Question

Write a program that reads three numbers and prints "all the same" if they are all the same, "all different" if they are all different, and "ncither" otherwise.

Short answer

Write a program with conditions to print 'all the same', 'all different', or 'neither' based on comparisons of three input numbers.

Step-by-step solution

Set Up Input

First, we'll write a program that asks for three numbers from the user. These numbers will be stored in variables for further comparison.

Compare the Numbers

Next, we'll compare the three numbers to determine their relationship. This involves checking if all three numbers are the same or all three are distinct.

Check for 'All Same' Condition

Here, we'll use an if-statement to check if the first number equals the second number and the second number equals the third number. If this condition is true, the program will print 'all the same'.

Check for 'All Different' Condition

Next, we'll use an elif-statement to check if all three numbers are distinct from each other. This involves ensuring the first number is not equal to the second, the second is not equal to the third, and the first is not equal to the third. If true, the program will print 'all different'.

Handle the 'Neither' Condition

If neither of the above conditions is true, we'll use an else-statement to handle the 'neither' situation where not all numbers are the same, but not all are different either.

Implement the Solution

The complete program would look like this: ```python # Get three numbers from the user num1 = int(input("Enter the first number: ")) num2 = int(input("Enter the second number: ")) num3 = int(input("Enter the third number: ")) # Check and print results based on conditions if num1 == num2 == num3: print("all the same") elif num1 != num2 and num2 != num3 and num1 != num3: print("all different") else: print("neither") ```

Key concepts

Conditional Statements

In Python, conditional statements are critical in making decisions based on certain conditions. They help control the flow of a program by evaluating conditions within statements like `if`, `elif`, and `else`. The `if` statement checks a condition, and if it is `True`, the associated block of code runs.

When you need multiple conditions, you use `elif`, which stands for 'else if'. It enables additional conditions to be checked if the `if` condition fails. Finally, `else` provides a catch-all for any condition that doesn't match the preceding ones.

In the provided solution, `if` is used to check if all three numbers are identical with `if num1 == num2 == num3`. If this is false, the `elif` condition checks if each number is distinct. If none of these conditions is `True`, the `else` statement is executed.

Input Handling

Input handling is the process of collecting information from users and preparing it for processing. In Python, the `input()` function is commonly used to obtain this data. It prompts the user for their input and returns it as a string.

In applications that require numerical input, like this exercise, the input is often converted using functions like `int()`, which changes a string to an integer.

In our solution, each number is inputted as an integer. This requires wrapping the `input()` function with `int()`, ensuring we work with numbers rather than text. It’s always a good practice to validate inputs, though it's not shown in this simple example.

Program Logic

Program logic refers to the sequence of instructions that achieve a desired outcome, essentially forming the plan behind the code structure. It is often visualized as a flow of events or steps

in the solution to our problem. It starts by taking inputs, followed by a series of conditions evaluated one after the other. Based on these evaluations, the program determines which route to take.

The logic in our exercise involves:

• Accepting three inputs from the user.
• Checking if they are all the same using equal to (==) operator.
• If not, checking if all are different using the not equal (\(!=\)) operator.
• If neither condition is met, recognizing that it defaults to the 'neither' case.

Clear and structured logic aids understanding and helps maintain error-free code.

User Interaction

User interaction is a key component of programming. It defines how the program communicates with its users. In text-based programs like our exercise, this often involves displaying messages and requesting input data.

The effectiveness of your program's user interaction can significantly impact the user's experience. Clear prompts and easy-to-understand results are essential in making the interaction intuitive.

In the given example, messages like "Enter the first number:" provide guidance and encourage smooth interaction. Ensuring responses are meaningful, such as "all the same", "all different", or "neither", further solidifies a clear interaction path. Always consider feedback from users to improve interaction continuously.