← Python

Basic Data Types

Python values have a type: int (whole number), float (decimal), str (text), or bool (True/False)

Part of: Python Coding — Module 5, SC in Schools - Introduction to Coding - Python — Module 13, VCE Software Development - U3O1 - Programming — Module 25, VCE Software Development - U4O1 - development and evaluation — Module 8, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Programming in Python — Module 5, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Python foundations — Module 4, VCE Applied Computing U1O2 Programming: Python basics and data types — Module 4, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Programming with Control Structures and Functions (Python) — Module 9, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Algorithms and Programming Techniques — Module 37, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Programmed Solutions — Module 18, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Prototype Digital Data Exchanges — Module 4, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Control Structures and Data Types — Module 6

Understanding Basic Data Types in Python

What it does: Numbers with a decimal point are floats in Python. Text wrapped in quotes is a string (str) in Python. A whole number without quotes is an integer. 42 has no decimal point — it's an integer. Any value in quotes is a string — floats are numbers like 3.14. Even 0.0 is a float — it has a decimal point. The quotes make it a string — quotes override the decimal point. '25' is a string — you can't do maths with it directly. Use int('25') first.

Common mistakes: Line 2 has a stray quote. Should be: age = 15. Line 2 is missing quotes. Should be: city = "Melbourne".

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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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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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning

Duo

What type is "Alice"?

IntegerString

Matches

❌ '25' + 1

↓

Error: Can't add str and int

Applying

Meanings

Term

name = "Alice"

Meaning

Strings are text in quotes.

Practice

name = "Alice"

Testing

Gaps

name =

Check Answer

Spots

1name = "Alice"

2age = 15"

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Quick Questions

1. What type is "Alice"?

A. String ✓

B. Integer

Text in quotes is a string — even if it looks like a name or a word

2. What type is 15?

A. String

B. Integer ✓

A whole number without quotes is an integer

3. What type is 5.5?

A. Float ✓

B. Integer

Numbers with a decimal point are floats — integers have no decimal

4. Which is a string?

A. "100" ✓

B. 100

The quotes make it a string — "100" is text, 100 is a number

5. What type is 42?

A. Float

B. Integer ✓

42 has no decimal point — it's an integer

Match the Pairs

'25' + 1 → Error: Can't add str and int

year_born = 1989.0 → Error: float value, not an int

score = 4.5 → Valid: float type

name = 'Alice' → Ok: str type

print(int('25')) → Output: 25

print(float('3.14')) → Output: 3.14

Key Term

name = "Alice"

Strings are text in quotes.~~age = 15

Fill in the Blanks

1. name = "Alice"

2. age = 15

3. height = 5.5

4. score = int("100")

5. city = "Melbourne"

Spot the Error

Question 1

A name = "Alice"

B age = 15"

C print(age)

Line B — Line 2 has a stray quote. Should be: age = 15

Question 2

A score = 100

B city = Melbourne

C print(city)

Line B — Line 2 is missing quotes. Should be: city = "Melbourne"

Question 3

A name = 'Bob'

B age = 12

C height = 5,8

Line C — Line 3 uses a comma not a decimal point. Should be: height = 5.8

Question 4

A name = 'Alice'

B score = 85

C total = score + name

D print(total)

Line C — Line 3 tries to add an int and a string. score is an integer, name is a string -- they can't be added.

Question 5

A name = 'Charlie'

B age = 15

C height = 5.8

D city = 'Melbourne

E print(name)

Line D — Line 4 is missing a closing quote

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