← Python

Functions – Parameters

Parameters are placeholders in a function definition that accept values when the function is called

What it does: 'Alice' is passed as the argument for the parameter 'name'. Multiple parameters are separated by commas in the def line. Parameters are the names in the def line — they receive the argument values. Arguments are the values you pass when calling the function. 3 goes to a, 5 goes to b — a + b = 8. def func(a, b, c): is perfectly valid — separate with commas. greet() expects one argument (name) but none was given — TypeError. Two calls to show() — each call prints once, so two lines print.

Common mistakes: Missing colon after the parameter list. Parameters don't use quotes: name is a variable, not a string.

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Learning

Duo

What is a parameter?

A variable in the function definitionThe function name

Matches

❌ def add(a, b): return a + b add(3)

↓

Error: Missing argument for b

Applying

Meanings

Term

Parameter

Meaning

A variable name in the function definition that receives data.

Practice

def greet(name):

Testing

Gaps

def greet():

Check Answer

Spots

1def greet(name)

2 msg = 'Hi ' + name

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Quick Questions

1. What is a parameter?

A. A variable in the function definition ✓

B. The function name

Parameters are the names in the def line — they receive the argument values

2. What is an argument?

A. The function name

B. The actual value passed to a function ✓

Arguments are the values you pass when calling the function

3. def greet(name):\n print('Hi ' + name)\ngreet('Bob')\nWhat prints?

A. Hi Bob ✓

B. Hi name

'Bob' is passed as the argument, stored in 'name', then printed

4. def add(a, b):\n print(a + b)\nadd(3, 5)\nWhat prints?

A. 35

B. 8 ✓

3 goes to a, 5 goes to b — a + b = 8

5. Can a function have multiple parameters?

A. Yes separated by commas ✓

B. No only one

def func(a, b, c): is perfectly valid — separate with commas

Match the Pairs

def add(a, b): return a + b add(3) → Error: Missing argument for b

def greet(name): print('Hi ' + name) greet('Al', 'Bob') → Error: Too many arguments

def greet(name): print('Hi ' + name) greet('Alice') → Valid: One parameter, one arg

def add(a, b): return a + b → Ok: Two parameters

def square(n): return n * n print(square(4)) → Output: 16

def add(a, b): return a + b print(add(3, 5)) → Output: 8

Key Term

Parameter

A variable name in the function definition that receives data.~~Argument

Fill in the Blanks

1. def greet(name): print('Hi ' + name) greet('Alice')

2. def add(a, b): print(a + b) add(3, 5)

3. def greet(name): print('Hi ' + name) greet(Alice)

4. def double(number): print(number * 2) double(5)

5. def show(x, y): print(x + y) show(5, 10)

Spot the Error

Question 1

A def greet(name)

B msg = 'Hi ' + name

C print(msg)

D print('Goodbye!')

E greet('Alice')

Line A — Missing colon after the parameter list

Question 2

A def greet('name'):

B msg = 'Hi ' + name

C print(msg)

D print('Goodbye!')

E greet('Alice')

Line A — Parameters don't use quotes: name is a variable, not a string

Question 3

A def add(a b):

B result = a + b

C print('Sum:', result)

D return result

E add(3, 5)

Line A — Multiple parameters must be separated by commas

Question 4

A def greet(name):

B print('Hi ' + name)

D greet()

Line D — Missing argument: greet expects a name but got nothing

Question 5

A def greet(name):

B print('Hi ' + name)

D greet('Alice', 'Bob')

Line D — Too many arguments: function takes 1 but got 2

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