Arithmetic operators
Arithmetic expressions resolve to numeric values. Except
for the unary negative -, arithmetic
operators take two numeric operands. If an operand is a string, it's converted to numeric
form. The operation fails if a string can't be converted.
+ (addition)
Resolves to the sum of the two operands.
- (subtraction and negation)
When used with two operands, resolves to the difference of the two operands, left minus right. When used with one operand, returns the value of subtracting that operand from zero.
/ (division)
Resolves to the quotient of the two operands, the left divided by the right.
* (multiplication)
Resolves to the product of the two operands. The asterisk is also used as a unary splat operator for arrays (see below).
% (modulo)
Resolves to the remainder of dividing the left operand by the right operand:
5 % 2 # resolves to 1 32 % 7 # resolves to 4
<< (left shift)
Left bitwise shift: shifts the left operand by the number of places specified by the right operand. This is equivalent to rounding both operands down to the nearest integer, and multiplying the left operand by 2 to the power of the right operand:
4 << 3 # resolves to 32: 4 times two cubed
>> (right shift)
Right bitwise shift: shifts the left operand by the number of places specified by the right operand. This is equivalent to rounding each operand down to the nearest integer, and dividing the left operand by 2 to the power of the right operand:
16 << 3 # resolves to 2: 16 divided by two cubed
Related information