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Python Programming for Beginners – Day 4

Python Operators

In the previous lesson, we learned about Input and Output operations in Python. Today, we will learn about Operators, which are used to perform operations on variables and values.

Operators are important in programming because they help perform calculations, comparisons, logical decisions, and data manipulation.


What are Operators?

Operators are special symbols used to perform operations on operands (values or variables).

Example

x = 10
y = 5

print(x + y)
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Output

15
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In this example:

  • "+" is the operator
  • "x" and "y" are operands

Types of Operators in Python

Python provides several types of operators:

  1. Arithmetic Operators
  2. Assignment Operators
  3. Comparison Operators
  4. Logical Operators
  5. Identity Operators
  6. Membership Operators
  7. Bitwise Operators

1. Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic Operators are used for mathematical calculations.
Operator| Meaning| Example
"+"| Addition| "x + y"
"-"| Subtraction| "x - y"
""| Multiplication| "x * y"
"/"| Division| "x / y"
"%"| Modulus| "x % y"
"
"| Exponent| "x * y"
"//"| Floor Division| "x // y"

Example

x = 20
y = 3

print(x + y)
print(x - y)
print(x * y)
print(x / y)
print(x % y)
print(x ** y)
print(x // y)
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Output

23
17
60
6.666666666666667
2
8000
6
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2. Assignment Operators

Assignment Operators are used to assign values to variables.

Operator| Example
"="| "x = 5"
"+="| "x += 3"
"-="| "x -= 3"
"*="| "x *= 3"
"/="| "x /= 3"

Example

x = 10

x += 5

print(x)
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Output

15
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3. Comparison Operators

Comparison Operators compare two values and return either "True" or "False".

Operator| Meaning
"=="| Equal to
"!="| Not equal to
">"| Greater than
"<"| Less than
">="| Greater than or equal to
"<="| Less than or equal to

Example

x = 10
y = 20

print(x == y)
print(x != y)
print(x < y)

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Output

False
True
True
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4. Logical Operators

Logical Operators are used to combine conditions.

Operator| Meaning
"and"| Returns True if both conditions are True
"or"| Returns True if at least one condition is True
"not"| Reverses the result

Example

x = 5

print(x > 2 and x < 10)
print(x > 10 or x < 10)
print(not(x > 2))
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Output

True
True
False
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5. Identity Operators
Identity Operators compare memory locations of objects.

Operator| Meaning
"is"| Returns True if both variables are the same object
"is not"| Returns True if variables are not the same object

Example

x = [1, 2, 3]
y = x

print(x is y)
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Output

True
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6. Membership Operators

Membership Operators check whether a value exists in a sequence.

Operator| Meaning
"in"| Returns True if value exists
"not in"| Returns True if value does not exist

Example

python
languages = ["Python", "Java", "C++"]

print("Python" in languages)
print("PHP" not in languages)
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Output

plaintext
True
True
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7. Bitwise Operators

Bitwise Operators perform operations on binary numbers.

Operator| Meaning
"&"| AND
|
"^"| XOR
"~"| NOT
"<<"| Left Shift
">>"| Right Shift

Example

x = 5
y = 3

print(x & y)
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Output

1
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Operator Precedence

Python follows a specific order when evaluating expressions.

Example

result = 5 + 2 * 3

print(result)
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Output

11
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Multiplication happens before addition because it has higher precedence.


Why Operators are Important

Operators help programmers:

  • Perform calculations
  • Compare values
  • Make decisions
  • Build conditions
  • Manipulate data
  • Create dynamic programs

Without operators, programming logic would not work effectively.


Conclusion

Operators are essential building blocks in Python programming. They allow programs to perform mathematical calculations, comparisons, logical decisions, and many other operations.

Understanding operators is important because they are used in almost every Python program.

Practice using different operators to become more comfortable with Python expressions and logic.

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