If the array is sorted in descending order, can binary search still be applied?
Practice Questions
Q1
If the array is sorted in descending order, can binary search still be applied?
Yes, with modifications
No, it cannot be applied
Yes, without any changes
Only for specific cases
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
If the array is sorted in descending order, can binary search still be applied?
Step 1: Understand what binary search is. It is a method to find an item in a sorted array by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half.
Step 2: Know that binary search works on sorted arrays, but it usually assumes the array is sorted in ascending order.
Step 3: If the array is sorted in descending order, you can still use binary search, but you need to change how you compare the middle element with the target value.
Step 4: Instead of checking if the middle element is less than or greater than the target, you will check the opposite. If the middle element is greater than the target, you search the right half; if it is less, you search the left half.
Step 5: Implement the modified binary search algorithm using the new comparison logic to find the target in the descending sorted array.
Binary Search – A search algorithm that finds the position of a target value within a sorted array.
Sorting Order – The arrangement of elements in a specific sequence, which can be ascending or descending.
Comparison Logic – The method used to compare elements during the search process, which may need to be adjusted based on the sorting order.