All arithmetic operators force M to evaluate the expressions to which they apply as numeric. The arithmetic operators are:

+ as a unary operator simply forces M to evaluate the expression following as numeric; as a binary operator it causes M to perform addition.

- as a unary operator causes M to negate the expression following; as a binary operator it causes M to perform subtraction.

* binary operator for multiplication.

** binary operator for exponentiation.

/ binary operator for fractional division.

\ binary operator for integer division.

# binary operator for modulo, that is, causes M to produce the remainder from integer division of the first argument by the second.

Remember that precedence is left to right for all arithmetic operators.

Example:

GTM>WRITE 1+1
2
GTM>WRITE 2-1
1
GTM>WRITE 2*2
4
GTM>WRITE 3**2
9
GTM>WRITE 4/2
2
GTM>WRITE 7
2
GTM>WRITE 7#3
1
GTM>

This simple example demonstrates how each arithmetic binary operation uses numeric literals.

Example:

GTM>WRITE +"12ABC"
12
GTM>WRITE --"-3-4"
-3
GTM>

The first WRITE shows the unary plus sign (+) operation forcing the numeric evaluation of a string literal. The second WRITE demonstrates the unary minus sign (-). Note the second minus sign within the string literal does not cause subtraction, but rather, terminates the numeric evaluation with the result of negative three (-3). Each of the leading minus signs causes one negation and therefore, the result is negative three (-3).