What is the expected result of the following code? ``python def velocity(x): return speed + x speed = 10 new_speed = velocity(10) new_speed = velocity(speed) print(new_speed) ``

Question

def velocity(x):
 return speed + x

speed = 10
new_speed = velocity(10)
new_speed = velocity(speed)
print(new_speed)

Options

• AThe code is erroneous and cannot be run.
• B10
• C20
• D30

• A
  4% (2)
• B
  13% (6)
• C
  76% (34)
• D
  7% (3)

Explanation

Option C (20) is correct because Python functions can access global variables - when velocity(speed) is called, speed is 10 in the global scope, so the function computes 10 + 10 = 20, which is what gets printed. Option A is wrong because the code runs without error; Python resolves speed as a global variable inside the function. Option B (10) is wrong because the function always adds x to speed, so the minimum return value is 20. Option D (30) is a common trap - test-takers may think the two calls accumulate (20 + 10), but the second assignment new_speed = velocity(speed) simply overwrites the first, so new_speed is 20, not 30.

Memory tip: When you see a variable used inside a function but never defined there, Python looks it up in the outer (global) scope - and remember that = always replaces the previous value, it never adds to it.

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