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Grade 6 · lesson 3 of 4

Select a List Item by Position

Number list positions from 0 and return the value at the stated index.

About 18 minutes, plus any extended practice

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Supplied materials

  • Paper and pencil; answers may also be spoken or typed.
  • All cases, labels, numbers and rules are supplied on this page. No real account, private information or purchase is needed.

Learn the idea

A list stores an ordered collection. Python lists use zero-based indexing, just like strings. Selecting one item does not add the entire list or sort it. The given order is part of the data, so the learner should preserve it while finding a requested position.

Number list positions from 0 and return the value at the stated index. The smallest value is not necessarily the first list item.

Use this supplied case: Paper Python 3 expression: [7,2,9][0]. What value results? The task is to connect the given information to the computing idea. Write a short evidence trail so another learner can reproduce your choice. The simplified case describes the stated model, not every real system.

  1. Represent the supplied worked case with a labeled drawing, table or short trace.
  2. Number list positions from 0 and return the value at the stated index.
  3. Explain why the worked answer fits and why one alternative does not.
  4. Try the new check and practice cases; revisit the stated rule if your evidence does not match.
Worked example

See the method in action

The list [7,2,9] has positions 0→7, 1→2, 2→9; selecting index 0 returns 7. For the distinct list [10,6,4,8], positions 0,1,2,3 contain 10,6,4,8, so index 2 returns 4. Selection uses the original order, not the smallest value or a sum. Both positions exist. Reordering the list before selecting an index would answer a different question.

Your turn

Check your reasoning

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Helpful tips
  • Number list positions from 0 and return the value at the stated index.
  • The smallest value is not necessarily the first list item.
Paper Python 3 expression: [4,8,3][1]. What value results?

Feedback appears here after you check. This is practice, not a graded school assessment.

See the answer and explanation

8

The sequence has positions 0→4, 1→8, 2→3. Select position 1, whose value is 8. Number list positions from 0 and return the value at the stated index.

Take it further

For values=[12, 3, 8, 5], expected values[2]=8. Sorting first would answer a different question.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.

More practice: try new cases

Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.

More practice: try new cases
1. Paper Python 3 expression: [6,1,5][2]. What value results?
Need a hint?
  • Number list positions from 0 and return the value at the stated index.
  • The smallest value is not necessarily the first list item.
2. Paper Python 3 expression: [9,3,8,2][1]. What value results?
Need a hint?
  • Number list positions from 0 and return the value at the stated index.
  • The smallest value is not necessarily the first list item.
3. Paper Python 3 expression: [2,7,4,6][3]. What value results?
Need a hint?
  • Number list positions from 0 and return the value at the stated index.
  • The smallest value is not necessarily the first list item.

Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.

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