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. AA single loop
  2. BNo subproblems at all, so it can be solved in one step
  3. COnly random inputs
  4. DOverlapping subproblems and optimal substructure
2.Algorithms & complexityHard

Topological sorting is possible only for:

  1. AUndirected graphs
  2. BDirected acyclic graphs
  3. CComplete graphs
  4. DGraphs with negative weights
3.Data structuresMedium

You have a reference to a node in the middle of a list. In which list can you remove it in O(1)?

  1. AA dynamic array
  2. BA singly linked list
  3. CA doubly linked list
  4. DA sorted array
4.Data structuresHard

What is the main advantage of a skip list over a sorted linked list?

  1. AExpected O(log n) search by using several levels of forward pointers
  2. BGuaranteed O(1) search because every node stores a pointer to every other node
  3. CIt stores keys without order
  4. DIt uses no extra memory
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
4761210133313ABCDEFG

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

start: Aend: G
d(G) =

3Solutions

1.Algorithms & complexity

Answer: D · 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

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

Answer: B · Directed acyclic graphs

Why this is the answer

A topological order exists if and only if the directed graph has no cycles; it can be found in O(V + E) with DFS or Kahn's algorithm.

Answer

B · Directed acyclic graphs
3.Data structures

Answer: C · A doubly linked list

Why this is the answer

A doubly linked node knows its predecessor, so you can relink prev and next directly; a singly linked list must search for the predecessor.

Answer

C · A doubly linked list
4.Data structures

Answer: A · Expected O(log n) search by using several levels of forward pointers

Why this is the answer

Randomised levels allow searches to skip many nodes, giving expected O(log n) search, insert and delete.

Answer

A · Expected O(log n) search by using several levels of forward pointers
5.Graph theory

Answer: Euler 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) = 2, deg(B) = 4, deg(C) = 2, deg(D) = 2, deg(E) = 2

Odd vertices

0
Euler circuit

Answer

Euler circuit
6.Graph theory

Answer: d(G) = 7

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): C: 4
C (4): B: 11, E: 16, G: 7
G (7): B: 10, D: 20
B (10): D: 16
D (16): F: 29
E (16)
F (29)

Shortest path

A → C → G
d(G) = 7

Answer

d(G) = 7

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