05 Apr 2026

Operators and Expressions

Arithmetic, comparison, logical operators, precedence, and expression building in Python.

msc semester-i computational-techniques operators python

An expression combines values, variables, and operators to produce a new value. Most computational formulas in physics are expressions.

Arithmetic operators

a = 10
b = 3

print(a + b)
print(a - b)
print(a * b)
print(a / b)
print(a**b)

The operator ** is used for powers.

Comparison operators produce True or False.

x = 5

print(x > 0)
print(x == 5)
print(x != 3)

Use == for comparison and = for assignment.

Logical operators combine conditions.

temperature = 310
pressure = 1.2

safe = temperature < 350 and pressure < 2.0
print(safe)

Common logical operators are and, or, and not.

Python follows mathematical order of operations.

value = 2 + 3 * 4
print(value)

Multiplication is done before addition. Use parentheses when the intended order should be made explicit.

value = (2 + 3) * 4

m = 1.5
v = 4.0
h = 2.0
g = 9.8

energy = 0.5 * m * v**2 + m * g * h
print(energy)

This expression computes kinetic plus gravitational potential energy.