Which of the following problems can’t be solved using recursion?
(a) Factorial of a number (b) Nth fibonacci number (c) Length of a string (d) Problems without base case
Which of the following problems can’t be solved using recursion?
Answer: LectureNotes pointed out that the correct answer to this question is (d) Problems without base case. The explanation provided is that problems without a base case can lead to infinite recursion calls. When using recursion, it is crucial to have a base case to define the termination condition and prevent the function from endlessly calling itself.
While it is true that problems without a base case can cause infinite recursion and are not suitable for recursive solutions, it is essential to understand that having a proper base case is a fundamental aspect of recursion. As mentioned by LectureNotes, problems like finding the factorial of a number, calculating the Nth Fibonacci number, and determining the length of a string can all be effectively solved using recursion when a base case is appropriately defined.
In the context of recursion, the presence of a base case is essential to ensure that the recursive function eventually reaches a point where it stops calling itself and returns a result. Problems without a base case can indeed result in endless recursion, leading to stack overflow errors and program crashes.
Therefore, it is crucial to acknowledge the significance of defining a base case when utilizing recursion to solve problems effectively and avoid issues such as infinite recursion calls.