input: from typing import List, Union
  
  
  def use_recursion(problem: Union[int, List, str]) -> str:
      """
      Explain how to use recursion to solve a given problem in Python.
      The function should break down the problem into smaller subproblems,
      demonstrating how recursion simplifies problem solving by combining results
      from smaller instances of the problem.
      >>> use_recursion(5)
      'Recursion is a powerful technique for solving problems. It involves defining a problem in terms of itself. A recursion problem is solved by breaking it down into smaller problems, until the problem is small enough to be solved directly. The result from a smaller problem can then be combined with the result from the larger problem, until the original problem is solved. In Python, a recursive function is one that calls itself.'
      >>> use_recursion([1, 2, 3])
      'Recursion is a powerful technique for solving problems. It involves defining a problem in terms of itself. A recursion problem is solved by breaking it down into smaller problems, until the problem is small enough to be solved directly. The result from a smaller problem can then be combined with the result from the larger problem, until the original problem is solved. In Python, a recursive function is one that calls itself.'
      >>> use_recursion("example")
      'Recursion is a powerful technique for solving problems. It involves defining a problem in terms of itself. A recursion problem is solved by breaking it down into smaller problems, until the problem is small enough to be solved directly. The result from a smaller problem can then be combined with the result from the larger problem, until the original problem is solved. In Python, a recursive function is one that calls itself.'
      """
output:     explanation = "Recursion is a powerful technique for solving problems. It involves defining a problem in terms of itself. A recursion problem is solved by breaking it down into smaller problems, until the problem is small enough to be solved directly. The result from a smaller problem can then be combined with the result from the larger problem, until the original problem is solved. In Python, a recursive function is one that calls itself."
      return explanation