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1.1. Introduction to Problem Types

Please read the following and try to solve the problems.

1.1.1. Solving Mixed-up Code Puzzles

If you see a puzzle like the one below you will need to put the mixed-up code in the correct order on the right side. You may need to indent the blocks as well. There may also be extra blocks that are not needed in a correct solution that you can leave on the left side. Click the “Check” button to check your solution.

Try to solve the following mixed-up code problem. This problem provides indentation.

Drag the blocks from the left and put them in the correct order on the right. The text in each block defines the order.

        First block
---
Second block
---
Third block
        

Try to solve the following mixed-up code problem. This problem provides indentation and has extra blocks that are not needed in a correct solution.

Drag the blocks from the left and put them in the correct order on the right with the correct indentation. There is an extra block that is not needed in the correct solution.

        First block
---
Second block
---
Extra block that is not needed #paired: This block is not needed
---
Third block
        

The mixed-up code problems have a “Help me” button at the bottom of the problem. Once you have checked at least three incorrect solutions you can click the button for help. It will remove an incorrect code block, if you used one in your solution, or combine two blocks into one if there are more than three blocks left.

1.1.2. Solving Write Code Problems

If you see a problem like the one below, you will need to write code. The problem will have unit tests that you can run to check that your code is working correctly. Click on the “Run” button to compile and run your code. Look after the code area for compiler errors and/or unit test results.

Write a function called sum_list that takes a list of numbers and returns the sum of all the numbers in the list. For example, sum_list([1, 2, 3]) should return 6, sum_list([10, 20]) should return 30, and sum_list([]) should return 0.

# Write your code here. ==== from unittest.gui import TestCaseGui class myTests(TestCaseGui): def testOne(self): self.assertEqual(sum_list([1, 2, 3]), 6, "sum_list([1, 2, 3])") self.assertEqual(sum_list([10, 20]), 30, "sum_list([10, 20])") self.assertEqual(sum_list([]), 0, "sum_list([])") self.assertEqual(sum_list([5]), 5, "sum_list([5])") self.assertEqual(sum_list([1, 1, 1, 1]), 4, "sum_list([1, 1, 1, 1])") self.assertEqual(sum_list([-1, 1]), 0, "sum_list([-1, 1])") self.assertEqual(sum_list([100, 200, 300]), 600, "sum_list([100, 200, 300])") myTests().main()

1.1.3. Practice Python Problems with LadderPuzzles - How LadderPuzzle Works

After reading the problem, write your initial plan in the text box — just your rough idea of how you’d approach it. Then click “Get Ladder Puzzle” to receive a mixed-up code puzzle personalized to your written plan.

Please drag and arrange the steps into the correct order to come up with a full plan.

Once you’re done, you can start writing your solution in the code editor.

Finish a function, phrase(person, thing):

• It has person and thing as input.

• First verify whether person and thing are strings. If not, return False.

• If person and thing are two strings, return one string with the characters in person, followed by an empty space, and then followed by thing

• Make sure the first letter in person is capitalized and all the characters in thing are lowercase.

Here is an example plan (some steps may be missing, and the order may be wrong): Capitalize the first letter of the first string, lowercase the first letter of the second string, and concatenate them together. Then check if the two inputs are strings.

Step 1: Read the question above. Step 2: In your own words, describe the initial approach to solving it (it does not need to be complete or perfect!). Step 3: Hit 'Get Ladder Puzzle' when ready to see a planning puzzle. Step 4: Interact with the planning puzzle in your preferred ways. Step 5: Write your solution in this code box and click 'Save & Run' — your code will be tested automatically. ==== from unittest.gui import TestCaseGui class myTests(TestCaseGui): def testOne(self): self.assertEqual(phrase("sam", "Likes to code"), "Sam likes to code", 'phrase("sam", " Likes to code")') self.assertEqual(phrase("mary-anne", "likes to sing"), "Mary-anne likes to sing", 'phrase("mary-anne", " likes to sing")') self.assertEqual(phrase("ANNA", "likes to dance"), "Anna likes to dance", 'phrase("ANNA", " likes to dance")') self.assertEqual(phrase(1111, "likes programming"), False, 'phrase(1111, " likes programming")') myTests().main()

You might also see a planning question that asks you to write out your plan in text. You can write out your plan in the text box.

Finish a function phrase(person, thing):

• It has person and thing as input.
• First verify whether person and thing are strings. If not, return False.
• If person and thing are two strings, return one string with the characters in person, followed by an empty space, and then followed by thing.
• Make sure the first letter in person is capitalized and all the characters in thing are lowercase.

Before you write code, what steps will you take to approach this problem? You can write your plan in the space below.

In this practice, you will work through 5 programming problems.

Depending on the version assigned to you, the problems will be the same but in a different order, alternating between LadderPuzzle and a planning question, with a write-code-only problem in the middle.

1. two problems with LadderPuzzle, one write-code-only problem, two problems with a planning question

2. two problems with a planning question, one write-code-only problem, two problems with LadderPuzzle

1.1.4. What to do next - Click Continue to start

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More Python Problems with LadderPuzzles

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