w3resource

Python Data Structures and Algorithms - Recursion: Calculate the value of 'a' to the power 'b'


Write a Python program to calculate the value of 'a' to the power of 'b' using recursion.

Test Data:
(power(3,4) -> 81

Sample Solution:

Python Code:

# Define a function named power that calculates the result of 'a' raised to the power of 'b'
def power(a, b):
    # Check if 'b' is 0 (base case for power function)
    if b == 0:
        # If 'b' is 0, return 1 (any number raised to the power of 0 is 1)
        return 1
    # Check if 'a' is 0 (base case for power function)
    elif a == 0:
        # If 'a' is 0, return 0 (0 raised to any power is 0)
        return 0
    # Check if 'b' is 1 (base case for power function)
    elif b == 1:
        # If 'b' is 1, return 'a' (any number raised to the power of 1 is the number itself)
        return a
    else:
        # If none of the base cases is met, recursively call the power function
        # to calculate 'a' multiplied by the result of 'a' raised to the power of 'b-1'
        return a * power(a, b - 1)

# Print the result of calling the power function with the input values 3 and 4
print(power(3, 4))

Sample Output:

81

Flowchart:

Flowchart: Recursion: Calculate the value of 'a' to the power b.

Python Code Editor:

Contribute your code and comments through Disqus.

Previous: Write a Python program to calculate the geometric sum of n-1.
Next: Write a Python program to find the greatest common divisor (gcd) of two integers.

What is the difficulty level of this exercise?

Test your Programming skills with w3resource's quiz.



Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for latest update.