Python Coding challenge - Day 222 | What is the output of the following Python Code?

 

Code:

my_num = -2 print(5 % my_num)

Solution and Explanation:

In Python, the expression 5 % my_num uses the modulus operator %, which gives the remainder of the division of the left operand by the right operand. Let's break down the specific example:

1. Define the variable: my_num = -2

   • This assigns the value -2 to the variable my_num.

2. Modulus operation: 5 % my_num

   • Here, you are performing the modulus operation with 5 and -2.

In Python, the result of a % b is defined as the remainder when a is divided by b, and it has the same sign as the divisor b. The formula to compute the result of a % b is:

$𝑟=𝑎-(𝑏\times \text{floor}(\frac{𝑎}{𝑏}))$

Where floor is the mathematical floor function, which rounds down to the nearest integer.

Let's apply this to our example:

• Division: $\frac{5}{-2}=-2.5$
• Floor of the division: $\text{floor}(-2.5)=-3$
• Multiply the divisor by the floored value: $-2\times -3=6$
• Subtract this value from the dividend: $5-6=-1$

So, $5\mathrm{\%}-2$ results in -1.

Therefore, the output of the code:

my_num = -2 print(5 % my_num)

will be -1.