Tuple immutability in Python - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the output of tuple modification attempt?

Consider this code trying to change a tuple element. What will it output or raise?

Python

t = (1, 2, 3)
t[1] = 5
print(t)

A (1, 2, 3)

B TypeError

C (1, 5, 3)

D SyntaxError

💡 Hint

Tuples cannot be changed after creation.

Tuples are immutable, so trying to assign a new value to an index causes a TypeError.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the output after concatenating tuples?

What will be printed after this code runs?

Python

t1 = (1, 2)
t2 = (3, 4)
t3 = t1 + t2
print(t3)

A TypeError

B [(1, 2), (3, 4)]

C (4, 3, 2, 1)

D (1, 2, 3, 4)

💡 Hint

Adding tuples joins their elements in order.

Using + with tuples concatenates them into a new tuple with all elements.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Why does this tuple unpacking code raise an error?

This code tries to unpack a tuple but raises an error. Which option explains the cause?

Python

t = (1, 2, 3)
a, b = t
print(a, b)

A ValueError because tuple has 3 items but only 2 variables to unpack

B TypeError because tuple is immutable

C SyntaxError due to missing parentheses

D No error, prints '1 2'

💡 Hint

Number of variables must match number of tuple elements.

Unpacking requires the same number of variables as tuple elements; here 3 elements but only 2 variables cause ValueError.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

What is the output when modifying a mutable element inside a tuple?

What will this code print?

Python

t = (1, [2, 3], 4)
t[1].append(5)
print(t)

A (1, [2, 3, 5], 4)

B SyntaxError

C (1, [2, 3], 4)

D TypeError

💡 Hint

Tuples are immutable but can contain mutable objects.

The tuple itself cannot be changed, but the list inside it can be modified, so the list gains the new element.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

Why is tuple immutability important for dictionary keys?

Which reason best explains why tuples can be used as dictionary keys but lists cannot?

A Lists can contain duplicate elements, tuples cannot

B Tuples are faster to create than lists

C Tuples are immutable, so their hash value does not change, making them valid keys

D Lists are mutable but tuples are not, so lists cannot be stored in memory

💡 Hint

Dictionary keys must be hashable and unchanging.

Dictionary keys must be immutable and hashable. Tuples are immutable and hashable, lists are mutable and unhashable.