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

Posted by Finlay Schlieper
Finlay Schlieper
6,935 Points

Python Functions

I don't know how to complete the challenge. Truly stuck. Please Help.

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(list):
    for item in list:
    return total

2 Answers

Paolo Villanueva
Paolo Villanueva
7,654 Points

First, you need to initialize what total is. Second, you need to add the "item" to total.

For the summarize function, you just have to use your first function because it wants you to add a list. Then return the formatted string.

Here's my work:

def add_list(a): total = 0 for item in a: total += item return total

def summarize(a): return "The sum of {} is {}.".format(str(a), add_list(a))

P.S. there's a built-in function in python called sum(). It can take a list and return the sum. That's what I used when I was doing this challenge.

William Gough
William Gough
18,852 Points
William Gough
William Gough
18,852 Points

Here's my solution to challenge 1 & 2!

def add_list(list):
  total = 0;
  for item in list:
    total += item
  return total

def summarize(list):
  total = 0;
  for item in list:
    total += item
  return "The sum of {} is {}".format(str(list), total)

Hope this helps!