Python Coding Challenge - Question with Answer (ID 191026)

 

Explanation:

Step 1: Understand the min() Function

Python's min() function returns the smallest value among the given values.

min("10", "2", "30")

Here, we have three strings:

- "10"

- "2"

- "30"

Important: These values are strings, not integers.

Step 2: Understand Lexicographical Comparison

When Python compares strings, it compares their characters one by one according to their Unicode values.

Look at the first character of each string:

String First character

"10" '1'

"2" '2'

"30" '3'

Python compares these characters:

- '1' has Unicode value 49.

- '2' has Unicode value 50.

- '3' has Unicode value 51.

Since '1' comes before '2' and '3', the string "10" is considered the smallest.

Step 3: Apply the min() Function

min("10", "2", "30")

Python returns the smallest string:

"10"

Notice that Python compares the strings alphabetically by character order, not by their numerical values.

Step 4: Final Output

10

Books: Python for Aerospace & Satellite Data Processing