We've already figured out how to work with variables to store and reuse information. But they also help simplify complex calculations. For example, currency conversion or making up a new word. Let's look at how to do it in practice.

Let us imagine that we need to convert euros into yuans via dollars. Banks often do this kind of conversion via an intermediate currency when shopping abroad.

First, convert 50 euros into dollars. Suppose that one euro is $1.25:

dollars_count = 50 * 1.25
print(dollars_count)  # => 62.5

Here we write expression into the variable dollars_count = 50 * 1.25 to the right of the equals sign. The interpreter will calculate the result (62.5) and write it to a variable. The interpreter doesn't care what form the data is written in: 62.5 or 50 * 1.25. From its perspective, both are expressions to be calculated. It does the calculations and comes up with the same value, 62.5.

Any string is an expression. String concatenation (concatenation of variable values) is also an expression. When the interpreter sees an expression, it processes it and generates a result, the value of the expression.

Here are some examples of an expression. We've written the total values in the comments to the right of each expression:

62.5             # 62.5
50 * 1.25        # 62.5
120 / 10 * 2     # 24.0
int('100')       # 100

'hello'          # hello
'Good' + 'will'  # Goodwill

In the places where an expression is expected, you can put any calculation. It can be not only mathematical, but also string-like concatenation. The program will remain functional.

Programs consist of many combinations of expressions. Based on the above, consider whether this code would work:

who = "dragon's " + 'mother'
print(who)

Variables can be used to write even more complex calculations. Now, back to our currency program. Let's write the dollar value in yuans as a separate variable. Let's calculate the value of 50 euros in dollars by multiplying it by 1.25. Suppose that 1 dollar is 6.91 yuans:

yuans_per_dollar = 6.91
dollars_count = 50 * 1.25  # 62.5
yuans_count = dollars_count * yuans_per_dollar  # 431.875.0

print(yuans_count)

Now let's add text to the output using concatenation:

yuans_per_dollar = 6.91
dollars_count = 50 * 1.25  # 62.5
yuans_count = dollars_count * yuans_per_dollar  # 431.875.0

# The str() function turns a number into a string.
# There will be a separate lesson about these transformations.
print('The price is ' + str(yuans_count) + ' yuans')
# => The price is 431.875.0 yuans

Any variable can be part of any expression. At the moment of calculation, the name of the variable will be replaced by its value.

The interpreter calculates the value of dollars_count before this variable is used in other expressions. When it comes time to use a variable, Python already knows the value because it's calculated it.

Variables can be used to perform complex calculations and to provide a detailed output with the resulting value. But you can also get new expressions by combining two or more variable values. Concatenation is responsible for this.

Write a program that takes the original number of euros written in the variable euros_count, converts euros to dollars, and prints it to the screen. Then, it should convert the result to yuans and print it on a new line.

Example output for 100 euros:

125.0
863.75

For the purposes of the exercise, we'll say that:

• 1 euro = $1.25
• 1 dollar = 6.91 yuans