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Python Python Basics Functions and Looping Returning Values

Posted by Simon Whitwick
Simon Whitwick
Courses Plus Student 199 Points

Really Stuck

I am really struggling to write the code required for the function challenge.

so far all I got was def square(number): return number * number square(3)

how do I then store the value returned in a new variable called result.

Thought I was doing ok, but I have hit a road block.

thanks

2 Answers

Christy Grimaud
Christy Grimaud
19,727 Points
Christy Grimaud
Christy Grimaud
19,727 Points

The wording on these can be confusing so I'll try and show you how I broke it down in my head:

"Under the function definition, call your new function and pass it the argument 3."

  • "call the function" means to type out the name of the function. "Pass the argument" is asking you to enter that number in the parenthesis 
def square(number):
return number * number

square(3) # call the function, pass it the argument 3

"Since your square function returns a value, create a new variable named result to store the value from the function call."

  • The first thing I see is they wants a new variable named "result" so that part is pretty straight forward:
result = # something will go here
  • Then it says "to store the value from the function call." When you called square(3) it technically holds the value of 9 (since 3*3 = 9). So ultimately they want you to create the variable named "result" to store the value of square(3).
def square(number):
return number * number

result = square(3) # call the function, pass it the argument 3, store this value in a new variable called "result"

I hope this helps!

Dom Ss
Dom Ss
4,339 Points
Dom Ss
Dom Ss
4,339 Points

Perfect explanation @Christy Grimaud

Pedro Cabral
Pedro Cabral
33,586 Points
Pedro Cabral
Pedro Cabral
33,586 Points 
variable = function(argument) # the variable will hold whatever the function returns
Simon Whitwick
Simon Whitwick
Courses Plus Student 199 Points

Hi. Thanks for the post. Im still struggling. My code so far is as below

def square(number):

return number * number

The next part to the question is below. What would you add to the code to complete this question? thanks

Great now that you have created your new square method, let's put it to use. Under the function definition, call your new function and pass it the argument 3. Since your square function returns a value, create a new variable named result to store the value from the function call.