Positional arguments in Python - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of function with positional arguments

What is the output of this Python code?

Python

def greet(name, age):
    return f"Hello {name}, you are {age} years old."

result = greet("Alice", 30)
print(result)

A Hello Alice, you are 30 years old.

B Hello 30, you are Alice years old.

C TypeError: greet() missing 1 required positional argument

D Hello name, you are age years old.

💡 Hint

Remember the order of positional arguments matters.

The function greet takes two positional arguments: name and age. The call greet("Alice", 30) assigns name='Alice' and age=30, so the output is 'Hello Alice, you are 30 years old.'.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Function call with swapped positional arguments

What will this code print?

Python

def calculate(x, y):
    return x - y

print(calculate(5, 10))

A 5

B TypeError

C -5

D 15

💡 Hint

Check the order of subtraction with given arguments.

The function subtracts y from x. With x=5 and y=10, the result is 5 - 10 = -5.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Positional arguments with default values

What is the output of this code?

Python

def info(name, age=25):
    return f"Name: {name}, Age: {age}"

print(info("Bob"))

A Name: Bob, Age:

B Name: Bob, Age: 25

C TypeError: missing required positional argument 'age'

D Name: , Age: 25

💡 Hint

Default values are used when arguments are not provided.

The function info has a default value for age=25. Calling info("Bob") uses name='Bob' and age=25 by default.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Error from missing positional argument

What error does this code raise?

Python

def multiply(a, b):
    return a * b

result = multiply(4)

A TypeError: multiply() missing 1 required positional argument: 'b'

B TypeError: multiply() takes 1 positional argument but 2 were given

C NameError: name 'b' is not defined

D 4

💡 Hint

Check how many arguments the function expects and how many are given.

The function multiply requires two positional arguments a and b. Calling multiply(4) provides only one argument, so Python raises a TypeError about the missing argument 'b'.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

Order of positional arguments in function call

Given the function definition def func(a, b, c):, which call will assign a=1, b=2, and c=3 correctly?

A func(3, 2, 1)

B func(b=2, a=1, c=3)

C func(1, c=3, 2)

D func(1, 2, 3)

💡 Hint

Positional arguments must be in the order of parameters.

Positional arguments are assigned in order: the first value to 'a', second to 'b', third to 'c'. Option D matches this order. Option D swaps values. Option D uses keyword arguments, not positional. Option D mixes positional and keyword incorrectly.

Practice

1.

What are positional arguments in Python functions?

easy

A. Arguments passed in the exact order the function expects

B. Arguments passed with their names explicitly stated

C. Arguments that have default values

D. Arguments passed as a list or tuple

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand argument passing

   Positional arguments are passed to a function in the order the function defines its parameters.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other argument types

   Unlike keyword arguments, positional arguments do not specify parameter names explicitly.

3. Final Answer:

   Arguments passed in the exact order the function expects -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Positional arguments = ordered values [OK]

Hint: Remember: order matters in positional arguments [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing positional with keyword arguments
• Thinking default values are positional arguments
• Assuming order doesn't matter

2.

Which of the following function calls uses positional arguments correctly?

def greet(name, age):
    return f"Hello {name}, you are {age} years old."

easy

A. greet(age=30, name='Alice')

B. greet(30, name='Alice')

C. greet('Alice', name=30)

D. greet('Alice', 30)

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify positional argument usage

   Positional arguments are passed without naming, in the order parameters are defined.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   greet('Alice', 30) passes 'Alice' then 30 matching (name, age) order correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   greet('Alice', 30) -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Positional call = values in order [OK]

Hint: Positional means no names, just order [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing keyword and positional arguments incorrectly
• Passing arguments in wrong order
• Using parameter names with positional arguments

3.

What is the output of this code?

def multiply(a, b):
    return a * b

result = multiply(3, 4)
print(result)

medium

A. 7

B. 34

C. 12

D. Error

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand function call with positional arguments

   Arguments 3 and 4 are passed as a and b respectively.

2. Step 2: Calculate the return value

   3 multiplied by 4 equals 12, so the function returns 12.

3. Final Answer:

   12 -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   3 * 4 = 12 [OK]

Hint: Multiply arguments in order given [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding instead of multiplying
• Concatenating numbers as strings
• Confusing argument order

4.

Find the error in this function call:

def divide(x, y):
    return x / y

print(divide(10))

medium

A. Missing one positional argument in the call

B. Division by zero error

C. Syntax error in function definition

D. No error, prints 10

Solution

1. Step 1: Check function parameters and call

   Function divide expects two positional arguments: x and y.

2. Step 2: Analyze the call with one argument

   Calling divide(10) provides only one argument, missing the second required positional argument y.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing one positional argument in the call -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Function needs 2 args, got 1 [OK]

Hint: Count arguments to match parameters [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming missing arguments default to zero
• Thinking one argument is enough
• Ignoring error messages

5.

Given this function:

def create_greeting(greeting, name, punctuation):
    return f"{greeting}, {name}{punctuation}"

Which call correctly uses positional arguments to produce Hello, Bob!?

hard

A. create_greeting('Bob', 'Hello', '!')

B. create_greeting('Hello', 'Bob', '!')

C. create_greeting(name='Hello', punctuation='!', 'Bob')

D. create_greeting(name='Bob', greeting='Hello', punctuation='!')

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify parameter order

   The function parameters are greeting, name, punctuation in that order.

2. Step 2: Match arguments to parameters positionally

   create_greeting('Hello', 'Bob', '!') passes 'Hello' to greeting, 'Bob' to name, and '!' to punctuation, producing the desired output.

3. Final Answer:

   create_greeting('Hello', 'Bob', '!') -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Order matches parameters for correct output [OK]

Hint: Match argument order to parameter order exactly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping argument order
• Mixing positional and keyword incorrectly
• Assuming keyword arguments are positional