🐍 Python – Operator Precedence (Complete Beginner Guide)

Python follows a specific rule called operator precedence, which determines the order in which operations are executed in an expression.

Without precedence rules, Python would not know which operation to perform first.

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🧠 What is Operator Precedence?

Operator precedence defines the order in which operators are evaluated in an expression.

👉 In simple words:

• It tells Python “what to solve first”

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⚡ Example Without Understanding Precedence

result = 10 + 5 * 2
print(result)

👉 Output:

20

Why?

Because multiplication (*) has higher precedence than addition (+).

So:

• 5 * 2 = 10
• 10 + 10 = 20

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⚙️ Python Operator Precedence Order

From highest to lowest:

Priority	Operator
1	() Parentheses
2	** Exponent
3	+x, -x, ~x Unary operators
4	* / // % Multiplication/Division
5	+ - Addition/Subtraction
6	<< >> Bitwise shift
7	& Bitwise AND
8	^ Bitwise XOR
9	`
10	== != > < >= <= Comparison
11	not Logical NOT
12	and Logical AND
13	or Logical OR

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🧪 Example 1: Mixed Operators

result = 10 + 5 * 2 ** 2
print(result)

Step-by-step:

• 2 ** 2 = 4
• 5 * 4 = 20
• 10 + 20 = 30

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📦 Example 2: Using Parentheses

Parentheses always have the highest priority.

result = (10 + 5) * 2
print(result)

Output:

30

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🔁 Example 3: Logical Operators

print(True or False and False)

Step-by-step:

• and is evaluated first
• False and False = False
• True or False = True

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⚖️ Parentheses Override Precedence

You can control order using parentheses.

print((10 + 5) * (2 + 3))

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🚀 Why Operator Precedence is Important?

Operator precedence is used in:

• Mathematical calculations ➗
• Decision-making logic 🧠
• Complex expressions ⚙️
• Programming conditions 🔁

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🧾 Conclusion

Python operator precedence defines the order in which expressions are evaluated. Understanding it helps you write correct and predictable programs.

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💡 Final Thought

If you master operator precedence, you can easily understand complex Python expressions without confusion.