set_range2.py

# The range of a set of values is the maximum value minus the minimum
# value. Define a procedure, set_range, which returns the range of three input
# values.

# Hint: the procedure, biggest which you coded in this unit
# might help you with this question. You might also like to find a way to
# code it using some built-in functions.

def bigger(a, b):
    if a > b:
        return a
    else:
        return b


def biggest(a, b, c):
    return bigger(a, bigger(b, c))


def set_range(a, b, c):
    big = biggest(a, b, c)
    if big == a:
        if b > c:
            return a - c
        else:
            return a - b
    if big == b:
        if a > c:
            return b - c
        else:
            return b - a
    if big == c:
        if a > b:
            return c - b
        else:
            return c - a


print set_range(10, 4, 7)
# >>> 6  # since 10 - 4 = 6

print set_range(1.1, 7.4, 18.7)
# >>> 17.6 # since 18.7 - 1.1 = 17.6