Recursion: Compute the exponent of a number

JavaScript
#1

Hello Everyone.

I was doing this exercise, which is to find the exponent of a number using recursion. I actually don’t have problem in understanding the code. But I have a simple question. There are two solutions, which I believe they’re right as they’re producing the right answer for this exercise. I would like to know if solution 1 is better than solution 2 or vice versa? and why? Or are they both correct?

(NOTE: The difference between both of the solutions is just the base case of the recursion.)

Solution 1.

function power(base, exponent) {
  if (exponent === 1) {
    return base;
  } else {
    return base * power(base ,exponent-1);
  }
}

console.log(power(8,2)); //64

Solution 2.

function power(base, exponent) {
  if (exponent === 0) {
    return 1;
  } else {
    return base * power(base ,exponent-1);
  }
}

console.log(power(8,2)); //64
#2

The first one gets called one fewer time, so it’s that tiny bit more efficient. Unless you need to handle the case where the original exponent passed in is 0.

1 Like
#3

I got it!! Thanks!! :sparkles:

#4