Python: Find the difference between elements (n+1th – nth) of a given list of numeric values

Last update on April 19 2025 12:58:50 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

Difference Between Elements (n+1th - nth)

Write a Python program to find the difference between elements (n+1th – nth) of a given list of numeric values.

Visual Presentation:

Sample Solution:

Python Code:

# Define a function 'elements_difference' that calculates the differences between adjacent elements in a list
def elements_difference(nums):
    # Use a list comprehension with zip to calculate differences (n+1th – nth)
    result = [j - i for i, j in zip(nums[:-1], nums[1:])]
    return result

# Create two lists 'nums1' and 'nums2'
nums1 = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
nums2 = [2, 4, 6, 8]

# Print a message indicating the original list
print("Original list:")
# Print the contents of 'nums1'
print(nums1)
# Print a message indicating the operation to calculate differences
print("\nDifference between elements (n+1th – nth) of the said list:")
# Call the 'elements_difference' function with 'nums1' and print the result
print(elements_difference(nums1))

# Print a message indicating the original list
print("\nOriginal list:")
# Print the contents of 'nums2'
print(nums2)
# Print a message indicating the operation to calculate differences
print("\nDifference between elements (n+1th – nth) of the said list:")
# Call the 'elements_difference' function with 'nums2' and print the result
print(elements_difference(nums2)) 

Sample Output:

Original list:
[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

Dfference between elements (n+1th – nth) of the said list :
[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1]

Original list:
[2, 4, 6, 8]

Dfference between elements (n+1th – nth) of the said list :
[2, 2, 2]

Flowchart:

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

• Write a Python program to compute the first derivative of a list.
• Write a Python program to find the running sum of a list.
• Write a Python program to compute differences with varying step sizes.
• Write a Python program to find local peaks in a list based on differences.

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