Answer: Python Puzzler #281

The answer is D. The program prints:

Slow and steady.

Checked by running the program for real.

Python checks the conditions from the top and runs the first one that is true. Is 12 > 17? No. Is 12 > 4? Yes.

A trace table follows the program step by step. Here’s this one:

question	answer
battery > 17	False
battery > 4	True

battery = 12
if battery > 17:
    print("Full speed ahead!")
elif battery > 4:
    print("Slow and steady.")
else:
    print("Time to recharge!")

Try it: change one number in the program and predict the new output before you run it.