We are working with Cambridge Assessment International Education towards endorsement of this title. Any references or material related to answers, grades, papers or examinations are based on the opinion of the author(s). 2 Variables and arithmetic operators
Operation
Example of use
Description
Modulus
Python:
Finds the number of times num2 can go into num1 completely, discards this value, and stores the remainder in the variable result.
result = num1 % num2 Pseudocode: result num1 MOD num2
LE
Table 2.2: Operators used in Python 3 and pseudocode
TIP
M
INTERACTIVE SESSION
P
In your maths lessons you may have been taught the acronym BIDMAS (sometimes BODMAS or BOMDAS). The order of mathematical operations in programming languages is the same as that taught in maths lessons. e.g. 3 × 4 + 7 ÷ 4 = 13.75 However, this is very difficult to read and many errors can creep into programs if we rely on doing this correctly. This is why programmers prefer to use plenty of brackets, and you should too. e.g. >>> (3*4) + (7/4) 13.75
Now is a good time to open up a Python shell and have an interactive session to try out some of these operators yourself. To get you started, try entering the code shown below into the Python shell, pressing return after each line.
A
>>> a = 7 >>> b = 3 >>> c = a/b >>> type(c) >>> print(c)
PRACTICE TASK 2.1
S
Data type
Find out what value is stored in c after completing the interactive session.
19 Original material © Cambridge University Press 2021. This material is not final and is subject to further changes prior to publication.
