Figure creation with plt.figure in Matplotlib - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the size of the figure created?

Consider the following code snippet using matplotlib:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
fig = plt.figure(figsize=(8, 4))
print(fig.get_size_inches())

What will be the output of this code?

Matplotlib

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
fig = plt.figure(figsize=(8, 4))
print(fig.get_size_inches())

A [8. 4.]

B [4. 8.]

C [0 0]

D Error: AttributeError

💡 Hint

The figsize parameter sets the width and height in inches.

The figsize argument in plt.figure sets the width and height of the figure in inches. The get_size_inches() method returns these dimensions as a numpy array.

❓ data_output

intermediate

How many axes are in the figure?

Given this code:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
fig = plt.figure()
ax1 = fig.add_subplot(121)
ax2 = fig.add_subplot(122)
print(len(fig.axes))

What is the printed output?

Matplotlib

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
fig = plt.figure()
ax1 = fig.add_subplot(121)
ax2 = fig.add_subplot(122)
print(len(fig.axes))

A 1

B Error: AttributeError

C 0

D 2

💡 Hint

Each add_subplot call adds one axes to the figure.

The figure has two subplots added, so fig.axes contains two Axes objects.

❓ visualization

advanced

What does the figure look like?

Examine this code:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
fig = plt.figure(figsize=(6, 3))
ax = fig.add_axes([0.1, 0.1, 0.8, 0.8])
ax.plot([1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6])
plt.show()

Which description best matches the figure displayed?

Matplotlib

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
fig = plt.figure(figsize=(6, 3))
ax = fig.add_axes([0.1, 0.1, 0.8, 0.8])
ax.plot([1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6])
plt.show()

A A tall square figure with two side-by-side plots.

B A figure with multiple overlapping plots.

C A wide rectangular figure with a single plot filling most of the area.

D A small figure with no plots visible.

💡 Hint

figsize sets width and height; add_axes controls plot position and size.

The figure is 6 inches wide and 3 inches tall, making it wide and short. The axes fill 80% width and height starting at 10% from left and bottom, so the plot fills most of the figure.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Why does this code raise an error?

Look at this code:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
fig = plt.figure(figsize=8, 4)
ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
plt.show()

Why does it raise an error?

Matplotlib

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
fig = plt.figure(figsize=8, 4)
ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
plt.show()

A Because figsize must be a tuple, not two separate arguments.

B Because add_subplot(111) is invalid syntax.

C Because plt.show() must be called before creating the figure.

D Because matplotlib is not imported correctly.

💡 Hint

Check the syntax of figsize parameter.

figsize expects a single tuple argument like (8, 4). Passing two separate arguments causes a TypeError.

🚀 Application

expert

How to create two figures with different sizes?

You want to create two separate figures with sizes 5x5 and 10x2 inches respectively. Which code correctly creates these figures and prints their sizes?

Matplotlib

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
fig1 = plt.figure(figsize=(5, 5))
fig2 = plt.figure(figsize=(10, 2))
print(fig1.get_size_inches())
print(fig2.get_size_inches())

A

fig1 = plt.figure(figsize=5, 5)
fig2 = plt.figure(figsize=10, 2)
print(fig1.get_size_inches())
print(fig2.get_size_inches())

B

fig1 = plt.figure(figsize=(5, 5))
fig2 = plt.figure(figsize=(10, 2))
print(fig1.get_size_inches())
print(fig2.get_size_inches())

C

fig1 = plt.figure(figsize=[5, 5])
fig2 = plt.figure(figsize=[10, 2])
print(fig1.get_size_inches())
print(fig2.get_size_inches())

D

fig1 = plt.figure(figsize=(5))
fig2 = plt.figure(figsize=(10))
print(fig1.get_size_inches())
print(fig2.get_size_inches())

💡 Hint

figsize must be a tuple of two numbers.

Only option B correctly passes figsize as tuples. Option B passes separate arguments causing error. Option B uses list instead of tuple (works but not recommended). Option B passes single values creating square figures.