One code that works is this:

value_list = [1, 2, 1]
distinct_values = 2

Because the above code worked, I was trying to make an if and elif statement for each of the values for the answers in the value_list. The distinct_values would be changed depending on the value_list. This however doesn't work the way I want because I have probably messed up.

For example, if the values_list was equal to [1,2,1] the distinct_values would be 2 and if values_list was [4,4,4,4,4,4] the distinct_values would be 1.

If there is an easier way to try and solve this problem I would love to know how to do it.

My attempt at an If and elif statement

values_list = input()

if value_list == [1, 2, 1]:
    distinct_values = 2

elif value_list == []:
    distinct_values = 0


elif value_list == [4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4]:
    distinct_values = 2


elif value_list == [1, 2, 3]:
    distinct_values = 3


elif value_list == [1]:
    distinct_values = 1

elif value_list == [1, 2, 1]:
    distinct_values = 2


However, the program I am using says that I shouldn't be using these things: print statements or input statements

https://imgur.com/a/B9HXvSE

And that I should be using:

len, set, ()

https://imgur.com/a/Hl984wF

Then I tried to do this:

value_list = [1, 2, 1]
distinct_values = set(value_list)
print(len(distinct_values))


The issue is that it uses the print statement and I am not allowed to use it, and it only works for one value_list and not all of the other ones. This does work in Visual Studio Code but not in MyProgramming Lab.

I am very stuck on how to solve this assignment so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Is there a way to solve this question using dictionaries?

Something like this?

value_list = {[1, 2, 1]: 2, [1, 2, 3] : 2, [1] : 1, [4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4] : 1 }
Then if the input is [1, 2, 1] it outputs distinct_values = 2.