What are Operators in Python?

Operators are special symbols or keywords that tell Python to perform an operation on values or variables. For example, + adds two numbers, > compares two values, and and combines two conditions.

Without operators, a program cannot calculate marks, compare age, check pass/fail condition, update totals, or make logical decisions.

total = 80 + 15       # + is an arithmetic operator
result = total >= 33  # >= is a comparison operator

Types of Operators

Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators are used for normal mathematical work.

Comparison and Logical Operators

Comparison operators return True or False. Logical operators combine two or more conditions.

marks = 76
attendance = 82

print(marks >= 33)
print(marks >= 33 and attendance >= 75)
print(marks < 33 or attendance < 75)
print(not marks < 33)

Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are used to store or update values.

total = 0

total += 50   # same as total = total + 50
total += 25
print(total)

Membership Operators

in and not in check whether a value exists inside a sequence such as string, list or tuple.

subjects = ["Hindi", "English", "Computer"]

print("English" in subjects)
print("Maths" not in subjects)

Operator Precedence

Python follows a priority order. Multiplication happens before addition. Use brackets when you want to make the order clear.

print(10 + 5 * 2)
print((10 + 5) * 2)

Complete Program: Marks and Eligibility Check

maths = 78
english = 84
computer = 91
attendance = 80

total = maths + english + computer
percentage = total / 3

print("Total Marks:", total)
print("Percentage:", percentage)

is_pass = percentage >= 33 and attendance >= 75
print("Eligible for promotion:", is_pass)

Expected Output

Common Mistakes

• Using = instead of == while comparing values.
• Thinking / and // give the same result. / gives normal division; // gives floor division.
• Forgetting brackets in mixed calculations like (a + b) * c.
• Using logical operators without understanding True/False conditions.

Practice Tasks

1. Write a program to calculate total and percentage of 5 subjects.
2. Check whether a student is pass if marks are at least 33 in each subject.
3. Use in to check whether a subject is available in a subject list.
4. Write 5 examples each for arithmetic, comparison and logical operators.

Summary

Operators are the working tools of Python. Arithmetic operators calculate, comparison operators compare, logical operators combine conditions, assignment operators update values, and membership operators check whether a value exists in a sequence.