Python Coding Challenge - Question with Answer (ID 160926)

1. Creating the List

x = [-10, 2, -3]

A list x is created with three numbers:

-10, 2, -3

2. Using min() with key=abs

min(x, key=abs)

Normally, min() compares the actual values.

But here, key=abs tells Python:

“Compare the numbers based on their absolute values.”

Absolute values:

abs(-10) = 10

abs(2)   = 2

abs(-3)  = 3

So Python effectively compares:

-10 → 10

  2 → 2

 -3 → 3

3. Finding the Minimum

Among the absolute values:

10, 2, 3

The smallest value is:

2

The original element corresponding to 2 is returned.

Therefore:

min(x, key=abs) → 2

4. print() Statement

print(min(x, key=abs))

The result is printed:

2

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