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Python Python Basics Functions and Looping Create a Function

Posted by Katrine AMS Guirguis
Katrine AMS Guirguis
2,587 Points

Create a Function python.....

What have I done wrong now??

squaring.py 
def square(number)
return square * 2

2 Answers

Shawn Jones
Shawn Jones
15,579 Points

Hi Katrine Guirguis , a quick couple of fixes:

First, make sure when you're defining a function you end the definition statement with a colon ":" after the parenthesis:

    def square(number):

Second, make sure that whatever parameter you assign in the arguments, you actually use that parameter in your return

    def square(number):
        return number * 2

Third, indentation is key. reference my example above to see how the return is nested.

Finally, a square number is a number multiplied to itself. so 6 * 6, 7 * 7, not 7 * 2. I would make sure your number multiplies itself:

    def square(number):
        return number * number

or 

    def square(number):
        return number ** 2

I hope that helps!

Jose Alvarez
Jose Alvarez
382 Points
Jose Alvarez
Jose Alvarez
382 Points

so i got as far as you explained but now i can figure out how to take the output and assign it to a variable called result... i tried the follow ing but it didnt work

def square(number): return number * number result = square(number)

square(3)

Shawn Jones
Shawn Jones
15,579 Points

Jose Alvarez you would assign the result to a variable named response like so:

def square(number):
    # code inside here that does stuff

# this is how you would set response to be the return of the function
response = square(3)

when the function finishes its work and returns the value, that value will then be set to response