What is how to do math in python in Python?

Python supports all the basic math operations you already know. The symbols look almost identical to what you'd write on paper. Addition, subtraction, and multiplication work exactly as you'd expect. Division has one surprise: it always returns a float, even when the result is a whole number....

What is how to use exponents in python in Python?

Python uses ** for exponentiation (raising a number to a power). Languages like C and Java use a function for this, but Python makes it an operator. Simple and clean. Here's a neat trick: raising a number to the power of 0.5 gives you its square root. And ** (1/3) gives the cube root. You don't...

Python Numbers: Integers, Floats, and Math You'll Actually Use

Beginner20 min6 exercises110 XP

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Prerequisites

Python Variables and Data Types: A Practical Introduction

0/6 exercises

You're splitting a restaurant bill with three friends. The total is $85. How much does each person owe? You grab your phone calculator, but a Python programmer just types 85 / 4 and gets the answer instantly.

Math is the backbone of programming. Games use it for physics. Apps use it to calculate prices. Data science runs on it. The good news? Python makes math feel like a supercharged calculator.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how Python handles numbers, what operators are available, and how to avoid the mistakes that trip up beginners. By the end, you'll be doing real-world calculations with confidence.

What Are Integers and Floats?

Python has two main types of numbers. Integers (int) are whole numbers with no decimal point. Floats (float) are numbers with a decimal point.

Think of it like money. "5 dollars" is an integer. "5.99 dollars" is a float. The decimal point is the difference.

Integers vs floats

# Integers - whole numbers

students = 30

lives = 3

year = 2025

negative = -15

# Floats - decimal numbers

price = 9.99

temperature = 98.6

pi = 3.14159

tiny = 0.001

print(type(students)) # <class 'int'>

print(type(price)) # <class 'float'>

print(type(negative)) # <class 'int'>

print(type(temperature)) # <class 'float'>

Output

<class 'int'>
<class 'float'>
<class 'int'>
<class 'float'>

When should you use each? Use integers for things you count: people, items, scores, lives. Use floats for things you measure: weight, temperature, percentages, money.

How to Do Math in Python

Python supports all the basic math operations you already know. The symbols look almost identical to what you'd write on paper.

The four basic operators

# Addition

print(10 + 3) # 13

# Subtraction

print(10 - 3) # 7

# Multiplication

print(10 * 3) # 30

# Division (always returns a float!)

print(10 / 3) # 3.3333333333333335

Output

13
7
30
3.3333333333333335

Addition, subtraction, and multiplication work exactly as you'd expect. Division has one surprise: it always returns a float, even when the result is a whole number.

Division always returns a float

# Division ALWAYS gives a float

print(10 / 2) # 5.0 - not 5!

print(type(10 / 2)) # <class 'float'>

# Even when both numbers are integers

print(100 / 10) # 10.0

print(8 / 4) # 2.0

Output

5.0
<class 'float'>
10.0
2.0

You can use math with variables just like with plain numbers. This is where things get useful.

Math with variables

# Real-world example: calculating a total

price = 12.50

quantity = 4

tax_rate = 0.08

subtotal = price * quantity

tax = subtotal * tax_rate

total = subtotal + tax

print(f"Subtotal: ${subtotal}")

print(f"Tax: ${tax}")

print(f"Total: ${total}")

Output

Subtotal: $50.0
Tax: $4.0
Total: $54.0

What Are Integer Division (//) and Modulo (%)?

Python has two special operators that go together like peanut butter and jelly: integer division (//) and modulo (%). They answer two different questions about the same division problem.

Imagine you have 17 cookies and 5 friends. 17 // 5 tells you each friend gets 3 cookies. 17 % 5 tells you there are 2 cookies left over.

How Does Integer Division (//) Work?

Integer division (//) divides and rounds down to the nearest whole number. For positive numbers, that means it throws away the decimal part.

Integer division with //

# Regular division vs integer division

print(17 / 5) # 3.4 - regular division (float)

print(17 // 5) # 3 - integer division (rounds down)

print(10 / 3) # 3.3333333333333335

print(10 // 3) # 3

print(7 / 2) # 3.5

print(7 // 2) # 3

# Works with negative numbers too (rounds toward negative infinity)

print(-17 // 5) # -4 (not -3!)

Output

3.4
3
3.3333333333333335
3
3.5
3
-4

How Does the Modulo Operator (%) Work?

The modulo operator (%) gives you the remainder after division. It's incredibly useful and shows up more often than you'd expect.

Modulo operator (%)

# Modulo gives the remainder

print(17 % 5) # 2 (17 = 5*3 + 2)

print(10 % 3) # 1 (10 = 3*3 + 1)

print(20 % 4) # 0 (20 = 4*5 + 0, divides evenly)

print(7 % 2) # 1 (7 = 2*3 + 1)

# The classic use: check if a number is even or odd

number = 42

if number % 2 == 0:

print(f"{number} is even")

else:

print(f"{number} is odd")

Output

2
1
0
1
42 is even

The most common use of modulo is checking if a number divides evenly. If x % y == 0, then x is perfectly divisible by y. This is how you check for even/odd, leap years, and more.

How to Use Exponents in Python

Python uses ** for exponentiation (raising a number to a power). Languages like C and Java use a function for this, but Python makes it an operator. Simple and clean.

Exponents with **

# Exponentiation with **

print(2 ** 3) # 8 (2 cubed: 2 * 2 * 2)

print(5 ** 2) # 25 (5 squared: 5 * 5)

print(10 ** 6) # 1000000 (10 to the 6th power)

# Works with floats too

print(9 ** 0.5) # 3.0 (square root of 9!)

print(27 ** (1/3)) # 3.0 (cube root of 27)

Output

Here's a neat trick: raising a number to the power of 0.5 gives you its square root. And ** (1/3) gives the cube root. You don't need a special function for basic roots.

Compound interest with exponents

# Practical example: compound interest

# Formula: A = P * (1 + r) ** t

principal = 1000 # Starting amount

rate = 0.05 # 5% annual interest

years = 10 # Time period

amount = principal * (1 + rate) ** years

print(f"${principal} at {rate*100}% for {years} years = ${round(amount, 2)}")

Output

$1000 at 5.0% for 10 years = $1628.89

What Is the Order of Operations in Python?

Python follows the same order of operations you learned in math class. You might know it as PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction.

Order of operations

# Without parentheses - follows PEMDAS

print(2 + 3 * 4) # 14 (not 20!) - multiplication first

print(10 - 2 ** 3) # 2 - exponent first: 2**3=8, then 10-8=2

print(10 + 6 / 2) # 13.0 - division first: 6/2=3, then 10+3

# With parentheses - you control the order

print((2 + 3) * 4) # 20 - parentheses force addition first

print((10 - 2) ** 3) # 512 - parentheses first: 8**3=512

print((10 + 6) / 2) # 8.0 - parentheses first: 16/2=8

Output

Here's the full priority list, from highest to lowest:

() - Parentheses (always first)

** - Exponentiation

-x - Negation, a minus sign in front of a value (so -2 ** 2 is -4)

*, /, //, % - Multiplication, division, floor division, modulo

+, - - Addition and subtraction

Confusing: relies on operator precedence

result = base + rate * hours - discount / 2
print(result)

Clear: parentheses show intent

result = base + (rate * hours) - (discount / 2)
print(result)

What Built-in Math Functions Does Python Have?

Python comes with several built-in functions for common math tasks. No imports needed - these are available everywhere.

How to Use abs(), round(), min(), and max()

abs() and round()

# abs() - absolute value (distance from zero)

print(abs(-10)) # 10

print(abs(10)) # 10

print(abs(-3.7)) # 3.7

# round() - round to nearest value

print(round(3.7)) # 4

print(round(3.2)) # 3

print(round(3.14159, 2)) # 3.14 (round to 2 decimal places)

print(round(1234, -2)) # 1200 (round to nearest hundred!)

Output

min() and max()

# min() - smallest value

print(min(5, 3, 8, 1)) # 1

print(min(-10, -20, -5)) # -20

# max() - largest value

print(max(5, 3, 8, 1)) # 8

print(max(-10, -20, -5)) # -5

# Practical: clamp a value between bounds

score = 150

clamped = min(max(score, 0), 100) # Keep between 0 and 100

print(f"Score {score} clamped to {clamped}") # Score 150 clamped to 100

Output

1
-20
8
-5
Score 150 clamped to 100

How to Convert Between Integers and Floats

Sometimes you need to switch between number types. Use int() to convert a float to an integer, and float() to convert an integer to a float.

Converting between number types

# float → int (truncates, does NOT round)

print(int(3.9)) # 3 - chops off the decimal

print(int(3.1)) # 3

print(int(-2.7)) # -2 - truncates toward zero

# int → float

print(float(42)) # 42.0

print(float(-7)) # -7.0

# string → numbers

print(int("25")) # 25

print(float("3.14")) # 3.14

Output

3
3
-2
42.0
-7.0
25
3.14

Python also handles automatic conversion in some situations. When you mix an integer and a float in a math operation, Python automatically converts the integer to a float.

Automatic type promotion

# Mixing int and float - Python "promotes" to float

result = 5 + 2.0

print(result) # 7.0 (float, not int)

print(type(result)) # <class 'float'>

# This happens with all operators

print(10 * 1.5) # 15.0

print(7 - 0.5) # 6.5

print(type(3 + 0.0)) # <class 'float'>

Output

7.0
<class 'float'>
15.0
6.5
<class 'float'>

What Are Common Number Mistakes in Python?

Let's look at the mistakes that trip up Python beginners. Knowing these in advance will save you hours of debugging.

Mistake 1: Expecting / to Return an Integer

Bug: expecting integer from /

total_items = 10
people = 2
each = total_items / people
print(f"Each gets {each} items")  # "Each gets 5.0 items"

Fix: use // for integer result

total_items = 10
people = 2
each = total_items // people
print(f"Each gets {each} items")  # "Each gets 5 items"

Mistake 2: Confusing / and //

The difference between / and //

# / gives the full decimal answer

print(7 / 2) # 3.5

# // rounds DOWN to a whole number

print(7 // 2) # 3

# They give very different results!

print(15 / 4) # 3.75

print(15 // 4) # 3

Output

Mistake 3: Forgetting Parentheses in Formulas

Bug: wrong result without parentheses

# Converting Fahrenheit to Celsius
fahrenheit = 212
celsius = fahrenheit - 32 * 5 / 9
print(celsius)  # 194.22... WRONG!

Fix: parentheses enforce correct order

# Converting Fahrenheit to Celsius
fahrenheit = 212
celsius = (fahrenheit - 32) * 5 / 9
print(celsius)  # 100.0 CORRECT!

Practice Exercises

Time to put your number skills to work! These exercises use real-world scenarios so you can see how Python math applies to everyday problems.

Try each one on your own before checking hints. Making mistakes is part of learning.

Exercise 1: Calculate the Total Cost

Write Code

You're buying items at a store. Calculate the total cost and print it.

3 notebooks at $4.50 each

2 pens at $1.25 each

Print the total in this exact format:

Total: $16.0

# Item prices and quantities

notebook_price = 4.50

notebook_qty = 3

pen_price = 1.25

pen_qty = 2

# Calculate the total cost

# Print the result

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Exercise 2: Even or Odd Checker

Write Code

Use the modulo operator (%) to check if a number is even or odd.

A variable number is given with the value 37. Print the result in this exact format:

37 is odd

If the number were even (like 42), the output would be:

42 is even

number = 37

# Use modulo to check if number is even or odd

# Print: "{number} is even" or "{number} is odd"

Open on its own page

Exercise 3: Fix the Bug: Wrong Division

Fix the Bug

This code is supposed to split 10 pizzas equally among 3 groups and report how many are left over. But it's using the wrong division operators!

Fix the code so the output is:

Each group gets 3 pizzas
Leftover pizzas: 1

total_pizzas = 10

groups = 3

# Bug: using the wrong division operators

pizzas_each = total_pizzas / groups

leftover = total_pizzas / groups

print(f"Each group gets {pizzas_each} pizzas")

print(f"Leftover pizzas: {leftover}")

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Exercise 4: Fahrenheit to Celsius Converter

Write Code

Convert a temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius using this formula:

**Celsius = (Fahrenheit - 32) * 5 / 9**

A variable fahrenheit is given with the value 72. Calculate the Celsius value, round it to 1 decimal place, and print:

72F = 22.2C

fahrenheit = 72

# Convert to Celsius using the formula

# Round to 1 decimal place

# Print the result

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Exercise 5: Predict the Output

Predict Output

Without running the code, predict what each line will print. Write your predictions as comments, then run the code to check.

print(10 // 3) # Your prediction:

print(10 % 3) # Your prediction:

print(2 ** 4) # Your prediction:

print(15 // 4) # Your prediction:

print(15 % 4) # Your prediction:

print(type(10 / 2)) # Your prediction:

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Exercise 6: Compound Interest Calculator

Write Code

Calculate compound interest using this formula:

**A = P * (1 + r) t

Where:

P = principal (starting amount) = $1000

r = annual interest rate = 0.05 (5%)

t = number of years = 10

A = final amount

Calculate the final amount and the interest earned, then print:

Final amount: $1628.89
Interest earned: $628.89

Round both values to 2 decimal places.

principal = 1000

rate = 0.05

years = 10

# Calculate the final amount using the formula

# Calculate interest earned (final - principal)

# Print the results

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Summary: Python Numbers and Math

Here's a quick reference of every operator and function from this tutorial:

Operator	Name	Example	Result
`+`	Addition	`5 + 3`	`8`
`-`	Subtraction	`5 - 3`	`2`
`*`	Multiplication	`5 * 3`	`15`
`/`	Division	`5 / 3`	`1.666...`
`//`	Integer division	`5 // 3`	`1`
`%`	Modulo (remainder)	`5 % 3`	`2`
`**`	Exponentiation	`5 ** 3`	`125`

Built-in functions:

Function	Purpose	Example
`abs(x)`	Absolute value	`abs(-5)` → `5`
`round(x, n)`	Round to n decimals	`round(3.14, 1)` → `3.1`
`min(a, b, ...)`	Smallest value	`min(3, 1, 4)` → `1`
`max(a, b, ...)`	Largest value	`max(3, 1, 4)` → `4`
`int(x)`	Convert to integer	`int(3.9)` → `3`
`float(x)`	Convert to float	`float(5)` → `5.0`

What's Next?

In the next tutorial - Python Strings - you'll learn how to work with text in Python. You'll discover slicing, string methods, and how to combine strings and numbers into readable output.

What Are Integers and Floats?

How to Do Math in Python

What Are Integer Division (//) and Modulo (%)?

How Does Integer Division (//) Work?

How Does the Modulo Operator (%) Work?

How to Use Exponents in Python

What Is the Order of Operations in Python?

What Built-in Math Functions Does Python Have?

How to Use abs(), round(), min(), and max()

How to Convert Between Integers and Floats

What Are Common Number Mistakes in Python?

Mistake 1: Expecting / to Return an Integer

Mistake 2: Confusing / and //

Mistake 3: Forgetting Parentheses in Formulas

Practice Exercises

Summary: Python Numbers and Math

What's Next?

Related Tutorials