Ten additional coding tasks · W081–W090
Choose starters to try yourself, or download a separate worked example pack after attempting the tasks.
Chapter 9 starters ↓Chapter 9 worked examples ↓Use Python random to simulate two dice and display their total.
random.Random(42) gives reproducible results for testing.
import random
rng = random.Random(42)
dice = [rng.randint(1, 6) for _ in range(2)]
print('Dice:', dice, 'Total:', sum(dice))
One possible solution. Try writing your own first.
Extension: Change the sample values and test at least two different cases.
Generate ten reproducible coin tosses and count the heads.
Use rng.choice() and list.count().
import random
rng = random.Random(7)
tosses = [rng.choice(['H','T']) for _ in range(10)]
print(tosses, 'Heads:', tosses.count('H'))
One possible solution. Try writing your own first.
Extension: Change the sample values and test at least two different cases.
Choose one study topic from a fixed list.
Use random.choice with a local generator.
import random
topics = ['loops', 'lists', 'files', 'functions']
print(random.Random(3).choice(topics))
One possible solution. Try writing your own first.
Extension: Change the sample values and test at least two different cases.
Generate a secret and evaluate a sample guess.
Check equality before checking high or low.
import random
secret = random.Random(11).randint(1, 10)
guess = 5
if guess == secret:
print('Correct')
elif guess > secret:
print('Too high')
else:
print('Too low')
print('Secret was:', secret)
One possible solution. Try writing your own first.
Extension: Change the sample values and test at least two different cases.
Simulate three game rounds and total the awarded points.
Maintain a running score.
import random
rng = random.Random(22)
total = 0
for round_number in range(1, 4):
points = rng.randint(1, 10)
total += points
print('Round', round_number, 'points:', points)
print('Final score:', total)
One possible solution. Try writing your own first.
Extension: Change the sample values and test at least two different cases.
Shuffle a list of five quiz questions reproducibly.
random.shuffle modifies a list in place.
import random
questions = ['Q1','Q2','Q3','Q4','Q5']
random.Random(13).shuffle(questions)
print('Quiz order:', questions)
One possible solution. Try writing your own first.
Extension: Change the sample values and test at least two different cases.
Simulate 20 spins of a four-colour spinner and count outcomes.
Count each colour with a dictionary.
import random
rng = random.Random(8)
colours = ['red','blue','green','yellow']
counts = {colour:0 for colour in colours}
for _ in range(20):
counts[rng.choice(colours)] += 1
print(counts)
One possible solution. Try writing your own first.
Extension: Change the sample values and test at least two different cases.
Apply four moves to a grid character starting at (0,0).
Update x or y for each move.
moves = ['right','up','up','left']
x = y = 0
for move in moves:
if move == 'right': x += 1
elif move == 'left': x -= 1
elif move == 'up': y += 1
elif move == 'down': y -= 1
print('Final position:', (x,y))
One possible solution. Try writing your own first.
Extension: Change the sample values and test at least two different cases.
Evaluate a sample player choice against a reproducible computer choice.
Wins are cyclic: rock beats scissors, etc.
import random
options = ['rock','paper','scissors']
computer = random.Random(17).choice(options)
player = 'paper'
wins = {('rock','scissors'),('paper','rock'),('scissors','paper')}
outcome = 'Draw' if player == computer else 'Win' if (player,computer) in wins else 'Lose'
print('Computer:', computer, 'Player:', player, outcome)
One possible solution. Try writing your own first.
Extension: Change the sample values and test at least two different cases.
Simulate five steps forwards with random left/right turns.
A seed allows you to reproduce the same path.
import random
rng = random.Random(21)
position = 0
for _ in range(5):
position += rng.choice([-1,1])
print('Position:', position)
One possible solution. Try writing your own first.
Extension: Change the sample values and test at least two different cases.