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Python Python Basics (Retired) Putting the "Fun" Back in "Function" Functions

David Monroe
David Monroe
1,505 Points
Posted by David Monroe
David Monroe
1,505 Points

Challenge Task 2 of 2 Python Basics. Functions.py

Now, make a function named summarize that also takes a list. It should return the string "The sum of X is Y.", replacing "X" with the string version of the list and "Y" with the sum total of the list.

#add_list([1, 2, 3]) should return 6

summarize([1, 2, 3]) should return "The sum of [1, 2, 3] is 6."

Note: both functions will only take one argument each.

def add_list(some_list): sum = 0 for number in some_list: sum = number + sum return sum

def summarize(another_list): sum = 0 for number in another_list: sum = number + sum return "The sum of {} is {}".format(str(another_list), sum)

I AM GETTING THE ERROR MESSAGE…

Bummer! summarize returned the wrong output. Got 'The sum of [1, 2, 3] is 6' instead of 'The sum of [1, 2, 3] is 6.’.

I’ve tried to output different variable types thinking maybe I output a string when an int or whatever was needed…but nope. can someone tell me what I’m doing wrong?

functions.py 
# add_list([1, 2, 3]) should return 6
# summarize([1, 2, 3]) should return "The sum of [1, 2, 3] is 6."
# Note: both functions will only take *one* argument each.

def add_list(some_list):
  sum = 0
  for number in some_list:
    sum = number + sum
  return sum

def summarize(another_list): 
  sum = 0
  for number in another_list: 
    sum = number + sum 
  return "The sum of {} is {}".format(str(another_list), sum)

5 Answers

Kenneth Love
STAFF
Kenneth Love
Treehouse Guest Teacher
Kenneth Love
Kenneth Love
Treehouse Guest Teacher

I've fixed the validation so it's more forgiving.

Mikael Enarsson
Mikael Enarsson
7,056 Points
Mikael Enarsson
Mikael Enarsson
7,056 Points

No problem! One thing I've noticed is that the more mistakes you make, the easier they are to spot when you make an error XD

Mikael Enarsson
Mikael Enarsson
7,056 Points
Mikael Enarsson
Mikael Enarsson
7,056 Points

This code is totally right, with one stupid little error that you really should pass with. I'll tell you now.

Ready?

Type a dot ('.') at the end of the string (after the "{}" but before the '"'), like so:

def summarize(another_list): 
  sum = 0
  for number in another_list: 
    sum = number + sum 
  return "The sum of {} is {}.".format(str(another_list), sum)    #Added the dot

The code challenges are really inflexible ><

David Monroe
David Monroe
1,505 Points
David Monroe
David Monroe
1,505 Points

WOW! ha. Thanks so much. Can't tell you how many times I've gone over it. Very much appreciated.

deronholmes
deronholmes
7,389 Points
deronholmes
deronholmes
7,389 Points

So the way I've thought of it was to use the exact same list, calling the previous function in the return statement of the second.