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

Posted by MUZ140847 Ralph Dendere
MUZ140847 Ralph Dendere
3,690 Points

how do you get a function to take values from a list

def add_list(list1): for number in list1: print(number) sum_of_list = number+number return sum_of_list

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(list1):
  for number in list1:
    sum_of_list = number+number
    return sum_of_list

1 Answer

Chris Adamson
Chris Adamson
132,143 Points
Chris Adamson
Chris Adamson
132,143 Points

In your code example, you have effectively created a sum_of_list variable scoped to the for loop. Also the return statement is in the for loop. You need to declare the sum_of_list variable before the start of the for loop, then in the for loop keep adding number to sum_of_list, and then return sum_of_list outside of the loop:

# 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(list1):
  sum_of_list = 0
  for number in list1:
    sum_of_list += number
  return sum_of_list
MUZ140847 Ralph Dendere
MUZ140847 Ralph Dendere
3,690 Points

thank you