What is the output of the following snippet? def f(x): if x == 0: return 0 return x + f(x – 1) print(f(3))

def f(x):
    if x == 0:
        return 0
    return x + f(x - 1)
 
 
print(f(3))

• 1
• the code is erroneous
• 3
• 6

Explanation: Let’s analyze the code:

• the f function is invoked with an integer argument of 3,
• the function begins its execution with an integer value of 3 for the x variable.
• the if conditional compares 3 == 0, and since it is false, it is not executed,
• the function reaches the return statement, and an integer value of 3 is held in the memory, plus a recursive invocation of the f function with an integer argument of 2,
• the if conditional compares 2 == 0, and since it is false, it is not executed,
• the function reaches the return statement, and an integer value of 2 is held in the memory ,plus a recursive invocation of the f function with an integer argument of 1,
• the if conditional compares 1 == 0, and since it is false, it is not executed,
• the function reaches the return statement, and an integer value of 1 is held in the memory, plus a recursive invocation of the f function with an integer argument of 0,
• the if conditional compares 0 == 0, and since it is true, the return statement 0 is executed and the recursive invocation is broken,
• Each recursive invocation returns its value and the addition is printed on the console, which is 6.

More Questions: Python Essentials 1 – Module 4 Test