How to Calculate the Average of 4 Numbers Using Python and Java: Code Examples and Best Practices

Calculating the average of a set of numbers is a fundamental task in programming, often used in data analysis, statistics, and various other applications. In this article, we will provide simple examples of how to calculate the average of four numbers using Python and Java. We will also discuss the logic behind these programs and best practices for improving your coding skills.

Understanding the Task

To calculate the average of four numbers, you need to:

Take four numbers as input from the user. Sum the four numbers. Divide the sum by 4 to get the average.

Let's dive into the code examples for Python and Java.

Python Implementation

Method 1

s  0for i in range(4):    print("Enter number "   str(i   1)   ": ", end"")    n  float(input())    s   nprint()print("Average  "   str(s / 4))

Method 2

s  0i  1while i  4:    print("Enter number "   str(i)   ": ", end"")    n  float(input())    s   n    i   1print()print("Average  "   str(s / 4))

Java Implementation

Method 1

import ;public class Main {    public static void main(String[] args) {        float s  0;        Scanner sc  new Scanner();        for (int i  1; i  4; i  ) {            ("Enter number "   i   ": ");            float n  ();            s   n;        }        ("Average  "   s / 4);    }}

Method 2

import ;public class Main {    public static void main(String[] args) {        float s  0;        Scanner sc  new Scanner();        int i  1;        while (i  4) {            ("Enter number "   i   ": ");            float n  ();            s   n;            i   1;        }        ("Average  "   s / 4);    }}

Method 3

import ;public class Main {    public static void main(String[] args) {        float s  0;        Scanner sc  new Scanner();        int i  1;        do {            ("Enter number "   i   ": ");            float n  ();            s   n;            i   1;        } while (i  4);        ("Average  "   s / 4);    }}

Logic Explained

The logic used by all these programs is simple:

Run a loop with 4 iterations to ask the user to enter 4 numbers. Add the 4 numbers and store the sum in a variable. Divide the sum by 4 to get the average.

These programs use a for loop, while loop, and do-while loop to achieve the same goal, demonstrating the flexibility of different loop constructs in Python and Java.

Best Practices

Use meaningful variable names: Instead of using single-letter variable names like 'n' or 's', consider using more descriptive names like 'num' or 'sum'. Input validation: Validate user input to ensure it is a valid number, and handle exceptions to make your code more robust. Code readability: Ensure your code is well-formatted and easy to read. Use appropriate indentation, comments, and spacing.

By following these best practices, you can write cleaner, more readable, and more maintainable code.

Conclusion

Calculating the average of four numbers is a straightforward task, but it serves as a great starting point for learning the basics of input handling and looping constructs in Python and Java. As you become more comfortable with these concepts, you will be better equipped to tackle more complex programming challenges.