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101 Python Challenges 101 Extra Python Challenges

Number Sequence – Finding the nth Term

Posted on by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges

Can you complete the following number sequences?

Number Sequence #1:number-sequence-2
Number Sequence #2:number-sequence-3
Number Sequence #3:number-sequence-1

Number Sequences


There are different types of number sequences. Let’s investigate the most widely used types of number sequences.
You may want to read this page first: https://www.mathsisfun.com/numberpatterns.html

Arithmetic Sequences

An Arithmetic Sequence is made by adding the same value each time. When creating an arithmetic number sequence you have to decide of a starting number (e.g. “2”) and an increment (e.g. “3”)

number-sequence-diagram-1

Geometric Sequences

A Geometric Sequence is made by multiplying by the same value each time.
When creating a geometric number sequence you have to decide of a starting number (e.g. “2”) and a multiplier (e.g. “3”)

number-sequence-diagram-2

Square Numbers

1,4,9,16,25,36…

This sequence consists of calculating the squares of whole numbers.

number-sequence-diagram-3

Incremental Sequence

1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 16, 22, 29, 37, …

This sequence is generated by adding an “increasing” number, that is a number that each time is incremented by 1 as we progress through the number sequence. Not clear? Check the diagram below.

number-sequence-diagram-4

Fibonacci Numbers

1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, …

The Fibonacci Sequence is found by adding the two numbers before it together.

  • The 3 is found by adding the two numbers before it (1+2)
  • The 5 is found by adding the two numbers before it (2+3)
  • The 8 is found by adding the two numbers before it (3+5)
  • …

number-sequence-diagram-5

Python Challenge


In this challenge, we are writing a Python script to help us find the nth term of a number sequence.

Arithmetic Sequence

We have completed the Python code to find out the nth term of an arithmetic number sequence:

Your challenge is to tweak this code to help find out the nth term of any:

  • Geometric Sequence
  • Square Number Sequence
  • Incremental Sequence
  • Fibonacci Numbers Sequence

Original Price Calculator

Posted on by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Beginner, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

sale-labelsShopping during the sales can sometimes be very confusing. With discounted prices at 10%, 20%, 50% or even 70%!

For this challenge you are going to write a Python script that prompts the user to enter a discounted price in pounds (or in your own currency) (e.g. £90) and the discount rate that this price benefits from (e.g. 25%).

Your program will then calculate and display the original price (price before discount) of the item (e.g. £120).

price-after-discount

Flowchart


Your program will consist of 3 key sections: Input > Process > Output
input-process-output

The flowchart of your program is as follows:
Price-Before-Discount-Flowchart

Python Code


Your task is to complete the following Python code:

Testing


You can now use your code to complete the following test plan:

Test # Input Values Expected Output Actual Output
#1 Discounted Price: £90
Discount Rate: 25%		 Original Price: £120
#2 Discounted Price: £45
Discount Rate: 40%		 Original Price: £75
#3 Discounted Price: £210
Discount Rate: 30%		 Original Price: £300

discounted-prices

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Solution...

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Python Turtle – Protractor Challenge

Posted on by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Beginner, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

Python Turtle? Let’s Recap!


Looking at the following code can you explain the purpose of each Python Turtle instructions:

  • turtle.color(“red”)
  • turtle.forward(100)
  • turtle.right(90)
  • turtle.left(45)
  • turtle.penup()
  • turtle.pendown()
  • turtle.goto(0,0)
  • turtle.circle(50)
  • turtle.setHeading(45)

(X,Y) Coordinates?


The canvas we are drawing on (using Python Turtle) is 400 pixels wide by 400 pixels high.
Look at the canvas below to understand how (x,y) coordinates work:

Protractor Challenge:


A protractor is an instrument used in Maths when measuring or drawing angles.

Our challenge is to use Python to draw a protractor on screen, using all the graduations for a scale going from 0° to 180°.
protractor

To do so we will use an iterative algorithm based on the following flowchart:
protractor_flowchart

Your task consists of using Python code to implement this flowchart using Python Turtle.

Extension Task #1


Improve the drawing of your protractor further by:

  • adding labels (e.g. 0°, 10°, etc.) next to each graduation,
  • adding smaller graduations (e.g. 5°, 15°, 25° etc. graduations).

Extension Task #2


Use a similar approach to draw an analogue clock using Python Turtle.
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Solution...

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Area Calculator Flowchart Challenge

Posted on by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Beginner, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

In this challenge you will design an algorithm to calculate the area of various shapes as listed below:

Shape Name Area
area-square Square width2
area-rectangle Rectangle width x length
area-circle Circle pi x radius2
area-triangle Triangle base x height / 2

Your algorithm should:

  • Ask the user which of the above four shapes they would like to calculate the area of,
  • Based on the chosen shape, your algorithm should ask the end user to enter the required dimensions (e.g. width, or width and length or radius or base and height),
  • Calculate and display the area of the chosen shape.

Flowchart Challenge


Use our flowchart desing tool to create the flowchart of your algorithm.

Online Flowchart Creator

Python Challenge


Once you have completed your flowchart, you can implement this algorithm using Python code.

Test Plan

Test # Input Values Expected Output Actual Output
#1 Square
Width: 5		 Area: 25
#2 Rectangle
Width: 4
Length: 6 		Area: 24
#3 Circle
Radius: 10 		Area: 314.159
#4 Triangle
Base: 7
Height: 4 		Area: 14

Extension Task


Complete your algorithm to cater for additional shapes including parallelograms, rhombus and hexagons.
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Solution...

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Min, Max, Mean, Median and Mod – Flowcharts

Posted on by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Computing Concepts, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

In this challenge we will design algorithms used to calculate the Min, Max, Mean, Median and Mod from a list of numbers.

First you may want to refresh your maths skills and check the meaning of these terms: http://www.purplemath.com/modules/meanmode.htm

MIN Flowchart


min-flowchart

Challenge #1


Use our flowchart designer tool to create 4 more flowcharts to:

  • Calculate the Max value of a given list,
  • Calculate the Mean value of a given list,
  • Calculate the Median value of a given list,
  • Calculate the Mod value of a given list.
Online Flowchart Creator

Challenge #2


Now that you have designed your algorithms you can implement these using Python code.

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Solution...

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Fizz-Buzz Game Algorithm

Posted on by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges

fizz-buzz-iconFizz-Buzz is a group word game for children to teach them about division. Players take turns to count incrementally, replacing any multiple of three with the word “fizz”, and any multiple of five with the word “buzz”.

Fizz-Buzz Challenge


For this challenge you need to write a computer program that will display all the numbers between 1 and 100.

  • For each number divisible by three the computer will display the word “fizz”,
  • For each number divisible by five the computer will display the word “buzz”,
  • For each number divisible by three and by five the computer will display the word “fizz-buzz”,

This is what the output will look like:

    1
    2
    Fizz
    4
    Buzz
    Fizz
    7
    …

Fizz-Buzz Algorithm


Check the following flowchart used to generate the first 100 numbers using the Fizz-Buzz rules. (Click on the flowchart to enlarge it).
flowchart-fizz-buzz

Python Challenge


Use the above flowchart to complete this Python code.

Extension Task #1


Tweak this code to use the input command in Python. The program should ask the user to input numbers in order or type the word Fizz or Buzz when required. The program should check that the user has typed the right number or the right word and stop if not. It should then give the final score (How far the player completed the game).

Extension Task #2


Improve this code further to give the players three lives. The player can make up to 3 mistakes. Each time they make a mistake they lose 10 points but carry on playing till they lose their three lives.

Finding the factors of…

Posted on by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

For this challenge you will use an algorithm to find all the factors of a given number.

Factors are numbers we can multiply together to get another number. For instance, factors of 15 are 1, 3, 5 and 15, because 1×15=15 and 3×5 = 15.

Your algorithm will be based on the INPUT – PROCESS – OUTPUT model:

  • INPUT: Ask the user to enter a number,
  • PROCESS: Identify all the factors of this number,
  • OUTPUT: Display all the factors of this number.

Flowchart


flowchart-factors-of-a-number

Task 1: Python Code


Your task is to implement your algorithm using Python code.

Task 2: Test Plan

Test # Type of Test Input Values Expected Output Actual Output
#1 Valid 12 1,2,3,4,6,12
#2 Valid 21 1,3,7,21
#3 Valid 48 1,2,3,4,6,8,12,16,24,48
#4 Valid 13 1,13

Task 3: Extension Task: Prime Number?

A prime number is a number that has exactly two factors (1 and itself). Which means that a prime number can be divided evenly only by 1, or itself. A prime number must be a whole number greater than 1.

How could you tweak this code to detect if a number is a prime number or not. If a number is a prime number your algorithm should display a message saying so.

Task 4: Extension Task: Simplifying a Fraction


Complete the following two challenges:

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Solution...

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Bidding Process – Flowchart

Posted on by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

auction-bidFor this challenge we will consider the bidding process used within online auction websites such as eBay.

Our aim is to create a system that will accept bids from the end-user, check if the bid being placed is greater than the current bid and if so, update the value of the current bid.

Here is the flowchart for our Bidding System: (Click on this flowchart to open in new window)
ebay-flowchart

Making Predictions


Check the above flowchart to understand how this algorithm will work. Based on this flowchart can you answer the following questions?


?
What will be the first question asked to the end user?


?
How does this algorithm decide if a bid is a valid bid or not?


?
How does this algorithm decide when the bidding process ends?


?
What will be the last message displayed to the end-user?

Python Challenge


Your challenge is to use Python code to implement this algorithm.

Extension Task


Check the following two blog posts to see how this code could be improved further by adding validation routines when capturing user inputs. Use these techniques to make your bidding system more robust:

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Solution...

The solution for this challenge is available to full members!
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Entry Fees Calculator using a Flowchart

Posted on by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Beginner, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

For this challenge you will create a flowchart to explain the process that a computer will have to follow to calculate the entry fees to an aqua park for a small group of visitors or a family.

Below is the price list of the aqua park:
Aqua-Park-Price-List

Video Tutorial

Watch the video tutorial for step by step instructions on how to complete this challenge.

Task 1: Design the Flowchart


First you will design the flowchart for your algorithm. The aim is your algorithm is to:

  • Ask the user how many adult tickets are needed,
  • Ask the user how many child tickets are needed,
  • Calculate the total cost of this order,
  • Decide if this order qualifies for a 5% discount and if so, calculate the new total cost of the order,
  • Output the total cost of the order.
Online Flowchart Creator (using Google Chrome)

Task 2: Python Code


Once your flowchart is complete, implement your algorithm using Python code.

Task 3: Test Plan

Test # Type of Test Input Values Expected Output Actual Output
#1 Valid Adults: 2
Children: 1		 Total Cost: £41
#2 Valid Adults: 1
Children: 0		 Total Cost: £15
#3 Valid Adults: 2
Children: 3		 Total Cost: £59.85
#4 Valid Adults: 5
Children: 12		 Total Cost: £196.65
#5 Valid Extreme Adults: 0
Children: 0		 Total Cost: £0
#6 Erroneous Adults: abc
Children: xyz		 Error Message

Task 4: Adding extra validation routines

Tweak your code to add some validation routines when capturing user inputs. For instance, you want to make sure that the user only enters a positive integer value when asked for the number of tickets required.

You might find this blog post useful to ensure the user provides an integer value when asked to do so.

Adding validation routines when capturing user inputs is always a good approach to improve your programs and make them more robust.

You can investigate other forms of validation routines on this page.

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Solution...

The solution for this challenge is available to full members!
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Flowchart Creator

Posted on by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Computing Concepts

A flowchart is a visual diagram used to describe an algorithm. It enables you to describe the key steps of your algorithms and highlights when the user will be required to input data, when the computer will output/display information to the end-user, when a decision block (Selection / IF Statement) or a loop (Iteration) is used.

A flowchart uses specific shapes including:

  • Oval shapes to represent the START and END of an algorithm,
  • Parallelogram shapes to represent interactions with the end-user (INPUT and OUTPUT),
  • Rectangle shapes to represent a process or a calculation,
  • Diamond shapes to represent an IF Statement (Selection) or a LOOP (iteration).

Flowchart Task


Try our new online flowchart creator to design your own algorithms.

Recommended Browser: Google Chrome.

To familiarise yourself with this tool, try to reproduce the following flowchart:
star-rating-validation-flowchart

Online Flowchart Creator
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