If you want 3 / 2 to behave the same as 3.0 / 2 just type:

>>> from __future__ import division
>>> 3/2
1.5

This was a suggestion from Frank Millman

This integer versus float division problem arises in the The Calculator page.

It is necessary that the beginner knows that there is a difference between 3/2 and 3.0/2

I would like to not address the type discussion so early in this course, if ever, and just let it go stating that if there is no decimal point in the question then there will be no decimal point in the answer.

In the Python list discussion some people think I should explain why 3/2 returns 1 and I just don't know how to do it without entering the terribly uninteresting (for the casual beginner) type formalism.

This issue has always confused Python newcomers, beginners or not. I have consulted many online tutorials and none of those has a clean solution without first introducing the boring type realm.

This tutorial targets the casual absolute beginner who just wants to know if this programming thing could eventually interest him. If he likes it then there are plenty of sources of solid knowledge to go from here.