numpy.linspace() in Python

The numpy.linspace() function is a part of the Python numpy library that enables us to generate an array of evenly spaced elements between two specified, start and stop, values. It takes three parameters – start, stop and num (num is optional), where start and stop are the beginning and ending limits (lowest & highest) points respectively for the sequence; and num is the number of samples we want to generate between these two limits (including both).

Let us assume we are exploring temperatures in a given location and they range from 55F to 85F. Let us assume we would like to generate temperatures within the range [55,85]. Here is the simplest way to use numpy.linspace():

By default, when num is not specified (recall that it is optional), it is assumed to be 50. Thus, the above line generates 50 values from 55 to 85, inclusive:

Note that linspace() finds the stepsize automatically (i.e., this is not a parameter). All you need to supply is the number of values you need.

For instance, because 85-55=30, we specify num=31 to make numpy.linspace() output integers from 55 to 85. Here is the program for doing so:

This generates:

Indeed we get integer values but note that they are all output as floats.

You can also use endpoint=False which means to not include the “stop” value. Lets use that and also reduce the num from 31 to 30 (which should again make the generated values to be integral values):

The output is:

One additional feature of linspace is, because we only specify the number of values we need and not the step size, we can ask it to return the stepsize for us (by specifying retstep=True, i.e., retstep refers to “return step”). Here is how that works:

The output will be:

Note that we get a tuple of two components, so we can unpack it like so:

The output will be:

A final feature in numpy.linspace() is that you can use it to generate multidimensional arrays of evenly spaced values:

In the above, we are essentially creating three series of values, from 1 to 10, from 2 to 20, and from 4 to 76. The output is as expected:

One of the main uses for numpy linspace() is plotting graph data points on a graph using matplotlib or other plotting libraries in Python. By using linspace(), you can quickly create an array with an even distribution of values that can be used as data points for plotting graphs or other visualizations.

In summary, If you're looking for a quick and easy way to generate an array containing evenly spaced numbers within a given interval, then using numpy's linspace() function is ideal! This powerful tool takes 3 parameters: start & stop which are used as lower & upper bounds respectively; the upper bound can be inclusive or exclusive; and num which specifies how many elements should be generated within those limits (defaulted at 50). Knowing how this function works can certainly come in handy when working with data visualizations or statistical pattern finding! So give it a try today!

If you liked this blogpost, checkout how to scale and rotate a vector in Python.

If you liked this blogpost, checkout our blogpost on comparing two dictionaries. Also learn how to unpack a dictionary into variables.

For more Python content, checkout the math.ceil() and math.floor() functions! Also learn about the math domain error in Python and how to fix it!

Interested in more things Python? Checkout our post on Python queues. Also see our blogpost on Python's enumerate() capability. Also if you like Python+math content, see our blogpost on Magic Squares. Finally, master the Python print function!

Want to learn Python with us? Sign up for 1:1 or small group classes.