← Python

Basic Arithmetic

Python uses +, -, *, / operators to perform arithmetic on numbers

Part of: Python Coding — Module 6, VCE Software Development - U3O1 - Programming — Module 27, VCE Software Development - U4O1 - development and evaluation — Module 16, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Programming in Python — Module 6, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Python foundations — Module 6, VCE Applied Computing U1O2 Programming: Strings, input, operators and imports — Module 7, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7c Pseudocode and Flowcharts — Module 67, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Programming with Control Structures and Functions (Python) — Module 11, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Algorithms and Programming Techniques — Module 41, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Programmed Solutions — Module 21, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Prototype Digital Data Exchanges — Module 6, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Control Structures and Data Types — Module 17

Understanding Basic Arithmetic in Python

What it does: Python's four basic arithmetic operators are +, -, *, and /. They follow the standard order of operations — multiplication and division happen before addition and subtraction, so 8 + 3 * 2 evaluates to 14, not 22. One Python-specific quirk: / always returns a float, even when the numbers divide evenly — 10 / 4 gives 2.5, and even 20 / 4 gives 5.0, not the integer 5.

Common mistakes: Writing x instead of * for multiplication (5 x 3 is a syntax error, not multiplication) is a common slip carried over from maths class. Dividing by zero — 10 / 0 — raises a ZeroDivisionError rather than returning a value.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 1–10) and word search (Modules 1–20).

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Learning
Duo
What is 5 + 3?
853
Matches
❌ 5 x 3
↓
Error: Use * not x
Applying
Meanings
Term
5 + 3
Meaning
+ adds two numbers together.
Practice
sum_result = 5 + 3
Testing
Gaps
sum = 5 3
Check Answer
Spots
1total = 5 + 3
2result = 10 x 2

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Quick Questions

1. What is 5 + 3?
A. 8 ✓
B. 53
53 would be string concatenation — with numbers, + does arithmetic
2. What is 10 - 4?
A. 14
B. 6 ✓
3. What is 6 * 2?
A. 8
B. 12 ✓
4. What is 15 / 3?
A. 5.0 ✓
B. 5
/ always returns a float in Python — even when the result is a whole number
5. What does * mean?
A. Multiply ✓
B. Add

Match the Pairs

5 x 3 → Error: Use * not x
result = 10 / 0 → Error: Division by zero
total = 8 + 3 * 2 → Valid: BODMAS applies
result = 10 / 4 → Ok: division gives float
print(7 - 3) → Output: 4
print(3 * 4) → Output: 12

Key Term

5 + 3
+ adds two numbers together.~~10 - 4

Fill in the Blanks

1. sum = 5 + 3
2. multiply = 10 * 2
3. subtract = 15 - 5
4. quotient = 20 / 4
5. total = 7 + 3 print(total)

Spot the Error

Question 1
A total = 5 + 3
B result = 10 x 2
C print(result)
Line B — Line 2 uses x instead of *. Should be: result = 10 * 2
Question 2
A sum_val = 7 + 3
B difference = 15 - 5
C print(sum)
Line C — Line 3 prints sum instead of sum_val. Should be: print(sum_val)
Question 3
A answer = 20 / 4
B total = 5 + 10
C product = 6 * 2
D print(anser)
Line D — Line 4 has a misspelling: anser should be answer
Question 4
A a = 5
B b = 3
C result = a + b
D difference = 10 - 4
E print(reslt)
Line E — Line 5 misspells result as reslt
Question 5
A total = 10 + 5
B product = 6 * 3
C quotient = 15 / 0
D print(quotient)
Line C — Line 3 divides by zero, which causes an error

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