Question 471 of 510
Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and OperatorsmediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

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.

What is the data type of the expression (3.14 > 2) and ('a' < 'b')?

Question 1mediummultiple choice
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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

bool

The expression (3.14 > 2) evaluates to True because 3.14 is greater than 2, and ('a' < 'b') evaluates to True because in Python string comparison uses lexicographic order based on Unicode code points ('a' has code point 97, 'b' has 98). The 'and' operator combines these two Boolean values, resulting in True, which is of type bool. Therefore, the entire expression's data type is bool.

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.

  • bool

    Why this is correct

    Correct, logical operators return bool.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • float

    Why it's wrong here

    The result is not a float.

  • str

    Why it's wrong here

    The result is not a string.

  • int

    Why it's wrong here

    The result is not an integer.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Python Institute often tests the misconception that the 'and' operator returns a Boolean only when both operands are Boolean, but in Python it can return any operand type; however, in this specific case both operands are comparisons that yield bool, so the result is bool, and candidates may incorrectly think the result is int because True/False are subclasses of int.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

In Python, the bool type is a subclass of int, meaning True and False can be used in arithmetic contexts (e.g., True + 1 equals 2), but the type of the expression remains bool. The 'and' operator short-circuits: if the left operand is False, it returns that operand without evaluating the right; otherwise, it returns the right operand. Here, both operands are bool, so the result is bool. This distinction matters when using type-checking functions like isinstance() or when strict type expectations are required in APIs.

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.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this PCEP question test?

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: bool — The expression (3.14 > 2) evaluates to True because 3.14 is greater than 2, and ('a' < 'b') evaluates to True because in Python string comparison uses lexicographic order based on Unicode code points ('a' has code point 97, 'b' has 98). The 'and' operator combines these two Boolean values, resulting in True, which is of type bool. Therefore, the entire expression's data type is bool.

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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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026

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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.