GridSpec for complex layouts in Matplotlib - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to import the GridSpec class from matplotlib.

Matplotlib

from matplotlib.gridspec import [1]

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AGridSpec

BGrid

CSpecGrid

DGridLayout

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Trying to import 'Grid' or 'SpecGrid' which do not exist.

Importing from the wrong module.

The GridSpec class is imported from matplotlib.gridspec to create complex subplot layouts.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to create a GridSpec with 3 rows and 2 columns.

Matplotlib

gs = GridSpec([1], 2)

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A2

B5

C4

D3

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Swapping rows and columns.

Using 2 instead of 3 for rows.

The first argument to GridSpec is the number of rows. Here, 3 rows and 2 columns create a 3x2 grid.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the code to add a subplot that spans the first row across both columns.

Matplotlib

ax = fig.add_subplot(gs[[1]])

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A0, :

B0, 0

C0:1, :

D0:2, :

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using a single index without slicing.

Selecting wrong rows or columns.

To span the first row (row index 0) across both columns, use gs[0, :].

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create a subplot that covers the bottom two rows and the first column.

Matplotlib

ax = fig.add_subplot(gs[[1], [2]])

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A1:

B:2

C0

D0:

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using :2 which selects rows 0 and 1 instead of bottom rows.

Selecting wrong column index.

To cover the bottom two rows, use 1: which means rows 1 to the end. To select the first column, use 0.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a dictionary comprehension that maps each subplot label to its axes object, only for subplots in the first column spanning all rows.

Matplotlib

axes_dict = {label: fig.add_subplot(gs[[1], [2]]) for label in labels if label [3] 'col1'}

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A0:

B1

Cin

D0

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using wrong row or column indices.

Using equality instead of containment in the condition.

The rows are selected with 0: to cover all rows. The first column is index 0. The condition uses in to check if the label is contained within 'col1'.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using GridSpec in matplotlib?

easy

A. To divide a figure into a flexible grid for placing subplots.

B. To change the color of the plot background.

C. To add titles to individual subplots automatically.

D. To save the figure in different file formats.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand GridSpec's role

   GridSpec is designed to split a figure into rows and columns for subplot placement.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   Only To divide a figure into a flexible grid for placing subplots. describes this grid division purpose; others describe unrelated features.

3. Final Answer:

   To divide a figure into a flexible grid for placing subplots. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   GridSpec = flexible grid layout [OK]

Hint: GridSpec = grid layout for subplots [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing GridSpec with styling or saving functions
• Thinking GridSpec adds titles automatically
• Assuming GridSpec changes colors

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a 2x3 GridSpec object named gs?

easy

A. gs = GridSpec(3, 2)

B. gs = GridSpec(2, 3)

C. gs = GridSpec(rows=3, cols=2)

D. gs = GridSpec(2)

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall GridSpec syntax

   GridSpec takes number of rows first, then columns: GridSpec(nrows, ncols).

2. Step 2: Match 2 rows and 3 columns

   gs = GridSpec(2, 3) uses GridSpec(2, 3), which is correct for 2 rows and 3 columns.

3. Final Answer:

   gs = GridSpec(2, 3) -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   GridSpec(rows, cols) = (2, 3) [OK]

Hint: Rows first, columns second in GridSpec() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping rows and columns order
• Using keyword arguments incorrectly
• Passing only one number instead of two

3. What will be the shape of the subplot created by fig.add_subplot(gs[0:2, 1]) if gs = GridSpec(3, 3)?

medium

A. A subplot spanning rows 0 and 1 in column 1 (tall and narrow).

B. A subplot in row 0, column 1 only (small square).

C. A subplot spanning all rows in column 1 (very tall).

D. A subplot spanning rows 1 and 2 in column 1.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand slicing in GridSpec

   gs[0:2, 1] selects rows 0 and 1 (two rows) in column 1.

2. Step 2: Determine subplot shape

   It creates a subplot spanning two rows vertically and one column horizontally, so tall and narrow.

3. Final Answer:

   A subplot spanning rows 0 and 1 in column 1 (tall and narrow). -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   gs[0:2,1] = rows 0-1, col 1 [OK]

Hint: Slice rows then columns in GridSpec to get subplot size [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing row and column indices
• Assuming slice includes row 2
• Thinking it spans all rows

4. Identify the error in this code snippet using GridSpec:

fig = plt.figure()
gs = GridSpec(2, 2)
ax = fig.add_subplot(gs[2, 1])

medium

A. TypeError because gs is not callable.

B. SyntaxError due to missing parentheses in GridSpec.

C. IndexError because row index 2 is out of range for 2 rows.

D. No error; code runs fine.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check GridSpec size

   GridSpec(2, 2) creates 2 rows indexed 0 and 1 only.

2. Step 2: Check subplot indexing

   gs[2, 1] tries to access row 2, which does not exist, causing IndexError.

3. Final Answer:

   IndexError because row index 2 is out of range for 2 rows. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Index out of range = IndexError [OK]

Hint: Check GridSpec row/column indices start at 0 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming indices start at 1
• Confusing syntax errors with index errors
• Ignoring zero-based indexing

5. You want to create a figure with 3 subplots: one large plot on the left spanning all rows, and two smaller plots stacked vertically on the right. Which GridSpec slicing correctly achieves this layout for gs = GridSpec(2, 2)?

hard

A. Left plot: gs[0, :], Right top: gs[1, 0], Right bottom: gs[1, 1]

B. Left plot: gs[:, 1], Right top: gs[0, 0], Right bottom: gs[1, 0]

C. Left plot: gs[0, 0], Right top: gs[0, 1], Right bottom: gs[1, 1]

D. Left plot: gs[:, 0], Right top: gs[0, 1], Right bottom: gs[1, 1]

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand layout goal

   Left plot spans all rows in first column; right side has two stacked plots in second column.

2. Step 2: Match slicing to layout

   gs[:, 0] selects all rows in column 0 (left plot). gs[0, 1] and gs[1, 1] select top and bottom right plots.

3. Final Answer:

   Left plot: gs[:, 0], Right top: gs[0, 1], Right bottom: gs[1, 1] -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Use colon for full rows, index for columns [OK]

Hint: Use colon to span all rows or columns in GridSpec [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing row and column indices
• Using single indices instead of slices for spanning
• Swapping left and right columns