Python: Find the n minimum elements from the provided list

Last update on June 28 2025 12:43:39 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

Get N Minimum Elements

Write a Python program to get the n minimum elements from a given list of numbers.

• Use sorted() to sort the list.
• Use slice notation to get the specified number of elements.
• Omit the second argument, n, to get a one-element list.
• If n is greater than or equal to the provided list's length, then return the original list (sorted in ascending order).

Sample Solution:

Python Code:

# Define a function 'min_n_nums' that takes a list 'nums' and an optional parameter 'n' (defaulting to 1).
# The function sorts the 'nums' list in ascending order and returns the top 'n' minimum values.
def min_n_nums(nums, n=1):
    return sorted(nums, reverse=False)[:n]

# Example 1: Create a list 'nums' with elements [1, 2, 3].
nums = [1, 2, 3]
print("Original list elements:")
print(nums)
# Call 'min_n_nums' to find the minimum value in the list.
print("Minimum values of the said list:", min_n_nums(nums))

# Example 2: Create another list 'nums' with elements [1, 2, 3].
nums = [1, 2, 3]
print("\nOriginal list elements:")
print(nums)
# Call 'min_n_nums' with 'n=2' to find the top two minimum values in the list.
print("Two minimum values of the said list:", min_n_nums(nums, 2))

# Example 3: Create a list 'nums' with negative and zero values.
nums = [-2, -3, -1, -2, -4, 0, -5]
print("\nOriginal list elements:")
print(nums)
# Call 'min_n_nums' with 'n=3' to find the top three minimum values in the list.
print("Three minimum values of the said list:", min_n_nums(nums, 3))

# Example 4: Create a list 'nums' with floating-point values.
print("\nOriginal list elements:")
nums = [2.2, 2, 3.2, 4.5, 4.6, 5.2, 2.9]
print(nums)
# Call 'min_n_nums' with 'n=2' to find the top two minimum values in the list.
print("Two minimum values of the said list:", min_n_nums(nums, 2)) 

Sample Output:

Original list elements:
[1, 2, 3]
Minimum values of the said list: [1]

Original list elements:
[1, 2, 3]
Two minimum values of the said list: [1, 2]

Original list elements:
[-2, -3, -1, -2, -4, 0, -5]
Threee minimum values of the said list: [-5, -4, -3]

Original list elements:
[2.2, 2, 3.2, 4.5, 4.6, 5.2, 2.9]
Two minimum values of the said list: [2, 2.2]

Flowchart:

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

• Write a Python program to obtain the n smallest elements from a list after excluding duplicates.
• Write a Python program to find the n minimum values from a list and then output their indices in the original list.
• Write a Python program to extract the n lowest values from a list after converting all elements to absolute values.
• Write a Python program to get the n smallest numbers from a list, ignoring any non-numeric elements.

Python Code Editor:

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