TypeError: 'float' object is not callable when trying to plot function

Question

I'm trying to plot a line graph in Python using pyplot but I get an error, TypeError: 'float' object is not callable for this line of code:

ycoord = [math.pow(p(1-p),(i-1)) for i in range(1,51)]

I basically have a function p(1-p)^(i-1) that I need to plot a line graph with. I have an array of coordinates 1-51. And I need to get the corresponding y coordinates with that function. I have also tried: p(1-p)**(i-1), but that has not worked either.

Here is my full code:

def test():
    p = 0.2
    plt.figure(1)
    #create x coordinates [1-51]
    xcoord = [i for i in range(1,51)]
    #create y coordinates from formula
    ycoord = [math.pow(p(1-p),(i-1)) for i in range(1,51)]
    plt.plot(xcoord,ycoord)
    plt.draw()
    plt.show()

test()

You have p(1-p) where p is a float, what do you want to do? — Steven Summers
– Steven Summers, Commented Feb 11, 2017 at 2:27
In Python (and most other computer languages I know of), p(1-p) does not mean p times (1-p). You have to explicitly write the multiplication operator. i.e.: p * (1-p). Unlike many other languages, the exponentiation operator in Python is written ** not ^. — martineau
– martineau, Commented Feb 11, 2017 at 2:43

synonynome · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-11 02:30:06Z

1

The syntax for multiplication in Python is not the same as you may be used to when writing math equations, you can't omit the '*' symbol.

p (1-p)

should be:

p * (1-p)

answered Feb 11, 2017 at 2:30

synonynome

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Fallen · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-11 02:27:57Z

1

The error is self explanatory,

 ycoord = [math.pow(p(1-p),(i-1)) for i in range(1,51)]

In this block p is a floating point number, not a method name. If you have a function p that you want to call from here then rename this variable p to something else or vice versa.

Also if you meant (px(1-p))^(i-1) [p times (1-p) to the power i-1], you should do pow(p*(1-p), (i-1))

answered Feb 11, 2017 at 2:27

Fallen

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