Programming Fundamentals/Variables/Arithmetic Operators
The basic arithmetic operations are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Arithmetic is performed according to an order of operations.[1] This activity introduces arithmetic operators and order of operations. This activity will help you understand how to use arithmetic operators to perform accurate calculations.
Objectives
edit- Understand and recognize arithmetic operators.
- Understand order of operations.
Prerequisites
edit- Review Pressbooks: Programming Fundamentals - Arithmetic Operators.
- Review MathsIsFun: Order of Operations.
- An integer data type represents whole numbers with no fractional parts.[2]
- An operator is a character or symbol used to perform an arithmetic, logical, or bitwise operation on one or more operands.[3]
- String concatenation is the joining of character strings end-to-end.[4]
- An assignment statement sets and/or re-sets the value stored in the storage location(s) denoted by a variable name; in other words, it copies a value into the variable.[5]
- In integer division and modulus, the dividend is divided by the divisor into an integer quotient and a remainder. The integer quotient operation is referred to as integer division, and the integer remainder operation is the modulus.[6][7]
- The order of operations (or operator precedence) is a collection of rules that reflect conventions about which procedures to perform first in order to evaluate a given mathematical expression.[8]
- The order of operations used throughout mathematics, science, technology and many computer programming languages is:[9]
- exponentiation and root extraction
- multiplication and division
- addition and subtraction
Introduction
editReview the flowchart example on the right.
Questions
edit- What flowcharting symbol is used to indicate the beginning and ending of a program?
- What flowcharting symbol is used to indicate annotations or comments?
- What flowcharting symbol is used to indicate variable declaration?
- What flowcharting symbol is used to indicate input or output?
- What flowcharting symbol is used to indicate a process, calculation, or assignment?
- What key word is used to declare an integer variable?
- What operator is used for assignment?
- What operator is used for string concatenation?
- What operator is used for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and modulus?
Activity
editWith a partner, perform the following:
- Using a visual programming language, create a program matching the flowchart on the right.
- Save the program.
- Test the program to verify that it works correctly.
- Trade places, so that both partners have an opportunity to "drive" the visual programming environment.
- Copy the program and change it so that it demonstrates order of operations and operator precedence.
- Save the program.
- Test the program to verify that it works correctly.
Applications
edit- Identify steps to follow when writing programs using arithmetic operations.
- Identify opportunities to use integer division and the modulus operator.
- Discuss your activity experience with your classmates. What surprised you? What have you learned that you can apply to your own school or work environment?
References
edit- ↑ Wikipedia: Arithmetic#Arithmetic operations
- ↑ Pressbooks: Programming Fundamentals
- ↑ Wikipedia: Operator (computer programming)
- ↑ Wikipedia: Concatenation
- ↑ Wikipedia: Assignment (computer science)
- ↑ Wikipedia: Division (mathematics)
- ↑ Wikipedia: Modulo operation
- ↑ Wikipedia: Assignment (computer science)
- ↑ Wikipedia: Order of operations