What is the output of the following snippet? ``python def fun(x, y, z): return x + 2 y + 3 z print(fun(0, z=1, y=3)) ``

The correct answer is A. 9. Calling fun(0, z=1, y=3) binds x=0, y=3, and z=1 - Python allows keyword arguments to appear out of order after positional ones, so the mapping is unambiguous. Evaluating the return: 0 + 2×3 + 3×1 = 0 + 6 + 3 = 9, confirming A. B is wrong because the call is perfectly valid…

Question

What is the output of the following snippet?

def fun(x, y, z):
 return x + 2 * y + 3 * z

print(fun(0, z=1, y=3))

Options

A9
BThe snippet is erroneous.
C0
D3

How the community answered

(63 responses)

A
79% (50)
B
3% (2)
C
13% (8)
D
5% (3)

Explanation

Calling fun(0, z=1, y=3) binds x=0, y=3, and z=1 - Python allows keyword arguments to appear out of order after positional ones, so the mapping is unambiguous. Evaluating the return: 0 + 2×3 + 3×1 = 0 + 6 + 3 = 9, confirming A.

B is wrong because the call is perfectly valid Python - positional arguments must come before keyword arguments, and that rule is satisfied here (0 fills x positionally before the keywords begin).

C (0) would only result if all arguments were zero; it's a trap for readers who misread x=0 as "the whole function returns 0."

D (3) would be the result if only y contributed (2×3 = 6… actually not even that), making it a plausible-looking but arithmetically incorrect distractor.

Memory tip: When keyword arguments appear out of order, mentally re-sort them to match the function signature first - write out x=0, y=3, z=1, then substitute into the formula. This eliminates ordering confusion before you do any arithmetic.

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