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What are operators?

Operators are symbols that perform operations on values. Think of them as the “verbs” of programming - they make things happen! You already know most operators from math class:
  • Calculate: +, -, *, /
  • Compare: >, <, ==
  • Combine: and, or, not

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Arithmetic operators

These work just like your calculator: 
# Basic math
print(10 + 3)   # 13 - Addition
print(10 - 3)   # 7  - Subtraction
print(10 * 3)   # 30 - Multiplication
print(10 / 3)   # 3.333... - Division (always gives float)

# Special operators
print(10 // 3)  # 3  - Floor division (rounds down)
print(10 % 3)   # 1  - Modulo (remainder)
print(10 ** 3)  # 1000 - Exponent (power)

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Order of operations

Python follows math rules (PEMDAS): 
result = 2 + 3 * 4      # 14 (not 20!)
result = (2 + 3) * 4    # 20 (parentheses first)

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Comparison operators

These compare values and return True or False: 
age = 18

print(age == 18)    # True  - Equal to
print(age != 21)    # True  - Not equal to
print(age > 17)     # True  - Greater than
print(age < 20)     # True  - Less than
print(age >= 18)    # True  - Greater than or equal
print(age <= 18)    # True  - Less than or equal
Don’t confuse = (assignment) with == (comparison)!
  • age = 18 stores 18 in age
  • age == 18 checks if age equals 18

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Logical operators

These combine boolean values and conditions: 
age = 25
has_license = True

# AND - both must be true
can_drive = age >= 16 and has_license
print(can_drive)  # True

# OR - at least one must be true
day = "Saturday"
is_weekend = day == "Saturday" or day == "Sunday"
print(is_weekend)  # True

# NOT - reverses the value
is_adult = age >= 18
is_child = not is_adult
print(is_child)  # False

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Truth tables

Understanding how and, or, and not work: 
# AND: Both must be True
print(True and True)    # True
print(True and False)   # False
print(False and False)  # False

# OR: At least one must be True  
print(True or False)    # True
print(False or False)   # False

# NOT: Flips the value
print(not True)         # False
print(not False)        # True

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Assignment shortcuts

These shortcuts update variables in place: 
# Instead of:
score = score + 10

# Write:
score += 10

# Works with all operators
x = 10
x += 5    # x is now 15
x *= 2    # x is now 30

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Common mistakes

# Regular division
result = 10 / 2    # 5.0 (not 5)

# Integer division
result = 10 // 2   # 5

# Wrong
average = 10 + 20 + 30 / 3  # 40.0

# Right
average = (10 + 20 + 30) / 3  # 20.0

# = assigns a value
age = 18

# == compares values
if age == 18:
    print("Just turned adult!")

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What’s next?

You know operators! Let’s dive deeper into working with text strings.

String manipulation

Advanced text operations