Python Tutorials
Tags: ,
Categories: ,

Overview

Python has a set of built-in math functions, and also includes an extensive math module to perform mathematical tasks on numbers.

min() and max() Functions

The min() and max() functions can be used to find the lowest and highest value in an iterable

x = min(2, 5, 15)
y = max(2, 5, 15)

print(x)
print(y)

Output:

2
15

The abs() Function

The abs() function returns the absolute (positive) value of the specified number.

x = abs(-3.14)

print(x)

Output:

3.14

The pow(x, y) Function

The pow(x, y) function returns the value of x to the power of y (xy).

x = pow(2, 3)

print(x)

Output:

8

The Math Module

Python has a built-in module called math, which extends the list of mathematical functions available.

The following imports the math module for use.

import math

The math.sqrt() method returns the square root of a number.

import math

x = math.sqrt(36)
print(x)

Output:

6.0

The math.ceil() method rounds a number upwards to its nearest integer.

import math

x = math.ceil(1.2)
print(x)

Output:

2

The math.floor() method rounds a number downwards to its nearest integer.

import math

x = math.floor(1.2)
print(x)

Output:

1

The math.pi constant returns the value of PI (3.14…).

import math

x = math.pi
print(x)

Output:

3.141592653589793

Python Notes:

  • The most recent major version of Python is Python 3; however, Python 2 is still in use and quite popular, although not being updated with anything other than security updates
  • Python uses new lines to complete a command, as opposed to other programming languages which often use semicolons or parentheses
  • Python relies on indentation, using whitespace to define scope, such as the scope of loops, functions, and classes; other programming languages often use curly-brackets for this purpose
  • Python string methods return new values, and DO NOT change the original string
  • Python tuples are unchangeable after created (their items CANNOT be changed or re-ordered at a later point)
  • Python sets are unordered (may appear in random orders when called), unchangeable (the value of individual items cannot be changed after creation), unindexed (items cannot be referred to by index or key), and duplicates are NOT ALLOWED
  • As of v3.7, Python dictionaries are ordered and duplicates ARE ALLOWED; in v3.6 and earlier, dictionaries were unordered (did not have a defined order and could not be referred to using an index)
  • Python does not have built-in support for arrays, but Python lists can be used as pseudo “arrays”; therefore, all Python list methods will work with these pseudo “arrays”
If you like our content, and find it helpful, please consider making a small donation. Thank you!

We’d like to acknowledge that we learned a great deal of our coding from W3Schools and TutorialsPoint, borrowing heavily from their teaching process and excellent code examples. We highly recommend both sites to deepen your experience, and further your coding journey. We’re just hitting the basics here at 1SMARTchicken.