1. What is the Left Shift Operator?

The left shift operator (`<<`) in Python shifts the bits of a number to the left by a specified number of positions. Each shift to the left effectively multiplies the number by 2.

2. How Does Left Shift Work?

The left shift operation can be represented as:

Where:

• `num` — The integer to be shifted
• `bits` — Number of positions to shift left

Example: 5 << 2 = 20 (because 5 × 2² = 20)

3. Practical Applications

Details: Left shift operations are commonly used in low-level programming, cryptography, and performance optimization where bit manipulation is required.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter any integer number and the number of bits to shift. The calculator will show the result of the left shift operation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens when you left shift beyond integer size?
A: Python integers have unlimited precision, so you can shift any number of bits without overflow.

Q2: Is left shift the same as multiplication by 2?
A: Yes, for each bit shifted, it's equivalent to multiplying by 2. However, bit operations are generally faster.

Q3: Can I shift negative numbers?
A: Yes, but the behavior depends on how negative numbers are represented (two's complement).

Q4: What's the difference between << and <<= ?
A: `<<` creates a new value, while `<<=` performs an in-place shift and assignment.

Q5: How does this differ from right shift?
A: Right shift (`>>`) moves bits to the right (dividing by 2 for each shift), while left shift moves bits left (multiplying by 2).