How to Use Python Math Operators

Master addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponents, and more with clear examples

Understanding Python math operators is very important. You use these operators throughout the Python language whether it be concatenating strings, doing basic algebra, complex calculus, or delving into data science.

Basic Math Operators

Description	Operator	Example
Add	+	1+2=3
Subtract	–	3-2=1
Multiply	*	2*3=6
Divide	/	6/3=2
Floor Division	//	5//2=2
Remainder	%	5%2=1
Exponent	**	2**3=8

Order of Operations (PEMDAS)

The order of operation is crucial because it can significantly affect the outcome of your equation. Remember PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.

# Without parentheses: multiplication first
result1 = 1 + 2 * 3  # Result: 7 (not 9)

# With parentheses: addition first
result2 = (1 + 2) * 3  # Result: 9

Addition and Subtraction

x = 2
y = 4

# Basic operations
print(x + y)  # Output: 6
print(y - x)  # Output: 2

# Increment and decrement
x += 1  # Same as x = x + 1
print(x)  # Output: 3

y -= 2  # Same as y = y - 2
print(y)  # Output: 2

Exponents and Roots

Exponents multiply a number by itself multiple times. Roots are the opposite operation, finding what number multiplied by itself gives the original number.

# Exponents
print(2 ** 3)  # Output: 8 (2 * 2 * 2)
print(5 ** 2)  # Output: 25 (5 * 5)

# Square roots
print(4 ** (1/2.0))   # Output: 2.0
print(9 ** (1/2.0))   # Output: 3.0

# Cube roots
print(27 ** (1/3.0))  # Output: 3.0

Important: For roots, use (1/2.0) instead of (1/2) to ensure you get a float result, not an integer.

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