Question

Write a program that reads a floating-point number and prints "zero" if the number is zero. Otherwise, print "positive" or "negative". Add " small" if the absolute value of the number is less than 1, or "large" if it exceeds \(1,000,000\).

Short answer

Read input, determine sign and size, then print result.

Step-by-step solution

Reading the Input

Begin by reading the floating-point number from the user. In a simple Python program, you can use the input function for this task: ```python number = float(input("Enter a floating-point number: ")) ``` This will capture the input and convert it into a floating-point number for use in the program.

Determine Zero, Positive, or Negative

Next, you'll need to determine whether the number is zero, positive, or negative. Here is a conditional statement to do that: ```python if number == 0: result = "zero" elif number > 0: result = "positive" else: result = "negative" ``` This assigns 'zero' if the number is zero, 'positive' if greater than zero, or 'negative' otherwise.

Determine Size of the Number

Now, check the size of the number. You'll use additional conditions to see if the number is 'small' or 'large'. Add this check after determining positive or negative: ```python if 0 < abs(number) < 1: result += " small" elif abs(number) > 1000000: result += " large" ``` This will append 'small' if the absolute value is less than 1, or 'large' if it's greater than 1,000,000.

Print the Result

Finally, print the result to inform the user about the type and size of the number: ```python print(result) ``` This statement will output the complete description based on the conditions defined in the previous steps.

Key concepts

Conditional Statements

Conditional statements in Python are used to perform different actions based on whether a certain condition is true or false. They help in decision-making processes in your code. The most commonly used conditional statements are `if`, `elif`, and `else`. In the provided example, these are used to decide whether the number is zero, positive, or negative.
- The `if` statement checks a specific condition. If the condition evaluates to True, the block of code inside the `if` will execute. - An `elif` (short for else if) allows you to check multiple expressions for True and execute a block of code as soon as one condition is true. - The `else` statement captures anything that doesn’t satisfy the previous conditions in `if` or `elif`. Here’s how it looks:
```python if number == 0: # action to perform if number is zero elif number > 0: # action to perform if number is positive else: # action to perform if number is negative ``` Using these statements correctly can create powerful logical flows in your programs.

Input Function

In Python, the `input` function is used to capture user input during program execution. It is a built-in function that allows the program to halt until the user has provided a response. This function always returns a string, so when dealing with numbers, we often need to convert the input to the appropriate data type, such as 'float' or 'int'.
In this exercise, we use: ```python number = float(input("Enter a floating-point number: ")) ``` This prompts the user for input, expects a string, and then the `float()` function is applied to convert that string into a floating-point number. Using `float()` ensures the program correctly interprets any numerical input with decimal precision.
Remember:

• Every input taken is initially treated as a string by default.
• Conversion to other types is necessary for numerical operations to avoid errors.

Floating-Point Numbers

Floating-point numbers are numbers that have decimal points or fractions. In Python, these are represented by the `float` data type. They are used extensively in programming due to their ability to represent very large or very small numbers, which is not possible with integers alone.
In most programming tasks, you often interact with decimals rather than whole numbers, especially in scientific calculations, financial applications, or any context where precision is important. Therefore, understanding how floating-point numbers behave is crucial.
Key characteristics of floating-point numbers include:

• They are approximate representations of real numbers, meaning some precision may be lost.
• The size and value of a floating-point number can be extremely large or very small, which is useful in different calculations.

Python handles floating-point arithmetic as per the IEEE 754 standard, which provides a consistent method of storing and manipulating these numbers. This standard is key to accuracy and precision in your calculations.

Programming Logic

Programming logic involves the sequence of operations carried out by the computer when executing a program. It is the core of software development and is crucial for solving problems and implementing functionality. The logic dictates how the program should execute, what operations are needed, and in what order.
In this exercise, the logic is structured through conditions and input handling: - **Read input:** Capture user input with the `input` function and convert to a float. - **Determine characteristics:** Use conditions (`if-elif-else`) to classify the number as zero, positive, or negative, and as small or large. - **Output result:** Compile the final description of the number’s type and size and print it.
To build strong logic:

• Identify all possible scenarios and outcomes.
• Design clear step-by-step processes to handle each scenario.
• Test extensively to ensure that the logic holds under all possible input conditions.

Doing so ensures that your program behaves correctly and efficiently under all expected inputs. Effective programming logic is essential for developing robust applications.