AP CSA Unit 3 Day 4: Method Overriding

Unit 3, Classes & Objects • Cycle 2
Day 4 Advanced Practice • Harder Difficulty
Focus: Method Overriding Hard Method Overriding

Advanced Practice Question

Format: Method Overriding

What is the output?
public class Parent {
    public void display() {
        System.out.print("A");
    }
}

public class Child extends Parent {
    public void display() {
        System.out.print("B");
    }
}

// In another class:
Parent p = new Child();
p.display();
Difficulty: Hard  |  Topic: Method Overriding  |  Cycle: 2 (Advanced)
Why This Answer?

Even though p is declared as Parent, it references a Child object. At runtime, Java uses dynamic binding and calls Child's display() method.

Common Mistake
Watch Out!

Thinking the declared type (Parent) determines which method runs.

AP Exam Strategy

Runtime type (what the object IS) determines which overridden method executes.

Master This Topic

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

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

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