Python Numbers – Integers and Floats

Python Numbers

In Python, numbers are one of the most fundamental data types, and they are divided into several types. The most commonly used are:

• Integers (int) - Whole numbers without a decimal point
• Floating-point numbers (float) - Numbers with a decimal point

These numeric types are used in arithmetic operations, data calculations, loops, and much more.

1. Python Integers (int)

An integer is a whole number (positive, negative, or zero) without a decimal point.

Example:

a = 10
b = -5
c = 0

print(type(a))
print(type(b))
print(type(c))

Output:

<class 'int'>
<class 'int'>
<class 'int'>

Integers can be used in mathematical operations:

x = 7
y = 3
print(x + y)  # Addition
print(x - y)  # Subtraction
print(x * y)  # Multiplication
print(x // y) # Integer Division
print(x % y)  # Modulo

Output:

10
4
21
2
1

2. Python Floating Point Numbers (float)

A float is a number with a decimal point or in scientific notation.

Example:

a = 10.5
b = -3.14
c = 2.0

print(type(a))
print(type(b))
print(type(c))

Output:

<class 'float'>
<class 'float'>
<class 'float'>

Float Arithmetic:

x = 5.5
y = 2.0
print(x + y)
print(x - y)
print(x * y)
print(x / y)

Output:

7.5
3.5
11.0
2.75

Type Checking Using type()

You can use type() to identify the number type:

print(type(42))     # int
print(type(3.1415)) # float

Convert Between Int and Float

Python supports type conversion between integers and floats.

Example:

x = 7
y = float(x)   # Convert int to float
print(y)

z = 3.99
w = int(z)     # Convert float to int (truncates decimal)
print(w)

Output:

7.0
3

Using Numbers in Expressions

You can mix integers and floats in expressions. Python will automatically convert integers to floats when needed.

Example:

a = 5
b = 2.5
print(a + b)
print(type(a + b))

Output:

7.5
<class 'float'>

Scientific Notation with Floats

You can use exponential notation to represent very large or small numbers:

x = 3e2   # 3 × 10² = 300.0
y = 5e-1  # 5 × 10⁻¹ = 0.5

print(x)
print(y)

Output:

300.0
0.5

Summary of Python Number Types