Mastering C++: A Comprehensive Quiz Based on 'Thinking in C++'

How does the text describe recursion bottoming out?

1. When the function no longer meets its exit condition

2. When it calls a different function

3. When it reaches a return statement

4. When it stops calling itself and terminates

The correct answer is: When it stops calling itself and terminates

The text describes recursion bottoming out as the point when the function stops calling itself and terminates. All other options are incorrect because 1. Option A is not a definitive statement about the behavior of recursion. Instead, it only describes a possible scenario when recursion could stop, but not necessarily the only scenario. 2. Option B is incorrect because a recursive function calling a different function is still a form of recursion. The original function has not truly bottomed out if it is still calling another function. 3. Option C is incorrect because reaching a return statement does not necessarily mean that the recursion has bottomed out. The function may continue to call itself or other functions after returning a value. Therefore, option D is the only correct and accurate description of recursion bottoming out.