AP CSA Unit 3 Day 15: Polymorphism

Unit 3, Classes & Objects • Cycle 2
Day 15 Advanced Practice • Harder Difficulty
Focus: Polymorphism Hard Polymorphism

Advanced Practice Question

Format: Polymorphism

Which method call is valid?
public class Animal {
    public void eat() { }
}

public class Dog extends Animal {
    public void bark() { }
}

// In another class:
Animal a = new Dog();
Difficulty: Hard  |  Topic: Polymorphism  |  Cycle: 2 (Advanced)
Why This Answer?

a.eat() works because eat() is in Animal. a.bark() doesn't compile because bark() is not in Animal. ((Dog) a).bark() works because we cast a to Dog type.

Common Mistake
Watch Out!

Thinking a polymorphic reference can call subclass-only methods.

AP Exam Strategy

A Parent reference can only call Parent methods unless you cast down.

Master This Topic

This Cycle 2 HARD question tests polymorphism. Review Unit 3 concepts to build mastery of classes & objects.

  • Understanding polymorphism
  • Tracing code execution accurately
  • Avoiding common pitfalls
View Unit 3 Study Guide

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