	x /= 2
%=	Modulus and assign	x %= 3
//=	Floor divide and assign	x //= 2
**=	Power and assign	x **= 2

Example

The following example applies each of the assignment operators one after the other, showing how the value of x changes step by step:

x = 5         # Start with assignment
x += 3        # x = x + 3 → x becomes 8
x -= 2        # x = x - 2 → x becomes 6
x *= 4        # x = x * 4 → x becomes 24
x /= 2        # x = x / 2 → x becomes 12.0
x %= 5        # x = x % 5 → x becomes 2.0
x //= 2       # x = x // 2 → x becomes 1.0 (floor division)
x **= 3       # x = x ** 3 → x becomes 1.0 (1 raised to power 3)
print(x)

1.0

4. Logical Operators

Used to combine multiple conditions.

Operator	Meaning	Example	Result
and	True if both are True	5 > 3 and 4 > 2	True
or	True if at least one is True	5 > 3 or 2 > 4	True
not	Reverse the result	not(5 == 5)	False

Example

This example shows how logical operators work in different scenarios:

a = 7
b = 3

# AND: both conditions must be True
print(a > 5 and b < 5)

# OR: at least one condition must be True
print(a < 5 or b < 5)

# NOT: reverses the result
print(not a == 7)

# Combined logic
print(not (a < 10 and b > 5))

True
True
False
True

5. Identity Operators

Used to check if two variables point to the same object.

Operator	Meaning	Example	Result
is	True if both are same object	a is b	True or False
is not	True if not same object	a is not b	True or False

Example

a = [1, 2]
b = a
print(a is b)       # True
print(a is not b)   # False

True
False
True

6. Membership Operators

Used to check if a value is inside a group (like a list or string).

Operator	Meaning	Example	Result
in	True if value is present	"a" in "apple"	True
not in	True if value not present	"x" not in "apple"	True

Example

colors = ["red", "blue"]
print("red" in colors)      # True
print("green" not in colors) # True

True
True

7. Bitwise Operators

These work on binary (0s and 1s). You won’t need them yet, but here’s what they do:

Operator	Name
&	Bitwise AND
\|	Bitwise OR
^	Bitwise XOR
~	Bitwise NOT
<<	Left Shift
>>	Right Shift

Code Example

a = 5      # 0101 in binary
b = 3      # 0011 in binary

print(a & b)   # 1
print(a | b)   # 7
print(a ^ b)   # 6
print(~a)      # -6
print(a << 1)  # 10
print(a >> 1)  # 2

Conclusion

Operators are the tools that help you build logic in your Python programs. Now that you’ve learned the basics, try using them in your own mini programs!

What to remember

Connect what you noticed in the example with the idea below.

Remember

Operators combine values. / performs true division; // performs floor division, including for negative numbers.

Watch out for this idea

// always truncates toward zero.

This is the misconception to avoid.

Reaching the recap and completing the quizzes are separate milestones.

Next lesson: Python Operator Precedence →

Python Operators

Let’s look at operators

Notice

Try

Check

Watch how it works

Picture operators

Image brief

Follow the execution

Answer and explanation

Answer and explanation

Operators

1. Arithmetic Operators

2. Comparison Operators

3. Assignment Operators

Example

4. Logical Operators

Example

5. Identity Operators

Example

6. Membership Operators

Example

7. Bitwise Operators

Code Example

Conclusion

What to remember

Remember

Watch out for this idea

Python Operators

Let’s look at operators

Notice

Try

Check

Watch how it works

Picture operators

Image brief

Follow the execution

What does this example display?

Answer and explanation

Which explanation matches what you learned?

Answer and explanation

Operators

1. Arithmetic Operators

2. Comparison Operators

3. Assignment Operators

Example

4. Logical Operators

Example

5. Identity Operators

Example

6. Membership Operators

Example

7. Bitwise Operators

Code Example

Conclusion

What to remember

Remember

Watch out for this idea