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Python Python Basics (2015) Number Game App Squared

Posted by CH. K Sri Krishna
CH. K Sri Krishna
516 Points

square of a number

This challenge is similar to an earlier one. Remember, though, I want you to practice! You'll probably want to use try and except on this one. You might have to not use the else block, though.

Write a function named squared that takes a single argument.

If the argument can be converted into an integer, convert it and return the square of the number (num ** 2 or num * num).

If the argument cannot be turned into an integer (maybe it's a string of non-numbers?), return the argument multiplied by its length. Look in the file for examples.

Above is the challenge, could not get the right answer please help me out,

Thank you

squared.py 
# EXAMPLES
# squared(5) would return 25
def squared(num):
    try:
        int(num)
    except valueError:
        print("thats not a number")
    else:
        print(num**2)
#    if num = int(number):
#        return(num**2)
#    else:
#        print(num**2)
# squared("2") would return 4
# squared("tim") would return "timtimtim"

1 Answer

Dave Harker
PLUS
Dave Harker
Courses Plus Student 15,510 Points
Dave Harker
Dave Harker
Courses Plus Student 15,510 Points

Hi CH. K Sri Krishna,

# Write a function named squared that takes a single argument.
def squared(num): # done, good.

# If the argument can be converted into an integer, convert it and
# return the square of the number (num ** 2 or num * num).
    try:

        # it's good you're testing it here, but why not just return here too?
        # perhaps try returning (int)num ** 2 directly here
        int(num) 

    # we don't care at this point why type of exception is thrown, just that it is. But either way :)
    except ValueError: 

        # if it failed casting it means we're here and it's not a number 
        # so let's just return num * len(num) at this point, then we don't need an else
        print("thats not a number") #return here instead of print

    # an else isn't necessary anymore because the requirements are met and
    # all scenarions are dealt with already :)
    else:
        print(num**2)

Thought I'd just put the reasoning in comments.
You're almost there, keep going :smile:

Hope that helps :dizzy:
Dave