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Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and OperatorseasyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

PCEP Practice Question: Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators

A developer writes the following code: result = (5 + 3) * 2 ** 3 // 4. What is the value of result?

⚠ Common exam trap

Python Institute often tests the combination of exponentiation and floor division with parentheses, where candidates forget that ** binds tighter than * and //, leading them to compute (5+3)*2 = 16, then 16**3 = 4096, then 4096//4 = 1024, or they ignore the // and just compute 8*8=64.

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

16

Python follows the operator precedence rules: exponentiation (**) is evaluated before multiplication and division, and multiplication/division are evaluated before addition/subtraction. The expression evaluates as: 2 ** 3 = 8, then (5 + 3) = 8, then 8 * 8 = 64, then 64 // 4 = 16. The integer division (//) yields an integer result of 16.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • 8

    Why it's wrong here

    Incorrect: this would result from (5+3)*2**3/4 without floor division.

  • 16

    Why this is correct

    Correct: follows precedence and left-associativity.

  • 13

    Why it's wrong here

    Incorrect: wrong order of operations.

  • 64

    Why it's wrong here

    Incorrect: this would result if multiplication was done before exponentiation.

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JA

Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security

Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva

This PCEP practice question is part of Courseiva's free Python Institute certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PCEP exam.