PCEP Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals Practice Question
A beginner writes: x = 10; y = 3; print(x // y). What is the output?
⚠ Common exam trap
The PCEP exam often tests the distinction between floor division (//) and true division (/) by using integer operands, leading candidates to mistakenly expect a float result or to confuse floor division with truncation toward zero.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
3
The // operator in Python performs floor division, which returns the largest integer less than or equal to the result of the division. Since 10 divided by 3 equals 3.333..., the floor of that value is 3, and because both operands are integers, the result is an integer (3), not a float.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
3
Why this is correct
Floor division returns the integer part, 3.
- ✗
1
Why it's wrong here
1 is the remainder (10 % 3), not the quotient.
- ✗
3.0
Why it's wrong here
Floor division returns an int if both operands are ints, so 3, not 3.0.
- ✗
3.333
Why it's wrong here
That would be the result of normal division /.
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