Here is a clear, complete, and exam-ready explanation of the Numbers Data Type in Python, perfect for BCA/MCA/B.Tech students.
Numbers Data Type in Python
Numbers are one of the most commonly used data types in Python.
Python supports three native numeric data types:
- int – Integer
- float – Floating point numbers
- complex – Complex numbers
These data types allow Python to perform mathematical and scientific computations efficiently.
1. Integer (int)
Integers are whole numbers without decimal points.
They can be:
- Positive
- Negative
- Zero
Examples:
a = 10
b = -25
c = 0
Key Features:
- No limit on size (Python automatically enlarges integers based on memory).
- Supports binary, octal, and hexadecimal formats.
Different formats of integers:
x = 0b1010 # binary → 10
y = 0o12 # octal → 10
z = 0xA # hex → 10
2. Float (float)
Floats are real numbers with decimal points.
Examples:
pi = 3.14
height = 5.67
temperature = -12.5
Features of float:
- Represented using double precision (64-bit).
- Can also represent scientific notation.
Scientific notation:
x = 1.5e3 # 1.5 × 10³ → 1500.0
y = 2.5e-2 # 2.5 × 10⁻² → 0.025
3. Complex Numbers (complex)
Python supports complex numbers natively.
A complex number is of the form:
a + bj
Where:
- a = real part
- b = imaginary part
- j = √(-1) (Python uses j instead of i)
Example:
c1 = 2 + 3j
c2 = -1 - 4j
Accessing parts of a complex number:
c = 5 + 6j
print(c.real) # 5.0
print(c.imag) # 6.0
4. Type Checking
You can check the type of any number using type():
type(10) # int
type(10.5) # float
type(2+3j) # complex
5. Type Conversion (Casting)
Python allows conversion between numeric types.
int → float:
float(10) # 10.0
float → int:
int(12.98) # 12 (fraction dropped)
int/float → complex:
complex(5) # 5 + 0j
complex(3.5) # 3.5 + 0j
complex(3, 4) # 3 + 4j
6. Arithmetic Operations with Numbers
Python supports all arithmetic operations on numeric types:
a = 10
b = 3
print(a + b) # 13
print(a - b) # 7
print(a * b) # 30
print(a / b) # 3.333
print(a // b) # 3 (floor division)
print(a % b) # 1 (modulus)
print(a ** b) # 1000 (power)
7. Using Numbers with Math Library
Python provides the math module for advanced mathematical operations.
Example:
import math
print(math.sqrt(25))
print(math.pow(2, 3))
print(math.pi)
print(math.sin(1))
8. Important Points About Numeric Types
- Python automatically detects number type.
- Integers have no limit in size.
- Floats use IEEE 754 double precision.
- Complex numbers are built-in (unique to Python compared to many languages).
- A number’s type decides how it behaves in expressions.
9. Examples Demonstrating Numbers
a = 15 # int
b = 3.5 # float
c = 2 + 4j # complex
print(a + b) # float result: 18.5
print(a + c) # complex result: 17 + 4j
print(type(a / 5)) # always float
Summary Table: Python Number Types
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| int | Whole numbers | 10, -5, 0 |
| float | Decimal/real numbers | 3.14, -7.2 |
| complex | a + bj numbers | 2+3j, -1+4j |
