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Python Python Basics (2015) Number Game App Squared

Posted by Cam Treschuk
Cam Treschuk
7,378 Points

Code problem

This challenge isn't working. Am I doing anything wrong?

squared.py 
# EXAMPLES
# squared(5) would return 25
# squared("2") would return 4
# squared("tim") would return "timtimtim"
def squared(num):
    try:
        int(num)
        return num * num
    except TypeError:
        str(num)
        return num * len(num)

2 Answers

asd asdf
asd asdf
Courses Plus Student 298 Points

when you do int(num), that statement doesn't change the value of num, you need to assign it, like num = int(num). If you add that it should work. Same for str(num) but that line isn't needed anyway.

Cam Treschuk
Cam Treschuk
7,378 Points

Yep, that worked. Thanks!

Chris Jones
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree seal-36
Chris Jones
Java Web Development Techdegree Graduate 23,933 Points
Chris Jones
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree seal-36
Chris Jones
Java Web Development Techdegree Graduate 23,933 Points

Hey Cam,

I think the int() function will throw a ValueError, not TypeError, when the argument can't be cast to an int. Does changing the except clause to ValueError instead of TypeError pass the challenge?

Below is what I see when I use the python shell. Notice that a ValueError is thrown.

Python 3.6.2 (v3.6.2:5fd33b5, Jul  8 2017, 04:14:34) [MSC v.1900 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
Type "copyright", "credits" or "license()" for more information.
>>> num = "tim"
>>> int(num)
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<pyshell#1>", line 1, in <module>
    int(num)
ValueError: invalid literal for int() with base 10: 'tim'
>>>

Let me know if that helps!