Question

Write a program that prints the product of the first ten positive integers, \(1 \times 2 \times \ldots \times\) 10. (Use " to indicate multiplication in Python.)

Short answer

Use a loop to multiply numbers 1-10 and print the product.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Problem

We need to calculate the product of the first ten positive integers, which involves multiplying each integer from 1 to 10 together.

Plan the Solution

We can achieve this by using a loop to iterate through numbers 1 to 10 and multiply them together, storing the result in a variable.

Initialize Variables

Create a variable called 'product' and initialize it to 1, as multiplying by 1 does not change the value.

Create a Loop

Write a for loop in Python that iterates over the range of numbers from 1 to 10 inclusive.

Update the Product

Within the loop, multiply the current number by 'product' and update 'product' with the new value.

Print the Result

After the loop ends, use the `print` function to display the final value of 'product', which is the product of the numbers 1 through 10.

Key concepts

Looping in Python

Loops are fundamental in Python programming and offer a way to repeat actions. The `for` loop is particularly useful for iterating over sequences such as ranges of numbers. In the provided exercise, the `for` loop is used to calculate the product of the first ten integers from 1 to 10. The loop structure is simple and begins with the keyword `for`, followed by a variable that will take each value in a sequence, and the `in` keyword, followed by the sequence itself.
To iterate through a range of numbers, you can use the `range()` function. This function generates a sequence of numbers, which the loop can iterate over. For example, `range(1, 11)` will generate numbers from 1 up to, but not including, 11. This allows each number in that range to be processed in sequence by the loop.
When each iteration is executed, the current number is used in the loop's body to perform operations, such as updating the `product` variable as in our task. This repeat action without manually writing multiple statements is what makes loops such a powerful tool in programming.

Product of Integers

Computing the product of integers involves multiplying a set of numbers to find a result. In mathematical terms, the product is the result of multiplying two or more numbers together. In our exercise, the goal is to find the product of all integers from 1 to 10.
The calculation can be represented mathematically as \( 1 \times 2 \times 3 \times \ldots \times 10 \). Each integer in the sequence contributes to the final result. As per the provided solution, this is accomplished dynamically using a loop, where each number fetched by the loop is successively multiplied to an accumulator variable called `product`.
Thus, if you initialize `product` to 1, multiplying it progressively by each number from the sequence

• 1
• 2
• ... up to 10,

results in the final product being the strict mathematical product of all these integers. This operation is often referred to as finding the factorial of 10, denoted as 10!. But in this exercise, you compute it manually.

Python for Beginners

Python is an excellent language for beginners due to its readability and simplicity. Its syntax is clear and mirrors how we think about programming tasks, making it ideal for newcomers to learn the basics of coding.
In the context of the example, we encounter foundational programming practices like initializing variables, using loops, and handling arithmetic operations. These are core principles that will repeatedly appear in coding exercises. Python's straightforward syntax allows beginners to focus more on solving logical problems rather than worrying about complex language rules.
For instance, when initializing a variable, you simply choose a name and assign a value with the `=` operator. With Python’s `for` loop, the language automatically handles the sequence's iteration process, letting coders concentrate on what they want to achieve within that loop. Python encourages the practice of using meaningful variable names, such as `product`, which clearly indicates its purpose.