What is the output of the following operation: 7 / 2?

• A. 3
• B. 3.5
• C. 4
• D. 2.5

Answer: (B)

The operation 7 / 2 in Python performs division that results in a float. In this case, dividing 7 by 2 yields 3.5, which is the exact result of the operation. Python 3 uses true division by default for the division operator (/) when both operands are integers. This means that rather than performing floor division (which would return only the whole number part), it calculates the exact decimal value. Therefore, the correct output of the operation is indeed 3.5.

This understanding is crucial for accurately utilizing the division operator in Python, as it differs from some other programming languages that may perform integer division with the same operator if both operands are integers.