Negative integer division surprising result

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For the actual values, i.e. 8.0/(-7.0), the result is roughly -1.143.

Your result using integer division is being rounded down toward the more negative value of -2. (This is also known as “Floor division”)

This is why you will get the somewhat perplexing answers of:

>>> 8/(-7)
-2
>>> 8/7
1

Note: This is “fixed” in Python 3, where the result of 8/(-7) would be -1.143. So if you have no reason to be using Python 2, you should upgrade. 😉

In Python 3, if you still want integer division, you can use the // operator. This will give you the same answer as 8/(-7) would in Python 2.

Here’s a Python Enhancement Proposal on the subject: PEP 238 — Changing the Division Operator

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