Explain recursion with a simple example
The short version: recursion refers to a technique where a function solves a problem by calling itself on a smaller input. A quick example makes it concrete — Factorial of 5 unfolds as 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 120.
How to approach it step by step
Once one example makes sense, the method generalises: define the base case first, then express the general case in terms of it. In a visual interactive session the example is built on screen piece by piece, so you see which quantity changes at each step instead of only reading a final answer. Ask for a harder variant and the explanation adapts on the spot.
Worked example
Factorial of 5 unfolds as 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 120.
The mistake most learners make
Writing a recursive call with no reachable base case, causing infinite recursion.
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