Python Operators

Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators perform maths. Python has all the standard ones plus two extras worth knowing: ** for exponentiation and // for floor division (divides then rounds down). The % (modulus) operator gives the remainder after division — very useful for checking if a number is even (n % 2 == 0) or cycling through a range.

a, b = 10, 3
print(a + b)   # 13  addition
print(a - b)   # 7   subtraction
print(a * b)   # 30  multiplication
print(a / b)   # 3.33 true division (always float)
print(a // b)  # 3   floor division
print(a % b)   # 1   remainder
print(a ** b)  # 1000  10 to the power 3

13
7
30
3.3333333333333335
3
1
1000

Comparison Operators

Comparison operators always return True or False. They are the foundation of every decision in your code. The most important thing to remember is the difference between = (assignment — sets a value) and == (equality check — asks "are these equal?"). Confusing them is one of the most common beginner mistakes.

x, y = 5, 10
print(x == y)   # Equal?          False
print(x != y)   # Not equal?      True
print(x < y)    # Less than?      True
print(x > y)    # Greater than?   False
print(x <= 5)   # Less or equal?  True (5 ≤ 5)
print(x >= 6)   # Greater/equal?  False

False
True
True
False
True
False

Logical Operators

Logical operators combine boolean expressions. and requires both sides to be True. or requires at least one side to be True. not flips the result. These let you express complex real-world conditions naturally, like "user is over 18 AND has a valid ID".

age = 20
has_id = True
print(age >= 18 and has_id)     # True and True = True
print(age >= 18 and not has_id)   # True and False = False

is_weekend = False
is_holiday = True
print(is_weekend or is_holiday)  # False or True = True

True
False
True

Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are shortcuts that combine arithmetic with assignment. Instead of writing x = x + 5, write x += 5. This works with all arithmetic operators and is the standard Python style.

n = 10
n += 5    # n = n + 5  → 15
print(n)
n -= 3    # n = n - 3  → 12
print(n)
n *= 2    # n = n * 2  → 24
print(n)
n //= 5   # n = n // 5 → 4
print(n)

15
12
24
4