Using Sum

Part of the Logic & Flow section of Coddy's Python journey — lesson 46 of 78.

The sum() function is a built-in function that allows you to quickly calculate the sum of elements in an iterable, such as a list or a tuple. It provides a concise way to add up numeric values.

Basic Usage:

numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
total = sum(numbers)
print(total)
# Output: 15

In this example, the sum() function calculates the sum of all elements in the numbers list.

Using a Starting Value:

You can also provide a second argument to sum(), which serves as the starting value for the sum. This is useful when you want to add the elements of an iterable to an initial value.

numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
total = sum(numbers, 10)
print(total)
# Output: 25

In this case, the sum() function starts with the value 10 and adds all elements from the numbers list to it.

Challenge

Easy

Write a program that gets a list of sales amounts and starting cash in the register and calculates the total sales, including the starting cash. Print the result.

Cheat sheet

The sum() function calculates the sum of elements in an iterable like a list or tuple.

Basic usage:

numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
total = sum(numbers)
print(total)
# Output: 15

Using a starting value:

numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
total = sum(numbers, 10)
print(total)
# Output: 25

Try it yourself

sales = eval(input())
starting_cash = eval(input())

# Write code here

Test yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Logic & Flow

1Variables Exploration

Constants Multiple Variable Assignments Swapping Variables Placeholder Variables Round Numbers List Casting

4Contact Book Application

Display Menu Add Contact

7Sets Part 2

Mathematical Operations Part 1 Mathematical Operations Part 2 Recap - Treasure Hunt Subsets and Supersets Iterating Over Sets Recap - Tournament Tracker

10Basic List Comprehensions

The Syntax Creating Simple Lists Adding Conditions Using Data Aggregation Recap - House Of Lists Recap - Elements Of Freedom

13Inventory Management System

Project Overview Add Item

Update Stock

Check Availability

Generate Report

2Dictionaries Part 1

What is a Dictionary?Creating a Dictionary Accessing Values Modifying Dictionaries Recap - Recipe Manager

5Advanced Decision Making

Ternary Operator Membership Checks Identity Checks Indentation Errors Recap - Vacation Filter

8Student Records Manager

Project Overview Add Student

11Advanced Functions

Returning Multiple Values Lambda Functions Part 1 Lambda Functions Part 2 Recap Challenge - Lambda Sort Recursive Functions Part 1 Recursive Functions Part 2 Recap - Sum Nested List

14Higher-Order Functions

The Map Function The Filter Function Recap - Email Validator Recap - Number Processor

3Dictionaries Part 2

Dictionary Methods Nested Dictionaries Checking for Keys Looping Through Dictionaries Recap - Frequency Counter

6Sets Part 1

What is a Set?Basic Operations Set Methods Recap - Remove Duplicates

9Advanced Data Aggregation

Using SumFinding Minimum and Maximum Sorting Data Efficiently Recap - Dictionary Sorter

12Basic Error Handling

What is Error Handling?The Try and Except Block Handling Multiple Exceptions Recap - Shopping Cart Errors

15Final Challenges

Smart Contact Manager Word Analytics Data Transformer