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Python - Star or Asterisk operator ( * )

Difference between / vs. // operator in Python

Last Updated : 28 Apr, 2025

In Python, both / and // are used for division, but they behave quite differently. Let's dive into what they do and how they differ with simple examples.

/ Operator (True Division)

The / operator performs true division.
It always returns a floating-point number (even if the result is a whole number).
It keeps the decimal (fractional) part.

Example:

Python

res = 10 / 3 print(res) print(type(res))

Output

3.3333333333333335 <class 'float'>

Explanation:

Dividing 10 by 3 gives 3.333..., and / keeps the fractional part
Data-type of res is float.

// Operator (Floor Division)

The // operator performs floor division.
It returns the largest integer less than or equal to the division result.
It truncates (removes) the decimal part and rounds down towards negative infinity.

Example:

Python

res = 10 // 3 print(res) print(type(res))

Output

3 <class 'int'>

Explanation:

The actual division result is 3.333..., but // drops everything after the decimal, giving 3.
Data-type of res here is int.

Comparison between '/' and '//'

Feature	Division Operator (/)	Floor Divsion Operator (//)
Return Type	Floating-point. Returns in integer only if the result is an integer	Integer
Fractional Part	Returns the fractional part	Truncates the fractional part
Examples	10 / 3 = 3.333333... 10 / 5 = 2.0 5 / 2 = 2.5 -17 / 5 = -3.4 -17 / -5 = 3.4	10 // 3 = 3 10 // 5 = 2 5 // 2 = 2 -17 // 5 = -4 -17 // -5 = 3

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Python - Star or Asterisk operator ( * )

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