Show what the final output of this function will be. The answer will be in the form x * Z - y

Private Function F(x as Int, y As Int, z as Int)
If (y = 1) then
Return 2
Else
Return x * Z - y + F(x-1,y-1, z)
End If
End Function

if this is your code

Private Function F(x as Int, y As Int, z as Int)
If (y = 1) then
Return 2
Else
Return x * Z - y + F(x-1,y-1, z)
End If
End Function

what is your test data. if you test this code with y=1 then you will get an answer of 2, else Return x * Z - y + F(x-1,y-1, z)

The test data I'm using is y = 3. I tried using a trace table, but I get back to 2. Not sure how to get an answer in the form x * Z - y. Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks

To determine the final output of the function F(x, y, z), we need to understand its recursive nature.

1. If y = 1, the function will return 2.
2. If y is not equal to 1, the function will return the result of the expression x * Z - y plus the result of calling the function again with F(x-1, y-1, z).

Let's assume we call the function with the values F(3, 2, 4). We can follow the steps to find the answer:

1. Since y is not equal to 1, the function will return the result of the following expression:

F(3, 2, 4) = 3 * 4 - 2 + F(3-1, 2-1, 4)

2. Now, let's evaluate the second part of the expression by calling the function recursively:

F(3, 2, 4) = 3 * 4 - 2 + F(2, 1, 4)

3. Since y is equal to 1, the function will return 2:

F(2, 1, 4) = 2

4. We can substitute the value of the recursive call into the original expression:

F(3, 2, 4) = 3 * 4 - 2 + 2

5. Evaluating the expression:

F(3, 2, 4) = 12 - 2 + 2

6. Simplifying:

F(3, 2, 4) = 12

Therefore, the final output of the function F(3, 2, 4) will be 12. It is in the form x * Z - y, so the answer is 3 * 4 - 2 = 12.