Tiny example
Use the previous answer
Make a sequence where each term is double the previous term.
1, 2, 4, 8, 16. Every new term depends on the one before it.
Recursion
Building the next case from earlier cases.
Recursion happens when a rule refers back to what came before. It is a way of growing patterns one layer at a time.
Why it matters
Recursive thinking helps explain growth, branching, algorithms, cellular automata and many self-similar patterns.
Things to watch for
- Forgetting the starting value.
- Confusing a recursive rule with a direct nth-term formula.
- Assuming recursion is only for sequences.
Where it connects
sequencesalgorithms