Lesson 1 - Using Python as a Calculator
The simplest thing we can do with Python is use it as a calculator. Addition, subtraction, multiplication - you name it!
Table of Contents
Lesson Objectives
- Learn about some of the mathematical operations Python supports.
- Use the math library to get access to more math functions.
Math Operations
Using Python as a calculator works exactly as you think it should.
Input
5 + 7
Output
12
By default, Python supports addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), division (/), modulus (%), exponentiation (**), and floored division (//).
If there are multiple operations in the same line, they follow the order of operations outlined in the table below. Operations at the top have higher precedence. Rows with multiple operations have equal precedence and are evaluated from left to right in the expression.
| Operation | Symbol |
|---|---|
| Parentheses | ( ) |
| Exponents | ** |
| Multiplication, Division, Floor Division, and Modulus | *, /, //, % |
| Addition and Subtraction | +, - |
Input
5 + 2 * (2**3 / 2)
Output
13
Although we’ve only been using integers for our math, Python supports decimal numbers as well as complex numbers. We’ll briefly talk about complex numbers later in Lesson 3a.
Input
3.2 * 5 + 0.102
Output
16.102
Other Math Functions
Other math functions, such as log, sin, and cos, are supported in some of Python’s math libraries. A library is a package of functions or values. To gain access to these functions, we need to add an extra line of code at the top.
Input
import math
math.cos(0)
Output
1.0
The first line, import math, tells Python to include some math functions that are not included by default.
In the second line, we’re using the cos() function from the math library. Since cos() only needs one input value, we put it inside the brackets.
A full list of functions and values that the math library provides can be found here: https://www.w3schools.com/python/module_math.asp.
Key Points / Summary
- You can use Python as a calculator.
- To get access to more math functions, you have to
importthe math library.