PCEP Practice Question: Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. x = 10 y = 3.0 z = x * y print(z)
What is the data type of z after executing z = 10 / 2?
⚠ Common exam trap
Python Institute often tests the distinction between / (true division, returns float) and // (floor division, returns int) to catch candidates who assume integer division returns an integer.
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
✓
float
Float because in Python, the / operator always performs true division and returns a float, regardless of the operands. This is a fundamental concept tested in the PCEP exam to distinguish between / and //.
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 it's wrong here
Not boolean.
- ✗
int
Why it's wrong here
Result is float because one operand is float.
- ✓
float
Why this is correct
Product of int and float is float.
- ✗
str
Why it's wrong here
Not a string.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on PCEP
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A developer writes: a = 3; b = 4; c = a + b / 2. What is the value of c?
hard- A.3
- B.3.5
- C.5
- ✓ D.5.0
Why D: In Python, the division operator `/` always returns a float, and operator precedence dictates that division is performed before addition. Thus, `b / 2` evaluates to `4 / 2 = 2.0`, then `a + 2.0` yields `3 + 2.0 = 5.0`. Option D is correct because the result is a float value of 5.0.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.