python pandas 3 smallest & 3 largest values

Question

How can I find the index of the 3 smallest and 3 largest values in a column in my pandas dataframe? I saw ways to find max and min, but none to get the 3.

Answer 1

In [55]: import numpy as np               

In [56]: import pandas as pd              

In [57]: s = pd.Series(np.random.randn(5))

In [58]: s
Out[58]: 
0    0.152037
1    0.194204
2    0.296090
3    1.071013
4   -0.324589
dtype: float64

In [59]: s.nsmallest(3) ## s.drop_duplicates().nsmallest(3); if duplicates exists               
Out[59]: 
4   -0.324589
0    0.152037
1    0.194204
dtype: float64

In [60]: s.nlargest(3) ## s.drop_duplicates().nlargest(3); if duplicates exists             
Out[60]: 
3    1.071013
2    0.296090
1    0.194204
dtype: float64