Python Coding challenge - Day 173 | What is the output of the following Python Code?

 

Code: 

def fun(a, b):

    if a == 1:

        return b

    else:

        return fun(a - 1, a * b)

print(fun(4, 2))

Solution and Explanation: 

This code defines a recursive function fun(a, b) that takes two parameters, a and b. Let's break down how the function works:

Function Definition:

def fun(a, b):

Conditional Statement:

if a == 1:

    return b

else:

If the value of a is equal to 1, the function returns the value of b.

If a is not equal to 1, the function proceeds to the else block.

Recursion:

return fun(a - 1, a * b)

If a is not equal to 1, the function calls itself recursively with modified arguments:

a - 1 decrements the value of a by 1 in each recursive call.

a * b multiplies a with b and passes the result as the second argument.

This recursive call continues until a becomes 1.

Function Call:

print(fun(4, 2))

This line calls the fun() function with initial values of a = 4 and b = 2.

The result of the function call is printed.

Now let's see how the function operates with the given input fun(4, 2):

Initially, a = 4 and b = 2.

Since a is not equal to 1, the function enters the else block and makes a recursive call with a = 3 and b = 4 * 2 = 8.

Again, since a is not equal to 1, another recursive call is made with a = 2 and b = 3 * 8 = 24.

Once more, a recursive call is made with a = 1. Now, the base case is satisfied, and the function returns b, which is 24.

The final result of fun(4, 2) is 24, which is printed.