How can you shortcut an operator in Python?

The option that correctly identifies how to shortcut an operator in Python is to use the operator followed by the assignment operator. This takes advantage of Python's augmented assignment operators, which allow you to perform an operation and assign the result to a variable in a more concise way.

For example, using += to add a value to a variable is a shortcut compared to writing x = x + value. This not only makes the code shorter but also more legible by reducing redundancy. Other similar operators include -=, *=, /=, and so on, enabling operations such as subtraction, multiplication, and division to also be shortened in a similar manner.

The other choices do not effectively represent the concept of shortcutting an operator. Utilizing a shortcut operator like // refers specifically to integer division, which is different from the broader context of shortcutting assignments. Creating a new variable is merely introducing a new identifier without simplifying the existing operation. Redefining the variable does not relate to the concept of shortening operations or combining operations and assignment in one expression.