Question

Write a program that inputs three double-precision, floating-point numbers and passes them to a function that returns the smallest number.

Short answer

Program reads three floats, finds smallest using `min()`, and outputs it.

Step-by-step solution

Define Input Method

To begin, we need to correctly capture three double-precision, floating-point numbers from the user. We will use Python's `input()` function to prompt the user for these numbers, ensuring we convert the inputs to the float data type using `float()` to maintain precision and facilitate comparison.

Create the Function to Find the Smallest Number

Next, define a function named `find_smallest` that takes three parameters. These parameters will represent the floating-point numbers we input. Use the built-in Python function `min()` within this function to determine which of the three numbers is the smallest.

Implement Logic to Call the Function

Once the function is created, store the input numbers in variables. These variables will then be passed as arguments to the `find_smallest` function call. Assign the result of this function call to another variable, which will hold the smallest number.

Output the Smallest Number

Lastly, print the smallest number by using the `print()` function, displaying the result to the user in a readable format. This step ensures the user can see which of their input numbers was identified as the smallest.

Key concepts

Function Definition

In programming, a function is a block of code that performs a specific task. When you define a function, you assign a name and list the steps that the function should perform. In Python, you create a function using the `def` keyword followed by the function's name and any necessary parameters within parentheses. After this setup, the code that belongs to the function is indented. This indicates that it's part of the function.
Defining functions allows you to organize your code into manageable parts. You can call the function whenever you need to perform the task it handles.
Remember, in our exercise, we defined a function called `find_smallest` to determine the smallest floating-point number from a set of three. By using the `min()` function inside our custom function, we leverage Python's built-in capabilities to find the minimum value among the given numbers.

Floating-Point Numbers

Floating-point numbers are numbers that have a decimal point. They are essential for representing real numbers in programming since many calculations and data points are not whole numbers.
In Python, floating-point numbers are created when you include a decimal in a number. You can also convert strings to floating-point numbers using the `float()` function. This is important when handling user inputs or read data. Floating-point numbers allow high precision and a wide range of values, fitting perfectly with most mathematical computations.
In our exercise, capturing user inputs as floating-point numbers is crucial since this keeps our calculations precise, especially when comparing numbers to find the smallest one.

Input Handling

Input handling is the method of collecting data from users. It can be done in various ways, depending on the programming language and the application's needs.
In Python, the `input()` function is commonly used to get user input. When you use this function, it prompts the user to enter a value. However, `input()` treats everything as a string, which means if you need a number, you must convert the input using functions like `int()` or `float()`.
Proper input handling ensures that the data your program handles is in the correct format, which is critical for successful processing, as demonstrated in our exercise. Once the floating-point numbers are correctly input and converted, they are ready to be passed to the function for further processing, like finding the smallest number.