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Python Python Basics Functions and Looping Returning Values

Joseph Heckert
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Joseph Heckert
Python Development Techdegree Student 3,908 Points

Best Practice for math.ceil() placement?

I wondered... Is there some kind of a best practice for where to put the math.ceil() function? In the video, Craig wrapped the total / number_of_people calculation in the math.ceil() function - I wondered if there's a reason to do it there instead of in the return line like this:

def split_check(total, number_of_people):
        cost_per_person = total / number_of_people
        return math.ceil(cost_per_person)

1 Answer

Travis Alstrand
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Travis Alstrand
Treehouse Project Reviewer

Hey Joseph Heckert !

Thanks for sharing your question! For future posts, remember there is a Markdown Cheatsheet provided here. If you wrap your code inside of triple backticks it makes it a bit easier to read

def split_check(total, number_of_people): 
    cost_per_person = total / number_of_people 
    return math.ceil(cost_per_person)

What you proposed will give the same result as

def split_check(total, number_of_people):
    return math.ceil(total / number_of_people)

It's just saving an extra line of code and another variable being created. People that are more familiar with programming may go for an approach like this second code block, but both work just fine.

If the top code block is easier for you to understand and/or read, then I'd recommend going that route. Eventually, when you're more familiar with these types of things you'll most likely start typing out the 2nd approach without even realizing it. :smiley: