In this section, we will explore how to perform arithmetic operations in Prolog. Arithmetic operations are essential for many programming tasks, and understanding how to use them in Prolog will enhance your ability to solve a wide range of problems.

1. Arithmetic Operators: Prolog supports standard arithmetic operators such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
2. Evaluation Predicate (is): The is predicate is used to evaluate arithmetic expressions.
3. Comparison Operators: Prolog provides comparison operators to compare numerical values.
4. Built-in Arithmetic Functions: Prolog includes several built-in functions for more complex arithmetic operations.

Prolog supports the following arithmetic operators:

The is predicate is used to evaluate arithmetic expressions and assign the result to a variable. Here is the general syntax:

In this example, X is assigned the result of 3 + 2.

Prolog provides several comparison operators to compare numerical values:

In this example, Prolog confirms that 5 is greater than 3.

Prolog includes several built-in functions for more complex arithmetic operations:

In this example, Y is assigned the square root of 16.

Write a Prolog query to calculate the result of 7 * 8 - 4 / 2.

Solution:

Write a Prolog query to check if 10 is greater than 5.

Solution:

Write a Prolog query to find the absolute value of -15.

Solution:

• Forgetting the is Predicate: Remember to use the is predicate to evaluate arithmetic expressions. Directly writing X = 3 + 2 will not evaluate the expression.
• Integer Division: Use // for integer division to avoid unexpected results. For example, 10 / 3 results in 3.3333, while 10 // 3 results in 3.
• Operator Precedence: Be mindful of operator precedence. Use parentheses to ensure expressions are evaluated in the desired order.

In this section, we covered the basics of arithmetic operations in Prolog, including the use of arithmetic operators, the is predicate, comparison operators, and built-in arithmetic functions. Understanding these concepts will allow you to perform a wide range of numerical computations in your Prolog programs. In the next section, we will delve into more complex data structures, starting with lists.