Why do I get TypeError: can't multiply sequence by non-int of type 'float'?

Raj_59568 0
Viewed 495380

I am typing to get a sale amount (by input) to be multiplied by a defined sales tax (0.08) and then have it print the total amount (sales tax times sale amount).

I run into this error. Anyone know what could be wrong or have any suggestions? 

salesAmount = raw_input (["Insert sale amount here \n"])
['Insert sale amount here \n']20.99
>>> salesTax = 0.08
>>> totalAmount = salesAmount * salesTax

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<pyshell#57>", line 1, in <module>
    totalAmount = salesAmount * salesTax
TypeError: can't multiply sequence by non-int of type 'float'
python
4 Answers

raw_input returns a string (a sequence of characters). In Python, multiplying a string and a float makes no defined meaning (while multiplying a string and an integer has a meaning: "AB" * 3 is "ABABAB"; how much is "L" * 3.14 ? Please do not reply "LLL|"). You need to parse the string to a numerical value.

You might want to try:

salesAmount = float(raw_input("Insert sale amount here\n"))
Marc_Gravell_233540

The problem is that salesAmount is being set to a string. If you enter the variable in the python interpreter and hit enter, you'll see the value entered surrounded by quotes. For example, if you entered 56.95 you'd see:

>>> sales_amount = raw_input("[Insert sale amount]: ")
[Insert sale amount]: 56.95
>>> sales_amount
'56.95'

You'll want to convert the string into a float before multiplying it by sales tax. I'll leave that for you to figure out. Good luck!

user_525090

You can't multiply string and float.instead of you try as below.it works fine

totalAmount = salesAmount * float(salesTax)
user_94879230
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