recursive definition

noun

: a definition of a function permitting values of the function to be calculated systematically in a finite number of steps

especially : a mathematical definition in which the first case is given and the nth case is defined in terms of one or more previous cases and especially the immediately preceding one

a recursive definition of the factorial is given by 0! = 1 and (n + 1)! = (n + 1) ‧ n!

Word History

Etymology

recurs(ion) + -ive

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