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![Zahkyi Ferguson](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1edd3c9bbc06b2bfd9782b137ba977c4?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fecs-static.teamtreehouse.com%2Fassets%2Fcontent%2Fdefault_avatar-445fbbabfc8dc9188fb5967fe43322ee0c3e0dd1e10f378bf8343784af5a13eb.webp&r=pg)
Zahkyi Ferguson
504 Pointswhy am I receiving a Syntax error?
def square(number):
original_number = input("Pick a number ")
squared_number = original_number * original_number
return squared_number
2 Answers
![Steven Parker](https://uploads.teamtreehouse.com/production/profile-photos/969492/micro_tool_chess_set_2.jpg)
Steven Parker
230,688 PointsThe complete challenge message is "Bummer: SyntaxError: 'return' outside function"
By "'return' outside function", it's pointing out that the "return" statement is not indented, which means it is not part of the function — and syntax rules say a "return" is only allowed inside a function.
Also:
- the instructions don't ask you to "input" anything, so line 2 isn't needed
- the formula needs to make use of the parameter
![Zahkyi Ferguson](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1edd3c9bbc06b2bfd9782b137ba977c4?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fecs-static.teamtreehouse.com%2Fassets%2Fcontent%2Fdefault_avatar-445fbbabfc8dc9188fb5967fe43322ee0c3e0dd1e10f378bf8343784af5a13eb.webp&r=pg)
Zahkyi Ferguson
504 PointsThank you! I was overthinking it.