Explain Python tuples and typical usage

You are asked some Python fundamentals.

1. What is a tuple in Python? Describe its key properties (e.g., ordering, mutability, hashability).
2. How does a tuple differ from a list in terms of:
   • syntax,
   • mutability and available operations,
   • typical use cases,
   • performance or memory characteristics?
3. Give a few concrete examples of when you would prefer to use a tuple rather than a list (for example, in function returns, as dictionary keys, or to represent fixed-size records).