Tuple vs list comparison in Python - Practice Questions

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of comparing tuple and list with same elements

What is the output of this code snippet?

Python

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

A True

B TypeError

C False

D None

💡 Hint

Think about how Python compares different data types.

Even though the tuple and list have the same elements, Python's == operator returns False when comparing different sequence types.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Result of comparing nested tuple and list

What will this code print?

Python

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

A True

B False

C TypeError

D None

💡 Hint

Look inside the tuple elements carefully.

Both tuples contain the same elements, including the same list inside. So the comparison returns True.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Comparing tuple and list with same elements but different order

What is the output of this code?

Python

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

A True

B False

C TypeError

D None

💡 Hint

Order matters in sequences.

The tuple and list have the same elements but in different order, so the comparison returns False.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

What happens when comparing tuple and list with mutable elements?

What will this code print?

Python

a = [1, 2]
b = (1, 2)
print(a == b)
a[0] = 3
print(a == b)

A True\nFalse

B False\nTrue

C True\nTrue

D False\nFalse

💡 Hint

Check the values before and after changing the list.

Initially, the list and tuple have the same elements, so a == b is False because they are different types. After changing the first element of the list, they still differ, so the comparison remains False.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

Why does comparing tuple and list with same elements return True?

Why does Python return True when comparing a tuple and a list with the same elements?

A Because although tuples and lists are different types, Python compares their elements and considers them equal if they match.

B Because tuples are immutable and lists are mutable, so Python raises an error.

C Because Python compares only the first element and they differ in type.

D Because Python converts tuples to lists before comparing and the conversion fails.

💡 Hint

Think about how Python treats different data types in equality checks.

Python's == operator for sequences first checks if lengths are equal, then compares elements pairwise recursively. The specific types (tuple or list) do not affect equality; only contents matter. Thus, True.