Times method for counted repetition in Ruby - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of Times with Block Variable

What is the output of this Ruby code?

Ruby

3.times do |i|
  puts i * 2
end

A

1
2
3

B

0
1
2

C

0
2
4

D

2
4
6

💡 Hint

Remember, the block variable starts at 0 and goes up to one less than the count.

The times method runs the block 3 times with i values 0, 1, and 2. Multiplying each by 2 gives 0, 2, and 4.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Times Method Without Block Variable

What will this Ruby code print?

Ruby

5.times { puts "Hello" }

A

Hello
Hello
Hello
Hello
Hello

B

0
1
2
3
4

C

Hello5

D Error: block variable missing

💡 Hint

If no block variable is given, the block still runs the specified number of times.

The times method runs the block 5 times, printing "Hello" each time.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Identify the Error in Times Usage

What error does this Ruby code produce?

Ruby

4.times do
  puts i
end

A TypeError: no implicit conversion of nil into Integer

B NameError: undefined local variable or method `i' for main:Object

C No output, runs silently

D SyntaxError: unexpected end-of-input

💡 Hint

Check if the block variable is defined or accessible inside the block.

The block does not define a variable i, so trying to puts i raises a NameError.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Times Method with Return Value

What is the value of variable result after running this Ruby code?

Ruby

result = 3.times.map { |i| i * 3 }

A Error: undefined method `map' for Integer

B 3

C [3, 6, 9]

D [0, 3, 6]

💡 Hint

Check the return type of times and whether it supports map.

The times method returns the original integer, which does not have a map method, causing a NoMethodError.

❓ Predict Output

expert

Complex Times Loop with Conditional Output

What is the output of this Ruby code?

Ruby

5.times do |i|
  if i.even?
    print i
  else
    print "-"
  end
end

A 0-2-4-

B 024

C 0-1-2-3-4-

D 0-2-4

💡 Hint

Check how even numbers and odd numbers are printed inside the loop.

For i from 0 to 4, even numbers print the number, odd numbers print a dash, resulting in '0-2-4'.