Syntax: Multiplication

Multiplication in Python

The next operator you will be learning about is the multiplication operator. When you want to multiply a numeric value by another numeric value, the multiplication operator is the one to use. In Python, as in many other languages, the * symbol represents the multiplication operator.

Typical syntax usage for the multiplication operator are as follows:

1. When multiplying one number by another:

      product = 7 * 6
   

2. When multiplying a variable value by a number:

     val = 32
     product = val * 5
   

3. When multiplying one variable value by another:

     val1 = 50
     val2 = 25
     product = val1 * val2
   

Practice: Multiplying Integers

Based on the above information, please complete the following steps:

1. Define a variable named days_in_a_year and assign it 365.

2. Define a variable named days_in_a_decade and, using the multiplication operator and days_in_a_year, assign it the number of days in a decade (ignoring leap years).

3. Print the value contained in the days_in_a_decade variable.

   HINT*: Click here for a hint

   You should see the total number of days in a decade:

   > 3650

   SOLUTION*: Click here for an example solution

       days_in_a_year = 365
       days_in_a_decade = 10 * days_in_a_year
       print(days_in_a_decade)
   

Like the subtraction and addition operators, the multiplication operator can also be used multiple times in a single statement.

  product = 10 * 5 * 3

Based on the above information, please complete the following steps:

1. Define a variable named seconds_per_minute and assign it the value 60.

2. Define a variable named minutes_per_hour and assign it the value 60.

3. Define a variable named hours_per_day and assign it the value 24.

4. Define a variable named days_per_week and assign it the value 7.

5. Define a variable named seconds_per_week and, using the multiplication operator and the previous variables, assign it number of seconds in a week.

6. Print the value contained in the seconds_per_week variable.

   HINT*: Click here for a hint

   You should see the total seconds in a week:

   > 604800

   SOLUTION*: Click here for an example solution

     seconds_per_minute = 60
     minutes_per_hour = 60
     hours_per_day = 24
     days_per_week = 7
     seconds_per_week = seconds_per_minute * minutes_per_hour * hours_per_day * days_per_week
     print(seconds_per_week)
   

Once you have completed the above steps and you are getting the correct output in the interpreter. You are ready to move on to the next exercise!