Python Numbers

There are three numeric types in Python:

• int
• float
• complex

Variables of numeric types are created when you assign a value to them:

Example

x = 1    # inty = 2.8  # floatz = 1j   # complex

To verify the type of any object in Python, use the type() function:

Example

print(type(x))
print(type(y))
print(type(z))

Output

int

float

complex

---

Int

Int, or integer, is a whole number, positive or negative, without decimals, of unlimited length.

Example

Integers:

x = 1
y = -10

print(type(x))
print(type(y))

Output

<type 'int'>
<type 'int'>

---

Float

Float, or "floating point number" is a number, positive or negative, containing one or more decimals.

Example

Floats:

x = 5.3
y = 5.0
z = -5.3

print(type(x))
print(type(y))
print(type(z))

Output

<type 'float'>

<type 'float'>

<type 'float'>

Float can also be scientific numbers with an "e" to indicate the power of 10.

Example

Floats:

x = 35e3
y = 12E4
z = -87.7e100

print(type(x))
print(type(y))
print(type(z))

Output

<type 'float'>

<type 'float'>

<type 'float'>

---

Complex

Complex numbers are written with a "j" as the imaginary part:

Example

Complex:

x = 3+5j
y = 5j
z = -5j

print(type(x))
print(type(y))
print(type(z))

Output

<type 'Complex'>

<type 'Complex'>

<type 'Complex'>