Is There a Multiplication Function in Python Equivalent to sum()?

Multiplication Function Analogous to sum()

The built-in Python function sum() provides a convenient way to calculate the sum of numbers in an iterable. However, a direct counterpart for multiplication is notably absent.

Search for a Multiplication Function

The question arises: is there an established function that performs the multiplication equivalent of sum()? Despite diligent searching, no such function within the native Python library has been identified.

Developing a Custom Function

Nevertheless, creating a custom function to meet this need is straightforward. Using functools.reduce and operator.mul allows you to achieve this functionality:

<code class="python">from functools import reduce
import operator

def product(iterable, initial=1):
    return reduce(operator.mul, iterable, initial)

result = product([3, 4, 5])
print(result)  # Output: 60</code>

The product() function takes an iterable and an optional initial value, defaulting to 1. It then accumulates the product of all elements in the iterable from left to right, effectively calculating the multiplication equivalent of sum().

This custom function satisfies the need for a multiplication function in Python, mimicking the behavior of sum() but for a multiplication operation.

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