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Operators for Performing Operations on Variables and Values

An operator is a symbol that specifies the operation to be performed between variables or values.

Just as the + symbol represents addition in mathematics, operators are used in programming to perform various operations between variables or values.


Arithmetic Operators for Mathematical Operations​

First, arithmetic operators are used to perform basic mathematical operations between numbers.

  • + : Addition of numbers, concatenation of strings

  • - : Subtraction, change of sign

  • * : Multiplication, repetition of strings

  • / : Division

  • % : Modulus (remainder)

  • ** : Exponentiation

  • // : Floor division

For example, 3 + 5 becomes 8, and 10 / 3 becomes 3.3333...

If you need the integer quotient of 10 divided by 3, then you use 10 // 3.

Examples of Arithmetic Operators
a = 10
b = 3

print(a + b)  # 13
print(a - b)  # 7
print(a * b)  # 30
print(a / b)  # 3.3333...
print(a % b)  # 1
print(a ** b) # 1000
print(a // b) # 3

The same operator can act differently depending on the data type.

For example, the + operator can not only add numbers but also concatenate strings.

Similarly, the * operator can perform both multiplication of numbers and repetition of strings.

Examples of String Operations
name = "World"
greeting = "Hello " + name

print(greeting)  # Output: Hello World

print(name * 2)  # Output: WorldWorld

Comparison Operators to Determine True/False​

Comparison operators compare two values and return True or False.

  • == : Compare if two values are equal

  • != : Compare if two values are different

  • > : Compare if the left value is greater

  • < : Compare if the right value is greater

  • >= : Compare if the left value is greater or equal

  • <= : Compare if the right value is greater or equal

Examples of Comparison Operators
x = 5
y = 10

print(x == y)  # False
print(x != y)  # True
print(x > y)   # False
print(x < y)   # True
print(x >= 5)  # True
print(y <= 10) # True

Thus, comparison operators help determine the relationship between variables.


Logical Operators to Combine Conditions​

Logical operators are used to combine multiple conditions or to invert the truth value.

In Python, the logical operators are and, or, and not.

  • and : True only if all conditions are true

  • or : True if at least one condition is true

  • not : Inverts the truth value

Examples of Logical Operators
a = True
b = False

print(a and b)  # False
print(a or b)   # True
print(not a)    # False
print(not b)    # True

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