Data Structures and Algorithms: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 6 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Graph theory

Handshake lemma
Σ deg(v) = 2|E|
Complete graphs
|E(Kn)| = n(n − 1)/2, |E(Km,n)| = m·n
Regular graph
|E| = n·k/2
Tree and forest
|E| = n − 1, |E| = n − c
Leaves of a tree
L = 2 + Σ (deg(v) − 2) over deg(v) ≥ 3
Euler
circuit: all degrees even; path: exactly 2 odd degrees
Hamilton circuits in Kn
(n − 1)!/2
Dijkstra update
d(v) = min(d(v), d(u) + w(u, v))
Walks of length L
(Mᴸ)ij

Method

  1. Write down the degree of every vertex; the degrees add up to twice the number of edges.
  2. For Euler questions, check that the graph is connected and count the vertices with odd degree.
  3. For trees, use n − 1 edges and the handshake lemma.
  4. For Dijkstra, keep a table of tentative distances and settle the smallest unsettled vertex each round.
  5. For a minimum spanning tree, sort the edges by weight and skip every edge that closes a cycle (Kruskal), or grow one tree from a start vertex (Prim).

2Practice problems

1.Algorithms & complexityMedium

Dynamic programming is useful when a problem has:

  1. AOverlapping subproblems and optimal substructure
  2. BOnly random inputs
  3. CNo subproblems at all, so it can be solved in one step
  4. DA single loop
2.Algorithms & complexityHard

How is the travelling salesman problem classified?

  1. AIt is undecidable
  2. BIt is in P because Dijkstra's algorithm solves it by visiting every city once
  3. CThe decision version is NP-complete and the optimisation version is NP-hard
  4. DThe decision version is in P but the optimisation version is NP-complete
3.Data structuresMedium

In a hash table using open addressing, what is the maximum possible load factor?

  1. A2
  2. B1
  3. C0.5
  4. DThere is no maximum
4.Data structuresHard

How can you detect whether a singly linked list contains a cycle using O(1) extra memory?

  1. ACount the nodes until the count exceeds the list length field
  2. BSort the list and look for duplicates
  3. CMove one pointer by one step and another by two steps and check whether they meet
  4. DStore every visited node in a hash set
5.Graph theoryMedium
ABCDEEuler circuitEuler path, no circuitneither

Does the connected graph have an Euler circuit, an Euler path that is not a circuit, or neither? Click your answer.

|V| = 5|E| = 6
  1. 1Euler circuit
  2. 2Euler path, no circuit
  3. 3neither
6.Graph theoryHard
241131551211515ABCDEFG

Use Dijkstra’s algorithm to find the length d(F) of the shortest path from A to F in the weighted graph.

start: Aend: F
d(F) =

3Solutions

1.Algorithms & complexity

Answer: A · Overlapping subproblems and optimal substructure

Why this is the answer

Storing results of overlapping subproblems (memoisation or tabulation) avoids repeated work, turning exponential algorithms into polynomial ones.

Answer

A · Overlapping subproblems and optimal substructure
2.Algorithms & complexity

Answer: C · The decision version is NP-complete and the optimisation version is NP-hard

Why this is the answer

"Is there a tour of length at most k?" is NP-complete; finding the shortest tour is NP-hard, since it is at least as hard.

Answer

C · The decision version is NP-complete and the optimisation version is NP-hard
3.Data structures

Answer: B · 1

Why this is the answer

With open addressing all keys are stored in the table itself, so n cannot exceed m; separate chaining can have a load factor above 1.

Answer

B · 1
4.Data structures

Answer: C · Move one pointer by one step and another by two steps and check whether they meet

Why this is the answer

In Floyd's algorithm, if there is a cycle the fast pointer eventually catches up with the slow one; otherwise the fast pointer reaches null.

Answer

C · Move one pointer by one step and another by two steps and check whether they meet
5.Graph theory

Answer: Euler path, no circuit

Euler, Hamilton and trees: a connected graph has an Euler circuit (every edge once, back to the start) when every vertex has even degree, and an Euler path that is not a circuit when exactly two vertices have odd degree; the path then runs from one odd vertex to the other. A Hamilton circuit visits every vertex once; Kn has (n − 1)!/2 of them. A tree on n vertices has n − 1 edges, and a connected graph with m edges keeps a spanning tree after removing m − n + 1 edges.

Degrees

deg(A) = 1, deg(B) = 4, deg(C) = 2, deg(D) = 2, deg(E) = 3

Odd vertices

A, E → 2
Euler path, no circuit

Answer

Euler path, no circuit

The Euler path starts at one odd vertex and ends at the other.

6.Graph theory

Answer: d(F) = 8

Shortest paths and spanning trees: Dijkstra’s algorithm settles one vertex per round: the unsettled vertex with the smallest tentative distance. Its distance is then final, and every neighbour v gets d(v) = min(d(v), d(u) + w(u, v)). Kruskal’s algorithm builds a minimum spanning tree by taking the edges from light to heavy and skipping any edge that would close a cycle; Prim’s algorithm grows one tree from a start vertex by always adding the lightest edge that leaves it. A spanning tree of n vertices has n − 1 edges.

Dijkstra round by round

Each line: the vertex settled, its final distance, and the neighbours whose distance improves.

A (0): B: 2, C: 4
B (2): D: 3, G: 13
D (3): E: 18, F: 8, G: 4
C (4): E: 17
G (4): E: 9
F (8)
E (9)

Shortest path

A → B → D → F
d(F) = 8

Answer

d(F) = 8

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