recursion

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Word: Recursion

Part of Speech: Noun

Basic Definition: In simple terms, recursion is a way of solving a problem where the solution depends on solutions to smaller instances of the same problem. It often involves repeating a process or operation. You can think of it like a recipe that calls for itself in some way.

Usage Instructions:

• Recursion is often used in mathematics and computer science.
• It describes a situation where something is defined in terms of itself.

Example:

• In mathematics, if you want to calculate the factorial of a number (like 5!), you can say:
  • 5! = 5 × 4!
  • Here, 4! is calculated using the same rule, and this continues until you reach 1! = 1.

Advanced Usage:

• In computer programming, recursion is a technique where a function calls itself to solve smaller parts of a problem. For example, a function that calculates Fibonacci numbers can call itself to get the previous two numbers in the sequence.

Word Variants:

• Recursive (adjective): Refers to something that involves recursion. For example, "The recursive function was efficient in solving the problem."
• Recursively (adverb): Describes an action done in a recursive manner. For example, "The algorithm processes data recursively."

Different Meanings:

• While "recursion" primarily refers to mathematics and computer science, it can also be used in other fields like linguistics, where it can describe structures that can be nested within themselves.

Synonyms:

• Iteration (though it refers to a different technique, it is sometimes used interchangeably in casual contexts)
• Self-reference

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren't specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "recursion," but you might hear phrases like "going in circles" when discussing problems that seem to refer back to themselves in a non-constructive way.

Summary:

Recursion is a powerful concept used in mathematics and computer science, where a solution is defined in terms of smaller instances of the same problem.

Academic

Noun

1. (mathematics) an expression such that each term is generated by repeating a particular mathematical operation