Snowflake Challenge

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Beginner, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

Learning Objectives

In this challenge we will use our Python Turtle skills to draw a snowflake.

We will use iteration (For Loop) to recreate each branch of the snowflake.

Step 1: The first branch

First, let’s recap on the main Python Turtle commands:

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

Using these commands you will need to draw the following pattern:

Step 2: Using a For Loop to complete the snowflake

You are now going to use a for loop to repeat all of this code 6 times and complete your snowflake. Make sure that between each iteration you turn your turtle by 60 degrees.

Remember to use our Python Cheat Sheet to find out how the For loop works.

Video Tutorial

Challenge 2: Let it Snow

Tweak your code to create more complex snowflakes:

Solution...

The solution for this challenge is available to full members!
Find out how to become a member:
➤ Members' Area

Tagged with: Coordinates, iteration, Python Turtle

Leap Year?

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges

Challenge #1: Leap Year?

Write a program that lets the end-user enter a year using 4 digits (“yyyy” format).

The program should inform the user whether the year entered is a leap year or not.

Challenge #2: Valid and Invalid Dates

Write a program that lets the end-user enter a date using the “dd/mm/yyyy” format.

The program should inform the user whether the date entered is a valid date or not using the following criteria:

“mm”	Month	Acceptable Date Range (“dd”)
01	January	1 to 31
02	February	1 to 29 on a leap year 1 to 28 otherwise
03	March	1 to 31
04	April	1 to 30
05	May	1 to 31
06	June	1 to 30
07	July	1 to 31
08	August	1 to 31
09	September	1 to 30
10	October	1 to 31
11	November	1 to 30
12	December	1 to 31

My Name is Bond, James Bond

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Beginner, Python Challenges

Challenge #1: Hello World!

Write a program that displays the message “Hello World!”

Change your program so that it asks for the end-user to type their firstname. (e.g. “John”)

The program should then display “Hello John!”

Challenge #2: My Name is Bond, James Bond!

Write a program that asks the end-user to enter their firstname and their lastame.

When the user enters their firstname (e.g.”James”) and their lastname (e.g. “Bond”) the program should then display the following output:

“Hello my name is Bond, James Bond”

What’s My Username?

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

Learning objectives

In this challenge we will use string manipulation techniques to manipulate text data.
In Python a String is a piece of text. It can contain letters, numbers and punctuation signs.

Hello my name is Bond, James Bond

Look at the following code which highlights some key string manipulation techniques:

Using the code above can you tell how to use Python to:

Prompt the user to enter their firstname?
Concatenate two strings together to create a longer string?
Retrieve the first character of a string?
Convert a string to uppercase?
Calculate the length (number of characters) of a string?
Convert a number into a string?

Challenge:

Write a program that asks the end-user to enter the following information:

Firstname
Lastname
Year Group

The program should then generate the end-user’s username using the following rules:

2-digit year group + first letter of firstname + lastname
The username should be all lowercase
If the year group is in 1 digit only (e.g.: 7) then add a “0” in front to make it two digits e.g. “07”

Test your program with the following data:

Firstname	Lastname	Year Group	Expected Output	Actual Output
John	Lennon	7	07jlennon
Paul	McCartney	11	11pmccartney
George	Harrison	8	08gharrison
Ringo	Starr	9	09rstarr

Solution...

The solution for this challenge is available to full members!
Find out how to become a member:
➤ Members' Area

Car Logos using Python Turtle

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Beginner, Python Challenges

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

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

(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:

Challenge #1:

Using the instructions mentioned above recreate the following car logos.
Car-Logos

The first one is done for you.

Challenge #2:

Add your own functions to recreate other car logos of your choice or create your own logo.

Gradient Generator

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Advanced, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

Learning Objectives

By completing this challenge you will gain a good understanding of how RGB colour codes and hexadecimal colour codes work and you will apply this understanding to produce a complex algorithm.

Challenge #1

Complete the code below so that it draws 6 additional squares of different colours creating a linear gradient between both the given colours.

This is what the program should display on screen:

Allow the user to change the colours and make sure your program always create the desired gradient.

Challenge #2

The second challenge is similar to challenge #1, however this time the user will enter colour codes using the hexadecimal code. e.g. #FF0000 for red.
You will need to convert these codes back into RGB code before creating your gradient.

Solution...

The solution for this challenge is available to full members!
Find out how to become a member:
➤ Members' Area

Tagged with: Coordinates, iteration, Python Challenge, Python Turtle

Volume Calculator

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges, Solved Challenges

Learning Objectives

By completing this challenge we are going to learn how to define our own functions in Python.
We will also assign parameters to our functions.

Look at the code below used to calculate the volume of a cube. This code is based on the use of a function called getVolumeOfCube(). This function takes one parameter (width) and return the volume of the cube (in mL).

def getVolumeOfCube(width):
    volume = width * width * width
    #This calculates the volume in cubic millimeters. Divide it by 1000 to get this volume in mL
    volume=volume/1000
    return volume

#Main Program Starts Here
cubeVolume=getVolumeOfCube(50)
print("The volume of a cube with a side of 50mm is: " + str(cubeVolume) + " mL.")

Challenge #1:

Complete the following code to add 3 functions as follows:

getVolumeOfCylinder(radius, height)
getVolumeOfCuboid(width, length, height)
getVolumeOfCone(radius, height)

Challenge #2:

Use all of your functions to calculate the volume of each of these bottles:
BottlesABCD

Solution...

The solution for this challenge is available to full members!
Find out how to become a member:
➤ Members' Area

Turtle Spirals

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Intermediate, Python Challenges

Before comleting this challenge you may want to recap on our previous two challenges:

In this challenge we are using iteration to repeat a number of instructions over and over.

Square Based Spiral #1:

Square Based Spiral #2:

Spider Web:

Your Challenge:

Tweak any of these trinkets to make your own spiral effect. Try to reproduce some of these:

Python Turtle – Iteration

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Beginner, Python Challenges

Let’s Recap

In our previous challenge, we looked at using sequencing to write a program using Python Turtle to complete a drawing.

Remember when using Python Turtle, the most useful instrcutions are as follows:

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

Learning Objectives:

In this challenge we are going to use for loops to repeat a set of instructions many times. This is called iteration.

We are also going to look at nested loops. (A loop within a loop)

Challenge:

By using a loop you can repeat a set of instructions many times. This is called iteration.
Look at the following scripts: Can you create your own script using iteration?

Iteration Example 1: (Star)

Iteration Example 2: (Flower)

Iteration Example 3: (Using nested loops)

Python Turtle – Sequence

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Administrator Posted in Computer Science, Python - Beginner, Python Challenges

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

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

X and Y coordinates? Quadrant?

Check the above picture. Can you state three facts about X and Y coordinates and about quadrants?

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:

Python Code

Challenge #1: Sequencing

Writing a program that consists of a linear list of instructions written in a specific order is called sequencing.

Your Challenge

Use all of the instructions mentionned above to complete a drawing of your choice.

Challenge #2: Iteration

By using a loop you can repeat a set of instructions many times. This is called iteration.
Check the following challenge to create complex drawing using iteration.

Tagged with: Coordinates, Python Turtle

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Learning Objectives

Step 1: The first branch

Step 2: Using a For Loop to complete the snowflake

Video Tutorial

Challenge 2: Let it Snow

Solution...

Challenge #1: Leap Year?

Challenge #2: Valid and Invalid Dates

Challenge #1: Hello World!

Challenge #2: My Name is Bond, James Bond!

Learning objectives

Hello my name is Bond, James Bond

Challenge:

Solution...

(X,Y) Coordinates

Challenge #1:

Challenge #2:

Learning Objectives

Challenge #1

Challenge #2

Solution...

Learning Objectives

Challenge #1:

Challenge #2:

Solution...

Your Challenge:

Let’s Recap

Learning Objectives:

Challenge:

X and Y coordinates? Quadrant?

Python Code

Challenge #1: Sequencing

Your Challenge

Challenge #2: Iteration

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