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Implement a recursive algorithm to find the nth Fibonacci number.

Python/Codinghard0.6 min readPremium
Frequency
Low
Asked at 1 company
Category
179
questions in Python/Coding
Difficulty Split
127E|24M|28H
in this category
Total Bank
1,863
across 7 categories
Asked at these companies
Goldman Sachs
Key Concepts Tested
partition
Expert AnswerPremium
116 wordsInterview-ready
**Why Recursion Fails at Scale:** The naive recursive fib(n) = fib(n-1) + fib(n-2) exhibits O(2^n) time and O(n) stack depth. Each subproblem is recomputed exponentially—fib(40) triggers ~1B calls. In distributed data pipelines, this pattern causes task explosion. **Architectural Trade-offs:** (1) Memoization (@lru_cache): O(n) time, O(n) space—suitable for bounded n in single-process. (2) Iterative DP: O(n) time, O(1) space—production default....
The complete answer continues with detailed implementation patterns, architectural trade-offs, and production-grade considerations. It covers performance optimization strategies, common pitfalls to avoid, and real-world examples from companies like Goldman Sachs. The answer also includes follow-up discussion points that interviewers commonly explore.

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