What is a common characteristic of problems suited for recursion?

A common characteristic of problems that are well-suited for recursion is that they can be broken down into smaller, similar subproblems. Recursion relies on the idea of solving a complex problem by solving smaller instances of the same problem, often leading to a base case that can be solved directly.

When a problem exhibits this recursive property, it means that the solution to the larger problem can be constructed efficiently from the solutions to its subproblems. This can simplify the process of designing an algorithm, as the recursive approach often leads to cleaner and more understandable code.

In contrast, problems that require continuous data input or can be solved using only iteration may not leverage the benefits of recursion effectively. Additionally, problems lacking optimal substructure do not fit into the recursive model, as optimal substructure allows solutions to subproblems to contribute to the solution of the overall problem. Thus, focusing on the ability to break down a problem into smaller, manageable subproblems is a key aspect of identifying a problem that is suitable for a recursive solution.