Example
Python does integer division when both operands are integers. The behavior of Python's division operators have changed from Python 2.x and 3.x (see also Integer Division ).
a, b, c, d, e = 3, 2, 2.0, -3, 10
Python 2.x2.7
In Python 2 the result of the ' / ' operator depends on the type of the numerator and denominator.
a / b # = 1
a / c # = 1.5
d / b # = -2
b / a # = 0
d / e # = -1
Note that because both a and b are ints, the result is an int.
The result is always rounded down (floored).
Because c is a float, the result of a / c is a float.
You can also use the operator module:
import operator # the operator module provides 2-argument arithmetic functions
operator.div(a, b) # = 1
operator.__div__(a, b) # = 1
Python 2.x2.2
What if you want float division:
Recommended:
from __future__ import division # applies Python 3 style division to the entire module
a / b # = 1.5
a // b # = 1
Okay (if you don't want to apply to the whole module):
a / (b * 1.0) # = 1.5
1.0 * a / b # = 1.5
a / b * 1.0 # = 1.0 (careful with order of operations)
from operator import truediv
truediv(a, b) # = 1.5
Not recommended (may raise TypeError, eg if argument is complex):
float(a) / b # = 1.5
a / float(b) # = 1.5
Python 2.x2.2
The ' // ' operator in Python 2 forces floored division regardless of type.
a // b # = 1
a // c # = 1.0
Python 3.x3.0
In Python 3 the / operator performs 'true' division regardless of types. The // operator performs floor division and maintains type.
a / b # = 1.5
e / b # = 5.0
a // b # = 1
a // c # = 1.0
import operator # the operator module provides 2-argument arithmetic functions
operator.truediv(a, b) # = 1.5
operator.floordiv(a, b) # = 1
operator.floordiv(a, c) # = 1.0
Possible combinations (builtin types):
intandint(gives anintin Python 2 and afloatin Python 3)intandfloat(gives afloat)intandcomplex(gives acomplex)floatandfloat(gives afloat)floatandcomplex(gives acomplex)complexandcomplex(gives acomplex)
See PEP 238 for more information.
