AP CSA Unit 2 Day 9: Iteration While Loop Tracing

February 6, 2026

Unit 2, Selection & Iteration • Cycle 2

Day 9 Advanced Practice • Harder Difficulty

Focus: While Loop Tracing Hard Iteration (while-loop tracing)

Advanced Practice Question

Format: Iteration (while-loop tracing)

What is printed?

int x = 1;
while (x < 10) {
    System.out.print(x + " ");
    x = x * 2;
}

Difficulty: Hard | Topic: Iteration (while-loop tracing) | Cycle: 2 (Advanced)

Why This Answer?

x goes 20 → 14 → 8 → 2 → -4. The loop ran 4 times, so y is 4.

Common Mistake

Watch Out!

Assuming the loop stops when x becomes 2 (it stops only after the next subtraction makes x ≤ 0).

AP Exam Strategy

Track x after each update; the condition is checked at the top each time.

This Cycle 2 HARD question tests while loop tracing. Review Unit 2 concepts to build mastery of selection and iteration.

Cycle 2 questions prepare you for the hardest AP CSA exam questions.