How to Remove the Rightmost Set Bit of a Number Using Python

Submitted by razormist on Saturday, August 30, 2025 - 23:43.

In this tutorial, we will learn how to program "How to Remove the Rightmost Set Bit of a Number Using Python." The objective is to remove the rightmost set bit of a given number. This tutorial will guide you step by step through the process of clearing the rightmost set bit and explain the underlying bitwise operation. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a solid understanding of how to implement this task effectively in Python, helping you strengthen your problem-solving abilities and improve your coding skills.

This topic is straightforward to understand. Simply follow the instructions provided, and you will complete it with ease. The program will guide you step by step through the process of removing the rightmost set bit. So, let’s dive into the coding process!

Getting Started:

First you will have to download & install the Python IDLE's, here's the link for the Integrated Development And Learning Environment for Python https://www.python.org/downloads/.

Creating Main Function

This is the main function of the application. The following code will display a simple GUI in terminal console that will display program. To do this, simply copy and paste these blocks of code into the IDLE text editor.

def clear_rightmost_set_bit(n: int) -> int:
    """Clear the rightmost set bit of n and return the result."""
    return n & (n - 1)
 
while True:
    print("\n=============== Remove the Rightmost Set Bit of a Number ===============\n")
 
    try:
        n = int(input('Enter a positive integer: '))
        if n < 0:
            print("Please enter a non-negative integer.")
            continue
 
        ans = clear_rightmost_set_bit(n)
        print(f"Original number (binary): {bin(n)}")
        print(f"After clearing rightmost set bit: {bin(ans)} (decimal {ans})")
 
    except ValueError:
        print("Invalid input. Please enter an integer.")
        continue
 
    opt = input("\nDo you want to try again? (yes/no): ").strip().lower()
    if opt == 'no':
        print("Exiting program...")
        break
    elif opt != 'yes':
        print("Invalid choice. Exiting program...")
        break

This Python program removes the rightmost set bit of a given number using the function `clear_rightmost_set_bit()`, which applies the bitwise operation `n & (n - 1)` to clear the lowest set bit. The program repeatedly prompts the user to enter a positive integer, validates the input, and then displays the original number in binary and its new value after clearing the rightmost set bit (both in binary and decimal). It also includes input error handling and gives the user the option to try again or exit the program.

Output:

There you have it we successfully created How to Remove the Rightmost Set Bit of a Number Using Python. I hope that this simple tutorial help you to what you are looking for. For more updates and tutorials just kindly visit this site. Enjoy Coding!

More Tutorials for Python Language

Python Tutorials