Python code for counting number of zero crossings in an array

Question

I am looking to count the number of times the values in an array change in polarity (EDIT: Number of times the values in an array cross zero).

Suppose I have an array:<

Answer 1

Here's a numpy solution. Numpy's methods are generally pretty fast and well-optimized, but if you're not already working with numpy there's probably some overhead from converting the list to a numpy array:

import numpy as np
my_list = [80.6, 120.8, -115.6, -76.1, 131.3, 105.1, 138.4, -81.3, -95.3,  89.2, -154.1, 121.4, -85.1, 96.8, 68.2]
(np.diff(np.sign(my_list)) != 0).sum()
Out[8]: 8