PCEP Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals Practice Question

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

Error output from a Python script:
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "script.py", line 3, in <module>
    result = 10 / 0
ZeroDivisionError: division by zero

Refer to the exhibit. What type of error occurred, and which line caused it?

⚠ Common exam trap

The PCEP exam often tests the distinction between compile-time errors (SyntaxError) and runtime errors (like ZeroDivisionError), and candidates mistakenly choose SyntaxError because they think any error in code is a syntax problem, but the code is syntactically correct — the error only occurs when the line executes.

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

✓

ZeroDivisionError at line 3

The code attempts to divide by zero on line 3, which raises a ZeroDivisionError. In Python, any division where the denominator is zero (e.g., `x / 0`) triggers this runtime exception, and the traceback points to the exact line where the division occurs.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

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

✗
NameError at line 3
Why it's wrong here
NameError occurs for undefined variables, not division.
✗
SyntaxError at line 1
Why it's wrong here
Syntax errors are detected before execution; this is a runtime error.
✗
ValueError at line 0
Why it's wrong here
ValueError for invalid literal, not division by zero.
✓
ZeroDivisionError at line 3
Why this is correct
The output explicitly states ZeroDivisionError on line 3.

Go deeper

PCEP Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals Practice Question

Exhibit

Why each option matters

Option-by-option breakdown

Related to this question