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Writing Four Functions to Perform Different Arithmetic Operations in Python

In this hands-on lab, we will attempt to write four functions that will perform different arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

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Lab Info
Level
Beginner
Last updated
Sep 01, 2025
Duration
2h 0m

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Table of Contents
  1. Challenge

    Create a File and Make It Executable
    1. Create the file:

      touch myFile.py
      
    2. Make it executable:

      chmod +x myFile.py
      
  2. Challenge

    Write Three Functions That Are Able to Add, Subtract, and Multiply Two Numbers
    1. Open the file:

      vim myFile.py
      
    2. Add the following to the file:

      #!/usr/bin/python
      
      def add(n1, n2):
          return n1+n2
      def sub(n1, n2):
          return n1-n2
      def multi(n1, n2):
          return n1*n2
      
  3. Challenge

    Write a Function to Divide Two Numbers and Implement a Check for Division by 0
    1. Add the following to the file:

      def div(n1, n2):
          if n2 == 0:
              return "ERROR: Cannot divide by 0. Second parameter cannot be a 0!"
          else:
            return n1/n2
      
  4. Challenge

    Run Tests and Call All Four Functions
    1. Add the following to the file:

      n1 = 10
      n2 = 11
      
      print(add(n1, n2))
      print(sub(n1, n2))
      print(multi(n1, n2))
      print(div(n1, n2))
      n2 = 0
      print(div(n1, n2))
      
    2. Save and exit the file by pressing Escape followed by :wq.

    3. Call all four functions:

      ./myFile.py
      
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