diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b25c15b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+*~
diff --git a/01_hello_world/hello_world.py b/01_hello_world/hello_world.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5c2e653
--- /dev/null
+++ b/01_hello_world/hello_world.py
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# This is a comment. Any line beginning with a # is ignored by the interpreter
+
+# Write a program that displays "Hello World".
+
+# You onlyu need one line of code.
+
+# Hint: print("Goodby ldrow") is a valid line of python that you can start with...
+
+# Can you make it so this file is executable as "./hello_world.py"?
diff --git a/02_functions/functions.py b/02_functions/functions.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..286f07b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/02_functions/functions.py
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# Here is an example of a function
+
+def say_hello():
+    print("Hello world")
+
+
+# it doesn't run without being called
+
+# uncomment the following to test it
+
+# say_hello()
+
+
+# Here is a funciton that calculates a square:
+
+
+def calcSquare(n):
+    return 9
+
+# Unfortunately it always returns the square of 3, not the given number
+# Correct it and uncomment the lines below to test it
+
+# n=5
+# print(f"The square of {n} is {calcSquare(n)}")
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index aacc17c..8bf0396 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,2 +1,5 @@
 # WAD_python_intro
-Introductory exercises for python
+
+Introductory exercises for python.
+
+Clone the repository to your machine and try the exercises within.