PCEP Practice Question: Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators
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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```python
a = 10
b = 3
print(a / b)
print(a // b)
print(a % b)
```
Refer to the exhibit. Which of the following shows the correct output?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
3.3333333333333335
3
1
Option B is correct because the code `print(10/3)` performs floating-point division in Python 3, yielding `3.3333333333333335`; `print(10//3)` performs floor division, which truncates to the nearest integer less than or equal to the result, giving `3`; and `print(10%3)` computes the remainder of the division, which is `1`.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
3.3333333333333335
4
1
Why it's wrong here
Floor division should be 3, not 4.
✓
3.3333333333333335
3
1
Why this is correct
Correct outputs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
3.0
3.0
1.0
Why it's wrong here
Floor division and modulus return int when both ints.
✗
3
3
0
Why it's wrong here
Division yields float, and remainder is 1.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the behavior of the `/` operator (which always returns a float in Python 3) with integer division from Python 2, or they misapply floor division and remainder operations, especially when dealing with positive integers.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Python 3, the `/` operator always returns a float, while `//` performs floor division, returning the largest integer less than or equal to the true quotient. The `%` operator returns the remainder, which satisfies the identity `a = (a // b) * b + (a % b)`. Floating-point representation causes `10/3` to be stored as a binary approximation, leading to the trailing `5` in `3.3333333333333335` due to IEEE 754 double-precision rounding.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 3.3333333333333335
3
1 — Option B is correct because the code `print(10/3)` performs floating-point division in Python 3, yielding `3.3333333333333335`; `print(10//3)` performs floor division, which truncates to the nearest integer less than or equal to the result, giving `3`; and `print(10%3)` computes the remainder of the division, which is `1`.
What should I do if I get this PCEP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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.
Question Discussion
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