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Max Lockwood
Max Lockwood

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What are the 5 JavaScript Mathematical Operators?

What are the 5 JavaScript Mathematical Operators?

Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators perform arithmetic functions on numbers (literals or variables) and return a value.

JavaScript includes many operators from basic math as well as a few programming-specific operators.

There are five fundamental operations in mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and modulas.

Here is a reference table of JavaScript arithmetic operators.

Operator Description Example
+ Addition 25 + 5 = 30
- Subtraction 25 - 5 = 20
* Multiplication 10 * 20 = 200
/ Division 20 / 10 = 10
% Modulus 7 % 3 = 1
++ Increment let a = 10; a++; Now a = 11
-- Decrement let a = 10; a-- ; Now a = 9

Basic Syntax

A typical arithmetic operation operates on two numbers.
The two numbers can be literals:

let sum = 100 + 80;
//Output 180
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or variables:

let a = 100;
let b = 60;
let sum = a + b;
//Output 160
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Operators and Operands

The numbers (in an arithmetic operation) are called operands.
The operation (to be performed between the two operands) is defined by an operator.

Example

Operand Operator
100 + or -

Addition

The addition operator (+) adds numbers:

let x = 6;
let y = 2;
let z = x + y;
// Output 8
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Subtracting

The subtraction operator (-) subtracts numbers.

let x = 8;
let y = 2;
let z = x - y;
// Output 6
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Multiplying

The multiplication operator (*) multiplies numbers.

let x = 6;
let y = 2;
let z = x * y;
// Output 12
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Remainder

The modulus (also known as remainder) operator (%). The remainder operator returns the remainder left over when one operand is divided by a second operand.

let x = 9;
let y = 0;
let z = x % y;
// Output 0
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As an example, we know that 3 goes into 9 exactly three times, and there is no remainder.

Incrementing

The increment operator (++) increments numbers. Increment operators increase the numerical value by one.

let x = 5;
x++;
let z = x;
// Output 6
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Decrementing

The decrement operator (--) decrements numbers. Decrement operators reduce the numerical value by one.

let x = 9;
x--;
let z = x;
// Output 8
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Conclusion

We covered arithmetic operators and syntax in this article, including many common mathematical operators as well as a few that are unique to programming.

See also

What exactly is JavaScript?
What are the Three Variables in JavaScript?
What are the Three Primitive JavaScript Data Types?

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