Arithmetic operators

Learn arithmetic with +, -, *, / and %.

Arithmetic operators

In Kotlin there are five basic arithmetic operators: + (addition), - (subtraction), * (multiplication), / (division) and % (modulo).

Integer division yields an integer: 7 / 2 → 3. Modulo yields the remainder: 7 % 2 → 1.

val a = 10
val b = 3
println(a + b)   // 13
println(a - b)   // 7
println(a * b)   // 30
println(a / b)   // 3
println(a % b)   // 1

Exercise Try arithmetic

Write a fun main(). Declare val a = 10 and val b = 3. Print the remainder with println(a % b).

Show example solution

fun main() {
    val a = 10
    val b = 3
    println(a % b)
}

Integer division

In Kotlin the division of two Ints yields an Int; so 7 / 2 → 3 (not 3.5). For a decimal result, at least one side must be Double: 7.0 / 2 → 3.5 or 7 / 2.0 → 3.5.

This behavior is a common pitfall when integer division does not yield the expected result. Make both sides Double for consistency.

Test yourself

What does `7 % 2` return?
- 0
- 3
- 3.5
- 1
Show answer

1 — The remainder of 7 divided by 2 is 1.

Arithmetic operators: fill in the missing part

val remainder = 7 ____ 2
println(remainder)  // 1

Show answer

val remainder = 7 % 2
println(remainder)  // 1

Arithmetic operators: match the terms

+

Addition
-

Subtraction
*

Multiplication
%

Modulo

Next lesson: Assignment operators

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