type() and isinstance() in Python - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of type() with subclass instance

What is the output of this code?

Python

class Animal:
    pass

class Dog(Animal):
    pass

pet = Dog()
print(type(pet) == Animal)

A True

B False

C TypeError

D NameError

💡 Hint

type() returns the exact class of the object, not its parent classes.

type(pet) returns Dog, which is not equal to Animal, so the expression is False.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Using isinstance() with multiple classes

What will this code print?

Python

class Vehicle:
    pass

class Car(Vehicle):
    pass

class Bike(Vehicle):
    pass

obj = Car()
print(isinstance(obj, (Bike, Vehicle)))

A TypeError

B False

C True

D AttributeError

💡 Hint

isinstance() returns True if the object is an instance of any class in the tuple.

obj is an instance of Car, which is a subclass of Vehicle, so isinstance returns True.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Difference between type() and isinstance()

What is the output of this code?

Python

class A:
    pass

class B(A):
    pass

obj = B()
print(type(obj) == A, isinstance(obj, A))

A True False

B True True

C False False

D False True

💡 Hint

type() checks exact type, isinstance() checks inheritance too.

type(obj) is B, so type(obj) == A is False; isinstance(obj, A) is True because B inherits from A.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

What error does this code raise?

What error will this code raise when run?

Python

x = 5
print(isinstance(x, (int, str, list)))
print(type(x) in (int, str, list))
print(isinstance(x, int, str))

A TypeError

B SyntaxError

C False

D True

💡 Hint

Check the number of arguments passed to isinstance().

isinstance() expects exactly two arguments; passing three causes TypeError.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

Why use isinstance() over type()?

Which of the following is the best reason to prefer isinstance() over type() when checking an object's type?

A isinstance() can check for subclasses, type() cannot

B type() is slower than isinstance()

C type() can check multiple types at once, isinstance() cannot

D isinstance() only works with built-in types

💡 Hint

Think about inheritance and flexibility.

isinstance() returns True for instances of a class or its subclasses, making it more flexible than type() which checks exact type only.