[Tutor] BMI Question

[Prasad, Ramit]

Aija Thompson wrote:
> Hi!
> 
> So I've been working on this question for hours! And Python keeps giving me an
> error saying that my syntax for BMI is wrong. I really can't understand why.
> 
> So this is what I have so far:


One suggestion: immediately convert to appropriate number type 
instead of storing the string values. It lets you know in the 
appropriate spot if there was a problem with the input
instead of hiding it for later when you actually use the
values.

> 
> w = raw_input('Please give your weight in lbs: ')
> h = raw_input('Now your height in feet and inches: ')
> h. split("'")

This line does nothing since the result of h.split("'")

> ft, inches = h. split("'")

ft = int(h.split("'")[0])
inches = int(h.split("'")[1].split('"')[0].strip())
weight = float(w) # or int?


> h_sum = float(12*int(ft)) + (int(inches.strip('"'))

Stephen already commented on your syntax error on the line above.

h_sum = 12.0 * ft + inches # The .0 will force float multiplication

> BMI = float(703*w)/float(h_sum*h_sum)

The above line fails because you never converted `w` to a number.
In addition, you do not need to convert everything to a float.
One float in the equation should mean that Python returns
the result of that equation as a float.

BMI = 703.0 * weight / h_sum**2

> print 'Your BMI is: ', BMI
> 
> It's the first BMI that isn't agreeing with Python. Any help would do!
> 
> Also, if there are any other serious problems, maybe you could let me know.
> I'm still having some trouble learning all of this.
> 
> Thanks!


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