my_numbers = [100, 15, 103] def sort_some_numbers(nums): out = [] while nums != []: biggest = max(nums) nums.remove(biggest) out.append (biggest) return out result = sort_some_numbers(my_numbers) orint(my_numbers)

Database System Concepts
7th Edition
ISBN:9780078022159
Author:Abraham Silberschatz Professor, Henry F. Korth, S. Sudarshan
Publisher:Abraham Silberschatz Professor, Henry F. Korth, S. Sudarshan
Chapter1: Introduction
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1PE
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The image contains the following Python code and question:

---

**9. Consider the following program.**

```python
my_numbers = [100, 15, 103]

def sort_some_numbers(nums):
    out = []
    while nums != []:
        biggest = max(nums)
        nums.remove(biggest)
        out.append(biggest)
    return out

result = sort_some_numbers(my_numbers)
print(my_numbers)
```

**What gets printed here? Why, and what can you do to make this program actually sort the numbers in descending order?**

---

**Explanation:**

The program defines a list `my_numbers` with values `[100, 15, 103]`. It includes a function `sort_some_numbers` that aims to sort the numbers in descending order by repeatedly finding the maximum number in the list, removing it, and appending it to a new list `out`.

However, when `print(my_numbers)` is executed, it will print the modified `my_numbers`, which will be an empty list `[]`, because the original list is being altered directly within the function.

To preserve the original list and sort the numbers correctly, you can work with a copy of the list by modifying the function call to `sort_some_numbers(nums.copy())` to avoid changing the original list. Alternatively, return the modified list directly and print the result:

```python
result = sort_some_numbers(my_numbers[:])
print(result)
```
Transcribed Image Text:The image contains the following Python code and question: --- **9. Consider the following program.** ```python my_numbers = [100, 15, 103] def sort_some_numbers(nums): out = [] while nums != []: biggest = max(nums) nums.remove(biggest) out.append(biggest) return out result = sort_some_numbers(my_numbers) print(my_numbers) ``` **What gets printed here? Why, and what can you do to make this program actually sort the numbers in descending order?** --- **Explanation:** The program defines a list `my_numbers` with values `[100, 15, 103]`. It includes a function `sort_some_numbers` that aims to sort the numbers in descending order by repeatedly finding the maximum number in the list, removing it, and appending it to a new list `out`. However, when `print(my_numbers)` is executed, it will print the modified `my_numbers`, which will be an empty list `[]`, because the original list is being altered directly within the function. To preserve the original list and sort the numbers correctly, you can work with a copy of the list by modifying the function call to `sort_some_numbers(nums.copy())` to avoid changing the original list. Alternatively, return the modified list directly and print the result: ```python result = sort_some_numbers(my_numbers[:]) print(result) ```
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