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Arithmetic with R

In its most basic form, R can be used as a simple calculator. Consider the following arithmetic operators:

  • Addition: +
  • Subtraction: -
  • Multiplication: *
  • Division: /
  • Exponentiation: ^
  • Modulo: %%

The last two might need some explaining:

  • The ^ operator raises the number to its left to the power of the number to its right: for example 3^2 is 9.
  • The modulo returns the remainder of the division of the number to the left by the number on its right, for example 5 modulo 3 or 5 %% 3 is 2.

With this knowledge, follow the instructions to complete the exercise.

This is a part of the course

“Introduction to R”

View Course

Exercise instructions

  • Type 2^5 in the editor to calculate 2 to the power 5.
  • Type 28 %% 6 to calculate 28 modulo 6.
  • Submit the answer and have a look at the R output in the console.
  • Note how the # symbol is used to add comments on the R code.

Hands-on interactive exercise

Have a go at this exercise by completing this sample code.

# An addition
5 + 5 

# A subtraction
5 - 5 

# A multiplication
3 * 5

 # A division
(5 + 5) / 2 

# Exponentiation


# Modulo
Edit and Run Code