Doing Math

Add, subtract, multiply, divide and more

8 min read · runnable Python

Python is a brilliant calculator. Here are the symbols (called operators) you'll use most:

+ add
- subtract
* multiply (a star, not the letter x)
/ divide

print(10 + 4)
print(10 - 4)
print(10 * 4)
print(10 / 4)

That last one, 10 / 4, gives 2.5 â€” a number with a decimal point (a float). Division in Python always gives a decimal result, even when it divides evenly.

Two more handy operators

** means "to the power of". 2 ** 3 is 2 Ã— 2 Ã— 2 = 8.
% (called modulo) gives the remainder after dividing. 10 % 3 is 1, because 3 goes into 10 three times with 1 left over.

Order matters

Python follows the same order of operations you learned in school: multiplication and division happen before addition and subtraction. Use round brackets to force a different order:

print(2 + 3 * 4)      # 14, because 3*4 happens first
print((2 + 3) * 4)    # 20, brackets go first

Math with variables

You can do math with variables, not just raw numbers:

price = 8
quantity = 3
total = price * quantity
print("Total:", total)

Tip: Use brackets whenever you're unsure of the order. They're free, and they make your intent obvious to anyone reading.

Your turn

Change the price and quantity and watch the total update.

Try it yourself

price = 8
quantity = 3
total = price * quantity
print("Total:", total)

print("Remainder of 10 / 3 is", 10 % 3)
print("2 to the power of 3 is", 2 ** 3)

Output

Press “Run code” to see the result.

Quick check

Q1 What is the result of 2 + 3 * 4 in Python?

Q2 What does the % operator give you, as in 10 % 3 ?

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