Courseiva
Question 9 of 498
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.

About these practice questions

Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026

Question Discussion

Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.

Loading comments…

Sign in to join the discussion.

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.