#my solution
def piirra_x(h):
    for n in range(h):
        m = max(n+1, h-n)
        spc = min(n, h-1-n)
        for o in range(m):
            if o == m-1 or o == spc:
                print('*', end='')
            else:
                print(' ', end='')
        print()

#instructor's solution
def piirra_x(h):
    for x in range(h):
        for y in range(h):
            if y == x or y == h - 1 - x:
                print('*', end='')
            else:
                print(' ', end='')
        print()