Lesson 2

Python Fundamentals and Core Programming Logic

Item 1

Data Type

A data type tells Python what kind of value a variable holds. int is a whole number, float has decimal points, str is text and bool is True or False. Python uses dynamic typing: the type is decided when you assign a value. Use type() to check it and int(), float(), str() for type casting.

int — Whole numbers: 0, -10, 42.

float — Decimal numbers: 3.14, 9.5.

str — Text inside quotes: "Hello".

bool — True or False.

Type Casting — Converting a value from one type to another.

Try it — edit the code and press Run:

a = 42
b = 3.14
c = "X"
d = True
print(type(a), type(b), type(c), type(d))

x = "100"
print(int(x) + 5)   # type casting

Item 2

Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators do math: + - * / and also // (floor division), % (modulus = remainder) and ** (power). Order of operations follows BODMAS: brackets, powers, multiply/divide, then add/subtract from left to right.

/ — Division, always gives a float.

// — Floor division, removes the decimal part.

% — Modulus, gives the remainder.

** — Exponent (power).

Try it — edit the code and press Run:

A = 10
B = 3
print(A + B, A - B, A * B)
print(A / B)
print(A // B)
print(A % B)
print(2 ** 4)

Item 3

Assignment, Comparison & Logical Operators

Assignment operators like = += -= update variables (Python has no x++). Comparison operators (== != > < >= <=) return True or False. Logical operators and, or, not combine conditions.

+= — Add and assign: x += 1 means x = x + 1.

== — Checks if two values are equal.

and / or / not — Logical operators that combine booleans.

Try it — edit the code and press Run:

x = 5
x += 1
print(x)
print(5 > 3, 5 == 3)
p = True
q = False
print(p and q, p or q, not p)

Quick Quiz

1. What is the data type of the value 3.14 in Python?

2. What is the result of 10 // 3 in Python?

3. Which operator is used to find the remainder of a division?

4. What is the output of 2 ** 4?

5. What is the result of (5 > 3) and (2 < 1)?

6. How do you increment a variable x by 1 in Python?

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Practice

Auto-checked exercises at three levels. Open hints one by one before the solution.

⭐Basic

Remainder

Print the remainder of 17 divided by 4.

⭐⭐Intermediate

Rectangle area

Set length = 8 and width = 5, then print the area.

length = 8
width = 5

⭐⭐⭐Challenge

Scores calculator

math = 90, science = 80, english = 70. Print the total on the first line and the average on the second line.

math = 90
science = 80
english = 70

Smart Assistant Project

Task 2: The Calculation Engine

Goal: Integrate arithmetic logic and process multiple scores.

Requirement: Add input for three subjects (Math, Science, English). Use arithmetic operators to calculate the Total, Average and Percentage.

math = float(input("Math: "))
science = float(input("Science: "))
english = float(input("English: "))

total = math + science + english
# average = ...
# percentage = ...
print(f"Total: {total}")

Lesson 1 Lesson 3