Nested Conditionals Homework: Python

Complete the following three problems to practice working with nested conditionals. Each problem increases in difficulty. All problems must be completed in Python.

Problem 1: Complete the Shipping Cost Calculator (Easy)

An online store calculates shipping costs based on the order total and membership status. The partially completed code below needs to be finished.

Rules:

  • If order total is $50 or more:
    • Free shipping for members
    • $5 shipping for non-members
  • If order total is less than $50:
    • $3 shipping for members
    • $8 shipping for non-members

Your task: Complete the nested conditional so that when you run the code with the given initial values (order_total = 45 and is_member = True), the output shows a shipping cost of $3.

# Initial conditions - DO NOT CHANGE THESE
order_total = 45
is_member = True
shipping_cost = 0

print(f"Order Total: ${order_total}")
print(f"Member: {is_member}")

# YOUR CODE HERE: Complete the nested conditional
if order_total >= 50:
    # Complete this branch
    pass
else:
    # Complete this branch
    pass

print(f"Shipping Cost: ${shipping_cost}")

# Expected output with given values: Shipping Cost: $3

Problem 2: Build a Restaurant Recommendation System (Medium)

Create a system that recommends a restaurant based on the user’s budget and cuisine preference.

Requirements:

  • If budget is “high” (over $30 per person):
    • If cuisine is “italian”: recommend “Bella Notte”
    • If cuisine is “japanese”: recommend “Sakura Palace”
    • For any other cuisine: recommend “The Grand Bistro”
  • If budget is “medium” ($15-$30 per person):
    • If cuisine is “italian”: recommend “Mario’s Pizzeria”
    • If cuisine is “japanese”: recommend “Tokyo Express”
    • For any other cuisine: recommend “Downtown Diner”
  • If budget is “low” (under $15 per person):
    • Recommend “Food Court” regardless of cuisine preference

Your task: Write the complete nested conditional structure. Store the recommendation in the recommendation variable.

# Test variables
budget_per_person = 25
cuisine = "japanese"
recommendation = ""

print(f"Budget per person: ${budget_per_person}")
print(f"Preferred cuisine: {cuisine}")

# YOUR CODE HERE: Write the complete nested conditional



print(f"\nRecommendation: {recommendation}")

# Test your code with these scenarios:
# budget_per_person=35, cuisine="italian" → "Bella Notte"
# budget_per_person=25, cuisine="japanese" → "Tokyo Express"
# budget_per_person=20, cuisine="mexican" → "Downtown Diner"
# budget_per_person=10, cuisine="italian" → "Food Court"

Problem 3: Design a Smart Home Thermostat System (Hard)

You’re designing the logic for a smart thermostat that automatically adjusts temperature based on multiple factors.

Word Problem:

The thermostat needs to decide what action to take based on:

  • Current temperature
  • Whether anyone is home
  • Time of day (represented as “day” or “night”)
  • Energy saving mode (on or off)

Logic Requirements:

  1. If someone is home:
    • During the day:
      • If temp is above 75°F: set action to “cooling” and target_temp to 72
      • If temp is below 68°F: set action to “heating” and target_temp to 70
      • Otherwise: set action to “maintaining” and keep current temp
    • During the night:
      • If temp is above 72°F: set action to “cooling” and target_temp to 68
      • If temp is below 65°F: set action to “heating” and target_temp to 68
      • Otherwise: set action to “maintaining” and keep current temp
  2. If no one is home:
    • If energy saving mode is ON:
      • If temp is above 80°F: set action to “cooling” and target_temp to 78
      • If temp is below 60°F: set action to “heating” and target_temp to 62
      • Otherwise: set action to “off” and target_temp to current temp
    • If energy saving mode is OFF:
      • Set action to “maintaining” and target_temp to 70

Your task: Design the complete nested conditional algorithm from scratch. You’re given the framework below with initial values, but NO code. Write the entire logic yourself.

# Test variables
current_temp = 78
is_home_occupied = True
time_of_day = "day"  # "day" or "night"
energy_saving_mode = False

# Variables to set
action = ""  # Will be "heating", "cooling", "maintaining", or "off"
target_temp = current_temp

print("=== Smart Thermostat Status ===")
print(f"Current Temperature: {current_temp}°F")
print(f"Home Occupied: {is_home_occupied}")
print(f"Time of Day: {time_of_day}")
print(f"Energy Saving Mode: {energy_saving_mode}")
print()

# YOUR CODE HERE: Write the complete nested conditional algorithm



print("=== Thermostat Action ===")
print(f"Action: {action}")
print(f"Target Temperature: {target_temp}°F")

# Test your code with these scenarios:
# Scenario 1: current_temp=78, is_home_occupied=True, time_of_day="day", energy_saving_mode=False
#   → action="cooling", target_temp=72
# Scenario 2: current_temp=66, is_home_occupied=True, time_of_day="night", energy_saving_mode=True
#   → action="maintaining", target_temp=66
# Scenario 3: current_temp=85, is_home_occupied=False, time_of_day="day", energy_saving_mode=True
#   → action="cooling", target_temp=78
# Scenario 4: current_temp=70, is_home_occupied=False, time_of_day="night", energy_saving_mode=False
#   → action="maintaining", target_temp=70

Reflection Questions

After completing all three problems, answer these questions:

  1. Which problem was the most challenging and why?
  2. How did you decide on the structure of your nested conditionals in Problem 3?
  3. Can you think of a real-world situation where you would need even MORE levels of nesting than Problem 3?