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Python Python Basics Functions and Looping Returning Values

Posted by Catherine Paris
Catherine Paris
1,505 Points

Question about variable names in functions

In the check please example how does Python know to use the user input from total_due as the total???? Shouldn't the variable be called total?

import math

def split_check(total, number_of_people): return math.ceil(total/number_of_people)

total_due = float(input("What is the total? ")) number_of_people = int(input("How many people? "))

amount_due = split_check(total_due, number_of_people)

print("Each person owes ${}".format(amount_due))

2 Answers

KRIS NIKOLAISEN
KRIS NIKOLAISEN
54,972 Points

total_due is passed into split_check() as an argument here:

amount_due = split_check(total_due, number_of_people)

The parameter total of split_check could be named anything (following naming conventions) however the code within the function would have to be updated with the new name. For example:

def split_check(x, y):
  return math.ceil(x/y)

would return the same result

Catherine Paris
Catherine Paris
1,505 Points
Catherine Paris
Catherine Paris
1,505 Points

ok I see. The arguments name is unimportant. it's where you place the arguments when calling the function that matters

Darcie Kutryk
Darcie Kutryk
2,129 Points
Darcie Kutryk
Darcie Kutryk
2,129 Points

Thanks Catherine, I had the same question.