GATE CS 2020 Set 1 — Question 26
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Algorithms → Asymptotic Analysis → Best, Worst, Average Case
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Question
What is the worst case time complexity of inserting elements into an empty linked list, if the linked list needs to be maintained in sorted order?
Correct answer
(C) θ(n²)
Solution
To maintain a sorted linked list, for each insertion, we must traverse the list to find the correct position to insert the new element.
1.Inserting the 1st element takes constant time .
2.Inserting the 2nd element takes at most 1 comparison.
3.Inserting the -th element takes at most comparisons in the worst case (when the new element is larger than all existing elements).
The total time complexity to insert elements is the sum of comparisons:Thus, the worst-case time complexity is .Continue learning with Success Tracker
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