how to add a factorial ()

Greetings,
This may sound like a silly question but I want to add this factorial function inside my calculator w/o really changing my calculator that I worked hard on to create. How can I add this into my calculator w/o changing everything? Any ideas?

Code:

#include <iostream>	//cin, cout, <<, >>
#include <conio.h>
#include <cctype>	// for strings
#include <cassert>	// for assert()
using namespace std;

#define nl "\n"
int Factorial(int n);


float first, second, answer;
char o, y;
int n;

int main()
{

	do	{
			cout<<"Type a sum (format: a number +,-,*,/ with another number): ";
        	cin>>first>>o>>second;	//inputs number, operator, number
        	switch (o)	// upon your selection, it selects the operator you chose

				{
            		case '+': answer = first + second; break;
            		case '-': answer = first - second; break;
            		case '*': answer = first * second; break;
            		case '/': answer = first / second; break;
            		default:
           			cout<<nl<<"Error: format: +,-,*,/ number"<<nl	//Error: defaults message
						<<"Press any key to continue...";
            		getch();	//get a character
           			return 1;
           		}
            cout<<nl<<"The Answer to "<<first<<o<<second<<" is: "<<answer;	//output answer
            cout<<nl<<"Do you want to do another sum? ";	
            y = toupper(getche());	// change y to Y
            cout<<nl;
        }	while (y == 'Y');	//if equals y then do loop again
	return 0;
}

int Factorial(int n)   //want to add it
{
	assert(n >= 0);
	double product = 1;

	while (n > 1)
		{
			product *= n;
			n--;
		}
	return product;
}

Simply make your function recursive. Meaning call it from within itself.

double factorial( double num )
{
if( Num == 1)
return(1);

return(num*factorial(--num));
}

I haven't tested this, I just wanted to give an idea of how you might code it.

I think i misunderstood your question. If you just want to know how to add your existing function into your code?

I would add a

case '!': answer = factorial(first);

Your code in main assumes the expression is of the form

literal operator literal

while for a factorial the sequence would obviously only be

literal operator (IE 5!).

You have two options, one easier for you, the other easier for the users.

This is the easy way, have an option to select which format, IE, one for binary functions (+-*/), one for unary functions (factorial, sin, exp, etc before they enter the expression. From the user perspective, they have to give reduntant information, which isn't fun. From your perspective, it makes the code a lot easier.

The harder way is to be more general in your form of input and then extract (parse) the neccesary information. Input a string expression, determine if it's a binary or unary expression, and then evaulate it. Parsing itself can become really complex.

THANKS!
Both silentstrike and bonkey for your input it worked.

Or you can make another menu on top of the one you have. Such as entering a 1 for normal operations and 2 for the factorial. You may expand it later if you want to add features.

However, I do like SS's idea of string parsing: split up the line into tokens and look for operators and operands. This way you can do stuff like !3 * 2 + 4...

However, I do like SS's idea of string parsing: split up the line into tokens and look for operators and operands. This way you can do stuff like !3 * 2 + 4...

Cool!
I like that idea too! Thanks! Cshot!

Originally posted by bonkey

double factorial( double num )
{
if( Num == 1)
return(1);

return(num*factorial(--num));
}

This code won't work.
Replace "--num" with "num-1" and it will work.

double factorial( double num )
{
if( Num == 1)
return(1);

return(num*factorial(--num));
}

This code won't work.
Replace "--num" with "num-1" and it will work.

You also need to change if(num == 1) to if(num == 0) and make sure num isn't a negative value to begin with.

Originally posted by Cshot
You also need to change if(num == 1) to if(num == 0)

Why? I mean it's ok to to that, but its not needed. X*1 = X there is no need to iterate to 0 before stopping.

0! = 1

If you pass in 0, the program will fail.

Why?
Because in that code you'll get 0 * -1 * -2 * -3 * ....

While we're at it...
There are even more problems with bonkeys function.

With large doubles (d-1) == d because of lack of precision.
What happens when a large double is passed to the function? It crashes!

Originally posted by bonkey
Simply make your function recursive. Meaning call it from within itself.

double factorial( double num )
{
if( Num == 1)
return(1);

return(num*factorial(--num));
}

I haven't tested this, I just wanted to give an idea of how you might code it.

Glad I am wearing my flame retardant underoos.

They're really on it tonight!
The dragons spittin flames...
BTW dragon
Whatever is said in Latin sounds definitely profound.
Later gator!

Recursive descent is pretty easy to learn and you
can make a pretty good calculator.
I attached an example of this technique. It's not good programming style
but allows you to do basic stuft like
4 + 4;
8.000000
4 * (3 + 5) + 3!;
38.000000
pow(0, 0) * 3;
3.000000
pow(2, 5) * pow(2, 6);
2048.000000
3 /4;
0.750000
4 / 5;
0.800000
4 + 3 /3;
5.000000
0/0
;