Question 74 of 498
PCEP Practice Question: Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators
A developer wrote: x = 10; y = 5; x += y * 2. What are the values of x and y after execution?
⚠ Common exam trap
The PCEP exam often tests the misconception that `x += y * 2` means `(x + y) * 2`, leading candidates to pick 30, or that `y` is also modified, causing confusion with the assignment operator's scope.
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
✓
x=20, y=5
The expression `x += y * 2` is evaluated as `x = x + (y * 2)`. Given `x = 10` and `y = 5`, `y * 2` equals 10, then `x + 10` equals 20, so `x` becomes 20. The value of `y` remains unchanged at 5 because the assignment operator `+=` only modifies `x`.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
x=15, y=5
Why it's wrong here
x would be 15 only if x+=y, not x+=y*2.
- ✗
x=30, y=5
Why it's wrong here
x would be 30 only if x+=y*2 were x+=y*2+? Incorrect.
- ✓
x=20, y=5
Why this is correct
Correct: y*2=10, x+=10 yields 20, y unchanged.
- ✗
x=20, y=10
Why it's wrong here
y is not modified.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
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