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4.7: Conditional Expressions

  • Page ID
    117546
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    Learning Objectives

    By the end of this section you should be able to

    • Identify the components of a conditional expression.
    • Create a conditional expression.

    Conditional expressions

    A conditional expression (also known as a "ternary operator") is a simplified, single-line version of an if-else statement.

    Conditional expression template:

        expression_if_true if condition else expression_if_false

    A conditional expression is evaluated by first checking the condition. If condition is true, expression_if_true is evaluated, and the result is the resulting value of the conditional expression. Else, expression_if_false is evaluated, and the result is the resulting value of the conditional expression.

    A variable can be assigned with a conditional expression. Ex: Finding the max of two numbers can be calculated with max_num = y if x < y else x

    Note: Conditional expressions have the lowest precedence of all Python operations.

    Checkpoint: Example: Version check
    Concepts in Practice: Using conditional expressions
    1.
    What is the conditional expression version of the following if-else statement?
    if x%2 == 0:
      response = 'even'
    else:
      response = 'odd'
    
    1. response = if x%2 == 0 "even" else "odd"
  • response = "odd" if x%2 == 0 else "even"
  • response = "even" if x%2 == 0 else "odd"
  • 2.
    Given x = 100 and offset = 10, what is the value of result?
    result = x + offset if x < 100 else x - offset
    
    1. 90
    2. 100
    3. 110
    3.
    Which part of the conditional expression is incorrect?
    min_num = x if x < y else min_num = y
    
    1. min_num = x
    2. x < y
    3. min_num = y
    4.
    Which of the following is an improved version of the following if-else statement?
    if x < 50:
      result = True
    else:
      result = False
    
    1. result = True if x < 50 else False
    2. result = x < 50
    5.
    What are the possible values of total?
    total = fee + 10 if hours > 12 else 2
    
    1. 10, 2
    2. fee + 10, 2
    3. fee + 10, fee + 2
    Try It: Ping values

    Write a program that reads in an integer, ping, and prints ping_report, a string indicating whether the ping is low to average or too high. ping values under 150 have a ping_report of "low to average". ping values of 150 and higher have a ping_report of "too high". Use a conditional expression to assign ping_report.

    Ex: If the input is 30, the output is "Ping is low to average".


    This page titled 4.7: Conditional Expressions is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.