How to reverse a given number in Python

We can create a solution for the specified objective or problem statement in various ways, like using a while loop iteration or string slicing to reverse the given number. Let’s look at both approaches to reverse a number in Python.

Using the while loop iteration

In this approach, we use a while loop to iterate the given number if it is greater than 0. Within the loop, we calculate the remainder of the given number using the modulus operator to extract the last digit. Then, we multiply the current reverse value by 10, which shifts the digits one place to the left, and we add the remainder to the resultant number. Finally, we update the given number by performing integer division by 10, which discards its last digit.

Code

Let’s implement this approach in Python to reverse a number using while loop iteration, as follows:

given_number = int(input())
# Check if the given number is negative
is_negative = False
if given_number < 0:
    is_negative = True
    given_number = abs(given_number)
# Reverse the given number
original_number = given_number
reversed_number = 0
while given_number > 0:
    remainder = given_number % 10
    reversed_number = (reversed_number * 10) + remainder
    given_number = given_number // 10
# Add negative sign to the reversed number if the given number was negative
if is_negative:
    reversed_number *= -1
print(f"Original number: {original_number}")
print(f"Reversed number: {reversed_number}")

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Explanation

Let’s discuss the code above:

Lines 1–7: We start by taking an integer input from the user using the int() function. Then, we check if the given number is negative. If it is negative, we set the is_negative flag to True and take the absolute value of the given number using the abs() function. This step ensures that we work with the absolute value of the number for the reversal process.
Lines 10–15: We proceed with the reversal process. We initialize original_number to store the original value of given_number, and reversed_number to store the reversed number. Using a while loop, we extract digits from given_number one by one (calculating the remainder when divided by 10), add them to reversed_number, and remove them from given_number until given_number becomes zero.
Lines 18–19: After the reversal process, if the original number was negative (indicated by the is_negative flag), we apply a negative sign to the reversed_number to maintain the sign consistency.
Lines 21–22: Finally, we print both the original number (original_number) and the reversed number (reversed_number).

Now that we understand how to reverse a number using a while loop, let’s explore Python’s string slicing capabilities to provide a more straightforward approach to reversing a number.

Using the string slicing

In this approach, after taking the input number from the user, we first check if it is negative and store this information. Then, instead of manipulating integers directly, we convert the number to a string. By converting the number to a string, we gain access to powerful string manipulation methods, including string slicing. Python’s string slicing allows us to effortlessly reverse a string by specifying a slicing step of -1. This step indicates that we want to traverse the string in reverse order.

Code

Here’s the implementation of this string slicing approach in Python to reverse the number:

given_number = int(input())
# Check if the given number is negative
is_negative = False
if given_number < 0:
    is_negative = True
    given_number = abs(given_number)
# Convert the number to a string to reverse it using string slicing
original_number_str = str(given_number)
reversed_number_str = original_number_str[::-1]
# Convert the reversed string back to an integer
reversed_number = int(reversed_number_str)
# Add negative sign to the reversed number if the given number was negative
if is_negative:
    reversed_number *= -1
print(f"Original number: {given_number}")
print(f"Reversed number: {reversed_number}")

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Note: Here, we have provided an explanation of the code segment that differs from the previous implementation.

Explanation

Let’s discuss the code above:

Line 10: Convert the number to a string using the str() function so we can reverse it using slicing.
Line 11: Reverse the string using slicing [::-1].
Line 14: Convert the reversed string back to an integer using the int() function.

By leveraging Python’s string manipulation capabilities, we achieved the same result with fewer lines of code and increased readability. This demonstrates the flexibility and power of Python’s built-in functions and methods for handling common programming tasks.

Conclusion

We’ve successfully coded the solutions to reverse a given number in Python. Now, the next time someone asks you, “How to reverse a given number in Python?” you can share the knowledge and code it. Happy coding!

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