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

A function runs one loop of n iterations and then, separately, another loop of n iterations. What is its time complexity?

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

What is the difference between an undecidable problem and an intractable one?

  1. AIntractable problems cannot be solved by any algorithm, while undecidable ones only need exponential time
  2. BBoth mean the problem has no algorithm at all
  3. CUndecidable problems are in NP, while intractable problems are in P
  4. DAn undecidable problem has no algorithm for all inputs; an intractable one has one, but it is too slow
3.Data structuresMedium

A binary tree has root 1 with left child 2 and right child 3; node 2 has children 4 (left) and 5 (right). What is the preorder traversal?

  1. A1 2 4 5 3
  2. B1 2 3 4 5
  3. C4 5 2 3 1
  4. D4 2 5 1 3
4.Data structuresHard

In a hash table using open addressing, why is deletion often done with a "tombstone" marker?

  1. AEmptying the slot could break the probe sequence for other keys
  2. BTombstones speed up hashing
  3. CDeleted keys must be kept forever for security, so slots can never be reused
  4. DIt makes the table sorted
5.Graph theoryMedium
ABCDEFEuler 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| = 6|E| = 7
  1. 1Euler circuit
  2. 2Euler path, no circuit
  3. 3neither
6.Graph theoryHard
1862581313ABCDEF

Kruskal’s algorithm builds a minimum spanning tree. Click the edge it adds as edge number 5; skipped edges do not count.

k = 5
  1. 1edge AB
  2. 2edge AC
  3. 3edge BC
  4. 4edge BD
  5. 5edge DE
  6. 6edge DF
  7. 7edge EF
  8. 8edge BE

3Solutions

1.Algorithms & complexity

Answer: B · O(n)

Why this is the answer

n + n = 2n, and constant factors are dropped, so the function is O(n).

Answer

B · O(n)
2.Algorithms & complexity

Answer: D · An undecidable problem has no algorithm for all inputs; an intractable one has one, but it is too slow

Why this is the answer

The halting problem has no algorithm at all; an NP-hard problem such as TSP can be solved by brute force, just not in known polynomial time.

Answer

D · An undecidable problem has no algorithm for all inputs; an intractable one has one, but it is too slow
3.Data structures

Answer: A · 1 2 4 5 3

Why this is the answer

Preorder visits 1, then its left subtree (2, 4, 5), then 3; the other options are inorder, postorder and level-order.

Answer

A · 1 2 4 5 3
4.Data structures

Answer: A · Emptying the slot could break the probe sequence for other keys

Why this is the answer

If a deleted slot became empty, later searches might stop early and miss keys that were placed further along the probe chain.

Answer

A · Emptying the slot could break the probe sequence for other keys
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, deg(F) = 2

Odd vertices

0
Euler circuit

Answer

Euler circuit
6.Graph theory

Answer: edge AC

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.

Kruskal’s algorithm

1. DF (1)
2. BC (2)
3. EF (3)
4. BD (5)
5. AC (6)

edge number 5

AC

Answer

edge AC

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