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Python Python Basics (2015) Number Game App Squared

Posted by bill rde
bill rde
127 Points

need help

dont get it

squared.py 
# EXAMPLES
# squared(5) would return 25
# squared("2") would return 4
# squared("tim") would return "timtimtim"

def squared(a):
    try:
        return int(a) * int(a)
    except ValueError:
        print("")

squared("2")

3 Answers

Dan Garrison
Dan Garrison
22,457 Points
Dan Garrison
Dan Garrison
22,457 Points

Your statement in the try code block is fine, but you still need to handle the situation where you can't convert the argument into an integer in the except code block (You also don't need to include TypeError in the Except block). The instructions say that if you can't convert argument to an integer then you need to multiply the argument by the length of the argument. Remember the method for checking the length of something in python is len().

cbrown
cbrown
2,437 Points
cbrown
cbrown
2,437 Points

In the except code block, try: print( a * len(a))

Dan Garrison
Dan Garrison
22,457 Points
Dan Garrison
Dan Garrison
22,457 Points

Close. You don't need to print this. You need to return the value. Also you don't need a second try in the in the except code block. Your entire function should look something like this: 

def squared(arg):
    try:
        #Attempt to multiply the int version of the provided argument by the int version of itself

    except:
        #if an exception is thrown in the try statement because the argument cannot be converted to an int
        #run the code here to multiply the argument by the length of the argument.
cbrown
cbrown
2,437 Points
cbrown
cbrown
2,437 Points

Yes, in the exception block the only line needed is either: print (a * len(a)) or return (a * len(a)) depending on whether or not the instructions require the value to be printed or returned.

I meant "try writing this line of code in the exception block", not add a "try" in the exception block.

My apologies for the confusion.