Make division by Zero return Zero in Python

Make division by Zero return Zero in Python #

Use an if/else statement to make division by zero return zero in Python, e.g. return a / b if b else 0. When the number is divided by 0, the result tends towards infinity, but we can check if the divisor is equal to 0 and return 0 if it is.

Copied!
# ✅ make division of zero return zero using if/else

def handle_zero_division(a, b):
    return a / b if b else 0


print(handle_zero_division(15, 5))  # 👉️ 3.0

print(handle_zero_division(15, 0))  # 👉️ 0

# -------------------------------------

# ✅ make division of zero return zero using try/except


def handle_zero_division_2(a, b):
    try:
        result = a / b
    except ZeroDivisionError:
        result = 0

    return result


print(handle_zero_division_2(15, 5))  # 👉️ 3.0

print(handle_zero_division_2(15, 0))  # 👉️ 0

It's unclear what value is expected when we divide by 0, so Python throws an error.

When we divide a number by 0, the result tends towards infinity.

The first example uses an inline if/else statement to check if the divisor is falsy.

You can also explicitly check if the divisor is equal to 0 in your if/else statement.

Copied!
def handle_zero_division(a, b):
    return 0 if b == 0 else a / b


print(handle_zero_division(15, 5))  # 👉️ 3.0

print(handle_zero_division(15, 0))  # 👉️ 0

Alternatively, you can use a try/except statement.

To make division by zero return zero:

1. Wrap the division in a try/except statement.
2. The except block should handle the ZeroDivisionError.
3. Set the result to 0 in the except block.

Copied!
def handle_zero_division_2(a, b):
    try:
        result = a / b
    except ZeroDivisionError:
        result = 0

    return result


print(handle_zero_division_2(15, 5))  # 👉️ 3.0

print(handle_zero_division_2(15, 0))  # 👉️ 0

The try/except block is known as "asking for forgiveness, rather than permission".

In the except block, we set the result variable to 0.

If the divisor doesn't store a 0 value, the except block is never ran.