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

or variables:

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

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

Subtracting

The subtraction operator (-) subtracts numbers.

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

Multiplying

The multiplication operator (*) multiplies numbers.

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

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

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

Decrementing

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

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

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.

Further reading

Find out more about Basic math in JavaScript — numbers and operators – Learn web development | MDN

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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