Introductory Python for Research

Section 1 of 2

Read syntax, names, and basic arithmetic

Python executes statements in order. The assignment price = 100 binds the name price to an object representing 100. Names are case-sensitive: Price and price are different. Comments begin with # and describe intent without changing the result.

Integers such as 100 have type int; decimal values such as 0.05 usually have type float. Text uses quotes and has type str. The operators +, − (written as - in code), *, /, and ** mean addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and exponentiation. Parentheses clarify evaluation order. Use = to assign and == to compare values.

print displays a value. An f-string starts with f before its opening quote and inserts expressions inside braces. The format :.2f displays two decimal places. Formatting changes the displayed text, not the underlying calculation; binary floating-point values can contain tiny representation differences.

wealth = 100
return_rate = 0.05  # 5%, expressed as a fraction
ending_wealth = wealth * (1 + return_rate)
print(f"{ending_wealth:.2f}")

105.00

Keep in mind: Read each statement as a small operation on named values.