meet it

hands the answer back so you can keep it.

So far your functions print things. Printing shows a value on the screen, and then it is gone. Your program cannot catch it, keep it or do maths with it.

To return a value, write return and the value. The call then turns into the answer, as if double(4) were the number 8. Store it, print it or use it again.

A function with no return hands back None, which is Python's word for nothing at all.

def double(number):
    return number * 2
answer = double(4)
print(answer)
print(double(answer))

Printing is showing someone your answer, and return is handing it to them.

guess first

This one prints instead. What will it show?

Guess before you run it. Wrong guesses are how you learn, and nothing is marked.

def double(number):
    print(number * 2)
answer = double(4)
print(answer)

your turn

Your turn. Build a dog years machine.

In the first blank, type how many dog years each year counts as. People often say 7. In the second, type your dog's age, real or made up. Then run it.

Your code

press run to see what happens

fix it

Your score should double, but it stays at 5. Fix it!

Broken code to fix

press run to see what happens

The function works and hands back 10. But does anything catch that answer?
Line 4 calls double, but the returned value is dropped on the floor. Store it in a variable.
Change line 4 to score = double(score), then run.

nailed it

your functions can hand back answers. :D

print shows a value. return hands it back to use.
A function with no return hands back None.
Catch a returned value in a variable to keep it.

new words in your collection

return

This lesson isn’t saved. A free account remembers every lesson you finish.

return hands the answer back so you can keep it.

This one prints instead. What will it show?

Your turn. Build a dog years machine.

Your score should double, but it stays at 5. Fix it!

your functions can hand back answers. :D

hands the answer back so you can keep it.