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(n²)
  4. DO(n)
2.Algorithms & complexityHard

Karatsuba multiplication satisfies T(n) = 3T(n/2) + O(n). What does this solve to?

  1. AΘ(n3)
  2. BΘ(n log n)
  3. CΘ(n²)
  4. DΘ(nlog₂ 3), about n1.585
3.Data structuresMedium

A node in a binary search tree has a right subtree. Where is its in-order successor?

  1. AThe rightmost node of its left subtree
  2. BIts parent, always
  3. CThe leftmost node of its right subtree
  4. DIts right child, always
4.Data structuresHard

Which property keeps every B-tree perfectly balanced?

  1. AThe keys are stored only in the root
  2. BEvery node has exactly two children
  3. CAll leaves are at the same depth
  4. DEach node stores one key
5.Graph theoryMedium

A connected graph has 17 vertices and 28 edges. How many edges k must be removed to leave a spanning tree?

|V| = 17|E| = 28
k =
6.Graph theoryHard
151474157115ABCDEF

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: D · 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

D · O(n)
2.Algorithms & complexity

Answer: D · Θ(nlog₂ 3), about n1.585

Why this is the answer

Since log₂ 3 ≈ 1.585 > 1, the leaves dominate by the master theorem, beating the O(n²) schoolbook method.

Answer

D · Θ(nlog₂ 3), about n1.585
3.Data structures

Answer: C · The leftmost node of its right subtree

Why this is the answer

All larger keys close to the node are in its right subtree, and the smallest of those is the leftmost node there.

Answer

C · The leftmost node of its right subtree
4.Data structures

Answer: C · All leaves are at the same depth

Why this is the answer

Nodes split upwards when full and the tree only gets taller when the root splits, so all leaves always stay on the same level.

Answer

C · All leaves are at the same depth
5.Graph theory

Answer: k = 12

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.

Edges of a spanning tree

17 − 1 = 16

Edges to remove

k = 28 − 16 = 12

Answer

k = 12
6.Graph theory

Answer: d(F) = 29

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: 15
B (15): C: 29, D: 22, E: 30
D (22): F: 29
C (29)
F (29)
E (30)

Shortest path

A → B → D → F
d(F) = 29

Answer

d(F) = 29

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