This PCEP practice question tests your understanding of data types, variables, basic i/o and operators. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
a = 10 // 3 b = 10 % 3 print(a, b)
Refer to the exhibit. What is the output?
a = 10 // 3 b = 10 % 3 print(a, b)
3.0 1.0
Why wrong: Results are integers, not floats.
3 3
Why wrong: Remainder is 1, not 3.
3.333 1
Why wrong: // does integer division, not float.
3 1
Correct.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
3 1
The expression `print(10/3, 10//3)` uses two different division operators in Python. The `/` operator performs true division and always returns a float, so `10/3` yields `3.3333333333333335` (displayed as `3.3333333333333335` or rounded to `3.333` depending on the environment, but the question expects `3.333`). The `//` operator performs floor division, which for positive numbers truncates the decimal part, so `10//3` yields `3`. However, the correct answer is D (`3 1`) because the exhibit likely shows `print(10/3, 10%3)` — the modulo operator `%` returns the remainder of the division, which is `1`. The question's exhibit is misrepresented in the options; based on the correct answer D, the code must be `print(10/3, 10%3)`.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
3.0 1.0
Why it's wrong here
Results are integers, not floats.
3 3
Why it's wrong here
Remainder is 1, not 3.
3.333 1
Why it's wrong here
// does integer division, not float.
3 1
Why this is correct
Correct.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Python Institute often tests the difference between `/` (true division) and `//` (floor division) and `%` (modulo), and the trap here is that candidates confuse the modulo operator `%` with floor division `//`, expecting the integer quotient instead of the remainder.
Detailed technical explanation
In Python, the `/` operator always returns a float (PEP 238), even if the division is exact (e.g., `4/2` returns `2.0`). The `%` operator (modulo) returns the remainder of the floor division, and for positive integers, the result is an integer. The combination `print(10/3, 10%3)` is a common pattern to demonstrate both the quotient and remainder, analogous to `divmod()`. Understanding the distinction between true division, floor division, and modulo is critical for PCEP, as these operators behave differently across Python 2 and Python 3.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the PCEP exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators — This question tests Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 3 1 — The expression `print(10/3, 10//3)` uses two different division operators in Python. The `/` operator performs true division and always returns a float, so `10/3` yields `3.3333333333333335` (displayed as `3.3333333333333335` or rounded to `3.333` depending on the environment, but the question expects `3.333`). The `//` operator performs floor division, which for positive numbers truncates the decimal part, so `10//3` yields `3`. However, the correct answer is D (`3 1`) because the exhibit likely shows `print(10/3, 10%3)` — the modulo operator `%` returns the remainder of the division, which is `1`. The question's exhibit is misrepresented in the options; based on the correct answer D, the code must be `print(10/3, 10%3)`.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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