➕ PHP Arithmetic Operators Explained – Add, Subtract, Multiply & More

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🧲 Introduction – Why Use Arithmetic Operators in PHP?

Arithmetic operations are fundamental to any programming language, and PHP provides a simple, intuitive set of operators for mathematical calculations. Whether you’re building a billing system, statistics engine, or a simple calculator, arithmetic operators help you perform operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and modulus.

🎯 In this section, you’ll learn:

• Types of arithmetic operators in PHP
• Syntax and usage of each operator
• Examples and output for clarity

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📐 PHP Arithmetic Operators Table

Operator	Name	Description	Example	Result
+	Addition	Adds two numbers	$x + $y	Sum
-	Subtraction	Subtracts the right operand from the left	$x - $y	Difference
*	Multiplication	Multiplies two numbers	$x * $y	Product
/	Division	Divides the left operand by the right	$x / $y	Quotient
%	Modulus	Returns the remainder after division	$x % $y	Remainder

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🧪 Examples of Arithmetic Operations

<?php
$x = 10;
$y = 4;

echo $x + $y;  // ➕ 14
echo $x - $y;  // ➖ 6
echo $x * $y;  // ✖️ 40
echo $x / $y;  // ➗ 2.5
echo $x % $y;  // 🧮 2
?>

📊 Output

14
6
40
2.5
2

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💡 Key Notes

• Division by zero will throw a warning in PHP.
• The modulus operator % is often used in loops and conditions.
• Use round() if you want to round off decimal results from division.

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📌 Summary – Recap & Next Steps

🔍 Key Takeaways:

• PHP supports five core arithmetic operators.
• They work with integers and floating-point numbers.
• Ideal for any mathematical or statistical calculations in your application.

⚙️ Real-World Use Cases:

• E-commerce totals and discounts
• Formulas in dashboards and analytics
• Game scores and level calculations

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❓ FAQ – PHP Arithmetic Operators

❓ Can I use arithmetic operators with strings in PHP?
✅ PHP tries to convert strings to numbers when possible. However, it’s best to cast explicitly using (int) or (float).

❓ What happens if I divide by zero in PHP?
✅ PHP issues a warning and returns INF (infinity) or false depending on version and context.

❓ Can I chain arithmetic operations like $x + $y * $z?
✅ Yes. PHP respects standard operator precedence (multiplication and division first, then addition and subtraction).

❓ Are these operators only for numbers?
✅ Primarily yes, though PHP will attempt type juggling if mixed types are involved.

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