3.4 Basic Operators in R

Basic Operators in R

Key Concepts

Basic operators in R are essential for performing various operations on data. These operators include arithmetic, relational, logical, and assignment operators. Understanding these operators is crucial for manipulating data and controlling the flow of your R programs.

1. Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators are used to perform mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and modulus. These operators are fundamental for numerical calculations in R.

# Addition
x <- 10
y <- 20
sum <- x + y
print(sum)  # Output: 30

# Subtraction
difference <- x - y
print(difference)  # Output: -10

# Multiplication
product <- x * y
print(product)  # Output: 200

# Division
quotient <- x / y
print(quotient)  # Output: 0.5

# Modulus (remainder)
remainder <- x %% y
print(remainder)  # Output: 10

2. Relational Operators

Relational operators are used to compare values and return a logical result (TRUE or FALSE). These operators are essential for making decisions in conditional statements.

# Equal to
is_equal <- x == y
print(is_equal)  # Output: FALSE

# Not equal to
is_not_equal <- x != y
print(is_not_equal)  # Output: TRUE

# Greater than
is_greater <- x > y
print(is_greater)  # Output: FALSE

# Less than
is_less <- x < y
print(is_less)  # Output: TRUE

# Greater than or equal to
is_greater_or_equal <- x >= y
print(is_greater_or_equal)  # Output: FALSE

# Less than or equal to
is_less_or_equal <- x <= y
print(is_less_or_equal)  # Output: TRUE

3. Logical Operators

Logical operators are used to combine multiple conditions and return a logical result. These operators include AND, OR, and NOT, which are crucial for complex conditional statements.

# AND operator
logical_and <- (x > 5) & (y < 25)
print(logical_and)  # Output: TRUE

# OR operator
logical_or <- (x > 15) | (y < 15)
print(logical_or)  # Output: TRUE

# NOT operator
logical_not <- !(x > 15)
print(logical_not)  # Output: TRUE

4. Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are used to assign values to variables. The most common assignment operator in R is the leftward assignment operator (<-), but there are other variants like rightward assignment (->) and equal sign assignment (=).

# Leftward assignment
a <- 10
print(a)  # Output: 10

# Rightward assignment
20 -> b
print(b)  # Output: 20

# Equal sign assignment
c = 30
print(c)  # Output: 30

Examples and Analogies

Think of arithmetic operators as the basic tools in a toolbox for performing mathematical tasks. Relational operators are like scales that compare weights to determine which is heavier. Logical operators are like switches that control the flow of electricity based on multiple conditions. Assignment operators are like labels that attach names to boxes containing values.

By mastering these basic operators, you can perform a wide range of operations in R, from simple calculations to complex conditional statements.