Basics of Python : Calculate Factorial
Python is popular and easy to use language. It is widely used in data science, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT) and field of automation However, it is necessary to learn basics to manipulate statements and customize programs.
In this post, I will make a simple factorial program which will illustrate concept of loop and function in Python.
To calculate factorial program is given below
import numpy as np
def factorial(n):
fact=1
for i in np.arange(1,n+1):
fact=fact * i
return f
fact=factorial(5)
print(“Factorial of the number is”,fact)
Output of the program would be
Factorial of the number is 120
Statement “import numpy as np” import numpy library of python for arange function.
Statement “def factorial(n):” defines a function of name factorial which has a single parameter n.
Statement “fact=1” initializes the variable fact having value is equal to 1.
Statement “for i in np.arange(1,n+1):” has used arange(start, end) function of numpy which generates number from 1 to n.
Statement “fact=fact * i” is the most important statement to calculate factorial.
See the execution of the statement for n=5
if i=1 then fact= 1*1 then fact=1
if i=2 then fact= 1*2 then fact=2
if i=3 then fact= 2*3 then fact=6
if i=4 then fact= 6*4 then fact=24
if i=5 then fact= 24*5 then fact=120
Important Note about Indentation
Indentation ( Horizontal space before statement) is very important in Python, using indentation Python determines the scope of a statement.
Further, you can observe in program that after “def factorial(n):” statement fact=1 is declared with a horizontal space. Otherwise, python interpreter will throw an error ” Indentation is requires at line number…..”.
So, be careful about indentation in programming during program making.
Conclusion-
Learning basics of Python is key point to customize and make your own program. You have to understand decision making statements, loops, functions and array and other basic concepts.
In this post, I have illustrated that how to make a factorial function program using for loop. Hope you will understand basic concepts of loop and function.
References