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

In a sorted array, you look for two elements that sum to a target by moving one pointer from each end inwards. What is the time complexity?

  1. AO(log n)
  2. BO(n log n)
  3. CO(n)
  4. DO(n²)
2.Algorithms & complexityHard

The 0/1 knapsack problem solved with dynamic programming takes O(nW) time. Why is this called pseudo-polynomial?

  1. ABecause n is always small
  2. BBecause the algorithm is randomised and its running time varies with each input
  3. CBecause it only works for W = 0
  4. DW is a number, so the time is exponential in the number of bits used to write W
3.Data structuresMedium

A hash table of size 7 uses h(k) = k mod 7 and linear probing. After inserting 10, where is 17 stored?

  1. AIndex 4
  2. BIndex 0
  3. CIndex 3
  4. DIndex 6
4.Data structuresHard

How long does it take to search for an arbitrary key in a binary min-heap of n elements?

  1. AO(log log n)
  2. BO(n)
  3. CO(1)
  4. DO(log n)
5.Graph theoryMedium
ABCDEFGEuler 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| = 7|E| = 9
  1. 1Euler circuit
  2. 2Euler path, no circuit
  3. 3neither
6.Graph theoryHard
741721512412ABCDEFG

Dijkstra’s algorithm runs from A. Click the vertex that is settled (made permanent) in round 4; A itself is round 1.

start: Around 4
  1. 1A
  2. 2B
  3. 3C
  4. 4D
  5. 5E
  6. 6F
  7. 7G

3Solutions

1.Algorithms & complexity

Answer: C · O(n)

Why this is the answer

If the sum is too small the left pointer moves right, if too large the right pointer moves left, so there are at most n steps.

Answer

C · O(n)
2.Algorithms & complexity

Answer: D · W is a number, so the time is exponential in the number of bits used to write W

Why this is the answer

The running time is polynomial in the value of W but exponential in its length (log W bits); 0/1 knapsack is NP-complete.

Answer

D · W is a number, so the time is exponential in the number of bits used to write W
3.Data structures

Answer: A · Index 4

Why this is the answer

10 mod 7 = 3 and 17 mod 7 = 3; index 3 is taken, so linear probing tries the next slot, index 4.

Answer

A · Index 4
4.Data structures

Answer: B · O(n)

Why this is the answer

A heap gives no rule for which subtree contains a key, so in the worst case all nodes must be checked; only the minimum is fast to find.

Answer

B · O(n)
5.Graph theory

Answer: neither

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) = 3, deg(C) = 3, deg(D) = 2, deg(E) = 3, deg(F) = 2, deg(G) = 4

Odd vertices

A, B, C, E → 4
neither

Answer

neither
6.Graph theory

Answer: E

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

1. A (0): B: 7, C: 4
2. C (4): B: 5, E: 11, G: 16
3. B (5)
4. E (11): D: 13, F: 26
5. D (13)
6. G (16)
7. F (26)

round 4

E

Answer

E

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