10 - Recursive
10 - Recursive
Recursive Algorithm
What is recursion?
Sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is by
solving a smaller version of the exact same
problem first
Example problem:
– Try to tear a sheet of paper into the same 8 pieces
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Tear paper into the same 8 pieces
To solve this, one solution is that we can just tear
it 7 times as follows:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
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Tear paper into the same 8 pieces
Or we can tear it into 2, and repeat the process
for each pieces 2 times
a b
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Have you seen this movie?
The movie tells about someone
who can dream inside a dream
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Some Definitions
Recursion is a technique that solves a problem by
solving a smaller problem of the same type
Recursion is a principle closely related to
mathematical induction.
F(0) = 0 0
F(x) =
F(x) = F(x-1) + 2 F(x-1) + 2
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Example
Power of two
2n = 2 * 2n-1
20 = 1
Factorial
X! = X * (X-1)!
0! = 1
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Careful when writing
If we use iteration, we must be careful
not to create an infinite loop by accident:
While ( result > 0 ) do
result ++
Oops!
Careful when writing
Similarly, if we use recursion we must be
careful not to create an infinite chain of
function calls
Remember the Rule!
An Algorithm must stop!
Define a rule that will stop the recursion
(initial set / base case)
– X! = X * (X-1)!
– 0! = 1
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Algorithm of the factorial function
Function Factorial(input : n : integer)
if (n == 0) then // base case
1
else
n * Factorial(n-1)
A famous example: The Fibonacci
numbers
f(0) = 0, f(1) = 1
f(n) = f(n – 1) + f(n - 2) f(0) = 0
f(1) = 1
f(2) = f(1) + f(0) = 1 + 0 = 1
f(3) = f(2) + f(1) = 1 + 1 = 2
f(4) = f(3) + f(2) = 2 + 1 = 3
f(5) = f(4) + f(3) = 3 + 2 = 5
f(6) = f(5) + f(4) = 5 + 3 = 8
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Recursive Algorithm
An algorithm is called recursive if it solves a
problem by reducing it to an instance of the same
problem with smaller input
A recursive function must contain at least one
non-recursive branch.
The recursive calls must eventually lead to a non-
recursive branch
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Recursion vs. iteration
For every recursive algorithm, there is an
equivalent iterative algorithm
Iteration can be used in place of recursion
–An iterative algorithm uses a looping construct
–A recursive algorithm uses a branching structure
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Recursion vs. iteration
Recursive solutions are often less efficient, in
terms of both time and space, than iterative
solutions
Recursion can simplify the solution of a problem,
often resulting in shorter, more easily understood
source code
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How do I write a recursive function?
Determine the size factor
Determine the base case(s)
(the one for which you know the answer)
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Question?
Write a recursive Algorithm
Binary Search
Reverse an Array
Counts number of zero
Checking a Palindrome
Drawing a triangle
Example :
*
**
***
****
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THANK YOU
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