Python Exercise: Check the numbers that are higher than the previous

Last update on April 17 2025 13:00:40 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

Count Larger Than Previous

A Python list contains some positive integers. Write a Python program to count the numbers that are greater than the previous number on the list.

Sample Data:

([1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 5]) -> 4
([1, 3, 3, 2, 2]) -> 1
([4, 3, 2, 1]) -> 0

Sample Solution-1:

Python Code:

# Function to count numbers in a list that are greater than the previous number.
def test(nums):
    # Counter variable to keep track of the count.
    ctr = 0

    # Iterate through the list starting from the second element.
    for i in range(1, len(nums)):
        # Check if the current number is greater than the previous number.
        if nums[i] > nums[i - 1]:
            # Increment the counter.
            ctr += 1

    # Return the final count.
    return ctr

# Example usage of the function with different lists of numbers.
nums = [1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 5]
print("Original list of numbers:", nums)
print("Count the numbers of the said list that are greater than the previous number!")
print(test(nums))

nums = [1, 3, 3, 2, 2]
print("\nOriginal list of numbers:", nums)
print("Count the numbers of the said list that are greater than the previous number!")
print(test(nums))

nums = [4, 3, 2, 1]
print("\nOriginal list of numbers:", nums)
print("Count the numbers of the said list that are greater than the previous number!")
print(test(nums))

Sample Output:

Original list of numbers: [1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 5]
Count the numbers of the said list that are greater than the previous number!
4
Original list of numbers: [1, 3, 3, 2, 2]
Count the numbers of the said list that are greater than the previous number!
1
Original list of numbers: [4, 3, 2, 1]
Count the numbers of the said list that are greater than the previous number!
0

Explanation:

Here is a breakdown of the above Python code:

Function definition:

def test(nums):: Defines a function named "test()" that takes a list of numbers (nums) as input.

Counter variable:

ctr = 0: Initializes a counter variable to keep track of the count.

Iteration through the list:

for i in range(1, len(nums)):: Iterates through the list starting from the second element.

Comparison and counting:

if nums[i] > nums[i - 1]:: Checks if the current number is greater than the previous number.
ctr += 1: Increments the counter if the condition is met.

Return statement:

return ctr: Returns the final count of numbers that are greater than the previous number.

Flowchart:

Sample Solution-2:

Python Code:

# Function to count numbers in a list that are greater than the previous number.
def test(nums):
    # Use list comprehension to count numbers that are greater than the previous number.
    # The expression `nums[n] > nums[n-1]` evaluates to True if the current number is greater than the previous number.
    # The sum function counts the number of True values in the list comprehension.
    return sum(nums[n] > nums[n-1] for n in range(1, len(nums)))

# Example usage of the function with different lists of numbers.
nums = [1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 5]
print("Original list of numbers:", nums)
print("Count the numbers of the said list that are greater than the previous number!")
print(test(nums))

nums = [1, 3, 3, 2, 2]
print("\nOriginal list of numbers:", nums)
print("Count the numbers of the said list that are greater than the previous number!")
print(test(nums))

nums = [4, 3, 2, 1]
print("\nOriginal list of numbers:", nums)
print("Count the numbers of the said list that are greater than the previous number!")
print(test(nums))

Sample Output:

Original list of numbers: [1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 5]
Count the numbers of the said list that are greater than the previous number!
4
Original list of numbers: [1, 3, 3, 2, 2]
Count the numbers of the said list that are greater than the previous number!
1
Original list of numbers: [4, 3, 2, 1]
Count the numbers of the said list that are greater than the previous number!
0

Explanation:

Here is a breakdown of the above Python code:

Function definition:

def test(nums):: Defines a function named "test()" that takes a list of numbers (nums) as input.

List comprehension and sum:

return sum(nums[n] > nums[n-1] for n in range(1, len(nums))): Uses list comprehension to create a list of True/False values based on whether each number is greater than the previous one. The "sum()" function then counts the number of 'True' values.

Flowchart:

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

Write a Python program to count the number of elements in a list that are greater than the preceding element.
Write a Python program to iterate over a list and count instances where an element is larger than the element immediately before it.
Write a Python program to determine the count of numbers in an array that exceed their previous number using a loop.
Write a Python program to compare each element with its predecessor in a list and count how many times the condition holds true.

Go to:

Previous: Sum of the digits in each number in a list is equal
Next: N x N square consisting only of the integer N.

Python Code Editor:

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