Pizzas Topped with Pizzas

[SeanMike]

http://gizmodo.com/5643882/recursive-pizza-topped-with-smaller-pizzas-requires-advanced-degree-to-eat

So, which place in DC area will make this first?

[pizza man]

I know which one won't..it's cute though

[DonRocks]

I know which one won't..it's cute though

It is cute and clever. Recursive, however, it's not.

DR,

MS, CS.

[ol_ironstomach]

Recursive, however, it's not.

DR,

MS, CS.

How is it not?

DH,

BS, Mathematics.

[DanielK]

How is it not?

DH,

BS, Mathematics.

Because recursion implies an infinite or multiple series, not just a single parent/child relationship. This is the base case for recursion, but there's no recursion step unless the mini pizzas also have mini pizzas.

DK,

MS, EE

[deangold]

I am not a pizza when topped with pizzas!

"I am not a pizzza when topped with pizzas" is not a piza when topped with pizzas!

""I am not a pizzza when topped with pizzas" is not a piza when topped with pizzas!" is not a pizza when topped with pizzas!

etc

A recursive view of the matter....

[ol_ironstomach]

Because recursion implies an infinite or multiple series, not just a single parent/child relationship. This is the base case for recursion, but there's no recursion step unless the mini pizzas also have mini pizzas.

Consider the base case: "pizza consists of pizza-topping (1 or more) fit onto a crust".

Some additional base cases, "single parent/child relationships" as you refer to, might include:

"cheese is a pizza-topping"

"spinach is a pizza-topping"

"tomato sauce is a pizza-topping"

The recursive step here is "pizza is a pizza-topping".