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Thread: help with recursive method

  1. #1
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    Default help with recursive method

    My problem is with this exercise:
    Write a recursive method called power that takes a double x, and an integer n and that returns x^n. Hint: a recursive definition of this operation is x^n = x*x^(n-1). Also, remember that anything raised to the zeroeth power is 1. Optional challenge: you can make this method more efficient, when n is even, using x^n=(x^(n/2))^2.

    Now call me crazy but I just can't see why recursion is necessary or how it could be implemented into this, here is the code I wrote:
    package edu.vtc.aav10260.cis2261;
    import java.util.Scanner;
    /**
     * @author andre
     *
     */
    public class Power {
     
    	/**
    	 * @param args
    	 * @return 
    	 */
    	public static double main(String[] args) {
    		Scanner kbd = new Scanner(System.in);
    		System.out.println("Enter the values: ");
    		System.out.print("x= ");
    		double x = kbd.nextDouble();
    		System.out.print("n= ");
    		int n = kbd.nextInt();
    		return Math.pow(x, n);
    	}
    	}
    It works, and returns x^n just as the exercise said, but it specified to use a recursive method so if any of you guys could give me a hand in how recursion would work with this problem it would be appreciated.


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    Administrator copeg's Avatar
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    Default Re: help with recursive method

    Did you not like the advice given to you elsewhere? You should at the very least acknowledge that advice, and ask a question or elaborate if you do not understand.

    This thread has been cross posted here:

    http://www.java-forums.org/new-java/63329-problem-recursive-method.html

    Although cross posting is allowed, for everyone's benefit, please read:

    Java Programming Forums Cross Posting Rules

    The Problems With Cross Posting


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