Question

Give a \(\mathrm{C}++\) statement that will change the value of the variable product to its old value multiplied by the value of the variable \(n\). The variables are all of type int.

Short answer

Question: Write a C++ statement that updates the value of a variable 'product' by multiplying its current value by another variable 'n.' Answer: `product *= n;`

Step-by-step solution

Assign the product to the new calculated value

In order to update the value of the variable 'product', we will multiply it by the variable 'n' and store the result back into the 'product' variable. The C++ statement for this operation is: ```cpp product *= n; ``` This statement will multiply the current value of 'product' by the value of 'n' and store the result back into the 'product' variable.

Key concepts

C++ Programming

C++ programming is a versatile skill that enables developers to create software, video games, and perform system programming. It's a language that supports various programming styles, including procedural, object-oriented, and generic programming, making it a powerful and flexible tool in the hands of a programmer.

When learning C++, beginning with simple command-line applications is common practice. This allows you to understand the basics of variables, control structures, and syntax. As you evolve, you will deal with more complex features such as classes, objects, inheritance, and polymorphism. Practical exercises, such as manipulating variables, are essential for understanding these concepts and are the building blocks for more advanced programming tasks.

Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators are the mathematical symbols that instruct the computer to perform basic mathematical operations. In C++, these operators include addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), division (/), and modulo (%).

Compound Assignment

A special group of arithmetic operators are the compound assignment operators that perform an operation and assignment in one step. For instance, the operator '*=' multiplies a variable with a value, and then assigns the result back to the original variable. It simplifies expressions like product = product * n; to product *= n;, which is more concise and maintains readability.

• +=: Addition assignment
• -=: Subtraction assignment
• *=: Multiplication assignment
• /=: Division assignment
• %=: Modulo assignment

Variable Assignment

Variable assignment in C++ involves assigning values to variables so that the variables can represent these values throughout a program. In its simplest form, an assignment takes the format of 'variable = value;'.

Initializing vs Updating Variables

When you first create a variable, you can assign a value to it, which is known as initialization. For example, int product = 10; initializes a variable called 'product' with the value of 10. However, as your program evolves, you might need to update the contents of 'product' based on certain conditions or calculations. The statement product *= n; is an example of updating the value of 'product' by multiplying its current value by 'n' and reassigning the result to 'product'.

• Initialization: Assigning a value to a variable at the time of creation.
• Updating: Changing the value of a variable after its creation.