Welcome to the Treehouse Community
Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.
Looking to learn something new?
Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.
Start your free trial![](https://ecs-static.teamtreehouse.com/assets/views/marketing/shared/community-banner-white-47072046c51352fe6a69f5e691ff5700b28bb11d45197d7bdf066d9ea3f72d0c.webp)
![Stone Currier](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/14f8133851e2f26ec6f89957fff01092?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fecs-static.teamtreehouse.com%2Fassets%2Fcontent%2Fdefault_avatar-445fbbabfc8dc9188fb5967fe43322ee0c3e0dd1e10f378bf8343784af5a13eb.webp&r=pg)
Stone Currier
637 Pointsreason for total and total_due
I don’t understand why I'm creating a total and a total_due what is the difference? CODE FROM LESSON STARTS HERE
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))
[MOD: added ```python formatting -cf]
1 Answer
![Chris Freeman](https://uploads.teamtreehouse.com/production/profile-photos/1153532/micro_image.jpg)
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,425 PointsHey Stone Currier, good question! The name or label chosen for an object (aka, variable name) is local to the “level of reference” or level of code or scope. The name total_due
is defined at the top level and belongs the the top-level or module namespace. The name total
is defined and belongs to the function split_check
local namespace.
Even if both were named the same, they would not be the same. The function label would reference the same object that the argument label points at. That is, total_due
points to the result of the equation, and since total_due
is passed into the function, the local label total
also points at that same object (the result of the equation).
Think of the function total
becoming an alias for total_due
. Even if both were named the same as “total”, it would be the local “total” as an alias for the module “total”.
Post back if you need more help. Good luck!!!
![M D](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/cdef361bad1aa0a05f876f719473cdea?s=60&d=https%3A%2F%2Fecs-static.teamtreehouse.com%2Fassets%2Fcontent%2Fdefault_avatar-445fbbabfc8dc9188fb5967fe43322ee0c3e0dd1e10f378bf8343784af5a13eb.webp&r=pg)
M D
Python Development Techdegree Student 598 PointsHi Chris, thank you for your answer. I have a follow up question on your reply, if we use "total" instead of "total_due", that should still give us the same result right? Since "number_of_people" are using in both module and local.
![Chris Freeman](https://uploads.teamtreehouse.com/production/profile-photos/1153532/micro_image.jpg)
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,425 PointsM D, you are correct. Using total
instead on total_due
to point to the result of the first input statement would still behave the same, but perhaps not for the reasons you think.
The total
and number_of_people
inside the function are different from the same named variables outside the function. Each pair are in different namespaces. The pair inside the function are only equated with the pair outside the function due to the function call.
Laura Mora Freeman
8,192 PointsLaura Mora Freeman
8,192 PointsI have the same question and still don´t quite get it