Factorial of a Number in Python Using for Loop

Python incorporates an endless collection of libraries and systems that make it simple to create complex applications with negligible code. In this Python exercise, we are going to learn how to calculate the factorial of a number in Python using for loop.

The factorial of a number is the item of all positive integrability up to and including that number. For Example, the factorial of 5 is 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 120. Calculating the factorial of a number may be a common issue in arithmetic and computer science. In this exercise, we’ll learn how to calculate the factorial of a number in Python using for loop.

Python Program to Print Factorial of a Number Using for Loop

Below, you’ll see the code of the factorial of a number in Python using for loop which will help you to understand the concept in a better way:

#Factorial of a Number in Python Using for Loop
# accept input from user
n = int(input("Enter any number: "))

f = 1

# for loop to calculate factorial of a number
for i in range(n, 0, -1):
    f *= i

# print output
print("Factorial is", f)

To calculate the factorial of a number in Python using for loop, follow these steps:

1. Accept input from the user.

n = int(input("Enter any number: "))

The first step of the code is to accept input from the user. The input() function is used to prompt the user to enter a value, which is then converted to an integer using the int() function. This value is stored in a variable named “n”.

2. Initialise a variable to store the factorial value.

f = 1

The next step is to initialize a variable named “f” to 1. This variable will be used to store the factorial value.

3. Use a for loop to calculate the factorial of the input number.

for i in range(n, 0, -1):
    f *= i

The for loop is used to calculate the factorial of the input number. The range() function is used to create a sequence of numbers from the input number down to 1. The loop iterates over this sequence, multiplying each number by the previous product, starting with 1. The *= operator is a shorthand for multiplying the current value of “f” by the current value of “i”.

4. Print the output.

print("Factorial is", f)

The final step is to print the output, which is the factorial value. The print() function is used to display the message “Factorial is” followed by the value of “f”.

In summary, the code accepts input from the user, initialises a variable to store the factorial value, uses a for loop to calculate the factorial of the input number, and prints the output.

The code above prompts the user to enter a number initialises a variable named “f” to 1, and uses a for loop to calculate the factorial of a number. It then prints the output, which is the factorial value.

Output:

Enter any number: 5
Factorial is 120

The above code calculates the factorial of a number using for loop. It first prompts the user to input a number, which is then converted to an integer using the int() function and stored in the variable n.

Now, we initialise a variable f with a value of 1. This will be used to store the factorial of any number, say, n.

When the for loop is initiated, it starts with ‘i’ being equal to n, and it goes down to 1 in increments of -1 using the range() function with a step of -1.

In each reputation of the loop, the value of variable f is multiplied by i using the *= operator. This calculates the product of all numbers from n down to 1, and results in the value of n!.

Why do we use For Loop to print factorial program in python

We generally use ‘for loop’ for finding the factorial of a number because it allows us to iterate through the numbers from n to 1 quickly and multiplies them together to find its factorial. 

Although there are other functions capable of calculating the factorial, such as recursion and reduce function, they could be more complex and efficient. 

For example, recursion involves multiple function calls, which can lead to stack overflow errors for large input values. Similarly, reduce function available in the functools module requires an additional function to be defined, making the code more complex and less readable than a simple for loop.

Thus, for loop is the most efficient method to calculate the factorial of a number. 

In this Python exercise, we learned how to calculate the factorial of a number in Python using for loop. We clarified each step of the code in detail, making it simple for tenderfoots to get it. Calculating the factorial of a number may be a common issue in arithmetic and computer science, and Python gives a basic and natural way to solve it. We trust this instructional exercise was accommodating and instructive, in which you’re presently able to calculate the factorial of any number using Python and a for loop.

FAQ – Factorial of a Number in Python Using for Loop

Below FAQs will provide answers to your queries:

Does Python have an inbuilt function for calculating factorial?

Yes, the math module in Python provides an inbuilt function called factorial().

How to calculate the factorial of multiple numbers?

You can use a loop that takes a new number after each calculation. Alternatively, you can create a list of numbers and use the loop function to calculate the factorial of each number in the list.

Can I input a decimal or negative number in this program?

No, the input must be a positive integer. If you try to enter a decimal or negative number, the program will result in an error as factorials are only calculated for positive integers. 

Is there a limit to the number size that I can enter?

Yes, there is a limit due to the limitations of the computer’s memory. However, this limit is very large and should not be an issue for most practical purposes.

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