d2b2 evaluates to something of type [Int] , right? Which means the expression (d2b2(n / 2):1) is trying to pass an [Int] as the left-hand argument of the (:) function. Since the (:) function is of type a -> [a] -> [a] , that means it expects on the right-hand side a list of whatever was on the left hand side. That means it expects a list of [Int] , i.e. something whose type is [[Int]] . Instead of an expression of type [[Int]] , you're supplying 1, or 0, something of type Int . That's the reason your error message is the way it is.

The function (:) is for appending elements to the left end of a list. If you want to append an element to the right end, wrap the element in a list an use a (++) operator. For example: [1,2,3] ++ [x] => [1,2,3,x] .

You have a number of other problems with your code. One of them has to do with this question: What do you expect 'return' to do?

Thank you very much that helped a ton and actually makes sense. I got one more for ya. Im trying to do a binary add now where the binary numbers are represented by a list of Bool's and for some reason its saying I have a non exhaustive list.

Code:
Error:

No, it says you have non-exhaustive patterns!

In particular, you defined the function binadd for non-empty lists with:

But you didn't define the function for empty lists! What is the value of binadd ([True]) [] True ? Your function's behavior is not defined, because the empty list [] doesn't match the pattern (y:ys) . You need new cases below to handle empty lists, probably something like

But whatever you do, make sure your function can handle all the cases. I'm pretty sure there is some warning you can turn on that will tell you about functions that don't handle all the conceivable cases.

That worked. Thank you so much for all your help you have saved me and I really appreciate it.