Python – Operators
Operators are the constructs which can manipulate the value of operands.
Consider the expression 4 + 5 = 9. Here, 4 and 5 are called operands and + is called
operator.
Types of Operator
Python language supports the following types of operators.
Arithmetic Operators
Comparison (Relational) Operators
Assignment Operators
Logical Operators
Bitwise Operators
Membership Operators
Identity Operators
Let us have a look on all operators one by one.
Python Arithmetic Operators
Operator Description Example
+ Addition Adds values on either side of the operator. a + b = 30
- Subtraction Subtracts right hand operand from left hand operand. a – b = -10
* Multiplies values on either side of the operator a * b = 200
Multiplication
/ Division Divides left hand operand by right hand operand b/a=2
% Modulus Divides left hand operand by right hand operand and returns b%a=0
remainder
** Exponent Performs exponential (power) calculation on operators a**b =10 to
the power 20
// Floor Division - The division of operands where the result is the 9//2 = 4 and
quotient in which the digits after the decimal point are removed. 9.0//2.0 = 4.0,
But if one of the operands is negative, the result is floored, i.e., -11//3 = -4, -
rounded away from zero (towards negative infinity) − 11.0//3 = -4.0
Example
Assume variable a holds 21 and variable b holds 10, then −
#!/usr/bin/python
a = 21
b = 10
c = 0
c = a + b
print "Line 1 - Value of c is ", c
c = a - b
Page 1 of 8
, print "Line 2 - Value of c is ", c
c = a * b
print "Line 3 - Value of c is ", c
c = a / b
print "Line 4 - Value of c is ", c
c = a % b
print "Line 5 - Value of c is ", c
a = 2
b = 3
c = a**b
print "Line 6 - Value of c is ", c
a = 10
b = 5
c = a//b
print "Line 7 - Value of c is ", c
When you execute the above program, it produces the following result −
Line 1 - Value of c is 31
Line 2 - Value of c is 11
Line 3 - Value of c is 210
Line 4 - Value of c is 2
Line 5 - Value of c is 1
Line 6 - Value of c is 8
Line 7 - Value of c is 2
Python Comparison Operators
These operators compare the values on either sides of them and decide the relation
among them. They are also called Relational operators.
Operato Description Example
r
== If the values of two operands are equal, then the condition becomes (a == b) is not
true. true.
!= If values of two operands are not equal, then condition becomes (a != b) is true.
true.
<> If values of two operands are not equal, then condition becomes (a <> b) is
true. true. This is
similar to !=
operator.
> If the value of left operand is greater than the value of right operand, (a > b) is not
then condition becomes true. true.
< If the value of left operand is less than the value of right operand, (a < b) is true.
then condition becomes true.
>= If the value of left operand is greater than or equal to the value of (a >= b) is not
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Operators are the constructs which can manipulate the value of operands.
Consider the expression 4 + 5 = 9. Here, 4 and 5 are called operands and + is called
operator.
Types of Operator
Python language supports the following types of operators.
Arithmetic Operators
Comparison (Relational) Operators
Assignment Operators
Logical Operators
Bitwise Operators
Membership Operators
Identity Operators
Let us have a look on all operators one by one.
Python Arithmetic Operators
Operator Description Example
+ Addition Adds values on either side of the operator. a + b = 30
- Subtraction Subtracts right hand operand from left hand operand. a – b = -10
* Multiplies values on either side of the operator a * b = 200
Multiplication
/ Division Divides left hand operand by right hand operand b/a=2
% Modulus Divides left hand operand by right hand operand and returns b%a=0
remainder
** Exponent Performs exponential (power) calculation on operators a**b =10 to
the power 20
// Floor Division - The division of operands where the result is the 9//2 = 4 and
quotient in which the digits after the decimal point are removed. 9.0//2.0 = 4.0,
But if one of the operands is negative, the result is floored, i.e., -11//3 = -4, -
rounded away from zero (towards negative infinity) − 11.0//3 = -4.0
Example
Assume variable a holds 21 and variable b holds 10, then −
#!/usr/bin/python
a = 21
b = 10
c = 0
c = a + b
print "Line 1 - Value of c is ", c
c = a - b
Page 1 of 8
, print "Line 2 - Value of c is ", c
c = a * b
print "Line 3 - Value of c is ", c
c = a / b
print "Line 4 - Value of c is ", c
c = a % b
print "Line 5 - Value of c is ", c
a = 2
b = 3
c = a**b
print "Line 6 - Value of c is ", c
a = 10
b = 5
c = a//b
print "Line 7 - Value of c is ", c
When you execute the above program, it produces the following result −
Line 1 - Value of c is 31
Line 2 - Value of c is 11
Line 3 - Value of c is 210
Line 4 - Value of c is 2
Line 5 - Value of c is 1
Line 6 - Value of c is 8
Line 7 - Value of c is 2
Python Comparison Operators
These operators compare the values on either sides of them and decide the relation
among them. They are also called Relational operators.
Operato Description Example
r
== If the values of two operands are equal, then the condition becomes (a == b) is not
true. true.
!= If values of two operands are not equal, then condition becomes (a != b) is true.
true.
<> If values of two operands are not equal, then condition becomes (a <> b) is
true. true. This is
similar to !=
operator.
> If the value of left operand is greater than the value of right operand, (a > b) is not
then condition becomes true. true.
< If the value of left operand is less than the value of right operand, (a < b) is true.
then condition becomes true.
>= If the value of left operand is greater than or equal to the value of (a >= b) is not
Page 2 of 8
