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![matheus santana](https://uploads.teamtreehouse.com/production/profile-photos/10825565/micro_2819738__2_.jpg)
matheus santana
147 PointsAbout int(input
Hey guys just wanted to know why he had to use the "int(" can anyone pls help me ?
3 Answers
![Steven Parker](https://uploads.teamtreehouse.com/production/profile-photos/969492/micro_tool_chess_set_2.jpg)
Steven Parker
230,688 PointsThe "input" function takes in what is typed as a string. The "int" function converts it into a number that you can do math with (or make numeric comparisons).
![Brandon Reynolds](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/503fc00f863f7ac04c95f60abaa28ffa?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fecs-static.teamtreehouse.com%2Fassets%2Fcontent%2Fdefault_avatar-445fbbabfc8dc9188fb5967fe43322ee0c3e0dd1e10f378bf8343784af5a13eb.webp&r=pg)
Brandon Reynolds
1,736 PointsIf I understood Craig correctly, the reason why you have to use the int() function is because the input() function always returns a string and a whole number is an integer. So to convert an whole number from an integer to a string, you must use the int() function. At that point Python now considers the # (integer) a "#"(string) which is what input() is looking for.
![Aya khaled](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/dc5ea4bce3b4234cfbd35626b2799c59?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fecs-static.teamtreehouse.com%2Fassets%2Fcontent%2Fdefault_avatar-445fbbabfc8dc9188fb5967fe43322ee0c3e0dd1e10f378bf8343784af5a13eb.webp&r=pg)
Aya khaled
Courses Plus Student 1,967 Pointsbecause the input function return string and when you need to use it again and perform another operation you need to convert it to integer type