Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

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

Neil Tamplin
Neil Tamplin
6,659 Points

Got 'The sum of [1, 2, 3] is [1, 2, 3]' instead of 'The sum of [1, 2, 3] is 6.'.

I've checked my code in workspaces and it produces the correct result. The task is failing though - but I can't figure out why?

Can anyone help please?

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.

my_list = [1, 2, 3]

def add_list(my_list):
  total = 0
  for item in my_list:
    total += item
  return total

def summarize(total):
  return "The sum of " + str(my_list) + " is {}".format(total)

print(summarize(add_list(my_list)))

1 Answer

The summarize method is supposed to take a list instead of the total. You're definitely on the right track though.

Neil Tamplin
Neil Tamplin
6,659 Points

Ah! Thanks Geoff. Duh! Obvious when I re-read the task. :)

Solution below for anyone interested.

# 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.

my_list = [1, 2, 3]

def add_list(my_list):
  total = 0
  for item in my_list:
    total += item
  return total

def summarize(my_list):
  return "The sum of " + str(my_list) + " is {}".format(add_list(my_list))

print(summarize(my_list))