Difference between Floor Division and Float Division in Python

The Python division can be performed in two main ways: floor division and float division. The difference lies in how the quotient is calculated and the type of result produced.

1. Floor Division (// operator):

• Floor division is performed using the double forward slash // operator.
• It returns the largest integer (floor) that is less than or equal to the exact mathematical result of the division.
• The result is always an integer, even if the operands are floats.
• Floor division is often used when you want to discard the fractional part of the division and obtain an integer quotient. Example:

 result = 7 // 3  # Result is 2

2. Float Division (/ operator):

• Float division is performed using the single forward slash / operator.
• It returns the exact mathematical result of the division, including any fractional part.
• The result is a float, even if both operands are integers.
• Float division is used when you need a more precise result with the decimal portion included. Example:

 result = 7 / 3  # Result is 2.3333333333333335

In Python 3, the / operator always performs float division, and if you want to perform floor division, you need to use the // operator explicitly. In Python 2, the behavior of / depends on the types of operands; if both operands are integers, it performs floor division, but if either operand is a float, it performs float division.

Here’s a summary:

• Floor Division (//): Returns an integer quotient, discarding the fractional part.
• Float Division (/): Returns a float quotient, including the fractional part.

Choose the appropriate division type based on the desired result and the use case of your calculations.