Algorithms: Master the Fundamentals of Computer Science

Question 1

What is the worst-case time complexity of binary search?

Accepted Answer

O(log n)

Answer

O(1)

Answer

O(n)

Answer

O(n^2)

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of using a cache in algorithm design?

Accepted Answer

To improve the efficiency of frequently used operations

Answer

To reduce the time complexity of an algorithm

Answer

To reduce the space complexity of an algorithm

Answer

To handle errors more efficiently

Question 3

Which of the following is a limitation of a hash table?

Accepted Answer

Possibility of collisions

Answer

Slow lookup for large datasets

Answer

Ordered elements

Answer

Inefficient memory usage

Question 4

Which step is crucial in the initial phase of efficient algorithm design?

Accepted Answer

Problem definition and requirements analysis

Answer

Implementation in a specific programming language

Answer

Unit testing and debugging

Answer

Deployment and maintenance

Question 5

What is the time complexity of a linear search algorithm in the worst case?

Accepted Answer

O(n)

Answer

O(1)

Answer

O(log n)

Answer

O(n^2)

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of recursion in algorithm design?

Accepted Answer

To decompose complex problems into smaller, manageable subproblems

Answer

To solve problems of infinite size

Answer

To optimize memory usage

Answer

To enhance code readability

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of dynamic programming in algorithm design?

Accepted Answer

Increased code complexity

Answer

Reduced time complexity for overlapping subproblems

Answer

Improved memory efficiency

Answer

Elimination of redundant calculations

Question 8

What is the key benefit of using abstract data types (ADTs) in algorithm design?

Accepted Answer

Encapsulation of data and operations, leading to increased modularity and reusability

Answer

Improved code reusability

Answer

Enhanced algorithm efficiency

Answer

Reduced code complexity

Question 9

Which of the following characteristics best describes a greedy algorithm?

Accepted Answer

It makes locally optimal choices at each step, not necessarily leading to a global optimum

Answer

It guarantees finding the globally optimal solution

Answer

It requires backtracking to explore alternative solutions

Answer

It is always the most efficient algorithm for a given problem

Question 10

What is the primary objective of using a divide-and-conquer approach in algorithm design?

Accepted Answer

To break down a problem into smaller, independent subproblems, potentially improving efficiency

Answer

To reduce the time complexity of the algorithm

Answer

To improve the memory efficiency of the algorithm

Answer

To eliminate the need for recursion

Question 11

What is the fundamental concept behind randomized algorithms?

Accepted Answer

Incorporating randomness into the algorithm's decision-making process

Answer

Guaranteeing the optimal solution with high probability

Answer

Eliminating the need for worst-case analysis

Answer

Reducing the memory requirements of the algorithm

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a core concept of algorithms?

Accepted Answer

Data structures

Answer

Searching

Answer

Sorting

Answer

Dynamic programming

Question 13

What is the average-case time complexity of a bubble sort on a n-element array?

Accepted Answer

n^2

Answer

n

Answer

n log n

Answer

n^3

Question 14

Which of the following algorithms is recursive?

Accepted Answer

Towers of Hanoi

Answer

Selection sort

Answer

Binary search

Answer

Merge sort

Question 15

What is the primary goal of dynamic programming?

Accepted Answer

To improve efficiency by storing previously computed results

Answer

To solve problems by breaking them down into smaller, independent subproblems

Answer

To design algorithms for problems with uncertain inputs

Answer

To optimize parallel algorithms

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a sorting algorithm?

Accepted Answer

Bellman-Ford algorithm

Answer

Insertion sort

Answer

Quick sort

Answer

Heap sort

Question 17

What is the key idea behind the divide-and-conquer algorithm design paradigm?

Accepted Answer

Dividing a problem into smaller subproblems and solving them independently

Answer

Using recursion to break down problems into smaller instances

Answer

Employing dynamic programming to store intermediate results

Answer

Applying greedy algorithms to approximate optimal solutions

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a randomized algorithm?

Accepted Answer

Monte Carlo simulation

Answer

Dijkstra's algorithm

Answer

Breadth-first search

Answer

Prim's algorithm

Question 19

What is the asymptotic time complexity of a successful binary search on a sorted array?

Accepted Answer

log n

Answer

n

Answer

n^2

Answer

2^n

Question 20

What is the purpose of using a hash function in a hash table?

Accepted Answer

To map keys to specific memory locations

Answer

To generate unique keys for data elements

Answer

To improve search efficiency by reducing collisions

Answer

To detect duplicates in a data set

Question 21

Explain the role of data structures in algorithm efficiency and how the choice of data structure can impact algorithm performance.

Accepted Answer

The choice of data structure can affect the time complexity of an algorithm.

Answer

Data structures have no impact on algorithm efficiency.

Answer

The choice of data structure only affects the space complexity of an algorithm.

Question 22

Which sorting algorithm is best suited for handling nearly sorted data, preserving the relative order of elements that are already in order?

Accepted Answer

Insertion Sort

Answer

Quick Sort

Answer

Bubble Sort

Answer

Merge Sort

Question 23

In recursive algorithms, which characteristic is absent?

Accepted Answer

Reliance on loop structures

Answer

Solving problems by dividing them into smaller subproblems

Answer

Invoking the same function within its own definition

Answer

Existence of a base case to terminate recursion

Question 24

To find the smallest element in an unsorted array, which algorithm should be employed?

Accepted Answer

Linear Search

Answer

Merge Sort

Answer

Binary Search

Answer

Quick Sort