np.linspace() for evenly spaced arrays in NumPy - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of np.linspace() with default endpoint

What is the output of this code?

import numpy as np
arr = np.linspace(0, 1, 5)
print(arr)

NumPy

import numpy as np
arr = np.linspace(0, 1, 5)
print(arr)

A [0. 0.25 0.5 0.75 1. ]

B [0. 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 ]

C [0. 0.25 0.5 0.75]

D [0. 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0]

💡 Hint

Remember np.linspace includes the endpoint by default.

np.linspace(0, 1, 5) creates 5 numbers evenly spaced from 0 to 1, including 1.

❓ data_output

intermediate

Number of elements in np.linspace() output

How many elements are in the array created by this code?

import numpy as np
arr = np.linspace(10, 20, 11)

NumPy

import numpy as np
arr = np.linspace(10, 20, 11)
print(len(arr))

A 10

B 20

C 9

D 11

💡 Hint

The third argument is the number of points to generate.

np.linspace(10, 20, 11) generates 11 evenly spaced points between 10 and 20 inclusive.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Effect of endpoint=False in np.linspace()

What is the output of this code?

import numpy as np
arr = np.linspace(0, 1, 5, endpoint=False)
print(arr)

NumPy

import numpy as np
arr = np.linspace(0, 1, 5, endpoint=False)
print(arr)

A [0. 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8]

B [0. 0.25 0.5 0.75 1. ]

C [0. 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0]

D [0. 0.25 0.5 0.75]

💡 Hint

Setting endpoint=False excludes the stop value.

With endpoint=False, np.linspace excludes the stop value and divides the interval into equal parts accordingly.

🧠 Conceptual

advanced

Understanding np.linspace() step size

If you run np.linspace(2, 8, 4), what is the step size between consecutive elements?

A 3

B 1.5

C 2

D 6

💡 Hint

Step size = (stop - start) / (number_of_points - 1)

The step size is (8 - 2) / (4 - 1) = 6 / 3 = 2, but check carefully.

🔧 Debug

expert

Identify the error in np.linspace() usage

What error does this code raise?

import numpy as np
arr = np.linspace(5, 1, -3)
print(arr)

NumPy

import numpy as np
arr = np.linspace(5, 1, -3)
print(arr)

A TypeError: Negative step size not allowed.

B ValueError: Number of samples, -3, must be non-negative.

C SyntaxError: invalid syntax in np.linspace call.

D No error, outputs an empty array.

💡 Hint

Number of samples must be zero or positive integer.

np.linspace requires the number of samples to be non-negative. Negative values cause ValueError.