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What is the worst-case scenario for binary search?

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Question: What is the worst-case scenario for binary search?

Options:

  1. Finding the first element
  2. Finding the last element
  3. Finding an element not in the array
  4. Finding the middle element

Correct Answer: Finding an element not in the array

Solution: 

In the worst case, binary search will check all levels of the tree, which is O(log n), but it will not find the element.

What is the worst-case scenario for binary search?

Practice Questions

Q1
What is the worst-case scenario for binary search?
  1. Finding the first element
  2. Finding the last element
  3. Finding an element not in the array
  4. Finding the middle element

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

What is the worst-case scenario for binary search?
  • Step 1: Understand that binary search is used on a sorted list of items.
  • Step 2: Know that binary search works by repeatedly dividing the list in half.
  • Step 3: Realize that in the worst-case scenario, the item you are looking for is not in the list.
  • Step 4: Understand that binary search will keep dividing the list until it has checked all possible positions.
  • Step 5: Recognize that the number of times you can divide the list in half is related to the logarithm of the number of items, which is O(log n).
  • Step 6: Conclude that in the worst case, binary search will take O(log n) time to determine that the item is not present.
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