Python Data Analysis

A simple application

Imagine that we want to add two vectors called a and b. The word vector is used here in the mathematical sense, which means a one-dimensional array. We will learn in Chapter 3, Statistics and Linear Algebra, about specialized NumPy arrays that represent matrices. The vector a holds the squares of integers 0 to n; for instance, if n is equal to 3, a contains 0, 1, or 4. The vector b holds the cubes of integers 0 to n, so if n is equal to 3, then the vector b is equal to 0, 1, or 8. How would you do that using plain Python? After we come up with a solution, we will compare it with the NumPy equivalent.

The following function solves the vector addition problem using pure Python without NumPy:

def pythonsum(n): a = range(n) b = ...