Finding the middle of a list

Question

So I am trying to find the median of the list "revenues" which will be named "base_revenue".

Comments:

#Assume that revenues always has an odd number of members

#Write code to set base_revenue = midpoint of the revenue list

#Hint: Use the int and len functions

revenues = [280.00, 382.50, 500.00, 632.50, 780.00]


 {def findMiddle(revenues):
    middle = float(len(revenues))/2
if middle % 2 != 0:
    return revenues[int(middle - .5)]
else:
    return (revenues[int(middle)], revenues[int(middle-1)])}

I'm getting invalid syntax. The median function itself works, but maybe there is a more efficient way to do it.

Answer 1

Hint: the answer to this is far simpler than you've made it. You can even do it in a single line, unless your instructor specifically requires you to define a function.

You're told the list will always have an odd number of items; all you need is the index of the middle item. Remember that in Python, indices start at 0. So, for instance, a list of length 5 will have its middle element at index 2. A list of length 7 will have its middle element at index 3. Notice a pattern?

Your assignment also reminds you about len(), which finds the length of something (such as a list), and int(), which turns things (if possible) into integers. Notably, it turns a floating-point number into the the closest integer at or below it (a "floor" function); for instance it turns 2.5 into 2.

Can you see how you might put those together to programmatically find the midpoint index?