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Python Python Basics Functions and Looping Returning Values

Posted by Stone Currier
Stone Currier
637 Points

reason 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]

Laura Mora Freeman
Laura Mora Freeman
8,192 Points
Laura Mora Freeman
Laura Mora Freeman
8,192 Points

I have the same question and still don´t quite get it

1 Answer

Chris Freeman
MOD
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,454 Points
Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,454 Points

Hey 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
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
M D
Python Development Techdegree Student 598 Points
M D
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
M D
Python Development Techdegree Student 598 Points

Hi 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
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,454 Points
Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,454 Points

M 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.