Python List Error not callable

Question

import math

def getBestLoc(lst):
    if len(lst) % 2 == 0:
        #bestLoc = (lst((len(lst)/2) + lst(len(lst)/2)-1))/2
        bestLoc = ((lst[len(lst)]//2) + (lst[len(lst)/2]-1)) // 2
    else:
        bestLoc = lst(len(lst)//2)
    sumOfDistances(lst, bestLoc)
    return bestLoc

def sumOfDistances(lst, bestLoc):
    total = 0
    for i in lst:
        total += math.abs(bestLoc - i)
    return total

def main():
    lst = [10, 15, 30, 200]
    lst.sort()
    print(lst)
    getBestLoc(lst)

main()

I got this error:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\NAME\Desktop\storeLocation.py", line 32, in <module>
    main()
  File "C:\Users\NAME\Desktop\storeLocation.py", line 30, in main
    getBestLoc(lst)
  File "C:\Users\NAME\Desktop\storeLocation.py", line 14, in getBestLoc
    bestLoc = ((lst[len(lst)]//2) + (lst[len(lst)/2]-1)) // 2
IndexError: list index out of range

I don't know what I did wrong. It is saying, IndexError: list index out of range, I don't know what that means. It is my lab homework. Trying to figure this issue out. Any help? Thanks.

Stefano Sanfilippo · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-08 22:19:59Z

4

You need to access an element of the list with [], not to call it as a function with (). Replace:

bestLoc = ((lst(len(lst))/2) + (lst(len(lst)/2)-1)) / 2

with

bestLoc = ((lst[len(lst)]/2) + (lst[len(lst)/2]-1)) / 2

answered Oct 8, 2013 at 22:19

Stefano Sanfilippo

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7 Comments

Singh2013 Over a year ago

Thanks! I didn't look carefully at the [] and (). Also, When I done that, I get this new error: IndexError: list index out of range I don't get how is this out of range.

Stefano Sanfilippo Over a year ago

Replace lst[len(lst)] with lst[len(lst) - 1] or (better) with lst[-1] to correctly get the last element.

Stefano Sanfilippo Over a year ago

Also, if using Python3, replace / with //, or you might get an error complaining about float.

Singh2013 Over a year ago

bestLoc = ((lst[-1]/2) + (lst[len(lst)/2]-1)) / 2 TypeError: list indices must be integers, not float I have no idea what is the means. I know what is Int and Float.

Stefano Sanfilippo Over a year ago

Read the comment above: replace lst[len(lst)/2] with lst[len(lst)//2]

|

prgao · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-08 22:19:32Z

2

accessing list element uses square bracket [] not ()

should be

((lst[len(lst)]/2) + (lst[len(lst)/2]-1)) / 2

same thing with the else: clause

answered Oct 8, 2013 at 22:19

prgao

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2 Comments

Singh2013 Over a year ago

Thanks! I didn't look carefully at the [] and (). Also, When I done that, I get this new error: IndexError: list index out of range I don't get how is this out of range.

prgao Over a year ago

a = [1,2,3], len(a)=3, but last element of a is a[2], so you have to do a[len(a) - 1] to get the last element

Freddie · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-08 22:20:29Z

2

You're attempting to use lst as a function by using lst(...). Try using square brackets lst[...].

answered Oct 8, 2013 at 22:20

Freddie

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Comments

Archangel33 · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-08 23:40:49Z

1

What other posters have said. Use square brackets [] instead of parentheses () to access list elements. eg. lst[index] Also, you are attempting to access elements outside the list.

Don't use lst[len(lst)] - you automatically get an index out of bounds exception. Instead, use lst[len(lst)-1].

Also, don't use math.abs, that function doesn't exist in python. Instead use math.fabs

edited Oct 8, 2013 at 23:40

Archangel33

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answered Oct 8, 2013 at 22:25

eliotn

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2 Comments

Stefano Sanfilippo Over a year ago

Actually, you have abs in Python.

Singh2013 Over a year ago

I don't quite understand Don't use.... Which part in the code? I know I got the index out of range

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