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What happens when you need to send more than one argument to a function?
Solution
def multiply_two( num1, num2 ):
val = num1 * num2
return val
print(multiply_two( 5, 7))
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Okay, now that we've tackled sending a
single value to a function with arguments
0:00
and parameters, let's talk about
sending multiple values to functions.
0:04
The truth is,
there really isn't much of a difference.
0:09
You can send as many arguments
to a function as you want, so
0:11
long as it has a corresponding parameter.
0:14
You simply separate the values with
a comma when you call the function, and
0:17
separate the parameters with
a comma in the function definition.
0:20
Let's revisit the add_two function and
expand on it.
0:23
To recap, the add_two function
receives one argument.
0:27
Stores the value of that
argument in the parameter num.
0:30
Then adds two to that parameter.
0:34
Then it returns the sum.
0:37
What if instead we wanted a function that
would add any two integers together?
0:39
To do this we could send two integers
to the function when we call it and
0:44
rewrite or function a little so
that it can receive two arguments.
0:47
Just follow along with me here and in a
little while you'll have an opportunity to
0:51
open up your workspace and
try by yourself.
0:55
First, we'll modify the function so
we can receive a second parameter.
0:57
I'll change this first parameter to num1
and then add a second one called num2.
1:03
As you can see, all I did to make this
happen was add a second parameter
1:07
separated from the first by a comma.
1:12
It's important to note that no two
parameters can have the same name.
1:16
If you give two parameters the same
name the Python interpreter will send
1:19
an error back.
1:22
It's also very important to know that the
arguments will be received in the order
1:24
that they are sent.
1:28
The first argument in the function call
will always be received into the first
1:28
parameter in the function definition.
1:33
This is why these are called
positional arguments,
1:36
the order in which you send them matters.
1:38
The position of the argument must
correspond with the position
1:40
of the parameter.
1:44
Okay, now, in the body of the function
let's edit the expression that's assigned
1:45
to the val variable, so
it adds these two new parameters together.
1:49
Also, since the function was updated and
does something different now,
1:59
I'll also change the function name
to something that's more accurate.
2:02
And finally, let's fix our function call
to reflect the new function name and
2:09
the additional parameter.
2:13
And so, for the second argument I'll
just pick the integer 10 to send.
2:18
Now, I'm gonna add a print statement
around our function call so
2:21
we can see the outcome of our changes
when we save and run the program.
2:25
All right, now, I'm gonna save and
run down in our terminal.
2:33
Awesome, it printed out 15 which
is in fact the sum of 5 and 10.
2:47
Now, it's your turn.
2:51
Open up the attached workspace.
2:53
Inside you'll see the unmodified add two
function and a call to that function.
2:55
After pausing the video here try to
change up the add_two function so
2:59
that it receives two arguments.
3:03
The body of the function should multiply
these two arguments together and
3:05
then it should return that value.
3:09
After that edit the function
called to reflect the new number
3:10
of required arguments and
the new function name.
3:14
When you're done check the teacher's
note for the solution and
3:17
then unpause the video.
3:20
Welcome back,
I hope that was a fun challenge for you.
3:21
How did it go?
3:25
Before moving on the the next stage,
3:26
why don't you take a few moments to
play around with your updated function.
3:27
What happens if you don't
pass two arguments?
3:31
What happens if you pass
a string instead of an integer?
3:33
Try adding a third parameter and argument.
3:36
Have fun with it and poke around
before joining me in the next and
3:39
final stage of this course.
3:42
Keep on coding.
3:44
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