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Python Variables and Data Types Explained for Beginners (int, float, str, bool)

P2.4 Python Arithmetic Operators with Examples

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Why. Totals, averages, discounts and percentages are the daily maths of data work.

What. Python has these maths operators:

Operator Meaning Example Result
+ add 10 + 3 13
- subtract 10 - 3 7
* multiply 10 * 3 30
/ divide (always float) 10 / 3 3.333...
// whole-number divide 10 // 3 3
% remainder 10 % 3 1
** power 10 ** 3 1000

How to read this table: each row is one operator. Example shows it with 10 and 3; Result is what Python gives.

How.

Work out a discount

  1. Store the price.
  2. Store the discount as a decimal (10% = 0.10).
  3. Multiply to get the discount amount.
  4. Subtract it from the price.
  5. Round the answer with round(value, 2).

Worked example A — A simple discount.

Step 1 — What we do. A store in New York sells headphones for $80 with 15% off.

Step 2 — Type and run this code.

price = 80
discount = price * 0.15
print(price - discount)

Step 3 — Output you should see.

68.0

Step 4 — What it means. The final price is $68.0. Writing it step by step keeps it easy to check.

Worked example B — Split items into boxes.

Step 1 — What we do. A warehouse in Rotterdam packs 53 items, 12 per box.

Step 2 — Type and run this code.

items = 53
print("Full boxes:", items // 12)
print("Items left:", items % 12)

Step 3 — Output you should see.

Full boxes: 4
Items left: 5

Step 4 — What it means. // gives full boxes (4) and % gives what is left (5). Logistics teams use this daily.

Worked example C — Round money values.

Step 1 — What we do. We split a £100 dinner bill between 3 friends.

Step 2 — Type and run this code.

share = 100 / 3
print(share)
print(round(share, 2))

Step 3 — Output you should see.

33.333333333333336
33.33

Step 4 — What it means. Division gives many decimals. round(share, 2) keeps 2 decimals for money: £33.33.

Ravindra Bagale's Tip

Use brackets to make the order of maths clear: (price - discount) * qty. Never guess the order.