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Linear search involves scanning each element sequentially until a match is found, making it suitable for small unsorted data. Binary search repeatedly divides the search space in half by comparing the middle element, requiring sorted data but having logarithmic time complexity ideal for large datasets. Understanding these algorithms allows selecting the most efficient one based on whether the data is sorted and its size.

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36 views1 page

8

Linear search involves scanning each element sequentially until a match is found, making it suitable for small unsorted data. Binary search repeatedly divides the search space in half by comparing the middle element, requiring sorted data but having logarithmic time complexity ideal for large datasets. Understanding these algorithms allows selecting the most efficient one based on whether the data is sorted and its size.

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MISTY WHITE
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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**Lesson: Linear and Binary Search**

**Introduction:**
Linear and binary search are fundamental algorithms used to find an element within a collection of data.
Both methods are efficient in different contexts, and understanding their principles is crucial for effective
problem-solving.

**Linear Search:**
- **Description:** Linear search is a straightforward method that involves scanning each element in a
sequence until a match is found or the entire sequence is checked.
- **Algorithm:**
1. Start from the beginning of the sequence.
2. Compare each element with the target.
3. If a match is found, return the index.
4. If the end of the sequence is reached without a match, indicate that the element is not present.
- **Use Cases:** Linear search is suitable for small datasets or unsorted sequences.

**Binary Search:**
- **Description:** Binary search is a more efficient algorithm that requires the data to be sorted. It
repeatedly divides the search space in half, eliminating half of the remaining elements with each
comparison.
- **Algorithm:**
1. Sort the sequence.
2. Set low, high, and mid indices.
3. Compare the element at the mid index with the target.
4. If a match is found, return the index.
5. If the element is less than the target, update low to mid + 1.
6. If the element is greater than the target, update high to mid - 1.
7. Repeat until finding the target or narrowing down the search space to an empty interval.
- **Use Cases:** Binary search is highly efficient for large sorted datasets, reducing the search time
logarithmically.

**Comparisons:**
- **Time Complexity:**
- Linear Search: O(n) where n is the number of elements in the sequence.
- Binary Search: O(log n) where n is the number of elements in the sequence.
- **Data Requirement:**
- Linear Search: Works on both sorted and unsorted data.
- Binary Search: Requires data to be sorted beforehand.
- **Efficiency:**
- Linear Search: Simple but less efficient for large datasets.
- Binary Search: Efficient for larger datasets due to logarithmic time complexity.

**Conclusion:**
Understanding linear and binary search is crucial for selecting the appropriate search algorithm based on
the problem at hand. Linear search is straightforward but may become inefficient for larger datasets,
while binary search excels in efficiency when working with sorted data. Each algorithm has its strengths,
and choosing the right one depends on the specific requirements of the task.

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