Absolute Magnitude - Python Programming Exercise

This Python program calculates and displays the absolute value of a number x. The absolute value of a number is defined as the number itself if it is positive, and as the negation of the number if it is negative. For example, if the number is 5, its absolute value is 5, and if the number is -5, its absolute value is 5. In this program, the absolute value is calculated in two different ways—first using an if statement, and second using the conditional operator ("?"). This exercise helps familiarize beginners with different ways of implementing logic in Python, reinforcing both conditional logic and the use of ternary operators for concise code. The first approach uses a standard if-else statement to check if the number is negative or positive, providing a clear and traditional way to compute the absolute value. In contrast, the second method utilizes the conditional operator (also known as the ternary operator), which is a shorthand for the if-else construct. This alternative approach is often favored for its compactness and efficiency, especially when performing simple operations. Both methods teach valuable lessons about Python syntax and control structures, offering a practical demonstration of how to handle mathematical functions in different programming styles.

Exercise

Absolute Magnitude

Objective

Develop a Python program to calculate (and display) the absolute value of a number x: if the number is positive, its absolute value is exactly the number x; if it's negative, its absolute value is -x.

Do it in two different ways in the same program: using "if" and using the "conditional operator" (?).

Example Python Exercise

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Using "if"

# Prompt the user to enter a number
x = float(input("Please enter a number: "))

# Calculate the absolute value using if
if x >= 0:
    abs_value_if = x
else:
    abs_value_if = -x

# Display the absolute value using if
print(f"Absolute value using if: {abs_value_if}")

#Using Conditional Operator

# Prompt the user to enter a number
x = float(input("Please enter a number: "))

# Calculate the absolute value using the conditional operator
abs_value_conditional = x if x >= 0 else -x

# Display the absolute value using the conditional operator
print(f"Absolute value using the conditional operator: {abs_value_conditional}")

Output

Please enter a number: -5
Absolute value using if: 5.0
Absolute value using the conditional operator: 5.0

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Absolute Magnitude - Python Programming Exercise

Category

Mastering Flow Control

Exercise