Build an Arithmetic Formatter Project: Stuck on how to format the output correctly

Python
1 
def check_input(problems):
    if len(problems) < 5:
        for p in problems:
            if p.find('+') != -1 or p.find('-') != -1:
                p_list = p.split(' ')

                if p_list[0].isdigit() and p_list[2].isdigit():
                    if len(p_list[0]) < 5 and len(p_list[2]) < 5:
                        return True
                    else:
                        raise ValueError('Error: Numbers cannot be more than four digits.')
                else:
                    raise ValueError("Error: Numbers must only contain digits.")
            else:
                raise ValueError("Error: Operator must be '+' or '-'.")
    else:
        raise ValueError('Error: Too many problems.')

def calculate_space(operand1, operand2):
    operand1_len = len(operand1)
    operand2_len = len(operand2)
    len_deference = abs(operand1_len - operand2_len)
    i = 0
    space = ''

    while i < len_deference:
        space += ' '
        i += 1

    return space


def check_longest(op1, op2):
    longest = 0
    op1_length = len(op1)
    op2_length = len(op2)

    if op1_length > op2_length: longest = op1
    elif op2_length > op1_length: longest = op2
    else: longest = op1

    return longest

def draw_line(op1, op2):
    i = 0
    line = '--'

    longest = check_longest(op1, op2)

    while i < len(longest):
        line += '-'
        i += 1

    return line

def arithmetic_arranger(problems, show_answers=False):
    if check_input(problems):
        top = []
        mid = []
        bottom= []

        for problem in problems:
            problem_list = problem.split(' ')
            operator = problem_list[1]
            operand1 = problem_list[0]
            operand2 = problem_list[2]
            operand1_len = len(operand1)
            operand2_len = len(operand2)
            result = 0

            space = calculate_space(operand1, operand2)
            line = draw_line(operand1, operand2)

            if operand1_len > operand2_len:
                print(f"  {operand1}\n{operator}{space} {operand2}\n{line} ")
            elif operand2_len > operand1_len:
                print(f"  {space}{operand1}\n{operator} {operand2}\n{line} ")
            else:
                print(f"  {operand1}\n{operator} {operand2}\n{line} ")

            if show_answers:
                if operator == '+':
                    result = int(operand1) + int(operand2)
                elif operator == '-':
                    result = int(operand1) - int(operand2)

                longest = check_longest(operand1, operand2)
                answer_space = calculate_space(longest, str(result))

                print(f'  {answer_space}{result}')

    return problems

print(f'\n{arithmetic_arranger(["32 + 698", "3801 - 2", "45 + 43", "123 + 49"], True)}')

Hello, so I can’t figure out to format the output correctly so that the problems are printed on the same line. I searched the forum for posts about the same issue and saw some people suggesting using a 2D array. I’m still unsure how to go about it or if it’s an optimal way to do it.

Please tell me if this is something I should figure out myself.
Sorry for the lack of comments, if they are needed to understand the code, please do tell.

2

Hi. Welcome to the forum. Can you please link to the challenge you are stuck on.

If you have a question about a specific challenge as it relates to your written code for that challenge and need some help, click the Help button located on the challenge. This button only appears if you have tried to submit an answer at least three times.

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image622×306 7.96 KB

The Help button will create a new topic with all code you have written and include a link to the challenge also. You will still be able to ask any questions in the post before submitting it to the forum.

Thank you.

1 Like
3

Welcome to the forum @mmx8

Python is a versatile programming language, so there are many ways to implement code.

First, try and figure out what you need to do so that each line contains the first operand. Then, the second line contains the operator and the second operand. Finally, the dash lines (later: don’t forget to add the functionality for a solution option).

Treat each as a separate task - so three tasks.
Then implement code so that each set of arithmetic is correctly spaced.

Breaking down problems into smaller steps is one approach. Don’t worry too much about optimising code for now. Once you have the formatting, then review the code to see where you can make improvements, such as eliminating repeated steps, or simplifying a process.

Happy coding

1 Like
4

Thank you for the tip, I will keep that in mind next time I want to ask a question. Here’s the link to the challenge.

5

Thank you for taking the time. I noticed that I’ve already started something like what you’ve mentioned, about dividing the problem (creating 3 arrays for each section), but forgot about it (probably cheated by reading someone’s answer to a similar question).

Now, just need to figure out how to store each line content inside the array (mainly the 2nd line) and how to print them correctly.

I guess will keep trying and hopefully figure it our or stay stuck and come back here :smiley: