Hi learning about python in python basics, stuck on this lesson

Question

def add(float num1,float num2):
   sum = num1 + num2
    sum=float(sum)
  return  sum
at it so long  now losing faith
```trial.py
def add(float num1,float num2):
   sum = num1 + num2
    sum=float(sum)
  return  sum
```

Jennifer Nordell · Accepted Answer

Don't lose faith!  You'll get the hang of it.  Let me show you what you need then I'll walk you through it:
```python
def add(num1, num2):
  try:
    return float(num1) + float(num2)
  except ValueError:
    return None
```
So first we declare our function which takes two pieces of input.  Let's say we've asked our users to send us two numbers. Users though tend to hit incorrect keys or send things we don't ask for.  So what we're going to do is first check to see that we can convert those two pieces of input to floats.  If both pieces can be converted to floats we add the two numbers together then return the result of the addition.  If either one of those pieces of input fails to convert to a float with a "ValueError"  then we return None.  
Hope that clears things up!  When it gets difficult just try to remember why you worked this hard in the first place.  Persistence generally pays off... eventually :)

Kourosh Raeen · Answer

When defining a function you shouldn't specify any type for the formal parameters:
python
def add(num1, num2):
  sum = num1 + num2
  return sum

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John Cuddihy

John Cuddihy

Hi learning about python in python basics, stuck on this lesson

2 Answers

Jennifer Nordell

Jennifer Nordell

John Cuddihy

John Cuddihy

Haider Ali

Haider Ali

Daniel Holmes

Daniel Holmes

Kourosh Raeen

Kourosh Raeen