+ 1

Recursion, computing a number raised to power

public int pow( int x, int y) { if(y==0) return 1; else return x*pow(x, y-1); } can someone please explain how this is raising something to the power?? Sorry I’m a bit confused here 🤦🏻‍♀️

2nd Apr 2018, 10:28 PM
Moe A
Moe A - avatar
2 odpowiedzi
+ 2
Here's a cleaner version of the code for clarity: public int pow(int x, int y) { if (y == 0) { return 1; } else { return x * pow(x, y - 1); } } Let's call pow() with the arguments 5 and 3, and let's keep following the function, and recursing back, until the exit condition (if (y == 0) ---> return 1) is executed. pow(x = 5, y = 3) ==> return 5 * pow(5, 2); pow(x = 5, y = 2) ==> return 5 * pow(5, 1); pow(x = 5, y = 1) ==> return 5 * pow(5, 0); return 1 Then it backtracks, working from the callstack bottom to top! The pow(5, 0) evaluates to 1 (note the return 1) etc This gives eventually gives: return 5 * 5 * 5 * 1 = 125 i.e. 5 cubed! Let me know if you require any further help!
2nd Apr 2018, 10:38 PM
Emma
+ 1
Thank you sooo much! That was very helpful @xan
2nd Apr 2018, 10:45 PM
Moe A
Moe A - avatar