PCEP Practice Question: Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. >>> x = 10 >>> y = 3 >>> print(x // y, x % y)
What is the output from the interactive Python session?
⚠ Common exam trap
Python Institute often tests the distinction between true division (`/`) and floor division (`//`), knowing that candidates may confuse the two or forget that integer division in Python 3 returns an integer, not a float.
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
✓
3 1
The expression `10 // 3` performs integer (floor) division, which discards the fractional part and returns the integer quotient 3. The expression `10 % 3` returns the remainder of the division, which is 1. Therefore, the output is `3 1`, making option B correct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
3.333 1
Why it's wrong here
The session's integer division and modulo operations yield different values than 3.333 and 1; the float result arises only when true division is used, and the remainder depends on the actual operands. This pair is tempting when a candidate assumes division always returns a float and misreads the modulo operand.
- ✓
3 1
Why this is correct
Slicing `s[1:4]` extracts characters at indices 1, 2 and 3, giving `'ell'`, whose length is 3. The expression `s[0]` returns the first character `'h'`, not a count. Printing both yields `3 1`, satisfying the stem's request for the session's exact output.
- ✗
1 3
Why it's wrong here
The interactive session's division and modulo operators produce values other than 1 and 3 for the given operands; these numbers would appear only if the operands and operator order matched that pairing. It tempts candidates who swap the dividend and divisor or confuse floor division with modulo.
- ✗
3 0
Why it's wrong here
Neither 3 nor 0 matches the session's computed results; a zero remainder occurs only when the divisor divides the dividend exactly, and 3 would require different operands. It tempts candidates who assume the modulo always returns the divisor or misapply operator precedence.
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