Python Logical Operators

Logical operators are used to combine conditional statements and return Boolean values (True or False). They are fundamental in controlling the flow of a program by evaluating multiple conditions.

Python has three logical operators:

1. and Operator

The and operator returns True only if both conditions are True. If either one or both are False, it returns False.

Syntax:

condition1 and condition2

Example:

x = 10
print(x > 5 and x < 15)  # True, because 10 > 5 AND 10 < 15
print(x > 5 and x > 20)  # False, second condition is False

Explanation:

• x > 5 and x < 15 is True because both parts are true.
• x > 5 and x > 20 is False because the second part (x > 20) is false.

2. or Operator

The or operator returns True if at least one of the conditions is True. It only returns False if both conditions are False.

Syntax:

condition1 or condition2

Example:

x = 10
print(x > 5 or x > 20)   # True, because first condition is True
print(x < 5 or x > 20)   # False, both conditions are False

Explanation:

• x > 5 or x > 20 is True because x > 5 is true.
• x < 5 or x > 20 is False because both conditions are false.

3. not Operator

The not operator reverses the Boolean value of a condition.

Syntax:

not condition

Example:

x = 10
print(not x > 5)  # False, because x > 5 is True, and `not` reverses it
print(not x < 5)  # True, because x < 5 is False, and `not` reverses it

Combining Logical Operators

You can combine and, or, and not to form complex conditions.

Example:

x = 10
y = 20

if x > 5 and (y < 15 or not y == 20):
    print("Condition met")
else:
    print("Condition not met")

Explanation:

• x > 5 is True
• y < 15 is False
• not y == 20 means not True → False
• (y < 15 or not y == 20) → False or False → False
• So True and False → False, so the else block runs.

Truth Table Summary