This question is a decent example for a problem that required higher-level competence. There is only one true answer to the OP's original problem, but there are many ways, some of which are workable and some not. One has to figure out a way that works.

counting down to my comment being flagged and deleted…

sadly, Programmers deals with questions requiring expertise as poorly as ever

think you may have a pt, but do the answers you think are wrong have comments saying that or not? the question (loops vs recursion) can be legitimately answered in several or even many ways.