5.3. Type conversion functions

Python also provides built-in functions that convert values from one type to another. The int function takes any value and converts it to an integer, if it can, or complains otherwise:

print(int('32')) print(int('Hello'))

Q-2: Why would we get an error in the following code block?

print(int('32'))
print(int('Hello'))

• When converting a string to an int, we must remove the quotation marks.
• Incorrect! This would only work if Hello was a variable name with a value of the correct type. For example, Hello = '32'. Try again.
• The int function is expecting a value that can be converted to an integer.
• Correct! The int function expects a value that can be converted and strings cannot be converted to integers.
• We cannot print and call a function in the same line.
• Incorrect! This is actually possible — it worked with the first line. Try again.

int can convert floating-point values to integers, but it doesn’t round them — it chops off the fraction part (this is called “truncating”):

print(int(3.99999)) print(int(-2.3))

float converts integers and strings to floating-point numbers:

print(float(32)) print(float('3.14159'))

Finally, str converts its argument to a string:

print(str(32)) print(str(3.14159))

Q-7: Consider the code below. What prints?

print(int(23.865))

• 23
• Correct! The int function will truncate the float when it converts it to an integer.
• 24
• Incorrect! The int function doesn't round up. Try again.
• 2
• Incorrect! The int function doesn't only convert the first digit. Try again.
• 23.8
• Incorrect! The int function doesn't keep any of the decimal places. Try again.

Q-8: Consider the code below. What prints?

print(float(23))

• 24.0
• Incorrect! The float function will be the same value as the integer. Try again.
• 2.3
• Incorrect! The float function will not split a multi-digit integer. Try again.
• 23.0
• The float function will add ".0" to the end of an integer, turning it into a floating point number.
• 23
• Incorrect! Floating point numbers have a decimal point in them. Try again.

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