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PCAP Exam - Question 61


What is the expected output of the following code?

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Correct Answer: D

The function f(n) is designed to be a recursive function that sums the integers from n down to 1. However, the code has a key issue with indentation. In Python, proper indentation is crucial for defining the scope of code blocks. The second return statement is indented as part of the if-condition, meaning it will never be executed if the condition `n == 1` is true. After returning 1 for `f(1)`, the function would effectively have no return when n is not 1, resulting in the function returning None for any other value, including f(2). Without proper indentation ensuring the second return statement executes outside of the if-condition, the output is None.

Discussion

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rotimislawOption: C
Nov 14, 2022

C assuming the indentation is correct (there's no option for "the code causes runtime error", so I guess the indentation is correct)

TheFivePips
Dec 6, 2023

Another example of where blind copy and paste makes this questions boarderline unanswerable.

JO5HOption: C
Sep 29, 2022

Its not properly indented so it should return errors but since that is not an option then the answer is C if indentation is assumed to be correct

Ram5678Option: C
Oct 15, 2022

The answer is C if the indentation is assumed to be correct.

Ello2023Option: D
Jun 28, 2023

This is the correct code that prints 3 as the answers def f (n): if n == 1: return 1 else: return n + f (n-1) print (f(2))

CC_DCOption: D
Jul 12, 2023

Throw that code as-is and what are the results? D is the correct answer.

MarkBell
Jun 1, 2022

error based on indentation??

JnanadaOption: C
Aug 18, 2022

answer should be C if identation is correct

alfonsocav1982Option: D
Aug 29, 2022

The answer in this case is None as there is no "else" specified, so that works only when n==1

david0001Option: C
Feb 16, 2023

It's a recursive function that adds up all the numbers from n, n-1, n-2 ,...,1. So, given n=2, and assuming the indentation is correct, the result will be: 2 + 1 = 3.

Ello2023Option: D
Jun 28, 2023

when you run this snippet on a compiler it prints out None. Even if the indentation is corrected you can not have 2 results in one function unless it is separated by an else like below def get_absolute_value(num): if num < 0: return -num else: return num result = get_absolute_value(-5) print(result) # Output: 5

Ello2023Option: D
Jun 28, 2023

D is correct

owenmagasOption: C
Aug 8, 2023

The answer to the problem is 3

emanuelcar990Option: D
Aug 17, 2023

The answer is None def f(n): if n == 1: return 1 return n + f(n-1) print(f(2)) test the code and result = None because dont have Else: on if

swyyuenOption: C
Oct 17, 2023

def f(n): if n == 1: return 1 return n + f(n-1) print(f(2)) Answer will be 3 ------------------------------------ def f(n): if n == 1: return 1 return n + f(n-1) Answer will be None

blaze056Option: C
Jan 5, 2024

executed and verified

alopezmeOption: C
Mar 25, 2024

There is no need for an else, if n != 1 it will return the n + f (n-1) So correct answer is 3