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Python Python Collections (2016, retired 2019) Tuples Packing

Posted by Conrad Landicho
Conrad Landicho
3,312 Points

multiplying the members of a tuple

Hi guys, I can't seem to figure out this one. Please take a look at my code, and tell me what I'm doing wrong. Here's the Challenge question: Let's play with the *args pattern. Create a function named multiply that takes any number of arguments. Return the product (multiplied value) of all of the supplied arguments. The type of argument shouldn't matter. Slices might come in handy for this one.

Thanks in advance for your help .....

--Conrad

twoples.py 
def multiply(*nums):
       product = 1
       for num in nums:
             product = product * nums
       return product

6 Answers

Taylor Schimek
Taylor Schimek
19,318 Points
Taylor Schimek
Taylor Schimek
19,318 Points

Need to multiply product by num, not nums.

Give that a shot.

Nataly Rifold
Nataly Rifold
12,431 Points
Nataly Rifold
Nataly Rifold
12,431 Points

I have a question, why do I need to set the object product = 1 for my code to work? Why can't it work like this:

def multiply(*nums): for num in nums: total = num * num return total

Gerard Nwazk
PLUS
Gerard Nwazk
Courses Plus Student 2,833 Points
Gerard Nwazk
Gerard Nwazk
Courses Plus Student 2,833 Points 
def multiply(product, *nums):
    factor= product
    for num in nums:
        factor *= num
    return factor
Conrad Landicho
Conrad Landicho
3,312 Points
Conrad Landicho
Conrad Landicho
3,312 Points

cool ! it works :-) Thanks Taylor.

vikram choudermet
vikram choudermet
5,701 Points
vikram choudermet
vikram choudermet
5,701 Points

def multiply(*nums): product = 1 for num in nums: product = product * nums return product

still getting error??

Steef Vendy
Steef Vendy
977 Points

Check your indentation for return and change the

product = product * nums to product = product * num

Prince Vonleh
PLUS
Prince Vonleh
Courses Plus Student 4,552 Points
Prince Vonleh
Prince Vonleh
Courses Plus Student 4,552 Points

def multiply(factor, *args):

for i in args:
    factor = factor * i
return factor
Alexander Kim
Alexander Kim
1,243 Points

This may be a stupid question, but how do you know the product = 1?