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Python Python Basics (Retired) Pick a Number! Any Number! Imports

how am i supposed to do this? Don't really get it.

can someone help me as to how I'm supposed to do this. Thanks!!!

imports.py
import random
def random_member(list):
    return len(list)

5 Answers

import random

def random_member(list):
    x = len(list) - 1
    num = random.randint(0, x)
    return list[num]

Im on task 3 which is: Now, make random_member pick a random number between 0 and the length of the list, minus 1. So if the length was 5, get a number between 0 and 4. Return the list item with that index.

Hi Bryce,

You want to avoid using "list" as a variable, as list is a keyword. I would recommend using something like "my_list" or "lst" instead. Are you having an issue with task 2 or task 3 for this challenge? Other than avoiding use of the list keyword, it looks fine for task 2.

rdaniels
rdaniels
27,258 Points

This is how I did it. It passed the 3 challenges

import random

def random_member(my_list):
return len(my_list)

return random_member(len(my_list) - 1)

Hope this helps!!

To pass the third challenge you need to alter what is being returned by the random_member function. Here's how I solved it:

import random

def random_member(my_list):
  random_index = random.randint(0, (len(my_list)-1))
  return my_list[random_index]

Note that I have added step where I pass the random number, between 0 and the length of the list -1, to the random_index variable. I then use this variable to return the item at that index from the my_list list.

Hope that helps!

Nejc's answer above should complete Task 3 for you. The key is to remember that you want to get the item at the list index, which is why you return list[num] instead of just the random number returned from the prior step.

brightcricket
brightcricket
4,590 Points

I tried the code above and while it makes sense and should work, I am not able to pass the 3rd challenge. (Same code as Rodney's)