6.2.8 Area of a Square with Default Parameters CodeHS Answers

The most common answer is:

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side_length = 10
def calculate_area(side_length=10):
side_length = int(input(“Enter side length: “))
if side_length <= 0:
side_length = 10
print(“The area of a square with sides of length ” + str(side_length) + ” is ” + str(side_length**2) + “.”)
calculate_area(side_length)

The intent is to calculate the area of a square with a default side length of 10 units, but there’s a mix-up in the use of default parameters and input within your function.

The function calculate_area should either use a default parameter or prompt the user for input outside the function.

Here’s a revised version that separates the concerns more cleanly:

Version 1: Using Default Parameters

If you want to use the function with a default parameter and have the option to provide a different value:

def calculate_area(side_length=10):
    if side_length <= 0:
        side_length = 10
    print(f"The area of a square with sides of length {side_length} is {side_length ** 2}.")

# Call the function without arguments to use the default parameter
calculate_area()

# Optionally, you can call the function with an argument to specify a different side length
# calculate_area(5)

Version 2: Prompting User for Input

If you prefer to always ask the user for the side length:

def calculate_area():
    side_length = int(input("Enter side length: "))
    if side_length <= 0:
        side_length = 10
    print(f"The area of a square with sides of length {side_length} is {side_length ** 2}.")

# Call the function, which will now prompt the user for input
calculate_area()

Choose the version that best suits your needs. The first version provides more flexibility by allowing the function to be called with or without specifying the side length, while the second version ensures the user is always prompted for input when the function is called.