1.
Explanation of a Recursive Function
A recursive function is a function that solves a problem by solving smaller instances of the
same problem. It calls itself with simpler inputs until it reaches a base case, which is a stopping
condition that does not require any further recursive calls.
Simple Example: Factorial Function
The factorial of a number n, denoted as n!, is the product of all integers from 1 to n.
In recursive terms, it can be defined as:
n !=
{ 1 if n=0(Base case )
n∗( n−1 ) ! if n>0 (Recursive case )
Let’s calculate 4! as an example:
4 !=4 ×3 !=4 ×(3× 2 !)=4 ×(3 ×(2 ×1 !))=4 ×(3 ×(2 ×1))=24
So, 4! = 24
Recursive functions are used in programming, mathematical problems, and many areas of
computing, such as tree traversals and dynamic programming.
2. Recurrence Relation Problem: Washing Machines Production
Let’s analyze the company’s washing machine production based on the given problem.
Problem Description:
In the first month, the company produces 1 washing machine.
In the second month, the company produces 2 washing machines.
In the n-th month, the company produces n machines.
We need to find a recurrence relation to describe the number of machines produced in the
first n months.
Part (a): Set up a Recurrence Relation
Let M(n) represent the total number of washing machines produced by the company in the first n
months.
In month 1, M(1) = 1 (base case).
In month 2, M(2) = M(1)+2=1+2=3.
In month 3, M(3) = M(2)+3=3+3=6.
In month n, the company produces n machines.
So, the recurrence relation to describe the total number of washing machines produced after n
months is:
M (n)=M (n−1)+ n
with the base case:
M (1)=1
This recurrence relation adds the number of machines produced in the n-th month to the total
number produced in the previous (n−1) months.
Part (b): Total Washing Machines Produced in the First Year
We need to find how many washing machines are produced in the first 12 months.
Using the recurrence relation M (n)=M (n−1)+ n, we can manually calculate the number of
machines month by month:
M (1)=1
M (2)=M (1)+ 2=1+2=3
M (3)=M (2)+3=3+ 3=6
M (4)=M (3)+4=6+ 4=10
M (5)=M (4)+5=10+5=15
M (6)=M (5)+6=15+6=21
M (7)=M (6)+7=21+7=28
M (8)=M (7)+8=28+8=36
M (9)=M (8)+ 9=36+ 9=45
M (10)=M (9)+10=45+10=55
M (11)=M (10)+11=55+11=66
M (12)=M (11)+12=66+ 12=78
So, the company produces 78 washing machines in the first year (12 months).
Part (c): Find an Explicit Formula for the Recurrence Relation
To find an explicit formula for M(n), we observe that this is the sum of the first n natural
numbers.
The sum of the first n natural numbers is given by the formula:
n ( n+1 )
M (n)=
2
Derivation Using the Iteration Method:
We start with the recurrence relation:
M ( n )=M ( n−1 )+ n , M (1)=1
By unfolding the recurrence, we get:
M (n)=M (n−1)+ n
M (n−1)=M (n−2)+(n−1)
M (n−2)=M (n−3)+(n−2)
Continue this until we reach:
M (n)=M (1)+2+3+⋯+n
Since M(1)=1, this simplifies to:
n ( n+1 )
M ( n )=
2
This is the sum of the first n natural numbers, which has the closed form:
n ( n+1 )
M (n)=
2
Thus, the explicit formula for the total number of washing machines produced by the company
in the first n months is:
n ( n+1 )
M (n)=
2
Conclusion:
The recurrence relation is M (n)=M (n−1)+ n , M (1)=1.
The total number of machines produced in the first 12 months (1 year) is 78.
The explicit formula for the number of machines produced in the first n months is
n ( n+1 )
M (n)=
2
