python list append value depending on an if clause

Question

I am new to Python, so apologize if the question is very simple.

I want to append a value to a list. However, I need to check if the value computed is less than 5000.

If the value is less than 5000 then append the computed value, else append 5000. How can I do this?

e.g

mylist.append(a*list1[t]+b*list1[t+1])

My current approach:

if a*list1[t]+b*list1[t+1] < 5000:
 mylist.append(a*list1[t]+b*list1[t+1])
else:
 mylist.append(5000)

Can I do this in one line?

• Chris_Rands: suggestion: use var = a*list1[t]+b*list1[t+1] so you don't need to write (and compute) this twice
• dangee1705: mylist.append(a*list1[t]+b*list1[t+1] if a*list1[t]+b*list1[t+1] < 5000 else 5000)
• nnyby: Use math.min, like this: pastebin.com/RNkU6q8p
• nnyby: @Chris_Rands I think this question should be re-opened, it's not necessarily a duplicate of the one you linked to.
• Chris_Rands: @nnyby Just regular min() will do it but ok reopening

Answer 1

You can use the builtin min() method.

Let A = a*list1[t] and B = b*list1[t+1].

With your approach:

if A + B < 5000:
 mylist.append(A + B)
else:
 mylist.append(5000)

With min() approach:

mylist.append(min((A + B), 5000))

• MAIGA: That works. As a followup. Can you suggest improvement to this code