Implementing User Input for Percentile Calculation in Python

Create a Python script that prompts a user to input a percentile and outputs the corresponding age using np.percentile.

Take on a practical Python coding challenge aimed at calculating age percentiles from user inputs. Learn how to utilize Python's input and percentile functions to analyze age data effectively.

Key Insights

  • Implement Python's built-in input function to prompt users to enter a percentile, converting the input string into a numeric value compatible with np.percentile.
  • Create an interactive program that calculates and clearly communicates age percentiles; for instance, inputting "90" would return "90% of all people are less than 61."
  • Practice coding skills within a Python environment, such as Noble Desktop's notebook setup, enabling users to efficiently analyze random age samples through percentile calculations.

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Let’s give you a little challenge. Take this age group and execute the block as shown. Now `ages` is available in our Python environment.

This is a random sample of ages. Using that sample, you’ll prompt the user for input. You can use Python’s built-in `input()` function to ask the user for some information.

Of course, we are the user in this case, since we’re running the notebook. But if someone else were reviewing it, they could also interact with it as a user, without being the programmer. We’re going to create an input box. The user will enter a percentile—such as 25,75, or any number—and get back the age below which that percentage of people fall.

If someone enters 90, you should print a string like: “90% of all people are less than 61.” You could also phrase it as “younger than 61, ” if you prefer.

For input 40, you’d display: “40% of all people are less than 27.”

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Here’s a hint: user input from `input()` always comes in as a string, and you’ll need to convert it to a number before passing it to `np.percentile()`.

All right—I’ll let you folks take a stab at that, and we’ll look at the solution in a moment.

Colin Jaffe

Colin Jaffe is a programmer, writer, and teacher with a passion for creative code, customizable computing environments, and simple puns. He loves teaching code, from the fundamentals of algorithmic thinking to the business logic and user flow of application building—he particularly enjoys teaching JavaScript, Python, API design, and front-end frameworks.

Colin has taught code to a diverse group of students since learning to code himself, including young men of color at All-Star Code, elementary school kids at The Coding Space, and marginalized groups at Pursuit. He also works as an instructor for Noble Desktop, where he teaches classes in the Full-Stack Web Development Certificate and the Data Science & AI Certificate.

Colin lives in Brooklyn with his wife, two kids, and many intricate board games.

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