Consider the following program: int f(int *p, int n) if (n Note: (x, y) returns the maximum of x and y. The value printed by this program is …

Official answer: 3. Explanation: We can trace the recursive calls of `f(p, n)` for the array a = \3, 5, 2, 6, 4\: 1. `f(a, 5)`: evaluates (f(a+1, 4), a[0] - a[1]) = (f(a+1, 4), 3 - 5) = (f(a+1, 4), -2) 2. `f(a+1, 4)`: evaluates (f(a+2, 3), a[1] - a[2]) = (f(a+2, 3), 5 - 2) = (f(a+2, 3), 3) 3. `f(a+2, 3)`: evaluates (f(a+3, 2), a[2] - a[3]) = (f(a+3, 2), 2 - 6) = (f(a+3, 2), -4) 4. `f(a+3, 2)`: evaluates (f(a+4, 1), a[3] - a[4]) = (f(a+4, 1), 6 - 4) = (f(a+4, 1), 2) 5. `f(a+4, 1)`: since n = 1 1, the base case triggers and returns 0. Unwinding the recursion: - `f(a+3, 2)` = (0, 2) = 2 - `f(a+2, 3)` = (2, -4) = 2 - `f(a+1, 4)` = (2, 3) = 3 - `f(a, 5)` = (3, -2) = 3 Hence, the value printed is 3.

Programming and Data Structures · Programming in C

Official IIT answer key · IISc Bangalore · Audited Aug 2026

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GATE CSE 2016 Set 2 Q37 · NAT · 2 marks

Consider the following program: `int f(int *p, int n) { if (n <= 1) return 0; else return max(f(p+1,n-1),p[0]-p[1]); } int main() { int a[] = {3,5,2,6,4}; printf("%d", f(a,5)); }` Note: $\max(x, y)$ returns the maximum of $x$ and $y$ . The value printed by this program is _______.

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Programming in C

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How GATE tests Programming in C

In GATE CS, Programming in C is tested extensively through rigorous code tracing, pointer mechanics, and fundamental semantics rather than high-level syntax trivia. Questions emphasize pointer arithmetic and multidimensional array decay, storage classes (especially static local variables), evaluation order, side effects of increment/decrement operators, parameter passing mechanisms (pass-by-value vs pass-by-reference), and recursive program state tracking. The topic features a nearly balanced split between NAT and MCQ items across 1-mark and 2-mark categories, demanding precise, bug-free execution traces without a compiler.

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Programming and Data Structures · Programming in C

Official IIT answer key · IISc Bangalore · Audited Aug 2026

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GATE CSE 2016 Set 2 Q37 · NAT · 2 marks

Consider the following program: `int f(int *p, int n) { if (n <= 1) return 0; else return max(f(p+1,n-1),p[0]-p[1]); } int main() { int a[] = {3,5,2,6,4}; printf("%d", f(a,5)); }` Note: $\max(x, y)$ returns the maximum of $x$ and $y$ . The value printed by this program is _______.

Numerical answer

Enter a value to check

Key concept

Programming in C

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Examiner trap & misconception

Topic notes

How GATE tests Programming in C

Full Programming in C guide →

More on Programming in C

All 74 questions on Programming in C →

Independent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.

Consider the following program: `int f(int *p, int n) { if (n <= 1) return 0; else return max(f(p+1,n-1),p[0]-p[1]); } int main() { int a[] = {3,5,2,6,4}; printf("%d", f(a,5)); }` Note: $\max(x, y)$ returns the maximum of $x$ and $y$ . The value printed by this program is _______.

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Consider the following program: `int f(int *p, int n) { if (n <= 1) return 0; else return max(f(p+1,n-1),p[0]-p[1]); } int main() { int a[] = {3,5,2,6,4}; printf("%d", f(a,5)); }` Note: $\max(x, y)$ returns the maximum of $x$ and $y$ . The value printed by this program is _______.

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Consider the following program: int f(int *p, int n) { if (n <= 1) return 0; else return max(f(p+1,n-1),p[0]-p[1]); } int main() { int a[] = {3,5,2,6,4}; printf("%d", f(a,5)); } Note: max⁡(x,y)\max(x, y)max(x,y) returns the maximum of xxx and yyy. The value printed by this program is _______.

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Consider the following program: int f(int *p, int n) { if (n <= 1) return 0; else return max(f(p+1,n-1),p[0]-p[1]); } int main() { int a[] = {3,5,2,6,4}; printf("%d", f(a,5)); } Note: max⁡(x,y)\max(x, y)max(x,y) returns the maximum of xxx and yyy. The value printed by this program is _______.

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Check you can still solve Programming in C under a clock

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Consider the following program: `int f(int *p, int n) { if (n <= 1) return 0; else return max(f(p+1,n-1),p[0]-p[1]); } int main() { int a[] = {3,5,2,6,4}; printf("%d", f(a,5)); }` Note: $\max(x, y)$ returns the maximum of $x$ and $y$ . The value printed by this program is _______.

Consider the following program: `int f(int *p, int n) { if (n <= 1) return 0; else return max(f(p+1,n-1),p[0]-p[1]); } int main() { int a[] = {3,5,2,6,4}; printf("%d", f(a,5)); }` Note: $\max(x, y)$ returns the maximum of $x$ and $y$ . The value printed by this program is _______.