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Python Python Basics (2015) Logic in Python Try and Except

Posted by George Lugo
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
George Lugo
Python Web Development Techdegree Student 922 Points

i don't understand why this is not working

def add("John", "Kelsey"): total = float("John" + "Kelsey") return total

trial.py 
def add("John", "Kelsey"):
    total = float("John" + "Kelsey")
    return total

2 Answers

Torsten Lundahl
Torsten Lundahl
2,570 Points
Torsten Lundahl
Torsten Lundahl
2,570 Points

The challange is asking you to add two arguments and return the total. You are defining two strings, and not two variables.

Change this:

def add("John", "Kelsey"):
    total = float("John" + "Kelsey")
    return total

To this:

def add(John, Kelsey):
    total = float(John + Kelsey)
    return total
markmneimneh
markmneimneh
14,132 Points
markmneimneh
markmneimneh
14,132 Points

Hello

you cant cast string to float unless they are 'numeric' string ... note the ' '

example 

total = float("1.005") + float("2.055")
should work

total = float("John") + float("Kelsey")
should not work

what you can do is
 total = "John" + "Kelsey"
even better
 total = "John" + " Kelsey"
or 
 total = "John" + " " + "Kelsey"
to have a space