Thread: What topics to cover in a 15 min presentation on recursion?

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    [](){}(); manasij7479's Avatar
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    What topics to cover in a 15 min presentation on recursion?

    So far, I've chalked out the following:
    1.Definition (with the factorial or euclid's algorithm example)
    2.Self referential structures.
    3.Show intuitively that recursion is equivalent to iteration.
    4.General approach of Divide and Conquer algorithms.
    5.Show how the stack is used in recursion.
    6.Performance, tail recursion..etc.

    Which among the above do you think should be left out, given the time constrain?
    Anything important I missed?

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    don't forget #7: recursion

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    Lurking whiteflags's Avatar
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    I think 1, 3, and 5 are a well rounded presentation; only tack on more points for time. I have never considered self-referential structures to be an example of recursion. Also, ending the presentation threatening to start it again would probably be good humor.

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    Master Apprentice phantomotap's Avatar
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    Self referential structures.
    O_o

    Recursion is a form of repeating a process; data structures are not processes.

    I know what you are getting at of course; I'm just saying that you need to keep focus on the process.

    Soma

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    C++ Witch laserlight's Avatar
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    Who will be your audience and what is the purpose of this presentation?
    Quote Originally Posted by Bjarne Stroustrup (2000-10-14)
    I get maybe two dozen requests for help with some sort of programming or design problem every day. Most have more sense than to send me hundreds of lines of code. If they do, I ask them to find the smallest example that exhibits the problem and send me that. Mostly, they then find the error themselves. "Finding the smallest program that demonstrates the error" is a powerful debugging tool.
    Look up a C++ Reference and learn How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

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    [](){}(); manasij7479's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by laserlight View Post
    Who will be your audience and what is the purpose of this presentation?
    Classmates and a few teachers.
    It is a compulsory part of the semester exams.

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    Internet Superhero
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    You'll have less than 3 minutes for each of those topics, are you sure you can fit all that in such a small time-frame? I'd say you should cut off some of the less important parts, understanding D&Q isn't necessary for understanding recursion, same goes for self-referential structures.

    You could mention how to determine the computational cost using recurrence relations, this probably fits under your #6.
    How I need a drink, alcoholic in nature, after the heavy lectures involving quantum mechanics.

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    [](){}(); manasij7479's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neo1 View Post
    You'll have less than 3 minutes for each of those topics, are you sure you can fit all that in such a small time-frame? I'd say you should cut off some of the less important parts, understanding D&Q isn't necessary for understanding recursion, same goes for self-referential structures.
    Hmm, I'll just leave those points by mentioning a few examples.
    You could mention how to determine the computational cost using recurrence relations, this probably fits under your #6.
    Good idea.
    Though I have to make it quick and simplified enough for non-mathematically-oriented people to grasp.
    (I read the chapter on Master theorem in the Cormen book a few days ago, and it sure is a bit whacky)

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