Good solution bro

here

Doesn't this code do excess work?

i like the use of a comprehension here.

r is a list. If this list if not empty (ie len(r) > 0) then return first element (r[0]). It not then return integer -1

the last line

return r[0] if r else -1

high, I started coding a month ago and couldn't find the answer to my question on google.

what are you telling the computer with this? return R if R exists; if R is not None?

Thanks for the feedback... I didnt real how sloppy was doing it! I was stuck on figuring out the distinction between left and right, so i was printing out the sum for every position until it clicked... I just didnt take the time refine it.

this solution covers less lines but requires multiple calls to a function (sum), although python is wonderful for providing many functions that make our work easier, sometimes you do not have to abuse them.