Question

Consider a LIST implemented by an array, and containing N elements. The ADD operation has best case time complexity of...

a. O(1)
b. O(log N)
c. O(N)
d. O(N²)

Answer 1

The best case time complexity for adding an element to a list implemented by an array is O(1), assuming the array does not need to be resized and there is room to add an element without shifting existing elements.

Step-by-step explanation:

When we talk about adding an element to a list implemented by an array, the best case time complexity for an ADD operation is generally O(1). This is because, in the best case scenario, you can add an element to the end of the array without needing to resize or shift any of the existing elements, which is a constant time operation.

However, if the array needs to be resized (for example, if the array is already full and cannot accommodate new elements), then the time complexity would be O(N) because you would need to create a new array and copy all N existing elements into it before adding the new element. The best case assumes that this resize operation is not needed.