Java application

public int remainder(int a, int b)
    {
        int answer = a % b;
        System.out.printf("%d % %d = ", a , b);
        return (answer);    
    }

and in my main, 

int answerRemain = calc.remainder (3,4);
        System.out.println (answerRemain);

and when i tried running it, it tells me:-
Exception in thread "main" java.util.IllegalFormatFlagsException: Flags = ' '
    at java.util.Formatter$FormatSpecifier.checkText(Formatter.java:2945)
    at java.util.Formatter$FormatSpecifier.<init>(Formatter.java:2647)
    at java.util.Formatter.parse(Formatter.java:2480)
    at java.util.Formatter.format(Formatter.java:2414)
    at java.io.PrintStream.format(PrintStream.java:920)
    at java.io.PrintStream.printf(PrintStream.java:821)

if i take out the % from "%d % %d = ", so that it is "%d %d" then it runs fine and gives the correct answer. my question is why wont it compile and, how can i print out the modulus sign so my output looks like 3 % 4 = 3. thank you!

September 19, 2012 at 5:04 PM

We have modified your code. The character you want to display in the printf method is actually invalid.Therefore error occurs. Anyways, check your code.

class  FindRemainder
{
    public int remainder(int a, int b) { 
        int answer = a % b;
        System.out.println(a+" % "+b+" = " +answer);
        return (answer);
}
    public static void main(String[] args) 
    {
        FindRemainder f=new FindRemainder();
        f.remainder(3,4);
    }
}