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JavaScript JavaScript Array Iteration Methods Array Manipulation Return a Single Value from an Array with reduce()

Posted by Rick S
Rick S
11,273 Points

Unexpected identifier error given to me with next challenge

Not sure what I'm doing wrong:

  const phoneNumbers = ["(503) 123-4567", "(646) 123-4567", "(503) 987-6543", "(503) 234-5678", "(212) 123-4567", "(416) 123-4567"];
  let numberOf503;

  // numberOf503 should be: 3
  // Write your code below
  numberOf503 = phoneNumbers.reduce( (sum, phoneNumber) => {
      if phoneNumber.startsWith('(503') {
          sum += 1;
          return sum;
      }
      return sum; 
    }, 0);

3 Answers

Cameron Childres
Cameron Childres
11,820 Points
Cameron Childres
Cameron Childres
11,820 Points

Hi Rick,

You're missing the parenthesis around the conditional for your if statement. There's also a tiny typo -- a missing "s" on the end of phoneNumbers on line 6.

If you add in the parenthesis and correct the typo your code works great:

numberOf503 = phoneNumbers.reduce( (sum, phoneNumbers) => {
    if (phoneNumbers.startsWith('(503')) {
        sum += 1;
        return sum;
    }
    return sum; 
  }, 0);
Rick S
Rick S
11,273 Points
Rick S
Rick S
11,273 Points

I was thinking the if condition wouldn't need parentheses, so I didn't think to try that. It works once I add those. Thanks, Cameron!

The 's' actually isn't needed for the formal argument of the callback. Since it represents a single element in the array, rather than the entire array being passed each time it iterates, I named it in the singular. This is the pattern I've seen in examples, so I just followed that. But it could be named whatever as long as it matches what is used in the body of the callback.

Cameron Childres
Cameron Childres
11,820 Points
Cameron Childres
Cameron Childres
11,820 Points

My mistake! I was a little too hasty and when I rewrote your if statement I put an 's' on the end myself then noticed a mismatch (of my own creation!). You're absolutely correct, good catch :)

Rick S
Rick S
11,273 Points
Rick S
Rick S
11,273 Points

No problem. You're quick response was very helpful!