1 public static int foo(int a, int b) { if (a < b) 2 3 return 0; 4 else return 1 + foo(a-b, b); 6 }

EBK JAVA PROGRAMMING
9th Edition
ISBN:9781337671385
Author:FARRELL
Publisher:FARRELL
Chapter2: Using Data
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 14RQ
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Briefly (1-2 lines) explain the purpose of the function foo.

```java
public static int foo(int a, int b) {
    if (a < b)
        return 0;
    else
        return 1 + foo(a-b, b);
}
```

### Explanation:

This code snippet is a Java method named `foo` that calculates the integer division of `a` by `b` using recursion. Here's a detailed breakdown:

- **Method Declaration:** The method is defined as `public static int foo(int a, int b)` which specifies that it is a public, static method returning an integer and takes two integer parameters `a` and `b`.

- **Base Case:** The method checks if `a` is less than `b` using the `if` statement. If true, it returns `0`. This is the base case for the recursion, indicating that `a` can no longer be divided by `b`.

- **Recursive Case:** If `a` is not less than `b`, the method enters the `else` statement. It returns `1 + foo(a-b, b)`, which effectively reduces `a` by `b` and repeats the process. This simulates the continuous subtraction of `b` from `a`, counting how many times this is possible—equivalent to the integer division result of `a` divided by `b`.

This code demonstrates a recursive approach to dividing two numbers without using the division operator.
Transcribed Image Text:```java public static int foo(int a, int b) { if (a < b) return 0; else return 1 + foo(a-b, b); } ``` ### Explanation: This code snippet is a Java method named `foo` that calculates the integer division of `a` by `b` using recursion. Here's a detailed breakdown: - **Method Declaration:** The method is defined as `public static int foo(int a, int b)` which specifies that it is a public, static method returning an integer and takes two integer parameters `a` and `b`. - **Base Case:** The method checks if `a` is less than `b` using the `if` statement. If true, it returns `0`. This is the base case for the recursion, indicating that `a` can no longer be divided by `b`. - **Recursive Case:** If `a` is not less than `b`, the method enters the `else` statement. It returns `1 + foo(a-b, b)`, which effectively reduces `a` by `b` and repeats the process. This simulates the continuous subtraction of `b` from `a`, counting how many times this is possible—equivalent to the integer division result of `a` divided by `b`. This code demonstrates a recursive approach to dividing two numbers without using the division operator.
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