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Python Symmetric Difference HackerRank Challenge

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If you are learning Python and practising coding challenges, this Python symmetric difference tutorial using a HackerRank challenge is perfect. In this tutorial, we solve a HackerRank problem where we count students who subscribe to either the English or French newspaper, but not both. Using the symmetric difference operation in Python makes this problem simple and efficient.

Understanding the HackerRank Challenge with Python Symmetric Difference

In the HackerRank challenge, you are given two lists of student roll numbers:

Students who subscribe to the English newspaper.

Students who subscribe to the French newspaper.

Some students may subscribe to both, and the task is to count only those who subscribe to exactly one newspaper.

For example, consider this input:

9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
9
10 1 2 3 11 21 55 6 8

Here:

Students subscribed to both newspapers: {1, 2, 3, 6, 8}
Students subscribed to only one newspaper: {4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 21, 55}

So the output is 8.

This problem is a classic example of using Python symmetric difference in a real HackerRank challenge.

Solving the HackerRank Challenge Using Python Symmetric Difference

Python sets have a method called symmetric_difference and a shorthand operator ^. Both return elements that are in either set but not in both, which is exactly what this challenge requires.

Python Solution

n1 = int(input())

s1 = set(input().split())

n2 = int(input())

s2 = set(input().split())

print(len(s1.symmetric_difference(s2)))

Step-by-Step Explanation of Python Symmetric Difference Code

n1 = int(input())

Reads the number of English subscribers. This helps read input, but is not required for the logic.

s1 = set(input().split())

Converts the English roll numbers into a set, removing duplicates automatically.

n2 = int(input())

Reads the number of French subscribers.

s2 = set(input().split())

Converts the French roll numbers into a set.

print(len(s1.symmetric_difference(s2)))

Why This Is Effective

Students in exactly one set can be efficiently identified using symmetric difference.

Sets automatically remove duplicates.

From a conceptual standpoint, the symmetric difference is (s1 ÷ s2) – (s1 ¹ s2).

Key Takeaways

For “either/or but not both” problems, use symmetric_difference or ^.Python sets make handling duplicates simple.

Accurate results depend on consistent data types in sets.

This HackerRank task is an excellent way to practice learning Python set operations.

Learn more about Python’s official documentation on Python.org.

Visit YouTube to View the Complete Solution

Check out my YouTube tutorial, where I run and walk through this exact code in real time, if you want a step-by-step video explanation.

Final Note

This HackerRank challenge-based Python symmetric difference tutorial demonstrates how a straightforward set operation can effectively address practical issues. Comprehending symmetric difference enables you to manage comparable “either/or but not both” situations in real-world applications, data analysis, and coding challenges.

Related Post:

Python set difference() Full Explanation with HackerRank Solution
Integers Come in All Sizes HackerRank Python Solution
Power Function HackerRank Solution Explained in 5 Simple Steps

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