Summary  
This chapter covers how to use basic arithmetic operators (+, –, *, /, **) in code and how operator precedence (including parentheses and right-associative exponentiation) determines evaluation order.

General domain of usage  
Mathematical and numerical computations in programs.

You'll use arithmetic operators constantly in Python. Consider the most common ones and how **precedence** determines evaluation order.


a = 10
b = 3

print(a + b)  # Addition
print(a - b)  # Subtraction
print(a * b)  # Multiplication
print(a / b)  # Division
print(a ** b)  # Exponentiation

## Operator Precedence

When multiple operators appear, Python evaluates them in this order (highest → lowest among arithmetic):

1. `**`;
2. Unary `+` and `-` (sign);
3. `*`, `/`;
4. `+`, `-`.

Parentheses always win and make intent explicit. Exponentiation `**` is **right-associative**.



print(2 + 3 * 4)     # 14  (multiplication before addition)
print((2 + 3) * 4)   # 20  (parentheses change the order)

# Exponentiation binds tighter than unary minus
print(-3 ** 2)       # -9  (equivalent to -(3 ** 2))
print((-3) ** 2)     # 9

# Right-associative exponentiation
print(2 ** 3 ** 2)   # 512 (2 ** (3 ** 2))

* Prefer parentheses in anything nontrivial, readability > cleverness.
* Remember `/` always yields a float (even if divisible).

Note

Gain a solid understanding of Python's core data types and learn how to work with them effectively. Explore numbers, booleans, and strings through hands-on exercises and practical examples. Build confidence in performing basic operations and develop the foundational skills needed to write clean and efficient Python code.

Discover the essentials of numerical data types in Python and learn how to work with integers and floating-point numbers. Master basic arithmetic operations, explore the concept of immutability, and get hands-on experience using Python's built-in functions and tools to handle numbers efficiently in real-world scenarios.

Gain a clear understanding of the Boolean data type, a specialized subtype of numeric data that represents truth values. Although it may seem challenging at first, mastering Booleans is essential for writing logical and efficient programs. This section will help you confidently apply Boolean logic to real-world programming scenarios.

Strings allow you to work with text in Python, from displaying messages to processing user input. You'll explore how to create, modify, and manipulate strings effectively. Understanding strings is essential for writing interactive programs and communicating information clearly through your code.

Learn how to handle data types effectively to ensure accuracy and consistency in your programs. Convert values to the appropriate type, clean text before comparison, and separate numeric operations from text formatting. You'll also discover how to manage missing data deliberately and handle human-readable text differently from raw input, achieving reliable, consistent, and easy-to-read results.

Basic Arithmetic and Operator Precedence

Main Operations

Operator Precedence

1. What value will this code output?

2. Which expression evaluates to `64`?

3. What value will this code output?

Awesome!

Basic Arithmetic and Operator Precedence

Main Operations

Operator Precedence

1. What value will this code output?

2. Which expression evaluates to `64`?

3. What value will this code output?

Basic Arithmetic and Operator Precedence

Main Operations

Operator Precedence

1. What value will this code output?

2. Which expression evaluates to 64?

3. What value will this code output?

Awesome!

Basic Arithmetic and Operator Precedence

Main Operations

Operator Precedence

1. What value will this code output?

2. Which expression evaluates to 64?

3. What value will this code output?

2. Which expression evaluates to `64`?

2. Which expression evaluates to `64`?