Question

Identify the sort algorithm an aray of 8 elements was sorted using some sorting algorithm. the algorithm found the largest number first. after 4 iterations, the arrayis [2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 1, 3,67 which statement is true?

a. the algorithm may be insertion sort but is not merge sort.
b. the algorithm may be merge sort but not insertion sort.
c. the algorithm is selection sort.
d. none clear

Answer 1

The sorting algorithm is identified as selection sort because after four iterations, the largest number is at the end of the array, which is a characteristic of selection sort.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question is about identifying the sorting algorithm used based on the given pattern after 4 iterations. Given that after four iterations of the sorting algorithm, the largest number has appeared at the end of the array, and the rest of the array is not fully sorted, the algorithm is most likely selection sort. This is indicative of the selection sort behavior, which systematically searches for the largest (or smallest) element and places it in the correct position in each iteration, in this case, the largest element has been moved to the end. Unlike merge sort, which is a divide and conquer algorithm that works by splitting the array into smaller arrays, sorting those arrays, and then merging them back together in a sorted order, or insertion sort where elements are gradually inserted into their correct position in a sorted portion of the array. Therefore, the right answer is c. the algorithm is selection sort.