preface ix getting started with python the first examplehelloworld different ways to use python computing with formulas programming simple mathematics variables and variable types formatting text output importing modules pitfalls when programming mathematics loops and lists loops for automating repetitive tasks boolean expressions using lists to store sequences of data iterating over list with for loop nested lists and list slicing tuples functions and branching programming with functions function arguments and local variables default arguments and doc strings if-tests for branching the program flow functions as arguments to functions solving equations with python functions writing test functions to verify our programs xiii