Difference between method types in Python - Practice Questions

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of instance method call

What is the output of this code when calling obj.instance_method()?

Python

class MyClass:
    def instance_method(self):
        return 'instance method called'

obj = MyClass()
print(obj.instance_method())

A TypeError: instance_method() missing 1 required positional argument: 'self'

B instance method called

C MyClass.instance_method

D None

💡 Hint

Instance methods receive the instance automatically as the first argument.

Instance methods receive the instance (obj) as the first argument named self, so calling obj.instance_method() works and returns the string.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of class method call

What is the output of this code when calling MyClass.class_method()?

Python

class MyClass:
    @classmethod
    def class_method(cls):
        return f'class method called from {cls.__name__}'

print(MyClass.class_method())

A None

B TypeError: class_method() missing 1 required positional argument: 'cls'

C class method called from MyClass

D class method called from cls

💡 Hint

Class methods receive the class itself as the first argument.

Class methods receive the class (MyClass) as the first argument named cls, so calling MyClass.class_method() returns the formatted string.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Output of static method call

What is the output of this code when calling MyClass.static_method()?

Python

class MyClass:
    @staticmethod
    def static_method():
        return 'static method called'

print(MyClass.static_method())

A static method called

B TypeError: static_method() missing 1 required positional argument

C MyClass.static_method

D None

💡 Hint

Static methods do not receive any automatic first argument.

Static methods behave like regular functions inside the class namespace and do not receive self or cls automatically.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Error when calling instance method on class

What error occurs when calling MyClass.instance_method() without an instance?

Python

class MyClass:
    def instance_method(self):
        return 'instance method called'

print(MyClass.instance_method())

A TypeError: instance_method() missing 1 required positional argument: 'self'

B AttributeError: 'MyClass' object has no attribute 'instance_method'

C instance method called

D None

💡 Hint

Instance methods require an instance to be called.

Calling an instance method on the class without passing an instance causes a TypeError because self is missing.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

Identify method type from behavior

Which method type does NOT receive any automatic first argument and behaves like a regular function inside the class?

A Instance method

B Class method

C Abstract method

D Static method

💡 Hint

Think about which method type does not get self or cls automatically.

Static methods do not receive self or cls automatically and behave like normal functions inside the class namespace.