Data Structures and Algorithms - C Programming

1. An Overview of Algorithms
Lecture 02
Dhanushka Jayasinghe

2. Asymptotic Notation
 A problem may have numerous algorithmic solutions.
 In order to choose the best algorithm for a particular task, you need to be
able to judge how long a particular solution will take to run.
 Need a way to compare algorithms with one another.
 Asymptotic Complexity is a way of expressing the main component of the
cost of an algorithm, using idealized units of computational work.

3. Fundamentals
Solution
A1
A2
A3
A4

4. Asymptotic Notation
 When we study algorithms, we are interested in characterizing them
according to their efficiency.
 We are usually interesting in the order of growth of the running time of an
algorithm, not in the exact running time.
 This is also referred to as the asymptotic running time.
 We need to develop a way to talk about the rate of growth of functions so
that we can compare algorithms.
 Asymptotic notation gives us a method for classifying functions according
to their rate of growth.

5. Fundamentals
 How to design various algorithms for a single
solution and how to analyze them.
 What will be the time taken by each one and what
will be the memory required by each algorithm.
 Select the most suitable algorithm.
Design
Analyze
Select

6. Asymptotic Notation
Asymptotic Notation is a mathematical notation used to describe the asymptotic
behavior of a function.
EX:
◦ Algorithm A is twice as fast as Algorithm B
◦ If the number of items are increased by 50%
◦ Algorithm A is three times faster than Algorithm B
◦ If we have half as many items
◦ Algorithm A and B take equal time to run
Therefore we need a comparison that is related to the number of items

7. Asymptotic Notation
Big O Notation (O)
◦ Worst case – Upper Bound of function
Big Omega Notation (Ω)
◦ Best case – Lower Bound of function
Big Theta Notation (Ɵ)
◦ Average case

8. Big O Notation (O) – Upper Bound –
Worst Case
As n increases, f(n) grows no faster
than g(n).
In other words, g(n) is an asymptotic
upper bound on f(n).
n0 is threshold for given function
F(n) = O(g(n))
Input (n)
Time
(t)
f(n)
g(n)
n0

9. Big O Notation
If we can bind f(n) function by some other function g(n) in such a way that after
some input n0, the value of g(n) is always greater than f(n) we call g(n) the upper
bound of f(n).
Definition: f(n) = O(g(n)) if there are two positive constants c and n0 such that
|f(n)| <= c |g(n)| for all n >= n0
If f(n) is nonnegative, we can simplify the last condition to
0 <= f(n) <=c g(n) for all n >= n0
We say that “f(n) is big-O of g(n).”

10. Let’s we a function f(n) 2n+6,
f(n) = 2n+6
C g(n) = 4n
0 <= f(n) <=c g(n) all n >= n0
0 <= 2n+6 <= 4n , if n = 1;
1st 0 <= 8 <= 4 false
2nd 0 <= 10 <= 8 false
3rd 0 <= 12 <= 12 true
4th 0 <= 14 <= 16 true, therefor n >=3
0 <= 2n+6 <= 4n all n >=3
O ( g(n) )
C g(n) = 4n
O(n) is time complexity of f(n) 2n+6
function

11. Activity
Function 01
f(n) = 2n2+10
c g(n) = 3n2
Function 02
f(n) = 2n2+n
c g(n) = 3n2

12. Big O Notation Complexities
O (1) = Constant time
O (log n) = Logarithmic time
O (n) = Liner time
O (n log n) = Liner Arithmetic time
O (nc) = Polynomial time
O (cn) = Exponent time
O (1) < O (log n) < O (n) < O (n log n) < O (n2) < O (2n)

13. Big O Notation

14. Dominative Factor
Select the maximum complexity value
f(n) = 3n2 + n + 1
O(n2)
1. f(n) = 2 log n + n log n + n
2. f(n) = 2n + n2 + 1

15. Big O Notation
Insert in to an unordered array
◦ Time taken to insert an item into an unordered array is constant
◦ The time does not depend on the number of items
◦ Always time T=k

16. Big O Notation
Linear search
◦ Proportional to number of items N
◦ T∝ N
◦ T=k*N

17. THANK YOU