Question

What is the output?

x = 10
y = 10
def change():
-> global y
-> x = 45
-> y = 56
change()
print(x)
print(y)

Answer 1

The script will print '10' for x because the function change() does not alter the global value of x. It prints '56' for y because the function change() explicitly modifies the global variable y.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question relates to the output of a Python script which consists of a function that modifies the values of two global variables x and y. Initially, x and y are both set to 10. The function change() is defined, intended to modify these values. However, within the function scope, only the variable y is declared as global, allowing it to be changed globally, while x is not. When the change() function is called, the value of y is changed to 56 globally, but the value of x remains unchanged outside the scope of the function because it is not declared global within the function. Therefore, when x and y are printed, the output will be 10 and 56 respectively.