Build a Text Report

Keep numerical values separate from text, then build a readable temperature report with strings and an f-string. Choose one decimal place without changing the stored mean.

The calculation produces numbers. A report also needs text that tells a reader what those numbers mean.

Quotation Marks Create Text

Python writes text values, called strings, between matching quotation marks:

The quotation marks mark the beginning and end of each string. They are part of the source code, not part of the stored text.

A number and quoted digits are different values:

Both may display as 4, but count is a number that can take part in arithmetic. count_text is one character of text.

Q1. Distinguish a number from text

Which instruction stores text rather than a numerical value?

Choose one

reading = "18"

reading = 18

reading = 9 + 9

Select one choice, then check.

HintFind the quotation marks

Python string literals are written inside matching quotes.

SolutionThe quoted 18 is text

"18" is a string. The other two instructions produce the integer 18.

Build Text from Smaller Parts

The + operator joins strings:

label = "Mean" + ": "

The result is the text Mean: . Python does not insert a space on its own; the space after the colon is written inside the second string.

Joining text this way becomes awkward when the report contains a number. Python does not allow "Mean: " + mean because a string and a number are different kinds of value. An f-string places expressions inside a string:

print(f"Mean: {mean} {unit}")

The letter f before the opening quote tells Python to evaluate the expressions inside braces. If mean is 20.5 and unit is "°C", the output is:

Mean: 20.5 °C

Build the named report

Run the complete calculation and inspect how the f-string combines text with numerical values.

Choose the Display Precision

An f-string can state how a number should appear. In {mean:.1f}, .1f asks for one digit after the decimal point:

print(f"Mean: {mean:.1f} {unit}")

For this program the output remains Mean: 20.5 °C. A mean of 20.56 would appear as 20.6. The formatting changes the displayed text; it does not replace the numerical value stored under mean.

Q2. Complete the report line

Which instruction displays Count: 4 readings when count is 4?

Choose one

print(f"Count: {count} readings")

print("Count: count readings")

print("Count: " + count)

Select one choice, then check.

HintLook inside the braces

An f-string evaluates expressions written between { and }.

SolutionUse an f-string

print(f"Count: {count} readings") combines the text with the current numerical value of count.

Q3. Write a one-line report

Complete the final line so that the program displays Total: 82 °C.

Editable Python

HintPlace total inside braces

Begin the final line with print(f"Total: and include {total} before the unit.

SolutionInsert the total in an f-string

print(f"Total: {total} {unit}")

Strings carry labels and units; numbers carry quantities that can be calculated. An f-string joins their displayed forms without confusing their roles. We can now name the parts of the Python lines that build this report.