Values, Variables & Expressions — Lesson 3: Numbers aren’t always text

New skill: String, int, float, conversion
Previously learned: Unit 01 — output, execution, and debugging

Why this matters

Python gives values different types. Strings hold text; integers hold whole numbers; floats hold decimal numbers.

Study this example

count = 6
rate = 2.5
print(type(count).__name__)
print(type(rate).__name__)
print(int('8') + count)

type() identifies a value’s type, and .__name__ provides its readable name. int('8') turns a numeric string into an integer so arithmetic works.

Before moving on, trace each line of the example by hand. Predict the result before running it in the browser.

Check your understanding

What happens if you try '8' + 6 without conversion?

Common mistake

'5' + '2' joins strings into '52', rather than adding them to get 7.

Practice: Numbers aren’t always text

Set quantity = 8 as an integer and price = 2.5 as a float. Print the type name of quantity on the first line and the type name of price on the second. The output must be exactly int then float.

Expected console output

int
float

Starter file: main.py

Use Run to experiment and Check to compare against published examples. A passing public example does not automatically establish mastery.

Hint 1 — Identify the key concept

Review `type(value).__name__` in the example.

Hint 2 — Find an approach

You need two print statements, in the correct order.

Hint 3 — Check your answer

Do not put quotation marks around the number 8.

Reflection

Write a short explanation of why your code works. What input or change would make it behave differently?