Multiple return values in Python - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the output of this function returning multiple values?

Consider this Python function that returns multiple values. What will be printed when calling result = func() and then print(result)?

Python

def func():
    return 1, 2, 3

result = func()
print(result)

A (1, 2, 3)

B [1, 2, 3]

C 1 2 3

D Error: cannot return multiple values

💡 Hint

Remember that returning multiple values in Python actually returns a tuple.

In Python, when you return multiple values separated by commas, it returns a tuple containing those values. So the output is the tuple (1, 2, 3).

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the value of variables after unpacking multiple return values?

Given this code, what are the values of a, b, and c after execution?

Python

def get_values():
    return 10, 20, 30

a, b, c = get_values()

A Error: too many values to unpack

B a=10, b=20, c=(30,)

C a=(10, 20), b=30, c=None

D a=10, b=20, c=30

💡 Hint

Check how many values the function returns and how many variables are on the left side.

The function returns three values, and there are three variables to receive them. So a=10, b=20, c=30.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

What is the output when returning multiple values with a conditional expression?

What will this code print?

Python

def check(num):
    return (num, 'even') if num % 2 == 0 else (num, 'odd')

print(check(7))

A (7, 'odd')

B (7, 'even')

C Error: invalid syntax

D 7 odd

💡 Hint

Look at the condition and what tuple is returned for odd numbers.

Since 7 is odd, the else part returns (7, 'odd'), so that tuple is printed.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

What error occurs when unpacking fewer variables than returned?

What happens when you run this code?

Python

def data():
    return 1, 2, 3

x, y = data()

A x=(1, 2, 3), y=None

B x=1, y=2

C ValueError: too many values to unpack (expected 2)

D SyntaxError

💡 Hint

Check how many values are returned vs how many variables are on the left.

The function returns 3 values but only 2 variables are provided, so Python raises a ValueError.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

How does Python handle multiple return values internally?

When a Python function returns multiple values separated by commas, what is actually returned?

A Multiple separate return statements executed sequentially

B A tuple containing all the values

C A list containing all the values

D A dictionary with keys as indices and values as returned values

💡 Hint

Think about what data structure groups multiple values in Python without keys.

Python packs multiple return values into a tuple automatically, which is why you can unpack them easily.