Arithmetic operators work on valid numeric constants or on variables that represent valid numeric constants.

Types of Numeric Constants

12

A whole number has no decimal point or commas. Results of arithmetic operations with whole numbers can contain a maximum of nine digits unless you override the default with the NUMERIC DIGITS instruction. For information about the NUMERIC DIGITS instruction, see z/OS TSO/E REXX Reference. Examples of whole numbers are: 123456789 0 91221 999

12.5

A decimal number includes a decimal point. Results of arithmetic operations with decimal numbers are limited to a total maximum of nine digits (NUMERIC DIGITS default) before and after the decimal. Examples of decimal numbers are: 123456.789 0.888888888

1.25E2

A floating point number in exponential notation, is sometimes called scientific notation. The number after the "E" represents the number of places the decimal point moves. Thus 1.25E2 (also written as 1.25E+2) moves the decimal point to the right two places and results in 125. When an "E" is followed by a minus (-), the decimal point moves to the left. For example, 1.25E-2 is .0125.

Floating point numbers are used to represent very large or very small numbers. For more information about floating point numbers, see z/OS TSO/E REXX Reference.

-12

A signed number with a minus (-) next to the number represents a negative value. A plus next to a number indicates that the number should be processed as it is written. When a number has no sign, it is processed as a positive value.

The arithmetic operators you can use are as follows:

Operator

Meaning

+

Add

-

Subtract

*

Multiply

/

Divide

%

Divide and return a whole number without a remainder

//

Divide and return the remainder only

**

Raise a number to a whole number power

-number

Negate the number

+number

Add the number to 0

Using numeric constants and arithmetic operators, you can write arithmetic expressions as follows:

7 + 2                         /*  result is 9    */
7 - 2                         /*  result is 5    */
7 * 2                         /*  result is 14   */
7 ** 2                        /*  result is 49   */
7 ** 2.5                      /*  result is an error  */